|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Very rarely the instances are there of unsafe food”
|
|
Monday, 13 June, 2022, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
|
 The overall quality control of the food manufactured, distributed and sold in the State of Goa is exercised by the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration, as part of the health care organisation under the Department of Public Health in the State Government.
Jyoti Sardesai, Director and Commissioner, Food Safety, Directorate of FDA-Goa, shares details about new initiatives, food safety, Eat Right India, food testing labs and a lot more, in an email interview with Kimberley Fernandes. Excerpts:
Give us details about new initiatives of FDA and their implementation in Goa.
Presently Goa FDA is functioning from its only office at Bambolim, Goa. Shortly, we will be opening a sub-office of FDA at South Goa in Margao. Recently recruitment of additional staff is done in enforcement as well as establishment. FDA is trying its best to maintain its rank of best performing State in Food Safety Index for the 4thconsecutive year. FDA has participated in “Eat Right District challenge”(ERDC) of FSSAI earlier and intends to participate in the ERDC-Version 2 which is released recently. FDA has participated in collaboration with Corporation of city of Panaji in the Eat Smart City challenge and has been a winner and will participate in the next level challenge. We intend to take forward all these initiatives of FSSAI; such as food fortification; Eat Right School, RUCO; etc. to a greater extent.
FDA–Goa has always been in forefront to implement all the Eat Right initiatives of FSSAI.
How successful is the Food Safety on Wheels movement in Goa?
Goa was one amongst the first few states which had obtained the Food Safety on Wheels (FSW), mobile Food Testing Lab in the year 2017 from FSSAI. FSW is deployed at different places for conducting the awareness; training and testing of food samples. Consumers can get their food samples tested for a nominal fee.
FSW is deployed at Health Melas and other events to create awareness on food safety and demo on detection of common adulterants in food at home. Shortly we will be acquiring one more FSW- through financial assistance from FSSAI.
How has Goa faired in the Eat Right India movement? What advice would you give to other states?
I am very proud to inform that due to the consistent efforts by team FDA – Goa; Goa State has received the award for best performing state in Food Safety Index; awarded by FSSAI; consecutive for the third time in a row.
The evaluation of FSI is based on five parameters such as Human Resources and Institution Data; Compliance; Food Testing Infrastructure and Surveillance; Training and Capacity Building; and Consumer Empowerment.
Goa has implemented almost all the Eat Right Initiatives of FSSAI. Goa had also organised the “Swastha Bharat Yatra” in October 2018 and had received the certificate of appreciation from FSSAI for Panaji City for being the best performing city.
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav celebration; we had organised “Eat Right Walkaton” and “Eat Right Mela” which events were a grand success with around 600 enthusiastic participants carrying the Eat Right Message for Healthy India. Goa’s both the districts also participated in the “Eat Right District Challenge organised by FSSAI.
Around 250 food outlets have obtained Hygiene Rating Certificates; and 13 campuses are Eat Right certified.
Panaji city of Goa has participated in the Eat Smart Cities Challenge; organised in association with the Smart Cities Mission with the support of FDA and is shortlisted among the top 11 cities; as winner; and will now work towards deeper implementation of various Eat Right India Initiatives.
I feel that, though we are very busy with our main duty of Enforcement of FSSA, we should try and implement all the Eat Right Initiatives of FSSAI, the apex regulator of Food Safety, which is also a facilitator, in the interest of achieving the goal of Healthy India.
Give details about the implementation and success of Food Testing Labs in Goa.
Goa’s food testing lab is NABL accredited. Well equipped with sophisticated instruments like GC-MSMS, LC-MSMS, ICP-MS procured through financial assistance from FSSAI, in addition to the other regular instruments and equipment like HPLC. Food testing lab is strengthened through the FSSAI’s Central Sector Scheme of “Strengthening of Food Safety Eco System”. The Lab is headed by Senior Scientific Officer; assisted by two Junior Scientific Officers; Chemists, Assistant Chemists and Lab Technicians and other support staff. 11 Assistant Chemists are recently recruited.
