No relief for Nestle India as Bombay HC refuses to stay Maggi ban, next hearing on June 30

The Bombay high court on Friday provided no relief to Nestle India and said that its two-minute noodle brand, Maggi, should be off the shelves till the next hearing in the case.

The court was hearing a plea by the Indian arm of the Swiss multinational seeking a judicial review of the order by the food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), calling for the withdrawal of its top-selling nine variants of Maggi instant noodles on health issues.

A division bench of justice VM Kanade and justice BP Colabawala said the next hearing will be on June 30.

The HC also declined to stay order of food authorities banning nine variants of Maggi noodles and ordered FSSAI not to initiate further action and defer the proceeding for withdrawing product approval for Maggi.

The court has granted two weeks of time to the state, Centre and FSSAI to file a reply to Nestle's petition and its allegations of violation of principles of natural justice.

The FSSAI told the court despite being asked to withdraw, Maggi is still being found with retailers. Authorities also informed the HC they have independently tested 5 samples of Maggi and found that the lead content is more than the prescribed limit.

The court, however, questioned FSSAI over its prosecution of the brand ambassadors of Maggi.

Nestle had urged the court to quash the June 5 order of the food regulator asking the company to withdraw and recall its Maggi variants from the Indian market immediately as they were "hazardous to public health due to presence of lead more than permissible limits".- which the company complied with.

The order also directed Nestle to stop production, processing, import, distribution and sale of the "hazardous products" with immediate effect.

Similarly, the company has urged setting aside the order of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Maharashtra, banning the production and sale of Maggi products in the state since last Friday.

The company has contended that these orders fail to comply with the mandatory provisions of FSSAI Sec 34 which deals with emergency prohibition notices and orders, and that the orders were passed without any authority or following the due process of law.

Nestle further contended that these orders were illegal, arbitrary and violative of the principles of natural justice as well as the Indian constitution.

Nestle, in a filing with stock exchanges, had said earlier that it was also seeking a similar review of a June 6 order passed by the Food and Drug Administration of Maharashtra.

"At the same time, we are continuing the withdrawal of Maggi products. This action (moving the court) will not interfere with this (withdrawal) process. We shall proceed further as per the orders that may be passed by the Hon'ble Bombay high court," Nestle had said.

In technical terms, Nestle moved the court over issues pertaining to the interpretation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011.

Nestle had been ordered to withdraw Maggi by the food safety regulator after some samples were allegedly found to contain higher-than-permissible levels of lead - a premise that was rejected by the company, saying its own independent tests suggested otherwise.

Several states have also issued their own ban orders, even as the regulator widened its testing process to other brands of instant noodles and pasta with tastemaker.

'Maggi Not a Failed Product Thrust on a Third World Country,' Nestle Tells Bombay High Court

MUMBAI: Nestle India Ltd today told the Bombay High Court that the orders of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, or FSSI, banning nine variants of its popular "Maggi" noodles were "drastic" and "arbitrary."

Central and food authorities of several states had banned the product after tests revealed the noodles had more lead than permissible.

"Parents have been told that their children have been poisoned for 30 years. It's not a product which has failed safety standards and then thrust on a third world country. It is sold in other countries too. Maggi noodles are safe," senior counsel for the multinational Iqbal Chagla argued.

Mr Chagla also pointed out that the samples tested were manufactured in January 2014 and the "best before" expiry date was on 9 months. He, however, insisted that the samples were tested in January 2015, several months after they had expired. "Moreover, they were kept open to the elements from January 27th 2015 to March 31, 2015," he said.

Nestle's legal team also argued that it was not just a commercial issue, but also one of reputation since they had been found guilty as charged even before the showcause notice was given to them. While only 3 of the 9 variants had violated regulations, they argued, the FSSI banned other variants without even testing them. "Can powers be exercised in this cavalier manner?"

The court said since Nestle itself has withdrawn Maggi, there was no immediate question of staying the ban. Hence it asked the state and the Central governments to issue a 72-hour notice to the company if they indented to take coercive action.

Last week, as multiple states tested the noodles for high lead content and MSG, a taste-enhancer, Nestle announced that it was withdrawing the noodles temporarily from the Indian market, promising to be back soon. 

On the same day, the FSSAI issued orders to withdraw nine versions of Maggi instant noodles and alleged that lab reports showed the noodles were "unsafe for consumption".

Nestle has said the samples tested and found to contain excess lead in Uttar Pradesh, which started the controversy, had expired last November and had been left in the open from January to March.

The court has now given the state and central governments two weeks to file a reply. The matter has been posted for the next hearing on June 30.

Brands - a guarantee of food quality?

Brands play a lead role in ensuring food safety in supply chains.

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food”, quipped G.B Shaw. Perhaps this explains the reactions of various parties in the Maggi imbroglio. The instant noodle packets when tested in myriad of government labs revealed the presence of a taste enhancer, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or E-621 and lead over the permissible limits in a few states while it was found to be safe in Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal.

While the state apparatus appeared to regulate in haste as it banned and recalled all variants of Nestle noodles, the political executive emerged as the protector of consumer’s interests. A large number of consumers reduced the consumption of instant noodles as a whole, albeit reluctantly.

In the last one hundred years or so, the society’s understanding and perceptions of food have shifted radically—the origin of processed, packaged and convenience foods, artificial beverages and globalisation of food habits contributed to this change. In fact, our great-grannies would even refuse to label majority of our modern urban food items as edible.

