Odisha govt sanctions 74 new food safety officer posts

Bhubaneswar: In another step towards safeguarding public health, State Government has decided to strengthen food safety activities in different urban areas of Odisha.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling has directed to extent regular food safety activities to notified area councils. For the purpose, State Govt has sanctioned new 74 food safety officer posts today.

It may be pertinent here to mention that earlier 73 posts were sanctioned. These officers are recruited through open advertisement and rigorous selection process under staff selection commission.

Presently, food safety officers are mostly posted in districts and are operating in major city areas. They are looking into the food safety in Ashram schools, hostels and other institutions apart from imparting hygienic training to the food business operators (FBOs), and checking of food safety parameters in hotels/street food vending stalls etc.

Secretary Health and Family Welfare Aswathy S. has asked Commissioner food safety to expedite the process for recruitment, training and posting of these new food safety officers for bringing all urban local bodies under the umbrella of food safety activities.