3-day Label Mela commenced at Erode Eedissia

Erode District Small Scale Industries Association (Eedissia) and Tamil Nadu Department of Food Security jointly launched a three-day label mela programme on Tuesday for the benefit of Erode district food manufacturers and food traders at the Eedissia office.  It was inaugurated by Erode District Food Safety Officer Dr Thangavignesh, Eedissia president P Thirumurthy and secretary R Ramprakash. 
 

They said the three-day mela would explain the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations to give clarity on the provisions like declaration of veg and non-veg food, logo, manufacture and expiry date, list of ingredients, display of nutrient information on the label, etc. The mela will be very helpful in correcting the details, designing labels with correct details and learning about the new norms in the packages and label Act.  C. Santoshini Chandra, Erode District Revenue Officer, and Praveen Andrews participated in a seminar on "Stop Mislabeling" on Wednesday evening.

The Central government brought several new amendments in the Labels Act last January. So, suitable type of labels should be designed. Labels should be according to the weight or capacity of the items. The packets containing the food items should indicate the weight or quantity of food items packed in the packets at a level familiar to the consumer.  Only good quality certified above 100 micron plastic papers should be used and similarly only good quality plastic containers be used for food packaging 

This packet and label standardization is applicable to all food products including biscuits, cakes etc. But, now, the manufacturers use different colours and sizes as per their choice on labels and packets especially in cottage industry. Food manufacturers are not aware of the new laws regarding label that is why the awareness meetings are being held under the Food Safety Act. 
 

Food related traders and producers doing more than Rs 3000 business per day should get license and have Food Safety Supervisors. Traders having below Rs 3000 business, should register under the Act and follow proper safety measures under Food Safety Act. Hotels Tea Shops should not re-use once used oil. Food Safety Department buys this used oil, they added.