Microplastic particles in foodstuffs:
- The Food Safety Standards Authority of India has launched a program to address the contamination of fine plastic particles in Indian food.
- A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) confirms the presence of microplastic particles in common food items such as sugar and salt.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has launched an innovative scheme on August 18 to address the growing concern about microplastics contamination in food.
- As the country’s food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India provides the program to ensure safe, healthy food for Indian consumers.
- While global studies have highlighted the presence of fine particulate matter contamination in various foods, this will generate reliable data specific to India.
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections:
- Assembly polls of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases.
- The first phase of polling will be held on 18th of next month.
- On August 5, 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status or autonomy granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
- Article 370 of the Constitution of India allows special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- During the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Raja Hari Singh, the last Maharaja of the state, wanted Jammu and Kashmir to be independent.
- In 2019, Article 370 was abrogated, removing the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and splitting it into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Flint seal, lamp at Vembakottai Excavation:
- Excavations near Vembakottai found a flint seal, a lamp, a stone ball, and a stone silhouette.
- The 3rd phase of excavation work is going on in Mettukkadu area on the north bank of Vijayakarisalkulam reservoir near Vembakkottai, Virudhunagar district.
- More than 450 objects including glass beads, stone beads, headpiece of a woman with hairstyle, Nayaka period copper coin, ornaments, conch bangles were found here.
- A flint seal, a lamp, a stone ball, and a chipped disc made of stone were found.
World Photography Day: August 19
- World Photography Day is observed on August 19 every year.
Important Facts:
- On the centenary of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Rs 100 coin engraved with his image will be released by Rajnath Singh on behalf of the Central Government.
- Rakesh Paul, the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, has passed away.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Maritime Rescue Coordination Center to support the Coast Guard’s operations, including the rescue of fishermen.
- Three sati-stones with stone texture have been found near Ampur, Tirupattur district.
- In Mamallapuram next to Thiruvidanthai, the Sarvadesa Wind Festival which started on the 15th was completed.
- Muruganandam is going to be appointed as the 50th Chief Secretary of the Government of Tamil Nadu.