Maharashtra FDA Minister Admits Shortcomings in Online Food Delivery Oversight
In a candid admission before the Maharashtra legislative assembly on Thursday, State Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal conceded that his department has been insufficiently proactive in monitoring online food delivery services. This acknowledgment came in response to concerns raised by MLAs regarding the alleged supply of expired or sub-standard food items through these platforms.
Manpower Crunch Cited as Primary Hurdle
Minister Zirwal attributed the FDA's lax enforcement to a critical shortage of staff. "We have recruited new staff recently. They are undergoing a training programme. Once they start their duties, all offices of the department would be told to be more proactive and check (the food quality of) these service providers without waiting for any complaints," Zirwal stated. This revelation underscores systemic challenges within the regulatory body, which has traditionally operated on a complaint-driven model rather than proactive inspections.
MLAs Voice Grave Concerns Over Public Health Risks
The issue was brought to the forefront by MLAs from Pune, who highlighted the FDA's failure to initiate checks on online food delivery providers. BJP MLA from Khadakwasla, Bhimrao Tapkir, referenced a complaint filed with the FDA last year, emphasizing the growing reliance on online food ordering, especially in urban centers. "The trend of ordering food items online is growing, particularly in big cities. But the FDA does not have the mechanism to check the quality and expiry date of those food items. It acts only after some consumer logs a complaint," Tapkir asserted.
Echoing these concerns, BJP MLA from Shivajinagar, Siddharth Shirole, pointed out the lack of regular inspections at storage facilities used by these services. "Ordering online food is quite common in bigger cities. These food items are stored in godowns, but the administration does not check these facilities frequently. If these checks are conducted on a regular basis, the delivery of sub-standard food items can be curbed," Shirole argued.
Proposed Measures to Enhance Regulatory Framework
In response to the mounting criticism, Minister Zirwal outlined a multi-pronged strategy to bolster the FDA's oversight capabilities. Beyond the recruitment and training of new personnel, he announced plans to organize meetings with elected representatives across various cities to delve deeper into the issue. Additionally, Zirwal revealed that the state government intends to seek assistance from the central government to improve monitoring mechanisms for online food delivery services.
This collaborative approach aims to address the gaps in the current regulatory framework, ensuring that food safety standards are upheld as the digital food economy continues to expand. The minister's commitments signal a potential shift towards more stringent and preemptive regulatory actions in the near future.
