While shops down shutters today, bakers to become more 'FIT'

As the traders in the state are downing shutters on Wednesday in protest against allowing FDI in the retail sector and the alleged excesses of the officials of the Food Safety Commissionerate against the backdrop of incidents of food poisoning and death, Bake, the Bakers Association Kerala, which is also participating in the agitation, is taking the opportunity to become more ‘FIT.’
‘FIT’ or ‘Friendly Inspection Team,’ formed under the aegis of Bake, is going to take up a vigorous, full-day cleanliness drive in the shops under it on the strike day.
The cleanliness day is aimed at ensuring quality products and counter the challenges posed by the FDI in the food sector, though everyone is pinning hope on the government promise that Kerala’s retail trade will not be opened up for foreign players.
 “We realise that the influx of multinational companies is going to be a reality in the state. Instead of blindly opposing it, the Association is keen to protect small and marginal bakeries,” P M Sankaran, state president, Bake, said.
Bake is taking a cue from the experience of countries such as Japan and China, where the small-scale sector is making products for multinational brands. “We are sure that our country, especially Kerala, will also become a favourite ground for multinational brands for outsourcing products for marketing, provided we can ensure cleanliness and quality of products. We want to gain strength from challenges and follow the guidelines of the Food Safety Act, 2006,” Sankaran said.
FIT is guided by a three-pronged district-wise initiative, with select owners of bakeries visiting their counterparts and giving guidance for improving facilities, followed by inspection of another team from their own fold and finally by a team comprising both owners and Food Safety Department officials.
The initiative also coincided with a concerted drive for ‘Nirangalodu Vida’ (bidding adieu to colours) and ‘Thanimayude Tharavattilekku’ (back to ethnic food), in vogue since two years, which had a big impact on the bakery sector in the state.
 “Even when eatery outlet owners were forced to be on the defensive after the unfortunate incidents over the shavarma-related death and other incidents, there was no let up in our drive.
Ernakulam district has been fully covered by the ‘FIT’ process,” Bake state general secretary K R Balan said.
“We are positive. We are thinking of ourselves as consumers. The mindset that there will be takers for anything and everything supplied to consumers has to change. Customers have become very much quality conscious. Let the foreign players come. What the government has to do is to help the local food sector to improve and compete, by providing incentives,” Sankaran told Express.