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Millets are gaining prominence in recent years due to their nutritional value, gluten-free nature, adaptability, water efficiency, support to sustainable farming, economic potential for small-scale farmers, making them essential for health, environment, and livelihoods. This year has been declared as the “International Year of Millets” (2023) at the behest of Government of India. Many States like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh etc. have launched Millet Missions to encourage millet cultivation, research, and consumption. In this background, this paper explores consumer awareness and consumption patterns of millets and millet-based products in Raipur city, Chhattisgarh. A survey was conducted among 150 participants to analyse their level of awareness, sources of awareness, reasons for consumption, consumption patterns, and factors influencing the consumption patterns of millets and millet-based products. Among the 150 respondents, only 31 per cent (n = 46) reported frequent consumption of millets (once or more times a week). The study also revealed, a significant association between consumer awareness and the consumption patterns of millets and millet-based products (p < 0.001), 57 per cent of respondents are moderately familiar with millets, while 23 per cent are very familiar, and 20 per cent are less familiar. Health benefits (35 per cent), gluten-free options (41 per cent), and cultural preferences (13 per cent) emerged as key drivers of millet consumption among frequent consumers. Furthermore, the study highlights the influence of demographic factors such as age, education level, family income, and occupation on millet consumption patterns. The study underscores the need to target low awareness segments, lower income groups, and younger age groups to promote millet consumption. Additionally, integrating millets into the Public Distribution System (PDS) and establishing millet cafes across all cities of Chhattisgarh and Odisha are recommended as effective strategies to increase millet consumption at the household and community levels. These findings enrich the current body of knowledge and offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, guiding the creation of targeted initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable food systems within distinct demographic segments. Future research could focus on evaluating the effectiveness of targeted interventions, conducting sensory evaluations of millet-based products among different demographic groups, and assessing the socio-economic impact of millet promotion initiatives. By addressing these factors, one can effectively promote millet consumption, improve nutrition, and contribute to the overall well-being of the population.

The study assesses Bennett's Law, which posits that higher incomes lead to reduced consumption of starchy staples in favor of more diverse, nutrient-dense diets, and its relevance across various global regions. Using regression models, the research examines the relation between GDP per capita and the share of starchy staple foods in caloric intake across continents. The findings indicate significant regional variations in adherence to Bennett's Law. For instance, while South America aligns with Bennett's predictions, Europe deviates, showing increased starchy staple consumption with rising incomes, potentially due to cultural and eco-conscious dietary trends. Africa and parts of Asia display limited dietary diversification, often due to structural barriers and economic constraints. Contrarily, Oceania and North America exhibit a mixed relationship, influenced by income inequality and health trends. These results suggest that Bennett's Law's applicability is region-specific and influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and policy factors, underscoring the complexity of dietary transitions and cautioning against one-size-fits-all assumptions about the impacts of economic development on food consumption.

These guidelines provide descriptive guidance on how to conduct risk characterization in various contexts, and utilizing a variety of tools and techniques. They have been developed in recognition of the fact that a reliable estimation of risk is critical to the overall risk assessment. This volume contains information that is useful to both risk assessors and risk managers, governments and food regulatory agencies, scientists, food producers and industries and other people or institutions with an interest in the area of microbiological hazards in food, their impact on human health and food trade and their control.--Publisher's description.

Food security is closely linked to agricultural productivity and the adoption of modern technologies. This study examines the socio-economic and environmental factors that drive the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), enhance productivity, and improve food security in tidal swamp areas. The interrelationships between economic factors such as income and access to capital, and environmental factors like sustainable land management practices and water resource usage, all of which play a crucial role in the adoption of CSA technologies. The study was conducted with 180 farmers in Banyuasin Regency, specifically in Telang Makmur, Panca Mukti and Telang Jaya Villages, who provided data to assess how these factors influence food security outcomes. The findings indicate that both economic and environmental factors significantly affect the adoption of CSA technology, which subsequently leads to increased agricultural productivity and food security. Specifically, economic empowerment through higher income levels and enhanced access to capital enables farmers to invest in CSA technologies, while environmentally sustainable practices help mitigate climate risks and improve land and water management. The results underscore the importance of integrated approaches that address both economic and environmental dimensions to ensure long-term food security. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, stressing the need for strategies that combine economic support, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability to enhance food security in regions like Muara Telang.