Sambalpur: Traders selling food items in SMC will Mandatory register with FSSAI

Sambalpur: All traders selling food items in Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation will register with FSSAI. Whether it’s a log or a small business, everyone is required to get the certificate. A registration camp has been set up by the Food Safety Department. While the camp has already been organized in Maneswar, now it will be in Pension Para. Camps will be set up in Themra, Dhanupali and 8 places by next March informed by SMC Food Safety Officer Anju Ekka.

While it is mandatory to take the FSSAI certificate as per the rules of the state government, the zero action has pointed fingers at the department. Despite all the rules, food is being sold in the city. If the report sent for sample inspection does not arrive on time. Sometimes it takes 14 days and sometimes it takes 2 months. As a result, food safety practices are being questioned. If, the inspection report is not forthcoming then why is the sample being collected? How will the report come after so long after testing the sample? If there is bad food then how will common people know the food at that time? Such a question has now put the department in a quandary.

A lab in Sambalpur has been demanded as all the food vendors in the city are being forced to get the certificate but they are not able to get it on time. As there is only one lab in the state, it cannot be done on time, so there is a demand to establish another lab for Sambalpur. Regarding this, Food Safety Officer Anju Ekka said, We have also demanded for a lab in Sambalpur region. However, the state government has taken it seriously. Sambalpur lab is likely to be established soon.