Kikheto urges to set up five food laboratories in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — While acknowledging the constant support and guidance of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the state food safety commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, has urged the ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, to consider setting up five basic food laboratories for effective implementation of food safety.

Kikheto has also requested to provide five modified food safety on wheels (food testing mobile van) as the existing three food safety on wheels could not effectively cater to the needs of the state.

Kikheto made this appeal during the 40th national meeting of central advisory committee of FSSAI at FDA Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday, stated a DIPR report. Kikheto highlighted that there is only one state public health laboratory established in 1983 at Kohima. It is the only food testing laboratory in the state notified by FSSAI under sub-section 43 of the FSS Act, 2006 for food certification and accredited by NABL in chemical testing as per global standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

Sema stated that topographical challenges along with poor road connectivity in the far-flung areas cause big hurdles while sending and receiving samples, resulting in delays in appropriate legal action. As Nagaland shares an extensive international boundary with Myanmar, he stated large adulterated, misbranded, and sub-standard food items are being brought into the state which needs to be tackled urgently.

Kikheto was accompanied by the state programme officer of food safety, Dr. John Kemp.