While the common man is not aware of every other law-enforcing agency, they are not familiar with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA Maharashtra. He attributed this to the lack of interest shown by officials when the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 – which preceded the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 – was in place.
Addressing reporters at an interactive session on the role played by the food regulator in the life of the common man in Mumbai on Friday, Zagade said, “FDA has a role to play at every stage in the common man's life, from farm to plate. We start our day by brushing our teeth. The toothpaste we use contains edible ingredients. From the tea we drink to the food we eat, everything contains food.”
“However, the common man is not aware of what he or she is consuming, and whether it is safe for him or her. While everyone knows the names of police officers, advocates, doctors, vegetable vendors, milk vendors and newspaper vendors, there is very little awareness about the food safety officers (FSOs) in a vicinity,” he added.
Zagade said, “I have been state FDA commissioner for over two years now, but I have not faced pressure from any political party to date. Now, I have also permitted the food safety officers (FSOs) to organise press conferences in order to make people aware about the importance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their role in safeguarding the health of the 11 crore people that inhabit the state.”
When quizzed about the completion of the licensing and registration process before the February 4, 2014 deadline, he said, “We have sought the help of a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Although festivals and elections are round the corner, we will pool in our limited resources and complete the licensing and registration before the stipulated deadline. According to the Central database, Maharashtra leads the way as far as licensing and registration is concerned, with a combined figure of 3,90,000.”
Addressing reporters at an interactive session on the role played by the food regulator in the life of the common man in Mumbai on Friday, Zagade said, “FDA has a role to play at every stage in the common man's life, from farm to plate. We start our day by brushing our teeth. The toothpaste we use contains edible ingredients. From the tea we drink to the food we eat, everything contains food.”
“However, the common man is not aware of what he or she is consuming, and whether it is safe for him or her. While everyone knows the names of police officers, advocates, doctors, vegetable vendors, milk vendors and newspaper vendors, there is very little awareness about the food safety officers (FSOs) in a vicinity,” he added.
Zagade said, “I have been state FDA commissioner for over two years now, but I have not faced pressure from any political party to date. Now, I have also permitted the food safety officers (FSOs) to organise press conferences in order to make people aware about the importance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their role in safeguarding the health of the 11 crore people that inhabit the state.”
When quizzed about the completion of the licensing and registration process before the February 4, 2014 deadline, he said, “We have sought the help of a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Although festivals and elections are round the corner, we will pool in our limited resources and complete the licensing and registration before the stipulated deadline. According to the Central database, Maharashtra leads the way as far as licensing and registration is concerned, with a combined figure of 3,90,000.”
No comments:
Post a Comment