Mumbai: Expressing concern over “unmonitored” sale of adulterated and harmful food items in the state, MLC Satyajeet Tambe criticised the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department for its “lack of action”.
Products such as 'Sting' and 'Charged' energy drinks and analogue paneer are being brazenly sold, said Tambe in the legislative council, adding that the issue poses a grave health risk to the youth.
Notably, he had also raised the issue in the legislative council last year, urging the government to ban the sale of energy drinks within 500 meters of schools and colleges. He had even met FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal in January. Yet, the lack of substantial action to date, despite repeated appeals, is deeply worrying, Tambe asserted.
He pointed out that the FDA department shrugs off responsibility by citing manpower shortages, lack of modern laboratories and inadequate vehicles. “However, these cannot be excuses to shirk responsibility. This reflects an indifferent attitude from negligent officials,” Tambe said.
He urged that FDA officers should be assigned specific targets and held accountable for non-performance through disciplinary measures. Minister Zirwal assured that immediate steps would be taken to address the issue.
