Certification haze hits nutraceutical exporters

The Union commerce ministry has recently taken up the matter with the health ministry, which supervises the food standards Authority , on the immediate need to sort out the issues relating to export licences.

HYDERABAD: The lack of clarity on the certification process for their products has dealt a serious blow to Indian exporters of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, who are now unable to ship newer products abroad or renew licences for older ones. 

Since 2011, when India, which merged many Central Acts of various ministries to form the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India—there has been confusion on which authority is responsible for issuing the export certificates for supplements and nutraceuticals. Earlier, the export certificates were granted by various local authorities under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. 

Some 500 Indian companies, who collectively export about. 3,000 crore worth of products, are now finding the going increasingly tough as hundreds of licences issued before the new regime have expired and many dozen licences are set to lapse by the year end.

The Union commerce ministry has recently taken up the matter with the health ministry, which supervises the food standards Authority , on the immediate need to sort out the issues relating to export licences. 

PV Appaji, director general of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), said the nutraceutical companies need a "Certificate of Nutraceutical Product" and free sale certificate for exports, especially to regulated markets. India reported exports of . 79,500 crore ($14.5 billion) of pharmaceuticals, including dietary supplements and nutraceuticals , in 2012-13 .

"There has been a lot of uncertainty over the licensing authority , which is hampering our exports significantly. Some of our licences have already expired," said Akkshay G Mehta, managing director of Mumbai-based leading nutraceutical firm Mission Vivacare. 

Mehta said his company suffered a steep fall in export revenues over the past two years. He said the sector is growing at some 20 per cent a year now as against the potential of some 50 per cent. "The Indian nutraceuticals sector has a potential to reach exports of . 10,000-12 ,000 crore over the next five years." Though nutraceuticals sector is still evolving in India, globally it has an attractive market size of over $70 billion.

Formalin Found in Fish Samples from Other States: Government to HC

The state government has informed the Kerala High Court that the samples of fish brought from the neighbouring states and ice used as preservatives had the presence of formalin. 

The state government has informed the Kerala High Court that the samples of fish brought from the neighbouring states and ice used as preservatives had the presence of formalin.

The report was filed in response to a writ petition filed by advocate Basil Attipetty seeking a directive to restaurants and eateries in the state to sell food in terms of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules.

The state pointed out that a communication was sent to the food safety commissioners of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa to immediately take necessary steps to prevent such actions. The government said that it had ordered the closure of 18 ice plants across the state for not maintaining necessary standards. The officials of the food commissionerate had intensified inspections across the state. The commissioner of food safety had issued certain guidelines for hotels, bakeries, fast food units, drinking water suppliers and drinking water tanker lorries. Besides, special drive was conducted to ensure quality of drinking water and vegetables sold in the state.

As part of a special drive conducted during Onam season, two tanker lorries suspected to be carrying cheaper oils for adulterating coconut oil was confiscated and the license of the consignee firm was suspended.

The report said that the absence of scientific slaughter houses is a cause of concern, as the state is a major consumer of non-vegetarian foods.

DINAKARAN NEWS

SMC accuses Radio Kashmir of breach of conduct

'Profiles tainted companies for vested interests’

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has accused Radio Kashmir Srinagar of breach of conduct as it has broadcasted a program sponsored by a tainted company which was fined by the High Court in the case of food adulteration here recently.

After the program was broadcasted by Radio Kashmir on January 14, the Health Officer, SMC has written a letter to the registrar Judicial of the JK High Court pleading to take serious note of the ‘breach of conduct’ of a sub- Judice matter.

The corporations pleaded before the court that the action of the authorities of Radio Kashmir levelled wild allegations against a government institution in the said program with an intention to jeopardize the government stand in the matter.

In a letter to the high court the corporation has alleged that the Director General, Radio Kashmir Bashir Arif seems to have taken some extra personal interest in broad casting the programme as according to the corporation, the director has personally visited the field for interviewing.

Demanding action against the authorities of the Radio Kashmir, SMC said the authorities at the helm of affairs of the prestigious Station is most unfortunate and deplorable and speaks about the functioning of the Radio Kashmir which is supposed to honour and highlight the genuine Public concern of the masses.

It is to mention here that High Court besides fining three companies, had also directed government to give wide publicity in the print and electronic media about the suspected food items so as to create general awareness in the public for non use of these food items.

On January 14, RK broadcasted the program at 9:30 pm sponsored by Kanwal Agro Food Limited-one of the companies which was fined by the High Court in the case of Food adulteration.

On Dec 23, JK High Court had directed three food companies to deposit an amount of 10 crores each with Director Sher-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura within two weeks.

The directions came after petitioners Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub and TH Khawaja submitted before the court that some spices and milk has been found unsafe by the Central Food laboratory, Kolkatta.

The matter was hear in reference to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding food safety which is already in the court seeking directions to the state for enforcing Food Safety Standards Act, 2006 and rules made there under with reasonable promptitude.

However the apex court stayed the order of JK High Court for four weeks after the companies pleaded that they were not party to the case.

To issue licence, FDA goes door-to-door

THANE: The Food and Drug Administration, Konkan Division, has started camps as well as door-to-door drives for on-the-spot registration and licencing to help traders enlist themselves under the standard Food Safety Act by February 4. As per the government directives, the traders will be penalised if they do not get themselves registered before the deadline.

The state has directed all traders and shops dealing in food items to register themselves under the act by February 4. This will also be applicable for shops that require food license. Failure to procure registration number and license will result in fines and penalty.

The FDA has launched the registration and licensing drive with the support of NGOs, various trading associations and volunteers to reach out to more traders to achieve its target before February 4.

The camps are being held with the help of representatives of trading wings and volunteers under the supervision of food officers and FDA assistant commissioners. However, lack of manpower and machinery delayed the process and left many unregistered.

With this fresh initiative shop owners are given faster mode of registration and obtain of license at their doorstep.

While most traders are happy with the initiative, it has not gone down well with a few who raised their voices for being charged extra.

"We charge Rs 100 per year for registration and Rs 2,000 for licence on a yearly basis. For five years registration, one has to shell out Rs 500, and Rs 1,000 for licence for the same period for which we issue receiptsto the tune of Rs 10, 000 for which FDA issues receipts. We don't charge anything additionalWe tend to provide registration and license at the doorstep which is why the camps are being held," said S K Shere, joint commissioner of FDA, Konkan Division.

"I was asked to shell out Rs 50 extra for which no receipt was issued.

I paid Rs 500 for five-year term registration fees and Rs 300 for tatkal charges as I participated in the camp. I got the receipts for Rs 800 but didn't get the receipt for Rs 50. This is unfair. In the name of tatkal you can't fool people," said a vendor.

But others were happy to have the licence and registration certificate on the spotwithout running from pillar to post along the FDA corridor. "We are glad that we could procure spot certifications. Money is not an issuesince the volunteers are putting in a lot of effort to get the work done," said Manish Chhada, a businessman.

