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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with the food safety department of Delhi govt, launched an extensive awareness and sensitisation programme targeting major markets in the national capital on Monday.
The awareness campaign, which began from the popular Khan Market and INA Market, focused particularly on the detection and mitigation of pesticide residue and contaminants in food products.
Officials said market associations and traders were actively engaged and educated on the harmful effects of pesticide residue, mainly in fruits and vegetables, and the importance of their testing. All important markets will be covered during the special drive, they added.
In Feb, Delhi High Court had asked FSSAI to prepare a plan for sampling and testing of all food products in the capital.
FSSAI officials said the attendees were also introduced to ‘Food Safety on Wheel’, a mobile lab equipped with various rapid testing kits capable of detecting approximately 50 pesticide residues across various food matrices such as fruits and vegetables, milk and cereals. Results from these tests are available within a few hours, facilitating swift action to ensure food safety.
“Traders were encouraged to capitalise on this resource for expedited testing and to ensure the safety and quality of products sold in markets. They were also sensitised about a wide array of topics concerning food safety such as the necessity of obtaining FSSAI licences or registration and strict adherence to food safety standards,” said an official.
“Traders were also encouraged to source raw materials exclusively from vendors registered with FSSAI to ensure traceability and compliance,” the official added.
During the interaction with traders, FSSAI and Delhi food safety officials also emphasised upon the significance of raw material testing to guarantee the safety and quality of food products. Awareness regarding artificial ripening and wax coating of fruits and vegetables using unapproved chemicals and the role of organic farming was created among the attendees. The participants were also informed about the availability of testing laboratories for food products in Delhi and nearby areas.
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