Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader on Saturday said the Karnataka government is considering the formation of ‘Watch Teams’ at the district and taluk levels to ensure continuous monitoring of food safety violations and the circulation of counterfeit medicines.
Speaking at a press conference, Khader said the proposed initiative is aimed at strengthening public participation and expanding the government’s monitoring mechanism beyond the existing network of food safety and drug control officials.
The minister also said a QR code-based complaint system has been introduced to enable members of the public to quickly report cases involving unsafe food and suspected fake medicines. The government plans to issue instructions to ensure that the QR code is prominently displayed in front of every hotel and medical store, making it easier for consumers to lodge complaints.
According to Khader, the response to the initiative has been significant, with more than 400 complaints received within two days of the QR code being introduced.
QR code system draws over 400 complaints
Khader said the QR code mechanism was designed to make the complaint process simpler and more accessible to the public. Instead of relying only on conventional methods of reporting violations, consumers can use the code to submit complaints about unhygienic food, food safety concerns and suspected counterfeit medicines.
Food safety officers are acting on the complaints received through the system, he said. Officials are visiting the locations from where complaints are reported and carrying out inspections to verify the allegations and take appropriate action wherever violations are found.
The minister said public participation could play an important role in improving food safety enforcement, particularly because government officials cannot be present at every establishment at all times.
While existing officials are empowered to carry out inspections and enforcement within their respective jurisdictions, Khader said the scale of the challenge requires a wider monitoring network and sustained public awareness.
The government, therefore, is examining the possibility of creating ‘Watch Teams’ that could supplement the work of existing enforcement agencies and help maintain continuous vigilance at the district and taluk levels.
Retired officials and experts may be part of teams
Explaining the proposed structure of the initiative, Khader said the government is considering involving retired government officials, retired professors, subject experts and senior citizens interested in social service.
These individuals could be brought together as part of ‘Watch Teams’ and may be assigned specific responsibilities and powers to assist in monitoring food safety and issues related to counterfeit medicines.
However, he clarified that the proposal is still under consideration and no final decision has been taken. The government will first examine the legal provisions governing such an arrangement before deciding on the powers and responsibilities that can be assigned to the proposed teams.
The involvement of experienced retired professionals could potentially help expand the government’s outreach, particularly in areas where regular inspections and continuous awareness programmes are required.
Khader said the proposed teams would be intended to support a broader and sustained monitoring system rather than replace the existing food safety and drug control authorities.
The initiative also reflects the government’s focus on maintaining public awareness. Consumers need to be encouraged to identify and report suspected violations, as timely information from the public can help officials conduct inspections at the earliest.
Fake medicine network may extend beyond Karnataka
Khader also raised concerns over the wider network involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit medicines.
He said the fake medicine racket is not necessarily confined to Karnataka, adding that there is a possibility of counterfeit drugs being manufactured in other states and transported into Karnataka for distribution.
Referring to the counterfeit medicine manufacturing racket detected near Bidadi, the minister said the seriousness and possible inter-state dimensions of the case require a comprehensive investigation.
An SIT has been formed to investigate the matter in detail, he said.
The investigation is expected to examine the full network involved in the alleged manufacture, supply and distribution of counterfeit medicines and identify all those connected to the racket.
Counterfeit medicines pose a serious concern as they can compromise public safety and undermine confidence in the healthcare system. The proposed monitoring mechanism and the QR code-based complaint facility are among the steps being considered to strengthen vigilance and encourage the public to report suspicious activities.
Focus on continuous monitoring and public awareness
Khader stressed that the challenge cannot be addressed through occasional inspections alone. Continuous monitoring and sustained awareness among consumers are essential to identify food safety violations and suspected fake medicines at an early stage.
The proposed ‘Watch Teams’ could help create a wider community-based vigilance network if the government decides to proceed with the plan after examining its legal feasibility.
The QR code initiative, meanwhile, has already generated a strong response, with over 400 complaints received within just two days. The volume of complaints, according to the minister, demonstrates the potential of making reporting mechanisms more accessible to the public.
By requiring hotels and medical stores to display the QR code prominently, the government hopes to make it easier for consumers to raise concerns directly and promptly.
Khader said existing officials would continue to carry out inspections and enforcement within their jurisdictions, while the proposed additional teams could help extend the reach of monitoring efforts.
The government is yet to announce a final framework for the proposed ‘Watch Teams’, including their composition, legal powers and operational structure.
For now, the proposal remains under examination, while food safety officers continue to act on complaints received through the newly introduced QR code system and the SIT proceeds with its investigation into the counterfeit medicine racket detected near Bidadi.
The government’s next decision on the proposed teams is expected to depend on the legal provisions and the framework developed for involving retired officials, experts and socially active senior citizens in strengthening vigilance against unsafe food and fake medicines.