Kanili Kiho
Dimapur, August 2
When it comes to food, the first thing that comes to the minds of citizens other than anticipating its taste is this: “How safe is it?”
Pleasing a hygiene-conscious gourmet is hard. But how safe is the food that a citizen finds, and consumes, in his state in Nagaland? According to the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food ought to be safe enough for all to be healthy and alive. One can avoid catering food from hotels and restaurants if he believes it to be unsafe.
Nonetheless, it is a matter of concern that numerous foods – loose and packaged – have flooded the local market currently. Even after almost three years since the central government promulgated the Food Safety & Standards Regulations of 2011, Nagaland still lags when it comes to providing safe and healthy food for her people. The state’s Food Safety officers – the personnel who ensure food safety by conducting raids, collecting samples, and penalizing defaulters for violation of safety standards – are a disillusioned lot. “Work (following proper and mandatory while dealing food safety issues) is hampered by lack of proper infrastructure such as offices and vehicles, and also absence of adequate number of personnel,” said Dr MA Wati, Chief Medical Officer of Dimapur district.
“We have shortage of manpower. And there is no budget at all which is hampering our enormous work,” he added. He also alleged the issue was brought to the notice of the higher authorities, but action is yet to be taken.”
However, Dr. Wati agreed that there was a need to hold more awareness campaigns to encourage safe food among the public. It is a matter concerning food which is not to be taken least lightly, he implied.
In this regard, the government of Nagaland appears to be in no hurry to give importance to the plight and demands of the department. The medical official explained that work gets tedious most of the time as the FSO was alone to getting the work done.
The checklist issued by the FSSAI is mandatory for licensing and registration, said Sendong Jamir, FSO of Dimapur. Stating that the foremost measure in inspection of food is licensing and registration of any type of food item that goes to the market to be retailed, the FSO said. He explained that shortage of manpower and lack of budget to carry out the numerous works are the main constraints currently facing the food-safety enforcement personnel.
Even more unfortunate, Nagaland does not have any laboratory of her own. Reports suggest that the department dispatches only a handful of food items outside for lab testing. When queried how often inspections are conducted, the FSO said there were no specific dates for inspection. However, inspections are carried out on a ‘routine.’
In 2013, the department and the police, the Dimapur Municipal Council and a number of non-governmental organisations undertook an inspection.
Dr. Wati also informed that Food Business Operators licenses are renewed every second year. The FSO has informed all FBOs to obtain their licenses on or before August 4. Failing to comply would invite a penalty, the department’s official said.
The official suggested that if any complaints are to be made by citizens, the best way is to approach the department directly with a written form.
Under the FSSAI, it is only in the hands of the FSO to confiscate food products. Hence it is in contradiction with the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 which states that the chief officer has the power to confiscate food or drugs. This is a serious anomaly in privileges of administrative policy.
“There is talk about food adulteration, but we see little action,” said a doctor based in Dimapur. He spoke on condition of anonymity. Adulterated foods have serious health impacts that can complicate one’s health: Cancer, kidney and liver complications, renal failures, memory loss, respiratory problems, infertility, kidney stone and damage to cardiac system are some of the consequences, the doctor said.
The state government’s long-term objective to ensuring food safety is taking time to see action. Harmful use of chemicals in food items are a serious concern in the recent times. Nagaland is fortunate enough to have not witnessed much of it till date – or at least there are no official reports on food poisoning, a medical officer explained.
Yet prevention is better than cure. Unless importance is given by the competent authorities to this issue, there is not much hope in improving the quality of food and ensuring safe food for the public.
