Krishna district has only 3 food safety officers

With Vijayawada emerging as a foodies’ capital and with a fair chunk of its young population eating out or ordering takeaways, it is now home to thousands of eateries.

VIJAYAWADA: With Vijayawada emerging as a foodies’ capital and with a fair chunk of its young population eating out or ordering takeaways, it is now home to thousands of eateries, both licensed and unlicensed, which cater to all pockets.
The recent raids in the city by the food safety officials exposed the menace of adulterated food items like chilli powder, milk and ghee. Ahead of the festive season, the raids turned out to be a regular exercise in Krishna and Guntur districts. 
Though the food safety department is supposed to conduct regular raids to control such malpractices, the raids have been occasional due to staff crunch.
Eateries are mushrooming in the city, owing to the public demand, but there are only three food safety officers in Krishna district.
 The food safety department has only one junior office assistant, a typist and two attenders to monitor thousands of licensed businesses like food processing, transporting, storing, distributing and manufacturing units across the district, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 
Moreover, there is just one vehicle at the disposal of district food safety inspector. To navigate the entire district with this vehicle is impossible and meeting emergencies is beyond the realm of reason, said an official in the department.
“It has become a herculean task for the officials to conduct raids on hotels and eateries across the district with the handful of workforce, to ensure cleanliness and quality. The department does not have even one-fourth of the staff required to conduct raids. However, it has decided to intensify inspections and issue sample-checking notices to those who found wanting in quality,” a senior food safety inspector told ‘Express’, on condition of anonymity.
At least 15 food inspectors are required in the capital region besides infrastructure and laboratories. 
“A proposal has already been sent to the government seeking permission to recruit food safety inspectors and four designated officers. In urban areas, a food safety officer must be allotted for a populace of 50,000,” he added.

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