The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association has strongly objected to the state government’s directive assigning medical officers the task of collecting food samples under the Food Safety and Standards Act, calling it an “impractical and risky” move.
In a formal letter submitted on October 7, the association argued that food sampling is a specialised process requiring specific training, legal knowledge, and technical expertise. “The procedure involves precise sampling methods, documentation, and adherence to complex legal protocols. Any mistake, however minor, could result in legal complications for both the officer and the department,” the letter stated.
The controversy emerged after the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), on October 3, instructed civil surgeons to ensure that medical officers including deputy civil surgeons and in-charges of sub-divisional, community, and primary health centres collect samples of milk and milk products during the festive season. The order cited a shortage of food safety officers as the reason for temporarily assigning the duty to doctors.
However, the HCMS has called the order “administratively flawed.” Dr. Anil Yadav, General Secretary of the association, said the arrangement forces senior medical officers to take instructions from junior Class II officers, creating confusion in the official hierarchy. “This violates established government protocol and undermines the dignity of medical officers,” Dr. Yadav noted.
He further emphasised that food adulteration control demands a specialised and dedicated system, not an ad hoc arrangement. “Doctors are trained to treat patients, not to perform legal inspections or collect food samples. The government must strengthen the food safety mechanism instead of burdening medical officers with unrelated tasks,” he added.
The association has urged the government to withdraw the order and ensure that only trained food safety personnel are deployed for such legally sensitive work.
