C Shivaleela, FSSAI Director, Telangana
Hyderabad is witnessing a series of raids on its eateries. A city that’s a mini paradise for food lovers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is trying to ensure food safety standards for all consumers.
Established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, it operates nationwide under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In Telangana, the FSSAI agents work in two capacities, one team which works across the state and another, with GHMC, primarily working in Hyderabad.
C Shivaleela is the Director of FSSAI who worked in Telangana for the last 20 years, from the time of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. Along with the Commissioner of Food Safety, RV Karnan, she is in charge of the food safety officials working across the state. Speaking to South First Shivaleela revealed what goes on behind the scenes, and the goals FSSAI aims to achieve.
Q. Could you explain how the FSSAI works when raiding any establishment?
A. As of today, we have food safety officers in each district of Telangana. The officers usually raid an establishment based on their targets or complaints. The officers begin by checking the raw material. If they find any faults in the raw material they immediately lift samples of the food being served, for testing.
We have a checklist that we use at each inspection. We check the way the material is stored, how cooked food is kept and how the kitchen is maintained. We inspect the walls, roof, ceilings, and everything else. We even check the personal hygiene of the staff in the kitchen. These are all important.
We look for at least 50 percent compliance with the standards. Any violation will attract immediate notice from the FSSAI.
Q. Is there a reason behind the increased vigilance in food safety, recently?
A. Most importantly, the public is now more food safety and health aware. At the same time, the Food Safety Commissioner and the Telangana government are keen on providing quality food to consumers. In line with that vision, we have also constituted three task forces, GHMC, non-GHMC, and special task force. Apart from that the officers across the state are showing higher vigilance, immediately responding to any complaints they receive.
Q. What are the consequences that violators face? Is there any follow-up?
A. There are two types of samples that we look at, ‘at’ and ‘surveillance.’ These are then tested at the state food laboratories. These tests usually present three results: misbranded, substandard, and unsafe. If there is any mismatch between what the product is and what it’s being sold as it’s misbranded. If it doesn’t meet the FSSAI norms it is deemed substandard. Finally, if it causes harm to an individual’s health it is considered unsafe.
If we find any Food Business Operators (FBOs) guilty of misbranding or substandard food safety, we immediately issue them a notice with 30 days to correct their mistakes. Even the FBOs can appeal to a higher lab, but the notice means that they have to pay a fine and correct themselves.
Following the notice, we regularly check on the establishment to ensure adherence to the food safety norms.
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Q. Has the surge in inspections and raids changed the way the restaurants work in Hyderabad?
A. There has been a change. Subsequent raids have revealed better adherence to food safety standards. The earlier raids have caused establishments to be a little scared. Perhaps, due to that fear, we have also noticed a positive change.
Q. What do you have to say regarding the allegations that the FSSAI is deliberately targeting some establishments?
A. There is absolutely no truth to any of these allegations. Neither the Telangana Government nor we have intentions to target anyone. We simply do our duties as per the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Q. Do you face any challenges in fulfilling your duties?
A. Not necessarily. Every time we are out on an inspection or raid, the FBOs and Food Inspectors cooperate with us. Even infrastructurally, we are getting 3 more state testing laboratories in addition to the one we already have. We’ve also had 24 officials appointed to Telangana, enabling us to function across the state.
Q. What can the public do to ensure food safety?
A. The public needs to be more vigilant when it goes shopping. They should consciously check for the expiry dates and other such vital information before consuming any products. However, at a restaurant, this responsibility is primarily of the FBOs. The public will only order what they want, it is for the FBOs to ensure that they serve quality food.
Q. What’s in store for the FSSAI’s future?
A. Well, in the future we are getting three more testing laboratories. We also got the new mobile food safety testing vans. These are going to enable us to conduct tests on the spot at establishments. We aim to increase awareness among the people regarding food safety too. We are getting 12 more mobile food safety vans as well. The commitment we took on was to provide healthy food to the people of Telangana. Hence, we are determined to ensure that consumers get 100 percent unadulterated food soon.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
