Jun 25, 2018
Kerala Food Safety Department vows to intensify inspections at checkposts
With the state witnessing an influx of fish consignments with the highly hazardous chemical, the FSD is weighing the option of a joint enforcement drive.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the state witnessing an influx of fish consignments from neighbouring states with the highly hazardous chemical, formalin, the Food Safety Department is weighing the option of a joint enforcement drive with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.
The Tamil Nadu Food Safety commissioner P Amudha has reportedly already extended her support for a joint drive. “A total of 18,000 kg of inedible fish has been confiscated in the state in four days,” said an enforcement officer. “These consignments came from AP and Tamil Nadu. In this context, there is a plan to seek the assistance of officers from neighbouring states.”
But Kerala Food Safety commissioner M G Rajamanickam played down the matter. According to him, stringent monitoring and enforcement activities will be launched to check the influx of inedible fish. “More than joint drives, our priority is to intensify inspections at checkposts, as within a gap of four days we were able to seize 12,000 kg of fish containing formalin traces and 6,000 kg of rotten fish from checkposts in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad districts,” he said.
He said with the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) planning to introduce the paper strip technology on a large scale for use by the public. “Ours is a consumer state. Thus, we can’t enforce a ban on fish consignments from other states. When CIFT starts producing paper strips on a large scale, the public can buy it at about `3 and test the quality of fish themselves,” said Rajamanickam.
At the same time, assistant food safety commissioner A K Mini said the Health Minister has already issued an instruction to the department to strictly enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act and conduct surprise checks in the wake of the trawling ban.
Formalin-laced fish seized
The State Food Safety wing officials during inspection on Sunday seized 6,000 kg of fish preserved using formalin (formaldehyde) at the inter-State border check-post at Walayar in Palakkad.
The seized fish — prawn/shrimp — had been brought in from Andhra Pradesh and preliminary examination using rapid detection strip tests, developed by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), revealed the presence of formalin in the fish.
Detailed analysis
Following this, samples were collected and sent for detailed analysis at the CIFT lab in Ernakulam, food safety officials said.
The inspections, as part of Operation Sagar Rani, were led by the Joint Food Safety Commissioner (Administration), along with a team of food safety intelligence officials from Kozhikode and Ernakulam and the district food safety squad in Palakkad. The team inspected 45 vehicles that were found to be transporting fish. Operation Sagar Rani had been launched by the Food Safety department last year to ensure the safety of fish sold in the market and to ensure that it was handled hygienically at the handling and distribution centres.
“Whenever the domestic availability of fish goes down during trawling ban in the State, we should suspect that such unscrupulous methods would be used to bring in fish from neighbouring States. Ammonia and formaldehyde are commonly used to increase the shelf life of fish. The strip test developed by CIFT can detect both chemicals,” said K. Anilkumar, Joint Commissioner of Food Safety.
Food Safety officials suspect that toxic preservatives are being used by people/traders in Kerala who are importing fish from neighbouring States. It is highly unlikely that traders from Andhra Pradesh are directly selling fish in Kerala after preserving it in formalin, they say.
Earlier too, the food safety wing has tried to monitor the quality of fish in the market by collecting samples and sending it for analysis .
“But at the time, rapid detection tests were not available. We had to collect samples and let the consignment go. By the time sample tests results arrived, the fish would have been sold in the retail market. About 16 % of the samples we were sending to the lab were later found to be contaminated. The rapid detection test kits were developed by CIFT in November last following a request from the State Fisheries department and we had purchased it,” Mr. Anilkumar said. Food Safety wing is planning to extend the use of the test kits to the retail markets too.
Senior officials said that the Commissioner of Food Safety department was in touch with his counterparts in other States too regarding the import of contamination of fish.
China-made mango ripener being used in UP; health experts raise an alarm
Muzaffarnagar: Even as most of the fruit lovers wait for the summer season to relish mangoes, the fresh crop of king of fruits has arrived in the state with some serious health concerns. China-made ethylene mango ripener – which ripens the fruit overnight after a sachet of the powder is kept inside a carton of mangoes – is being used openly in the mango farms here. While the food authorities have conducted raids and seized some of these sachets which has been sent for tests, the powder continues to be used at many mango farms in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, health experts have raised an alarm, saying that mangoes ripened with ethylene powder may damage liver and kidney of those who consume them regularly. Doctors have said kids are especially at greater risk in cases where the sachets have been used in excess.
A farmer working at a mango orchard in Muzaffarnagar explained, “It is a chemical made in China – which is available in small sachets. We use four sachets for 20-25 kg of mangoes and it takes hardly four days to ripen them after the sachets are put in a carton full of mangoes.”
Sources say that ethylene mango ripener can be purchased from the market, where it is easily available at the price of Rs 2.5 per sachet.
