The BJP led governments at the Centre and States where they rule must learn to speak in one language; or else they will find themselves playing tug of war with each other!
Nagpur: So while Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Wednesday attacked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for “creating an environment of fear” in the food industry the Maharashtra Minister of State for FDA Vidya Thakur said she has written to FDA Commissioner Harshdeep Kamble regarding collecting samples of Haldiram for ‘testing if they are fit for human consumption”.
Waking up almost three weeks after the Haldiram samples failing tests in USA hit the news – and after clarifications have been issued by Haldiram stating that they do not export to USA by name of ‘Haldiram’, the Maharashtra Minister says “Since Haldiram food products are produced in Nagpur, Maharashtra, she is concerned about their quality.”
On the other hand, Kaur comments “a lot needs to be done as the FSSAI has created an environment of fear in the industry. It needs to streamline its regulations… its steps are stopping innovations in the processing sector,” Badal said.
“Without mentioning the big elephant in the room of food processing industry, the FSSAI, I would say a lot needs to be done to remove the recent roadblocks or, I would say, fear psychosis in the industry,” she said at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
A spokesperson for Haldiram says they welcome the move of the Minister to have their samples tested.
“They will find out for themselves that we adhere to the highest quality standards. We welcome the scrutiny and have nothing to hide”.
“WE would also urge the state government to be equally vigilant about the road side food being served in Nagpur and other Maharashtra cities to ascertain the cleanliness, the hygiene and the purity of raw material used there. Aren’t such eateries under their purview too?”
… Sunita Mudliyar ( Associate Editor )
