Set up toll-free number for info on food adulteration, formulate strict laws: Telangana CM
The ongoing discussion on the health impact of food adulteration, excessive use of pesticides in cultivation and counterfeit medicines in Telangana gained strength as Chief
The ongoing discussion on the health impact of food adulteration, excessive use of pesticides in cultivation and counterfeit medicines in Telangana gained strength as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday (July 18) directed officials to formulate strict laws to prevent the issues and set up a toll-free number to gather information on adulteration. The impact on health of people due to adulteration of fruits, vegetables, milk and other food products, and medicines in the State, excessive use of pesticides in cultivating crops, gaps in crosschecking claims of organic products sold in markets were discussed at the review meeting held by the Chief Minister in Hyderabad on Saturday (July 18).
Issues discussed He said that people fell sick due to indiscriminate usage of chemicals to increase shelf life of green leafy and other vegetables and milk, to cut down time taken for ripening of fruits. Other countries rejected products as chemical residues were found in agriculture products as fertilizers and pesticides were used on a large scale. While some products claimed to be organic are sold at higher prices in markets, there is a lack of proper systems to validate the claims, he said. Discussion in Assembly, suggestions from people Considering the situation, officials were instructed to visit countries which have comprehensive laws to prevent food adulteration and study the practices there.
A representation has to be prepared, based on which a Bill should be drafted. It would be put up for discussion in the Assembly and suggestions of people on it should be invited. Pilot project in CURE Activities pertaining to prevention of adulteration have to be initially taken up in the State’s Core Urban Region (CURE) on a pilot project basis. After correcting shortcomings in the implementation, it should be extended to other parts of the State. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Director General of Police C.V. Anand, Advisor to Chief Minister K. Ramakrishna Rao, Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister V.
Sheshadri Sridhar, and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting. A few days ago, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha directed officials to examine proposals to merge the Food Safety department and Drugs Control Administration. Telangana Food Safety department, Hyderabad Police’s Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), have been uncovering adulteration of various food products. Samples of products which were suspected to be adulterated were sent for tests.
The BriefWire