Foods

FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMME
(Food Safety and Standard Authority of India)
DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES
GOVERNMENT OF MIZORAM

INTRODUCTION

Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in its 56th year of Republic of India in the year 2006.This act is meant to consolidate the laws relating to food and also to establish a science based standards for article of food. It lays a direction, instruction and guidance with regards to manufacture, storage, distribution, sale & import and also to ensure availability of safe food and wholesome food for human consumption. Food Safety & Standards Cell of the Directorate of Health Services is responsible for the execution of the programme and works for the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Regulation, 2011.

OBJECTIVES/TARGET

Consumption of unsafe and unhygienic food can cause a number of avoidable diseases and can retard the development of the people. So,to ensure the availability of food that is hygienic and safe for consumption by human beings, educating the general public about their rights to food safety, checking and inspecting suspected food articles are the most important aims and objective of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. It provide provisions to prevent food adulteration and prohibit the sale of unsafe and sub-standards food and can also impose a severe punishment including imprisonment to those who does not comply and follow the provisions it.

ENFORCEMENT STAFFS (MANPOWER) IN THE STATE

The Food Safety Programme was initiated in the year 2006 with very limited manpower, that is, with only 2 (two) full time Food Safety Officer/ Food Inspector headed by Nodal Officer in the Directorate of Health Services (now designated as Deputy Food Safety Commissioner under the provision of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006). For the implementation of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 in 5th September, 2011, Remarkable changes has been made under the newly introduce adopted ‘Food Safety & Standard Act,2006 and Regulation,2011. The designation of various Staffs under Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006 and Regulation, 2011 which are as below:
1) Secretary/Commissioner of H & F.W Deptt as Food Safety Commissioner
2) Lalsawma, Joint Director (Food & Drugs) as Dy. Food Safety Commissioner
3) John _, Food Inspector as Food Safety Officer, DHS
4) Lalrinkimi Pachuau, Food Inspector as Food Safety Officer, DHS
Sl. No.(2) – (3) are all posted in the Directorate of Health Services, Aizawl.
5) Asstt. Director (Drugs) who are posted at different distric are notified by the Government of Mizoram to function and perform the powers and duties of Food Safety Officer/Food Inspector in their respective jurisdiction/area.

Issuance of Food License/ regulation
As per the provisional laid down in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation, 2011 and Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, a total of 54 business operator were issued license and registration certificate. For issuing of such license / registration certificate, prior verification and inspection of the food business premises were carried out by the Food Safety Offices. After carefully examining the inspection and verification report of the Food Safety Officer, the Licensing/Registering Authority then only issue the License / Registration Certificate.

IEC Activities

With regards to the subject of Food Safety and related issues, the knowledge of the general public is very low. Knowing the situation of the public, the Food Safety Cell of Directorate of Health Services, initiate and conduct Awareness Campaign and Seminars among different groups of people including students, Church Youth, Consumer’s Union, Media Personal to propagate the message of Food Safety and Food Business Operators etc. Apart from such awareness drive and campaign, booklets and Leaflets carrying the message of Food Safety mentioning the existing laws and rules. Such type of activities turns out to be very effective and may be carried out more often in the different Places

Need of the hour
The message of the importance of Safe Food and Hygienic living and its implication on the health of the people should be spread to the general public as a whole. The State of Mizoram, having an international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, there is a free flow of foreign food articles in the State, therefore the government should also give more attention on this issue. Enforcement Staff should be increased and, in general the Food Safety Administration should be strengthened.

Achievement during 2014-2018