Experts stress on strict enforcement of food safety measures at workshop

To educate food regulators on the importance of hygienic and safe food for consumers in India, a one-day workshop on the benefits of food safety was held in Bangalore recently.

The workshop, Food Safety – The Way Forward, stressed on ensuring safe and wholesome food to consumers and saw eminent scientists, regulators, and legal experts brainstorm on how to eliminate risks and prevent food-related health hazards. The workshop was jointly organised by the Nestle Nutrition Institute and State Food Authority at The Chancery Pavilion in Bangalore.

“The safety aspects of food should be more of an education awareness programme and an important strategy to educate the regulators on the practical aspects of food safety,” said Dr Prathap Kumar Shetty, reader & head, department of food science and technology, Pondicherry University.

“New food regulation (FSSA) emphasises heavily on the science-based approach besides the importance of educating food regulators and people on food safety,” he said.

The workshop was held to benefit the food safety officers of Karnataka about the pertinence of implementing food safety measures. Food safety officers are the sole authority for registration and are the initial contact for the food business operators. They ensure necessary precautions are taken at the appropriate time and varied stages of food from the farm to the consumer.

In fact, to ensure necessary safeguards for public health and prevent potential hazards, the government implemented the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations 2011.

It is the final authority to regulate the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, sale and import of food articles through the Food Safety Authority by implementing the scientific standards. It gives adequate information to the consumer to make his own choices. The function was inaugurated by B S Rama Prasad, state food safety commissioner, Government of Karnataka.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anandavally, FAO/WHO consultant said, “FSOs should focus on the controls implemented by the FBOs to prevent food-borne diseases and high risk foods and avail the resources available to protect public health. There is an element of risk involved with food and the risk control parameters include food from unsafe sources, inadequate cooking, improper temperature maintenance, cross contamination, contaminated equipments, poor personal hygiene, health status of food-handlers, poor quality of water, lack of pest management and TCS system.

“The inspection will stress on these so that the food business operators are well informed about the controls which ensure food-borne diseases are controlled. This will better communication between the regulators and FBOs and help protect consumers and promote the trade of safe foods,'' she felt.

Dr Ashok R Patil, associate professor in law & chair on consumer law & practice
(ministry of consumer affairs, Government of India), stressed on Community Health as National Wealth. He added, “Food is one of the basic necessities for sustenance of life. It is no wonder to say that community health is national wealth. Public health can be improved only by raising the level of nutrition.” Stringent rules have to be in place to bring about the prohibition and consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into force from August 5, 2011, by repealing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, imposes special responsibilities for manufacturers, distributors and sellers on food safety.

New Act imposes special responsibilities for manufacturers, distributors and sellers on food safety. Stringent punishments are prescribed to reduce the offences under this Act and also it helps to avoid exploitation of consumer. Enforcement authorities have got more powers to control the menace at different levels of food chain. Because of establishment of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Food Safety Appellate Tribunal & Special Courts and appointment of Adjudicating Officer, Public Prosecutors for speedy justice. On conviction the court may publish the offenders name, address, offences and penalties in the newspaper with the offender’s expense. The object of the new law will be successful only if enforcement machinery uses all powers given under this Act.

Food inspectors are the real backbone as far as the regulation and implementation of food safety standards is concerned. They know the practical aspects while investigating food illness including food poisoning from the field perspective. Food inspectors with scientific knowledge of food-borne diseases play a vital role in the documentation of these cases and scientifically develop strategies for the prevention and control of food poisoning which happens at the community level.

Food-borne disease outbreaks involving agents such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and chemical contaminants highlight problems with food safety and increase public anxiety. Modern farming systems, food processing and marketing do not provide adequate safeguards for public health.

“Factors like improper agricultural practices; poor hygiene at all stages of the food chain; lack of preventive controls in food processing; misuse of food additives in processed foods, etc., largely contribute to food-related hazards,” said Dr M N Krishnamurthy, former director, central food laboratory, CFTRI, Mysore.

“Consumers expect protection from hazards occurring along the entire food chain. It is the foremost responsibility of food laws regulatory agency to enforce food laws to protect the consumer against unsafe, impure and fraudulently presented food. Among other things, this can be achieved by prohibiting the sale of food not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser,” he added.

The function was attended by Dr Krishnamurthy; S B Dongre, director, FSSAI, New Delhi; Dr Anandavally; Ashok Patil; Dr Prathap Kumar Shetty; and Dr Srinivasa Gowda, joint director, Public Health Institute, Government of Karnataka.

Hailing Nestle Nutrition Institute’s efforts to draw attention towards food safety, the speakers stressed on the importance of mobilising opinion on the issue. Identifying priority areas and making specific interventions, they said, is the way forward.