CUK holds webinar on food safety in India

Ganderbal, Sep 13: Department of Law, School of Legal Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with Consumer Advocacy Group organised a national webinar on “Food Safety and Policy in India,” here.

In his keynote address, NALSAR University of Law, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Srikrishna Deva Rao, discussed emerging issues in consumerism, focusing on the necessity of food and the socio-economic crime of food adulteration. He underscored the importance of regular awareness campaigns with respect to the dangers of pesticide adulteration.

Prof Rao advocated for sustainable agriculture practices, including organic and indoor farming. He proposed steps to ensure food safety, such as raising public awareness about common adulterants, checking product labels and purchasing from trusted shops, buying items marked with the FSSAI logo etc.

In his speech, Founder Consumer Advocacy Group and former member of District Consumer Forum, Vijayawada, Dr PVVS Murthy, emphasised the necessity of regular webinars to raise awareness about food safety, given India's vast population of 140 crore consumers, with 60% residing in rural areas. He highlighted the prevalence of e-frauds and the need for consumer activism.

Addressing the participants, AGM (R&D), Aries Agro Ltd, Dr Shama Afroz Zaidi highlighted the importance of food safety from harvesting to consumption. She discussed the impact of the Green Revolution, the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, and their adverse effects on soil fertility and microbial life.

Dr Zaidi explained how pesticide residues contaminate food, air, water, and soil, leading to health issues such as haemoglobin problems and respiratory issues due to heavy metals. She emphasised individual responsibilities in ensuring food safety.

Researcher and Founder of Law Teachers and Pro Bono India, Dr Kalpesh Kumar Gupta gave a comprehensive timeline of food laws, from the 1937 Committee to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. He highlighted the important terms such as adulterant, contaminant, food, food business, unsafe, and substandard. He explained the organizational structure of the FSSAI and various sections of the FSS Act.

Earlier, Dean SLS, Prof Farooq Ahmad Mir, covered various principles such as natural justice, pacta sunt servanda, privity of contract, and caveat emptor. Prof Mir traced the development of consumer protection laws from the post-independence era, highlighting the blend of socialism in Indian policies. He highlighted the need for comprehensive legislation, leading to the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986 and its subsequent enactment in 2019.

Starting the proceedings, Associate Prof Dr Jehirul Islam, said the objective of the webinar was to discuss and address the critical issues surrounding food safety in India. He emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure food safety. He also mentioned the significance of Food Safety Day, celebrated for the first time on June 7, 2019, and discussed the Indian legal framework and judicial efforts in this domain. Dr M S Bisen, Associate Prof proposed the vote of thanks.