Advise social media platforms to put in place system for tracking fake messages: FSSAI to MeitY

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has requested the ministry to "sensitise" social media platforms on the large-scale implications of such false propaganda, RS Prasad said.

Food safety regulator FSSAI has requested the IT ministry to ensure social media platforms put in place a mechanism to track fake messages with regard to safety and quality of food products, Parliament was informed.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said FSSAI, in a November 27 letter, expressed concern over circulation of false and malicious videos on various social media platforms regarding the safety and quality of food available in the country.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has requested the ministry to "sensitise" social media platforms on the large-scale implications of such false propaganda, Prasad said.

The regulator has also asked the ministry to advise social media platforms to put in place a system for tracking of messages so that such mischievous perpetrators could be brought to book and penal action can be initiated against them, he added.

Prasad said the government has taken several steps to target such fake videos and messages to take action against people for circulating such false content.

The minister said the government has already issued a notice to messaging platform WhatsApp in July this year on spread of fake news through its platform. WhatsApp, in its response, has conveyed a number of steps that it has taken to address the issue of fake news.

The government has been asking the Facebook-owned company to put in place a mechanism to curb fake messages on its platform, that incited mob fury earlier this year. More than a dozen people were killed across India this year in mob lynchings, fuelled by rumours circulated on WhatsApp.The rumours ranged from suspicion of stealing children to victims being believed to be killing cows. Riots were instigated by people forwarding and misinterpreting videos on WhatsApp.

Punjab food safety commissioner orders check on sale of open/loose spices, salt

The Food and Drug Administration commissioner of Punjab Friday directed food safety teams to check the sale of open/loose powdered spices, condiments and salt across the state.

"Under the provisions of Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2006, no person can sell powdered spices and condiments except 'under packed condition'," Food Safety Commissioner K S Pannu said in an official statement here.

According to the regulation, condiments and spices can be sold only if they are properly packaged and labelled.

"Therefore, all teams have been directed to be vigilant and to ensure that open and loose spices, condiments and salt are not sold in their respective areas of jurisdiction and to take action under the Food Safety & Standards Act against the defaulters," Pannu said.

He said it was not uncommon for ground spices to be adulterated with artificial colours, starch, chalk powder, etc., in order to increase their weight and enhance their appearance.

"The consumption of adulterated spices can cause a number of diseases, including skin allergies, liver disorders, etc. So, food safety teams have been directed to check the sale of unpackaged salt, spices and condiments," Pannu added.

Staple Food Fortification consultation organised

The scaling up staple food fortification conclave was very engaging consultation conducted in partnership with CII-GAIIN-FFRC-FSSAI– SBY. Fortification has proven to be an effective mechanism for tackling malnutrition.

Welcome and Opening Remarks were given by Rajesh Khare, Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Council & CEO, Evonne Industries Pvt Ltd. He highlighted that ‘Industry is cognizant of the fact that fortification is a good mechanism to tackle malnutrition’.

Talking about Staple Food Fortification: Enriching Foods, Enriching Lives Arijit Chakrabarty, Senior Project Manager, GAIN – Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition said, It is a relieving fact that today in India around 90 per cent of population uses iodized salt. But in earlier times it was not the case, that’s why there were more malnourished people at that time then present.

It is finding from a study that out of all the malnourished people of the world, India’s share is 35%. The reason for this is the food law in micronutrients. Fortification is simple, low cost and no risk so it is very beneficial for health point of view.

Deeksha Bhatt, Coordinator, Food Fortification Resource Centre, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India talked about the role of FSSAI in Creating an enabling environment to initiate and scale-up staple food fortification. FSSAI enables Consumer communication, Regulatory support, Production fortification, establishing and running NABL labs that were instrumental in encouraging 15 States and 13 UT to adopt food fortification. She detailed upon organizing the FSSAI Eat Right Mela in Delhi.