DIMAPUR, JULY 26 (MExN): Continuing with the task of cleaning up the unhygienic mess of food producing/selling establishments in the state, the Chief Medical Officers of Kohima and Wokha issued improvement notices to four bakeries on Thursday.
In Kohima, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kohima District served improvement notice under Section 32 of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 to two bakeries namely Mums Bakery and Best Bakery, both located at Merhülietsa Colony, Kohima.
The improvement notice was served after Food Safety Officials inspected the two bakeries on June 26 and found that hygiene and sanitary condition were found lacking. In his remarks, CMO, Dr Ritu Thurr informed that follow-up inspection drive would continue in other bakeries, restaurants and hotels within the district for safety of public health and well-being.
Similarly, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Wokha also issued notice of improvement to two baking units which have to be complied within a month, failing which their license would be suspended.
According to a DIPR report, the CMO Wokha in collaboration with the District Administration and Police Department Wokha carried out an inspection drive of bakeries, restaurants and other food outlets to check whether they comply with the hygiene standards and baking practices as laid down in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 on Thursday.
During the inspection drive it was found that most of the bakeries lacked hygiene and were prepared under unsanitary conditions. The food handlers in the restaurants were seen working without proper headgear, gloves and aprons. The inspection team also seized 17 kilos of expired baking ingredients and 14 kilos of cookies prepared under unhygienic conditions which were later disposed, the DIPR report stated. Accordingly, notice of improvement was issued to two baking units which have to be complied within a month, failing which their license will be suspended.
Further, these shops without FSSAI license and Medical Fitness certificate for the food handlers have been informed to obtain the same from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Wokha.
The CMO has warned that similar inspection of all the other food establishments will be carried out from time to time. The Medical Department meanwhile extended appreciation to the District Administration and the Police Department, Wokha for their active participation.
MP Kenye demands CBI to probe case
The lone Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland, K.G Kenye on Thursday raised concern over the issue of adulteration and infusion of highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals in food and essential commodities such as formalin in fishes, calcium carbide in fruits for early ripening and other lethal chemicals in essential commodities.
According to a press statement issued by PRO to MP Rajya Sabha, Kenye said this adulteration and infusion of highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals in food could probably be the cause of the high rate of cancer patients particularly in Nagaland and the North East region.
Speaking during the Parliamentary session at the Upper House, New Delhi, Kenye also did not rule out the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the racket and urged upon the Government of India to immediately probe into the case by ordering the investigating agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the Government of Nagaland alone cannot tackle the syndicate which spans across the country and has assumed an interstate dimensional modus operandi.
Therefore, the MP stressed the need to engage the CBI to arrest the crooks responsible behind this “sinister design.”
