FDCA to launch digital system to improve efficiency

Under this system, the FDCA also eyes to track their staff and build a central database of all the food samples

In order to streamline and speed up its work and improve efficiency, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) is set to launch a system wherein dedicated softwares would be utilised and gadgets would be given to field officers.

"To accomplish our goals, we have made a dedicated software for our upcoming project- Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The software will be installed on devices such as mobile phones, tablets or a dedicated hand-held devices, which will remain connected with our central server," Commissioner of Gujarat FDCA Dr H G Koshia told PTI.

Under this system, the FDCA also eyes to track their staff like Food Safety Officers (FSOs), build a central database of all the food samples collected in the state and increase conviction ratio of people caught selling or making adulterated food items.

To ensure that Food Business Operators (FBO) do not sell or manufacture adulterated food, FSOs collect food samples and then send them to government food laboratories and if the lab gives negative remarks, the FBOs have to face legal action from FDCA. However, officials feel that the present system is not up to the mark.

"Food samples and their details reach us after a considerable gap of time. But with the FSMS, we will overcome such problems, as details of samples will be submitted to us in real time through the devices by the FSOs," said Koshia.

As per the plan, around 270 such devices with GPRS connectivity and FSMS software will be given to officers, who will have to enter the details of each sample and submit them online.