State food safety commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, has urged the ministry of health and family welfare to consider setting up five basic food laboratories in Nagaland, saying that influx of sub-standard food items into the state needed to be tackled.
According to a DIPR report, state food safety commissioner requested the minister at the 40th National Meeting of Central Advisory Committee FSSAI held at FDA Bhawan, New Delhi on May 25, 2023.
At the meeting, Sema highlighted that there was only one state public health laboratory at Kohima, which was established in 1983. He said that topographical challenges along with poor road connectivity in the far-flung areas caused big hurdles while sending and receiving samples, resulting in delays in appropriate legal action.
He pointed out that as Nagaland shares an extensive international boundary with Myanmar, large adulterated, misbranded, and sub-standard food items were being brought into Nagaland, which required to be tackled urgently.
Acknowledging the constant support and guidance of the FSSAI, Ministry of H&FW, Sema urged the ministry to consider setting up five basic food laboratories to cater to the need of the whole State for effective implementation of Food Safety.
Sema also requested the ministry to provide five modified food safety on wheels (MFSW) as the existing three MFSWs could not effectively cater to the needs of the State.
The state food safety commissioner was accompanied by the state programme officer, food safety, Dr. John Kemp.
