Key Facts
Two state-of-the-art Food Safety on Wheels mobile testing labs, provided to Kangra district in September 2024, have remained idle for 22 months due to the non-deployment of drivers and technical staff. The vans are parked at Dharamshala hospital and their batteries have started deteriorating.
Details of the Issue
The mobile labs were intended to conduct on-the-spot testing of food samples in markets, especially during festive seasons, to curb adulteration and raise awareness about food safety. However, without drivers and technical staff, the vans have never been used. The Food Safety Department is already facing a shortage of food safety officers, affecting routine inspections.
Impact
The prolonged disuse has led to technical problems in the vehicles, which will require additional budget to repair. The department's inability to deploy staff means the public is deprived of the intended benefits of these mobile labs.
What Readers Should Know
- The vans were provided by the state government to Kangra district.
- Staff recruitment is pending; only after that can the vehicles be used for public benefit, according to Dr. Savita Thakur, Additional Commissioner, Food Safety Department, Kangra.
- The department is already understaffed, impacting regular food safety inspections.
FAQ
Why are the food safety vans in Kangra not operational?
The vans lack drivers and technical staff, so they have been parked since September 2024.
How many mobile food testing labs were provided to Kangra?
Two mobile food testing labs were provided to Kangra district in September 2024.
What is the purpose of these mobile labs?
They are meant for on-the-spot testing of food samples during festivals and other occasions to check adulteration.