DINAKARAN NEWS

Threat of Microplastics looms large in groundwater

Kerala's action plan against trans fat within this week

According to Health Department authorities, the state will come out with an action-plan to combat the scourge of trans fat within this week.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to Health Department authorities, the state will come out with an action-plan to combat the scourge of trans fat within this week. A state-level committee formed for the task will also come out with a blueprint for setting up adequate infrastructure to analyse trans fat content in food items in the three state-run analytical food testing labs.

“The draft action-plan has been prepared. The state-level committee will now examine the same. It is expected that by this week we could finalize the same and roll out the campaign against trans fat,” said Dr Bipin Gopal, state nodal officer for non-communicable diseases.

Gopal said that the fight against trans fat in the state will be of a three-pronged strategy. In the first phase, a random sampling of food items for testing trans fat will be carried out in selected districts it will be followed by a meeting of stakeholders in which the findings of the sampling will be briefed to them and alternatives for trans fat will also be proposed. The enforcement comes in the last phase.

According to him, in a meeting convened with representatives of bakery association, pickle manufacturing association, catering association and hoteliers and restaurant association in the last week of January were sensitized about the ill effects of trans fat and to avoid the same.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Community Medicine Department of the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College (GMC) has begun a multi-pronged study on trans fat. The study aims to find the content of trans fatty acids, salt and sugar in snack foods, baked foods, and fried foods.

“The study is part of a nation-wide study mooted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) against trans fat. In south India, the Bangalore Medical College and Thiruvananthapuram GMC were the centres. The study will take time to complete,” said Dr P S Indu of Community Medicine Department GMC. It was following a finding that increased trans fatty acid consumption leads to adverse health impact, particularly cardiovascular diseases that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India decided to spearhead a campaign that could bring down the trans-fatty acid content in edible oils and vanaspati to two per cent from the current 5% by 2022.

According to WHO, trans fat intake leads to more than 5lakh deaths due to cardiovascular disease and it proposes the REPLACE strategy to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from the global food supply.

Garnering global support

The fight against trans fat in the state is bolstered by the support of the World Bank (WB), World Health Organization (WHO), and Vital Strategies- a US-based NGO.

FSDA pastes officers’ phone numbers on makeshift food stalls

Meerut: The Food Safety and Drugs Authority (FSDA) has pasted phone numbers of food safety officers on makeshift food stalls so that quality food is served and the space around is free of litter. Now, customers who find any adulterated food items being sold or any sanitation issues can directly contact the food officer concerned.

The FSDA authorities said unlike other eateries and food stores, it becomes difficult to keep a tab on makeshift stalls. Therefore, notices with the numbers of food safety officials have been pasted on such food stalls.

Archana Dheeran, designated officer, FSDA, Meerut, said, “In the backdrop of the instructions given by the state authorities, notices with contact numbers of food safety officers of that area have been pasted on the makeshift stalls and carts. The notices also have an advisory that if the customers have any problem with the sanitation or the food being served there, they may contact the food safety officer concerned.”

The move, officials say, is aimed at reducing cases of adulteration at food stalls and provide ways of keeping a tab on quality of food being served at roadside stalls.

“The city residents can also send pictures of adulterated food items — if any. Previously, the city residents complained that they did not have any contact number of FSDA officers when they wanted to complain about any adulterated item. But now, with such notices being pasted, things will become more transparent,” said Dheeran.

Private hospital canteen asked to shut shop

JAIPUR: A private canteen serving food in a private hospital was found functional without renewing its food licence, during an inspection by food safety officers of health department on Saturday. During the inspection, the officials found that the bottles of sauces and other items did not have labels of manufacturing and expiry dates.

Besides, there was no warning board of ‘tobacco prohibit area’ at the canteen. The officials said that fitness certificate of food handlers is necessary but the norms were flouted by the canteen. The fitness certificate is necessary to ward off risk of spread of infectious diseases. When food safety officers took up the matter with hospital administration, it assured action against the canteen. Within few hours, the hospital terminated the contract with the proprietor of the Jaipur-based Shree Shyam Green Chilli. Hospital gave three days’ time to canteen proprietor to vacate the space provided to it by the hospital administration.

Raipurians eat, gorge and repeat at this food festival

The Local Food Fest has brought with it the best of food and beverages from Chhattisgarh for Raipurians. With over 60 stalls showcasing the best of food from cafes, dhabas, street food, home cooks to fine dine, the fest is a foodie's paradise in Raipur.

The Local Food Fest has variety of dishes, food truck items, an assortment of beverages and amazing desserts and live performances to go with to make sure there is something for everyone and that all home kitchens in Raipur stay shut for 2 days.

The Local is an effort to bring to the fore, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs from the community. It is also a reflection of creativity in various forms and highlights the limitless manifestation of one’s artistic expression.

"After 5 successful editions of the same, we are starting a new chapter with The Local Food Fest, the first ever food festival in Chhattisgarh," reads the press release shared The Local Raipur.