The Telangana government has decided to ban the use of mayonnaise. The government believes this is having a serious impact on people’s health. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha has directed Food Safety Commissioner RV Karnan to issue necessary orders. The minister reviewed food security at the Aarogyasri Trust Office in Hyderabad.
The minister inquired about the performance of the task force committee appointed along with the food safety officials. GHMC task force officials told the minister that they have inspected 235 hotels, guesthouses, street food stalls and godowns and issued notices to 170 establishments. The minister suggested a comprehensive inspection of the area as well. To achieve this goal, it is proposed to appoint two working group committees.
The minister got information about an incident in which several people fell ill after eating steamed buns in Nandi Nagar, Hyderabad. Officials are advised to take strict action against those who play with people’s lives. Mayonnaise is mixed with adulterated eggs in various foods. Officials told the minister that it was made from raw eggs and had adverse effects on people’s health. He said there had been dozens of complaints about the quality of mayonnaise and the side effects of consuming it.
Give necessary instructions to officials
The government has banned the production of this type of mayonnaise in Kerala and officials have requested the minister to ban this type of mayonnaise in our state keeping in mind the health of the people. The minister discussed the issue with several doctors and food safety officials and gave a green signal to ban mayonnaise. Food Safety Commissioner Kannan was directed to issue necessary orders.
Officials explained to the minister that the number of hotels, street food stalls and hostels in the state had increased significantly in the past decade and therefore the food safety department had not been strengthened and no new posts had been sanctioned. Drug safety is related to public health and lives. The minister stated this time that there will be no compromise on food safety issues. Officials have been asked to study and submit a report on the approaches adopted by leading countries and countries in food security.
24,000 samples tested
It is recommended to propose an increase in the number of food safety officers and food testing laboratories as per the existing requirements. Necessary new positions will be approved and filled quickly. The minister said three new food testing laboratories are being set up. Five mobile food testing laboratories are under construction. The minister ordered officials to strengthen laboratories to test about 24,000 samples annually. The minister directed that the entire food safety sector be brought under the same ministry.
It is also recommended to set up offices of Drug Controller and Food Safety Officer at the integrated collection. They want to set up a complaints team to take complaints from people. They hope to raise awareness of who to approach with complaints about food and medicines so people know who to complain to. The minister directed officials to take action against adulterers to prevent adulteration of food products.
