Food Safety DFCO Kishtwar holds interaction with Farmer Associations
Kishtwar, 04-02-2023.
In compliance to the directions of the Office of Commissionerate FDA J&K, a team of Enforcement Officers of Food Safety DFCO Kishtwar led by
Food Safety Officer Kishtwar Prithpal Singh accompanied by Food Safety Officer Sajad Hussain and Officials of the said department today convened an interactive meeting with the members of Farmer Associations of Kishtwar.
The meeting was attended by President Rahul Anoop Sen , Vice President Manoj Kumar ,Coordinator Anil Kumar of "Saffran Agriculture Wing Poochal Kishtwar" besides MD Arsalan Hamid, Directors Iqra Fayaz, Mohd .iqbal, Munshi Ram, Naringan Kumar,Ranjeet Singh Parihar,and Sahil Sen of Kishtwari Zaffran Farmers Co-operative limited Kishtwar.
During the interactive meeting, the detailed insight about the Agricultural products was given which come under the ambit of FSSAI.
These products includes Saffran,Walnut, Crops,Vegetables, Fruits,Nuts,Pickles,
James and livestock products besides goat, cattle,horse, Sheep,milk & eggs which come under the Category of Agriculture product upon which major chunk of rural society depends for their livelihood.
The Food Safety Officers stressed for the FSSAI registration, Rules ,Regulations, packing, Labelling and the preservation of quality of these products as per the set norms of FSSAI.
It was informed in the meeting that the FSSAI has made it compulsory for the individuals & entities to obtain an FSSAI license and make compliance to the regulations of Packaging and labelling, Hygiene and Safety of the Food products produced by the Farmers.
In the meeting the general awareness was imparted to the Farmers and Food Business Operators, traders to embrace continual improvement regarding Food Safety and avert illicit practices like adulteration which contaminate the foods particularly the saffron which has a medicinal value also.
During the meeting Prithpal Singh ,Food Safety Officer DFCO Kishtwar & Sajad Hussain Food Safety Officer DFCO Kishtwar on the feed back & support of Assistant Commissioner Food Safety DFCO I/C Kishtwar Taraq Ahmad Butt threw light on the basic point to upgrade the quality and safety of the products as per the guidelines under FSS Act which encompasses reccomended steps likewise proper Food handling,preparing, storing the Agriculture produce/Food products in the best possible way.
The traders on the occasion were encouraged to undergo the FoSTaC training which has been made mandatory for every trader.
During the meeting, the awareness was imparted to members of farmers Associations regarding the judicious usage of preservatives, permitted Colors,Chemicals and fertilizers to ensure health and safety of food items.
To implement Regulatory Standards to large extent the Farmers and FSOs were given demonstrations to ensure availability of sufficient amounts of Safe and nutritious Food wich is key to sustain life and promote public Health.
Meanwhile question -answer session was conducted to apprise as well to enlighten the subject matter which is a step ahead for innovative moments in Food Industry.
During the meeting the Department distributed brochures, pamphlets and information materials to the participants.
It was also acknowledged that FSSAI has made it necessary to improve farming practices and to take adequate steps for maintaining good Agriculture practices for sale and distribution of the Food products.
Besides, during the interaction Eat Right India initiatives too were discussed point by point.
Other points like timely Renewal of the licences & Registrations (FSSAI), Submission of Annual returns , Mandatory Modifications of Food Categories, Biannual water testing reports, Product test reports, in house testing lab.& amendments in FSSA regulations were also elaborated at length in the meeting.