Apr 11, 2018
Karnataka: Food Safety Commissionerate marred by under-qualified officers
BENGALURU: The Food Safety Commissionerate has requested for an inquiry committee to be set up to check the qualifications of 55 Food Safety Officers. The Food Safety Officer, one per every taluk, has a modest target of sending only five food samples a month to the four food testing labs in the state. Since there are 197 FSOs working, the labs should receive at least 985 food samples, but they aren't receiving them.
"Unless they send samples, there's no proof that they do field work. Also, the recruitment of 210 regular food safety officers is pending with the secretariat since July last year," said Dr Harshvardan B, Deputy Commissioner (squad) of Food Safety. The Food Safety Commissionerate, that comes under the state Health Department, is flooded with officers who aren't qualified to hold these posts. Former health commissioner Subodh Yadav had come to this conclusion after an inquiry before he had left the post. But till today, new recruitments have not been made.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act, Food Safety Officer shall be a full-time officer and shall possess a degree in Food Technology/ Dairy Technology/Biotechnology/Oil Technology/Agricultural Science/Veterinary Sciences/Bio-Chemistry/Microbiology/Masters Degree in Chemistry/degree in medicine or must have successfully completed training as specified by the Food Authority.
In cases where a medical officer of health administration of local area has been performing the function of food inspector, the State government employs them as food inspectors. "There are 210 sanctioned posts, but only 197 are working, out of which 110 are medical doctors. We have no idea about the qualifications that the other 87 hold. They may be office superintendents, block health education officers, entomologists or Class XII passouts. We have requested for setting up an inquiry committee that is pending with the Health Commissioner," Harshvardan said.
Is your honey pure enough? FSSAI to ensure purity with 20 parameter test
As per the information available with Zee Business, the new standards for honey will be released in the month of June 2018. The new standards will have 20 parameters to check the purity of honey. The parameters will also focus on sugar concentrate in the honey and they will be tested as per C4 and C3 norms to know its purity
To ensure purity of honey that reaches the consumers in the market, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to release new standards to test the purity of honey. As per the information available with Zee Business, the new standards for honey will be released in the month of June 2018. The new standards will have 20 parameters to check the purity of honey. The parameters will also focus on sugar concentrate in the honey and they will be tested as per C4 and C3 norms to know its purity.
Pawan Agarwal, the CEO of FSSAI, in an exclusive talk with Zee Business's Suman Agrawal, said, "Sugar and Corn syrups can be used for adulteration of the honey and till date we never had the method to check this adulteration. But, the new standards will have certain provisions to have a check on sugar concentrate in Honey. The standards will be notified as soon as the mechanism of testing method is finalised at our end." He added, "the notification will allow us to have a check on adulteration of honey with the help of sugar and corn syrup."
Earlier on December 14, 2017, the FSSAI issued a draft notification on Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standard and Food Additives) Amendment Regulation related to standards of Honey, Bee Wax & Royal Jelly, Steviol glycoside along with pulses and other products. These amendments regulations prescribed revised standards for honey and comprehensive standards for all pulses and for all other products, there are new standards. These amendments will ensure purity and quality of these food products.
In addition, BL Saraswat; the executive director at National Bee Board, added, "there was a need to bring new standards to monitor the purity of honey."
The decision to revise the standards was taken in the backdrop of complaints related to adulteration in Honey. Complains are there the honey is being adulterated with sugar, water and sugar syrup. Adulteration of honey with these products makes it difficult to identify the purity of the product. Besides, in past, some reports claimed that China is also sending adulterated honey to India.
About the Existing Standards
The food regulator, FSSAI's existing guidelines mainly focused on the antibiotic, moisture, sucrose, hydroxymethyl furfural instead of adulteration. But the new standards, yet to be released will have guidelines to check the sugar concentration in honey.
KWA’s bottled water plant to be opened in two months
Thiruvananthapuram: After years of delay, the Kerala water authority has reached the final phase of construction of the bottled water plant at Aruvikkara. The test run of the machineries have begun. The KWA is hoping to commission the project within two months.
The KWA began the process to construct the plant in Aruvikkara in 2010. Even after inviting several tenders KWA was not able to get a bidder for the project. The delay has invited serious criticism from the part of CAG in its report in 2013. They CAG has criticized that KWA was a failure in taking up income-generating projects. KWA has invited around six tenders for the project.
