Taking a significant stride towards bolstering food safety, the Health & Family Welfare Department, as part of the Nagaland Food Safety Project’s “Strengthening of Food Safety Ecosystem in the State,” unveiled two Modified Food Safety on Wheels (MFSW).

V. Kezo, Commissioner of Food Safety cum Commissioner & Secretary, H&FW, articulated the broader vision behind MFSW during the launch. He underscored that these mobile units are not solely for testing food samples but also for fostering safe food practices and instilling a culture of food safety among the public. Kezo emphasized the importance of scrutinizing food package labels, including expiry dates, ingredients, and the FSSAI registration/license number, before purchasing food items.

The inaugural event saw the formal flag-off of the two new MFSW by Dr. Vibeituonuo M. Sachu, Principal Director cum Addl. Food Safety Commissioner, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare. The core functions of the Food Safety on Wheels initiative encompass sample testing, training, and spreading awareness among food business operators (FBO) and consumers regarding food safety practices in both urban and rural settings. Moreover, these mobile units can provide on-the-spot testing for common food adulterations. Additionally, the MFSW will serve as a conduit for transporting samples from remote areas to the nearest Food Testing Laboratory, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

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With the introduction of these two MFSW units, the state now boasts three mobile food testing laboratories as part of the Nagaland Food Safety Project. These units are strategically allocated for Kohima, Mokokchung, and Dimapur Zones, embodying a holistic approach towards safeguarding food quality and public health.