Phungzathang assures action against food adulterators
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 16 2014:
Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing today informed the State Assembly that necessary arrangements have been made to appoint the required staffs in Food Safety Department and strict action will be taken up against those who are flaunting food safety norms and selling adulterated food items.
He was responding to calling attention motion raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi in connection with reports published in local newspapers regarding the arrest of some people who were caught red-handed while adulterating cooking oil during raids in godowns at Mantripukhri sometime earlier.
Minister Phungzathang Tonsing said that the Government has taken serious note of the incident in which three persons were arrested for while mixing cooking oil at a godown located in Mantripukhri area during a raid conducted by two Food Safety Officers on June 9 and informed that the seized adulterated items have been sent to laboratory for test.
He assured that appropriate action will be initiated against those who found are selling adulterated food items under the Food Security Act and for this, the government is going to appoint the required staffs in Food Safety Department.
As per Food Security Act, individuals who are found adulterating food items can be fined Rs 1-5 lakh and imprisonment for a certain period, he explained.
While raising the calling attention motion, Dr Ibohalbi said that such report of individuals manufacturing or preparing adulterated food items need to be taken seriously as there is high possibility of such practices going on in other parts of the State as well.
Observing that the government should check eatable items brought from outside the State to see whether they are safe for human consuming or not, the MLA urged the government to take up prompt measures rather than relying on Food Security Act to deter people from adulterating food items, which are hazardous to human health.