Dec 12, 2017
Food adulteration taking heavy toll on public health
SRINAGAR, Dec 11: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed increase in food adulteration despite framing of various committees for strict implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in the state. In the last few months, Food Safety Department has seized food articles and imposed fines for selling sub-standard foods. Last month, sources said that around Rs 1.5 lakh fine was imposed on food outlets for selling sub-standard food items. These included restaurants owners, traditional bakers, milk vendors and butchers.
Sources said that during the inspection, many restaurants, bakery shops, and butchers were found processing food in total unhygienic conditions. "Some of them have been using synthetic colours in many popular food items," an official said. In July, the department prosecuted 35 businesses operators for selling and manufacturing substandard and adulterated food products. He said that they took action based on various complaints received from the people. The official said that thousands of food outlets in Srinagar are putting the health of millions of people at risk. "Like in Srinagar, sub-standard foods are taking a heavy toll on the people of Jammu region," the official said. The government in 2014 constituted a high powered steering committee for effective and smooth implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It was headed by the Chief Secretary and included several administrative secretaries. The committee according to sources was formed in backdrop of complaints of food adulteration. However, nothing has happened so far. "Such committees have been confined to papers only," sources said. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 came into force across the country in August 2011. The Act was also to ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business. The committee has to take a complete review of the ground realities, officers performing the duties under the Act, method of sampling, testing and further follow up action on the basis of misbranded samples. "So for, we did not see any difference. Instead the food adulteration has increased over the years," the official added.
He said the Act was not being executed properly in the state and adulterated food items were being openly sold in markets without any check from the government. The Central government had also asked the state government many times to ensure proper implementation of the Act.
Hospital lab technicians deputed to test food samples
Srinagar: The Drug and Food Safety Organisation (DFCO) has deputed hospital lab technicians, trained in urine and blood examination, for testing food samples at its Srinagar food laboratory. As per sources, the DFCO instead of appointing staff for the food laboratory has posted medical lab technicians on deputation there to mislead the J&K High Court.
“It is eyewash. The matter is in the High Court as part of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The department (DFCO) had been directed to appoint requisite staff and file compliance report in the court,” sources in the health department said.
The J&K Health Department has recently deputed four medical laboratory technicians to the Food Testing Laboratory at Dalgate to analyse food samples. The technicians were deputed days after the High Court slammed the department for not complying with its directions.
“These technicians were working in different hospital labs under the Health Department. Now they are being asked to analyse food samples even though they have no knowledge or experience in the work,” said a health official, wishing anonymity.
He said all the four lab technicians appointed in the food laboratory had a bachelors or equivalent degree in medical laboratory technology, which is not even distantly equivalent to the BSc in Food Technology or Dairy Technology required to become a Food Lab Technician.
As per official data, only four employees were originally appointed for the Food Testing Laboratory in Dalgate including a senior lab technician, assistant public analyst, lab assistant and lab attendant. The others were posted there simply to mislead the High Court.
“The others have been deputed there as two food analysts, four lab technicians and four food safety officers. They are working either on ad-hoc or deputation basis,” the official said.
Earlier this year, the government had issued a notification asking two food safety officers to work as ‘notified food analysts’ till they are appointed permanently.
“The notified food analysts have been left without power and accountability as they working on ad-hoc basis, despite having the requisite qualification and experience,” said an administrator.
The DFCO deputed field staff, including four food safety officers, from the Health Department and DFCO at the food lab to augment its staff strength. The postings were made after High Court directions in May. The deputation has created shortage in the field and put extra burden on the food safety officers posted in different departments.
In May, a division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey had directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to depute a qualified person to the food laboratories to find out whether they fulfilled requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Controller Food and Drugs Lotika Khajuria said it was a national norm to recruit laboratory staff on deputation basis.
“It’s not necessary that Food Lab Technicians have the required qualification. In case of urgency, we can post any science graduate in the lab and give them on-job training,” she said.
“Food Analysts are notified to work in the lab as they were trained in Food Analysis by virtue of their qualification and experience,” she said.
The Controller also played down the staff shortage and said the department was not doing anything wrong. “We are following the norm that is prevalent in the whole of India. J&K is not a special case,” she said.
The shortage of field staff is acute in J&K, with 36 posts of Food Safety Officers, meant to supervise the food sold in markets, are lying vacant.
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