State ignoring food safety steps
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2011: Despite an official stand of the Central Government for appointment of food safety officials to check adulteration of consumer items, the Government of Manipur is yet to initiate related procedures.

It is said that the Centre's directive for establishing office and appointment of officials on food safety to all the States was issued as per provision of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and Rules & Regulation 2011, which replaced Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 & Rules 1955 since August this year.

Under the new Act, Director Health Services would be relieved of matters related to food safety concerns with the task assigned to Commissioner (Health and family Welfare) .

Moreover when the old Act was in force, at the district level, the Chief Medical Officer had been dispensing charge as Nodal Health Authority but with the implementation of the new Act from August 5 onwards it implied appointment of Designated Officers (DO) for activities related to food safety.

Under the new Act appointment of DOs is mandatory within a period of one year of the Act's enactment but here in the State there is no sign of the Government of Manipur making any official process for effective implementation of the Act's guideline.

How safe are these foodgrain put on sale ?

An informed source said that there should be appointment of food safety officials in all the districts and entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that all consumable items carry labels.

Appointment of these officials are also necessary for effective prevention of food adulteration and to pull up the erring traders/shop-keepers for punitive action, said the source adding that there should be appointment of atleast one Food Safety official in a district to ensure the citizens are not exposed to health hazards.

Due to close proximity to the Indo-Myanmar border Manipur is flooded with various stuff from across the border and these include many food items with label attached to the containers/packets, the source cautioned.

It is also informed that when the old Act was in force, the Government of Manipur in compliance with the Centre floated an open advertisement with regard to fresh appointment of nine District Food Inspectors.

With no candidate applying for the said post, the Government of Manipur roped in services of BSc Chemistry passed para-medical staff from the Directorate of Health Services to assume charge as District Food Inspectors.

Informing that these Inspectors are still working at the district level, the source said under the new Act there is provision for appointing the District Food Inspectors as Food Safety Officers.

The only impediment, according to the source, preventing appointment of Food Safety Officers from among the District Food Inspectors is non-amendment of service rule by the Manipur Public Service Commission.