Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 7: With the Government directing the State and UTs to deploy the Mobile Food Testing Vans (MFTVs) to ensure the on-spot testing of food items, Drugs & Food Control Organization’s (DFCO) Food Safety Wing has put out a roaster for three of its MFTVs in Kashmir for the deployment in various districts on various dates.
The officials told Excelsior that the aim of deploying the MFTVs is to ensure that various food samples are tested on the spot apart from ensuring the necessary surveillance.
While the process has already begun on April 1, as per the details, three MFTVs available with the Food Safety wing under the tentative roaster, on April 8 will be stationed in Baramulla, Anantnag and Budgam, while as on April 10, these vehicles will be stationed in Baramulla, Pulwama and Srinagar.
Similarly, the details state that on April 12, the MFTVs will be stationed for the on-spot sample testing and surveillance at Baramulla, Anantnag, Ganderbal, on April 15 in Bandipora, Shopian, Budgam, on April 17 in Bandipora, Anantnag and Srinagar while on April 1, 3 and 5, the vehicles were stationed in Kupwara, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal.
Officials said that the stationing of the MFTVs will continue till April end while they noted that on April 19, the on-spot testing and surveillance of food items will be carried out in Baramulla, Shopian and Ganderbal; Baramulla, Anantnag, Budgam on April 24; Baramulla, Pulwama, Srinagar on April 26 and Bandipora, Anantnag, Ganderbal on April 27.
168 of these vehicles are currently available with the States/UTs, according to details, for conducting on-the-spot food testing for a variety of food products, including milk and milk products. Tests for fats, solid-not-fat, protein, and adulterants like added water, urea, sucrose, maltodextrin, and ammonium sulphate can be performed through the dedicated screen system installed on such vehicles.
These mobile units are used to promote healthy eating habits among the general public, raise awareness of food safety and hygiene, and conduct simple tests for common adulterants in milk, water, edible oil, and other items of food used for daily consumption. They are also used to conduct training and certification programmes for food handlers and supervisors in food businesses, particularly small food businesses.
The concerned officials said that the step has been taken to implement the directives issued by Commissioner, FDA, J&K while noting that the deployment of MFTVs is for conducting testing for surveillance and organizing awareness & training programmes.
It should be noted that the FSSAI has already urged people to have their food products tested by the testing vehicles deployed closest to them, particularly milk and milk products while noting that such tests can be carried out free of cost. “The whole exercise is targeted towards ensuring availability of safe and pure products, especially, milk and milk products to the consumers,” officials said.
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