How safe is food quality in Nagaland?

Food safety is everyone’s business, FSSAI officials explain 

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | September 16

‘Responsibility begins from home,’ asserted an official of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amid the growing consciousness among the general populace on food safety and its implications on health in Nagaland.

“Since food safety is everyone’s business, the responsibility begins from home,” said Samlamgwamlie Michui, one of the Food Safety officers of Dimapur.

In an extensive interview with The Morung Express, FSSAI officials shared various insights on inculcating right food habits, knowing consumer rights and staying educated concerning various products in the market. 

As the main body entrusted for overseeing food safety compliance across the country, FSSAI Nagaland unit comprised of three zones- Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung, with five or more districts under each zone.

Michui explained that their work involves collection of samples routinely from the market and testing them.

The officials also oversee consumer complaints; undertake regular inspection of shops and business establishments to check expired products.

Safety on Wheels 
A recent introduction by the Centre has been a mobile van equipped with a laboratory for basic testing purposes called the  Food Safety on Wheels (FSW), intended to conduct spot testing in order to create public awareness. 

This is carried out by undergoing field visits to remote or far off villages, showcasing demonstrations. 

Zuthungbemo Ngullie, an FSW food technician said that their role and function is to test the food samples through a handbook called DART (Detect Adulteration through Rapid Tests).  

DART is a basic set of guidelines on testing food samples for adulteration so even the common people can do the testing themselves, he stated.

This includes common food items such as sugar, honey, oil, spices and tea leaves. One can also visit the website directly by typing in the acronym on their search engine. 

As a precautionary measure, Ngullie advised the public to avoid purchasing food items sold in ‘loose packets’ or those without labels or branding. 

For example, he cited that a common adulterant found in unpackaged chili powder is brick powder. 

A simple test using water can reveal that “If brick powder is present, the colour will turn deep red indicating the presence of red oxide or adulterants,” he said. 

We have also received recently detection of pesticide kit from the Centre so very soon we will be testing fruits and vegetables as well, he highlighted. 

Registration for food business operators
Generally, food business operators (FBO) are expected to obtain an FSSAI license or registration to ensure that they are adhering to the legal safety norms, Michui said. 

Those business establishments whose annual turnover is over Rs 12 lakhs have to obtain a license and for those below the amount, a simple registration process is needed, she elaborated.

Regrettably, however, most FBOs in Dimapur do not follow this directive or fail to renew them, she added. 

Dimapur, being a highly unregulated market, Michui highlighted the challenging task of enforcing compliance in each and every business establishment due to lack of workforce. 

Nevertheless, based on the unit’s data, around 500 street food vendors are registered in the State’s commercial hub. 
The Food Safety Officer also maintained that hygiene was among the most important priorities when it came to matters of concern. 

“Time and again we keep reminding the street food vendors to avoid using  newspaper wrappings for the food they prepare,” she noted. Other recommendations included usage of hand gloves, wearing headgear and regular cleaning of their cooking space. 

On the consumer/customer, she said that they have “every right to complain to the shopkeeper/ owner,” if in case of any issue.   

However, Michui observed that whenever there is a problem, people usually to go the media first without informing the right authorities.

Accordingly, if there is a complaint related to food, the public can inform the Designated Officer (DO) in their respective districts.

Debunking ‘made of plastic’ myth
Of many issues, the controversy over plastic rice has been a matter that refuses to subside, the officials maintained. 

The fear of consuming plastic rice among the public is spread through the dissemination of unverified videos online, Ngullie stated.

However, he clarified that it is simply a case of being misinformed about ‘fortified rice’ introduced by the government in order to prevent anemia and boost nutritional intake.

The rice is mixed with other micronutrients such as folic acid and other vitamins.  It is only distributed through Public Distribution System (PDS), he added 

He also clarified the fortification of other food items exist as well for flour, oil, salt, milk etc. The fortified items will bear the (+) sign. 

While the fear of micro and nano plastics in other manufactured food products may be an issue of concern, a lot more study is required, he added.  

Michui also stressed the importance of reading the labels to know the contents present in the each product.

The entrepreneurs as also need to put proper labels and get nutritional information through lab testing, she reminded.