PM Modi’s Food Safety on Wheels scheme a non-starter in Himachal’s Mandi, mobile van stuck due to lack of driver, documents

The Newz Radar

MANDI: To enhance food safety measures nationwide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Food Safety on Wheels scheme to provide mobile units for food testing to reach out to consumers through as many touch points as possible.

As many as 155 mobile units have been stationed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) across 33 states and UTs so far. The FSSAI intends to provide one such unit in each of the 727 districts of the country over the next few years.

Three units in Himachal
In Himachal Pradesh, three such units were stationed at the main government hospitals in Shimla, Hamirpur and Mandi on February 25. However, despite the promising start, operational challenges have hindered their effectiveness, particularly in Mandi district.

More than a month and a half has passed, but the food testing laboratory van has yet to commence operations in Mandi district, depriving people of its actual benefits. The food testing van has remained idle at the district’s zonal hospital parking area, lacking the necessary documents and a driver for deployment. The delay not only undermined the efficient use of public funds but also deprived the residents of essential food safety services, said a resident.

Gives instant test results
The mobile food testing vans are equipped not only to conduct on-site food inspections, but also to provide instant test results, ensuring swift action in case of any food safety concerns. Additionally, the vans are intended to serve as educational tools, promoting awareness among consumers about food safety practices.

Despite being associated with nationwide initiatives such as ‘Eat Right India’, ‘Wake Up Consumer Wake Up’, ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ and ‘No Food Waste’, the full potential of these vans remains unrealised due to administrative delays.

Chief Medical Officer Narendra Kumar Bhardwaj has acknowledged the bureaucratic hurdles, citing incomplete formalities related to staffing and documentation as the primary obstacles. It’s imperative that these issues be swiftly addressed to unlock the benefits of this vital public service, said a resident. The inauguration of these mobile food testing laboratories by Prime Minister Modi was a significant step towards ensuring food safety and public health in Himachal Pradesh.

Can check range of items
These mobile units are equipped to conduct comprehensive analysis of various food items, ranging from milk and milk products to water, fruits, beverages and edible oils. With their mobility and advanced testing capabilities, the FSWs are poised to extend surveillance, awareness and training initiatives on food safety throughout the state, even reaching remote areas. Through expert-led training sessions and public awareness campaigns, these mobile units aim to instill best practices and foster a culture of food safety consciousness.