Himachal Pradesh which had 6,864,602 population as per 2011 Census has only one Food and Safety Officer to monitor food safety and quality in the State. Though the total number of sanctioned posts of such officer is 13 but at present there is only one officer for all the 12 districts of the State. This lone officer is posted in Chamba-Kangra district.
Jagdish Dhiman, Designated Officer in the Food Safety and Regulation department stated that there is serious shortage of food safety officers and consequently, food samples could not be collected for tests to check safety and quality aspects of various food items. Under Section 38 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, only Food Safety Officer can take food samples for tests to ascertain its quality and safety aspects.
Doctors and health experts say that consumption of adulterated food items cause vomiting, loose motions, fever, diarrhea and other digestive and intestinal ailments. Monsoon is about to commence and such food related ailments increase during the rainy seasons.
In Himachal Pradesh, the State Government has left it to the people to look after their safety.
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