Meat stalls inspected

Imphal, February 05 2015: A joint team of Food Safety Officers of the State Govt conducted a drive against illegal meat shops today at different places of the State.

Besides seizing the meat put up for sale, the team also ordered closing down of many illegal meat and fish shops during the drive today.

The drive was conducted under the supervision of Designated Officer (Food Safety)/CMO and Food Safety Officer (Food Safety and Standard Wing) Imphal West.

The team began the drive at roadside meat (pork) shops located at Keishamthong Kabui village.

All the owners of the 11 shops there were found running the business without registration or possessing requisite license under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 .

All the shops were ordered to close down until they possess valid license.

The shop owners were also told to get the meats tested at relevant laboratory.

Designated Officer (Food Safety)/CMO Imphal West, S Bimolakumari Devi said that all food businesses are responsible for the safety of food and licensing and registration is mandatory under the FSSA.

Food (meat and fish) must be safe and it must not be injurious to health or unfit for human consumption.

Proper hygiene should be maintained by the shop owners, she said.

She also said that obtaining a valid license and getting registration with the competent authority is mandatory for any person or Food Business Operator (FBO) who wishes to start food business.

Th Sunilkumar, FSO Churachandpur said that any person committing offence of storing, selling, distributing or importing of unsafe food is liable for imprisonment upto 6 months and a fine upto Rs 1 lakh.

The drive was also conducted at Chingamakhong, Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak Machin, Kakhulong.

All the dressed meats, fishes and eggs including those imported from Moreh side were seized by the team.

The drive was also joined by FSOs, SP (Imphal West).

Similar drive would be carried on.

It may be mentioned that FSSA 2006 (34 of 2006), Rules and Regulations, 2011 came into force with effect from August 5, 2011.The Act extends to the whole of India.

The Act is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Licensing and registration of FBOs is mandatory under the Act.

Carrying out food business without registration and license is liable to attract punishment and prosecution including imprisonment and fine under the FSSA 2006 .