PFA
(
Prevention of Food
Adulteration
)
A Brief Note On The
Implementation Of Prevention Of Food Adulteration Act & Rules (PFA)
Introduction
:
The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and Rules, 1955
extended to Nagaland State vide Act No. 24 of 1972 on 6th
June 1972 . The activities under the said act in strictly following as
per the prescribed statutory provisions of central PFA Act and Rules
made there under and with Nagaland PFA Rules 1985. The implementations
of the said Act & Rules are carried out under the following heads:
-
Enforcement:
-
State Level:
The Principal Director Health & Family
Welfare Government of Nagaland in the Ex-Officia State Food
(Health) Authority. The Food (Health) Authority is assisted by
one programme officer PFA in the rank of Deputy Director at the
Directorate PFA Cell with
UDC - 1
Computer Assistant - 1
Food Assistant - 1
Food Inspector - 1
Helper -1
-
District Level:
In each districts Local (Health) Authority (CMO) supervised the
working of the PFA activities, assisted by 1 (one) Food
Inspector.
L(H)A -11
Food Inspector -8
Sample carrier -8
There is no full time Food Inspector of Dimapur, Peren, Longleng and Kiphire
district, which is carried by Food Inspector from directorate, Kohima,
Mokokchung and Tuensang.
-
STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY
One
Government Food Testing Laboratory is functioning in the state capital
Kohima. The available space of the laboratory is 4000 Sq.ft. and
moderately equipped.
-
Manpower available:
Public Analyst - 1
Chemist - 3
Lab Technician - 11
Lab attendant - 5
Ministerial Staff - 5
Grade IV Staff - 4
-
Sample Analysis
a. No. of samples analysis during 2006-07 - 96
b. No. of samples funnel Adulterated - 4
c. No. of samples funnel misbranded - 6
Other Activity during 2006-07
i.
Conducted 2 days State level training for L(H)A and
Medical Officer, on implementation of Food Safety and
Standard Act, 2006.
ii.
Conducted 2 days State level training for Analyst and Food
Inspector on detection of common Food Adulterant.
In view of the absence of full time Analyst for Nagaland State, The
State Government appointed the Public Analyst of Assam as Second public
Analyst for Nagaland State on payment of yearly honorarium, to look
after the laboratory activities, PFA legal matter (court cases) and to
provide trainging for Food Inspector and Lab. Technicians in the field
of Sampling, procedures for PFA court cases and samples Analysis etc.
Objectives:
-
To secure uniform application which would
enable the State Government to prevent the sale of
adulterated and sub-standard food.
-
To implement the policy of Food safety
and Quality Control in the state at all levels.
-
To educate the food manufacturer and
sellers for hygienic, quality manufacturing and trade
practices.
-
To create awareness activities on the
harmful effects of adulterated food on health.
Another important factor is that Nagaland bordering with Myanmar has
easier access to other eastern countries. As such, a number of
adulterated and sub-standard food stuffs are imported to the state.
During 2003-04, The Directorate of Health Services (PFA Cell) conducted
a survey on such imported food stuffs, and found that out of 91 samples
analysed, 36 nos. of samples were adulterated with non-permitted
colours.
