Chairperson FSSAI, Rita Teaotia met FBOs in Circuit House Jalandhar on the 20th of February, 2020, to address their queries and sensitise them about various FSSAI initiatives. Addressing the Food Business Operators associated with the food sector and hotel and restaurant owners, she stated that the right to food and better health is the goal of the Central Government. She said that all those who make and sell food should pay special attention to food safety. Talking about the importance of FSSAI registration, she said it is a must and all food business operators must have a license which they must display in their establishments.
She also emphasised the need for stringent hygiene so as to ensure clean and safe food for consumers. It is important to also prepare, process and store food properly according to food safety norms to avoid any kind of health risk. Speaking to the gathered FBOs she asked them to ensure cleanliness in their food establishments as that is a key factor in providing hygienically prepared foods. Civil Surgeon Dr. Guridar Kaur Chawla, who was also present at the meeting, urged the FBOs to ensure that the people who handle and prepare foods in their establishments are medically fit.
One of the food operators at the meeting brought up the subject of milk samples failing. He also wanted an amendment to the milk fat selection. Answering his query Rita Teaotia said that policies are prepared at the national level and this topic will be taken into consideration in the future.
Later, the Chairperson visited the state laboratory at Kharar, Punjab to review the laboratory infrastructure and its functionality. Food Testing and analysis is an essential part of the food safety ecosystem and the food lab plays a valuable role in testing samples as a State Laboratory in the region. The Punjab government had earlier decided to improve the functioning of the laboratory as it was short of infrastructure and manpower. There were plans to carry out a micro-level survey for every test/calibration parameter of the laboratory besides a detailed study of all activities of the laboratory. The technicians in the laboratory were also to get specialised training so they could perform better.
With input from agencies.
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