No ‘designated officer’ in FDA

Designated officer’s term ended about a month ago

Indore: Amid festivities, city officials of food and drug administration (FDA) department are in dilemma over official orders issued by their ‘designated officer’ – Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) as the extension of the post was ended about a month ago.

Food safety and standard authority of India (FSSAI) had given the responsibility of monitoring the work of food safety and drug officers of the state to the district CMHO.

In FSSAI notification issued in August 2012, an extension of four years was given to the CMHO as designated officer following the completion of one year.

According to sources, orders and actions taken by the department officials and the ‘designated officer’ are legally null and void. “Orders for the new designated officer or the extension of the responsibility of CMHO should be given by the commissioner of the department. The dilemma over the action will continue till clear orders are issued.”

District CMHO and incumbent designated officer Dr Shantilal Porwal said, “We have not received any orders for the post of designated officer in food and drug administration department. We are waiting for new orders and working as we were doing earlier.”

Senior food safety officer Manish Swami said they don’t worry about the extension of designated officer as the CMHO is by default the deputy director of the department.

“Problem will arise in case of any legal issue but we are sure that orders will be issued soon,” Swami said .

The food safety officers had acted against adulterated food products along with the team of district administration. They have collected samples from various famous eateries and the reports are awaited.