PANAJI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a new circular to state universities, asking them to ensure that canteen, messes and other food establishments in affiliated colleges meet the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The requirement of the Act includes that the college canteens and messes hold a valid license.
Universities have also been asked to conduct training for food handlers in the college canteens in association with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on the importance of serving safe and wholesome food to students in colleges.
Goa University officials said the varsity had made affiliated colleges to carry out improvements in the conditions in their canteen kitchens recently. These improvements included painting of the canteens to ensure more hygienic conditions.
There are few checks on the quality of food served in college canteens.
In 2012, when inspectors of directorate of food and drugs administration raided 10 college canteens, they found that neither the canteens nor the kitchens had the desired hygiene standards and most operated without the mandatory food safety licence.
While students in the past have complained to principals of poor hygiene and quality of food served in college canteens, action has been sporadic, with managements not taking the issue seriously.
Soon after the FDA raid, a workshop for college principals was also conducted on the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the related Rules/ Regulation 2011.
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