MLC says that ’Food Safety’ is in a coma

MLC says that ’Food Safety’ is in a coma

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, June 9, 2015 : talking to media,  MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary complained that the State Health Department and Food Safety and Standards Authority is in coma.  He then said the departments and the laboratories working under Food Safety and Standards Authority indulged in illegal activities. He alleged that Health Minister U T Khader issues statements far from truth.

He said the government has failed to recruit sufficient and required numbers of officials in  Food Safety and Standards Authority. The food safety squad is non existent. He said  at least 35 posts for  nominated officials at district level is vacant.

There should be 226 food safety officials for  each taluk.  Of which 174 posts are vacant. It is mandatory that each official, should get at least ten samples of foodstuff examined every month. There are three head quarters in Gulburga, Belgaum and Mysore, which works without the required number of staffs. The machinery at BBMP office related to the Authority is far from functional.

 The food safety office at K R Circle operating under Health department is also in a coma.  He said there are 25 chemists who work at Food Safety and Standards Authority laboratories fetching salaries around Rs 75,000 to Rs 90,000 per month. All these chemists are paid without working and urged the health minister to clarify irregularities in Food Safety and Standards Authority. All this is causing a total lack of control on food safety.