Food safety is a growing concern across the world. There is an increasing need to provide  greater assurance about the safety and quality of food to consumers. Accordingly, Food standards are expected to acquire greater importance given the increasing concern on food safety. The concept of food safety and quality is important for all stakeholders starting from the farmers to the processors, to the retailers and to the consumers.

The issue of food safety and quality is to be tackled with a multi prolonged, coordinated strategy with various stakeholders. Improving food safety and quality is a constant and continuous effort. It is, therefore, necessary that personnel involved in managing, handling, storing, production and distribution of food for mass consumption are appraised/reoriented of the issues pertaining to food safety and quality.

Keeping in view the urgency and spreading awareness amongst masses, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India is observing the year 2008-09 as "Food Safety & Quality Year" with the approval of the Union Council of Ministers.

Personal hygiene of staff and protective clothing, safe drinking water, safe serving, hand wash before and after handling food, purchasing certified products like BIS, AGMARK Certification etc. microbilogical safety of served foods, food testing and analysis, hygienic maintenance of kitchen, pest control in Kitchen, use of dustbins etc aspects need a specific attention. Food safety begins from the farm and remains important through the entire food supply chain till the plate of the consumer. A critical link in the chain in Food Safety Practices is Kitchens.

In domestic and global markets, quality and safety have become critical  requirements for enterprises producing food and providing food related services. One of the functions of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is to encourage the food processing industries in adoption/implementation of food safety and quality assurance mechanisms and build their capacity to conform to national/international  food standards. The concept of food safety and quality is important for all stakeholders stating from the farmers to the processors, to the retailers and to the consumers.

The food processing industry provides us with nutritious products, generates employment, investment and exports, links processing with farming, food retailing, food service and export trade. It is of enormous significance for India's development because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between two pillars of economy, namely industry and agriculture. Safe food is equally important for export in this competitive world.

The Governments all over the world are intensifying their efforts to improve safety and quality of food, working on research and development, in response to increasing number of food safety problems and rising consumer concerns. Recent trends in global food production, processing, distribution and preparation are creating an  increasing demand for food safety research in order to ensure a safer global food supply.

To heighten public awareness about the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty, 16th October is celebrated as 'World Food Day' every year the Ministry  is observing 16th October 2008 as "Food Safety & Quality Day" and release Commemorative Postal Stamp and First Day Cover in "2nd International Food Regulatory Summit, 2008" being held at hotel The Radisson, NOIDA.

Department of Posts is happy to release a commemorative postage stamp on Food Safety & Quality Year 2008-2009.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India