PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi Oct 12: It has become risky to have food and sweets besides other edible items from hotels, dhabas or roadside kiosks as there is no one in the Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi to check whether quality food items are being sold or not.
The situation came after food safety officer of the district S.S Kullu tendered his resignation a month ago to become assistant professor of Birsa Agriculture University. After his resignation no one has turned up to take his position so far.
With the start of the festive season, there is a surge in the market of the foods and sweets in both the restaurants and roadside vendors, but in the absence of the quality check, it has become vulnerable for the public of Ranchi.
When contacted Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Deepak Kumar Mishra for his comment on the matter, he admitted about the vacancy saying that he will be able to say anything in the matter by evening.
“We have vans for collecting food samples but will have to check who is collecting them and what is being done in this regard. Actually there is a meeting going on regarding this issue,” SDM Mishra said.
An expert said that in the absence of quality checks over the food and sweets in the market it is quite difficult for the public to trust and have those during the festive season.
“The government should look into the matter and start collecting the samples so that the appropriate health of the public can be maintained. A technical person should be appointed as soon as possible to create deterrence among the restaurants and vendors,” the expert added.
An insider said that apart from food security officers a food testing laboratory should also be set up to ensure proper quality of the food.
“To the best of my knowledge, the food testing laboratory in the state is also not properly working,” the insider said.
When contacted state food analyst Chaturbhuj Meena for his comment on the issue of testing laboratories, he admitted the problem partially.
“Food testing laboratory is working partially. We can test the sample collected in the survey and to take any legal action we have to send the sample to Kolkata. But the problem will be sorted out within a month,” Meena said.
