Haryana Government on Thursday directed state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take samples of all kinds of food items and drinks available in the market to check adulteration.The state Health Minister Anil Vij held a meeting of FDA and issued directions that various samples food and drink items should be taken to check adulteration and ensure that people get quality products.
Vij said as there is no high-standard laboratory in the state for testing food samples. The two laboratories of the state located at Chandigarh and Karnal would be modernised and upgraded while four new laboratories would be set up at Gurgaon, Panchkula, Bhiwani and Hansi.Apart from this, there is also a proposal to set up a laboratory to test Ayurvedic medicines, said he.
The Minister said that an action plan has been prepared to further enhance the efficiency of senior drug control officers (SDCOs) and drug control officers (DCOs).Under this action plan, no officer would continue to function for more than a year at one station. They would be transferred every year so as to maintain their efficiency and honesty.
The Government would also make online the process of making new licenses and their renewal and also information about tests of food items. The working of SDCOs and DCOs would be monitored and they would have to send their monthly progress report to their seniors, added the Minister.Dr Parveen Garg has been designated as a joint commissioner in the Food and Drug Administration so as to enhance its efficiency.