TG-SAFE comes into force

What is TG-SAFE?

1. The unified body aims to strengthen surveillance, enforcement and regulatory standards for food and medicines.
2. Senior IPS officer Avinash Mohanty has been appointed Commissioner of TG-SAFE in addition to his existing duties.

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the creation of TG-SAFE reflects the state government's commitment to ensure safety, security and overall well-being of citizens in every aspect of life.

"Today, as Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG-Safe) comes into force, with a single department to ensure safety and standards in our food & medicines, I hope all citizens join me in welcoming and taking its services for a safe Telangana," he said in a post on X. According to a Government Order (GO) issued recently, the Food Safety Department and the Drugs Control Department share common objectives relating to public health, consumer safety, quality assurance and effective regulatory enforcement.

A unified administrative framework is required to improve surveillance, intelligence, enforcement, legal support and regulatory outcomes, it said. Therefore, the government has decided to establish a unified administrative structure for the Food Safety Department and the Drugs Control Department. The order further said the Food Safety Department and the Drugs Control Department would be merged under a unified administration known as the TG SAFE.

The unified administration shall preserve the statutory provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Commissioner, TG SAFE shall function as unified administrative control for the Food Safety and Drug Control Departments, it said. Senior IPS officer Avinash Mohanty, who was earlier posted as Director General, Drugs Control Administration, has been posted as Commissioner, Telangana SAFE, in addition to his normal duties, an official release said on August 16.