The coronavirus outbreak triggered global concerns over the hygiene standards that are followed in meat markets. (Reuters)

Coronavirus outbreak: Non-vegetarians, pay attention! The FSSAI is all set to roll out hygiene rating of the country’s fish and meat shops! Curious to know why this is important? Let’s go no further than the coronavirus outbreak that has hit the world so badly that there is global concern about hygiene standards of meat and fish markets. In fact, the FSSAI CEO shared his concerns about the hygiene standards in the country’s meat and fish markets. Terming that it is “not good”, he expressed confidence that the situation will improve in the coming years.

For the last six months, India’s food regulator stepped up efforts to ensure sanitation and hygiene across the country’s fish and meat markets. However, given the deadly coronavirus outbreak which has been linked to Wuhan’s meat market, it is only logical that the FSSAI wants to speed up the audit processes that are now underway.

The FSSAI has also planned to set up two new food laboratories at Chennai and Mumbai JNPT, with built-up space being taken on long-term lease from JNPT Mumbai and Chennai port authorities. authorities.

Ms. Rita Teaotia, Chairperson, FSSAI, & @ceo_fssai inaugurated FSSAI’s Northern Regional Office today at NFL, Ghaziabad. FSSAI has decided to set up six branch offices, four import offices and two food labs in the country. pic.twitter.com/sYJsJqa8Y8 — FSSAI (@fssaiindia) February 17, 2020

In addition, the FSSAI will also have four national food laboratories. These will be located in Chennai, Ghaziabad (Delhi NCR) and Mumbai JNPT. Two food laboratories will be functioning on the Indo-Nepal border.

The Food and Safety Standards Authority of India CEO Pawan Agarwal shared concerns about the standards of hygiene that are currently followed and made it clear that these efforts are not due to the coronavirus impact.

The coronavirus outbreak triggered global concerns over the hygiene standards that are followed in meat markets.

The Food and Safety Standards Authority of India CEO Pawan Agarwal shared concerns about the standards of hygiene that are currently followed and made it clear that these efforts are not due to the coronavirus impact.

For the last six months, the FSSAI has been auditing slaughterhouse, following which a third party sample audit comprising of more than five thousand slaughterhouses is underway.

As of now, out of this, a total of sixty have been audited.

Speaking to reporters, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal made it clear that these ongoing efforts are not due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the outbreak has made everyone more aware about the importance of maintaining hygiene and improving sanitation at local markets.

With its recent upgradation of the food laboratory at Ghaziabad, FSSAI’s upgradation of Kolkata food laboratory is now in an advanced stage and will soon be completed. Following this, FSSAI is set to strengthen its laboratory extension centres at Raxaul and Sanauli on the Indo-Nepal border to function as full-fledged food labs.