Clearing the air about extra charge, Pradip Raut, assistant commissioner, FDA, said, "The NGO and volunteers charge Rs 300 for the processing of documentation like filling forms, xerox and issuance of certificates, licences and loading the data online. The volunteers charge Rs 50 extra for doing all thisfor collecting the files, forms and documents from applicant's shop at their own risk and delivering the certificates and licences."

Hotels in a fix over new law

Under the new rules, hotel staff must handle food wearing gloves and use food-grade materials and utensils

Just two weeks from now, all hotels and eateries have to register under the union ministry of health. But they are hoping the HC stay will be extended

Raghavendra Cherkady, who runs the Ganesh Bhavan hotel in Hanumanthnagar, is one of the thousands of hotel owners who are rushing towards an inevitable deadline. All hotels and eateries in the state have to register under The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) by February 4, 2014 — a deadline set by the High Court of Karnataka. Once registered, hotels come under the new law and apart from the food they serve being subject to lab tests, they have a long list of guidelines to follow. These include all those who handle food to wear gloves and use food-grade materials and utensils.

Cherkady says, "This is inevitable. But if the law is implemented from day one, 90 per cent of food outlets in Bangalore will have to shut down."

Under FSSA, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established. All food business operators, which include hotels, have to obtain a licence and register with the authority. Hotels will stop being under the purview of the local bodies like BBMP and come directly under the central government.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association has once again approached the HC against this. Chandrashekar Hebbar of the association, said, "The case is being heard on January 23. Let us see what happens. The new law is too harsh,complex and difficult to follow. Prosecution and jail term is prescribed for so many things. If the vegetables we purchase turn out to be bad, we can be jailed.

"If people take food parcels and eat it hours later and find they had turned bad, a case can be filed against the hotel. Laws should be simple and penalty harsh. But if the law is complex and difficult, it will lead to corruption."It is not just hotels, but caterers, canteens (in educational institutions and offices), snack bars, and even food service at religious places that will come under the new law. Says Hebbar, "Where will all hotels get a lab technician? Else the food has to be tested in the authority's labs. But there are only four labs for Karnataka, including two in Bangalore."

The All India Hotels Association is planning a nation-wide strike on January 27. But the FSSAI is in no mood to extend the February 4 deadline. Cases have been filed against a few hotels already. But the hotels have decided to pay the fine instead of fighting the cases in court. Hebbar, said, "The old law has been repealed. But they are using the old law to file cases. Hotels will win if they go to court. But they did not want to complicate things and paid fines." Cherkady, says, "Large food processors and big hotels will not have a problem. The small hotels and eateries will feel the pinch. But no one will bother with road-side eateries."

Food contamination

Adulteration is a big issue in hotels. A hotel owner, says, "While a kg pepper costs Rs 500, pepper powder is available for Rs 300. This is nothing but adulterated stuff. Ajinomoto is another highly adulterated ingredient. Bush colour has to be used in proportion of 0.001 but you will find cooks just splashing it from the carton. There are hundreds of such things in the hotel industry and there is no doubt everyone is afraid." The Hotel Association's Hebbar, however, says, "There are always reports of people falling ill eating mid-day meals and in wedding feasts. But there is no single case of any person falling ill or dying from eating food in hotel."

The New guidelines

Here are a few samples of the several dozen guidelines under the new law:

All food handlers shall keep their fingernails trimmed, clean and wash their hands with soap, or detergent and water before commencing work and every time after using toilet. Scratching of body parts, hair shall be avoided during food handling processes.

Fridge should be cleaned at least once a week to remove stains, ice particles and food particles. The temperature in the fridge should be in the range of 4°C - 6°C.

Doors shall also be made of smooth and non-absorbent surfaces so that they are easy to clean and wherever necessary, disinfected.

A display board mentioning dos & don'ts for the workers shall be put up inside at a prominent place in the premise in English or in local language for everyone's understanding.

A well-equipped laboratory for testing of food materials /food for physical, microbiological and chemical analysis shall be in place inside the premises.

Air should not be blown into any tissue of animals slaughtered for food (air is blown into lungs of sheep).

Changing facilities and toilets compulsory in all hotels.

Everyone working with food products should get a medical certificate.

Separate knives, cutting boards and dishes should be used for meat products.

Surplus and unused thawed food to be discarded.

Personal hygiene of food handlers should be ensured.

Food-safety hazards in pork chain

 

RECENT RESEARCH PAPER HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH IMPLICATIONS 

A recent research paper on laboratory testing of pigs and pork in Nagaland for a range of infectious and non-infectious hazards to consumers has revealed substantial microbial contamination (accidental introduction of infectious material like bacteria or virus) as well as antibiotic residues (potential threat to direct toxicity in human). The study has also identified several important pathogens for the first time in the state. 

The descriptive pilot study published last month (December 24, 2013) in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) has also claimed it is the first risk-based assessment of food safety in Nagaland.

The paper was co-authored by nine experts and researchers - Anna Sophie Fahrion of Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Lanu Jamir and Simon Ao of Department of Veterinary and Animal Health, Nagaland; Kenivole Richa, Varijaksha P. Padmakumar, Ram Pratim Deka and Delia Grace of International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya; Sonuwara Begum of National Research Institute on Mithun, Jharnapani, Nagaland and Vilatuo Rutsa of NEPED, Kohima.

The study was carried out in November 2009 in Kohima district and the samples were taken at two important control points of the pork chain:

(a) Slaughterhouses from where faecal, blood samples were collected and lingual palpation performed on the fresh slaughtered pigs. 

(b) Butchers: 25 pork stalls were chosen by simple random sampling. Blood samples were taken from the vena cava during slaughtering process. 

Adopting a risk analysis framework, the study discussed some of the identified hazards and their proxies to characterize risks for pork borne disease.

The study said that based on questionnaire survey, pork consumers indicated that boiling of meat was the common method of preparing meat. 98% of the respondents cooked pork between 30 and 190 minutes. This meant that pork was well cooked and Enterobacteriaceae eliminated. 

However, there are chances for cross contamination. 57% of consumers reported white, rice grain like cysts in the meat they purchased.

Of the pork samples tested for this study, 4.5% contained traces of antibiotic residues. Heat treatment cannot eliminate the residues and the consumer is not able to mitigate the risk, said the study.

The study considered Enterobacteriaceae to be indicative of important hazards because this family includes Salmonella spp., toxigenic E. coli and other bacteria, which are known hazards. The two hazards chosen (T. solium and antibiotic residues) also have adverse effects on human health. 

The most common health effects of Enterobacteriaceae are gastro-intestinal illness. This is often most serious in young, old, pregnant and immune-compromised people. 

The study found that “levels of contamination with Enterobacteriaceae were unacceptably high at all steps along the value chain.” 

The paper also claimed that Nagaland had the highest density of pigs in India and highest pork consumption levels. 

The study found low microbiological quality. Only 25% of the samples had a satisfactory low level of total aerobic bacteria indicating poor handling and poor hygiene. 

However, the study also documented a number of practices that reduce risk including long cooking duration and typical consumption of pork within 12 hours of slaughter.

