Nagaland state requirement for four or more Modified Food Safety on Wheels (MFSW) was highlighted to the visiting team of National Institute of Health & Family welfare (NIHFW), government of India led by Professor, VK Tiwari.
A press release by Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DoH&FW), SPO, Food Safety, Dr John Kemp informed that the need of MFSW was highlighted to the visiting team by commissioner secretary to the government of Nagaland, H&FW-cum-commissioner food safety, Y Kikheto Sema on Wednesday at an interaction with the official team at the FSSAI notified State Public Health Laboratory (State Food Laboratory).
The team was informed that at present Nagaland has one functional Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) and two new MFSWs provided by government of India, which will be made functional shortly. However, in view of the geographical terrain, where the distance from one district headquarter to another takes time unlike that of the mainland, for better coverage of the state, the team was requested to highlight the need of four or more MFSW to the government of India.
The team consisting of Prof VK Tiwari, dean, Dr Ravinder Kumar, CMO, and Dr Ramesh Gandotra, ARO, are visiting the SPHL for “Rapid Appraisal of Strengthening of Food Testing system including provision of Mobile Testing Labs (SOFTEL)” in the country in collaboration with the Food division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, from March 21-23.
During the interaction, Kikheto Sema acknowledged the FSSAI, government of India for the provision of all required logistics to upgrade the Food Laboratory and enable it to obtain NABL accreditation making it one of the few food laboratories in the northeast state.
With the ongoing infrastructure development and logistics installations once completed, he said the state-of-the-art Laboratory would be able to function optimally and also may assist the other neighboring states.
He also thanked the visiting teams for coming all the way from Delhi to contribute to the Strengthening of food Testing Ecosystem and apprised them on the need for another such Food Testing facility preferably in Tuensang district which can cater to eight districts viz Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Noklak, Shamator, Kiphire, Zunheboto, and Mokochung districts.
State lists MFSW requirements
