Food Animals are those that are raised and used for food production or consumption by humans.

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recognised the bovine Mithun as a ‘food animal’, starting September 1,
• It aims to help farmers and tribal village communities to benefit commercially from the sale and processing of mithun meat.

ABOUT MITHUN

• The mithun is a ruminant species of the Bovidae family found in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
• Scientific name- Bos frontalis
• It is state animal of both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• It is similar to Gaur (Indian bison) but are smaller in size.
• The slaughter of mithuns is traditionally reserved for special occasions.
• On an average, an adult mithun weighs between 400 and 650 kg.
• Traditionally, the mithun is semi-domesticated and is reared in a free-range forest ecosystem.
• The animal is usually let loose in a community forest and has rarely required shelter or supplementary feeding, except for salt.
  • Since the soil in these parts is acidic and low in salt content, mithuns have an affinity for salt.
• Protection status
  • IUCN red list status- Vulnerable
  • CITES- Appendix I