Chennai: At a time when food contamination and substandard foods are making headlines, Chennai corporation and the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) are at loggerheads lacking co-ordination and often bump into each other’s jurisdiction.
It had been five years since food safety and standard rules in the country have been implemented, but who is to raid restaurants, roadside eateries and industries handling food continues to be an issue. Food safety department officials were often unapproachable and hence corporation has to chip in, said Saraswathi, additional health officer of city corporation.
But FSSAI and social activists have different opinion. The situation turned ugly last Wednesday when zone 8 corporation health team along with the police department seized 10 tonnes of adulterated tea powder from a building at Ayanavaram. The move had invoked criticism as FIR was allegedly not filed. Subsequently local traders and social activists said corporation officials are often doing such drives with an intent to mint money.
Activist D. Mani alleged that such cases of corruption are rampant in corporation’s health department. “Food safety officer has the power to seize goods according to FSSAI Act, but the corporation continues to raid places under public health Act which was recently merged with central act empowering FSSAI,” he said.
Saraswathi shot back saying that food safety officials were unapproachable and that she had taken the case as per the instruction of her seniors. “Tea samples are mixed with red oxide, a colouring agent which is also carcinogenic,” she said. “Samples will be sent to Food safety department soon. Post which, FIR will be filed,” she added.
Another senior corporation official said that the civic body cannot be sidelined by FSSAI as the local body has more responsibility in protecting the public health of city residents, whether it is food poisoning or any epidemic outbreak, only the public health department of city corporation has the mechanism to address such issues.