The project got a revival two years ago when KWA decided to tender the project as three different components such as civil, electrical and mechanical. It also revised the estimate from Rs 2.2 crore to Rs 10 crore. Now the installation of machineries has completed. KWA officials said that they would soon approach food safety and standard authority and Bureau of Indian Standards for the certification process. “Some works related to electrical connections need to be completed. Currently the test run is progressing on DC generator. After that we are waiting for inspection of electrical inspectorate,” said an official.
The bottled water plant of KWA has a capacity to produce 7,200 litres per day. KWA is planning to release water in 500 ml, 1 litre, 2 litre and 20 litre bottles/cans. KWA is using revere osmosis with UV, dechlorination and filtration to treat the water.
Water resources minister Mathew T Thomas has informed Assembly that the government has not decided on the price of the bottle water. The KWA, which is facing a major cash crunch, is hopeful of the bottling water project, as it one of the few income-generating projects. Currently, KWA has no bottle water project under it. The lone government-owned bottle water project is the ‘Hilly Aqua’ of Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KIIDC).
Here's why you should avoid canned foods
Researchers found that canned food contained 100 times the daily dietary allowance of zinc.
The next time you opt for canned foods such as corn, tuna, asparagus or chicken, think twice. They may contain zinc oxide that can potentially damage your digestive system, warn researchers. The findings showed that nanoparticles of zinc oxide present in the lining of certain canned goods, usually considered good for its antimicrobial properties and preventing staining of sulfur-producing foods, may negatively affect the way in which human digestive tract operates.
"We found that zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at doses that are relevant to what you might normally eat in a meal or a day can change the way that your intestine absorbs nutrients or your intestinal cell gene and protein expression," said Gretchen Mahler, Associate Professor at the Binghamton University in the New York.
Researchers found that canned food contained 100 times the daily dietary allowance of zinc.
"They tend to settle onto the cells representing the gastrointestinal tract and cause remodelling or loss of the microvilli, which are tiny projections on the surface of the intestinal absorptive cells that help to increase the surface area available for absorption," Mahler added.
This loss of surface area tends to result in a decrease in nutrient absorption.
Some of the nanoparticles also cause pro-inflammatory signaling at high doses, and this can increase the permeability of the intestinal model, the researcher said.
In other words, it can even allow the passage of compounds that are not supposed to pass through into the bloodstream.
The study, published in the journal Food & Function, looked at how many particles might be transferred into the canned food.
"Our model shows that the nanoparticles do have effects on our in vitro model, and that understanding how they affect gut function is an important area of study for consumer safety," Mahler said.
YOUR MONEY CAN BUY YOU DISEASES, SAYS FSSAI
FSSAI calls for drive to generate awareness to discourage the simultaneous handling of food and currency notes.
The ubiquitous currency that you handle on a daily basis from the roadside panipuriwala to the cashier or your sabziwala can be the cause of food poisoning, skin, respiratory and gastro infections. Handling of currency with unclean and soiled hands, use of saliva during counting and storage under unhygienic conditions leads to its contamination with harmful microorganisms, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has said. —Brendan Dabhi
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What research says
Professor Arun Arya, of-ficiating head of Department of Environmental Studies and former head of Botany at MS University in Vadodara, told Mirror, “When we carried out our sample study a few years ago, though we did not find any major diseases, we did find fungi on the currency that can cause allergies and skin problems.”
The Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Center (RSIC)that had examined currency notes found germs that can cause tuberculosis, meningitis, tonsillitis, peptic ulcers, throat infections and genital tract infections.
Doctors’ warning
Dr Kamlesh Upadhyay, Head of Medicine at Civil Hospital Asarwa, told Mirror, “There are two ways that diseases can spread. First through foodstuff that is contaminated. Second, the vendor may have disease or the vendor’s hands may be unclean.”
On what types of diseases can be spread through such means, Dr Upadhyay said, “From common cold, flu and food poisoning, it can go up to tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and C as well as other airborne diseases.”
Dr Kalpesh Talati, physician at Zydus Hospital, said, “People need to clean their hands while handling currency and wherever possible, even ask the vendors to do so. ”
Implement food safety standards: DB
JAMMU: A Division Bench (DB) of State High Court comprising Chief Justice (A) Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Sanjeev Kumar on Tuesday directed State to take all possible steps to ensure that the provisions of the Food, Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Regulations framed there under are implemented in letter and spirit.