The Food Safety and Drugs Authority (FSDA) officials have taken its samples from across the state and sent it for tests. “We have taken samples of the Chinese ethylene ripener from across the state after we got a tip-off that it is being used to ripen mangoes in UP. We conducted raids too,” said Vineet Kumar, designated officer, FSDA, Muzaffarnagar.
“We are waiting for the lab report before taking further action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muzaffarnagar chief medical officer Dr PS Mishra said, “The mangoes ripened with ethylene powder are harmful for health and can infect various organs – especially among children. It can cause damage to liver and kidney and a drive to curb the usage of ethylene powder is on.”
It should be noted that ethylene gas chambers are often used to ripen fruits, but there no clarity as of yet on the safety of ethylene sachets. Earlier, cases of ethylene sachets being used have come up in Coimbatore, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh – and even raids were conducted, but clarity about the usage of these sachets in contrast with usage of the gas (which is permitted by FSSAI) is still not there.
Mandi board, health dept spread awareness on artificial ripening of fruits
LUDHIANA: As a drive has already been underway to check use of chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits, the Punjab Mandi Board, health and horticulturedepartments have taken an initiative to spread awareness among all those associated with the business.
A seminar was organized in new vegetable market near Jalandhar bypass which was attended by more than 80 people who directly deal in fruits and vegetable business.
Punjab Mandi Board’s project director Gurinder Pal Singh Randhawa talked about the ban on calcium carbide, a harmful chemical mostly used in artificial ripening of fruits. Further, Dr B V C Mahajan from PAU made them aware of the use of ethylenegas.
Horticulture development officer Dr Harmel Singh informed participants about subsidy being offered to set up cold storage under the national horticulture mission.
District health officer Dr Andesh Kang explained them in detail about the various aspects of Food Safety Act and steps being taken by the department. She said the department has also destroyed huge quantity of unnaturally ripened fruits recently in this checking drive and collected the samples.
She said this drive would be continued in the coming days and stern action would be taken against the traders, who are indulging in the practice of ripening the fruits artificially by using chemicals.
Rs 10 lakh fine, life term proposed for food adulteration
NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has proposed stringent punishment of fine of Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment up to life term for those adulterating foodstuff. Besides, the regulator has also suggested creating a 'Food Safety and Nutrition Fund' to support promotional and outreach activities among food businesses and consumers.
The proposals are part of key changes recommended by FSSAI to amend the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The draft proposal, reviewed by TOI , recommended a new section in the FSS Act - Section 59 - that would lead to punishment for seven years, which can be extended up to life imprisonment besides a fine of Rs 10 lakh if individuals or businesses intentionally add adulterants to food products.
The punishment will apply irrespective of the adulteration causing actual injury to consumers.
Officials said the provisions have been proposed in the wake of increasing instances of food adulteration, which are impacting people's health.
The regulator has sought feedback from state governments on the proposal. It also suggested a fund to undertake special programmes on food safety and nutrition.
Modern food habits and hazards
Use of harmful substances for food preservation or addition, has been reported in the past but only recently acknowledge by the state government through the branch of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). There is a list of substances used in a whole range of food products ranging from bread, bakery items, raw fish, and meat products etc. which are considered unsafe and harmful when ingested.
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance. Unfortunately many of these enhancers are also known to cause cancer. Here are some food additives that are being used in India, despite banning them in many countries due to side effects.
Fish imported from faraway places such as South or North India takes around ten to fifteen days to reach distant places. In order make the fish look fresh, wholesale dealers inject formalin, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical commonly used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries, to prevent fish from deteriorating during transportation.
Pork meat is the top dish in many parts of India and demand outstrips supply. Some growers are known to use hormones or steroids for fast growth. A feature is that the pig eats very little but drinks plenty of liquid. Since the hormones or steroids survive digestion, some worry they could cause harmful effects in humans.
FSSAI Nagaland branch had also cautioned consumers against any packaged drinking water not having BIS certification of FSSAI and sale of which invites liability and punishment with imprisonment under FSSAI Act. In addition to use of formaldehyde for preserving fish or packaged water sold without FSSAI certificate, even use of common plastic for packaging water is also found to be harmful in the long run. A report stated that as plastic affects human health, toxic chemicals leach out of plastic and are found in the blood and tissue of nearly all people. Prolonged consumption of water packaged in ordinary untreated plastic was suspected to be linked to cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments.
The market is also flooded with food items that are adulterated with artificial non-edible colours found in powdered spices and also using Carbide Gas for artificially repining of fruits that are very harmful for human consumption.
For the uninitiated, preservatives are a type of food additive that is put into packaged food to prolong its shelf life, enhance the taste or keep the colour and nutrients of the product intact.
Another harmful substance used in food items-- Propyl gallate- an antioxidant preservative is used to prolong life of fats and oils-- such as in vegetable oil, chewing gum, meat products, and chicken soup base. It was also said that prolonged use of items having propyl gallate may cause cancer.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is also believed to cause allergies including chest pains, headache, sweating, flushing, numbness or a burning sensation around the mouth etc. FSSAI had also banned use of potassium bromate as food additive in wake of a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study flagging their harmful effects on health, including causing cancer.
