Vijayawada: Food safety department in Andhra Pradesh is facing a severe shortage of manpower. Of the 723 posts sanctioned for this wing, more than 550 have been vacant for a long time. This has affected drives to check whether or not the food that customers consume at hotels and kiosks is fit for consumption of humans in AP. Likewise, adulteration of raw food items is going unchecked.
Significantly, the state government had announced a zero vacancy policy, especially in the Health department, of which Food Safety wing is a part. Importantly, about six months ago, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu issued directions to immediately fill up 150 posts, underlining the importance of ensuring that food served by outlets in AP is hygienic. But the vacancies have remained vacant, as the Finance department has not cleared the proposal.
Food safety wing had been facing shortage of manpower even before the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 2014. After bifurcation, 279 posts had been sanctioned for the headquarters of food safety in the residuary state. At present, only four out of the eight officers are manning the headquarters. This is because four officers have been placed under suspension for failing to submit reports to the government in a timely and proper manner.
Food safety department plays a major role in checking the quality of food items consumed by human beings, like water, milk, edible oils, dals, flours, and all consumable commodities in raw and cooked forms. It also issues licences for preparing and retailing all food items, from the farm to mouth.
Outbreaks of health hazards, like diarrhoea and adulteration of milk, oils, ghee, and raw and cooked food items, are being attributed to lack of sufficient checking due to shortage of staff.
It is the duty of food safety officers to inspect hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries, bakeries, sweet shops, super markets, malls, and other places and collect samples of food items. These samples are sent to food labs in the state to check their quality. Based on the lab’s report, action is taken against the outlet in case any adulteration is found.
Major instances, like the death of 16 persons after consuming adulterated milk in Rajamahendravaram of East Godavari, reports of students in hostels falling ill, people getting hospitalised after having food at family or friends’ reunions, are being attributed to lack of sufficient staff for checks and carrying out enforcement.
A senior official from the Food Safety department said, “We appeal to the state government to immediately fill up the 150 posts as directed by the Chief Minister. These posts are of officers, analysts, and technicians for food labs, apart from supporting staff. This will enable us to ensure proper enforcement to maintain the quality of food items available in Andhra Pradesh.”
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