By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: The state Assembly on Friday witnessed a spirited discussion on food safety with the Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma raising serious concerns about the unchecked sale of expired and unsafe food products in Meghalaya.
He pressed the government to address critical gaps and glaring deficiencies in food safety measures.
Moving a cut motion during the supplementary demands for grants and supplementary appropriation for 2024-2025 moved by Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Sangma said food safety is not merely a regulatory issue but a vital component of public health, directly tied to the growing number of lifestyle-related diseases affecting people across Meghalaya.
He recounted an incident where a friend recently imported dry fruits and energy bars from the UK only to discover that all the items were expired. “This needs urgent attention. Expired food is being sold openly in shops with little to no oversight. How many people have fallen ill because of negligence?” he said.
Sangma went on to claim that during his unannounced visits to rural markets, he witnessed expired food products being sold to unsuspecting consumers. “I urge the minister concerned to conduct surprise checks. If you visit these markets, you will see the reality — unsafe food products are being sold without any checks or balances,” he said.
He stressed the need to strengthen the food safety wing of the government, warning that Meghalaya could face a surge of diseases previously unseen, many of which are now linked to poor food quality. He pointed out that extensive research has documented the connection between unhealthy food consumption and the rise of serious health issues.
“Junk food, which is often toxic, is being sold right outside school gates. I have seen children consuming these items without any idea of the harm they are doing to their health,” Sangma said.