JK to customise food safety guidelines for better results

Srinagar, Jan 11: In view of the consumers’ high intake of certain substances, the state government is going to customise the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines to meet the regional requirements.
The FSSAI recently decided to revise its labelling regulations by including mandatory declaration of total fat, added sugar, salt, trans fat and energy per serving by a fast food outlet.
It framed this rule to address people about High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) in foods to keep them aware about its associated health risks.
A case study done by the FSSAI in this regard has found that the Kashmiri dishes were comprising salt in huge concentration, which they considered adverse to health.
It found that huge concentration of the sodium has been found in the excreta samples of people here.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Srinagar Hilal Mir said they would implement this order on those outlets running near schools and colleges premises.
“We will direct these outlets to display a board, which will tell about amount of ingredient in every dish,” he said.
He said that they have been largely concentrating on the sanitation part of the restaurants and other food outlets in the valley.
“We have fined almost 150 outlets recently, which were using chemicals and other health risk posing agents in their food. Besides, our team does visit to various places to keep a check on the sanitation by the restaurants,” Mir said.
As per sources, the Drug and Food Control Organisations (DFCO), has found more than 1000 samples food samples substandard or unsafe in Kashmir during last year.
“It mostly included the fast food, confectionery and then small eatery outlets in Srinagar. Every year scores of such items are ceased by the department who face fine and challan,” they said.
Sources also said that the food laws are not being strictly implemented in the valley despite the mushrooming of fast food and street food outlets across Kashmir.
“On November 17 last year, 13 outlets were fined in Srinagar for selling unhygienic food. It gives an idea how much substandard food is served by these outlets,” they said.