International food standard is?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Explanation

Codex Alimentarius, Latin for 'Food Code', is a collection of internationally recognized standards, guidelines, and codes of practice related to food safety.
It was established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963.
Its primary goals are to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the international food trade, making it the global benchmark.
The other options listed are all national standards specific to India.

Option A: The ISI mark is a national standard for industrial products in India, managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It is not an international food standard.
Option C: The PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration Act) was a domestic law in India aimed at preventing food adulteration. It has been replaced by the FSSAI Act, 2006 and was never an international standard.
Option D: Agmark is a certification mark used on agricultural products in India, ensuring they conform to a grade standard notified by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection. It is a national, not international, standard.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of International Food Standards as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding food standards is crucial for community health nurses involved in health education, as it allows them to guide communities on identifying safe and quality-assured food products.
Knowledge of these marks helps in identifying adulterated or substandard food, which is a key step in preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring community well-being.
What if the question asked for the current food safety authority in India? The answer would be FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), which has replaced the PFA and now oversees food safety regulations in the country.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'International food standard'.
This directs you to look for a standard with global, not national, scope.
Evaluate each option: 'ISI mark', 'Agmark', and 'PFA standard' are all associated with India's national regulatory framework.
Recognize 'Codex Alimentarius' as the international body established by the WHO and FAO for setting global food standards.
Conclude that Codex Alimentarius is the only option that fits the 'international' criteria, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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