Consumers have power to demand samples as per Food Safety Act'

May 16, 2012

Mangalore, May 16: Consumers need to be made aware of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, which has given them considerable power said Ujwal Kumar, Country Head, CQM Quality Management Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

Speaking at a training programme on Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 organised by Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mangalore on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar said that as per the Act, consumers can go to any food business place and demand samples for testing. “They can inform the nearest government officer to test the sample. If their complaints are found to be accurate, they are even entitled for a reward”, Mr. Kumar informed.

If a consumer falls prey to contaminated food, he/she will be entitled to receive compensation, Mr. Kumar added.

Stating that all stakeholders that come into picture right from transportation of the food product from fields to the shopkeeper who sells the finished food product to the consumers are all covered under the Act, Mr. Kumar said that they are required to obtain licenses from the designated officer to function legally.

If any of them is found violating hygene and food safety norms, they will be entitled to punishment which includes fine amounting to lakhs of rupees and imprisonment, Mr. Kumar revealed.

He also said that by implementing the Act, the government is looking to maintain food safety standards even in the imported foods. “Unlike before, the government will now be strict in checking of the imported food products”, he said. Food catering services also fall under the purview of the Act, he added.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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