Yet the concerns of the previous century regarding food remain unchanged even in the food supply chains of twenty first century. One is safety and another contributing directly to the first is perishability, leaving aside food security. Except for a small minority of people, we no longer consume food grown in our backyard. All of us as consumers obtain our food items through food supply chains The concerns are further compounded by metamorphosis of food supply chains leading to lesser visibility and traceability: from local to regional and national to global.

Technology plays an important role in extending the life of food by utilising cold chain or by mixing artificial or natural additives while processing and manufacturing food—stabilisers, preservatives, thickeners, acidity regulators to name a few.

How do brands assuage these concerns? Branded food items, fresh produce or processed, sold either under individual labels or by a retail brand store carry out an important function in the supply chain—assuring quality and safety. Anybody who has ever purchased loose milk from a milkman or milk vendor would attest to the difficulty of monitoring the extent of adulteration—the amount of water mixed in it and the amount of fat content—on a regular basis. Similar is the case while buying fresh fruits and vegetables. No wonder, the consumers prefer to buy branded loose milk from a Mother Dairy kiosk in Delhi or packaged milk in a poly pack sold pan-India by cooperatives like Amul to allay their fears. 

In the consumers mind, the onus for safety automatically shifts to the brand. As an inbuilt incentive, the brands ceaselessly reciprocate the trust reposed by the consumers, or else they suffer heavily. A small percentage decline in Maggi’s annual sales of around Rs.3,000 crore would cost Nestle dear notwithstanding the loss of good will—although its culpability cannot be fixed at this moment—even if it wins the legal battle. Nestle asserts that it does not add MSG but its traces could have been due to presence of glutamate from ingredients bought from other suppliers used in making of instant noodles. It may be right legally, but it dents the customers’ trust by seeming to evade responsibility for the final product.

Down the food supply chain at its base, the businesses interact with innumerable producers and do the job of inspecting, sorting and grading the items. Recording the origins of a single variety of items say apples or mangoes in terms of batches and lots but from different producers are critical, a task that only the best of supply chains are able to accomplish in part. At the apex of the chain, the consumers are the first to flag safety concerns. But if the source cannot be traced, a solution cannot be implemented. When branded food articles are sold either through organised retail or through a mom-and-pop store, the specific batches can be traced and quarantined. Maggi controversy has at least brought this aspect to the fore—brands do this task diligently and at the same time can be held accountable. 

On the other hand, in the labyrinthine food supply network are the smaller ad hoc supply chains that operate with impunity and flourish with lax standards. Without brand and records, you can hardly trace anything to its origin and visibility is limited. Regulating these supply chains poses a dilemma: If the state does too much, then we are back to inspector raj; if it does not, then we are waiting for a catastrophe to happen. More importantly, the Indian central and state regulators do not have the capacity to monitor food safety standards closely. In fact we are unable to even monitor the basic standards of hygiene—another dimension of food safety. Compare the wet markets and street food in India with those in Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Anyway, taking action against celebrities endorsing food brands or framing the issue as MNC vs. developing countries will not enhance food safety in supply chains. It will only create suspicion of ease of doing business or derail ‘Make in India’. Clarifying the ambiguous provisions in the rulebook, defining test procedures and implementing the statutes with a collaborative mindset alongside building capacity of the regulators only would strengthen safety in supply chains.

There is no supply chain as critical as food supply chain for nation’s wellbeing and prosperity: after all our lives depend on it.

In a Soup Again! The Story Behind MSG

For those of you who have gossiped over a bowl of Maggi in college, eaten it as a midnight snack or cozied up with it on a rainy day, we've got some disappointing news. The latest controversy in the food industry is regarding Maggi Noodles and the allegation that it contains excessive amounts of MSG. It all began when samples of Maggi noodles in UP were sent for testing by Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) to Kolkata’s referral laboratory and the result said that it contained added Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and excess of lead. While Nestle defends their stand by clarifying that the noodles contain naturally occurring glutamate and not added MSG, and that too, is only one per cent which is negligible as compared to the permissible level. So we bring you all that you need to know about the notorious taste enhancer.

Like thousands of Indians, if someone were to ask me my favourite cuisine I would instantly say Chinese food. Of course it's another story that when I say Chinese food, I am referring to the brand of Indian Chinese which is a unique genre of food altogether, with its own mix of spices and ingredients. But the Indian Chinese that you eat in a restaurant is not easy to replicate at home even though you may have used pretty much the same ingredients. No matter how much one tries, it’s impossible to revive those flavours.

In my stubborn quest for mastering the cuisine, I eventually discovered the secret ingredient that makes all those dishes such a great hit. The suggestion came from my own mother after hearing sob stories of my several failed attempts as she said, “Just add Ajinomoto. Simple.” And yes, it was that simple. Adding just a few crystals of the transparent ingredient managed to transform my noodles instantly into something extraordinary.

Though most of us know it as Ajinomoto, the secret ingredient is actually called Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). This case of mistaken identity is due to the fact that the brand has become bigger than the product, as the Japanese company who were the first to introduce MSG was called Ajinomoto. Ajinomoto means ‘essence of taste’ and the company did actually create a product true to its name, as it frequently causes a buzz across the globe, even though sometimes for the wrong reasons.

All From a Bowl of Soup

It is rightly said that a perfect dish is the coming together of all the ingredients in such a manner that each complements the other but doesn’t loses its own worth. Many years ago, a Japanese chemist called Kikunae Ikeda had discovered something unique while relishing his bowl of soup made by his wife who had used a type of seaweed called kelp to make a popular Japanese stock called dashi. Kelp or kombu has a distinct flavour but he couldn’t categorise it under sweet, salty, sour or bitter. Such was its impact on him that it eventually led to two things – the evolution of the fifth flavour known as umami and the rise of monosodium glutamate.

