Ice, soda factories under health scanner

In an effort to control water borne diseases during the monsoon, the National Rural Health Mission and District Medical Office have decided to launch special surveillance for outbreaks of water borne diseases associated with soda and other locally made drinks. “Prevention is all we can do and we are making all efforts possible. Soda and other local beverages can be a source of illness and we have to prevent any such outbreak.Hence we have directed all the health officials to conduct inspections and collect samples of water used for manufacturing such beverages. Strict action will be taken against violators,” said district programme manager, B. Unnikrishnan. Unauthorised soda manufacturing units have mushroomed without strictures from the authorities, including the commissioner of food safety. “There are plenty of illegally functioning units; it would be safe if everyone avoids consuming sodas.We will be intensifying routine inspections. Drinking water sources will be chlorinated,” said the district medical officer, T. Peethambaran. A major problem is the lack of co-ordination between the health department and the commissioner of food safety. A senior official in the health department alleg-ed that as per the Food Safety Act 2012 it is the sole responsibility of the commissioner of food safety to collect samples.“Surveillance on such issues will be complete only with the co-operation of the food safety department. We are doing such activities along with our routine responsibilities,” the official said.

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