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), banned in the UK, Japan and many other European countries, are widely used by the food industry as preservatives in cereal, baked goods, packaging, cosmetics, snack foods, chewing gum, meats, butter, dehydrated potatoes, beer etc.
Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form and rice has higher levels of inorganic arsenic than other foods. It is banned only in the European Union.
Olestra is a ‘fake’ fat found in foods like chips and French fries. It can have a harmful effect to health by negating the body’s ability to absorb essential vitamins. This fat substitute is banned in the UK and Canada.
Gluten is banned in other parts of India including Delhi . It is a general name for the proteins found in rye, barley and triticale. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together such as in bread and bakery products. Gluten containing wheat protein is like a papercut or splinter digging into the lining of the gut, causing an inflammatory response.
Oils used in fast food are also found to be harmful. In many cases, fast food is highly processed and contains large amounts of carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats and sodium. The Delhi Government ordered a crackdown on junk food that is sold in schools and within 50 meters of them. Eating foods can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower HDL (good) cholesterol, and increase risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
There are also many eateries using recycled oil several times. Reusing cooking oil increases the cholesterol, creates peroxides acid, causes cancer, attacks organ cells and can infect the white blood cells.
More stringent checks in the market are needed but so far all those responsible departments seem to be dormant except issuing press releases at some intervals. Even in the recent case, FSSAI had not undertaken any field inspections beyond issuing a press statement.
6000 kg of formalin-laced fish seized
Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 24: In a major haul, 6,000 kg of fish, preserved in toxic chemical Formalin, was seized at the border check post of Walayar in northern Palakkad district on Sunday.
The state Food Safety department officials foiled the attempt to ferry the chemical-mixed fish from Andhra Pradesh during a raid carried out as part of the ‘Operation Sagar Rani,’ a drive launched to ensure safety and hygiene at fish handling and distribution centres. As many as 6000 kg of prawns, brought in 45 lorries, was found mixed with Formalin, officials said.
Last week, 12,000 kg of toxic fish, containing Formalin, was confiscated during raids in the state.
Formalin is used to preserve dead bodies and prevent its decay in mortuaries. The widespread use of the deadly chemical nowadays in the preservation of fish, fruit and other food items is posing a great threat to public health.
Jun 23, 2018
FSSAI proposes strict action against adulteration
Invites State govts’ views on planned changes in FSS Act
NEW DELHI, JUNE 22
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposes to introduce stricter measures in the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act to deter adulteration with stringent punishments.
The food authority, which has sought State governments’ views, is finalising its recommendations for amendments to be made to the FSS Act, 2006.
In a consolidated proposal of amendments, it has recommended a new section in the FSS Act — as Section 59 — that would lead to punishment for seven years, which can be extended up to life imprisonment besides a fine of ₹10 lakh, if individuals or businesses intentionally add adulterants to food products.
The punishment will apply whether or not it causes actual injury to the consumer.
“It is also in the light of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” it added.
Some of the other proposed amendments include introduction of definitions of referral laboratories and provisions for NABL accreditation besides new sections for definitions of proprietary food , novel food and traditional food among others in the Principle Act.
It has also proposed introduction of clauses that define the duties and responsibilities of State food authorities in a bid to make them more accountable.
Additionally, the FSSAI is proposing a “Food Safety and Nutrition Fund” to support its promotional and outreach activities among food businesses and consumers.
“The Authority shall establish a fund to be called the Food Safety and Nutrition Fund for the purpose of promoting food safety and healthy nutrition amongst food businesses and consumers through capacity building and outreach activities,” the proposal stated.
Hotel seized for serving biryani with lizard
Vijayawada: Food and safety department inspector Purnachander Rao seized the Hotel Silver Spoon at Teachers Colony here on Friday. The inspector, along with his team, reached the hotel based on a complaint lodged by one of the customers for serving chicken biryani with a lizard.
The inspector said that the customer ordered chicken biryani. After it was served, and while the customer was consuming it, he found the lizard in biryani. On noticing it, he immediately lodged a complaint with the food safety department against the management of the hotel for their negligence.
The inspector reached the spot and immediately sent the customer for medical examination and later he found that he was stable. The municipal corporation and health department officials rushed to the spot.
They inspected the hotel premises and found that the hotel was not maintaining hygiene and was serving non-vegetarian food which was stored in the freezer. The officials after inspecting the premises, kitchen and the storeroom seized the hotel.
Govt bans sale of fish treated with formalin
Food safety commissioner-cum-commissioner & secretary Himato Zhimomi has prohibited storage, distribution and sale of fresh fish products, including Crustaceans, treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives in Nagaland for a period of three months or till corrective measures are taken with immediate effect. A notification was issued in this regard on Friday.