Ikeda’s year-long research revealed that the chemical basis of the umami flavour was a compound called sodium glutamate which was obtained from glutamic acid, that is naturally found in many ingredients. When the protein containing glutamic acid is broken down - by cooking, fermentation or ripening - it becomes glutamate.

He then went on to mass produce the compound in an attempt to enable the common people to make their everyday ordinary dishes more enjoyable by adding this extraordinary seasoning. Thus came in Ajinomoto.

While traditional recipes called for using natural ingredients but spending considerable amount of time extracting the umami flavour, the industrially purified glutamate salt was quick, easy, convenient and an instant flavour booster.

MSG, the Taste Enhancer

So how does MSG make food taste so good? The natural flavour enhancing abilities of glutamate in food varies greatly, but you’ll be surprised that it’s abundantly found in foods such as tomatoes, cheese, soybeans and dried mushrooms.

What MSG does is that it interacts with the other flavours (mainly salty and sour) and enhances the taste by triggering the umami receptors of your tastebuds. Try adding some dried mushrooms to your bowl of salad, a drizzle of soy sauce in your noodles or a sprinkling of parmesan on your pasta, and you have your umami experience right there. MSG also works extremely well with meat-based dishes, soups, stews and also stir-fried vegetables, rice or noodles.

Dried kelp

The Not So Good Side of MSG

After MGS was discovered in the 1900’s news of it spread across the globe and as people tasted it, they just couldn’t have enough of it. It was suddenly everywhere – processed meats, tinned food products like tuna and soups, salad dressings, snacks, ice cream, chewing gum, ready-to-eat products, frozen products, baby food, you name it!

But then the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome kicked in when people started feeling ill after consuming MSG in Chinese food. With more and more people experiencing similar symptoms post the consumption of MSG and the medico-academic industry publishing numerous reports of its ill effects, it took a major downfall. Some of the primary complaints were headache, flushing, sweating, facial pressure, numbness, chest pain, nausea and weakness. Some studies even found that it can cause brain damage as well as eye problems for children.

These reasons may have eventually led to MSG-containing foods being on the watch list. Perhaps the controversies around it will continue to fester, as food companies allege that there is no proper scientific data that has been found to support the various allegations.

Nestle takes FSSAI to court over Maggi

Maggi Imbroglio: The big picture

 

DINAMALAR NEWS

Delhi’s govt food safety lab: no staff, no tech, no accreditation

The Delhi tests did lead to a govt ban on the Nestle product, but it also exposed how the state of around 18 million people was woefully ill-equipped to manage a food safety crisis

The Delhi tests did lead to a government ban on the Nestle product, but it also exposed how the state of around 18 million people, and home to one of India’s bigger markets in processed foods, was woefully ill-equipped to manage a food safety crisis.

Written by Pritha Chatterjee | New Delhi | Updated: June 12, 2015 5:08 am

At the height of the Maggi Noodles furore last week, when labs across the country were sending their test results to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the central regulatory agency made it a point to praise Delhi’s “perfect reports”.

For officials in the national capital’s government food safety department, however, it was not exactly a matter of pride — to conduct these tests, they had to seek the help of a private lab for the first time. Reason: their only lab did not have the technology, expertise or even accreditation to do the job in time.

The Delhi tests did lead to a government ban on the Nestle product, but it also exposed how the state of around 18 million people, and home to one of India’s bigger markets in processed foods, was woefully ill-equipped to manage a food safety crisis.

Now, consider these: ”The Delhi state food laboratory is a level-one laboratory out of three levels recognised by the FSSAI. It can perform tests to trace the presence of chemicals, but not of microbial toxins, heavy metals or pesticide residue, all considered critical for food safety tests. So, for the first time, we approached a private lab and got the tests done under the supervision of a food safety analyst from our department,” a senior Delhi official told The Indian Express.

1. Delhi’s food safety lab was set up 37 years ago. It received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board of Laboratories (NABL) to conduct chemical tests in 2012 — the accreditation lapsed in 2014.

2. The lab does not have a food safety analyst, and is instead headed by a deputy analyst.

3. Of the ten posts for chemists, only three have been filled; there is no microbiologist; of six posts for technical assistants, only two have been filled.

4. In 2014, 1,489 samples were tested, but they did not include any processed, ready-to-eat product simply because the lab is not equipped to test them. It’s not just the lab, the plight of Delhi’s food safety department itself is hardly any better.

5. 12 food officers are needed to tackle the districts, Delhi has only six.

6. 32 food safety officers are needed to act as licensing authorities, Delhi has only 12 — at least one food safety officer is employed on VIP duty every day, with another on “stand by”.

7. The department is headed by a food commissioner. But the post of a special commissioner, the second in command, is vacant. Out of two posts for deputy commissioners, one is vacant.

8. In the last four years, the department sent a list of 2,000 vacancies at various levels to the Delhi State Subordinate Services Board (DSSSB), which conducts recruitments for the government. None of the posts have been filled.

Without NABL accreditation, the designated central referral lab for Delhi is Mysore’s Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), which also receives samples from Bihar, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Puducherry.

“Generally, samples are collected only on the basis of complaints, because we have a limited number of surveillance staff. First, we try to identify the genuine complaints. Then, for every product, four samples are collected — one sample is tested in our own lab, the other three are stored. After the results come in — within 20 days or one month — we notify the companies involved,” an official said.

