KOHIMA, JUNE 7: Nagaland Government has sought the assistance of the Central Government in setting up basic food safety laboratories to check the sale of adulterated food products in the State imported from within and outside the country.
To provide safe and wholesome food to its citizen during the 40th National Meeting of Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI, Delhi, the State Government has requested the Government of India to provide 5 Basic Food Laboratory and 5 Modified Food Safety on Wheels (MFSW) with manpower support, said Commissioner & Secretary for Health and Family, Y Kikheto Sema.
Currently, Nagaland has only one food safety lab in Kohima and a MFSW, he said, adding that “once we equipped with equipments and manpower support, we shall carry out massive and effective surveillance, monitoring of food products in the market, schools, hotels, etc for the safety of our people”.
He was speaking at the 5th World Food Safety Day on the theme “Food Standards Saves Lives” organised by Food Safety Authority (FSA) Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lerie, Kohima.
Stressing on eating quality food, he said though clothes and cars are not eaten, it is being sold in air conditioned markets but the vegetable and fruits are sold on the street and therefore there should be an exchange of the marketplace for vegetables and clothes.
About 2 million deaths occur every year in India due to consumption of contaminated food and water, he said adding globally unsafe food causes several diseases ranging from diarrhoea to cancers.
Saying that there is no food security without food safety, he said food safety has a direct impact on one’s health and it also affects the economy and livelihood while food standards protect consumers and help producers.
Nagaland is not a dustbin for adulterated and sub-standard products from within and outside the country, he said, while stressing on the need to work hard and eat our own organic products while also encouraging local farmers.
State Programme Officer (Food Safety), Dr John Kemp shared the importance of the day saying that it highlights the consequence of neglecting food safety. He said that the theme stresses to create awareness on food borne infections, which burdens the marginalised, rural and the poor community.
It also highlights the disproportionate effects of eating contaminated food so as to prompt the Government and policy makers and investors to take action on food safety.
Assistant Director (Technical), SPHL, Bendangsenla offered invocation while Deputy Director (Food Analyst), SPHL, Khruhutolu Veswuh tendered the vote of thanks.
The FSA Nagaland also gave demonstrations on detecting common food adulteration.
(Page News Service)
