Srinagar, Feb 15: Finally the health authorities are planning to shut government-run ration depots which do not confirm to health and hygiene standards and have often been accused of being breeding ground for rodents like rats.
Official sources said City’s Health Officer Dr Shafqat Khan on Saturday shot missives to Regional Director Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) seeking details of its godowns and depots in the City.
In a communication vide No SMC/PS/HO 1329-32 dated February 15, 2014 addressed to Regional Director FCI and Director CAPD the Health Officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation sought registration of “all food storage and distribution outlets of FCI and CAPDD in Srinagar City.”
The registration aims at “monitoring the quality of food stuffs like rice, sugar and atta, which are distributed for public consumption.”
“Regular inspections shall be made by the Food Safety Officers of the SMC to the outlets to ensure hygiene and sanitation. Those outlets which are found in insanitary conditions shall not be allowed to operate and also regular food sampling will be conducted of all the food items distributed for public consumption at these Shali stores,” the Health Officer said.
When contacted Dr Khan while confirming the development said: “This step has been taken in interest of public health and rules and regulations under Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.”
People often complain of poor stocking of food stuff at the ration depots and that presence of rodents are synonymous with such facilities.”
Warehouses, Godowns , Wholesale mundies are vulnerable to pest infestations.Ration shops, retail outlets where commodities are stored should be protected from rodent infestations. Subscribe pesproppt.wordpress.com - exclusive blog for pest management for safe food.
ReplyDelete