FDA asks edu, WCD officials to check mid-day meals

AURANGABAD: The food and drugs administration has sent notices to the education and the women and child development officials across the state to take extra care in the preparation and serving of mid-day meals and follow the norms laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The step comes in wake of the death of 23 students after consuming mid-day meal in Bihar.
The notice directs the officials concerned to follow the norms laid down in the schedule IV of the FSSAI. The education officers for primary and secondary education in municipal corporations and councils, officials of the women and child development department across the state have been asked to ensure that the food business operators (ones preparing and supplying mid-day meals) strictly follow the hygienic and sanitary practices, including food safety measures.
FDA (food) Aurangabad division, joint commissioner, Chandrashekhar Salunke said that strict action would be taken against those found violating the norms laid down in the FSSAI notification.
Assistant commissioner (food) and designated officer, FDA Aurangabad, Milind Shah told TOI, "Following the Bihar incident, the FDA commissioner has sent notices across the state to all the concerned departments."
The officials concerned have been asked to ensure that the FBOs prepare and supply food from a clean location, continuous supply of potable water is available for cooking. Moreover, the cooks preparing mid-day meals should be medically fit and free from any kind of diseases. The food handlers have been asked keep their nails and hairs trimmed, Shah added.
Sources in FDA said that notices had been sent to the block education officers and they have been asked to maintain the record of the potable water being used at the schools and also by the FBOs preparing food.