Flag off ceremony of Food Safety on Wheels took place on November 10, 2021, in Gujarat. On the occasion, five mobile food testing vans were launched for 'Food Safety on Wheels', to supplement the food safety ecosystem across the state. This takes the total number of mobile testing vans to nine.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Rishikeshbhai Patel, Minister of Medical Education, Gujarat State; Nimishaben Suthar, Minister of Health & Family Welfare Department, Gujarat State; and Manoj AggarwalI, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Gujarat State.
The importance of 'Food Safety on Wheels', enables officers to reach remote areas effectively. It enables surveillance and on the spot testing with the help of instruments and devices provided.
Speaking on the occasion, Patel said, “Food is an essential component of health in a holistic sense. Balanced nutrition is an integral part of Health.”
The minister also expressed that the mobile food testing laboratories will not only help officers in the various parts of State to enhance their outreach and conduct surveillance activities even in the far-flung areas, but will also be utilised as an effective tool for training and awareness generation activities amongst citizens.
Hemant Koshia, Commissioner at FDCA-Gujarat, said, “Apart from conducting simple tests for common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil and other items of food of daily consumption, these mobile units would also be used for awareness building around food safety, hygiene and promoting healthy eating habits in citizens at large and for conducting training and certification programme for food handlers and supervisors in food businesses, particularly petty food businesses.”