Food Safety Day: ‘Nagaland is not dustbin for adulterated, sub

Nov 23, 2023

Y Kikheto Sema and others look on as the Lab Technician demonstrates how to check the adulterated and non-adulterated foods during World Food Safety Day on June 7. (DIPR Photo)

Our CorrespondentKohima | June 7

Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema today said that ‘Nagaland is not a dustbin for the adulterated, sub-standard products within and outside the country.’

"We need to work hard and eat our own organic products," he said while speaking at the 5th World Food Safety Day 2023 organized by Food Safety Authority, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland at Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) School, Lerie, Kohima on June 7.

‘Once we equip with equipments and manpower support, we shall carry out massive and effective Surveillance, Monitoring of food products in the state for the safety of our people,’ he said. Everybody should be able to enjoy food that is safe, meets high standards and is good for our health, Kikheto said.

During the 40th National Meeting of Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI, Delhi on May 25, 2023, Kikheto said that he had requested the Government of India to provide 5 Basic Food Laboratory and 5 Modified Food Safety on Wheels (MFSW) with manpower support to provide safe and wholesome food to its citizen.

He said that Food borne diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year and more than 600 million people fall ill and 4.20 lakh die every year from eating contaminated food. About 2 million deaths every year in India due to consuming contaminated food and water. 200 diseases caused by unsafe food, ranging from diarrhea to cancers globally.

He informed that key points for promoting for World Food Safety Day 2023 includes "There is no food security without food safety, Food safety has a direct impact on health, Food safety impacts positively on economies and livelihoods, Food standards protect consumers & help producers and Everyone is a risk manager."

In 2018, the United Nations approved the annual celebration of World Food Safety Day and the first celebration was held on June 7, 2019. He said the theme for this year -"Food Standards Saves Lives" intends to draw attention to and inspire action toward Preventing, Detecting, and Mitigating Food borne risks.

Earlier, Dr John Kemp, State Program Officer (Food Safety), Department of Health & Family Welfare spoke about the significance of World Food Safety Day. Vote of thanks was proposed by Khrukutolu Veswuh, Deputy Director (Food Analyst) SPHL. The programme was followed by awareness/ demonstration of detecting common food adulterant.