The Food Safety Mokokchung Zone organised awareness camps on safe and fortified food, re-purposing used cooking oil, good manufacturing practices and sensitization for Food Business Operators (FBOs) at Changki and Mopungchuket villages on April 21 and 22. The programmes were held at the respective village council halls and attended by village authorities, representatives of students, youth, women, self-help groups, Anganwadi workers and FBOs.
Designated Officer, Food Safety Mokokchung Zone, Samuel Zehol, highlighted the responsibilities of FBOs, stressing the mandatory possession of FSSAI registration and licenses, compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards and medical fitness certification for employees at manufacturing and fast-food establishments. He emphasized the importance of fortified food in improving public health and warned against the hazards of repeatedly reusing cooking oil, which can generate harmful chemicals leading to serious health problems.
The issue of unlabelled and misbranded food products was also deliberated, with village authorities urged to exercise strict vigilance within their jurisdiction to prevent such practices. Complaints regarding food articles were advised to be addressed to the Designated Officer, Food Safety Mokokchung Zone, under the establishment of the Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung.
Food technicians, N. Hamche Phom and Maongbenla Jamir, from Food Safety on Wheels Mokokchung, demonstrated methods to detect common food adulterants in food items.
The camps concluded with interactive sessions, where participants clarified their doubts and gained practical insights into safe food practices.
The initiative was widely appreciated as a step toward strengthening food safety awareness and compliance among local communities.
