Jun 5, 2013
Toxins for lunch
While the State government is bending over backwards in its efforts to ensure safe produce under the Food Safety Scheme, the results of the recent research conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University’s Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Laboratory, Vellayani, point out that it could be a herculean task.
“The research was conducted over the past five months with each sample tested for the presence of nearly 120 compounds. Since it costs Rs 6000 for testing one sample, the research was carried out only in Thiruvananthapuram as an initial phase. It will be extended to other districts in the coming months to prepare a detailed state-wide report,” says Dr Thomas Biju Mathew, who led the research process at the Vellayani Lab.
The research tested 1024 samples, out of which 226 tested positive for pesticide residue. Seventy eight of these samples and nearly 15 types of vegetables exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit. Most of the produce is imported from other states and hence imposing regulations would be difficult say authorities. “We are now planning a two step awareness and prevention campaign at the producer and the consumer levels. The consumer level campaign has already begun and we are providing directions for removing pesticide residue in a home environment. We are also planning on providing a safe-to-eat tags for vegetables to help consumers. However, it would be difficult to implement it on a large scale in a time bound manner,” adds Dr Thomas.
Recently on a television show, Raj Kalesh, popular TV show host, declared emphatically, “80 per cent of our youth are going to die of cancer due to consumption of adulterated food.” He argues that most of the produce are crammed with chemicals, many of them carcinogenic.
“Fruits are ripened using fumes, the colour of pulses and cereals are enhanced using chemicals like zinc oxide, potassium carbonates, lead chromate, Sudan dyes and so on. Even the matta rice that we buy are coloured using a mix of rice bran oil and zinc oxide,” he says. According to Kalesh, bug and pest ridden produce available in local shops and ration stores though we despise them, are safer than their polished and packaged counterparts. He says that the presence of pests indicates that the produce is organic and natural, unlike most products in the market today which do not decay for weeks because of chemical preservatives.
“Many practises like the use of wax on apples and the use of many dangerous gases for ripening of fruits were identified and banned. However, one adulterant seems to be replacing the other in the market. Consuming some of these adulterants in large quantities or for a long period of time is likely to severely affect health and can lead to ulcers, tumours and cancers,” says Dr Anjali, a nutritionist in Kochi.
Though the Food Safety Department in Kerala acts as a mechanism to curb such malpractices and adulteration, it has its limitations. “We currently have only three Food Safety Laboratories and one laboratory to check foodstuff in Sabarimala. We need better infrastructure and better laboratories where adulteration can be properly monitored,” says Mohammed Rafi, Food Safety Officer, Kozhikode.
There are numerous government initiatives like the Farm to Fork scheme that is in effect, but the implementation part is wanting. Shortfall in manpower poses a major problem. “The licensing part of the Food Safety Procedure’s responsibility was transferred from boards like the TSA, MFPO and SPO to the Food Safety Department. But the manpower of the department remains the same. Additional staff is urgently required for the effective implementation of such schemes,” points out Mohammed Rafi.
Despite ban in 23 states, illegal gutkha sale rampant; FDA seizures on
Although gutkha has been banned in 23 Indian states, its illegal sale
continues. Moreover, it is now sold at much higher rates. The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra recently seized gutkha worth Rs 27
lakh from Navi Mumbai.
Its counterpart in Uttar Pradesh followed suit, raiding a adulterated gutkha factory in the Barra area of Kanpur. About Rs 20 lakh worth of raw material, besides machines and other things which are used to make the products were seized from the place. Six people named Ravi Jaiswal, Hari Shankar Gupta, Bablu, Arvind and Rahul Jaiswal were nabbed from the premises.
The rampant illegal sale of gutkha in these states highlights the fact that the implementation of the ban is not strict. It is often seen that on long-distance trains, packets of gutkha worth Rs 2 are sold at Rs 10. There is no one to check the sale of illegal gutkha on the trains.
Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, said, “Maharashtra is the only state in the country to destroy gutkha worth Rs 10 crore. In other states, the implementation has not been done strictly. The seizure of gutkha worth Rs 27 lakh on the Sion-Panvel highway confirms that the contraband is still being sold in the market.”
He informed, “This was the third big seizure of the contraband in two months on the highway. It is believed that the contraband is generally transported from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and sold here at four or five times the price.”
Gutkha has been banned in Bihar for a year now, but it is still sold there illegally without any action against the culprits. In fact, it was the third state in the country to ban the sale, distribution and manufacture of gutkha and pan masala containing nicotine.
However, while the administration gears up to put a system in place to effectively implement the order, these products are still being sold in a clandestine manner in the state.
Sanjay Kumar, food safety commissioner and health secretary, Bihar FDA, said, “The implementation is not being followed strictly because of the shortage of manpower. But soon, there would be 22 state food safety officers and teams with police personnel as members would be formed. They would conduct raids in their respective areas across the state to stop both the organised and unorganised sector from manufacturing, storing, selling or distributing pan masala and gutkha.”
Its counterpart in Uttar Pradesh followed suit, raiding a adulterated gutkha factory in the Barra area of Kanpur. About Rs 20 lakh worth of raw material, besides machines and other things which are used to make the products were seized from the place. Six people named Ravi Jaiswal, Hari Shankar Gupta, Bablu, Arvind and Rahul Jaiswal were nabbed from the premises.
The rampant illegal sale of gutkha in these states highlights the fact that the implementation of the ban is not strict. It is often seen that on long-distance trains, packets of gutkha worth Rs 2 are sold at Rs 10. There is no one to check the sale of illegal gutkha on the trains.
Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, said, “Maharashtra is the only state in the country to destroy gutkha worth Rs 10 crore. In other states, the implementation has not been done strictly. The seizure of gutkha worth Rs 27 lakh on the Sion-Panvel highway confirms that the contraband is still being sold in the market.”
He informed, “This was the third big seizure of the contraband in two months on the highway. It is believed that the contraband is generally transported from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and sold here at four or five times the price.”
Gutkha has been banned in Bihar for a year now, but it is still sold there illegally without any action against the culprits. In fact, it was the third state in the country to ban the sale, distribution and manufacture of gutkha and pan masala containing nicotine.
However, while the administration gears up to put a system in place to effectively implement the order, these products are still being sold in a clandestine manner in the state.
Sanjay Kumar, food safety commissioner and health secretary, Bihar FDA, said, “The implementation is not being followed strictly because of the shortage of manpower. But soon, there would be 22 state food safety officers and teams with police personnel as members would be formed. They would conduct raids in their respective areas across the state to stop both the organised and unorganised sector from manufacturing, storing, selling or distributing pan masala and gutkha.”
20,000 gutka sachets seized
BANGALORE: Two days after the gutka ban in Karnataka was enforced, health and family welfare department officials conducted a raid in the city.
The team seized over 20,000 sachets from a wholesale dealer in City Market area on Tuesday afternoon. "No complaint has been filed against the dealer so far. On Wednesday, we will brief the court on the seizure," said Basavaraj Huded, designated officer of the health and family welfare department, Bangalore South, for implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Before this, the team visited a production unit in Singasandra where they only found raw materials and packaging material. "We can't seize raw materials like cardamom, betel nut and tobacco. But we seized the packing material. The packing machines have been sealed by the central exercise department. The premises was shut down voluntarily by the proprietor on May 30," said officials.
As of now, the seized material has been stored in one of the departments' offices, but there are no clear guidelines on how to go about destroying the seized products. "As per Pollution Control Board norms, we are not supposed to burn the tobacco products. On Wednesday, we will be seeking legal opinion on this," Dr Basavaraj said.
The team seized over 20,000 sachets from a wholesale dealer in City Market area on Tuesday afternoon. "No complaint has been filed against the dealer so far. On Wednesday, we will brief the court on the seizure," said Basavaraj Huded, designated officer of the health and family welfare department, Bangalore South, for implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Before this, the team visited a production unit in Singasandra where they only found raw materials and packaging material. "We can't seize raw materials like cardamom, betel nut and tobacco. But we seized the packing material. The packing machines have been sealed by the central exercise department. The premises was shut down voluntarily by the proprietor on May 30," said officials.
As of now, the seized material has been stored in one of the departments' offices, but there are no clear guidelines on how to go about destroying the seized products. "As per Pollution Control Board norms, we are not supposed to burn the tobacco products. On Wednesday, we will be seeking legal opinion on this," Dr Basavaraj said.
CM rules out withdrawing gutka ban
BANGALORE: Two opposition parties - JD(S) and BJP - used two issues to take on the government in both Houses on Tuesday.
While principal opposition party JD(S) insisted that the government delete certain remarks related to Cauvery water in the governor's address, BJP sought to move an adjournment motion against the government for its decision to ban gutka in the state, but it was rejected by speaker Kagodu Thimmappa.
When it was allowed for discussion, BJP demanded immediate withdrawal of the government notification, asserting that it will hit arecanut growers. But chief minister Siddaramaiah ruled out withdrawing the notification as the government had complied with a Supreme Court directive.
The party's floor leader in the assembly chief minister Jagadish Shettar took exception to the government not taking the House into confidence before issuing the May 30 notification. He charged the government with taking a hasty decision and not thinking about its impact on arecanut farmers.
Visweshwara Hegde Kageri (BJP) said Karnataka accounts for 60% of the country's arecanut production and maintained there's nothing to suggest that arecanut is harmful. Kageri, a former minister who hails from Uttara Kannada district, a key producer of arecanut, alleged that a powerful lobby is behind the government's decision. What's needed is removal of harmful substances such as tobacco and nicotine from gutka, he felt.
In the council, opposition leader DV Sadananda Gowda said he doesn't oppose the ban but the government should have suggested alternatives to farmers before banning it. "Karnataka contributes a major share to the country's total arecanut output," he said.
While principal opposition party JD(S) insisted that the government delete certain remarks related to Cauvery water in the governor's address, BJP sought to move an adjournment motion against the government for its decision to ban gutka in the state, but it was rejected by speaker Kagodu Thimmappa.
When it was allowed for discussion, BJP demanded immediate withdrawal of the government notification, asserting that it will hit arecanut growers. But chief minister Siddaramaiah ruled out withdrawing the notification as the government had complied with a Supreme Court directive.
The party's floor leader in the assembly chief minister Jagadish Shettar took exception to the government not taking the House into confidence before issuing the May 30 notification. He charged the government with taking a hasty decision and not thinking about its impact on arecanut farmers.
Visweshwara Hegde Kageri (BJP) said Karnataka accounts for 60% of the country's arecanut production and maintained there's nothing to suggest that arecanut is harmful. Kageri, a former minister who hails from Uttara Kannada district, a key producer of arecanut, alleged that a powerful lobby is behind the government's decision. What's needed is removal of harmful substances such as tobacco and nicotine from gutka, he felt.
In the council, opposition leader DV Sadananda Gowda said he doesn't oppose the ban but the government should have suggested alternatives to farmers before banning it. "Karnataka contributes a major share to the country's total arecanut output," he said.
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