This study was the first to report Listeria spp., B. suis and Fasciola spp. eggs from swine and pork sampled in Nagaland. Infection with Listeria monocytogenes, an important food safety hazard and only pathogen in the genus Listeria spp., can lead to severe disease such as neurologic symptoms, meningitis, abortion and stillbirth. Listeria spp. are ubiquitous in the environment and are psychrotroph bacteria, said the research paper. 

The study found that slaughter places were an important source of contamination with faeces, lack of adequate water and waste disposal and poor practices by slaughterhouse workers. 

The research paper recommended training of slaughterhouse workers and butchers using peer-to-peer methods, in combination with improving consumer practices. 

The study was undertaken by International Livestock Research Institute and financially supported by Ratan Tata & Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust.

IMC carries out surprise checks in city food joints

Indore: A mobile court of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) on Saturday paid surprise visits at city hotels and restaurants to check compliance of food safety norms. 

The food safety officers and other employees of the IMC, under the directions of municipal magistrate checked kitchens and also served challans to 22 prominent hotels and restaurants of the city. 

The chief health officer of IMC, Dr DC Garg said that sudden inspection was planned in order to check hygiene and quality of food items being served to the customers. The inspection was carried out at the hotel and restaurants at Sarvate Bus Stand and in its vicinity. 

The major lapses noted by the food safety officers include adulterated and stale food items, negligence on maintaining hygiene in kitchens, unable to show license, improper water drainage system etc. 

The team destroyed a total of 250 kg adulterated food items on the spot during the inspection at various food joints. The prominent hotels and restaurants, where food safety officers swooped down include Hotel Gurukripa, Sri Gurukripa, Madni Restaurant, Indore Hotel, Shreeleela Hotel, Madni Darbar Hotel, Madni Hotel, Shree Leela Chaat House, Vijayshree Restaurant, Jain Puri Bhandar, Bhagat Ji Hotel, Nazar Hotel, Sai Prasad Bhojnalaya, Apna Hotel, Shri Jagdamba Restaurant, Shri Chaurasia Tea Stall, Jain Tea Stall, Manpasand Bhojnalaya, New Ghamandi Lassi and Tea Stall, Neelkamal Bhojnalaya, Sammaan Tea Stall and Shiv Kripa Bhojnayalaya. 

Dr Garg also said that on the directions of central zone of National Green Tribunal, food safety officers of the corporation has carried out campaign in different areas, including Gauri Nagar, Bhagirathpura etc to check use of sub-standard polythene bags. The teams seized nearly 25 kg sub-standard polythene and were adviced not to use them. "We have been raising awareness among the shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors not to use sub-standard polythene bags, as they lead to deaths of innocent animals," said Dr Garg.

SMC flouted rules, lied about sample testing?

Food adulteration row

SMC flouted rules, lied about sample testing?

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporations high flying and controversial Health Officer, Dr.Shafqat Khan is likely to face music over his role in the food adulteration row involving leading spice and milk brands of the valley. The documents accessed and in possession of The Kashmir Monitor show that SMC had issued contradictory statements about the seizure of samples and had overt stepped legal procedures while dealing with the matter.

In one document the SMC’s Health Officer has mentioned that the sample of Sounf powder was lifted from a Kiryana Shop at Nowshara Srinagar on 31/10/2013 while the seizure memo of the same sample shows the date of lifting as 30-09-2013,thus raising serious questions marks over the entire process of sampling.

Moreover, the document lying with Kashmir Monitor reveal that the report of the Food Analyst of the SMC in his report dated 10-10-2013 cleared the same sample as fit for consumption. If SMC had cleared the sample as OK then what was the need to go for retesting to Kolkatta?

Last Month, Srinagar Municipal Corporation had appealed people to refrain from using or consuming Saunf powder manufactured by M/S Kanwal Agro Food Industries calling it unsafe and hazardous for health.

So far none of the two companies have been served a formal notice by the government except public notices issued in local newspapers. Also so far there is no formal letter of complaint against the two companies on record and the SMC seems to have taken action unilaterally.

In a reply to SMC’s report, the manufacturer had blamed Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for trying to malign the image of the company. “The department has violated the norms as under section 47 (1) (a) which directs the concerned officer to serve the notice on Form VA to the manufacturer for lifting of the food samples,” Director Kanwal group of industries, Farooq Amin had said.

The group says that the sample has been mishandled while transferring it for the lab test. “Public Analyst Kashmir had termed it fit for consumption. But the SMC later sent the sample to a Kolkata based laboratory for further testing and during this time it was found adulterated. We are sure something is fishy”, the reply states.

Various reputed laboratories like ARBRO, FICCI Research and Analysis Centre and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research have given clean chit to Sounf powder.

Under section 47(1) (b) and rules of 2.4.1(10) (i) and (ii) the Food Safety Officer is required to lift the four parts of the sample, whereas the concerned food safety officer has collected only one packet of Sounf powder weighing 500gms for which payment has made, which is again in contravention of provisions of Food safety and Standards Act 2006 and rules that under as he was required to lift four packets of Sounf powder having same batch number.

While justifying the discrepancies in the reports, Health Officer SMC, Dr Shafqat Khan said that the said spice brand should approach to the court rather than complaining to the media. “There could be some clerical error but the laboratory report has mentioned that the powder is unsafe and hazardous for health that is more important,” he said.

“The matter is sub-judice in the HC; it is the wastage of exercise by publishing in the newspaper as it won’t help them,” Khan said.

FBO asked to comply with food safety rules

Dimapur, January 19 

In pursuance to the Food Safety and Standard (packaging and labeling) Regulation 2011, Chapter 1 of sub-rule 1.2 (1.2.1), the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (Food Safety) has directed all local food products/ home made food for sale, store, distribution for sells to properly seal their products in food grade plastic container or polythene.A press release issued by the Principal Director and Additional Food Safety Commissioner, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Neiphi Kire, said all concerned that such products should carry information on Name of food; Date of manufacture or packaging; ingredients used or added; Net weight/ volume/ number; lot number/ batch number/ code number; Best before; and Use-by date/ expiry date.

He said the information on the package should be duly printed and not through a sticker and registered their business under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations, 2011. It stated that non compliance to the directive would be an offence, punishable under the said Act and Rules.

Further, all Food Business Operators (FBO) in the State irrespective of urban and rural based food business operators are directed to obtain License or Register their food business under the said Act and Rules before February 4. It informed that application forms for licensing/ registration and other details could be obtained from the designated CMOs of the district on all working days. It said operating food business without a license or registration would attract penalty upto Rs 5 lakhs and imprisonment upto 6 months under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

Registration of food outlets made mandatory in Himachal

Sunday Jan 19, 2014, Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to make online licensing and registration of all food business establishments in the state mandatory from February 4 this year, an official spokesman said here.

“All food business operators including pansari shop, dhaba, restaurant, hotel, guest house, canteen, stall owners, meat shop owners, civil supply shop, wine shop, canteens of railway, airport, military and para-military, government and semi-government establishments, would have to register their businesses, besides getting online licence by February 4,” the spokesman said. He said those failing to register their establishments by February 4 would be imposed a fine of Rs 100 per day under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

HP Govt made mandatory Registration of Food Business Establishments

SHIMLA: The online Licensing and Registration of all Food Business Establishments in the State had been made mandatory by 4th February, 2014. 

