Counterfeit food items, being totally illegal, bypass all mandatory quality checks and pose a grave danger to the health of our citizens. It is absolutely imperative that the problem is dealt with effectively.
This, according to a press release issued by the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, was stated by Preeti Sudan, the ministry’s secretary, in her address to the principal secretaries of states and Union Territories (UTs) at a video conference (VC) in New Delhi recently.
The Delhi High Court, vide order dated August 19, 2019 had directed her to hold a meeting of the food safety departments of the state governments along with FSSAI, and submit a report on the manner in which counterfeiting of food products can be tracked, recorded and curbed in an effective manner. The video conference was held in compliance to the High Court order.
Sudan highlighted the issue of counterfeit food products and requested the principal secretaries to hold periodic drives with the help of police authorities, so that the menace is kept in check. The need for stepping up surveillance during the festival time was also emphasised.
She added that there was a need to ensure requisite availability of manpower for all activities of food safety.
“States and UTs need to clearly identify the number of posts of designated officers (DOs) and food safety officers (FSO) required for food safety administration and take steps to create the posts and fill them,” Sudan said.
“Similarly, technical posts in laboratories need to be filled up, besides upgrading of the laboratories,” she added.
The secretary emphasized that the deputy commissioners/district magistrates must be sensitised by state/UT governments to curb counterfeit food and they should take up a leadership role in drives against such activities.
The principal secretaries were requested to pass on directions to the food commissioners, as the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, primarily rests with the states and UTs. There has to be effective implementation of the same.
Sudan added that strong action against counterfeit food products must be taken and brought to the notice of the public to generate awareness. The health secretaries of states and UTs must review the action taken every month and inform FSSAI.
The VC witnessed the attendance of various states and UTs, including Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Manipur, Puducherry, Goa, Chandigarh, Tripura, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh.
The principal secretaries explained the steps being taken by their states and UTs to tackle the issue under discussion. Some states have well-designed calendars for food safety drives, which are shared with enforcement agencies at the beginning of the year.
Many states ensure that every complaint about the quality and genuineness of food products is verified, which has yielded good results. It was discussed that training of officers and enhancing surveillance capabilities is necessary, successful raids should be given wide publicity through the media, consumer awareness needs to be promoted and they must be encouraged to insist on bills while purchasing food products, etc.
Most states also felt that food manufacturers must introduce, track and trace mechanisms for their products.
They were requested to cross learn from each other and adopt as many of these best practices as they find feasible.
The principal secretaries were also requested to participate in the meetings of the Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI.
Also present at the VC were senior officers of MoHFW.