If these companies raise objections to the tests, the second sample is sent to the referral lab in Mysore — the process takes another month, the official added.

In fact, Delhi’s non-accredited government lab is able to function only because of a “temporary sanction” allowed by the FSSAI.

According to Section 43 of the FSS Act of 2006, food safety tests can only be performed in NABL-accredited labs. But, as an official note dated July 5, 2011, sent by then FSSI director S S Ghonkrokta, stated: “However, from the interaction with the state governments it is clear that the process is likely to take some time…”

It was then decided that these labs, even if not accredited, “will continue to perform their functions”.

When contacted, Delhi’s Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that the government would upgrade the food safety department’s laboratory.

“We will make the laboratory at par with international standards after identifying the problems. Even on the Maggi issue, we made sure we got the best results. My officers have confirmed that the FSSAI mentioned our reports. There will be no compromise on testing of food,” Jain told The Indian Express.

However, this year’s budget of Rs 22 crore is woefully inadequate to get the equipment and manpower needed, said a food safety official.

After the Maggi row, the food safety department is preparing its first upgradation plan for the lab — costing around Rs 6 crore — to include tests for toxins, metals, and pesticides. Besides, the lab also needs standard kits for pesticide-testing and pure gases for pesticide residue analysis.

”The budget is minimal. But then, the reason that upgradation has not been done for so many years is not just lack of budgetary allocation.

We have not managed to fill the sanctioned posts for laboratory staff. The purchase of equipment would be futile without specialists to handle them,” the official said.

Driven to the wall, Delhi has now joined hands with FSSAI to implement a pilot project that will have five mobile labs conduct spot tests at retail and wholesale outlets, officials said.

The equipment and technical staff to perform the tests will be sourced from the private sector. “We do not have trained staff or manpower. So, food safety officers who are the licensing authorities will accompany these vans, while the staff and equipment will be provided by private players,” an official said.

Limca & Fanta bottlers issued notice for selling expired beverage

LUCKNOW: The Bulandshahr district administration on Thursday has issued "fresh notices" to Heinz and the bottlers of Limca and Fanta for selling substandard milk and beverages (which have crossed their expiry date) respectively. Additional district magistrate (administration) of Bulandshahr Vishal Singh said that the administration would continue its drive against the substandard and unsafe food and edible items in days to come.

ADM Vishal Singh, said, "On the basis of the standard of the mixed milk, the sample is about 31% deficient in milk fat, and hence is substandard. As a result, notice has been served to two persons/representatives of M/s Heinz Pvt Ltd under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006." He further stated that selling of substandard food item is a punishable offence under section 52 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Similarly, in the case of Limca and Fanta, even after their expiry dates, the ADM said, "The date of packaging of these bottles is October 19, 2011, and it was best to consume the beverages before April 18, 2012. Hence, it was found to be a case of misbranding." He further stated that when the officials of the bottling plant of Hindustan Coca Cola Ltd (based in Ghaziabad) were informed about this, they blamed the local distributors for the lapses, while the local distributors put the onus on the bottling plant. "They (company officials and distributors) were trying to transport these expired soft drinks to the rural areas, and planning to sell them, as the urban consumer is much more aware about these details than his rural counterpart," added Vishal Singh.

The notices have been served under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Both the companies have been given a week's time to submit their reply, and if they fail to give satisfactory responses, then cases under provisions of the CrPC may also be slapped on them.

On June 8 (Monday), it was the turn of Glucon-D - an energy drink to land in a soup, with insects being detected in 500 gram pack. Following the discovery of insects in the energy drink, the packet has been sent for further examination by the officials.

Confirming the development, food safety officer of Bulandshahr Shiv Dass told TOI, "A packet of the energy drink Glucon-D was purchased by Bablu from the Chowk Bazaar area of the district. After opening it, he found insects in the pack, and alerted us." The food safety officer further stated that 5 packets of the same batch were immediately confiscated from the said shop in Bulandshahr, and all of them have been sent for testing in the Lucknow laboratory. "The report of the Lucknow laboratory is expected to be out in one month's time," said Shiv Dass Singh.

Citing Bablu, the food safety officer also informed that Bablu along with his family members started vomiting after consuming the product, which was purchased almost two days back. "On subsequent examination, insects were found in the packet," said Shiv Dass Singh. Glucon-D is manufactured by the American pharmaceutical giant, HJ Heinz company, headquartered in Pennyslyvania.

After Maggi -- the two-minute noodle snack, it was the turn of Glucon-D - an energy drink, which rejuvenates the body to land in a soup, with insects being detected in 500 gram pack in Bulandshahr district of west Uttar Pradesh. Following the discovery of insects in the energy drink, the packet has been sent for further examination by the officials.

Confirming the development, food safety officer of Bulandshahr Shiv Dass told TOI, "A packet of the energy drink Glucon-D was purchased by Bablu from the Chowk Bazaar area of the district. After opening it, he found insects in the pack, and alerted us." The food safety officer further stated that 5 packets of the same batch were immediately confiscated from the said shop in Bulandshahr, and all of them have been sent for testing in the Lucknow laboratory. "The report of the Lucknow laboratory is expected to be out in one month's time," said Shiv Dass Singh.

Citing Bablu, the food safety officer also informed that Bablu along with his family members started vomiting after consuming the product, which was purchased almost two days back. "On subsequent examination, insects were found in the packet," said Shiv Dass Singh.

