Food safety officials in Mokokchung, along with officials from the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), conducted an unannounced inspection of bakery products’ labeling within the town on Monday. The operation resulted in findings of non-compliance with essential protocols outlined in the Food Safety Act.
A total of six manufacturing units were subjected to scrutiny during the inspection. Shockingly, five of these units were found to be in violation of the mandatory food safety regulations. The primary focus of the inspection was on the labeling aspects of bakery products.
The inspection team, led by C Merenlemba Ao, Designated Officer of Food Safety for the Mokokchung Zone, uncovered several shortcomings in the labeling of products. Most notably, the manufactured dates were absent on many items, and the expiration dates were not specified on any of them. Additionally, many products lacked essential descriptions of their contents.
Ao expressed concern about the prevailing situation. He revealed that his office had received numerous reports from other districts about the sale of unlabeled and stale bakery products originating from Mokokchung. Emphasizing the importance of clear and accurate labeling, Ao urged the general public to exercise responsibility by avoiding the purchase of products lacking proper labeling and detailed descriptions.
Furthermore, Ao announced that the identified defaulters from the inspection would be summoned to the Food Safety office. They would undergo comprehensive training and sensitization programs to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. He made it clear that further violations would not be tolerated, and penalties would be imposed under the relevant Act.
Meanwhile, AKM officials who participated in the inspection voiced their apprehensions about the potential health hazards stemming from the failure to adhere to proper norms. Satemmongba, the General Secretary of AKM, expressed concerns about multiple reports from other districts and feared that such incidents could harm the town’s reputation and business. He also underscored the importance of providing accurate descriptions of food products to prevent allergies and enable people to monitor their dietary restrictions and preferences effectively.