A spokesman of the State Government said here today that all Food Business Operators including Pansari shop, Dhaba, Restaurant, Hotel, Guest House, Canteen, Stall owners, Milk and Egg shop owners, meat shop owners, Civil Supply shop, Store, Depot, Wine shop, Agriculture and Horticulture store/ depot, Railway, Airport, Military and Para Military food store/depot, Government and Semi Government and hospital Canteen and Catering business operators should register their business establishments besides getting online license by 4th February, 2014. 

He said that the food business operators who would not register their establishments by 4th February, 2014 would be fined Rs. 100 per day under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. He said that for more information one can contact in the office of District Health Officer and Food Security Officer in their respective districts. 

Registration mandatory for eateries in HP

Online licensing and registration of all food business establishments in Himachal Pradesh has been made mandatory and this should be done by February 4, this year.

A spokesman of the State Government said here that all food business operators, including pansari shops, dhabas, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, canteens, stall owners, milk and egg shop owners, meat shop owners, civil supply shops, stores, depots, wine shops, agriculture and horticulture store/depot, Railway, Airport, Military and paramilitary food store/depot, Government and semi-Government and hospital canteens and catering business operators should register their business establishments besides getting online licence by February 4.

Registration of food outlets made mandatory in Himachal

He said that the food business operators who would not register their establishments by February 4, 2014 would be fined Rs 100 per day under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to make online licensing and registration of all food business establishments in the state mandatory from February 4 this year, an official spokesman said here. 

"All food business operators including pansari shop, dhaba, restaurant, hotel, guest house, canteen, stall owners, meat shop owners, civil supply shop, wine shop, canteens of railway, airport, military and para-military, government and semi-government establishments, would have to register their businesses, besides getting online licence by February 4," the spokesman said. 

He said those failing to register their establishments by February 4 would be imposed a fine of Rs 100 per day under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. 

Himachal Food Registration

Online Licensing and Registration of all Food Business Establishments has been made mandatory in Himachal Pradesh from February 4, 2014. Failing to do so by given date would invite daily fine of Rs 100. Food business operators who would not register their establishments by February 4 would be fined Rs 100 per day under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

Food business sans license to attract penalties

DIMAPUR, JAN 18 (NPN): Directorate of health and family welfare has warned Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the state that running their business without obtaining mandatory license or registration would attract a penalty of Rs. 5 lakh and imprisonment up to 6 months under section 63 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

In a press released, principal director and additional food safety commissioner Dr. Neiphi Kire said all urban and rural based Food Business Operators in the state have been directed to obtain license or register their food business under Food Safety and Standards Act before February 4, 2014.

FBOs directed to obtain license, register food business before Feb 4

In pursuance of Food Safety and Standards (packaging and labeling) Regulation, 2011, chapter 1 of sub-rule 1.2 (1.2.1), Dr. Neiphi also directed all local food products/homemade food for sale, stores, distribution for sales were (a) to be properly sealed in food grade plastic container or polyethylene and carry information on the name of the food; (b) date of manufacture or packaging; ingredients used or added; (c) net weight/volume/number; (d) lot number/batch number/code number; (e) best before and use by date/expiry date.

The information on the package should be duly printed and not use a sticker. 

The business should be registered under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (packaging and labeling) Regulation, 2011. 

Non compliance to this directive would be an offence, punishable under the Act and Rules, said the press release. 

15,259 food business operators enrolled

A total of 15,259 food business operators from various parts of Tuticorin district have been enrolled in Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Of the total operators, 3, 963 food business units are being maintained by government agencies and 11, 296 are private operators, according to M. Jagadis Chandrabose, District Designated Officer, FSSAI.

As per the Food Safety Standards Act, 13, 936 operators have registered and 843 operators obtained licences until December, 2013.

Dr. Chandrabose said here on Saturday that registration and licencing of food business entities had become mandatory as per the Act.

Citing the necessity of completing such formalities, he said the Commissioner of Food Safety ordered that February 4, 2014 would be the last date for all food business operators to get themselves registered with the FSSAI.

Must comply with order

Food restaurants and food producers in the form of packing, wholesale business, distribution, retail, export and import must comply with the order.

Under this formality, food processors, road side eateries and platform vendors would also be liable either to register or obtain licences based on their annual turnover.

Any operator, whose annual turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakh, must register by paying a sum of Rs. 100 as registration fee and if an operator’s annual turnover is over Rs. 12 lakh, he or she must obtain licence, Dr. Chandrabose added.

Violators would have to pay a penalty of Rs.5 lakh and he might also undergo a six-month rigorous imprisonment according to the FSSAI. Hence, he appealed to the operators to access website: www.thhealth.org/foodsafety.html and also on www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in for registration and licensing.

Health Department all set to register liquor vends

Amritsar, January 18

With the state government bringing liquor vends under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Health Department is all set to register these. As the deadline for registration under the Act ends on February 4, the owners have been asked to apply at the earliest. 

District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said the Food and Drug Commissioner had earlier written a letter to the Excise and Taxation Department and had conveyed the development to it. He said all liquor shops with an annual turnover of over Rs 12 lakh were required to obtain a licence while those with a less turnover were required to get registered. 

He said around 650 food businesses in the city had so far obtained the licence. Kahlon said as the deadline for registration or getting the licence under the Act ended on February 4, the food businesses must hurry. 

Failure to register or obtain the licence would result in six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, said Kahlon, adding that all unregistered food businesses would be considered as illegal after the process for registration was complete on February 4. 

Dr Kahlon said the liquor contractors would have to file a separate application for each of the vends operated by them. 

The registration is mandatory for all food businesses involved at any stage of processing, manufacturing, catering or transportation. Kahlon said even karyana shops selling ingredients and chemist shops were required to register or obtain licence according to their annual turnover. 

Kahlon said as there were only few days left of the allotted time, the department was keen on registering more and more businesses. “The deadline for this had already been extended three times on separate occasions. And it is learnt that it will not be extended this time, so it is advisable that people must follow the instructions,” he said.

Weaning food nutritious, but not so palatable

An anganwadi worker holds up a package of weaning food mix, at an angawadi centre in Puducherry. 

For the past few years, young children have been given weaning food through Integrated Child Development Scheme to help improve their nutrition. These weaning supplements are provided in the form of powder that is rolled into a ‘laddoo’ and given to children. Unfortunately, despite being provided these supplements, many children in Puducherry refuse to eat the food.

In both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the lactating mothers and young children are given this weaning supplement, which is packed in plastic bags and given to the mothers once every 15 days. Between the State and the Union Territory, however, there is a world of difference.

In Puducherry, the weaning supplement is supplied through the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas Scheme, where individuals prepare the supplement given to anganwadis. Since there is no central kitchen to prepare these foods, there is very little consistency, former Coordinator for the Food and Nutrition Board Thirunavukkarasu said.

In Villupuram, however, all the weaning food is packaged under one roof at the Weaning Food Society in Chinna Salem. This ensures a certain amount of consistency in the packaging, he said.

