Nov 28, 2019
TN is good: Implementing food safety norms
CHENNAI: Though Tamil Nadu is among the 10 states that have performed well on the enforcement of food safety rules, the state was the worst performer in terms of “unsafe food” and “labeling defects.”
Even as the adulteration in milk rocks the state, official figures indicate that TN tops with 12.7 per cent share of unsafe samples in the country. Assam (8.9 per cent), Jharkhand (8.8), West Bengal (7.6) and Odisha (6.7 per cent) are among the top states with unsafe samples. When it comes to labeling defects in samples, TN accounts for the highest share of 18.5 per cent, followed by Jammu and Kashmir (17.8) and Punjab (15.6 per cent).
During 2018-19 fiscal, a total of 1,06,459 samples were analysed. While 3.7 per cent of these samples were found to be unsafe, 15.8 per cent were found to be sub-standard and 9 per cent samples had labelling defects. While, there should be zero tolerance to unsafe food, issue of sub-standard and labelling defects require greater efforts on capacity building of food businesses and food standards as well as labelling requirements.
Bad: Labelling defects accounts for 18.5%
There has been a 7 per cent increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18. It is said 25 per cent more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year. This shows that there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by States/UTs in the country, according to the data released by Food Regulator, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). There has been 36 per cent increase in civil cases launched and a 67 per cent increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed. The amount of penalty imposed has increased by 23 per cent during 2018-19 compared to the previous year. A total amount of `32.58 crore has been realised during 2018-19.
According to Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, more rigorous enforcement by states was essential to build public trust in food. He admitted that public trust has been eroded in recent times due to fake news creating widespread perception of large-scale adulteration in the country.
“FSSAI is working with states and UTs, particularly with weaker ones in this regard. For this, FSSAI is increasing the capacity of State food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to be better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas,” he said.
Poison on your plate
New report from food regulator comes as a shock to residents of Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: FOOD Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday dropped a bombshell saying over 45 per cent of food samples taken for study last year in Tamil Nadu did not meet the required standards with 12.7 % coming up as adulterated and unsafe for consumption.
While FSSAI report on National Milk Safety and Quality Survey released last month revealed the name of toxic contents in samples, the regulatory body has not mentioned the hazardous content in the samples.
However, the report noted that Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group of World Health Organisation has identified 31 food-borne hazards.
“The group has found that frequent causes of food-borne illness are diarrhoeal disease agents, particularly norovirus and Campylobacter spp,” the report said.
Organisms from cattle
“The samples mostly get adulterated because of organisms found in cattle and agriculture field. However, some samples may also contain chemicals used in the local market,” said a food safety officer.
The food regulator blamed the absence of food testing labs and inadequate enforcement authorities for poor quality.
While food safety officials remained tight-lipped on the names of food items, they said steps are being taken to increase vigil and promote hygienic practices among farmers and traders.
On Tuesday, TN Foodgrain Merchants' Association submitted a petition to Agricultural Production Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi seeking government intervention in protecting merchants.
Association state president S P Jayaprakasam told Express that most of the food items which failed the quality test, including foodgrains, vegetables, fruits are contaminated by fertilizers and chemicals used by farmers. "The FSSAI should release a detailed report of the samples," he said.
Cleaning the dairyIt is the right of the consumer to get pure milk
The tie-up of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with Punjab for its pilot project aimed at educating farmers on milk contaminants holds the promise of supplementing the government’s efforts. The pact will yield good practices by the suppliers if followed by stringent measures to ensure excellence of milk and milk products. In a bid to track the quality supplied by the unorganised vendors, the FSSAI also plans to certify their products after verification.
Incentives to the dairy farmers abiding by safety standards would hasten the process towards wholesome products. The phenomenal success of the cooperative model, Amul, pioneered by Verghese Kurien, holds the torchlight. He transformed India from a milk-deficit nation into the world’s largest milk producer by making the milkmen a partner in the company. The authorities endeavouring to clean the system would do well to remember his advice: ‘Any sensible government must learn to unleash the energy of its people and get them to perform instead of trying to get a bureaucracy to perform.’