And those found violating the order will be imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh with imprisonment under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the notification warned.
According to the notification, fish vendors are selling fresh fish products, including Crustaceans, in the State treated with formalin, which is highly toxic and injurious to health.
Distribution, storage and sale of fresh fish products treated with formalin or other forms of preservatives is considered “unsafe” under Section 3(1)(zz)(v) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, it pointed out.
Zhimomi said the notification had been issued in the interest of public health.
Adulterated powdered spices: Food safety cell of the department of health and family welfare (H&FW) has also noted that certain food business operators (FBOs) were selling powdered spices adulterated with artificial non-edible colours and also using carbide gas for artificially repining of fruits, which are harmful for human consumption.
In this regard, the department has prohibited the powdered spices containing foreign substances, offer for sale, store for sale, distribution for sale and sale of powdered spices in loose form, except under packed conditions with proper labels with immediate effect in the State.
It has also prohibited use of carbide gas for artificially ripening of fruits with immediate effect in the state. Non- compliance would be an offence punishable under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with imprisonment and fine.
The department has informed public not to purchase goods that are suspected to be adulterated, or check the quality of the food items and labeling before making purchases.
Uncertified packaged water: Taking note of certain FBOs selling 20 litre and 1 litre packaged drinking water without obtaining BIS certification of FSSAI, the food safety commissioner has cautioned that they were liable to be penalised, punishable with imprisonment and fine under Section 52 and 63 of the said Act.
Further, the commissioner stated that FBOs both whole and retail sellers, in violation of Sub-Sections (I) (II) (III) of Section 25 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations, were selling misbranded/sub-standards, imported food articles coming from neighboring countries harmful for human consumption.
Therefore, the food safety commissioner has prohibited the manufacture, expose for sale offer for sale, store for sale or distribution of above mentioned food articles in the State, with immediate effect.
Non-compliance would be an offence, punishable, imprisonment with fine under the said Act.
The commissioner has advised general public not to purchase such misbranded and sub standard food articles or check the quality of the food and labeling before making purchased.
Meanwhile, the department has requested the general public to report to the chief medical officers/food safety officers of the districts, or food safety commissioner, H&FW department, or additional food safety commissioner for any information on food adulteration.
The designated officer (CMO)/food safety officers of the districts have been directed to carry out inspection and checking of food business establishment under its jurisdiction and submit action taken report to the food safety commissioner.
Coimbatore oil wholesaler found using misleading label
Officers showing a misleading label used by a oil wholesaler in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: An oil wholesaler and distributor in Annur is suspected of misbranding his product. He was found having packets of a Tirupur-based popular oil brand and having oil tins of another popular brand name. The officers sealed the godown with more than 25,000 litres of oil, worth around Rs 25 lakh, on Thursday night.
On Thursday evening, a group of food safety officers went to a house in Raju Street in Annur to inspect and check an oil distributor. Based on a tip off from food safety officers in Tirupur, who caught a vehicle transporting oil tins, which sported labels reading “Karthik’s Gold” sunflower refined oil as its brand name, the officers found the address and conducted a raid.
In the address they had been given, the officers found an independent house. There was a small godown in the same compound. Heavy drama ensued because the locked godown had to be broken open with police protection.
“We did not find anyone in the house and attempts to reach the owner, Muthukumar, also failed,” said designated food safety officer Dr Vijayalalithambigai. “So we had to call police and request protection to break open the lock and search the godown,” she said. After nearly three hours of waiting, the officers managed to break open the lock around 8pm.
Inside the godown, they found crates of oil packets labelled “Rukki Gold” Refined Palmolein oil stacks of refined sunflower oil tins, sporting popular oil brand name “Gold”. Above the “Gold” was a small bold print reading “Karthik’s”. “Rukki Gold is a brand name owned by Tirupur-based oil manufacturing company Ganapathy Oil Mills and the packaging contains no proper addresses of the place the oil is manufactured or packaged,” said the officer. “ The branding of the tins is also misleading because “Karthik’s” is in a small font above the prominent “Gold” she said.
“This man was printing a label using the Gold brand name, knowing it was already popular and established and hoping customers may just buy it without noticing the difference,” she said. “This is tantamount to ‘misleading the customer,’ under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act of 2006,” she added. The godown owner also did not have a food safety license.
They seized 25,200 litres overall. The owner was allegedly buying oil from suppliers in Chennai and Kangeyam and just labelling it and selling it in Coimbatore.
FSSAI officials seal oil godown at Annur
B. Vijayalalithambigai, Designated Officer for FSSAI, inspecting a godown at Annur on Friday.
Officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sealed a godown with 25,200 litres of edible oil suspected to be adulterated at Annur, in Coimbatore, on Thursday night.
On the basis of a tip-off, officials rushed to the godown around noon on Thursday and found it locked.
Enquiry with the neighbours revealed that the workers from the godown went away just half-an-hour before the officials reached the premises.
