Officials pose for a photo during the FSSAI ‘Eat Right Campus’ initiative held at St Joseph’s College, Jakhama in Kohima on May 2.
Kohima, May 7 (MExN): The Food Safety Administration, Kohima Zone, under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)-empanelled partner MS Certification Services Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, carried out a series of FSSAI initiatives from April 23 to May 2.
Under the FSSAI Eat Right Campus initiative, four campuses were audited, including St Joseph College, Jakhama; Model Christian College, Kohima; Nagaland Civil Secretariat Canteen; and the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare canteen.
Under the Eat Right School category, Government High School, Forest Colony, and PM SHREE Government High School, New Market, were audited.
In addition, two mandirs were audited under the BHOG (Blissful Hygienic Offering to God) initiative. One Clean Street Food Hub at D-Block near the Head Post Office and one Clean Fruit and Vegetable Market at T-Khel Market were also audited.
The authorities further conducted third-party high-risk food audits in 15 licensed premises, while hygiene rating audits were carried out in 30 food establishments.
Altogether, 10 initiatives and 45 food premise audits were conducted during the exercise.
According to officials, IEC materials were pre-distributed in campuses and schools, while Food Safety Display Boards were distributed during the audits according to the nature of the business.
The department stated that, apart from possessing valid FSSAI registration certificates or licences, only those premises whose food handlers had undergone mandatory Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) were considered for audits. The training had earlier been imparted to Food Business Operators by the department in collaboration with empanelled trainers.
Other mandatory documents verified during the audits included medical fitness certificates of food handlers, water testing reports, food-grade packaging migration certificates and pest control programme records.
Officials informed that the Eat Right Initiative Certificate, once certified, would remain valid for two years, after which a fresh audit would be required. Similarly, the Hygiene Rating Certificate would be awarded based on the number of smileys obtained during inspection and would also remain valid for two years.
The department further informed that campuses and schools interested in obtaining such certifications may approach the Food Safety Administration at the Chief Medical Officer’s Office, Para-Medical, Kohima.