FSSAI releases action plan for milk safety
Taking into consideration the results of both the surveys and available testing infrastructure, a 12-point action has been drawn up
On the occasion of ‘National Milk Day’, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released Action Plan for Safe and Quality milk and milk products
Subsequent to the release of national milk safety and quality survey report which revealed that only 7% milk samples had contaminants or adulterants that rendered such milk unsafe, FSSAI carried out a survey on milk products. The results of 399 samples analyzed so far (out of total 1048) indicate only quality and hygiene concerns in milk products. Major quality concern observed is adulteration with vegetable fats with no concern about presence of heavy metal contaminants. Microbiological concern observed relates to poor hygiene, while no bacterial pathogens have been found. The interim report will soon be published.
Taking into consideration the results of both the surveys and available testing infrastructure, a 12-point action has been drawn up to ensure safety and quality of milk and milk products in the country. These actions are broadly in three areas, namely – (1) testing and continued surveillance, (2) preventive and corrective action for implementation and monitoring; and, (3) consumer engagement.
For testing and continued surveillance and to upgrade testing infrastructure, several rapid testing and high-end precision test equipment have been provided to States/UTs. In addition, FSSAI has notified NABL accredited private and other public food laboratories for primary, regulatory and surveillance testing which can be used by the States/UTs to complement testing by the state laboratories.
As aflatoxin-M1 and antibiotic residues emerged as a major contaminant in milk, various preventive and corrective action are proposed for the stakeholders in milk sector. There is need for extensive capacity building at primary production levels for following Good Dairy Farming Practices through focused training programs in the areas of animal husbandry, animal health and Feed and nutrition.
FSSAI also noticed quality issues in milk mostly related to proportion of fat and solid non-fat (SNF) which varies widely by species and depends on breed as well as quality of feed and fodder. This can be improved by proper feeding of Cattle and adopting good farm practices.
The milk survey had revealed that even processed milk has both quality and safety concerns which is a serious matter. In this regard, FSSAI has developed and released a harmonized Scheme of Testing and Inspection (STI) to be adopted by dairy processing plants for the purpose of monitoring and self-compliance throughout their production chain in order to strengthen their internal controls.
FSSAI also emphasizes the dairy plants to undertake fortification of milk with Vitamins A and D which are lost during processing. Since milk is consumed by all population groups, fortification of milk with specified micronutrients is a good strategy to address micronutrient malnutrition.
To build up trust of consumers in safety and quality of milk, consumer awareness and engagement programs will be organized throughout the country. This will include dissemination of details about DART book, magic box containing simple tests to be performed at home to check adulteration in milk and Consumer guidance note on milk products. A guidance document on the Hygienic and Safe Practices for Handling of milk products will also be released. FSSAI has also undertaken a project under joint funding for comprehensive awareness campaign in Punjab through the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission for improved awareness and knowledge of adulterants in milk and milk products. Learning from this would be extended as well as replicated in different parts of the country based on the outcome and its impact.
Finally to address the unorganized sector which has a major share and to address the issue of raw milk quality, FSSAI would launch a “Verified Milk Vendors Scheme” where milk vendors can voluntarily register through online registration portal and would be provided photo-identity card and properly calibrated lactometer. Trainings would be imparted on clean milk practices with periodic sampling and testing of their milk. The hot spot areas identified would help stringent enforcement/surveillance activities. Food Safety Mitras will also be given a mandate to facilitate registration of these vendors at a very nominal cost. A dedicated portal will be created to facilitate these actions.
In order to implement the action plan effectively, regional workshops would be organized jointly by FSSAI, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), NDDB, NDRI and food safety departments of the States/UTs.
Assam bans ‘pan masala’, ‘gutka’ for a year
The ban, which comes into immediate effect, follows an order issued by the food safety department under clause (a) of Sub-section 2 of Section 30 of Food Safety and Security Act, 2006.
