New Food Safety Act norms yet to be enforced in Cantt

PUNE: The standards and guidelines set for food items under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations 2011, which was implemented two years ago, are yet to be enforced in the state's cantonment areas.
While Pune city has three cantonments - Pune, Dehu and Khadki, the cities of Nashik and Nagpur also have cantonment areas. The act had replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 from August 5, 2011. But this central act is not being implemented in cantonment areas that incidentally come under the union government's jurisdiction.

Confirming, Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said, "There is no denying the fact that the act has not come into effect in cantonment areas of Maharashtra. We have brought this to the notice of Central Advisory Committee of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The designated officer for central licensing has not notified any official to oversee the implementation of the act in cantonment areas."

In the absence of an implementing authority, registration as well as licensing of food business operators in cantonment areas has not been done so far. "That does not mean that our (state's) food safety officials (FSO) let go any misconduct in food business in these areas. Whenever we get any complaint, our officials conduct an inspection and draw samples to rule out any contamination and spurious activity," Zagade said. He added that they were ready to monitor cantonment areas if FSSAI authorizes the state government to issue licenses and conduct regular inspections. "We have already conveyed our willingness to the authorities in this regard," Zagade said.

When contacted, Aarti Mahajan, vice president of Pune Cantonment Board said, "It is true that the provision of the new food act has not come into force in cantonment areas. Even the ban on gutka has not come into force in our areas. Gutka is being sold rampantly here. As far as food business regulation is concerned, we have a well-designed system in place to ensure that food items and food handlers conform to standards of hygiene and safety."

As per conservative estimates, there are around 15 lakh food business operators in Maharashtra. "We have issued licences to 3.9 lakh food business operators in the state and garnered revenue of Rs 34 crore for the state's exchequer. Maharashtra is the first in the country that has carried out the licencing work of this proportion so far. We are going to intensify the drive during the next two months."