UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Rise in food poisoning cases highlights lapses in food safety

Question 1

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the term 'Designated Officer' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

An officer, not below the rank of a Sub-Divisional Officer, appointed by the Commissioner of Food Safety for each district to grant, suspend or cancel food licences

Answer

The presiding officer of the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal in a State

Answer

The official who chairs the Central Advisory Committee of the Food Authority

Answer

A scientist nominated to head a Scientific Panel of FSSAI

Question 2

The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) released annually by FSSAI is best described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

An annual benchmarking ranking of States/UTs on food-safety performance across five weighted parameters

Answer

A price index tracking the retail cost of essential food articles across States

Answer

A star-rating awarded to individual food business operators based on hygiene

Answer

A WHO index ranking countries on overall food security and nutrition

Question 3

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which administers the FSS Act, 2006 that replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Question 4

Official annual statistics on the number of deaths due to food poisoning in India are primarily published in which one of the following reports?

Accepted Answer

Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI), NCRB

Answer

Crime in India, NCRB

Answer

National Family Health Survey, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer

Sample Registration System Bulletin, Registrar General of India

Question 5

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, whose standards FSSAI seeks to harmonise Indian food standards with, was established jointly under the authority of which two organisations?

Accepted Answer

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO)

Answer

World Trade Organization (WTO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Answer

World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Answer

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Question 6

Under the FSS Act, 2006, the ground-level enforcement of food safety — including the appointment of Food Safety Officers and Designated Officers — is primarily the responsibility of which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

State/UT governments, acting through the Commissioner of Food Safety

Answer

FSSAI's central headquarters directly, through its regional offices

Answer

The Central Advisory Committee of the Food Authority

Answer

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Question 7

Under FSSAI's Hygiene Rating Scheme for restaurants, sweet/meat shops and catering establishments, a participating food establishment is awarded a consolidated star rating on a scale of how many stars?

Accepted Answer

1 to 5 stars

Answer

1 to 3 stars

Answer

1 to 7 stars

Answer

1 to 10 stars

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Rise in food poisoning cases highlights lapses in food safety

Q1. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the term 'Designated Officer' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

Q2. The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) released annually by FSSAI is best described as which one of the following?

Q3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which administers the FSS Act, 2006 that replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

Q4. Official annual statistics on the number of deaths due to food poisoning in India are primarily published in which one of the following reports?

Q5. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, whose standards FSSAI seeks to harmonise Indian food standards with, was established jointly under the authority of which two organisations?

Q6. Under the FSS Act, 2006, the ground-level enforcement of food safety — including the appointment of Food Safety Officers and Designated Officers — is primarily the responsibility of which one of the following?

Q7. Under FSSAI's Hygiene Rating Scheme for restaurants, sweet/meat shops and catering establishments, a participating food establishment is awarded a consolidated star rating on a scale of how many stars?