State government has extended ban on sale of fresh fish and fish products including crustaceans, for another further period of three months, with effect from September 23, until corrective measures were taken against formalin treated fishes.
In a notification, principal secretary cum food safety commissioner, department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW), I Himato Zhimomi, stated that storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish products including crustaceans treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives in Nagaland was prohibited.
The food safety commissioner 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 officers and food safety officer of the districts have been directed to strengthen surveillance activity under its jurisdictions.
Advisory for HoIs on food safety: State government has issued advisory to the head of institutions (HoIs) for safe and nutritious food for school children.
In an advisory, food safety commissioner, I. Himato Zhimomi, advised school/institutions to take steps to enhance availability of wholesome and nutritious food to school children and to restrict/limit availability of HFSS (High Fat, Sugar & Salt) Foods or Junk Food among them.
Further, to inculcate good food habits for the school children, all the heads of the schools/institutes have been advised to ensure a standard of food safety around the schools, including lunch box, canteens, etc. The government has also advised the HoIs to give following instructions to Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating within the school premises: all mobile food vendors and canteens should be registered under State Food Safety Authority in order to abide by the Food Safety & Standards Regulations and guidelines under Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. Every food handler should have Medical Fitness Certificate and adhere to Personal Hygiene like wearing headgears, gloves, apron and clean clothes. Safe drinking water with wash basin must be made available.
Printed papers (newspapers) should not be allowed to be used by the FBOs for wrapping, storing and serving food to children. Food Safety Display Board should be displayed in the Canteen.
FBOs should be directed not to sell the following food items within the school premises: Junk Foods, Carbonated drinks, non-permitted colours in foods, artificial sweeteners in food items, sub-standard or misbranded food items, food to be served in food grade containers/polyethylene packets and unsafe foods in any form including pan masala.
The government has stated that inspections of canteens would be done periodically and they must maintain record books of the same.