The problem in Puducherry, however, is that many children that come to the anganwadi centres refuse to eat the weaning supplement that is provided, since it is lumpy. As a result, much of the food is wasted, one of the anganwadi workers, Saraswati, said. The Tamil Nadu anganwadi workers, however, did not seem to indicate that this was a problem.

“The children here are given 130 grams of the powder mixed with water as a laddoo at the centre itself. It is usually given as two or three laddoos, so the children do not struggle to eat it,” Uma a worker said.

The main difference between the two weaning supplements is the addition of ‘amylase’. With amylase, the amount of water is reduced and the children find it easier to digest the food, Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said.

In terms of nutritional values, however, the Puducherry version has more protein and more calories, which on paper seems ideal. In Tamil Nadu, the weaning food mix contains amylase. It has 52 per cent wheat and maize, 5 per cent amylase, 12 per cent roasted Bengal gram, 30 per cent jaggery and one per cent pre-mix which contains vitamins and minerals.

In Puducherry, on the other hand, there is no amylase added, and there is 40 per cent wheat, five per cent ragi, 25 per cent dried gram and 30 per cent jaggery. Since the amount of dried gram is higher, there is a higher protein content. But without amylase and maize, the mixture seems dry and tasteless, Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said.

Unless the situation is rectified, the provision of weaning food could be a total waste, he said.

(This story has been facilitated under the One World-POSHAN fellowship grant)

Preparation of weaning food not consistent; mix not easily digestible

Several business units yet to register under Food Safety Act

12,000 units need to be registered and 2,800 require licence 

Despite the one-year extension given for food business units to register themselves under the Food Safety and Standards Act, several traders engaged in the business in the district have failed to utilise the window and still seem to be reluctant to comply with the requirement.

As per the Act, all food business operators with a turnover of Rs. 12 lakh should obtain licence from the designated officer and those with turnover of below Rs. 12 lakh should register themselves with the respective food safety officer. 

Apart from hotels and restaurants, roadside eateries, grocers, and departmental stores selling food products, and meat stalls would have to register or obtain licence depending on the turnover. The Act was enforced through the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department which had a district-level designated officer and food safety officers across the district.

According to estimates, about 12,000 units engaged in the food sector in the district need to be registered and about 2,800 require licence. The deadline for the units to register themselves was extended by a year in February last year. With just about a couple of weeks to go for the extended deadline of February 4, enquiries revealed that many units were yet to register themselves. 

According to sources, about 7,200 units had registered so far and about 890 units had been issued licences. District officials had already held a series of awareness meetings across the district to sensitise traders to the provisions of the Act.

But with a few traders’ organisations making a bid to get a further extension of time, many traders are reluctant to go in for the registration. A delegation of the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu recently called on the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and urged him to either scrap the Act or extend the deadline. 

“We are hopeful that the Centre will extend the deadline and make appropriate changes in the Act so as to remove certain impractical rules,” Ve. Govindarajalu, treasurer of the organization, told The Hindu.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department officials were making good progress in registering government agencies, including ration shops, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies godowns, HR and CE Department temples and government hostels. 

The process of registration of all government agencies would be completed within a week or 10 days, said an officer of the department.

FDA registers 2,000 food businesses registered in 8 days

KOLHAPUR: As many as 2,000 food selling businesses in the district have registered themselves with the food and drugs administration (FDA) in the last eight days.

The body appealed to vendors to register and obtain licenses before February 4, failing which it will impose a fine up to Rs 5 lakh and a jail term for defaulters.

U S Vanjari the assistant commissioner of Kolhapur said, "We have received good response so far. The drive will be complete on February 4. We appealed to all food vendors and businesses to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006."

According to the act, all such businesses must be registered with FDA and must have license to operate. The businesses include grocery shops, hotels, stalls, canteens, roadside dhabas, sweet marts, commission agents, food processing units, vegetable merchants and other such agencies related to food.

Vanjari added that there are 27,000 businesses that are registered across the district, but many small businesses are not registered as they are unaware. "As per the act every business must be licensed. If a person is found operating a food business without license, he or she can be punished with a jail term of 6 months or fined Rs 5 lakh. If the business is unregistered, the fine is Rs 1 lakh," Vanjari added.

FDA will start another drive in February to review the status of food businesses. At that time, FDA will start taking action against defaulters, Vanjari added.

Among other administrative reasons, the main reason to make the registration and license compulsory is to ensure that food items are hygienic, healthy and without any impurities, he added.

In October last year, the FDA had seized adulterated edible oil worth Rs 1.05 crore as part of its drive against adulterated food products. Since then, however, the office has been busy in streamlining the food business licenses. At Kolhapur, the FDA has barely nine food inspectors to monitor the 27,000 registered businesses.

'15 % food business operators apply for licences, registration'

With two weeks left for the deadline of registration, only 15% food business operators have applied for licences or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

There are nearly one lakh food business operators in the district. The operators that fall under the Act are hotels, restaurants, canteens, dhabas, food carts, sweet shops, tea stalls, grocery stores, milk vendors and others involved in sale of any kind of food.

Talking to HT, district health officer Abnash Kumar said, “We are continuously making efforts and organising camps, so that registration can be done. Till Friday only 15% business operators from the district have applied for licence. We have organised a camp at Sherpur on Thursday and at Basti Jodhewal on Friday, where registrations were issued to only 150 operators.” 

He said, “During the camps we are receiving better response than before. So, we appeal the food business operators to visit our office or camps for registration and license to avoid inconvenience in future.”

Civil Surgeon Subash Batta said, “There are only a few educational institutes, schools and colleges which have got licences and most of the institutes have not applied till now.”

If operators fail to get registration or licence till February 4, a fine of Rs. 5 lakh will be imposed.

Fee structure per annum

Registration fee: Rs. 100

If the turnover is above Rs. 30 crore, the licence is issued by the Central Licensing Authority, and if it is below Rs. 30 crore, then the State Licensing Authority issues it.

Fee for licence issued by Central Licensing Authority: Rs. 7,500

Fee for licence issued by State Licensing Authority

Manufacturer or miller: Rs. 3,000-Rs 5,000

Hotels (3 star and above): Rs. 5,000

All food service providers, including restaurants/boarding houses, clubs, canteens (schools, colleges, office, institutions), caterers, banquet halls with food catering arrangements, and food vendors like dhabas or any other food business operator: Rs. 2000

Food Business Operators to obtain license/registration

Port Blair, Jan. 17: All Food Business Operators (FBOs) are informed that the Govt. of India has fixed 4th February 2014 as the deadline for obtaining license/registration under Food Safety & Standards Act 2006. As per Section 63 of FSS Act 2006 operating food business without license/registration attracts imprisonment for a term which may extend to six (6) months and also with a fine which may extend to five (5) lacs rupees.

All FBOs including Govt. department/office canteens, fruit vendors, vegetable vendors, fish vendors are requested to obtain licence/registration under FSS Act 2006 as per their annual turnover. 

