Ganderbal, June 24: Commissioner Food & Drug Administration (FDA) J&K, Hashmat Ali Yatoo, today inaugurated a License/Registration Mela and chaired an interactive meeting with various Food Business Operator (FBO) associations in District Ganderbal. The event saw participation from over a hundred FBOs.
Key FDA officials, including Joint Commissioner Food Safety Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Food Safety IcLC Kashmir Shagoofa Jalal, State Nodal Officer Firdous Ahmad, and Designated Officers Food Safety of Ganderbal district, attended the meeting.
The mela featured stalls showcasing various products from FBOs, including indigenous items and fortified foods, for consumers and attendees.
During the meeting, representatives from manufacturers, retailers, and hotel and restaurant associations raised various issues. Commissioner Yatoo emphasized the crucial role of FBOs as key stakeholders in implementing regulatory provisions. He stressed the FDA’s priority of ensuring safe and wholesome food for consumers while highlighting the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve these objectives.
In a significant move, Commissioner Yatoo presented 44 Licenses and Registrations to applicant FBOs participating in the mela.
This event marks an important step in fostering dialogue between the FDA and food business operators, aiming to enhance food safety standards in the region.