Food safety on wheels now across Punjab

Reaffirming the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure safe and healthy food to people of the state, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday exhorted the public to make maximum use of the ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ initiative, which has now expanded in all the districts.

Notably, ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ are Mobile Food Testing Vans, which are equipped for screening of adulteration among major categories of Food including Milk, paneer, water, and other daily consumables.

"These vans are a crucial tool in our fight against food adulteration—I urge every individual to get their food tested," said the Health Minister, while addressing a press conference under the slogan “if it’s not safe, it’s not food” at Punjab Bhawan here. The latter was accompanied by Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Commissioner Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Punjab Dilraj Singh, Director Labs Ravneet Kaur, and Joint Commissioner Food Safety Dr Amit Joshi.

He informed that since the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has came to power, a total of 18,559 enforcement samples along with 12,178 surveillance samples have been taken by the department. Additionally, over 13,000 samples have been screened for adulteration on Food Safety on Wheels so far, he said, while adding that the major categories include Paneer, Ghee, Milk, Spices, Fruits and Vegetable, Sweets, Khoa, etc.

Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh directed FDA officials to utilize these food safety vans to their full potential and create awareness among masses specifically students, while, asking them to act in a transparent manner and implement all the policies of the department in true letter and spirit. He also emphasised that only "Shudh Ann" would lead to "Shudh Mann and Swasth Tann".

He reiterated that food adulteration will not be tolerated at any cost and strict action will be initiated against anyone found indulged in such activities. He informed that the Hon’ble Court has awarded upto six months of imprisonment along with penalties in 145 cases of adulteration in the last five years.

The Health Minister also highlighted that till date total 3.17 lakh Licenses & Registrations has been issued to the Food Business operators and also urged all the FBOs including Street Food Venders to register themselves with the Food and Drugs Administration.

He also emphasised the need for balanced diets and informed dietary choices, urging the FDA to intensify public education campaigns on nutrition and government health initiatives. He appealed Punjabis to adopt the "Eat Right, Stay Healthy" approach and contribute to building a healthier, and nutritionally secure Punjab.

Meanwhile, the minister highlighted that the FDA has put around 500 awareness Camps in which over 55000 persons were trained regarding hygiene, eating right, and other food safety practices. He also informed that 13 eat right melas have been organized in the state in the last three years to sensitise people on food safety. Also, 150 certifications have been achieved in the field of Eat Right campus, Mandis, Street Food Hubs etc.