As the mobile number of the godown owner continued to be switched off, officials approached the Mettupalayam Magistrate and obtained a search warrant to inspect the godown in the evening.
Later on, the lock of the godown was broke open in the presence of the Village Administrative Officer and police officials.
It was found that the godown had a metal tanker with a capacity of nearly 15,000 litres connected with a hose from the compound wall and oil packed in tins and plastic barrels. Packaging machinery and printed films with the names of leading local brands and oil-filled tins suspected to be adulterated were found inside the godown.
Oil samples from the godown were taken and sent to the FSSAI laboratory in Madurai. Action would be initiated against the godown owner after getting the laboratory report in about two weeks, B. Vijayalalithambigai, FSSAI Designated Officer said.
FSSAI’s ‘food’ van at your doorsteps
From February this year, FSSAI has been running a mobile service that visits neighbourhoods across Chennai and meets residents’ groups to train them on how to spot adulteration in food items
Don't be surprised if a team from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) calls on you. In a van equipped with a laboratory, the team is heading to neighbourhoods to teach them how to spot food adulteration. They will demonstrate these methods, which together constitute “Deduct Adulteration With Rapid Test” (DART).
DART consists 40 simple and quick tests that can be performed on food samples that include dairy products, spices and condiments, edible oils, salt and food grains.
FSSAI does this service for residents three days a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents can bring their food samples and get them tested on-the-spot for adulteration.
An official attached to the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Saidapet says, “The objective of the exercise is to create awareness among consumers about various forms of food adulteration. Residents can conduct some of these tests themselves, as they don’t require sophisticated equipment. A few of them may however require reagents. The initiative response has evoked a good response from the public.”
Localities where this exercise has been carried out include K.K. Nagar, Nungambakkam, Kodambakkam, Virugambakkam, Egmore, T. Nagar, Chetpet, Royapettah, Kasimedu, Broadway, Anna Nagar, Adambakkam and Taramani.
Residents welfare associations that may want the exercise carried out for their members, may call 044-2381 3095/ 99400 67099.
Consumers who may have a complaint to send to Food Safety and Drug Administration Department may send it to the WhatsApp number: 94440 42322.
Jun 22, 2018
Over 90kg adulterated tea dust seized
Tirupur: The food safety and drug administration officials seized about 90kg of adulterated tea powder from a trader in the city on Wednesday. The officials caught K Bhuvaneswaran of Ganapathy with the bags of tea powder when he was supplying them to shops on Dharapuram Road.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Bhuvaneswaran used to purchase tea powder from wholesaler and mix it with sunset yellow or chocolate brown dye. He packed the stuff in smaller bags and sell them to shops,” said K Tamil Selvan, designated officer, Tirupur FSDA.
Govt looks to improve food safety, hygiene in its canteens
In the first phase of the initiative, the FSSAI has trained 80 staffers from various government canteens that serve thousands of employees each day to oversee food hygiene.
To ensure that the food served in its canteens is wholesome and hygienic, the government is training people as food safety supervisors for cafeterias run by its departments.
In the first phase of the initiative, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has trained 80 staffers from various government canteens that serve thousands of employees each day to oversee food hygiene.
“This training is a part of FSSAI’s recently launched SNF@Workplace (safe and nutritious food at workplace) initiative, which aims to educate people on safe and healthy diets and developing an overall ecosystem for safe and nutritious food in workplaces,” said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI. “It encourages employers to adopt a systematic approach to ensuring safe and wholesome food for their employees, both as a measure of employee welfare and to enhance workplace productivity,” he added.
The government has adopted a a comprehensive approach towards the initiative, including measures that the workplace administration can take to create a system and an enabling environment to ensure food safety and nutrition for everyone.
Best practices and guidelines are recommended for canteens to ensure that the food they serve is safe and wholesome, and useful tips and suggestions are provided to employees to eat and stay healthy by making informed choices about what they consume. After receiving complaints about the bad quality of food being served in canteens in educational institutions and other places, the regulator had written to state food commissioners to ensure that canteens are licensed or registered under Food Safety and Standards Act regulations.
In an order issued last year, FSSAI made it mandatory for a food business operator (FBO) to have at least one trained food safety supervisor. “We ask FBOs to have one supervisor for every 25 food handlers,” said Agarwal.
Jun 21, 2018
Steps taken to streamline sago production
P. Amudha, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, addressing sago unit owners at the Salem Collectorate on Wednesday.
The State government has initiated steps to streamline the production of sago and also the starch without adulteration, P. Amudha, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, said here on Wednesday.
Addressing a meeting of the sago production monitoring committee at the Collectorate here on Wednesday, Ms. Amudha said that the officials of the Sagoserve and the professors of Periyar University will jointly undertake research in this regard and suggest ways for streamlining the sago and starch production without any adulteration.
Good demand
Ms. Amudha said Salem district was a front-runner in production of sago and accounted for about 300 sago manufacturing units. The sago produced here has good demand in many north Indian states.
