District Level Advisory Committee meeting on safe food and healthy diets held in Kargil.

District Level Advisory Committee meeting on safe food and healthy diets held in Kargil.
Kargil, Sept 25, 2024: The Food Safety Drugs & Food Control Organization, UT Ladakh, successfully held a District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) meeting today in Kargil, focusing on ensuring “Safe Food & Healthy Diets” in the region under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Shrikant Balasaheb Suse.
Progress from the previous DLAC meeting was reviewed. Key achievements included sampling in 124 schools across Kargil, the registration of 150 schools on the Eat Right School (ERS) portal, and the certification of 5 schools as Eat Right Schools. Additionally, 2 campuses have received Eat Right Campus certifications, while the registration of 3 more is underway.
The training of ASHAs and ANMs was conducted on 3 January 2024, with 138 trainees participating in initiatives aimed at improving food safety awareness in the district.
To date, 799 samples were lifted, out of which 258 of Public Distribution System (PDS), 18 of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) & 124 of Mid-Day Meal (MDM), were sent for analysis with 357 undergoing testing. No samples were reported as misbranded, sub-standard, or unsafe, indicating compliance with food safety norms.
Additionally, 2028 Licences are currently active within the district & 6 Licencing caps were organised. The DLAC reported a total of 230 inspections conducted using the FoSCoRiS app, aimed at ensuring compliance with licensing and registration norms.
Additionally, 46 new adjudication cases (Criminal, Civil & Compounding) were filed, with 44 successfully resolved, leading to penalties amounting to INR 418,000.
The Deputy Commissioner directed that training of food handlers at colleges in Kargil, as directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and minimal distribution of pesticides and insecticides by the Agriculture Department.
It was further directed that data sharing on foodborne illnesses with the Food Safety department and inclusion of Food Safety Officers in Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of the Medical Department.
Other directions included registration of Police Line Kargil for Eat Right Campus, FSSAI Registration of Tourism Food Service Establishments & ICDS Centres and Block level training of ASHA/ANM, MDM & ICDS works.