Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken a significant step towards ensuring public health by sanctioning 74 new Food Safety Officer posts. This move aims to extend regular food safety activities to notified area councils across the state, in addition to the existing 73 posts.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling has directed the expansion of food safety initiatives to all urban local bodies. The newly recruited officers will undergo a rigorous selection process through the Staff Selection Commission.
Currently, Food Safety Officers are primarily stationed in districts, focusing on major city areas. Their responsibilities include ensuring food safety in ashram schools, hostels, and other institutions, as well as providing hygiene training to food business operators (FBOs) and monitoring food safety parameters in hotels and street food vending stalls.
Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Aswathy S., has instructed the Commissioner of Food Safety to expedite the recruitment, training, and posting process for the new officers. This will enable the state to bring all urban local bodies under the purview of food safety activities, further safeguarding public health.
