Port Blair, Sept. 20: The A&N Islands has been adjudged with 2nd position in the State Food Safety Index Rank among the Union Territories in the 3rd All India State Food Safety Index 2020-21 unveiled by the Hon’ble Health Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya at FSSAI, New Delhi. The prestigious award was received from the Hon’ble Minister by the A&N Administration.

This year the FSSAI divided States/UTs into three categories large States, small States and Union Territories. The State Food Safety Index ranks states on five parameters viz., human resources and institutional data, compliance, food testing facility, training & capacity building and consumer empowerment. Scores were allotted on parameter wise performances.

This achievement is a result of the dedicated efforts of Food Safety Department for effective enforcement of Food Safety Laws under the overall supervision and expert guidance of Commissioner Food Safety (Deputy Commissioner/SA), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Commissioner Food Safety, Andaman & Nicobar Islands/Deputy Commissioner (SA) has made special emphasis on improvement in the overall performance of the department in providing inputs for maintaining food safety in the Islands. In spite of Covid 19 pandemic, the A&N Food Safety Department has put forth tremendous efforts to achieve the targets sets by FSSAI.

Under the UT category Jammu & Kashmir was adjudged first rank whereas Andaman & Nicobar Islands secured second rank while Delhi stood third in the ranking. The Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare gave away the awards on the occasion which consisted of a certificate and a memento.

The Food Safety Department is committed to ensure the availability of safe, wholesome and nutritious food to all Islanders and in this endeavour would continuously strive hard to keep up and better our ranking in future.