May 15, 2018
Food regulator finds antibotic resistance in animal food
Hyderabad: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated that allergic reactions and long-term resistance to antibiotics found in humans are caused by drug residues in animal products like muscle, liver, kidney and milk. The FSSAI has insisted that packaged frozen and live products be tested before being sent to the market.
These products are suspected to contain residues of medicines that are meant for human consumption, pesticides and veterinary drugs. The US FDA has listed the chemicals which are found in animal products and stated that each country must work towards controlling them. With the food industry in India growing at 17 per cent, the FSSAI wants laboratory tests conducted on animal products by the organised food sector; products from the unorganised sector must be randomly tested by state food inspectors.
The chemicals that have been listed as drug residues of veterinary antibiotics are cholramphenicol and beta lactams. Pesticide residues like organophosphates, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons and prethroids are also found in animal products.
A food inspector on condition of anonymity explained, “There are many growth hormones which are given to animals and the use is rampant. But to check this, there has to be a co-ordinated effort where all the three wings, the drug department, food and veterinary, must come together. Presently, it is working in isolation and the effect is not as desired.”
While the use in chicken and meat was widely reported after tests carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment, there have not been any regulations so far. Food analyst P Shastry explained “Chicken and other dairy animals are prone to diseases as they are kept together in groups. The antibiotics are used to control the diseases, but their abuse has to be restricted. There is also a demand for alternative and safe feed to tackle diseases in animals and birds.”
FSSAI is demanding that veterinary doctors must visit the farms to administer the medicines and help control the misuse of antibiotics.
Dr Dinesh Vohra, senior critical care specialist explained “The effect of this misuse is seen while treating critical patients as the highest levels of antibiotics have to be used. There are patients on whom the second, and even third generation antibiotics, are not found to work, making treatment extremely difficult. For this reason, identifying the drugs and controlling their use is most important.”
It has been noted that often the drug chemicals gets concentrated in animal food and despite heavy cooking, there is still a high concentration found. In India, FSSAI is now insisting on maintaining a manual of the drugs and identifying a list of chemicals which are found as residues. Experts state that this will pave the way for gauging their use in the dairy, poultry, animal and fish industry and accordingly control the production.
11 food samples collected from 2 city outlets
Ludhiana: Taking action against food adulteration, the district health department conducted raids and collected 11 food samples from two outlets in the city on Monday. District health officer Dr Andesh Kang and food safety officer Yogesh Kumar led the team of health officials for this raid.
The officials collected four samples from a pizza outlet in Sarabha Nagar, and seven samples were collected from the canteen of a private university on Ferozepur Road. The samples have been sent to the state laboratory, and the department concerned will get the report within 21 days.
Corporation health wing seizes 100kg stale fish from Palayam market
Stale fish seized from the market
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The health wing of corporation seized 100kg of stale fish, which was stored for sale at Connemara market here on Monday.
The stale fish was found stored inside a box filled with ice. The health wing was unable to identify the vendor who had stocked the stale fish. The fish was found during a routine morning inspection. “It must be around 5-6 days old. There is no proper cold storage facility and unsold fish are often stored in most unhygienic conditions,” the health official said. No fine could be slapped as the vendor could not be identified.
The fish would be disposed using the biogas plant at Palayam market. The official said that stale fish in such high quantity has been found at Palayam market after a long time. “Two years ago we had caught a meat vendor selling stale meat, however we have not come across instances where rotten fish was stocked in such huge quantities and then put up for sale,” the official said.
Palayam ward councillor Aisha Baker raised the issue of improving facilities at the market during the council meeting held here on Monday. Officials hinted that proper storage facilities are also being mooted in the market.
Food safety awareness kiosk opened in Pudukottai
Health Minister C.Vijaya Baskar inaugurating a food safety awareness kiosk at the Collector's Office in Pudukottai on Monday.
The Department of Food Safety was taking steps to raise awareness on adulteration in food products and commodities by establishing kiosks at places of public congregation across the State, Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar said here on Monday.
Inaugurating a food safety kiosk at the Collector’s Office here, he said such kiosks were being opened at various places in all districts. One of the important objective of the kiosks was to raise awareness on the food products best suited for summer and those to be avoided.
Demonstrations on simple techniques to detect adulteration in some of the commonly used food products and commodities would also be conducted at the kiosks, manned by trained self-help group members, he said.
He also added that mobile awareness teams were being pressed into service to sensitise people.
The Minister called upon people to lodge complaints with respect to quality of food products in the dedicated telephone line of 9444042322.
Shambu Kallolikar, Managing Director, TN Slum Clearance Board and Monitoring Officer of the district, S. Ganesh, Collector, and other officials were present.
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