| Abstract: |
In an official press statement on the issue, FSSAI declared videos regarding the matter that have been widely circulated on social media to be ‘false and malicious’, and also mentioned print and electronic media as culpable parties. FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal added that the situation was leading to ‘fear amongst public at large and erodes […] confidence in the food control system in the country’.“[Such] false propaganda is neither good for citizens nor for food businesses. This also erodes global trust in our food system and food businesses, and potentially has far reaching public health, social and trade implications,” he added. FSSAI will be taking action in an attempt to curb the negative effects of the situation, including contacting the relevant media for ‘internal checks’ so as to ensure that ‘reports on food safety are carefully verified’.Additionally, FSSAI added that the Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT has been contacted so as to establish a ‘system for tracking of such messages’, such that ‘perpetrators of such mischievous videos could be brought to book and penal action initiated against them (sic)’.The national food safety watchdog also intends to hold a workshop with the intention of educating local media on the ‘technical aspects’ of food safety reporting. Milk, milk and more milk. |
