Sri Vijaya Puram, October 29: As per the directions of the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, the Food Safety Department appeals to the general public to remain vigilant while purchasing sweets and other food items during the upcoming festive season. Consumers are advised to purchase food items only from licensed or registered Food Business Operators (FBOs) and to check the label declarations on pre-packaged food products, particularly the date of packing, expiry date and other mandatory particulars, before making a purchase.
All sweet manufacturers and food vendors are directed to ensure that sweets and other food items are prepared using good-quality ingredients and in strict compliance with the prescribed Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), and to ensure the use of good-quality khoa and only permitted food colours within the prescribed limits. Prepared sweets and other food items must be stored and displayed under proper hygienic conditions and adequately covered to prevent contamination. Food Business Operators are further directed to ensure that only fresh, wholesome and safe food is offered for sale to consumers.
The Food Safety Department will conduct special inspection drives at sweet manufacturing units, sweet shops, bakeries, bakehouses and other food processing and vending establishments across the Islands during the festive season to verify compliance with food safety and hygiene requirements.
The Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands/Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, has cautioned all sweet manufacturing and selling units, bakeries, bakehouses and other Food Business Operators to strictly comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder. Any violations detected during inspections will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations.
The general public is requested to remain vigilant and report any suspected violation of food safety and hygiene standards to the Food Safety Department at telephone number 236112 or through the District Emergency Control Room toll-free number 1070.
