Concern over contaminated food items

SILCHAR, Aug 31: Residents of Barak Valley, especially Silchar, have been facing the problem of consuming contaminated and cheap quality food items, as a result of which health conditions of the people have been affected badly. A frontline leader and members of Grahak Suraksha Samiti (GSS), Cachar, have stated it at a press-release that responsible citizens, activists and concerned people should help in spreading awareness campaigns regarding food safety. Thorough checking of food items at various levels of production and distribution by the Food Safety Officer is necessary as to protect people for consuming contaminated, harmful and cheap quality food items.

Consumers have been complaining about the poor quality of food items which loosely at wholesale shops. The members of the Samiti have mentioned it in particular that it is the duty of the Food Safety Officer to keel a vigilant eyes on both distributor and presenter shops. A regular checking will help in eliminating the problems that have crept up the body of food safety and security. Food items should be sent to government laboratory for examining various components of the food items. Consumption of contaminated food can prove fatal and so it is mandatory to check all the elements of a food item by authorities concerned.

Law is a very powerful instrument through which corruption and its practitioners can be eliminated so that people no longer have to live in fear of consuming contaminated food items. Quite surprisingly, for many years, there is dearth of food safety officers in the district, which in turn has lead to increase in the number of unscrupulous food merchants, distributors and sellers. The Samiti has made such appeals for a number of times and this has becomes a plea of last resort. They have also pressed upon the need of a designated Food Safety Officer who can shoulder the responsibility.

In the district of Cachar, the officer has been given an extra responsibility to look after other districts of Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dima Hsao and Karbi Anlong in terms of food safety. Naturally, it becomes tough for one officer to focus on other places in addition to his own. Cheap food items are available in not only in wholesale shops, but also at various restaurants, confectionary shops, tea and in pan shops and while distribution milk. The Samiti members have alleged that 60% food sellers and distributors have no valid registration certificate to prove their authenticity. It is to be noted that registration and license has to be obtained from the Food Safety Officer.

The Samiti members cautioned that if a person dies after consuming food from these unregistered shops, it will be easier for the distributors and sellers to escape from the grip of law. Members of GSS have opined that there is an urgent need for a computer assistant and office staff assisting a Food Safety Officer. It is also impossible for a Food Safety Officer to visit various markets and collect samples and then take action in case of contaminated food items. The consumers’ body has mentioned it in particular that discussions should be held in this regard at high levels. The issue has been repeatedly brought to notice of the Deputy Commissioner by GSS.