Key Development

FSSAI Chief Executive Officer G. Kamala Vardhana Rao has called for 100% inspection of packaged drinking water (PDW) units and stringent checks on water treatment plants in Telangana. He chaired a comprehensive review meeting in Hyderabad on Friday to strengthen the state’s food safety ecosystem. The directive comes as food poisoning incidents continue to affect students in residential schools across Telangana, exposing serious lapses in food safety protocols. The state food safety department, currently under the supervision of Health Secretary Dr. Christina Chongthu, has not provided detailed inspection reports for educational institutions.

CEO Pushes for Stronger Enforcement and Faster Action

FSSAI Chief urged officials to scale up sample collection, conduct risk-based inspections, and take swift action against food adulteration. He emphasised completing the adjudication of food safety cases within 90 days, as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. Senior officials, including additional district magistrates (appointed as adjudicating officers) and 50 food safety officers (FSOs) from 33 districts, participated in the meeting. They discussed government initiatives aimed at strengthening food safety enforcement.

New Measures to Improve Food Safety Monitoring

Key measures include providing Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) kits to FSOs and increasing the deployment of mobile food testing labs for real-time monitoring and field-level surveillance. The CEO also urged the fast-tracking of the Food Safety Laboratory in Hyderabad and assured full support from FSSAI. This lab will significantly boost the state’s capacity to test food samples and ensure safer food practices.

Source: Deccan Chronicle