Imphal, November 07 2009: Even though state government framed rules of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, state directorate of health services could not effectively implement in the state. Poor mechanism and shortest of manpower are the reasons behind unable non-implementation of the Act in the state, official source said.

A proposal for strengthening the mechanism and manpower with financial involvement of over Rs 3.35 crore annually has been proposed to the state government.

Cabinet approval for the same is waiting, the source disclosed.

The proposal was ensuring food safety to its people as well as in response to the Central government pressure for effective implementation of the Act, the proposal of the directorate of health services.

The state government was under considerable pressure from the Central government to sensitize the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules agencies but the ban on creation or upgradation of posts and direct recruitment stood in the way of creating the essential posts and making necessary appointment for enforcement of the Act and rules framed under the Act.

For regulation of Food Safety Act, 2006 and Rules enforces in Manipur under the Act and ensure for food safely, state directorate of health services has proposed for strengthening of mechanism by setting up primary agency for implementation of the rules under the Act, official of the directorate said Friday.

The proposal includes creation of a post of Commissioner of Food Safety, appointment of designated officers, food safety officers and food analyst etc.

By the definition of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, Food Safety means assurance that food is acceptable for human consumption according to its intended use.

Safety food contributes to health and productivity and provides an effective platform for development and poverty alleviation.

Food-borne disease takes a major task on health.

Thousands of people fall ill and many die as a result of eating unsafe food.

Therefore, the directorate of health services regulates foods and looking after to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the food supply, to prevent economic fraud or deception, official revealed.

The proposal of setting up of primary agency is to improve public health point of view.

It will provide guidelines for developing and effective national food control system.

To outline techniques, procedures, recommendations and standards which are generally which are generally considered to constitute good manufacturing ad sanitary practice in the food industry, to create and support consumers and business awareness under the Food Safety and Standards through mass education and to improve Food Safety practices by the food related personnel through training organized by the government are the other objective of proposal, officials went on to say.

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