Repeated reuse of cooking oil can trigger serious health risks: Food Safety official

Changki and Mopungchuket villagers sensitised on food safety practices

Mokokchung, April 22 (MExN): Food Safety officials in Mokokchung have cautioned that repeatedly reusing cooking oil can generate harmful chemicals that may lead to serious health problems.

The caution was issued during awareness camps on safe and fortified food, repurposing used cooking oil, good manufacturing practices, and sensitisation of Food Business Operators (FBOs), organised by the Food Safety Mokokchung Zone at Changki village on April 21 and Mopungchuket village on April 22.

Participants included village authorities, representatives of student, youth and women bodies, self-help groups, Anganwadi workers, and Food Business Operators.

Speaking at the programme, Designated Officer, Food Safety, Mokokchung Zone Samuel Zehol  highlighted the responsibilities of FBOs, including mandatory possession of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration and licences for their establishments. 

He also stressed compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards, along with medical fitness certificates for employees engaged in manufacturing units and fast-food establishments.

Zehol underlined the importance of fortified food in improving nutrition and safeguarding public health.

He further stressed the hazard of reusing cooking oil multiple times which can produce harmful chemicals that may lead to serious health problems.

The issue of unlabelled and misbranded food products being sold in the market was also discussed. 

Village authorities were urged to maintain vigilance within their jurisdictions and report complaints relating to food articles to the Designated Officer, Food Safety, Mokokchung Zone, under the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung.

During the camps, N Hamche Phom and Maongbenla Jamir demonstrated methods to detect common food adulterants in food items, informed a press release.