JAIPUR: The government has revoked the ban on mawa (condensed milk) and is now depending on strict monitoring and testing of food, specially before the festive season. However, this may seem too far-fetched as the government may find it difficult to implement the same.
As a matter of fact, all, except six food testing laboratories that the government had in different districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be closed due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the food sample reports within 15 days of its collection is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets, ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) located in Jaipur," said Dr BR Meena, health director (state).
He added that the existing six operational laboratories in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add to the burden of the existing six laboratories.
Jaipur: While the government has revoked a ban on mawa and is depending on strict monitoring and testing of food specially before the festive season for ensuring that people are not exposed to adulterated mawa but in reality that may be difficult.
As a matter of fact all, except six, food testing laboratories that the government had in various districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be shut down due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the reports of food samples within 15 days of collection of the samples is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he had revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) situated in Jaipur," Dr BR Meena, health director (state) said.
He said that the existing six operational laboratories are situated in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed down in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add up some burden on the existing six laboratories.
Now, the health department has started collecting samples as they have kicked off the campaign against adulteration.
As a matter of fact, all, except six food testing laboratories that the government had in different districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be closed due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the food sample reports within 15 days of its collection is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets, ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) located in Jaipur," said Dr BR Meena, health director (state).
He added that the existing six operational laboratories in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add to the burden of the existing six laboratories.
Jaipur: While the government has revoked a ban on mawa and is depending on strict monitoring and testing of food specially before the festive season for ensuring that people are not exposed to adulterated mawa but in reality that may be difficult.
As a matter of fact all, except six, food testing laboratories that the government had in various districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be shut down due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the reports of food samples within 15 days of collection of the samples is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he had revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) situated in Jaipur," Dr BR Meena, health director (state) said.
He said that the existing six operational laboratories are situated in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed down in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add up some burden on the existing six laboratories.
Now, the health department has started collecting samples as they have kicked off the campaign against adulteration.
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