Glucon-D is manufactured by the American pharmaceutical giant, HJ Heinz company, headquartered in Pennyslyvania.

The development certainly comes as a shock for the consumers of such edible products in Uttar Pradesh. On March 10, 2014, a team-led by VK Pandey, designated officer food safety (Faizabad division) had collected a few maggi samples from one retailer in Barabanki.

He had sent the samples to test whether Nestle India was complying with its stated claim that Maggi doesn't contain MSG. In one test in Gorakhpur, it was proved that MSG was used more than the prescribed level.

Subsequent tests in Kolkata laboratory not only confirmed the presence of MSG in Maggi but also detected dangerously high lead content in the Maggi samples.

It was reported that Maggi samples were contained 17 parts per million against the permissible lead content of 0.01 parts per million. The discovery prompted authorities in other states of the country to determine if Maggi is safe.

Maggi noodles: tale of two test results

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India declared Maggi unsafe for consumption based on the report by Kolkata-based Central Food Laboratory

In contrast to Central Food Lab, a private facility says lead content within permissible levels

KOLKATA, JUNE 11: 

If there’s one thing that the entire Maggi ban fiasco has shown up, it is the difference in test results across two labs.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) declared Maggi unsafe for consumption based on the report by the Kolkata-based Central Food Laboratory.

But Nestle challenged the findings, based on test reports by the city-based Edward Food Research & Analysis Centre (EFRAC). The privately-run laboratory declared the lead content in the 800-odd samples of the instant noodles ‘within permissible limits’.

Central Food Laboratory officials refused to divulge details of the tests or the methodology followed. Questions relating to the alleged lapse of accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), also went unanswered.

“I have been specifically instructed not to talk to the media,” AK Adhikari, director CFL, toldBusinessLine.

Balwinder Bajwa, CEO, EFRAC, is however, clear: “I stand by my lab’s reports. We use the most advanced equipment and processes when it comes to food testing, in line with international standards,” he told BusinessLine.

He points out that it should not be made into a case of a private laboratory versus a government lab. The laboratory, he says, is accredited by 12 authorities including NABL. “We are as accredited as any other government laboratory. And there is nothing for us to hide,” he adds.

Testing process

According to Bajwa, while analysing the Maggi samples the laboratory had used ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), an advanced spectrometer that can trace heavy metals to the smallest level.

After this, the samples were prepared using a “microwave digestion” unit -- another advanced equipment. EFRAC did not use a silica crucible or borosilicate glass jar to avoid “lead contamination from external sources”.

The lab (EFRAC) also used “pure” nitric acid (500ml of which costs nearly ₹13,000, as against local varieties at ₹500); while preparing the samples. Use of local nitric acid might lead to variation in results because of presence of impurities, he said.

EFRAC also used ultra pure water, rather than regular/distilled water for tests.

The lab is equipped with software approved by the US FDA (Food and Drugs Administration). “The software is like a black-box in an aeroplane, where no manipulation is possible. [The] Results can be retrieved at any point of time to see whether procedures have been followed or not,” Bajwa said.

Objective process

According to him, to ensure neutrality of tests, the laboratory uses “bar coded” samples making it impossible for the laboratory personnel to identify the client. The name of the client is removed to avoid any manipulation or human intervention, he stressed. EFRAC, as per norms, keep ‘retention samples’ for further independent verification.

According to Bajwa, different methodologies of testing will give different results. “I am not commenting on what the other lab (Central Food Laboratory) did or did not do or should have done. But using even another set of apparatus such as a silica crucible or borosilicate glass jar can lead to a different set of results,” he adds.

Maggi will now go to CFL, Kolkata

Based on the FSSAI’s advice and the CFL report, further action would be taken, the Minister said.

The samples of Maggi noodles, already tested at the two National Accreditation Board for Testing (NABL)-certified laboratories in Bengaluru, are being sent for testing at the Central Food Laboratory (CFL) in Kolkata, said Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader here on Wednesday.

“As these are private laboratories, we want tests to be done by a government lab and hence we are sending it to the CFL in Kolkata,” Mr. Khader told presspersons. He said the two NABL-accredited laboratories have found traces of glutamic acid (a component of MSG) in the samples tested.

“We have sent both the reports to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and sought clarifications.” Based on the FSSAI’s advice and the CFL report, further action would be taken, the Minister said.

Three godowns sealed for using chemicals to ripen mango

Designated officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Hassan, have ordered closure of three fruit godowns for allegedly using calcium carbide for ripening mangoes.

Marulaiah and H.M. Basave Gowda, the designated officials, inspected on Tuesday the Karnataka Sapota Mandi in Pension Mohalla, AMS Fruit Point on Vallabhbhai Road and S.K. Fruit Mandi in the old Mutton Market here and sealed them on the charge of using chemicals to ripen fruits. The officials said the action was taken as per the Food Safety and Standards Act. Consumption of fruits ripened with chemicals was harmful to health, he said.

The designated officials have issued a circular stating that all shopkeepers in the district should stop selling Maggi noodles of the Nestle India. Stern action would be initiated against those not following the instruction, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Carbonate compounds in Amul milk samples

Meat lovers at bigger risk, say experts

If you thought pesticide poisoning was only present in vegetables and hence only a problem for vegetarians, think again. Experts say pesticide poisoning is far more dangerous in meat.