FBOs with annual turnover of Rs.12 lacs and above shall be granted licenses and those FBOs with annual turnover below Rs.12 lacs shall be registered under the Act.

Formalin traces found in fish, Kerala HC told

The government on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that some samples of fish brought from outside the State and also the ice used as preservative were found to contain formalin traces on analysis.

In an action taken report filed by the Food Safety Commissioner on behalf of the State government, it had been pointed out that the food safety commissioners of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa had already been approached seeking immediate preventive action. 

The government said it had ordered closure of 18 ice plants across the State for their failure to maintain the necessary standards and hygiene. 

The report was filed in response to a writ petition filed by High Court lawyer Basil Attipetty, seeking a directive to restaurants and eateries to sell food in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules.

The report said the officials of the food commissionerate had intensified inspection to ensure that the public had safe food. 

The Food Safety Commissioner had issued certain guidelines for hotels, bakeries, fast food units, drinking water suppliers, and drinking water tanker lorries. Moreover, a special drive had been initiated to ensure quality of drinking water, vegetables, and other food sold in the State.

In a special drive during Onam, two tanker lorries suspected to be carrying cheaper oil for adulterating coconut oil had been confiscated and the licence of the consignee firm was suspended.

The report pointed out that absence of scientific slaughterhouses had been a major concern as the State was a major consumer of non-vegetarian food.

The Food Safety Commissioner had taken up the issue with the government for an immediate solution.

Apart from this, training was also being imparted to field officers to equip themselves with the latest developments in the food industry so that they could function effectively.

Only 46 cases of unsafe food in 18 months, govt in HC

KOCHI: In the past one-and-a-half years, a period in which a number of instances of food poisoning reported from different parts of the state, authorities could detect only 46 cases of unsafe food samples that warranted prosecution, the government has informed the high court.

The report also said presence of formalin was detected in fish brought in from other states. Food safety commissioners of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa have been asked to take necessary steps immediately to prevent such incidents. For not maintaining necessary standards and hygiene, 18 ice plants in the state were ordered to be closed, the government has submitted.

The government filed an action taken report (ATR) as directed by the court while considering a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking strict implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 (FSSA). The PIL was filed by advocate Basil Attipetty in the wake of death of a person allegedly after consuming 'shawarma' from a restaurant in Thiruvananthapuram.

According to FSSA, only restaurants that sell food that is unsafe or injurious to health need to face prosecution. If a person dies from consuming unsafe food, the manufacturer or seller can be sentenced to imprisonment that may extend up to a life term and fine of Rs 10 lakh. Sellers of substandard or misbranded food need only to pay a fine, the maximum being Rs 5 lakh.

Government's report to the court stated, "Since August 10, 2012, the date of filing the earlier ATR, 4,753 inspections have been conducted all over the state and 475 statutory samples were collected for analysis. Based on the analytical reports, steps are underway to initiate adjudication process and prosecution steps. Pursuant to analysis, 46 cases of unsafe food samples and 57 cases of substandard/misbranded food samples have been detected."

During the one-and-a-half year period, the government collected Rs 21.84 lakh as fine, the report said. A special drive was conducted in which 1,056 juice stalls were inspected. However, only three stalls were closed down, while 487 stalls were served with improvement notice and Rs 48,500 was collected as compounding fine for not maintaining hygienic conditions, government has informed.

Registration of food business operators made mandatory

Homemade pickle sold at a food stall in Dimapur.

Kohima, January 17: All Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the state irrespective of urban and rural based food business operators are directed to obtain license and register their food business under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, before February 4, 2014. 

Offenders shall attract penalty upto Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to 6 months.

While informing this in a press release, Dr. Neiphi Kire, principal director & additional food safety commissioner, directorate of health & family welfare, Nagaland added, “Operating food business without license or registration will attract penalty upto Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to 6 months under section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 

According to the Act, all Food Business Operators should be registered under FSSAI and obtain license. FBO includes hotels, permanent or temporary stallholders, hawkers, home based canteens, Dhabawalas, food manufacturers, processors, re-packers, food stalls arrangements in religious gatherings, slaughterhouses, storage houses, retail and wholesale traders, hostels, packaged drinking water units and so on.

Application forms for licensing/registration and other details can be obtained from the office of the Designated Officer (CMO) of the district on all working days.

Further, all food business involved in local food products and homemade food for sale, stores, distribution for sells are directed to properly seal the products in Food Grade plastic container or polyethylene. The product seal should carry the following information on the label: name of food; date of manufacture or packing; ingredients used or added; net weight, volume, number; lot number, batch number, code number; best before; use by date and expiry date.

This was informed in pursuance of Food Safety and Standards (packaging and labeling) Regulations 2011 chapter 1 of sub-rule 1.2 (1.2.1).

The information on the package shall be duly printed and not through a sticker. The concerned has to register their business under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules & regulation 2011. “Non-compliance to this directive would be an offence, punishable under the said Act and Rules,” Dr. Neiphi Kire said in the press release.

The measure will help the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, an agency of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, protect and promote public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

IIP’s conference demystifies packaging design, regulations, logistics and retail

The two-day packaging conference organised by Indian Institute of Packaging saw an enthusiastic start with an attendance of over 200 delegates at Hotel Shangri-La’s Eros, New Delhi on 17 January 2014.

In the keynote session, Asim Parekh of Coca Cola India discussed the challenges in packaging development with regards to changing retail environment. He shared few instances, in the modern retail environment, where convenience and customisation plays a significant role such as the initiative of personalised Coca Cola bottles and wallet Maaza bottle, which is ready to be launched all over India. Parekh said, “Thanks to the packaging fraternity, Coca Cola has been a successful unchanged product for last 26 years.”

The gist of Parekh’s presentation was that retail drives the behaviour of brand owners and influences packaging.

The second presentation highlighted the significance of packaging design. Tridha Gajjar, professor, NID Ahmedabad shared her views on design aspects of packaging: shapes, colour, surface graphics, printing technologies etc.

Gajjar demonstrated how selecting appropriate geometrical shapes can help in eliminating the dead space in packaging being transported and thereby reduce costs. Cylinderical ice-cream packs with perforations for easy opening and dispensing, portable-flexible-flatable pouches, packaging for Khakra among others were some of the packaging case-studies shared by Gajjar.

Radha Mohan Gupta, regional procurement director, Rickett Benckiser spoke on efficient distribution and logistics systems. In his presentation, Gupta explained the evolution of retail environment in India. “The initialisation of retail in India began in 1990s with factory retail outlets, the conceptualisation happened in a period from 1995 to 2005 and in next five years the retail industry in India saw expansion. Since 2010, it is in consolidation mode and this is fuelled by penetration in rural areas and FDI in multi-brand retail.”

According to Gupta, India is the fifth most attractive investment destination for organised retail in the world. Gupta spoke about the impact of retail on distribution and logistics. He stressed on the need of the supply chains to transform to demand chains, which are consumer focused.

