PANJIM: With just 129 staffers, can the Food and Drugs Administration undertake the huge task of testing each and every edible product available in the State?
FDA is in the eye of storm over the formalin issue. It had initially said that formalin was present in the fish coming from other States but changed the statement to “within permissible limits” later the same day.
Goa is a major importer of consumables like fish approximately 200 trucks, 25 tonnes of beef, vegetables around 150 to 180 tonnes, fruits around 70 tonnes. Chicken is imported from Karnataka and Maharashtra besides rice, pulses and other essential commodities.
Besides, there are about 32,094 food manufacturing selling outlets (retail, wholesale, restaurants, etc) as on 30/06/2018 for FDA to keep a check on.
Implementing about 10 Acts, FDA has just 129 staffers who are divided in three categories – Drug Control, Strengthening of Food & Drugs Admn (non-plan) and Strengthening of Food & Drugs Laboratory (non-plan).
Further, not all of these staffers are on the field and as per sources the actual people on the ground for inspections are just 30 per cent, as there are about 19 gazetted officers amongst the 129. This makes it just around 35 staffers who are actually working on the ground.
The current formaldehyde issue in eatables like fish, veggies and fruits has further added to their work load.
Even if the entire staff is put on inspections and raids of consumables arriving in the State, which itself is an uphill task, what about the other works of eateries, restaurants and manufacturing units, pharmaceuticals?
As per FDA officials they have asked for enhancing the staff and this is pending with the government for a long time now.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said there are some issue which will be sorted at the earliest. “We are working on improving the facilities with FDA,” Rane said.
Rane also said there has been a systematic manner of defaming FDA on the formalin issue. “Today if you notice on the issue of fish and formalin, there is a conspiracy to target FDA. There is some vested interest that has been making money on the imports of fish. There are some people who are actually destroying the lives of the people of Goa. Our government is united in banning fish import,” Rane said.
“Even after the ban is removed, we shall not allow any truck to enter Goa without being certified by FDA. I strongly believe that the ban on imports of fish is the only solution.” he added.
FDA’s job is to ensure that public has access to food articles and drugs of prescribed specification and of highest standard of quality and purity and is entrusted with several functions involved in enforcement of various legislations.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules; The Drugs (Price Control) Order 2913; The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act 1954 and Rules; The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Act 1985 and rules; Goa Narcotics Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Rules 1987; Medical Devices Rules 2017; Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules Regulations 2011; Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product Act 2003 (COTPA); Goa Public Health Amendment Act , 2006; The Infant Milk Substitute, feeding bottles and infant food regulation of production, supply and distribution Act 2003 – are the various laws which come under FDA domain.