At each step of the food chain, concentration and therefore the toxicity of pesticides or other chemicals magnifies. Eating a chicken which has consumed pesticide-ridden grain is more dangerous than eating the same grain directly, say ecologists.“When a farmer sprays pesticide, each plant receives only a small portion of it. But when a cow or a goat eats a large amount of the plant, concentration of pesticides in them increases,“ said V Arun, an ecologist. Most pesticides used now, called persistentorganic pesticides (POP), contain chemicals like mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls which are sparingly soluble in water. “They are more easily absorbed by animals and humans than plants,“ said Arun. As POPs pass through cell membranes, they are trapped by lipids in body which cannot fully metabolize and excrete them. Over time, they accumulate and result in health hazards.

Noodles out, moms shop for new snacks

Possible veggie ban scares farmers

Nestle moves court against FSSAI orders

State to impose curbs on sale of pesticides to farmers

Prescriptions Needed To Buy Chemicals

Reacting to concerns about excessive use of pesticides on vegetable and fruit farms in Tamil Nadu, the state agricultural department has decided to impose restrictions on sale of pesticides and insecticides by private outlets.

Farmers, hereafter, will have to produce `prescriptions' or recommendations from local horticultural or agricultural officers to purchase pesticides from dealers. A formal order is expected soon. “Though the majority of farmers consult our field officers, insistence on prescriptions to purchase pesticides will heighten accountability, both that of our officials and farmers,“ said a senior official.

The department has also decided to insist that private pesticide retail outlets and government-run agricultural extension centres display lists of banned pesticides and insecticides to educate farmers.

These steps have been taken following a report from Kerala's food safety department which sent a team to inspect farms across nine districts in TN in May . The report cited indis criminate use of pesticides even three to five times more han the permissible limit.

Since TN is a major supplier of agricultural produce to Kera a, the latter has imposed curbs on movement of agri commodi ies from TN. It has also written o TN raising concerns abou unsafe agricultural practices.

The Kerala team's survey showed that chemicals which could have neurological or car cinogenic implications when sprayed in excess, were being used indiscriminately . Pesti cides such as furadan, mono chrottophos, acephate, poly rine are used by potato, carrot cabbage and banana growers . TN's agriculture department has therefore begun an ex ercise to ensure that field level officers keep a close watch on farming activities in their jurisdiction and also advise farmers on best practices.

While admitting to the prob lem, Cauvery Delta Farmers' Welfare Association general secretary S Ranganathan said, “The government's decision to introduce prescriptions for farmers is a welcome move.Such a monitoring mechanism will allay Kerala's fears. Irresponsible application of pesticides based on the advice of local pesticide traders should not be encouraged.“

TAKING STOCK - Just 1 lab in TN for pesticide test

STATE REFUTES KERALA'S CLAIMS OF EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICALS; SAYS WILL INTENSIFY AWARENESS DRIVE AMONG FARMERS

Horticulture forms an integral part of Tamil Nadu's economy . With around 11.4 lakh hectares of farmland, there was a yield of 191.32 lakh tonnes of horticul tural crop in the state in 2013-14 fiscal.

However, the state has just one pesticide residue testing laboratory, at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) in Coimbatore.

With more than 9,700 private pesticide outlets and 885 government-run agri-extension centres (that offers seeds, fertilisers and pesticides at subsidy) across the state, the lone pesticide residue testing laboratory can hardly be of any help to check excessive use of pesticides. Farmers, on the other hand, use bug killers indiscriminately owing to lack of knowledge on type and dosage to be used for specific crops. “Farmers don't know the consequences and even spray pesticides costing `7,000 per litre, thinking that higher the cost, better will be the result,“ said V Dhanapalan of TN Farmers' Association.

Amid Kerala's claims of excessive pesticide content in agricultural produce grown in Tamil Nadu, a high-level team comprising health minister C Vijayabaskar and health, agriculture and food safety officials met on Wednesday to take stock of the situation. Refuting the neighbourng state's charges, Tamil Nadu officials pointed out that a recent sampling test done by TNAU in Tirunel pling test done by TNAU in Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Salem, Dindigul, Ooty , Krishnagiri, Madurai, Trichy , Erode, Dharmapuri, Theni and Namakkal revealed that 43 of 51 produce samples showed no detectable level of pesticide residues.

Sources said that the agriculture department had decided to upgrade and modernise its testing laboratories to analyse pesticide residues in agricultural produce. Taking one step further, the government said farmers would have to produce prescriptions from horticultural or agricultural officers to purchase pesticides. “In the near future, dealers will be asked to issue bills with details about the crop for which the pesticide could be used. They will also have to furnish list of restricted and banned pesticides,“ said an official.

Awareness meeting for farmers and pesticide dealers on judicious and safe use of recommended pesticides. Often, farmers are unaware of which pesticide to use for each crop. Surprise checks would be intensified by a state-level squad. Government agencies, including Integrated Pesticide Management Centre in Trichy , claimed that adequate awareness was being created among shop owners. “Besides educating the farmers at farmers' field school, we have started sensitising pesticide vendors recently . We are also encouraging organic farming,“ plant protection officer of IPM M Uma Maheswari told TOI.

Many chemicals allowed at Cultivation stage

Furadan is one of the deadliest pesticides available in the Indian market. Known by its trade name of Carbofuran, this chemical causes neurological damage in humans and has been responsible for the deaths of millions of wild birds in many countries. Banned in Canada, the US and the European Union for its toxicity, this pesticide was found on red bananas grown in Nagercoil.

