Kohima advisory committee discusses food safety, consumer rights

DIMAPUR — The first meeting of the District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) on Safe Food & Healthy Diets was held on Thursday at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, under chairmanship of DC Kohima, Henok Buchem.

The meeting discussed a wide range of issues relating to food safety and public health in Kohima district, a DIPR report stated. The deputy commissioner underlined that making the public aware of their rights as consumers is of utmost importance, and stressed the need for continuous awareness on food safety.

Buchem also proposed the creation of a task force comprising professionals from food safety and nutrition fields, food business operators, and consumer groups to strengthen the system.

Inspections of hotel kitchens, restaurant hygiene, and compliance with food safety standards were identified as priority areas.

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Designated Officer of Food Safety, Kohima, Kezhangulie Yimchunger shared what the department has been doing so far. He reported that the department monitors food safety regulations, conducts training and awareness programmes, regulates the sale of imported and substandard items, and issues licenses to food businesses. So far, 160 licenses have been issued online, and regular inspections of food establishments are being carried out.

Nagaland, currently, has only one food testing laboratory, located at the State Public Health Laboratory in Paramedical Colony, Kohima, near the CMO office. To supplement this, the state introduced three ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ mobile units which travel across districts to collect samples, train food operators, and spread awareness, Yimchunger said.

Training programmes on hygiene are being provided to food business operators, who are also certified on completion, he added.

The meeting concluded with members agreeing that strengthening inspections, involving stakeholders, and increasing consumer awareness are key to ensuring safer food and healthier diets in the district.