May 15, 2019
Chennai: 4.5 tonne mangoes seized in Koyambedu
Three shops sealed for violation of ripening norms.
Officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Market Management Committee (MMC) inspecting fruit shops in Koyambedu, in a bid to stop the practice of use of ethylene sachets by vendors for ripening of fruits
Chennai: Officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Market Management Committee (MMC) conducted a joint inspection at fruit shops in Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar on Tuesday.
The raid was carried out at around 12:30 pm in nearly 25 shops at Koyambedu. Three shops were sealed after the raids and around 4.5 tonnes of mangoes were seized for using ethylene sachets in direct contact with the fruits. Ethylene sachets were used for artificial ripening of mangoes. The seized fruits were destroyed at the Koyambedu biomethanation plant by the FSSAI and MMC officials. The total value of goods destroyed is estimated to be Rs. 3,15,000.
The FSSAI permits the use of 100 ppm of gaseous ethylene for artificial ripening. Ethylene sachets (containing three grams of powdered ethylene) are usually used by vendors for artificial ripening. According to FSSAI guidelines, one sachet of ethylene can be used to ripen five kilograms of fruit. These ethylene sachets, however, should not be placed in direct contact with the fruits. The fruits should either be covered in paper or the ethylene sachets should be placed in containers with air holes to prevent ethylene deposition on the fruits during ripening.
"The FSSAI has conducted several awareness programmes in the past and issued food safety guidelines to fruit and vegetable vendors. Even banners to this effect have been put up in these places. But, these shop owners have violated food safety norms and put consumers' health at risk. A notice has been served to these shops under Section 55 of IPC and a case will soon be filed against the offenders," said an FSSAI official who was part of the squad.
A similar raid was conducted at Ashok Nagar, 11th Avenue and around 530 kilograms of mangoes ripened by direct use of ethylene was seized and destroyed.
4500kg of artificially ripened mangoes seized
CHENNAI: Food safety and drug administration officials on Tuesday seized and destroyed 4.5 tonnes of mangoes artificially ripened using ethylene sachets from Ashok Nagar and Koyambedu.
In a raid carried along 11th Avenue in Ashok Nagar, a fruit vendor was found using ethylene sachets to ripen mangoes. “530kg of mangoes were seized ,” said an official.
The team of officials then went to the Koyambedu wholesale fruit market and raided 20 vendors, three of whom were found using ethylene powder to ripen mangoes. Sachets were dropped inside cartons in direct contact with the mangoes. “We seized nearly 4,000kg of mangoes that were then destroyed at the Koyambedu biomethanation plant,” said an official. The vendors were issued notices under section 50 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, he said.
Ethylene is used to ripen fruits such as mangoes inside chambers, but at controlled levels. Use of ethylene sachets in direct contact with mangoes, however, is dissuaded as quantity of the gas released cannot be regulated and fruits ripen within a day against the minimum 36 hours taken in a special chamber.
Consumers can identify artificially ripened fruits by the non-uniform colour. Health experts say artificially ripened fruits should be avoided as they can cause gastric trouble, stomach ulcers, and even cancer.
Common food additive may harm gut health: Study
Published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the study investigated the health impacts of food additive E171 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) which is used in high quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent.
While nanoparticles have been commonly used in medicines, foods, clothing, and other applications, the possible impacts of nanoparticles, especially their long term effects, are still poorly understood.
A common additive used in many food items such as chewing gum and mayonnaise may have a substantial and harmful influence on human gut health, a study has found.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the study investigated the health impacts of food additive E171 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) which is used in high quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent.
Found in more than 900 food products such as chewing gum and mayonnaise, E171 is consumed in high proportion everyday by the general population, said researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia.
The study in mice found that consumption of food containing E171 has an impact on the gut microbiota – the trillions of bacteria that inhabit the gut – which could trigger diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.
“The aim of this research is to stimulate discussions on new standards and regulations to ensure safe use of nanoparticles in Australia and globally,” said Associate Professor Wojciech Chrzanowski, from the University of Sydney.
While nanoparticles have been commonly used in medicines, foods, clothing, and other applications, the possible impacts of nanoparticles, especially their long term effects, are still poorly understood.
Titanium dioxide consumption has considerably increased in the last decade and has already been linked to several medical conditions, and although it is approved in food, there is insufficient evidence about its safety.
Increasing rates of dementia, auto-immune diseases, cancer metastasis, eczema, asthma, and autism are among a growing list of diseases that have been linked to soaring exposure to nanoparticles.
“It is well established that dietary composition has an impact on physiology and health, yet the role of food additives is poorly understood,” said Chrzanowski.
“There is increasing evidence that continuous exposure to nanoparticles has an impact on gut microbiota composition, and since gut microbiota is a gate keeper of our health, any changes to its function have an influence on overall health,” Chrzanowski said.
“This study presents pivotal evidence that consumption of food containing food additive E171 (titanium dioxide) affects gut microbiota as well as inflammation in the gut, which could lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer,” he said.
“Our research showed that titanium dioxide interacts with bacteria in the gut and impairs some of their functions which may result in the development of diseases,” said Associate Professor Laurence Macia from the University of Sydney.
“We are saying that its consumption should be better regulated by food authorities,” Macia said.
“This study investigated effects of titanium dioxide on gut health in mice and found that titanium dioxide did not change the composition of gut microbiota, but instead it affected bacteria activity and promoted their growth in a form of undesired biofilm.
Market checking in Kargil, fine imposed
Srinagar
An inspection team headed by Tehsildar Kargil Muhammad Salim Wazir and comprised of the members of the Enforcement Wing of FCS&CA, Inspector Food Safety, Municipal Committee and Police personnel conducted a market checking drive in various markets of Kargil town.
The spokesman said that drive was conducted from Fatima Chowk to Islamia School Chowk, Fruit Mandis of Kargil town and other business establishments.
The team thoroughly inspected more than 70 establishments and took stock of the hygienic conditions of food items like vegetables, fruits, meat and other food items available in the market. The charging of rates and other set standards were also checked.
During the course of the inspection, 10 business establishments were penalized on spot for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Essential Commodities Act. A fine of Rs 4700 was collected from the offenders on spot.
Huge quantity of stale fruits and vegetables were also seized and destroyed on spot.
The shopkeepers and traders were asked to display the rate list prominently at their establishments besides maintaining cleanliness.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has appealed all the traders to avoid black marketing or hoarding and warned of stern action against the violators under rules.
Specific directions have also been issued to the concerned officers to carry out frequent inspection and checking of the market so as to curb overcharging, black marketing, use of polythene and sale of substandard food items.
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