District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh chaired the third quarterly meeting of the District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) on Safe Food and Healthy Diets for the year 2025–26 today.
The committee held comprehensive deliberations on strengthening food safety mechanisms and ensuring the effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, along with its Rules and Regulations 2011, as prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Members reviewed enforcement activities across the district, including inspections, food sampling, prosecution and adjudication related to food safety. They also focused on monitoring grievances related to food businesses and consumer complaints to ensure timely redressal.
The DLAC underscored the importance of promoting a culture of self-compliance among food business operators through systematic training and capacity-building initiatives under the Food Safety and Certification System.
Citizens’ engagement emerged as a key priority. Discussions centered on initiatives such as the Eat Right Movement, Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) programmes in schools and workplaces, BHOG and the development of clean street food hubs. The committee discussed the promotion of fortified foods under welfare schemes including Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM).
It also reviewed efforts to enhance food safety and nutritional literacy through convergence with national missions such as Ayushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan and Swachh Bharat Mission. Additionally, the meeting assessed the status of food-borne diseases in the district and discussed formulating a prompt response mechanism to address such occurrences.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Anil Kumar Thakur, Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Aslam, Project Officer ICDS Akhter Qazi, the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Agriculture Officer, the Assistant Labour Commissioner and officers from the FCS&CA, District Industries and Education departments attended the meeting. Representatives from consumer organisations, food business associations and food safety professionals also participated.