Mumbai: Taking a serious note of problems being faced by food products manufacturers and distribution agencies, the state government has appointed two nodal officers to ensure smooth and hassle-free food supply chain in the state.
It is to be noted that due to lockdown, the food products production has been reduced upto 40 per cent and this means the state may face a shortage in the future.
Food and Drugs Administration minister Rajendra Shingane held a meeting on Wednesday at Mantralaya to review the status of food supply chain and problems faced by stake holders in the state.
Many shop owners are complaining that despite booking their orders, they are not getting delivery resulting into shortage of products in the market. The meeting was attended by key food products manufacturers, baby food and package food manufacturers and their distributors.
To stop harassment of workers involved in food production and distribution, FDA Minister Shingane directed the department to appoint two nodal officers at FDA Commissioner’s office.“
Sunil Bhardwaj, a senior IPS officer who is now Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) in the Food and Drugs Authority Commissioner’s office will be appointed to ensure police will not stop workers involved in food production and distribution.
Shailesh Aadhav, Joint Commissioner ( FDA Head Office) will be a Nodal officer to solve other problems faced by food products manufacturers and distributors,” minister Shingane told after the meeting. “ How a baby food product can be an essential commodity? How Masala can be called as essential commodity? Nobody dies if they do not get Masala or baby food products.
These are the police argument when they harass our staff,” told the producers. “ My driver was told that since nobody dies if they do not eat Maggi, he was not allowed to transport Maggi carrying truck,” told Nesle India representative which produces this instant food.
