Srinagar: To improve public health and combat negative nutritional trends, authorities have collected 48 samples of various eatables during Eat Right drive in the summer capital.
Srinagar district has been selected by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for ‘Eat Right’ campaign.
The FSSAI has selected just 150 districts across the country for this movement.
“We have collected 48 samples of various eatables which include milk, chewing gums, and other eatables. They have been sent to the laboratory for testing to know whether they qualify the set standards for consumption of human beings,” said Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Hilal Ahmad Mir.
He informed that besides awareness, during the ongoing Eat Right campaign various measures are being taken to ensure complete compliance of rules as set by FSSAI.
The ‘Eat Right Srinagar’ movement initiated by FSSAI under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is aimed at creating awareness amongst the people about safe, healthy and sustainable dietary habits.
“To achieve this end and to convert the programme into a people’s movement, FSSAI announced the Eat Right Challenge, an annual competition for nominated districts and cities. Further, it is meant to motivate states to improve performance and encourage every single person to join it,” he added.
On Sunday, the officials from Food Safety made surprise visit to various markets and sealed the mutton shop who had exposed uncovered mutton to dust and other pollutants. The 50 kg bakery was also destroyed on spot which was found unfit for human consumption.
Commissioner Food and Drugs (Adm) Shakeel-ur-Rehman said that activities that are being covered under the campaign include registration and licensing drives, lifting of samples for testing, inspections, training for Food Business Operators, and special camps for consumer awareness in Srinagar.
He added that under the campaign, the other programmes include to give hygiene rating, hub certification to FBO on the basis of the set standards they maintain.
He informed that awareness events are also organized about food safety in schools, universities and other educational institutions.
“The activities include both regulatory as well as awareness to FBO with the sole motive to ensure safe and wholesome food to consumers,” Rehman said while replying to a query.
He added the campaign is in full swing and aimed to make every effort to achieve the maximum targets set out by FSSAI about food quality.
He added that authorities in consultation with experts have embarked on a large-scale effort to transform Srinagar’s food system in order to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all through the ‘Eat Right Srinagar’ campaign.
At national level, FSSAI has initiated the Eat Right India movement that adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative and empowerment approaches to ensure that food is good both for the people and the planet.
“It builds on the collective action of all stakeholders including the government, food businesses, civil society organizations, experts and professionals, development agencies and citizens at large,” he said.