Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon chaired a high level meeting of officers to discuss the issues of Food Adulteration and availability of artificial ripen fruits in the market here today.
Divisional Commissioner stressed the need for intensifying the market checking so that the adulterated and chemical induced ripened fruits are destroyed. He said that use of such fruit can result in the deterioration of human health. He impressed upon the concerned to gear up and take punitive action against the violators indulging in such malpractices.
The Participants expressed deep concern over the presence of Food articles below acceptable quality in the market, particularly artificial ripening of fruits mainly came under discussion.
It was observed that the level of awareness on the subject among the masses and the Food vendors needs to be enhanced through Press and electronic media. The harmful health effects that the commonly used Food ripening agent calcium carbide popularly known as “Masala” can have injurious effects on consumers. The matter was discussed threadbare in light of the prevailing Food Law i.e The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 Rules and Regulations 2011.
Samoon expressed satisfaction on the steps initiated by Various governmental agencies like Horticulture, Planning and marketing regarding setting up of plants involving globally acceptable technology to make available fruits of edible quality to the consumer at large.
The meeting informed that the concerned are already seized of the gravity of situation that is surfacing globally in the context of artificial ripening and the process of setting of plants with modern technology put in place at various vital horticulture zones of the valley and many more such projects are in the pipe line and shall be executed in due course of time.
The stressed upon the need for a coordinated effort between various agencies associated with public health and on his part assured strict enforcement of the regulations in force. He further shared that the helpline of organization has been put in place purely to address genuine complaints.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the regulatory agencies to increase vigil at all levels especially at the entry point of the valley i.e Lower Munda by posting permanent staff there to check quality of food articles.
Among others, Commissioner of Food Safety Satish Gupta Director Horticulture, Dr. Mohammad Saleem, Director Agro Industries, Abdul Majid, Director Planning and Marketing, Drug Controller, Kashmir, besides other officers and representatives of fruit growers association also participated in the meeting.
