Port Blair, March 1: To ensure availability of safe & hygienic food to the general public, the officials of Food Safety Department conducted a drive to check the quality & hygiene standard of various food articles exhibited/manufacturing for sale at various parts of South Andaman District. Inspections were conducted at restaurants and hotels, grocery shops, bake houses, poultry shops, street food vendors/ hawkers, fish vending market. 12 food samples were collected for its analysis.

Apart from this, three awareness programmes on good hygienic practices, Eat Right Habits and Repurpose use of cooking oil were conducted at Teylerabad, Peama Basthi and Garacharma.  2 cases were filed for Adjudication of offences committed by the Food Business Operators by selling misbranded food.  Further, 2 cases were filed for compounding of offences upon petty retailers. Similarly,3 FBOs were issued Improvement Notices for minor violations.

The Food Safety Department is also keeping a strict vigil on all food products arriving from mainland and samples are also being collected for its analysis. The Commissioner Food Safety, A&N Islands/Dy. Commissioner, South Andaman District has warned all the FBOs to refrain from using any chemicals or preservatives in food items which are not permitted under the Act. The general public may lodge any complaints or grievance on toll free No. 1077 or 03192236168, 03192236112.