Officials donate two vehicles to NGO for collecting excess food in Chennai

The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded

CHENNAI: In an effort to check wastage of food, state foodsafety officials have contributed a part of their salaries towards buying two vehicles that will collect excess food and contribute to the needy in Chennai. The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded its service to Chennai.

Tamil Nadu food safety commissioner P Amudha, who also contributed to the cause, donated the vehicles on Friday.

No Food Waste was started by three youngsters in Coimbatore who run a volunteer-staffed hotline for wedding, banquet and school organisers who wish to donate their excess food to those in need in slums, government hospitals and the homeless. Till date, the organistion has catered to 45,1039 people and saved 1.34 lakh kg of food.

Food safety officials said although the service would be run fully by the NGO, the state would provide technical support. "We will provide guidance in storing and testing the quality of food," said a food safety official.

Mobile lab to check quality of food

State health minister C Vijaya Baskar on Friday launched a mobile food lab which will visit various localities on call and test food for adulteration and quality.

Teachers in 50 corporation schools to be trained in food safety

The food safety department will train teachers in 50 corporation schools in Chennai on safe food practices and simple ways to check for adulteration at home

Banners for food business operators

The food safety department has come up with three banners - for restaurants, retailers, and fruit and vegetable vendors --- on ways to prepare and cook food hygienically.