The final presentation of the key-note session was hosted by Vinod Kotwal, director, FSSAI, government of India. Kotwal’s presentation focused on statutary regulation for consumer packaging. She spoke about Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSS). “FSS (packaging and labelling) regulation, 2011 lays down the packaging and labelling requirements for food products. The mandatory declarations made on label of food product as required must be in English or in Hindi. The label should not contain any information that is false, misleading and deceptive.”

All food products and ingredients and all food business are regulated by the new FSS Act 2006, which represents a new scientific based regulatory regime in India replacing the older Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

DINAMANI NEWS

Ghulam Nabi Azad assures traders to defer Food Safety and Standards Act

A delegation of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) meets Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday at his residence at New Delhi. 

New Delhi, January 16, 2014: A delegation of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) met Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday at his residence at New Delhi and while presenting a detailed memorandum on The Food Safety and Standards Act requested him to defer the Act for at least one year and constitute a Joint Committee of Senior Government Officials and Leaders of Trading Community to make an in depth study of the Act and to recommend the Government necessary amendments required to be made in the Act to make it simple and enabling easy compliance.

The CAIT delegation was led by its Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal and was comprised of prominent trade leaders from different States including A.M.Vikram Raja and K. Mohan from Tamilnadu, Ramesh Khanna from New Delhi, Mahesh Bakhai from Maharashtra, etc. K. V. Thangabalu, Member of Parliament also accompanied the delegation.

Azad while realising the fact that not only the small traders but even other sections of society which are connected with the issue are facing lot of harassment and corruption at the hands of the Inspectors of Government Departments in different States who are victimising the traders on pretext of certain provisions of the Act which are impracticable, has assured the delegation that he will defer the Act and will constitute a Joint Committee of Senior Officials and Trade Leaders to have a re-look at the said Act and suggest the amendments necessary to make it a law which can be comply easily. He also said that the Government wants a law to ensure good quality food available in the Country which may not prove to be hazardous for the health of people but at the same time it is not the intention of the Government to put traders or any other section into difficulties.

Prior to it the delegation presented an exhaustive memorandum to Azad detailing the provisions of the Act which are much detrimental to Indian Food business and other allied sectors. The delegation also apprised him that in spite of clear instructions of the Government to go lenient on the Act, the Inspectors in various States are extorting huge money from the traders on one pretext or the other. The traders are subject to lot of harassment, corruption and victimisation at the hands of Inspectors. In fact, there is more Inspector Rule prevailing in the Country which needs to have a check else the trade will be distorted to a great extent.

Food Safety Act will increase corruption, say grain merchants

The central government’s one of the most ambitious schemes to ensure availability of quality food products through Food Safety and Standard Rules 2011 is facing stiff resistance from the grain merchants. The traders will be launching an agitation from Friday. 

Indore grain merchants’ association claimed that the step will only increase corruption. As per the rules, 6 months imprisonment and penalty up to Rs 5 lakh on finding any merchant farming, selling or having the stock of substandard grains.

As per the rules, any merchant found cultivating, selling or having stock of substandard grains will get 6 months imprisonment and will have to pay a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh. 

“The rules state that no action will be taken against the farmers, who cultivate the crops of substandard quality. Besides, many times, the quality of crops gets affected due to use of fertilisers, weather and other reasons. However, if the traders/merchants purchase the same crops, they will be punished,” said Indore Grain Merchants’ Association president, Nandkishore Agrawal.

He said that keeping a check on the weather that often has adverse effects on the crops is not pragmatic.

He claimed that if the government wants to implement the rules without any changes then it should first provide such amenities and infrastructure that can help us in following such rules.

The president said that if they will not buy grains from the farmers to avoid action, the farmers will have to suffer huge loss. It will also lead to scarcity of the food grains in the market. 

The Merchants Association also raised objection on making it compulsorily to have the license for trade from February 4.

“We had launched a series of protests against these rules in 2012 and had only withdrawn the same on the CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s assurance,” he said. He added that as the government has decided to impose the rules from February 4, we will launch an agitation from Jan 17 by submitting a memorandum to the Mandi secretary and district collector seeking appropriate action.

The merchants will burn an effigy of the Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 at the Mandi compound on the next day and will stop buying the foodgrains of substandard quality from Jan 20, if no action is taken in this regard, added the president.

Ganja peddlers switch to selling gutka

CHENNAI: Many smugglers who used to deal with ganja have shifted to gutka and pan masala after its ban because of the lower risk and better returns. 

Inspections conducted by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drugs Administration has found that nearly half the number of shops in the city are selling banned tobacco products at inflated prices ever since the ban on sale of gutka and pan masala products was implemented in May 2013. 

Between June and December 2013, food administration officials conducted raids at 1,410 shops and found 686 shops with stocks of banned pan masala products. The department had seized 65 tonnes of banned products worth 2.24 crore from these shops in the same period. 

Food administration official said poor enforcement against banned chewable tobacco manufacturing units in other states is behind the gradual rise in smuggling. This has prompted some ganja peddlers to switch to these pan masala items. 

A senior food administration official said that a majority of these racketeers are based in the neighbouring states, and they smuggle in the goods using transport and parcel firms. "They have also started supplying these banned chewing products to retail shops in smaller quantities after a series of seizures of large quantities," the official said. 

In November last year, food administration officials seized 32.5 tonnes of banned tobacco products worth 1 crore from a transport firm in Royapuram. It had also instructed transport and parcel firms to stop transporting gutka and pan masala consignments from other states. 

Another official said poor coordination of the department with Southern railway, transport department, police and corporation has led to an increase in the illegal trade. "It's difficult to check each bag and consignment at railway stations and bus depots. Action happens often on specific tip-offs," he said. 

Ashok Modi, a resident of Sowcarpet said sale of these products is rampant in areas like Mint Street and Broadway. "The wholesalers earn huge profit after the ban, since they sell at a higher price and they don't have to pay tax. The banned stuff is easily available in our area," he said. 

Health experts said chewable tobacco is a major cause of mouth cancer, which constitutes the largest number of cancer cases among men in Tamil Nadu. A regular consumer says ban on tobacco products has not made any difference other than the increase in the price because of black marketing. "It's available everywhere in the city. But they are selling pan masala and chewing tobacco separately after the ban. It gives us the same taste and the kick of gutka," he said.

Foods that keep you young

Here are a few natural food items that can help you remain young and healthy 

Looking young is the foremost priority of most people these days. Not just women, even men are wary of ageing. Instead of using the number of anti-ageing creams that have flooded the markets, one can go the natural way and opt for fruits and vegetables to help fight all age-related problems. Here are a few superfoods that can help control ageing and make you look younger - 

1. Avocado - Apart from being high in Vitamin E, avocados are rich in antioxidants which help protect the skin. Avocados help in regenerating skin cells which makes your skin look fresh, giving a more youthful complexion. 

2. Kidney beans - These pulses are full of fibre and potassium which help reduce the cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of any heart disease. But their major health benefit is that they are packed with proteins. 

3. Dark chocolate - Any chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa is full of proteins and Vitamin B. Regular small bites into this chocolate will help burn fat and improve your skin and hair. 

4. Broccoli - Broccolis are a great source of fibre and Vitamin C which not only help control weight, but also help to fight heart diseases. 

