New food safety licence irks traders

With the Union Health Ministry making it mandatory for all traders and dealers of food items to obtain a new licence under the new Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), traders in Bangalore say it will burden them further.

The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), passed by Parliament in 2006, replaced the erstwhile Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFAA) with effect from August 5, 2011. This means that all traders should obtain the new licence by August 4, 2012 failing which they will attract a six-month imprisonment along with a hefty penalty.

At an interaction with C.R. Srinivasa Gowda, Joint Director of State Public Health Institute on Wednesday, members of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) expressed their displeasure over the new licence being made mandatory.

LONG RED TAPE

Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, who heads the FKCCI's APMC and Internal Trade Committee, said although traders were not against the Act they were concerned over the elaborate process of documentation required to be maintained to adhere to the new rules. “This will be major hindrance for small operators,” he said.

While some traders pointed out that the Health Department had not made any efforts to create awareness about the new food safety rules, others wanted the Government to first provide them with adequate infrastructure to run their business.

‘WHO IS MONITORING?'

R.V. Gopi, president of Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Merchants Association, who spoke on the unhygienic conditions in the city's markets, said: “If you see the surroundings of Kalasipalyam wholesale market, you will stop buying vegetables and fruits. Hotels buy their stocks from here and no one knows whether they clean the vegetables before cooking. How do your ensure food safety in such circumstances? Who will be responsible — the traders or the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) — for not maintaining cleanliness?”

Responding, Mr. Srinivasa Gowda said traders could complain to the BBMP about the poor maintenance of markets.

BIG CHALLENGE

Admitting that the transition from the old Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 to the new Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 was a big challenge for the State Health and Family Welfare Department's Food Safety Commissionerate, Mr. Gowda said efforts were being made for effective implementation of the Act.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com