She was responding to a question about the recent ban on halal-certified products in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Food quality and food testing are essentially a government job. The government should do it. We have our Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), she said, adding that it is the government agencies that should ascertain whether there are chemical additives, artificial or harmful colors, and so on.
I believe that the government should take the lead in this area, and I have no hesitation in saying that. NGOs can play a supporting role, but I believe that the government should be the primary agency for food certification, she added.Source:-udayavani
Sitharaman’s comments come amid a debate over the role of NGOs in food certification. Some argue that NGOs are better placed to certify food products as they are independent and not beholden to commercial interests. Others argue that only the government has the authority to certify food products and that NGOs should not be involved in this process.
Source:- the economic timesThe ban on halal-certified products in Uttar Pradesh has been criticized by some as being discriminatory against Muslims. However, the state government has defended the ban, saying that it is necessary to protect public health and ensure that food products are not adulterated.Share your views in the comments
Only govt should do food certification, not NGOs: Sitharman on UP’s ban on halal-certified products
By tirupatinews
