Health department launches modified food safety on wheels

DIMAPUR — Under the Nagaland Food Safety Project scheme ‘Strengthening of food safety ecosystem in the state,’ the Health and Family Welfare department has launched two modified food safety on wheels (MFSW) in Kohima on Wednesday.

The two MFSW were flagged off by the principal director-cum-additiona food safety commissioner, Dr. Vibeituonuo M Sachu.

The main function of food safety on wheels was to execute testing of surveillance samples, training and creating awareness to food business operators (FBO) and consumers on food safety in urban as well as rural areas and to provide on the spot test facilities on common food adulterations.

A DIPR report stated that MFSW could also be used to transport samples picked from remote areas to the nearest food testing laboratory.

Speaking at the launch event, the  commissioner of food safety-cum-commissioner and secretary of Health and Family Welfare, V Kezo, stated that MFSW is not only to be used for testing of food samples but also to focus in inculcating safe food habits and to create a food safety mindset among the public. He also emphasised that consumers should check food package labeling like best before, expiry date, ingredients, FSSAI registration/ license number on the package before buying any food products.

With the launch of the two MFSW, the state now has three mobile food testing laboratories under Nagaland food safety project namely Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur zones.

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