With the onset of pre-monsoon rains in the district, cases of cholera, cold-fever, cough, vomiting and diarrhea are likely to increase due to consumption of contaminated drinking water. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officer Dr. Anil Dhawan has directed all street vendors, dhaba, sweet stalls, bakery, chats, mess, canteen, catering, community, Kalyanmantapas, paying guest, home-stay, hotel, bar and restaurant, resort, Anganwadi, midday meal program, government and non-Government hostels and all food manufacturers to provide clean boiled water to the consumers compulsorily in view of public and children’s health.
He also directed to ensure complete control of mosquitoes, adequate disposal of waste materials and proper covering of all prepared food items.
During the inspection under the Food Safety and Quality Act, food samples and the drinking water of some function halls were sent for microbiological analysis to the laboratories which were registered under the Act and a report was received that the water of some welfare halls was not fit for drinking. Therefore, all food manufacturers have been advised to send the water used for food preparation to laboratories registered under the Food Safety and Quality Act for personal analysis once in every six months keeping in view the public health at all stages of food preparation.
Also, it is mandatory for all categories to obtain food registration/license, failing which notices and fines will be imposed under the Act, warned Dr. Anil Dhawan.
