The food and drug administration (FDA) plans to launch an SMS-based helpline to create awareness among people about getting unadulterated food and quality drugs. Efforts would also be made to include these issues in the school curricula.

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This was announced to the mediapersons in the city on Saturday by commissioner of FDA and food safety, Mahesh Zagade. Zagade, who recently took charge as FDA commissioner, was in the city to visit the regional office and review the situation. He said the FDA would also create awareness about quality drugs and food through the media.

The focus would be on increasing effectiveness of the FDA for ensuring quality food and drugs. “For that, there is a need to develop awareness among manufacturers, vendors and consumers,” he said.

Zagade added that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 of the central government came into effect on August 5, 2011.

Under the Act, a post of food safety commissioner (FSC) has been created for the state. The FSC has the primary responsibility of ensuring that consumers would get hygienic and unadulterated food. For that purpose there would be more emphasis on quality regulation.

Zagade said under the new Act, any firm big or small engaged in any form of food processing would be required to register with the FDA.

Sugarcane juice stalls and paani puri vendors would also come under the ambit of the new Act. “Those having turnover of Rs12 lakh would be required to get a licence. The process of registration and licences is being evolved and by August 2012 the mechanism would be completed,” Zagade said.