Srinagar: Commissioner Food Safety Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar Saturday convened a meeting to review the activities carried out by the Food Safety Officers during the holy month of Ramadan with an aim to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to the consumers.
The Commissioner directed all the regulatory officers to intensify the surveillance, regular inspections and random sampling in markets of their respective jurisdictions with special reference to milk and milk products, fruits, dates, suji, beverages, bakery and confectionery and edible oils.
Besides this, all the Food Safety Officers were directed to ensure that street food vendors shall ensure that all the food items like dates, fruits and traditional fried products are properly covered, as the food items sold in open, exposed to dust and smoke is one of the major causes of foodborne diseases.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety (HQ), Assistant Controller Food, Public Analyst, Food Analyst and Surveillance Nodal Officers of various food categories, Nodal Officer IEC and other concerned.
During the meeting, functioning and activities of Mobile Food Testing Vans (MFTVs) were also discussed and it was impressed upon all the Designated Officers to make use them for awareness among the general public, schools, colleges and community centres.
In this regard Commissioner, Food Safety directed the Designated Officers to prepare a calendar of Awareness campaigns/programs and circulate the same in print and electronic media to ensure maximum participation of the general public.
Meanwhile, an advisory was also circulated in the media regarding the ban of turmeric powder (GULAB Brand). All food business operators were warned to desist from malpractices especially adulteration of food products, failing which stern action shall be taken as per the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act.
Consumers are informed to file any complaint regarding food quality in the market on phone number 0194-2495191.