The sago producers have assured to strictly adhere to the norms of the government in the production of sago and starch once the same were announced. They have also demanded government support for the introduction of alternative methods in the production of starch. The government will favourably consider their demands, she said.
Sago manufacturing units are functioning in seven districts and chemicals and other harmful products should not be mixed in the production of sago. The product should be always in its natural colour.
Ms. Amudha said that the Food Safety Department will take steps for the creation of awareness in this regard among the sago manufacturers, traders and consumers soon.
Farmers and the sago manufacturers have demanded a tapioca board in Salem. She assured to take up this demand to the notice of the government.
The department will also take initiatives for doing research on producing value added products from sago and starch, she said.
Referring to the functioning of the Food Safety Department, Ms. Amudha said that a total of 2,909 complaints on adulteration etc were received through the exclusive WhatsApp number in the recent past. About 68 per cent of the complaints were attended and action taken.
She said that the department was receiving about 20 to 30 complaints a day about hotels, drinking water manufacturing units, anganwadis etc. “We take serious note of the complaints and initiate against them. Even the government-run anganwadis are not left out,” she said.
In this connection Ms. Amudha said that the department ordered the closure of 10 drinking water manufacturing units for the violation of norms.
Rohini R. Bhajibhakare, District Collector, S. Mariappan, Designated officer of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department, and other officials participated in the meeting.
34,000kg adulterated tea worth Rs 70 lakh seized
CHENNAI: In one of its biggest hauls ever, food safety officials seized around 34,000kg of tea adulterated with synthetic colours from a godown in Arumbakkam on Wednesday.
Based on a tip, a team led by R Kathiravan, designated food safety officer, conducted a surprise inspection at BR Tea Company on Senthil Nagar Street, Arumbakkam. Workers were found sitting hunched over the floor, packing low-grade tea leaves mixed with artificial colours.
While 33,291kg of adulterated tea was packed in gunny bags and plastic, 750kg was mixed and kept on the floor. Officials estimate the entire seizure is worth ?70lakh. In addition, they also seized 300kg of tartrazine, carmoisine and sunset yellow –artificial colours that are permitted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in certain types of food that are not consumed on daily basis. “For every kilo of tea leaves, they had added more than 10 grams of these colours,” said Kathiravan.
For the last three months the unit had been under the department’s scanner. “Our inspector had found traces of artificial colours on the shop’s floor when he inspected the facility to renew its license. But we didn’t have concrete proof it was being mixed with the tea,” said Kathiravan. On Wednesday, officials got the breakthrough when a local alerted them.
On interrogation, the proprietor, who operated out of a three-storey complex, revealed that a majority of his clients was tea shop owners across the city. The colours, he said, were sourced from units in Coimbatore. He sold at least 2,000kg of adulterated tea a day. According to the food safety department’s records, there are around 3,000 registered tea shops in Chennai. Officials have lifted samples of tea and adulterants for lab tests. “Once the results are out we will lodge a complaint and initiate action against the owner,” said Kathiravan.
On Tuesday, officials had seized 1,500kg of adulterated tea from a warehouse in Ayanavaram. Workers were found manually mixing tea leaves with artificial colours.
FSSAI permits only eight synthetic colours to be added to specific foods. However, studies have shown that if consumed on a prolonged basis, these could cause cancer, nervous disorders, toxicity or heart diseases as they stay in the body for more than a month. According to the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, the quantity of colour should be a milligram or less for a kg of food.
Food safety experts and dietitians say artificial colours, especially those that lend orange, yellow and red hues, are added to tea leaves that are damaged during manufacturing process or are of inferior quality to improve their appearance and price. “One drop or a pinch of a chemical gives more colour than natural ingredients. It helps them hike the cost of an inferior product,” said dietitian Mini Joseph.
Food poisoning incidents: Officials suspect foul play
Thiruvananthapuram: The food safety department is suspecting foul play over the continuing incidents of food poisoning in GV Raja Sports School, Mylam. In order to rule out the angle, the department has decided to approach sports department to demand for a police inquiry into the issue.
The food safety department has suspended licence of the school’s kitchen on Tuesday night. Subsequently, the school announced leave for all students and suspended all functions until further notice.
Food safety commissioner M G Rajamanickam said that the department was suspecting foul play as cases of food poisoning occurred multiple times in the past years during June-July period. “The mess has been awarded to private parties on contract basis. We are not sure whether the food poisoning incidents happen due to some foul play. In order to clear the suspicion, we feel a police inquiry is necessary,” said Rajamanickam.
Rajamanickam said he would write to sports secretary to direct a police inquiry to clear the suspicion over the incident. The GV Raja Sports School comes under the sports department.
Around 58 students from boys’ and girls’ hostels took treatment from district hospital, Peroorkada over complaints of stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting on Sunday night.
