State government has prohibited storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish and fish products including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms treated with Formalin or any other forms of chemical preservatives in Nagaland with immediate effect.
In a notification, commissioner of food safety, health department, Y Kikheto Sema, cautioned that non-compliance to the notification would be an offence and would attract penalties up to Rs.10 lakh with imprisonment under section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act’2006.
Further, the designated officer/food safety officer of the districts have been directed to strengthen surveillance activity and carry out inspection, checking, testing and sampling of the fresh fish consignment before distribution for sale under its jurisdiction.
Adulterated, sub-standard food products banned: In another notification, the government has prohibited illegal import of food products, for sale, exhibit for sale, stored for sale or distribution of any form of Adulterated, misbranded, sub-standard food products imported from foreign countries and states with immediate effect.
It also warned Food Business Operators to desist from such illegal food business. Non-compliance of notification would be an offence punishable with penalty under section 51, 52 and 59 of the said Act.
The consumers have been advised to check the labelling provisions of the food products before purchase and to be aware and remain alert about such food products. The designated officers, food safety officers of the districts have been directed to carry out inspection and sampling for analysis.
