AP Govt has taken an important step to improve food security in the state. Chandrababu Naidu government has signed a key agreement with Food Safety and Standards Certification Agency (FSSAI). According to this agreement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will set up labs in the state with a cost of Rs.88 crores.
CM Chandrababu took this decision as the state’s rank in terms of food safety and standards went down completely during the last five years of YCP rule. To this extent, the agreement was signed in the presence of AP Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav at FSSAI central office in Delhi.
To this extent, FSSAI has signed an agreement with Rs. 88 crores to set up labs, provide infrastructure and provide adequate training to the staff. As part of this, high-level microbiology labs will be set up in Visakhapatnam, Tirumala and Kurnool. It has also been decided to set up five basic labs and 15 mobile labs.
Infrastructure will be set up in each high-level lab with Rs.21 crores. The officials explained about adulteration and use of chemicals in food items to Minister Satya Kumar who recently conducted a review on food safety and standards in the state.
Officials revealed that the number of people suffering from cancer due to the use of chemicals is increasing day by day. Also, officials told the minister that people are suffering from various types of diseases.
In this context, Minister Sathya Kumar paid special attention to food safety and standards. The agreement was made as part of this. If 15 mobile labs including 15 basic and three advanced microbiology labs are set up in the state, there will be a possibility to prevent adulteration and use of chemicals.
In particular, mobile labs will provide an opportunity to carry out inspections in vegetable markets. Also, this system will be useful to conduct intense inspections in crowded temple areas and increase awareness among food traders.
