Kohima, November 20 (MExN): A programme of ‘Hard Talk’ was organized by Union Baptist Church (UBC), Kohima on November 17 with NVCO president and advocate Kezhokhoto Savi as the speaker.
Savi spoke on the topic – ‘Consumer Awareness Campaign related to Food Safety & Security’ where he said in the course of the NVCO’s ongoing state-wide ‘Consumer Awareness Campaign’ in Nagaland, this was a great opportunity for the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organization (NVCO) to present the particular topic.
He said that the subject of Consumer Protection is of vital concern for every citizen of the country. The provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 are compensatory in nature and applies to all goods and services unless specially exempted by the Central Government and covers all the sectors whether it is private, public or co-operative.
As per a press release from Press & Media Cell, NVCO, Savie emphasized on the importance of every citizen to be vigilant irrespective of the position one holds, in making the consumer movement a truly mass movement. “A vigilant consumer can contribute in reducing the problem of sub-standard, defective goods, deficiency services, adulteration, unfair trade practices, etc to a large extent. All of us use several goods and services to meet the needs of our daily lives. This way, we sustain our lives on this earth.”
Therefore, we are all consumers from birth to death, Savi said. Highlighting on the right to safety, he said that the consumer has the right to get information about the quantity, purity, standard and price of goods and services so as to be protected against the abusive and unfair practices.
He cited cases of adulteration like adulteration of milk with excessive water, or the use of glucose, starch, detergents and urea in milk to enhance the quality of milk or to preserve it for a longer period. Savi also cited the incident where samples of maggie tested had very high levels of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) also known as ‘Ajinomoto’ and lead.
In Nagaland fruits shop in and around Dimapur were inspected and 5000 kg of the “so-called fresh fruits” – watermelons, mangoes, pomegranates and tomatoes were tested positive for a cancer-causing artificial ripening agent called calcium carbide, the advocate added.
The NVCO president also cited the increase in street food business, selling mostly deep fried food items such as ‘pokoras, samosas, eggs, fishes’ etc which uses a lot of oil.
Studies have revealed that reusing the same heated cooking oil repeatedly at high temperature alters the properties of the oil. Therefore, when we consume such food, the toxins accumulated may be food-poisoning, and the long term effects include cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and even cancer, Savi mentioned.
Another harmful practice was the use of newspapers to wrap food, where the printing ink/black carbon used in newspaper contains harmful color; pigments, additives, preservatives etc. When warm or oily food is placed in the newspaper, the ink melts into the food making it “very harmful health-wise.”
Further the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry, pesticides in agricultural processes were addressed.
As per the Food Safety & Standard Act 2006, Savi highlighted the penalty for offences committed under the Act.
The State Government observed the first ever World Food Safety Day on June 7 this year under the theme – “Food Safety, everyone’s business.”
Savi also highlighted on the National Food Security Act, 2013 which provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
This Act is also called as “Right to Food Act” where every person would get wheat at Rs2 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per kg. Both Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (PBL) beneficiaries have been amalgamated under the name of Priority Household (PHH) as per the Act and the beneficiaries would be provided 5 kg of food grains per head at the amount mentioned in the ratio of 4:1.
Moreover, pregnant and lactating women will be entitled to free meals during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also receive maternity benefit of at least Rs 6000. It includes the mid-day meal scheme and integrated child development services scheme. However, Savi regretted that the State Government was yet to establish ‘Food Commission’ as per the National Food Security Act, 2013.
.JPG)
