Food safety department to ensure hygienic, quality food to pilgrims
Ganderbal, Jul 1: Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra commencing from July 3, the administration is ensuring that hygienic and quality food is available to the people particularly pilgrims during the Yatra.
Food safety department entrusted with this responsibility has asked all the Langar owners, food establishments and shopkeepers to register themselves with the department ahead of the Yatra and also ensure quality and hygienic food during Amarnath Yatra.
Officials said that the food safety department held meeting with Shri Amarnaath Yatra Bhandara Organization (SAYBO) at Base Camp Baltal on Tuesday in order to provide safe and wholesome food to Yatris.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sanjeev Gupta joint commissioner Food Safety Kashmir.
Threadbare discussion was held regarding the implementation of FSS Act-2006, with respect to hygiene and sanitation.
The officials directed all stake holders to get their langars registered under FSS act-2006 & directed the concerned FSO to organise registration Mela.
Among others who were present in the meeting were Ghulam Qadir Azhar Deputy Commissioner FS Kashmir, Technical officer, Designated Officer Food safety Ganderbal & food safety officer Baltal.
Food safety officer Baltal, Fayaz Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the meeting was convened to aware the service providers particularly community kitchen (Langar) operators and shopkeepers about the guidelines and process to function and run their services.
“On a daily basis we inspect free Langars, monitoring the personnel hygiene, sanitation and other requirements needed under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act -2006,” food safety officer Baltal told Greater Kashmir.
He said that every year routine samples are being lifted from food, business establishments to check their quality as well as the standards under the Act.
He further said that awareness programmes are being conducted among Langar walas so that safe food shall be provided to the Yatris.