The microbiology lab of the Directorate is renovated through FSSAI funding and is fully functional.
Along with routine tests; Lab is able to carry out tests on pesticide residue; antibiotic residue; heavy metal contaminants.
In addition to our own lab; food samples are also tested at NABL accredited; FSSAI approved Labs; outside Goa.
Goa Government has engaged the services of Quality Council of India since June 2019 to check the quality of fish entering the State from other States; who have set up the laboratories at border check post for conducting checks 24 by 7 and also at the major wholesale fish market at Margao.
What are the steps taken towards checking of malpractice and adulteration in food; sweets; milk; milk products; fruits?
Our Food Safety Officers (FSO’s) conduct regular tours in their respective assigned areas and draw samples of various food items; as proposed in the monthly tour programme; issued by the department. They also draw samples of doubtful quality food items during routine inspection; and complaint investigations. In addition to the complaints received through the grievance redressal portal of FSSAI, we entertain complaints received through either e-mails or telephone complaints or through hard copy intimation . Goa’s consumers are very vigilant and we receive a large number of complaints.
Special surveillance drives are carried out during festive season; when there is likelihood of substandard food items/Adulterated food items being sold.
Regular and surprise visits are carried out to check for artificial ripening of fruits. In addition to the festival times also during the harvest season such as mango season; for checking artificial ripening of fruits. Early morning raids are conducted.
Late evening inspection drives are carried out to check for the hygiene and quality of food sold by the street hawkers.
Awareness programmes/trainings are conducted for the fruit vendors to refrain from artificial ripening; and instead to opt for use of ripening chambers.
Trainings are conducted for street hawkers/Eateries /Restaurants/Caterers and other Retailers/distributors; all Food Business Operators.
Till date (April 21, 2022) we have conducted 225 FoSTaC trainings and trained 3549 number of food safety supervisors.
Many FDAs in the country are facing manpower crunch. How is Goa FDA faring in this regard.
The staff strength of Goa FDA has always been near adequate. From beginning Goa FDA had been recruiting additional manpower as and when the need arose. Compared to the size of our State with just two districts; and around 15 lakhs population the number of food establishments is very large. Goa being a popular tourist destination for domestic as well as international travellers, and local cuisine being in demand, monitoring the quality of food and hygiene at these places; definitely a large number of Food Safety Officers are required. Goa is now in a very comfortable position with 18 newly recruited FSOs. We have one full time Designated Officer for each district. The Director FDA is a full time Food Safety Commissioner. At present we have two Designated officers; 10 Senior Food Safety Officers and 29 Food Safety Officers.
How is the punishment and fine scenario in Goa?
Goa has notified Designated Officers for compounding of petty offences. Similarly the District Collectors are notified as Adjudicating Officers for adjudication of minor offences. Very rarely the instances are there of unsafe food for which cases need to be filed before JMFC.
Fine levied by the authorities are proportional to the severity of offence as per the guidelines issued under Section 49 of the FSSA.
Give us the details on the implementation of FSSAI Act 2006 in Goa.
Goa State FDA since beginning was implementing the erstwhile Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules thereunder. Regulatory setup was already in place. Hence there was a smooth transition from PFAA to FSSA.
The existing food Inspectors were re-designated as Food Safety Officers. The Assistant Local Health Authority were re-designated as Senior Food Safety Officers.The officers who were notified as Local Health Authorities earlier were notified as Designated Officers and the Food Health Authority (Director FDA) was notified as Commissioner of Food Safety.Later on two posts of Designated Officers (full time) were created as required under FSSA.
Goa was the first State to convert the existing PFA licences to FSSA licences; and digitisation of the legacy data and to issue online licences and registration certificates under FSSA.
Notifications of all the authorities under the FSSA were issued in a very short time; such as notifying District Collectors as the Adjudicating Officers; notification of the Food Safety Tribunal; State Level and District Level Advisory Committees.
We have independent Food testing Lab; with two Food Analysts; which Lab carries out testing of food samples drawn by our FSOs; also by Port Health Authorities and Excise Department.
Goa state is having the highest percentage of licensed/registered food establishments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|