Current Affairs 22 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. Report Underscores Nutritional Disparities in Global Food Markets
2. Tea industry in India
3. Home Minister Calls for Early Release of Undertrial Prisoners Before Constitution Day
4. Saint Francis Xavier
5. Biofloc Technology and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
6. Global Energy Efficiency Alliance

Report Underscores Nutritional Disparities in Global Food Markets

Context:

A recent report by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi) has brought to light significant disparities in the nutritional quality of food and beverage products available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to those in high-income countries (HICs). This analysis highlights the critical need for better food labeling practices, which could help steer consumers towards healthier choices in packaged foods. By addressing these discrepancies, there is potential to improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases globally.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Findings from the Health Star Rating System Report
2. What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?

Key Findings from the Health Star Rating System Report

Health Star Rating System Analysis

• Scope: The study covered over 52,000 products from leading global brands including Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever.
• Rating Mechanism: Products were rated on a scale of 5 stars, where scores above 3.5 were classified as healthy.
• Geographical Disparities in Scores:
  • Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): Average score of 1.8.
  • High-Income Countries (HICs): Average score of 2.3.

Nutritional Disparities

• Accessibility: Limited availability of affordable, healthy options in LMICs.
• Information Gaps: Micronutrient details were often missing from products in LMICs compared to those in HICs.

Historical Context

• Past Reports: Similar nutritional disparities were noted in previous studies, including issues like higher sugar levels in baby foods marketed by Nestlé in India and Africa compared to Europe.

Significance for India

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

• Health Impact: India has a high burden of NCDs, including over 10 crore diabetes cases and rising obesity rates.
• Diet-Related Issues: Over 56% of India’s disease burden is linked to unhealthy diets.

Economic and Nutritional Challenges

• Affordability: More than half of the Indian population cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Consumption Trends: Increasing expenditure on processed foods high in sugar and fats.

Importance of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL)

Global Examples

• Successful Implementations: Countries like Chile and Mexico have seen reduced sugary beverage consumption after implementing mandatory FOPL.

Indian Context

• Regulatory Efforts: India supports World Health Assembly resolutions against junk food marketing to children but struggles with effective implementation of FOPL policies.
• Policy Gaps: The 2022 Draft Notification for FOPL has seen little progress, and voluntary industry efforts remain inadequate.

Recommendations from the Report

Policy Enhancements

• Label Clarity: Advocate for stringent policies that mandate clear labelling of sugar, salt, and fat content on all food packaging.
• Consumer Education: Launch campaigns to educate consumers about the importance of nutritional labels and how to read them.

Economic Incentives

• Affordability: Encourage food and beverage companies to make nutritious products more accessible, especially for low-income consumers.

Regulatory Enforcement

• Best Practices: Adopt and enforce global best practices for food labelling to ensure transparency and consumer protection.

What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?

Overview:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• It operates under the purview of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Legal Framework:

• Formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which replaced earlier legislation such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, and the Meat Food Products Order, 1973.

Mandate:

• FSSAI regulates various aspects of food safety, including the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles.
• It establishes standards to ensure the safety and quality of food consumed by the public.

Composition:

• The authority consists of 22 members, including a Chairperson, with a requirement that one-third of the members must be women.

Functions:

• Regulation Development: FSSAI has the authority to formulate regulations to enforce food safety standards across the country.
• Lab Accreditation: It establishes guidelines for accrediting food testing laboratories to ensure accurate and reliable testing of food samples.
• Inspection Authority: Food safety officers appointed by FSSAI have the power to enter and inspect any premises involved in the manufacturing, storage, or display of food products.
• Research and Development: The Research and Development division conducts research in food safety standards, with a focus on adopting international best practices.
• Data Collection: FSSAI collects data related to food consumption, contamination, emerging risks, and other relevant factors to inform its regulatory decisions.

Continuous Improvement:

• FSSAI continuously strives to adopt and implement international food standards to enhance food safety and quality standards in India.

-Source: Indian Express

Tea industry in India

Context:

The Tea industry in India has experienced a boost in profits during the September quarter, driven by higher prices despite a decline in production caused by climate change. 

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Current Trends in the Indian Tea Industry
2. Challenges Facing the Tea Industry
3. Global Impact of Climate Change on the Tea Industry

About tea:

• Tea is a popular beverage crafted from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and ranks as the second most-consumed drink globally, following water.
• Tea’s origins trace back to the northeastern regions of India, northern Myanmar, and southwestern China. However, pinpointing the exact location of the plant’s initial growth remains uncertain. Historical evidence suggests that tea consumption dates back 5,000 years in China.

Cultivation of tea:

• Climate: Tea thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates, flourishing in hot and humid conditions.
• Temperature: Optimal growth occurs within temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, while extremes above 35°C and below 10°C prove detrimental to the plants.
• Rainfall: Tea requires an annual rainfall of 150-300 cm, evenly distributed throughout the year.
• Soil: Suitable soil for tea cultivation is slightly acidic, with porous subsoil permitting efficient water percolation.

