Governance panel wants food inspection powers defined…

The Punjab Governance Commission has recommended that the state government formulate a Food Regulation Act and set up of a State-Level Advisory Committee.

The Punjab Governance Commission has recommended that the state government formulate a Food Regulation Act and set up of a State-Level Advisory Committee to end confusion over the jurisdiction of the health department and the municipalities to inspect the quality of food.

As per the recommendations of the commission,which were submitted to the state government recently,the corresponding Central Act may not serve the purpose in the state since it suffers from many lacunae and Punjab needs to create its own legal provisions learning from the shortcomings of the Central Act. The proposal emphasises on scientific standards,when most international food safety-related laws stress upon the need for health-based standards.

The process needs to be streamlined as per law and confusion regarding jurisdiction should be removed between civil surgeons and local municipal committees immediately,and implementation of whatever decision is taken ensured, the commission has recommended.

Key recommendations of the panel

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*A website should be developed for food safety. It should list the procedure for issuance of licences,application forms,fees and service standards on the lines suggested for the Drug Control Wing.

*Rules should be publicised and interaction with traders should be done to ensure that they know of their legal obligations.

*Licencee records should be digitised,if necessary,by outsourcing. The initial client database can be got from the sales tax department.

*Guidelines should be issued for inspection and sampling of foodstuffs and the focus should be on manufacturers and wholesalers rather then retailers.

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*The department should issue annual guidelines after discussion with field officers and a state-level advisory committee (to be set up) regarding inspection and sampling of food items.

*The focus at present could be on milk and milk products; use of toxic colours in food items,especially sweets,cold drinks,pulses and the loose sale of spices.

*District-level advisory committees should be set up and their feedback should be taken note of while issuing or renewing annual guidelines.

*Public health and sanitation functions should be integrated. Sanitation hygiene and public health at the licencee premises should also be the responsibility of the food inspectors and they need to be empowered under the appropriate law,till the time the food safety Act comes into force.

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*Licensing should incorporate conditions regarding licencee liability for food hygiene at the premises,especially regarding storage and disposal of waste.

*Without waiting for the new Act to be enforced,professional authority and control should be clearly defined at all levels. For the present,senior staff can be given charge of district-level duties,in addition to their field duties.

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