Mokokchung, 7 August (MTNews): Addressing concerns over the improper packaging and labeling of food products being sold by Food Business Operators (FBOs), particularly home-based food manufacturers and bakeries in the district, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Mokokchung has issued directive for proper food packaging and labeling compliance.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Mokokchung stated in a press release on Monday that its Office has received reports indicating that certain FBOs are selling packaged food items without proper labels or lacking essential information, such as the manufacture date, best before date, expiry date, list of ingredients, and the mandatory “veg” (green dot) or “non-veg” (brown triangle) logo.
Additionally, some food products were found to be without the necessary FSSAI License number and manufacturer’s address, which is a direct violation of Section 2.2 of the Food Safety and Standard Rules (Packaging & Labeling), 2011.
Therefore, to ensure adherence to food safety regulations and protect public health, the CMO has directed all FBOs in the district to comply with the standard labeling norms and ensure that all packaged food products meet the necessary labeling requirements.
The CMO cautioned that failure to comply with the prescribed labeling standards will result in penalties of up to Rs 3 lakh under Section 52 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
Furthermore, the CMO’s office has requested the public to report such cases to the Food Safety Wing at the CMO Office in Mokokchung via WhatsApp at the number 7005451094.