In an interesting development, Nagaland has put a blanket ban on buying and selling of food products in the State.
Kohima chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Ritu Thurr has barred traders from buying and selling food products ‘imported illegally’ from Myanmar in view of blatant violation of Food Safety & Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, Rules& Regulations (RR)2001.
Thurr, who is also designated food safety officer, directed the traders to immediately stop distributing and supplying these food products. Failure to comply would invite action as per relevant sections of the FSSA 2006 and R&R 2001.
Retailers were also asked to return the food products to concerned distributor(s) or supplier(s) as they too would be liable for penalization as per the FSSA, R&R 2001 if such items are found in their business premises.
According to authorities, the ban on Myanmarese food items has been imposed because they were illegally entered into the market in contravention of the FSSA 2006 and R&R 2001 and these items do not comply with the food safety standards.