To ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and wholesome food to the public, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Commissioner Food Safety, Jammu and Kashmir took a detailed review of the implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act in the district on September 18.

Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar reviewed different activities carried out by the enforcement officers of Leh district.

It was informed that with effect from April to August 2018, a total number of 37 samples of different categories of food items were lifted for analytical purposes.  27 samples were analysed during the same period, out of which 13 have been found not conforming to the provisions of the Act. 7 prosecutions against the violators of the act have been launched by the enforcement officers and an amount of ₹36800 has been imposed as fine. 2 cases are pending in the district court.

Series of meetings with different associations including hoteliers, restaurants and merchant associations Leh was convened. They were sensitized about the different provisions of FSS Act and discussions for strict compliance of the same and future plans of the department with regard to the Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC) and Street Food Vendors Training were carried out.

The associations apprised the Commissioner about the problems they are facing and informed that the internet connectivity in the Ladakh Division is very poor and the Food Business Operators face a lot of difficulties for obtaining, renewing their licenses and registrations, resulting late fee in case of renewal of the same.

They also requested the Commissioner to evolve a mechanism so that the late fee is not charged in case the licenses / Registrations are not renewed in time because of poor net connectivity. The Commissioner assured the association members that he will take up the matter with FSSAI.

The Associations also informed the Commissioner that due to the rate fixation by the administration, the quality of the food items is being compromised. They requested the Commissioner to conduct meeting with the Rate Fixation departments and other allied departments so that the difficulties faced by the food business operators are mitigated. They also informed that due to water shortage during the winter season the sanitary conditions are getting affected as they are not able to get sufficient quantity of portable water which is mandatory for preparation of any food item as per the FSS Act.

During the winters, due to the closure of the road, the Food Business Operators (FBOs) have to stock a huge quantity of food products and the products with less shelf life get expired because of which the food business operators suffer huge losses.

The Restaurant Association was directed to ensure that no synthetic food colour is used, use of proper uniform during preparation, serving and also to maintain high standards of hygiene and sanitary practices in their premises.

It was informed that in the coming days the department will implement the hygiene rating and responsible place to eat initiative by FSSAI in the State.  In this, the eateries ranging from Dhaba to Five Star Hotels will be rated and the consumers will get a better choice to eat. 

The associations were requested to facilitate the Licensing / Registration of all Food Business Operators under the provisions of FSS Act, maintain good hygienic and sanitary practices, get all the food handlers medically examined after every six months for ruling out any contagious or communicable disease.

Inspection of the various Food Business Operators was conducted by the enforcement officers of Leh and Assistant Commissioner Food Safety (HQ) under the overall supervision of Commissioner Food Safety. During the inspection, it was found that the food business operators engaged in selling mutton and chicken do not follow the sanitary and hygienic practices as laid down under the FSS Act. Moreover, the space used by some restaurants, dhabas, tea stalls etc for preparation of food items is not in consonance with the provisions of the Act.

The team also conducted inspections of FBOs including, M/S Khayul packaged Drinking Water, Hotel Spic & Span, Hotel Grand Dragon, Grand Wazwan Restaurant, Onpo Dairy Milk Plant, Padma Guest House, and Tibetan Kitchen. Meanwhile, during the inspection one, FBO Tibetan Kitchen was issued improvement notice for up gradation of premises including Kitchen and Serving premises as per the requisite provisions laid down under the Food Safety & Standards Act.

The enforcement officers of the district were directed to issue improvement notices against food business operators who do not adhere to the provisions of the Act. Also, to conduct regular awareness programmes among all such food business operators and make them time bound to comply with the provisions of the act so that safe and wholesome food is provided to the consumers.