Will also verify whether SHGs and anganwadis have licences to prepare food
PUNE: With the death of 23 school students in the mid-day meal scheme tragedy in Bihar, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pune is taking no chances.
It has started a drive from Wednesday to examine the centres where the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and anganwadis prepare mid-day meals for students in schools. The food inspectors are spearheading the special drive.
The FDA shall also check whether the SHGs and anganwadis have licence or if they are registered with the FDA which is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standard Act (FSS Act), 2006.
As per the FSS Act all establishments dealing with food and having an annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh will have to procure a licence from FDA and those having an annual income up to Rs 12 lakh have to register with the FDA. At present, only 18 SHGs possess FDA licences and 103 have registered with the FDA.
However, as per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), there are 170 SHGs providing mid-day meals in 275 PMC schools.
However, records with the FDA suggest that 18 SHGs have procured the licence from the department and 103 SHGs are registered with the FDA.
The FDA joint commissioner (food) SR Kekare said his department regularly conducts inspections.
SAFE FOOD
Under the schedule 4 of FSS Act, general hygiene and sanitary practices have to be followed by petty food business operators including water supply, waste disposal, personal hygiene etc. According to the act, preparing and supplying safe food is responsibility of everyone involved right from supplier, contractor, employees, internal and external stakeholders and consumers.
PUNE: With the death of 23 school students in the mid-day meal scheme tragedy in Bihar, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pune is taking no chances.
It has started a drive from Wednesday to examine the centres where the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and anganwadis prepare mid-day meals for students in schools. The food inspectors are spearheading the special drive.
The FDA shall also check whether the SHGs and anganwadis have licence or if they are registered with the FDA which is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standard Act (FSS Act), 2006.
As per the FSS Act all establishments dealing with food and having an annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh will have to procure a licence from FDA and those having an annual income up to Rs 12 lakh have to register with the FDA. At present, only 18 SHGs possess FDA licences and 103 have registered with the FDA.
However, as per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), there are 170 SHGs providing mid-day meals in 275 PMC schools.
However, records with the FDA suggest that 18 SHGs have procured the licence from the department and 103 SHGs are registered with the FDA.
The FDA joint commissioner (food) SR Kekare said his department regularly conducts inspections.
SAFE FOOD
Under the schedule 4 of FSS Act, general hygiene and sanitary practices have to be followed by petty food business operators including water supply, waste disposal, personal hygiene etc. According to the act, preparing and supplying safe food is responsibility of everyone involved right from supplier, contractor, employees, internal and external stakeholders and consumers.
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