Food Preservation Commission: Most Important Facts (MPPSC/ UPSC)

In this article, you will get to know everything about the “Food Preservation Commission” or “State Food Commission”, its Establishment, Composition, Tenure, Eligibility/Qualification, and Functions & Needs.

What is Food Preservation Commission?

A Food Preservation Commission is a government’s statutory body that is liable for exploring and creating strategies for preserving food. These techniques might incorporate canning, freezing, drying, and sanitization, among others. The objective of a Food Preservation Commission is to guarantee that food stays protected and nutritious for utilization over a lengthy time frame, and to ensure that food can be stored and transported without spoiling. The commission can likewise attempt to work on the taste, texture, and nutritional values of food during preservation.

Act of Food Preservation Commission

• The food Preservation commission is a Statutory Body established under the National Food Security Act of 2013.
• Section 16 of the National Food Security Act provides obligations on states to establish Food Security Commission as it comes under the state list.
• However, there is no such body at the center level. But, every state has a separate food preservation commission.
• Its aim is to implement the guidelines of the National Food Security Act.

Composition & Tenure of Food Preservation Commission

The Composition of the food preservation commission:

1. Chairman
2. Secretary
3. 5 Members (1 SC Member + 1 ST Member + at least 2 Women)

Tenure

The tenure of the chairman and members of the food preservation commission:

• Chairman – 5 years/ 65 years of age
• Members – 5 years/ 65 years of age

Eligibility

To be qualified as a member of the Food Preservation Commission, a person should be:

• AIS/PCS officer with knowledge of Food Security Policy
• or having knowledge and Experience in Nutrition/Health/Food/Policy/Law/Science/Management/Administration 
• or have a proven record of improvement in the nutritional rights of poor people.

Powers & Functions

The followings are the powers & functions of the Food Preservation Commission:

• Developing and enforcing food safety regulations.
• Submit its report to the State Government.
• Advise the State Government on food policies.
• Investigating and addressing food safety concerns or complaints.
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Act.
• Further, it has the power of the Civil Court.
• Commission Distribute food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

What is the need for the Food Preservation Commission?

The commission was established to ensure that food products are safe for consumption by the public and to prevent food waste by developing methods for preserving food. This can include research on food packaging, storage, and processing techniques to extend the shelf life of food products and prevent spoilage.

• Sanitation: The primary objective of the commission is to ensure that food items are alright for utilization by people in general. This incorporates carrying out security guidelines and directing assessments to guarantee that food items satisfy laid-out guidelines for quality and well-being.
• Safeguarding Strategies: The commission aims to prevent food waste by developing methods for preserving food. This can include researching new packaging and storage techniques to extend the shelf life of food products and prevent spoilage.
• Innovative work: Research various aspects of food preservation, such as food packaging, storage, and processing techniques. This research is used to improve existing methods and develop new methods for preserving food.
• Standards and Labeling: The commission works to develop standards for food labeling and inspection, to ensure that consumers have accurate information about the food they are purchasing. This may include guidelines for labeling food products with information such as expiration dates, ingredient lists, and nutritional information.

Conclusion

A Commission can play a critical role in protecting public health by identifying and addressing potential food safety hazards, and by promoting best practices in food processing, preservation, and distribution.

In summary, a Food Preservation Commission is an essential entity in protecting public health by ensuring the safety of the food supply and promoting food preservation techniques, It also plays a critical role in the food industry by providing guidance and support to food producers, processors, and distributors, and fostering a safe and sustainable food system that benefits both consumers and industry.

Also Read: Political and Administration Division of India

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