Current Trends in the Indian Tea Industry

• Production Decline and Pricing: In 2024, tea production in West Bengal and Assam has decreased by 21% and 11% respectively, leading to a 13% surge in domestic tea prices. The decline mainly affects the first and second monsoon showers, which typically produce the highest quality teas, impacting the industry’s profitability.
• Export Market: There has been a 4% drop in export prices this year, presenting a challenge for the industry.
• Subsidies and Financial Impact: The industry has been awaiting promised subsidies from the Tea Board, which have not been disbursed, adding to the financial strain during a year of lowered production.

General Overview of the Tea Industry

• Global Standing: India is the world’s second-largest tea producer, after China, and is among the top five global tea exporters, contributing about 10% to global tea exports.
• Domestic Consumption: India consumes about 81% of its tea production domestically, unlike Kenya and Sri Lanka which export most of their production. The major tea-producing states include Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, collectively accounting for 97% of the national output.
• Export Composition: Predominantly, India exports black tea, which constitutes about 96% of all tea exports. Teas from Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri are globally recognized as among the finest.

Challenges Facing the Tea Industry

• Environmental Impact: 2024 saw significant production disruptions due to extreme weather conditions, including excessive heat in May followed by flooding in Assam. This led to the lowest tea output for May in over a decade.
• Price Fluctuations: By July 2024, tea prices had increased by 47% since the beginning of the year, driven by production shortfalls.
• Pesticide Ban and Market Dynamics: The government’s ban on 20 pesticides has led to higher production costs due to the need for more expensive alternative pest control methods. Despite these challenges, demand for Indian tea has increased, particularly in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
• Impact on Small Tea Growers and Local Industry: Small Tea Growers (STGs), who manage less than one hectare each and contribute significantly to national production, are severely impacted by price drops and market shifts. The closure of approximately 13 to 14 tea gardens in regions like Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling has affected over 11,000 workers and underscores the broader challenges faced by the industry.

Global Impact of Climate Change on the Tea Industry

• Rainfall Extremes: Tea cultivation, reliant on consistent rainfall, faces challenges from excessive rain leading to waterlogging, soil erosion, and reduced arable land, impacting tea plantation areas significantly.
• Drought Effects: Insufficient rainfall results in dust build-up on tea leaves, obstructing essential sunlight and adversely affecting tea production, particularly in India and China.
• Frost Damage: In colder regions like Rwanda and China, frost causes the tea leaves to freeze and break, resulting in significant leaf loss.
• Permafrost Instability: Areas with permafrost are seeing increased ground instability which heightens the risk of rock avalanches and landslides, potentially damaging tea plantations situated on hills.
• Production Costs and Quality: Global warming is escalating the difficulty and cost of tea production, with adverse effects on both the quality and quantity of tea, likely leading to increased consumer prices.

-Source: The Hindu

Home Minister Calls for Early Release of Undertrial Prisoners Before Constitution Day

Context:

The Union Home Minister recently highlighted the importance of releasing undertrial prisoners who have served more than one-third of the maximum sentence prescribed for their alleged crimes, aiming for this to be completed before Constitution Day on November 26. This directive is in line with the provisions introduced under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), reflecting a move towards more equitable legal processes and reducing overcrowding in prisons.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS)
2. Supreme Court’s Role in Implementation
3. Analysis of India’s Undertrial Population According to NCRB 2022

Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS)

Revision of Bail Norms

• Purpose: Section 479 aims to address the issue of prolonged detention of undertrial prisoners, especially those who are first-time offenders.
• Context: This provision is an expansion of Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which previously allowed for release after serving half of the potential maximum sentence.

Bail Eligibility Criteria

• General Rule: Undertrials charged with non-capital offenses are eligible for bail if they have served half of the maximum sentence applicable to the offense.
• Special Consideration for First-Time Offenders: Those with no prior convictions are entitled to release on bond after serving one-third of the maximum prescribed sentence.
• Exclusions: This leniency does not apply to individuals charged with multiple offenses or those under investigation for other crimes.

Supreme Court’s Role in Implementation

Retrospective Application

• Effective Date: Section 479 is applied retrospectively to cases that were active before the BNSS’s enactment on July 1, 2024.
• Court’s Order: In August 2024, the Supreme Court mandated the retrospective application of this section.

Measures for Effective Implementation

• Role of Jail Superintendents: They are tasked with identifying eligible prisoners and coordinating with courts to facilitate their release.
• State Compliance: States and Union Territories are required to submit detailed affidavits within two months, reporting on the status of eligible undertrials.