The food safety commissioner said that mystery over the issue deepened after food safety officials visited the school kitchen. “In previous years when the food poisoning incidents were reported, the facilities were poor. However, based on the department’s direction, the kitchen was renovated. So we have to find out the reason behind food poisoning,” he said.
Though the department could not take samples of the food that caused poisoning due to late reporting of the issue, it has taken samples of water for testing, the result of which is expected on Thursday.
The food safety department has not taken a decision on when the licence of the kitchen could be renewed. Being a residential school, it could not function if the hostels remain closed.
“As it is a government sports school, we cannot keep the school’s kitchen closed for a continuous period. We are awaiting a lab report of water samples. If the school authorities come up with a satisfactory report of remedial steps, we will consider opening it. We will also explore possibilities whether the contract of running the kitchen could be given to a trusted agency like Kudumbashree,” Rajamanickam said.
Despite repeated attempts to contact school authorities, no one picked up phone at GV Raja School.
Jun 20, 2018
Food poisoning in GV Raja School
Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 58 students of GV Raja Sports School, Mylam, took treatment from district hospital Peroorkkada, following food poisoning.
As many as 29 inmates of the boys’ hostel and the same number of students from the girls’ hostel were taken to hospital on Monday night after they complained of stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Except for two girls, who are under observation, all others were discharged on Tuesday.
Sources in food safety department said that they received information about food poisoning only on tuesday morning. So, the officials could not collect samples of the food given to the students. Sources said that students had chapatti and chicken curry for dinner and they complained of uneasiness by night. The students were taken to hospital by around 10.30 pm.
Food safety officials took samples of leftover food such as rice, rasam and also flour, chilli powder, rice, packaged fruit juice etc for a lab test. Sources in the department said kitchen of the hostel will be temporarily closed.
Food poisoning cases were reported in the school in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Food safety officials point to lack of hygiene as the major reason for food safety issues .
Authorities of GV Raja Sports School could not be reached despite repeated attempts.
Officials seize expired soft drinks bottles from godowns
Coimbatore: Food Safety Department officials raided three godowns in the city and seized expired soft drinks bottles and packets kept among saleable stocks on Tuesday. Besides, it cracked down on shops selling products without proper labels.
In the three godowns — two in Thaneerpandhal and one in Vadavalli, officials found 240 expired Miranda bottles and 400 expired Minute Maid tetra packs. “The distributor in Vadavalli stored the Miranda bottles that were expired about month ago. Not many people know that soft drinks have an expiry date,” said designated food safety officer Dr Vijayalalithambigai.
“The distributor claimed that the bottles were to be returned to the manufacturer to get a refund, but they were stored among saleable products,” he added.
Similarly, another distributor at Peelamedu kept 400 Minute Maid tetra packs which were two weeks beyond their expiry date. “He too claimed they were to be returned to the manufacturer, but he did not keep them in a separate section,” said Vijayalalithambigai.
Meanwhile, food safety officers raided 32 shops across Gandhipuram and Pollachi and found six kilograms of snacks packets without labels that were meant for sale. “They did not have labels stating details about ingredients, manufacturing and expiry dates,” said the designated food safety officer.
Earlier on Monday, FSOs raided 52 shops, including bakeries and street vendors, and issued notices to 11 shops for not registering under the FSSAI Act. “We also cracked down on shops using newspapers to serve their products, plastic to cover fruits and for using colouring agents in their food,” said the DFO.
Court fines two for supplying milk without licence
CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh district court on Monday made two persons stand till the rising of court and also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 each on them for supplying milk without a valid licence.
The court of chief judicial magistrate convicted dairy owner Avtar Singh and his employee Karam Raj, who were challaned by a food inspector during a drive.
The matter dates back to November 15, 2016, when a food safety officer did a surprise checking of Milk Colony and found Karam Raj supplying milk in a maxi truck .When the food safety officer asked for the licence to supply milk, Karam Raj expressed his inability to do the same. The accused further informed the officer that he worked at Chawla Dairy and was supplyong milk from there. Later, the food an safety officer prepared a spot memo and challaned both accused for selling the aforesaid food articles for human consumption without having a valid license under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
It was argued by the accused that that they had been falsely implicated and no sample was taken during the time of inspection. However, the prosecution stated that the accused were challaned for sale of food articles without having food license and there was no requirement for taking sample of the food article as sought to be contended by defence counsel. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court convicted the two accused and made him stand till the rising of court.
Ramnad folk told to use portal to test water quality
Madurai: The Ramanathapuram district administration has said that the public can ensure the quality of packaged water that they purchase by utilizing the website https:/safewaterfssai.gov.in//cleanwater/home.
District Collector S Natarajan said that the food safety department had launched the website to enable the public to check the quality of the packaged water that they purchased in their homes. Public could log on to the website, and if they entered the I.S.I number or the FSSAI number displayed on the water can or packet in the given slot, the details of the packaging firm would appear on the screen. Important details including water quality testing report of the concerned firm for six months to one year, the validity of the I.S.I and FSSAI number would be revealed.
