As members of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana
Samithi are bracing up for a strike on October 3 against the provisions
of the Food Safety and Standards Act, their counterparts in the bakery
industry will close down outlets for a one-day clean-up programme.
While
the samithi is demanding withdrawal of stringent punishment envisaged
in the law, the latter will be focussing on ways to ensure better
hygiene.
Strategic move
The
bakers, while maintaining the camaraderie among the trade groups, want
to explore the opportunity for a worthwhile cause. It is a strategic
move aimed at keeping the traders united, simultaneously giving a clear
message on the purpose of a strike.
The Bakers
Association Kerala (Bake) has been spearheading several initiatives to
improve hygiene in the kitchen. Several classes have been organised by
the association across the State for the members to get familiarised
with the clauses of the new Act.
The organisation had
brought out a Malayalam version of the Act. It is of the view that the
Act is progressive and compliance with the provisions will be beneficial
to the bakers’ community.
“The path to progress is
clearly visible in the food supply scenario. Only those who adopt modern
methodologies in production and packaging will be able to survive,”
says P.M. Sankaran, president of Bake.
The food
products available at large supermarkets and malls are mostly procured
from local manufacturers, he points out. Quality and packaging matter a
lot in the procurement process. Those who fail to meet the required
standards will be wiped out of the scene, he says.
Many
of the neighbourhood shops in Malabar have vanished in recent years as
they remained in the old mould and could not cater to the demands of the
transformed customer. Bakeries are being modernised and latest
technologies being incorporated to increase competency levels. Many
among the food product manufacturers have benefited from the ongoing
process, he avers.
One of the prominent associations
in the hotel industry will also support the implementation of the Act,
according to him. M.Krishnan Nair, vice-president of the KVVES, says the
new Act is being implemented in a haphazard way. The penalty under the
new regime is exorbitant and the mechanism for reconciliation is
hostile. One of the demands of the samithi is to remove the top official
of the food safety and standards authority in the State. Significantly,
the date for implementing the Act has been postponed several times in
view of the demand from various organisations for more time. It has now
been slated for implementation from February 5 next year.
However,
market sources point out that implementation of a new law in Kerala is
generally marked by stiff opposition. Much of the powers hitherto
exercised by local bodies in respect of inspection of food, are being
assigned to the new authority.
Traders plan strike on October 3
Bakers to go on a clean-up drive
Members of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Sa
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