Food Security
Everyone has the right to food. Nutritious food is a fundamental hu- m.an need and obtaining it is also an inherent right of human beings. The right of an individual to have nutritious and safe food is known as the right to food. The concept of food security was developed for the availability and accessibility of food to people at all tin1es. Food security is the state of having unrestricted and reliable access to nutritious foodas well as availability and utilization of food. The Constitution of Nepal has included food security as a funda1nental right. It has given the right to every citizen to be safe from the state of being in danger of life from the scarcity of food.For its effective im- plementation, The Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act has been enacted. It is the duty and responsibility of the state to ensure food security for all citizens. Food security has four components; avail- ability of food, access to food, utilization of food, and stability of food.
A. Availability of Food
Availability of food is a condition of having a sufficient quantity of quality food. Availability of food and a good eating habit are essential for quality and healthy life. The state should provide nutritious food to the citizens through domestic production, food stocks and import capacity. To ensure it, we need to promote agri- cultural production and its producers. We also protect and promote traditional food items.
B. Access to Food
Easy access to food and availability of food play the important role to avoid hunger. People need physical and economic access to safe and nutritious food . Every citizen should be safe from the state of being in danger of life from the scarcity of food. The state should ensure access to food for all citizens.
C. Utilization of Food
Utilization of food refers to the condition in which individuals can utilize sufficient nutritious food as per their needs. The state must ensure the quality standard of the available foods .
D. Stability of Food
Stability of food refers to the availability and access to adequate food at all times. Individuals should not risk losing access to food as a consequence of sudden shocks.For the food stability, above men- tioned three components are to be fulfilled. The state should estab- lish the production, storage and well distribution system for it.
3.3 Things to Consider for Protecting Consumer's Health
Read the conversation about protecting consun1er health between Akanksha and her father on the way to market.
Akanksha: (Pointing to a customer dealing with a salesperson) Father, someone is checking goods turning side by side. Why is that person paying attention to goods?
Father: Yes, daughter. It is a responsibility of a consumer. Every consumer must be conscious to their health.
Father: Good question! We should check different things before buying goods in the shop such as company name, rn.anufacture date, expiry date, and quality. We should collect the necessary information before visiting a clinic or hospital.Low quality goods may be available in the market. Different colours and chen1icals are mixed in food items for a taste and attrac- tive look. These food items are harmful for our health.
Akanksha: Father, I have one more question. Why has not the government banned these products that are affecting our health?
Father: I agree with you.Some companies produce such food items for earning more money within a short pe- riod and they break the rules related to consumer health for their benefit. Therefore, consumers must be aware and advocate for consumer's health. For the production of quality food and quality service, regular watching and warning is necessary. We have to go for legal action to punish them if the products harm the health, money and other effects.
Akanksha: Interesting! What are the oth er things that we should be conscious of?
Father: Yes, daughter. There are other things that consum- ers should be aware of. Consumers should check the standard while buying goods and taking services that are defined by authorized agencies. We should avoid the goods that have negative effects on health. Manu- factm·ing companies should also be responsible for con- sumer health. They should produce healthy food items.
Daughter one more thing! Different substancesare mixed in food items. Different chemicals and pes- ticides are also mixed in foods. These substances are harmful to our health. Therefore, excessive use of pesticides must be avoided. Consumers should be also conscious ofsuch food items. The place of food storage should also be clean and safe. If we find such malpractices, we should inform the concerned agencies such as District Administration Office, District Police Office, Local Government, and other consumer health-related agencies.
Akanksha: Thank you, father. I learned many things about consumer health. (She returned home with her father.)