These are one of the many findings revealed in the 25-page report filed by the Kerala food safety commissioner report on excessive use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables by Tamil Nadu farmers. According to the report, prohibited chemical pesticide Monocrotophos was found on various vegetables and fruits like gooseberry , curry leaves, potato and garlic. This discovery was made when a three-member Kerala team visited a gooseberry and curry leaf farm in Dindigul between May 10 and 15. The team comprised joint commissioner of food safety K Anil Kumar, assistant commissioner of food safety D Sivakumar and research officer G Gopakumar. Highly toxic pesticides like Phorate and Phenovalarate were found in soil of potato and carrot fields in Ooty. Kerala authorities have expressed shock in their report on the use of “hormones, pesticides and micronutrients with heavy metals“ on a cucumber farm in Dindigul. “The horticulture department has issued guidelines on use of chemicals and fertilis ers, but these are never followed by the farmers,'' said the report.

Tamil Nadu horticulture officials admitted that Monocrotophos was prohibited, but other pesticides are allowed in prescribed limits. “They have collected samples from farms in the cultivation stage. At that stage majority of the chemicals are allowed,“ said a senior pesticide researcher on Tamil Nadu Agricultural University .

“They should have collected the samples from the markets, just before the consumption stage. That would have given credible data for pesticide level,“ said district secretary of TN Farmers' Association A Kandasamy .

DINAMALAR NEWS

Official seize adulterated groundnut oil, ghee

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போலி பெயரில் செயல்பட்ட 3 எண்ணெய் குடோன்களுக்கு சீல்

கொத் த வால் சா வடி, ஜூன் 12:

கொத் த வால் சா வடி பொம் முலு அப் ப யர் தெரு வில் உள்ள 3 எண் ணெய் குடோன் களில், உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை ஆய் வா ளர் கள் நேற்று அதி ரடி சோதனை நடத் தி னர். அப் போது அங்கு பிர பல நிறு வ னங் கள் பெயர் மற் றும் முத் திரை பதித்த ஏரா ள மான பிளாஸ் டிக் கவர் கள், லேபிள் கள் இருப் பது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது. மேலும், அந்த கவர் களில் எண் ணெய், நெய் ஆகி ய வற்றை அடைத்து, டின் களில் அடைத்து லேபிள் களை ஒட்டி மார்க் கெட்டில் விற் பது தெரி ய வந் தது.

இதை ய டுத்து அங் கி ருந்த சுமார் 1000 லிட்டர் எண் ணெய், நெய் ஆகி ய வற்றை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய் து குடோன் களுக்கு சீல் வைத் த னர். மேலும், குடோன் உரி மை யா ளர் முரு கன் என் ப வர் மீது கொத் த வால் சா வடி போலீ சில் புகார் செய் யப் பட்டது. போலீ சார் வழக் குப் ப திவு செய்து விசா ரிக் கின் றனா. கைப் பற் றப் பட்ட எண் ணெய், நெய் களின் மதிப்பு ₹5 லட் சம் என அதி கா ரி கள் தெரி வித் த னர்.

DINAMALAR NEWS

மாநகரில் சேகரிக்கப்பட்ட நெஸ்லே பால்பவுடர் பாக்கெட்களின் ஆய்வு முடிவுகள் 17ம் தேதி வெளியீடு

கோவை, ஜூன்.12:

கோவை யில் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்ட நெஸ்லே நிறு வ னத் தின் பால் ப வு டர் பாக் கெட்டில் லார்வா புழுக் கள் மற் றும் வண் டு கள் இருந் தது தொடர் பாக பெறப் பட்ட புகா ரின் 3 இடங் களில் மாதி ரி கள் சேக ரிக் கப் பட்டு ஆய் வுக்கு அனுப் பட்டது. இதன் முடி வு கள் வரும் 17ம் தேதி தெரி ய வ ரும் என வும் இதன் பின் னரே இது சாப் பிட உகந்தா என் பது குறித்து தெரி ய வ ரும் என உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் தெரி வித் துள் ள னர்.

ேகாவை புலி ய கு ளம் பகு தியை சேர்ந் த வர் பிரேம் ஆனந்த். கால் டாக்ஸி உரி மை யா ளர். இவர் குழந் தை களுக் காக கடந்த ஏப் ரல் 14ம் தேதி கோவை ராம நா த பு ரம் பகு தி யில் உள்ள டிபார்ட் மெண்ட் ஸ்டோ ரில் நெஸ்லே நிறு வ னத் தின் பால் ப வு டர் டின் வாங் கி யுள் ளார். இதனை குழந் தைக்கு கொடுக் கும் போது அதில் புழுக் கள் இருப் பதை பார்த்து அதிர்ச்சி அடைந் தார். பின் னர், பால் ப வு டரை சோத னைக்கு கொடுத் த போது பால் ப வு டர் சாப் பிட தகு தி யற் றது என வும், அதில் லார்வா புழுக் களும், வண் டு களும் இருப் ப தாக தெரி ய வந் தது. இது தொடர் பாக பிரேம் ஆனந்த் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அலு வ ல கத் தில் புகார் அளித் தார்.

இந்த புகா ரின் அடிப் ப டை யில் கோவை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அதி காரி கதி ர வன் உத் த ர வின் பேரில் கோவை யில் கண பதி, சூலூர், துடி ய லூர் ஆகிய பகு தி களில் உள்ள கடை களில் கடந்த 3ம் தேதி நடத் திய ஆய் வில் 4 பால் ப வு டர் பாக் கெட்டு கள் எடுக் கப் பட்டு சோத னைக்கு அனுப் பட்டது.