5. Blueberries - Blueberries are rich in Vitamin C, which help in easy circulation of blood. Blueberries also contain certain minerals which help control the anti-ageing process. High in potassium, these berries help fight puffiness.

Hotels upset over hygiene raids

Kochi: The special ‘Operation Hot Water’ drive launched by the Ernakulam district panchayat and the health department against eateries and other food outlets has angered the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) which feels they are overstepping their duties.

Noting that with the enforcement of the Food Safety Act, the role of civic authorities has been restricted to checking sanitary and hygienic conditions of eateries, KHRA state general secretary , Jose Mohan warned the association would strongly protest the closure of hotels by the civic authorities and the health department.

“They have no legal right to inspect the quality of food served take samples or seize stale food. They can only check the general hygiene of eateries. Going by the provisions of the Food Safety Act, only a qualified food analyst can collect food samples,” he said.

District panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappally , however justified the drive, saying that Operation Hot Water was essential to curb the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. “Though the Food Safety Authority alone has the right to check the quality of food served, civic bodies can inspect the sanitation in eateries.

We planned the drive after water-borne diseases were reported from Pindimana and Pallarimangalam panchayats. Commercial ice used in the welcome drink served during a function in these areas had led to several cases of typhoid,” he added, regretting that many eateries that did not care for hygiene were affecting the health of the people who frequented them.

“ During the raid we found many hotels and bars e functioning in very poor hygiene conditions,” he said. District food safety officer, Ajith Kumar, when contacted by Deccan Chronicle, said only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had the right to cancel licences of eateries, and even so it acted with caution in the matter.

“Although the authority has the right to serve closure notice, such an extreme step is taken only in rare situations when a hotel is causing serious public health problems. Usually, we serve notices to eateries asking them to rectify things,” he explained.

Operation Hot Water Gathering Steam

The inspections on hotels and restaurants in the district as part of the ‘Operation Hot Water’ continued on Thursday. According to the District Medical Officer, inspections were conducted on 315 hotels in the district out of which two hotels were closed down. Another 100 hotels were served with notices.

The drive was launched on Wednesday and on day one, the authorities have inspected 548 hotels and closed down 12 facilities citing unhygienic conditions.The Operation Hot Water Mission was launched jointly by the Ernakulam District Panchayat and the Health Department. The major aim of the drive was to prevent epidemic outbreak and maintaining hygiene in eateries and food outlets in the district. The drive will be carried out till January 25.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) came out against the inspections. They said though the association is not against ‘Operation Hot Water’ drive, they will protest against the closing down of hotels.

“As per the Food Safety Act, only a food analyst can check the quality of the foods and collect food samples from hotels. All that the Health Department can do is check the hygienic conditions of the outlets. Here they are inspecting the quality of the food and are serving closure notices without proper quality check,” he added.

However, the representatives of local bodies said though the Food Safety Act has imposed certain restrictions on the role of local bodies, but still the power to check only hygienic conditions in eateries are vested with them.

“The Operation Hot Water was launched to prevent the outbreak of water borne diseases and other epidemics during the summer. Such cases were reported at Pindimana and Pallarimangalam panchayats in the district. Not only hotels we are also conducting inspections on ice factories and bakeries,” said district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappally.

The decision to launch the Operation Hot Water Drive was taken at a review meeting attended by Eldhose Kunnappilly, district medical officer Dr Haseena Mohammed, local body representatives and the heads of various departments concerned.

315 eateries raided on day 2 of sanitation drive

Health officials inspect the kitchen of a hotel in Kochi on Thursday. 

Raids on eateries in the district, codenamed “Operation Hot Water”, continued for the second day on Thursday. Of the 315 outlets raided, two were closed down (one each in Vengoor panchayat and Malippuram panchayat) and 100 of them were issued notices. Raids were conducted by a team of health officials as part of the sanitation drive to check the spread of communicable diseases.

The decision to conduct a 10-day raid was taken at a review meeting conducted by the District Panchayat, District Health authorities, people’s representatives and heads of various departments in the district.

On Wednesday, 548 places were raided. Twelve of the outlets were asked to close down while notices were served on 225 outlets. There were 71 inspection teams on the first day, while on the second day, there were 43 teams that went around the district.

On a drive to check water-borne diseases in the coming months, the Health teams inspected various wayside stalls selling watermelons, sugarcane juice, sip-ups, non-branded aerated drinks, and ice creams. Raids were also meant to check ice meant for preserving fish being used in other food items.

Action was taken against hotels, hostels, bars, toddy shops and petrol pumps that did not provide sanitised toilet facilities.

The raids were supervised by District Medical Officer Hasina Mohammed and district rural officer P.N. Srinivasan. Eldose Kunnapillil, District Panchayat President, in a statement, said that the raids would be intensified in the coming days.

NHC Foods to benefit from FSSAI ban on unpackaged and unbranded spices

NHC Foods could benefit from the implementation of a ban by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the sale of unbranded and unpackaged powdered spices and condiments. 

It also called for the adherence to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. 

The end consumer can now be assured of an unadulterated product, and would also be aware of the details of the product he is consuming.

Prices of white arecanut recover

Farmers, wholesale, and retail traders played a pivotal role in deciding the areca nut market.

After witnessing a downward trend last month believed to be due to reports over the Union government’s move to ban areca nut, prices of white areca nut (called chali) have recovered now.

The prices of ‘hale adike’ (old stocks of 2012-13 season harvested between November and March) which were hovering around Rs. 195 per kg till December 10 last month began to drop to reach Rs. 180 a kg in about ten days.

It was after December 10 that media began reporting about a letter (of September 6, 2013) written by an official of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India “…requesting to examine the scientific evidences on the harmful effects of areca nut with a view to initiating necessary action to classify areca nut as an injurious substance and accordingly prohibit its use as ingredient in any food product.” 

Following this there were debates and protests over the move to ban areca nut.

Ramesh Kainthaje, a member of G. V. Joshi committee on production cost of areca nut, a farmer and a close observer of areca nut market, said that following the reports there was panic flooding of areca nut to markets by farmers which pushed the prices down by Rs. 15 per kg. Prices began to go up after State ministers stated that it would not be banned and the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad (on December 27) stating that the move had been put on hold. Prices began to recover from the last week of December after farmers began to hold the produce, he said.

Price on Wednesday stood at Rs. 195-197 per kg, Mr. Kainthaje said.

He said when compared to the prices prevailing during the same period last year, the prices are up by Rs. 15 this year. 

Last January, the price of ‘hale adike’ was hovering around Rs. 185 per kg, he said.

Concurring with this M. Suresh Bhandary, managing director, the Central Areca nut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd. (Campco), said farmers, wholesale, and retail traders played a pivotal role in deciding areca nut market. 

The reports did shook farmers this time who released old stocks held by them. Farmers were apprehensive that like gutkha, the government indeed might ban areca nut.

Sridhar G Bhide, former president, Mangalore Agriculturists’ Sahakari Sangha and presently its director, said traders were behind the fluctuation in price. They made use of the advantage of the reports and brought the prices down. Traders played a pivotal role in it, he said.