MAPUSA
In an attempt to promote safe food, GOACAN has requested the government to extend the food safety initiatives to KTC bus stands and vegetable outlets in the State.
The civic and consumer action network has urged the Directorate of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to extend the food safety initiatives launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to the KTC bus stands and horticulture-operated vegetable outlets in Goa.
In a letter to the Director of FDA Jyoti Sardesai, GOACAN has stated that such a step would give the World Food Safety Day 2021 theme “Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow” a boost in the State.
It may be noted that the FSSAI has launched a number of food safety initiatives under the ‘Eat Right’ campaign. The FSSAI has entrusted the FDA departments to further these initiatives in the respective States. One such initiative is the Eat Right Campus certification and this includes the certification of public railway/bus stations as Eat Right Stations.
“GOACAN has proposed the bus stands managed by KTC be brought under the Eat Right Certification Scheme of the FSSAI and on a pilot basis KTC should nominate at least two bus stands in each district of the State for this certification,” said Roland Martins, coordinator of GOACAN.
“This would ensure cleanliness, proper waste management, health cards for the staff and a check on food safety for the consumers visiting these bus stands,” he added.
It may be recalled in the second State level Advisory Committee meeting on Food Safety held in 2019 GOACAN had proposed that the outlets of the Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) be brought under the Clean and Green Vegetable Market Certification.
GOACAN in its letter has now recommended that these outlets should also be considered for the Eat Right Certification Scheme of the FSSAI and has suggested that on a pilot basis GSHC should nominate at least five outlets each in North and South Goa for this certification.