இது குறித்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அதி காரி கதி ர வன் கூறுை க யில், “பொது மக் களி டம் இருந்து நெஸ்லே நிறு வ னத் தின் பால் பவு டர் மீது புகார் மாநகரில் சேகரிக்கப்பட்ட நெஸ்லே பால்பவுடர் பாக்கெட்களின் ஆய்வு முடிவுகள் 17ம் தேதி வெளியீடு

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் நடவடிக்கை மாநகரில் 3 மாதத்தில் கார்பைடு கல் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்த 18 டன் மாம்பழங்கள் பறிமுதல்

 

கோவை, ஜுன், 12:

கோவை மாந க ரில் கடந்த 3 மாதத் தில் கார் பைடு கல் மூல மாக பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட 18 டன் மாம் ப ழங் களை உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அலு வ லர் கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் துள் ள னர்.

கோவைக்கு தமிழ் நாட்டில் சேலம், தேனி, பெரி ய கு ளம் உள் ளிட்ட பகு தி களில் இருந் தும், ஆந் திரா, கர் நா டகா மாநி லங் களில் இருந் தும் மாழ் ப ழங் கள் விற் ப னைக்கு வரு கின் றன. ஏப் ரல் முதல் ஜுன் மாதம் வரை மாம் ப ழம் சீசன் என் ப தால் கோவை மற் றும் சுற் றுப் புற பகு தி களுக்கு சரா ச ரி யாக 500 முதல் 800 டன் மாம் ப ழங் கள் வந் தன. ஏப் ரல், மே மாதங் களில் மாம் ப ழம் விற் பனை அமோ க மாக இருந் தது.

மாம் ப ழங் கள் இயற் கை யாக பழுக்க 10 முதல் 15 நாட் கள் வரை ஆகும். இதற்கு வியா பா ரி கள் வைக் கோ லில் மாம் ப ழங் களை கொட்டி புகை மூட்டி பழுக்க வைக் கும் முறையை கையாண்டு வரு கின் ற னர். சில வியா பா ரி கள் வெளி மா நி லங் கள், வெளி யூர் களில் இருந்து காய் க ளாக கொள் மு தல் செய்து கொண்டு வரும் மாங் காய் களை உட ன டி யாக விற் பனை செய் தி டும் நோக் கத் தில் கார் பைடு கற் கள் மூல மாக பழுக்க வைக் கும் முைறயை கையா ளு கின் ற னர். மாங் காய் கூடை, சாக் கு களில் கார் பைடு கல்லை வைத்து மூடி வைக் கும் போது, 1 முதல் 2 மணி நேரத் திற் குள் காய் கள் பழங் க ளாக மாறு கின் றன. இவை உட ன டி யாக விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் ப டு கின் றன.

கார் பைடு மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கும் மாம் ப ழங் களை உட் கொள் ப வர் களுக்கு வயிறு எரிச் சல், வயிற்று புண், அஜீ ரண கோளாறு உள் ளிட்ட உபா தை கள் ஏற் ப டும். இத னால், அரசு கார் பைடு கல் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் களுக்கு தடை விதித் தது. மேலும், அவற்றை தடுக்க நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கு மாறு உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி களுக்கு உத் த ர விட்டது. இதை தொடர்ந்து, கார் பைடு கல் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் களை உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி னர் கண் ட றிந்து பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித்து வரு கின் ற னர். கடந்த மார்ச் முதல் மே மாதம் வரை 3 மாதத் தில் கோவை மாந கர பகு தி களில் கார் பைடு கல் மூல மாக பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட 18 டன் மாம் ப ழங் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளன.

இது கு றித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர்.கதி ர வன் கூறி ய தா வது,

‘ கடந்த மார்ச் மாதம் முதல் மாம் ப ழம் சீசன் தொடங் கி ய தால், கோவை பகு தி களில் அதி க ள வில் மாம் ப ழங் கள் விற் ப னைக்கு கொண்டு வரப் பட்டது. கார் பைடு கல் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட மாம் பழ விற் ப னையை தவிர்க்க கோவை மாந க ரத் தில் உள்ள மாம் பழ விற் பனை கடை களில் அதி ரடி ரெய்டு நடத் தப் பட்டது.

இதில், குனி ய முத் தூர், உக் க டம், கெம் பட்டி காலனி, ஆர்.எஸ்.புரம் உழ வர் சந்தை, ஒண் டிப் பு தூர், சித்ரா உள் ளிட்ட பகு தி களில் கார் பைடு கல் மூலம் மாங் காய் களை பழுக்க வைக் கும் பணி யில் ஈடு பட்ட வியா பா ரி கள் கையும் கள வு மாக பிடி பட்ட னர். அவர் களி டம் இருந்து 18 டன் மாங் காய் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டன. அவை புதைக் கப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளன.’ என் றார்.

கண் டு பி டிப் பது எப் ப டி?

கார் பைடு கல் மூல மாக பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் கள் வெளிப் பு றத் தில் கனிந் தது போல மஞ் சள் நிறத் தில் காட் சி ய ளிக் கும். ஆனால், உள் பு றத் தில் காயா கவே இருக் கும். வழக் க மாக மாம் ப ழத் திற்கு உண் டான வாசனை கார் பைடு கல் லில் பழுத்த மாம் ப ழத் திற்கு இருக் காது. நுகர் வோர் கள் இந்த இரண்டு விஷ யங் களை கவ னித் தால் கார் பைடு கல் லில் பழுத்த மாம் ப ழங் களை வாங் கு வதை தவிர்க் க லாம்.