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Hygiene for Kitchens: Taxing times for errant college canteens

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act came into force on August 5 and DNA highlighted the pathetic state of hygiene in canteens.

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Your college canteen will soon get surprise visitors.

Officials of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) have a new responsibility after the new Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act came into force on August 5 and DNA highlighted the pathetic state of hygiene in canteens.

The Act has brought hygiene in college canteens under the agency’s jurisdiction.

This means the FDA has the power to penalise canteen contractors who do not maintain hygiene standards prescribed under the Act. And the officials can spring a surprise on college canteens by visiting them to check whether they are following hygiene rules.

“We are not only focusing on college canteens but also other places such as corporate and hospital canteens, mess, restaurants and hotels,” said Mahesh Zagde, commissioner of FDA.

“As per the new Act, food suppliers to canteens and restaurants need to register themselves with the FDA. Our officers will inspect the places and if they do not maintain the prescribed standards of hygiene, they will be penalised,” he added.

The FSSAI Act makes it compulsory for every food business operator, including suppliers of raw materials to canteens, mess and hostels, to register themselves with the FDA. 

Apart from checking hygiene standards in canteens, FDA officials will also check the ingredients used for cooking, especially the additives. The Act also makes it mandatory for canteen staff to undergo regular medical check-ups. The FDA officials will also collect food samples and get them tested in their laboratory.

Zagde said that to implement the Act properly, the FDA needs more manpower and that they have requested the government for more staff.

“We will appoint food safety officer, designated officer and adjudicating officer to implement the Act strictly. We also plan to increase the number of food testing laboratories in the state,” Zagde said. 

According to food hygiene experts, the new Act will help improve hygiene standards in college canteens. And also, the Act would go a long way in preventing food poisoning incidents like the one at IIT Bombay. “The Act should be implemented in a proper manner, otherwise it will be just another permission that college canteen contractors have to obtain,” said an expert.

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