‘Influx of sub-standard food items In Nagaland needs to be tackled’

May 26, 2023 53 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, MAY 26 (MExN): Food Safety Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS today urged the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to consider setting up 5 Basic Food Laboratories in Nagaland to cater to the need of the whole State for effective implementation of food safety.

While acknowledging the constant support and guidance of the FSSAI, Ministry of H&FW, he also requested to 5 Modified Food Safety on Wheels (Food Testing Mobile Van) as the existing three, could not effectively cater to the needs of the State.

Attending the 40th National Meeting of Central Advisory Committee FSSAI at FDA Bhawan New Delhi on May 25, Sema highlighted that there is only one State Public Health Laboratory established in 1983 in Kohima which is the only food testing laboratory in the State notified by FSSAI under sub- section 43 of the FSS Act, 2006 for food certification and accredited by NABL in chemical testing as per global standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

Sema further stated that topographical challenges along with poor road connectivity in the far-flung areas cause big hurdles while sending and receiving samples, resulting in delays in appropriate legal action. Further, he informed that Nagaland shares an extensive international boundary with Myanmar as such, large adulterated, misbranded, and sub-standard food items are being brought into Nagaland which requires to be tackled urgently.

The State Food Safety Commissioner was accompanied by the State Programme Officer, Food Safety, Dr John Kemp.

In : Nagaland