Kerala Once Again Tops Food Safety Index 2024

Kerala has again secured the top spot in the recently released 6th State Food Safety Index 2024 (SFSI 2024). Tamil Nadu and J&K followed in second and third positions.

State Food Safety Index Release Union Health Minister J P Nadda released the 6th State Food Safety Index 2024 (SFSI 2024) at the Second Edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2024, hosted by FSSAI in conjunction with the World Food India 2024 event, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Since 2019, the SFSI has been announced annually to incentivise States and Union Territories (UTs) to improve food safety in their regions.

Key Findings:

Kerala exceeded 100% of its inspection target in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) and significantly enhanced its food-testing infrastructure. The state also organised special drives to increase the number of license holders and registrations, among other achievements.

Tamil Nadu improved its ranking by moving up one place, from 3rd in 2023 to 2nd in 2024, with an overall score of 67.
Jammu & Kashmir ranked 3rd with an overall score of 64.25, followed by Gujarat (61.75) and Punjab (56.75) in 4th and 5th positions, respectively.
Nagaland was specially acknowledged among the northeastern hilly states and ranked 13th among all states and UTs, with a score of 44.25.
Jammu & Kashmir also topped among the Union Territories, followed by Chandigarh (43.75) and Delhi (37.5).

The SFSI is a unique benchmarking model developed by India to evaluate the performance of states and UTs on well-defined criteria for food safety. Each criterion is further elaborated with detailed checkpoints, allowing States and UTs to implement methodologies best suited to their context.

The Food Safety Index evaluates performance based on five significant parameters: Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing-Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training & Capacity Building, and Consumer Empowerment. The dynamic benchmarking model provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States and UTs.

Kerala topped the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024 for the second consecutive year, with Tamil Nadu reclaiming its second position after slipping to third last year. Kerala had previously ranked second in 2022 before taking the top spot last year. Jammu & Kashmir ranked third, while Gujarat secured fourth place.

Nagaland received special recognition for its progress among northeastern states, reflecting overall improvements in its food safety ecosystem.

Top Performers of SFSI 2024 — *Top Performers in FSSAI’s SFSI 2024*

Outstanding Achievements of Top Performer States

1. Kerala:

Kerala organised effective special drives that significantly increased the number of new licenses and registrations. The state achieved over 100% of its FY 2023-24 inspection target. It improved its food testing infrastructure, with its State Food Testing Laboratories (SFTLs) being notified and recognised by FSSAI, accredited by NABL, and equipped with microbiology facilities and high-end equipment. The state fully utilised Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) for testing, training, and awareness programs, generating over 100 monthly reports on InFoLNet. Kerala also excelled in the Eat Right Challenges, being certified for at least five initiatives and organising several Eat Right Millet Melas as part of the International Year of Millets celebrations.

2. Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu has a strong workforce of full-time Designated and Food Safety Officers. The State Level Advisory Committee (SLAC) and District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) met regularly. There was a significant increase in the issuance of new licenses and registrations, with the state achieving its inspection target. Its food testing labs are recognised and accredited by NABL, and these laboratories are well-equipped with microbiology facilities and high-end equipment. FSWs are actively used for testing, training, and awareness initiatives. Tamil Nadu achieved its FoSTaC training targets and was certified for five Eat Right Initiatives.

3. Jammu & Kashmir:

Jammu & Kashmir made notable progress in achieving its FoSTaC training and capacity-building goals. The UT trained the maximum number of Food Safety Supervisors by the end of FY 2023-24. It conducted need-based training for Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers. Effective utilisation of FSWs and the accreditation of laboratories by NABL and FSSAI were additional achievements.

4. Gujarat:

Gujarat actively organised Eat Right Challenges and Eat Right Millet Melas, achieving certification for five Eat Right Initiatives. The state improved its food testing infrastructure, with laboratories receiving NABL accreditation and being equipped with high-end equipment. It effectively utilised FSWs in districts and generated reports through InFoLNet. Gujarat also met its FoSTaC training targets and inspected Food Business Operators (FBOs) successfully.

Special Acknowledgment for Nagaland

Nagaland made substantial progress in improving its food testing infrastructure despite challenges related to manpower availability and sample transportation costs. Its state laboratory was accredited by NABL and notified by FSSAI, with basic and high-end equipment in place. The state also effectively utilised FSWs and excelled in enforcement sampling, FoSTaC training, Eat Right Initiatives, and Hygiene Ratings. The state demonstrated significant improvement compared to the previous year.

Key Factors Behind Kerala’s Success

Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George celebrated this achievement, stating, “Kerala has made a historic achievement in food security at the national level, holding the top position for two consecutive years.”

Biraja Rout, founder of Beamer Foods Brands, credited Kerala’s success to comprehensive food safety policies, including rigorous quality checks and frequent inspections. The state’s specialised food safety squads monitor high-risk areas, such as street food vendors, restaurants, and marketplaces. Initiatives like Safe Kerala ensure vendors meet hygiene standards. Kerala has also embraced digital systems for license issuance and food testing reports, streamlining processes and enhancing transparency.

Judging Criteria of Food Safety Index

The States and UTs were judged on five food safety parameters:

a) Human Resources and Institutional Data (20% weightage):

This evaluates the availability of a strong enforcement culture and ecosystem commensurate with the state’s size and population, alongside the participation of other departments and stakeholders. It also measures the number of Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers, adjudications, appellate tribunals, and the functioning of state and district-level committees.

b) Compliance (30% weightage):

This parameter focuses on the coverage of food businesses in licensing and registration, special drives, inspections of high-risk businesses, consumer grievance handling, and availability of help desks.

c) Food Testing-Infrastructure and Surveillance (20% weightage):

States/UTs with NABL-accredited labs and trained personnel score higher. The availability and use of Mobile Food Testing Labs and InFoLNet are also evaluated.

d) Training and Capacity Building (10% weightage):

This evaluates the training and certification of regulatory staff and Food Safety Supervisors through FoSTaC.

e) Consumer Empowerment (20% weightage):

This measures consumer awareness initiatives such as Food Fortification, Eat Right Campus, and Hygiene Ratings. It also assesses the coverage of fortified products and food safety awareness campaigns.

Further, based on the fact that similar States should be compared to ensure comparability among similar entities for the generation of ranks of States/UTs under SFSI, the States/UTs are classified into 3 categories namely Large States, Small States and UTs for the evaluation and assessment.