Srinagar: Commissioner Food Safety chaired a review meeting of designated officers (DOs) of Kashmir Division regarding their statutory duties under Food Safety & Standards Act, in their respective jurisdictions.
The Commissioner reviewed the work done including, samples lifted, license issued, license cancelled, prosecutions launched, follow up of food safety advisories, awareness programmes and redressal of public complaints regarding the quality of food.
He was apprised that during the current financial year 720 samples were lifted, 14 prohibition orders were issued, 26 public complaints were received and same were addressed on priority basis, besides 32 awareness programmes for the food business operators, schools and general public were conducted.
It was revealed that more than two thousand food business operators were provided with license while as 170 prosecutions were launched under various offences as per the provisions laid down in the Act, on grounds of adverse reports. On special drives and surprise inspections commissioner was informed that deteriorated food items worth 1.43 lakh were destroyed and 4.75 lakh was seized including spices, pickles.
During the meeting the designated officers raised the problems that they face in disposing off the deteriorated and expired food items during on spot inspections. The officers were directed to make liaison with the local authorities, Town Committees and Municipal Authorities to provide/identify specific sites in the towns/food markets for long-term solution.
The Commissioner reiterated that food safety is of greater significance as it is first line of defense for non-communicable food borne diseases and life style diseases. He impressed upon the officers to ensure follow up of various advisories issued from time to time with special mention of junk foods and prohibited synthetic colors.
He instructed the concerned enforcement authorities for intensifying special drives for registration of all the Food Business Operators including Wazvaan vendors so as to ensure food safety compliance and provide wholesome and safe food to the public.
He impressed upon all Officers to utilize all the available resources so as to provide the benefit of public. The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety HQ, Assistant Controller Food HQ, Designated Officers Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Pulwama and Srinagar.
