Safe food is a basic need that is fundamental to our health. However, in India these fundamental necessities have been taken for granted for too long, even as the threats to them have multiplied. Do we know how safe our food is?

As citizens and taxpayers we have a right to expect our government to make protecting the health and well being of residents its top priority. Yet for years the government has neglected environmental protection, in terms of investment in infrastructure, better enforcement of regulations or promotion of environmental education, to the detriment of everyone's health.

The direct economic and health losses suffered by farmers and the general public following a pollution-related health scare highlights the failure to address environmental problems at its source is a false economy. Corporations in India pay scant regard to our health and quality of food we consume.

These problems are easily preventable through investment in environmental infrastructure, improved technical measures, better enforcement of existing regulations and better education.

The present life and health-threatening situation cannot be tolerated for long. The policy decisions on sectors such as industry & agriculture, should ensure that the effects of those decisions work for, rather than against, environmental and health policies.

In the recent times, we have come to know as to how our food safety has been compromised. These problems stem from poor environmental quality and hygiene standards. Indiscriminate use of pesticides has contaminated our food chain. The spread of pathogens is also an issue which deserves attention.

Citizens have a right to safe environmental and public health. But government and corporations seem to have forgotten that human health is non-negotiable.

At India International Centre, New Delhi an eminent panel will be discussing "Do we have right to safe food?". It will begin after a presenation by Ravi Agarwal, the petitioner, in the Supreme Court on the food safety issue.

The panelists include Mr. S. Nigam, Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sudhir Rahi, Joint Director, Bureau of Indian Standards and Dr. T. K. Joshi, Director, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, LNJP Hospital.