Besides ‘pan masala’ and ‘gutka’ any other chewing material containing tobacco or nicotine would also come under the purview of the ban in Assam
The Assam government has banned the manufacture, distribution, storage, sale, transportation and display of ‘pan masala’ and ‘gutka’, which contains tobacco and nicotine, for one year.
The ban, which comes into immediate effect, follows an order issued by the food safety department under clause (a) of Sub-section 2 of Section 30 of Food Safety and Security Act, 2006.
The notification signed by Assam’s commissioner of food safety said the prohibition comes under regulations 2, 3 and 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011.
Besides ‘pan masala’ and ‘gutka’ any other chewing material containing tobacco or nicotine would also come under the purview of the ban, the notification said.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) carried out in 2016-2017, the use of tobacco decreased in India from 34.6% to 28.6% but it increased in Assam from 39.3% to 48.2% in five years.
It added that in Assam 25.3% of men, 0.8% women and 13.3% of all adults smoke tobacco.
Additionally, 50.5% men, 32.5% women and 41.7% of all adults use smokeless tobacco.
Assam fails to ensure food safety
India’s food safety regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) says ten states have performed poorly including Assam
Assam and nine other states across India have failed to ensure food safety, raising concern over the health issues of their citizens.
A government statistics that could raise eyebrows of cross section of people, India’s food safety regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said ten states that have performed poorly include Assam, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telengana, and Uttarakhand.
As many as 515 food samples in Assam were tested in 2018-19.
The report has found 46 unsafe food, 48 sub standard food and 17 with labeling defects.
During the same year, Rs 77,000 have been imposed as penalties whereas 14 civil and seven criminal cases were also registered during the time.
However, no convictions took place during the same period.
The FSSAI said that many of the poorly performing states have not been able to put in place full-time officers for food safety and do not have proper food testing laboratories despite the food safety law coming into force over a decade ago.
The FSSAI has also identified ten states/UTs that have performed well.
The states are Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.
The regulator said that food safety issues extend beyond food adulteration as it is often believed by most people in India.
“Food borne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group of the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 31 food borne hazards,” the FSSAI said.
“In its first estimates of the incidence, mortality, and disease burden, this group has found that the global burden of food borne diseases (FBD) is comparable to those of the major infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis,” it added.
The most frequent causes of food borne illness were diarrheal disease agents, particularly noro virus and Campylobacter spp.
Diarrheal disease agents, especially non-typhoidal Salmonellaenterica, were also responsible for the majority of deaths due to FBD.
Other major causes of FBD deaths were Salmonella Typhi, Taenia solium and hepatitis A virus.
The global burden of FBD caused by the 31 hazards in 2010 was 33 million – Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs); children under five years old borne 40 per cent of this burden, although they represented only nine per cent of the global population.
These facts call for urgent action by all stakeholders to improve food safety throughout the food chain with more coordinated efforts and greater focus.
According to the data released by FSSAI, during the year 2018-19, a total of 1,06,459 samples were analysed.
While 3.7 per cent these samples were found to be unsafe, 15.8 per cent were found to be sub-standard and 9 percent samples had labelling defects.
This is the first year the data has been compiled for unsafe, substandard and labelling defects separately.
Officials believe that this would help support food safety authorities to take precise corrective and preventive action.
While, there should be zero tolerance to unsafe food, issue of sub-standard and labelling defects require greater efforts on capacity building of food businesses and food standards as well as labelling requirements.
There has been a seven per cent increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18.
Twenty five per cent more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year.
This shows that there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by states/UTs in the country.
There has been a 36 per cent increase in civil cases launched and a 67 per cent increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed.
The amount of penalty imposed has increased by 23 per cent during 2018-19 compared to the previous year.
A total amount of Rs. 32.58 crore has been realized during 2018-19.
As far as criminal cases are concerned, there has been 86 per cent increase in criminal cases launched.
Since the conclusion of criminal cases takes time, a total of 5198 cases were concluded during 2017-18 that included a backlog of previous years.
During the year there have been 701 convictions in criminal cases so far.
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