Abstract

Food is the basic need of all living beings. Much food comes from agriculture, animals, birds and fish. The economic condition of the people is revealed through the food they eat. Low safety awareness is seen in the poorer classes. There is change in the eating habits of Indian people due to western influence. Education to lead to a healthy life and greater food safety is necessary. This paper deals with the safety of food in production, marketing and consumption. Importance is to be given to clean water, milk, vegetables, fruits, meat, safety of cooked and raw food, environmental cleanliness and neatness in kitchen. The role of government and NGOs, the importance of Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 & its late implementation, banning of harmful edibles, preventing adulteration in various foodstuffs, harm in using chemicals in food stuffs, problems in implementation of the Act, consumers’ role, importance of ethical values in food safety, role of media, consumer awareness and training programmes for officials, poor life style of the slum and village people due to poverty, ignorance and illiteracy, personal hygiene, different types of eating joints, absence of food safety, remedial measures, importance of home food etc., are also to be dealt with. The National Food Security Act passed on 31 August, 2013 will come in to force soon. It is an improvement over the previous act.