MANGALURU: Minister for Health and Family Welfare UT Khader said the State Government plans to form dedicated watch teams at the district and taluk levels, involving retired citizens aged 60 and above. The teams would be authorised to inspect food establishments and create public awareness food adulteration and hygiene. An action plan will be made to implement the system effectively.
Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Saturday, Khader said public participation was crucial to strengthening food safety measures and ensuring that raids and inspections were carried out effectively. Since the launch of QR code for food safety complaints, more than 400 complaints have been lodged.
He also said the state would hold a meeting with food safety officials from across the country to discuss loopholes in FSSAI norms. The state would then submit a detailed report on the findings and proposed measures to the Centre.
Regarding analog paneer, Khader said it was not being manufactured in Karnataka, but could be produced in states such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan and supplied to Karnataka. He said the state had already issued an order banning analog paneer for one year.
On the alleged fake medicine racket in Bengaluru, Khader said medicines were being supplied from Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, while the medicines were being labelled in Bengaluru under the names of multinational pharmaceutical companies. A Special Investigation Team had been formed to track the racket and identify the conspirators and logistics involved. The investigation would also determine whether any agents had supplied fake medicines to hospitals or pharmacies, he said.
Khader said the purpose of raids and inspections was not merely to punish establishments but to identify violations and provide them an opportunity to rectify their mistakes. Food outlets that had been raided had already received notices and strict warnings, he added.