Four Mobile ICTCs flagged off in Kohima

Four new Mobile Integrated Counselling & Testing Centres (ICTC) were flagged off by commissioner, Food Safety and Department of Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema, during a programme at the Directorate, here on Thursday.
In his brief address, Sema said Nagaland was the second highest in AIDS prevalence in the country which was alarming. He said against the national average of 0.21% Nagaland has 1.36% of the total population, second only to Mizoram at 2.70%.
He pointed out that people should know the situation, responsibilities and accordingly create awareness in the minds of the people. Calling for a concerted efforts towards this end, Sema said the department or the government alone cannot do it and needs the support of the people.
Sema informed that according to the latest data available in the state, Dimapur with 2.20% prevalence was the highest while Tuensang and Noklak together with 2.14% was second and Kohima was in third with 1.28%. Three of the four new vehicles will be as replacements in Mon, Tuensang and Longleng while the fourth would be for Noklak.
Meanwhile, in two separate notifications, the commissioner has cautioned against sale and supply of unsafe food products in the State under section 25, sub-section (I) (i) (ii) (iii) of Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006. Under the section, no person shall import into India: 1. Any unsafe and misbranded or sub-standard food or food containing extraneous matter. 2. Any article of food for the import of which a license is required under any Act or any rule or regulations, except in accordance with the condition of the license and or 3. Any article of food in contravention of any other provision of this Act or any rile or regulation made there under or any other Act.
The notice said despite of government standing prohibition notification on illegal import of misbranded, sub-standard and expired food item for sale, distribution etc. more and more food products were being smuggled or illegally entering into Nagaland in violation of Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006 Rules and Regulation 2011 and had flooded every nook and corner of the state.
Therefore, in exercise of the power conferred under section 30(2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006, the commissioner prohibited the 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 to this notification would be an offence punishable with penalty under section 51, 52 and 59 of the said Act. The notice also advised the general public/consumer to check the labelling provisions of the food products before purchase and to be aware and remain alert about such food products.
It further instructed the designated officers, Food Safety Officers of the districts to carry out inspection and sampling for analysis.