Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Rising Cases of Lifestyle Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2783 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2023

## RISING CASES OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES

## 2783. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed a rise in lifestyle diseases in the country and if so, the details regarding the steps and measures taken for spreading awareness in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government has noticed that one of the reasons for increasing lifestyle diseases is due to consuming unhealthy food from outside and the Food laws are not stringent enough to regulate in this regard and if so, the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken to bring in better food regulation;
- (c) whether the Government has observed a rise in food poisoning cases being detected in Kerala causing widespread concern on public health and if so, the details of steps taken to ensure that food regulation become strict in Kerala; and
- (d) whether Kerala has sufficient food testing labs and if so, the details of the same, district-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) : The  Department  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  provides  technical  and  financial  support  to  the States/UTs under the National Programme  for  Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the  proposals  received  from  the  States/UTs  and  subject  to  the  resource  envelope.  The  programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment  of  the  Non-Communicable  Diseases  (NCDs)  which  are  also  known  as  lifestyle  diseases. Under NPCDCS, 698 District NCD Cells, 708 District NCD Clinics, 194 District Cardiac Care Units, 301 District Day Care Centres and 5671 Community Health Centre NCD Clinics have been set up.

A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) i.e., diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more  than  30  years  of  age  are  targeted  for  their  screening  for  common  NCDs.  Screening  of  these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres.

Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), included primary healthcare services expanded from selective to Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) inclusive of NCD services, closer to community. Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted  communication at the community level. Till date 1,56,338  Health  & Wellness Centres have been operationalized as on 30th January 2023.

Further initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National & International Health Days and use of print, electronic and social media  for  continued  community  awareness.  Furthermore,  healthy  eating  is  also  promoted  through FSSAI.  Fit  India  movement  is  implemented  by  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and  Sports,  and  various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NPCDCS gives financial support  under  NHM  for  awareness  generation  (IEC)  activities  for  NCDs  to  be  undertaken  by  the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

(b): Several risk factors are associated with Non-Communicable Diseases, such as tobacco use, alcohol use,  insufficient  physical  activity  and  unhealthy  diet  and  air  pollution.  Food  Safety  and  Standards Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  sets  up  food  standards  which  are  Mandatory  and  every  Food  Business operator needs to comply with these standards.

(c):  The  state  government  of Kerala has observed rising food poisoning cases in the state of Kerala including some casualties. The health department had initiated many enforcement activities with the support of food safety authority jointly to monitor the quality of food served to these outlets.

FSSAI  has  extended  financial  support  to  the  State  Food  and  Drug  Administration  of  Kerala  to strengthen  state  food  labs,  to  strengthen  food  testing  ecosystem  and  12  mobile  food  testing  labs  or Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) for ensuring food safety even in the remotest part of the state.

(d):  There  are  15  FSSAI  notified  Laboratories  available  in  Kerala  which  serve  the  entire  state  for the testing of food samples. Details are attached in Annexure.

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List of Food Testing Laboratories in Kerala notified by FSSAI

|   S.No | District           | FSSAI Notified Laboratory List                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Ernakulam          | Accurate Analytic (General Purpose Laboratory), Cochin Nikarthil Road, Thoppumpady, Cochin - 682005 State Laboratory for Livestock, Marine &Agri Product (SLMAP), Ernakulam Maradu, Nettor P.O., Ernakulam, Kerala The Marine Products Export Development Authority, Quality Control Laboratory, 5th Floor, MPEDA House, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, Kerala Export Inspection Agency, (Ministry of Commerce& Industry, Govt. of India) 27/1767A, Shipyard Quarters Road, Panampilly Nagar(South), Kochi - 682036, Kerala FQ Lab and Research Centre Private Limited, Cochin OS-30 &31, IIIrd Floor, GCDA Complex, Marine Drive, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala-6820310 Interfield Laboratories, Kochi 13/1208 - A Interprint House, Karuvelipady, Kochi - 682005, Kerala Neogen Food &Animal Security (India) Pvt Ltd, Cochin Uchikkal Lane, Poonithura P.O. Cochin - 682038, Kerala Regional Analytical Laboratory, Ernakulam |
|      2 | Thrissur           | Confederation for Ayurvedic Renaissance Keralam Ltd., Koratty KINFRA, Small Industries Park, Nalukettu Road, Koratty - 680 309, Thrissur, Kerala                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|      3 | Pathanamthitta     | Food Quality Monitoring Laboratory (FQML), Kerala Council for Food Research &Development Office, Perinjottakkal P.O., Konni, Pathanamthitta Distt., Kerala- 689692                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|      4 | Alappuzha          | Geo-Chem, Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Aroor Aman Commercial Complex, Opp. Mercy School, Aroor- 688537. &SEA Lab, Aroor Seafood Park India Limited, XIII/99A, Keltron Road, Aroor, Alleppey District, Kerala-688534                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|      5 | Kollam             | CEPCI Laboratory &Research Institute, Kollam Cashew Bhawan, Mundakkal, Kollam-691001                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|      6 | Thiruvananthapuram | Govt. Analyst's Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram Red Cross Road, Vanchiyoor P.O., Thiruvananthapuram - 695035, Kerala                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

|   7 | Kozhikode   | Regional Analytical Laboratory, Kozhikode Malaparamba, Kozhikode, Kerala - 670009   |
|-----|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   8 | Palakkad    | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|   9 | Kottayam    | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|  10 | Wayanad     | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|  11 | Idukki      | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|  12 | Malappuram  | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|  13 | Kannur      | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |
|  14 | Kasaragod   | The above mentioned laboratories also cater the food testing in these districts     |