The centre has been set up by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in partnership with Centre for Public Systems Management (CPSM)- LBSNAA with the objective to inculcate in officers (the young officers entering the civil services as well as other mid-level and senior officers) the competence to think and act in a holistic manner and promote policies and actions on food that are healthy, for both, people and planet.
The centre will introduce comprehensive training modules in the courses run by CPSM - LBSNAA (such as Induction Training to Civil Servants, MCTP, other specialized programs e.g. for Municipalities, etc.) on sustainable food systems and measures to promote safe and healthy food, thereby improving the health and well being of citizens.
Mandate of the Centre
The mandate of the Centre is to facilitate and support the Academy in orienting and building capacity of the officers working at different levels of the government to address key issues related to food, nutrition and health through a collaborative and citizens-centric approach.
This would include topics on food safety and security, nutrition and public health, sustainable food production and promoting local and regional economy. Since food touches the lives of everyone, everywhere, an effective and collaborative approach in the food sector offers a unique opportunity to contribute to ‘ease of living’. Further, this would encourage out-of-the-box ideas and innovative efforts that would become the hallmark of future governance models characterized by transparency and performance in service delivery.
The Need
The greatest challenge facing the world today is feeding the world population with good quality food that is healthy and produced through sustainable systems. Unhealthy diets now pose a greater risk to morbidity and mortality than unsafe sex, alcohol, drug and tobacco use combined. India is faced with a silent epidemic today- of under-nutrition, coupled with over-nutrition. Micronutrient deficiencies affect an alarming 50% of the population, while 1 in 6 deaths are caused by lifestyle disease.
In the backdrop, it is imperative that persons at the helm of public administration in the country (i.e. the young officers entering the civil services as well as other mid-level and senior officers) are sensitized and empowered through specific programs and tools to address this issue.
About FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie is a premier training institution for the civil services in India. It is headed by a Director (an officer of the level of Secretary to the Government of India) and is an attached office of the Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India.
It conducts a common Foundation Course for entrants to the All India Services; Indian Foreign Service; Group ‘A’ services of the Union and the Royal Bhutan Service followed by professional training for the regular recruits of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and members of the Royal Bhutan Service. The Academy also conducts in-service and Mid-Career Training Programmes (MCTPs) for members of the IAS and Induction Training Programme for officers promoted to the IAS from State Civil Services. In addition, workshops and seminars on policy and governance-related issues are held from time to time.
