The Kohima Law College has urged the Nagaland Government to establish ‘slaughterhouses’ in the state, especially in capital Kohima, to maintain proper hygiene and ensure safer food and meat.
Kohima Law College made the appeal during the observance of the World Food Safety Day under the theme – “Safer Food, Better Health” at the college premises on June 7.
Media Cell of Kohima Law College in a press release said that, under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the consumers have the right to safety. “They are protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life, and therefore, the goods which are hazardous to health is illegal and punishable,” it said.
It also said that the State government must ensure safe and nutritious food for all, business operators must make sure food is safe, consumers need to learn about safe and healthy food and “we should all work together for safe food and good health.”
While presenting key note address at the event, Assistant Professor of Kohima Law College and food activist Kezhokhoto Savi said that the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 is aimed at consolidating the laws relating to food. The Act also mandated establishment of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of sale and wholesome food for human consumption in the country.
Besides laboratory food testing vans, Nagaland State has the level-2 laboratory funded by the Food FSSAI situated at State Public Health Laboratory, Kohima, he informed. In this connection, Savi suggested that it would be best for the food business operators (FBOs) to come forward in bringing their products/food item/sample to get tested laboratory before they sell to the consumers, the release said.
“Every consumer must take the responsibility to complaint in case of any sub-standard foods including duplication or inferior quality and for any adulterated items or duplication, one can always collect the sample and take it to a laboratory for testing,” he advised.
The release also said that the State Consumer Helpline with Toll Free No. 1800 – 345 – 3701 functions as an alternate remedy mechanism and for any consumer grievances one can call up the Toll Free number during office hours.
