Q. Could you briefly introduce yourself and explain the role of the Food Safety Department?

Jullay! I am Tamchos Gurmet, currently serving as the Assistant Commissioner for Food Safety in Ladakh. I have been working in this role for the past 15 years, ensuring the safety and quality of food products in the region.

The Food Safety Department operates under the Drugs & Food Control Organization of UT Ladakh and serves as the food regulatory authority. Guided by the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the department has initiated several schemes and awareness programs to ensure the safety of the food supply. Our responsibilities include food licensing, sampling, and quality control, all in accordance with the necessary guidelines and regulations to safeguard public health.

Q. You mentioned that the department is responsible for licensing, sampling, and quality control. Could you elaborate on how these responsibilities are carried out?

The department is supported by Field Food Safety Officers stationed at the block level, who are responsible for conducting food sampling, inspections, and overseeing licensing. A state-level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the UT Administration and FSSAI to ensure timely execution of fieldwork. The inspections, sampling, and licensing processes are carried out with collaborative funding. Every year, around 3,000 food samples are tested from Ladakh, with 1,500 samples from Leh and 1,500 from Kargil. Each district has four Food Safety Officers, who are assigned specific targets for inspections, third-party audits, and hygiene ratings.

Q. What areas are inspected, and from where are food samples collected?

All food establishments, whether government or private, are subject to inspection. Hotels and restaurants are frequently inspected to ensure compliance with safety standards. Food samples are also collected from a variety of locations, including stores, Anganwadi centers, and mid-day meal schemes, among others.

Q. What are the consequences for those found violating the rules or guidelines?

In cases where food establishments are found to be unhygienic or operating without a proper license, the offenders face penalties. A fine or challan is imposed on the shop or store owner, based on the order of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), who serves as the executive officer.
If a food product fails the sampling process and is deemed sub-standard or unsafe, fines are levied in accordance with legal provisions, ensuring strict adherence to food safety standards.

Q. How is food sampling conducted? Could you provide a brief overview of the sampling process?

Food samples are collected by the field food safety officers and transported to FSSAI-notified laboratories for testing. Currently, there are no such laboratories in Ladakh, so samples are sent to external facilities for analysis. Once the tests are conducted, a report is generated which determines whether the food product meets the required standards or is classified as sub-standard.

Q. What challenges do field and food safety officers encounter during inspections and the collection of food samples?

Initially, we faced challenges in convincing the public about the importance of food safety, and the society had limited cooperation. However, over time, the understanding of food safety has grown, and the community now recognizes its significance. The public has become much more cooperative during surveys and inspections.

After Ladakh became a Union Territory, we were provided with necessary resources, such as vehicles for transportation and adequate funding. Despite this, one of the main challenges remains reaching and covering different blocks during inspections, surveys, and campaigns due to the vast distances. The primary reason for this challenge is the shortage of manpower and human resources.

Q. Brief us about the Food Safety on Wheel initiative?

The Food Safety on Wheel initiative is a mobile van equipped with a laboratory setup that allows for rapid testing of food samples with immediate results. This mobile unit has traveled across various blocks, testing around 500-600 samples in areas such as Nubra, Tangtse, and Sham. During the campaign, about 80% of the samples tested negative, indicating no contamination. However, milk products around the Sakti area were found to be contaminated.
The van conducts primary tests during our survey. If a product is found to be contaminated or sub-standard, we send a legal sample to external laboratories for further testing. Interestingly, the sample found in Sakti was later verified as pure and safe after testing at laboratories outside Ladakh

Q. What is food fortification, and how can consumers identify if a food product is fortified?

Food Fortification is an initiative launched across India, endorsed by the Prime Minister, with guidelines for ration stores to ensure that food products are fortified. In Ladakh, fortification is especially important due to the challenges of obtaining fresh vegetables, fruits, and other products during the harsh, long winter. This often leads to a rise in cases of anemia, making food fortification a crucial measure to address such health concerns.
When food is stored for winter, it can lose many of its nutrients. Food fortification involves adding micronutrients like Vitamin A, D, Folic Acid, and Iron to food products. For example, rice and flour at ration stores are fortified with Folic Acid, B12, and Iron. In Ladakh, wheat flour is also fortified, as local millers are trained by FSSAI experts on the fortification process. As a result, Ladakh has fortified wheat flour available in the market.

Cooking oil sold in Ladakh is 80% fortified with micronutrients such as Vitamin A and D, except for certain brands like Pmark. Additionally, we expect double-fortified salt (with added Folic Acid and Iron) to be available in the market soon.

To identify fortified products, look for the PlusF logo on packaging. These fortified products offer the same price, taste, and nutritional benefits without any compromise.

Message to the Readers

“Consumers should carefully inspect food products before purchasing, checking for unusual signs such as incorrect dates, leakages, inflated packaging, or suspicious milk products. Always ensure a proper bill is provided. Many complaints often arise only after a purchase is made, which can be avoided through vigilance. Every individual should act as a responsible consumer by verifying they are selecting safe and suitable products for consumption."