Kohima: Highlighting the need for people to be alert before doing any purchases, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has stressed the importance of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 that upholds the right to safety of the consumers.
An NVCO release stated that the Act aims to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption in the country.
The NVCO, as part of its week-long celebration of World Consumer Rights Day – March 15 – has requested the consumers to remain alert and check the manufacturing, packing and expiry datesbefore buying any food items.
It is also important to be vigilant about whether medicines or drugs were manufactured by a reputed company. Such alertness would act as a safeguard against product duplication or quality issues, he stated.
Consumers also have to be careful about the excessive use of fertilisers in fruits and vegetables, steroid in meat, formalin in fish and others.
The NVCO also informed that the State Consumer Helpline with toll-free number 1800 – 345 – 3701 functions as an alternate remedy mechanism during office hours.Â