Any grievance about packaged drinking water could also be informed using the WhatsApp number 94440 42322. The manufacture and expiry date of the packaged drinking water must be displayed clearly on the plastic sleeve of the bottle or packet in which the water is kept. The date of manufacture has to be laser-printed on the plastic sleeve of the bottle and protected with a plastic seal.
Designated officer for food safety, Dr M Jagadish Chandrabose, said that it was very important that people were aware of the quality of water they were consuming.
Jun 19, 2018
Majority of wayside eateries in Kochi are in unhygienic conditions
Kochi is witnessing a rise in wayside eateries but the majority of them function in unhygienic conditions.
KOCHI: When it comes to taste, street food has little competition. The piping hot dosas, spicy chicken curry and tasty kappa can leave you wanting more. But before you drool over these delicious dishes, give a thought about its hygiene or the apparent lack of it.
With the onset of monsoon, the already unhygienic conditions in which most ‘thattukadas’ function have worsened, thanks to overflowing drains infested with rats. The rise in the number of food poisoning cases attests to the fact that despite Kochi embarking on development mode, the state of roadside eateries remain the same.
Many people, including late night professionals, rely on wayside eateries due to its working hours and cheap rates. “Since we moved to Kochi, we rely on eateries in the city. However, a dinner of dosa and chutney from a wayside eatery at Kacheripady left me with a severe stomach ache and vomiting. I had to rush to the hospital, upon which the doctor confirmed that it was a result of food poisoning,” said Vinitha S, a professional. Like her, many who are forced to eat from such eateries are served a raw deal.
“The authorities take actions against such unhygienic food outlets only when someone gets admitted in hospitals,” she said.
No registration
Due to a huge demand, wayside eateries mushroom on every nook and cranny in the city and the majority of them function without the Corporation licence.While allegations are rife that the authorities are doing nothing, they say inspections and raids are being carried out. “With rainy season setting in, we have started procedures to ensure that the roadside eateries maintain hygiene. Last month, we conducted checks at food outlets near High Court Junction and Boat Jetty. Several shops were found without registration,” said Food Safety Officer, Ernakulam Division, Dileep P B.
He added that the Food Safety Authority has given a week’s time for shops without proper registration to get the necessary clearance and if they fail to do so, action will be taken against them.“We are doing everything possible. The hygiene of the food outlets near roadsides is of utmost importance. Random samples will be collected from shops for inspection,” added Dileep. The Corporation has also ensured strict action. “Those who suffered food poisoning must report to the Corporation giving the details of the shop and the area,” said Health Standing Committee chairperson Minimol V K.
Reusing oil and unclean water
One main advantage of wayside eateries is that the food made is sold out soon but the same can’t be said about oil. “The oil is reused many times before disposing of. Not just the oil, even the ingredients can be harmful, like food colours and other chemicals. Since the food is served hot, the taste is masked. But, the damage is done,” says Vishal Chandra, a chef.
Besides, there is also a rampant use of undercooked meat and water from unclean sources. “In most case, it is the use of contaminated drinking water that causes food poisoning. The cleanliness of people who serve it is also important. Many may not be aware of this, but people with typhoid can transmit it to others through their hands and mugs used to wash,” said Dr Stephen George, a practitioner at Kolencherry.
Notices served on 11 shops
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday served notices on 11 shops for various irregularities such as failure to obtain FSSAI license, adulteration of food, storage of rotten fruits and vegetables and other unhygienic practices.
The shops have been asked to rectify the irregularities within 15 days.
The irregularities were found during inspections conducted in 52 shops, restaurants, fruit stalls, bakeries and warehouses located in New Siddhapudur, Avarampalayam and Ganapathy on Monday.
The exercise was conducted as part of FSSAI's campaign for safe food in Coimbatore city.
Eight water plants slapped with closure notices
Surat: The food and safety department officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday raided factories selling packaged drinking water in the city and slapped closure notices on eight of them.
Those given immediate closure notice include Him Water Beverages, Healthy Water, Visat Beverages, Citizen Water, Raja Water, Radhika Beverages, Neer Water and Sunrise Beverages. The notices were slapped for not possessing the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and food safety certificates.
A few days ago, 22 such plants were given closure notices by SMC. These steps are taken following complaints of consumption of contaminated water leading to number of water-borne diseases.
According to an official from food and safety department of SMC, there are nearly 60-65 such small plants operating in the city.
“Till now they used to sell water pouches in huge quantity. However, with the ban on selling water in plastic water pouches, majority of them are selling 20 litre packaged water, which they call mineral water. Nearly 40 of them possess official license to sell. Others have been closed now,” a food inspector of SMC said.
Each of these plants sell at least 5,000 litres of such packaged water and SMC does check their quality in periodic manner.
Jun 18, 2018
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