Port Blair, Oct. 27: In anticipation of surge in demand of sweets, dry fruits and other eatables during the festive occasion the Food Safety Department has geared up its enforcement activities to ensure availability of safe, wholesome and hygienic food to the Islanders. The Commissioner Food Safety A&N Islands has constituted separate task force teams of Food Safety Officers to conduct special drive for carrying out inspections eateries and to collect surveillance samples for its analysis through Mobile Food Testing Lab and State Food Testing Laboratory. 

The Food Safety Department conducted special drives to check the quality of sweets and other eateries during the Durga Puja festival from 22nd to 24th October, 2020. During this drive, altogether, 550 surveillance samples were collected out of which 176 samples were of milk based sweets. So far 210 samples were tested and all these samples were found to be safe. Remaining samples are being analyzed. 

Further, meat vending premises were also inspected and 6.540 kgs of Mutton was seized from a Meat Stall for violating the mandatory provisions under FSS Regulations, 2011. A case has been registered under appropriate section FSS Act’2006 against the meat vendor. All meat vendors are directed to carry out ante and post mortem examination of animals through authorized veterinarians and slaughtering should be carried out only at the designated slaughter houses.

The Commissioner Food Safety, A&N Islands has directed all Food Business Operators (FBO) to strictly adhere with the provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations made there under. All FBOs are required to follow   COVID-19 protocols strictly at their respective food business premises. The general public is advised to make complaints if any, over phone No. 231024, 234593, District Office control room toll free No. 1070.