On behalf of the office-bearers of the Tamil Nadu Bakers' Federation (TNBF), Manohar, its vice-president, wrote a letter to the state's food safety commissioner and principal secretary, health, seeking his appointment to discuss various Sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. The Sections pertaining to licensing and registration are high on their agenda.
"TNBF is the apex body of bakery associations and bakers in the southern state. It works with other organisations, such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI); the American Institute of Bakers (AIB) and other technological and scientific bodies; and is one of the leaders in bakery science and technology; knowledge-sharing and skill development," Manohar wrote, by way of introduction.
The letter also stated that the body conducts technical workshops; trade exhibitions and process demonstrations and imparts food safety education; and that it has recently started a food safety division. "It's been named Edesis-Soteria, after the Greco-Roman goddesses of feasting and safety. It will impart food safety training and facilitate the development of our members' and other food processors' skills," explained Manohar.
As far as the FSSA is concerned, Manohar wrote, "The rules and regulations of the Act and implementation of the same have created certain difficulties, uncertainties and misinformation. Instead of complete understanding and co-operation between the regulators and the food business operators (FBOs), a hostile situation seems to be developing, which needs speeding resolving."
He wrote, "Some food safety officers (FSOs) were autocratic, authoritative and also abusive, and misbehaved with the FBOs. This has sown the seeds of mistrust in them, which is not a healthy situation. That is why a delegation of TNBF office-bearers from various districts would like to meet you at your office in Chennai; apprise you on the various happenings; get clarity on the matters pertaining to the FSSA rules and their implementation."
As they wait for the food safety commissioner to revert, they wish to make one thing clear to everyone: "Only when we are sure that our dealings with the food safety officers and other authorities associated with the Act are absolutely transparent and based on mutual trust, which is the need of the hour, we will accept and comply with the rules." This was the concluding line of Manohar's letter.
"TNBF is the apex body of bakery associations and bakers in the southern state. It works with other organisations, such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI); the American Institute of Bakers (AIB) and other technological and scientific bodies; and is one of the leaders in bakery science and technology; knowledge-sharing and skill development," Manohar wrote, by way of introduction.
The letter also stated that the body conducts technical workshops; trade exhibitions and process demonstrations and imparts food safety education; and that it has recently started a food safety division. "It's been named Edesis-Soteria, after the Greco-Roman goddesses of feasting and safety. It will impart food safety training and facilitate the development of our members' and other food processors' skills," explained Manohar.
As far as the FSSA is concerned, Manohar wrote, "The rules and regulations of the Act and implementation of the same have created certain difficulties, uncertainties and misinformation. Instead of complete understanding and co-operation between the regulators and the food business operators (FBOs), a hostile situation seems to be developing, which needs speeding resolving."
He wrote, "Some food safety officers (FSOs) were autocratic, authoritative and also abusive, and misbehaved with the FBOs. This has sown the seeds of mistrust in them, which is not a healthy situation. That is why a delegation of TNBF office-bearers from various districts would like to meet you at your office in Chennai; apprise you on the various happenings; get clarity on the matters pertaining to the FSSA rules and their implementation."
As they wait for the food safety commissioner to revert, they wish to make one thing clear to everyone: "Only when we are sure that our dealings with the food safety officers and other authorities associated with the Act are absolutely transparent and based on mutual trust, which is the need of the hour, we will accept and comply with the rules." This was the concluding line of Manohar's letter.
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