The West Siang district administration launching the food safety training and certification programme (FoSTaC)  to impart knowledge on food safety for consumers and shopkeepers is a step in the right direction.

 

 

 Food Safety Training & Certification by the  Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a large scale training programme for food business operators. All food businesses having Central Licences or State Licenses should have at least one trained and certified food safety supervisor for every 25 food-handlers or part thereof on all their premises. The food safety supervisors will be certified & trained under FoSTaC. There are 16 courses in three levels, Basic, Advanced & Special.

 

 

Food adulteration and contamination must be viewed with all seriousness as it is directly linked to the health and wellbeing of people. Arunachal’s food safety department or its equivalent must raise awareness and ensure that food safety protocols laid down by the FSSAI are followed by all food businesses.

 

The risk of food toxicity should be minimized at all levels of food supply and consumption. Food regulators must inspect eateries regularly to check for quality of food and hygiene of the workplace. There must be strict enforcement of food regulations with the provision of heavy penalties and criminal prosecution for violating norms. Itanagar is witnessing advent of global and national food joints including mushrooming of home-based food production units which must be carefully monitored.

 

 

 

With the eating-out culture making inroads in Arunachal especially the capital region, authorities need to keep  strict vigil on all food businesses and set up a framework of risk monitoring, assesment and implementation to guarantee food safety.