Monitoring and Compliance

• Recent Compliance Rates: As of October 2024, only 19 out of 36 states and UTs have complied with the Supreme Court’s directives.
• Focus on Women Undertrials: In November 2024, the Supreme Court specifically called for prioritizing the identification and potential release of women undertrials.

Analysis of India’s Undertrial Population According to NCRB 2022

Overview of Undertrial Inmates

• High Proportion of Undertrials: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report shows a significant percentage of undertrials in the total prison population, with 4,34,302 out of 5,73,220 inmates (75.8%) awaiting trial.
• Female Undertrials: Of the total women incarcerated, 18,146 out of 23,772 are undertrials, making up 76.33% of the female prison population.
• Duration of Detention: Approximately 8.6% of these undertrials have been detained for over three years as of the end of 2022.

Lack of Specific Data

• Data on First-Time Offenders: The report does not specify the number of undertrials who are first-time offenders, a critical data point for the effective application of Section 479 of the BNSS.

-Source: The Hindu

Saint Francis Xavier

Context:

Recently, the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier began which will run until 5th January 2025. 

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Overview of Saint Francis Xavier:

• Saint Francis Xavier, renowned as Goencho Saib (Lord of Goa), is a pivotal figure in the Christian history of Goa. He arrived in Goa in 1542 and played a significant role in revitalizing Christianity among the Portuguese settlers.
• As one of the founders of the Jesuit order, his missionary zeal took him across Asia, where he eventually died in 1552 on Shangchuan Island, off the coast of China.
• Initially buried on the island, his remains were subsequently relocated to Malacca and ultimately brought to Goa in 1554. They were first housed at St. Paul’s College, the earliest Jesuit building in Goa, before being moved to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa in 1624.
• Remarkably, the relics of Saint Francis Xavier have exhibited minimal decay, despite multiple exhumations over the centuries.
• The Feast of St. Francis Xavier, celebrated annually on 3rd December at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, marks the anniversary of his death. This event is Goa’s largest Christian festival, drawing thousands of pilgrims and visitors.

-Source: Indian Express

Biofloc Technology and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Context:

India’s aquaculture sector has increasingly adopted Biofloc Technology (BFT) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture
2. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)

Biofloc Technology in Aquaculture

• Biofloc Technology (BFT) is a sustainable aquaculture technique that utilizes a closed tank system to maintain water quality by recycling waste using beneficial bacteria.
• Beneficial heterotrophic bacteria, including species like Bacillus and Pseudomonas, convert organic waste into microbial biomass that fish can consume, effectively recycling nutrients.

Advantages of Biofloc Technology

• Water Quality Management: Keeps the water clean by recycling waste, thus reducing the need for frequent water changes and external chemical usage.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces the cost of feed as fish utilize the microbial biomass for nutrition, making it economically viable for farmers.
• Disease Prevention: By maintaining clean water and controlled environmental conditions, BFT lowers the risk of diseases and reduces dependency on antibiotics.
• Suitability for Small Scale Farms: Ideal for small-scale and backyard operations due to its low space requirement and scalability.

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)

• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems are advanced, closed-loop water systems that reuse water after it is filtered and purified, making it a sustainable choice for intensive fish farming.
• Incorporates both mechanical and biological filtration to remove waste and ensure water quality, enhancing the overall health and safety of the aquatic environment.

Benefits of Using RAS

• Controlled Farming Environment: Allows precise control over environmental conditions such as water temperature, oxygen levels, and cleanliness, promoting optimal fish growth.
• Reduced Disease Risk: Enhanced biosecurity measures and minimized pathogen entry significantly lower the risk of disease, reducing the need for medicinal interventions.
• Location Flexibility: Can be implemented in diverse settings, including urban areas or regions lacking natural water bodies, aligning supply with market demand.

-Source: Down To Earth

Global Energy Efficiency Alliance

Context:

The UAE has unveiled an ambitious initiative to establish the ‘Global Energy Efficiency Alliance’ during COP29, hosted in Azerbaijan.

Global Energy Efficiency Alliance

• The Global Energy Efficiency Alliance aims to double the rate of energy efficiency globally by 2030.
• A key focus is on reducing carbon emissions significantly, aligning with global climate change mitigation efforts.

Strategic Initiatives

• Encourages collaborations between government entities and the private sector to enhance investments in energy efficiency projects.
• This initiative supports the commitments made during COP28, where participants agreed to lower carbon outputs and reduce resource usage.
• Led by the UAE, the alliance seeks to share its expertise in energy efficiency, promote knowledge transfer, and develop effective partnership models.

Significance and Impact

• Carbon Emission Reduction: By focusing on energy efficiency, the alliance contributes to the global reduction of greenhouse gases.
• Support for Sustainable Practices: Aims to foster the sustainable use of natural resources through international cooperation and standardization.
• Resource for Developing Nations: Particularly targets support towards African nations by offering access to best practices, financing options, and technological solutions to enhance energy sustainability

-Source: The Hindu