Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 187 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Diarrhoeal deaths among Indian children are mostly due to food and water contamination. Use of contaminated groundwater and unsafe chemicals in agriculture, poor hygiene in storage and handling of food items to food cooked and distributed in unhygienic surroundings; there are myriad factors that need regulation and monitoring. People need to have awareness of adulteration and ways of complaining to the relevant authorities. Surveillance of food-borne diseases involves a number of government agencies and entails a good training of inspection staff. Considering the proportion of the urban population that depends on street food for its daily meals, investing in training and education of street vendors is of great significance.

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

  1. Food safety is a complex issue that calls for a multipronged solution.
  2. Great investments need to be made in developing the manpower for surveillance and training.
  3. India needs to make sufficient legislation for governing food processing industry.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (A)

The passage discusses food safety as a multifaceted challenge, citing "myriad factors" such as contaminated groundwater, unsafe agricultural chemicals, poor hygiene in food handling, and unhygienic distribution. To address these issues, it advocates for a range of interventions including regulation, monitoring, public awareness, surveillance, and training. This comprehensive approach supports the assumption that food safety is a complex issue demanding a multipronged solution.

Furthermore, the passage explicitly mentions the need for "good training of inspection staff" for effective surveillance of food-borne diseases and emphasizes "investing in training and education of street vendors." These statements directly imply that substantial investments are required for developing the necessary manpower for surveillance and training.

Incorrect Options:

The passage highlights the necessity for "regulation and monitoring" to address food safety concerns. However, it does not provide any information or make any assertion regarding the sufficiency or insufficiency of existing legislation for the food processing industry in India. The text focuses on the implementation of regulatory practices and oversight, rather than a deficiency in legislative frameworks themselves. Therefore, the assumption that India needs to make sufficient legislation for governing the food processing industry cannot be directly inferred from the provided passage.