The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is addressing the growing concern of food poisoning and diarrhoea by establishing a network of microbiology labs across the nation.
Establishment of Microbiology Labs:
FSSAI is setting up 34 microbiology labs nationwide. These labs will be equipped to test food products for 10 pathogens, including E coli, salmonella, and listeria.
Purpose of Microbiology Labs:
The primary aim of these labs is to detect microbial contamination in food, which can cause food spoilage and pose health risks to consumers.
Statement from FSSAI Official:
A senior health official from FSSAI emphasized the importance of these labs in ensuring food safety by testing for microbial contamination.
Need for Microbiology Labs:
Despite the prevalence of diarrhoea and food poisoning, many cases go unreported. It is crucial for FSSAI to ensure food safety, and these labs will aid in testing food samples collected during routine surveillance.
Data from National Centre for Disease Control:
According to data from the National Centre for Disease Control, acute diarrhoeal disease and food poisoning are the most common outbreaks in India. There have been over 1,100 outbreaks of acute diarrhoeal disease and nearly 550 outbreaks of food poisoning in the last four years.
Challenges with State Food Safety Labs:
Currently, none of the state food safety labs are equipped to test for pathogens. These labs lack the necessary resources such as live reference samples, expensive reagents, and trained microbiologists.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary purpose of establishing microbiology labs by FSSAI?
- A) Testing food products for nutrient content
- B) Detecting microbial contamination in food
- C) Analyzing food packaging materials
- D) Monitoring food marketing practices
- Answer: B) Detecting microbial contamination in food
- Which pathogens are among the 10 targeted for testing in food products by the FSSAI labs?
- A) Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum
- B) Salmonella and Listeria
- C) Influenza virus and Norovirus
- D) Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium
- Answer: B) Salmonella and Listeria
- According to the National Centre for Disease Control, what are the two most common outbreaks in India?
- A) Malaria and Dengue fever
- B) Typhoid and Tuberculosis
- C) Acute diarrhoeal disease and Food poisoning
- D) Cholera and Hepatitis A
- Answer: C) Acute diarrhoeal disease and Food poisoning
- What is the main challenge faced by state food safety labs in testing for pathogens?
- A) Lack of funding
- B) Shortage of trained personnel
- C) Absence of necessary equipment
- D) All of the above
- Answer: D) All of the above