SHILLONG: The unhygienic condition of Motphran where hundreds of traders sell food items everyday has become a cause for worry for both authorities and buyers. This prompted the Food Safety Department to take up an initiative on Friday to sensitise the public about hygiene.
Speaking to reporters, assistant commissioner of Food Safety DBS Mukhim said it is imperative to follow safe food habits and “the objective of the office is to sensitise the public, both sellers and buyers, about the dos and don’ts”.
It is often seen in Motphran, which on a daily basis booms with frantic activities, that meat, vegetables and fruits are exposed to constant vehicular pollution, dust and open sewage system posing a threat to the health of consumers.
Asked about the vendors, Mukhim said, “The vendors have started to understand the importance of food safety which will be beneficial for a healthy lifestyle. Today we have come to address the manner in which meat is being sold. We have conducted inspection from time to time. We also spoke to the butchers personally.”
She pointed out that meat is being exposed to unhygienic atmosphere, especially vehicular pollution, with no proper shelter to keep them clean and safe.
“The meat shops are also located in filthy areas where garbage piles up and there is no proper sewage system. This poses a danger not only to sellers but also buyers,” she said.
As a measure to prevent contamination of food, she suggested the butchers to use covers for the meat and disinfect the table/wooden material used to butcher the meat, with salt.
The butchers can leave the salt overnight and wash it clean before using the table/wooden material.
According to Mukhim, law comes in place when all means of awareness and sensitisation are exhausted. She informed about the awareness programmes held at Iew Them Mawlong and Mawlonghat, Malki and JNV, Mawphlang addressing the student community on food safety.
Asked, about safe food habits in restaurants, she said inspection is conducted and staff of restaurants is also asked to go for medical check-up.
Urging the public to be hawk-eyed, she said the public can write to the office when they come across anything unusual in restaurants and also substantiate their claims.
