Share
Dimapur, March 23 (EMN): All the government supplied rice would be fortified by 2024 and accordingly the line department would disseminate awareness in order to avoid confusion among the public.
This was announced during the meeting of district level advisory committee (DLAC) on food safety held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Dimapur on March 23. The deputy commissioner of Dimapur and DLAC chairman, Rajesh Soudararajan, chaired the meeting and also delivered the keynote address during the meeting.
A press release from the deputy commissioner’s office stated that the designated office of food safety, Dimapur, Samuel Zehol, spoke on food safety activities and its emerging challenges, while Khrukutolu Veswuh, the notified food analyst of State Public Health Laboratory, Kohima, has highlighted the status and its functions of the laboratory.
During the discussion, Veswuh informed that all government supplied rice would be fortified by 2024 and added that awareness would be disseminated accordingly by the line departments in order to avoid public confusion. Veswuh also stated that awareness would be conducted to bring all the food business operators (FBO) under the umbrella of FSSAI registration and licensing.
With regard to the fortified rice issue, Veswuh stated that there was a need for public awareness regarding the proper authority to contact for any complaint. For redressal of public grievances for any issue pertaining to food items, Veswuh the issue should be addressed to the concerned food safety authority.
Veswuh also informed that Mid-Day-Meals are to be tested by the state public health laboratory, Kohima, before distributing it to the schools.
It was further decided that the food safety of Dimapur zone, in collaboration with the Police department and Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) would conduct programmes to generate awareness among the FBO and police personnel.