Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner Secretary Health and Family Welfare-cum-Commissioner of Food Safety, interacted with visiting official team from the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), Government of India at the FSSAI notified state food laboratory, State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) on 22 March.

Led by Prof. VK Tiwari, the team consisted of Dr. Ravinder Kumar, CMO, and Dr. Ramesh Gandotra, ARO, a DIPR report informed.

The central team is visiting the SPHL for “Rapid appraisal of Strengthening of Food Testing system including provision of Mobile Testing Labs (SOFTEL)” in the country in collaboration with the Food division, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 21 to 23rd March.

Sema acknowledged the FSSAI for the provision of all required logistics to upgrade the food laboratory and enable it to obtain NABL accreditation making it one of the few food laboratories in the Northeast.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

Once ongoing infrastructure development and logistics installation is completed, the state-of-the-art laboratory will be able to function optimally and also assist the other neighbouring states, it added.

The commissioner expressed gratitude to the visiting team for coming to contribute to the strengthening of the food testing ecosystem and apprised them of the need for another such food testing facility, preferably in Tuensang district which can cater to eight districts – Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Noklak, Shamator, Kiphire, Zunheboto, and Mokochung.

Presently the state has one functional Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) and two new Modified Food Safety on Wheels (MFSW) provided by the Central government which is to be made functional shortly but given the geographical terrain in the state, the team has been requested to highlight the need of four or more MFSW to the Central government.

The department further requested all stakeholders to give cooperation and support its endeavour.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play