The significant order came in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Voice for Rights, an NGO working for human rights, seeking a direction to the respondents to ban the use of toxic chemicals like Calcium Carbide for ripening of fruits in Jammu and Kashmir and to implement the provisions of Food, Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The DB observed that this Court vide its order dated June 9, 2017, took cognisance of the grievance projected by the petitioner and put State and other official respondents to notice and directed them to submit a report with regard to the action, if any, taken by them to prevent the use of toxic chemicals by the fruit vendors.
It was observed that compliance to the aforesaid order, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu has submitted an action taken report indicating therein that the Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation, J&K had been taking requisite action under law.
The DB also observed that this Court vide order dated September 20, 2017, while taking note of the aforesaid action taken report submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu passed some directions to ensure that the provisions of the Act and regulations framed thereunder are strictly implemented. The Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation has also filed compliance report in terms of aforesaid order indicating the steps taken by the organisation to address the issues raised in the petition.
The DB after going through aforesaid action taken reports filed from time to time and the compliance reports in terms of aforesaid orders by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation expressed satisfaction that the respondents have taken and are taking adequate measures to redress the grievance projected by the petitioner in the PIL. “Nothing more is required to be done in the matter except directing the respondents to continue their drive and curb the menace of artificial ripening of fruits by the use of Calcium Carbide and other toxic substances. This action will also include milk adulteration”, the court observed.
With these observations, the DB closed this petition, however, giving liberty to the petitioner to approach this Court again, in case the respondents fail to perform their duties to implement food safety standards.
Apr 10, 2018
FSSAI launches initiative to address Vitamin D deficiency
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday launched 'Project Dhoop', an initiative aimed at shifting the school assembly time to noon to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D in students through natural sunlight.
The project was launched at National Bal Bhavan here, and saw participation of around 600 students from NCERT, NDMC and North MCD Schools.
FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said the schools across the country have been sent two advisories aking them to hold daily assembly between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m..
"Project Dhoop's Noon Assembly is an innovative and effective concept to ensure that school students get adequate Vitamin D through sunlight, while also opting to choose food products like milk and edible oils that are fortified with Vitamins A and D," he said.
The concerns among parents about assembly at noon would be addressed properly, he added.
Agarwal also said that opting for fortified foods (with +F symbol) was a simple and inexpensive way to address micronutrient deficiencies "without any radical change in behaviour or eating patterns".
Both fortified milk and fortified edible oil are now readily available across the country, he added.
The initiative has been conceptualised by McCannHealth and supported by Kwality (Ltd).
Studies have shown that over 90 per cent of boys and girls across the country were deficient in Vitamin D while the number ranged between 90-97 per cent for school children in Delhi, said Kabir Basu Roy, Chief Marketing Officer of Kwality.
"It was this knowledge that led us to fortify many of our products with Vitamin D and other essential nutrients," a release quoted him as saying.
Unsafe Food Products of FMCG Brands Repacked and Sold in Kerala
Recently, parents of a play school going girl in Trivandrum, found to their horror that the Hide and Seek biscuits they purchased from a local super market had live worms in it. This was first detected by the play school staff when they opened the biscuit cover during snacks break. Hide and Seek is a brand owned by leading biscuit and confectionery company, Parle Products Ltd with an annual turnover of Rs 10,000 cr.
On Saturday in Ernakulam, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and local corporation officials were shocked to find fungus infested biscuits, chocolates and energy drinks of leading food brands beyond use by date repacked in a godown of a distribution agency near Maradu. Apart from old food products, soap and soap powders were also repacked in this manner.
New dates were stamped and distributed to supermarkets and hypermarkets for sale possibly on special discounts. The Food Safety Officers sealed the premises and is likely to cancel the license for functioning of the agency. The agency is a state-wide distributor of leading consumer brands in Kerala and the old food products were brought from Tamilnadu, according to investigating officials.
Among the major brands whose products were repacked by the distribution agency include of Nestle India, Elite Food Products, some brands of palmolein oil and Japanese brand Hello Panda biscuits. At the time of the raid, six packing staff and three office staff were only present in the premises while the promoter of the enterprise, Shiva, a native of Tamilnadu was not present.
Consumer organisations pointed out that sale of out of expiry products poses a great health risk to people and stringent action must be taken by the companies and food safety officials to ensure the culprits are brought to book. The officials said that it was not yet clear whether the repacking was done with the knowledge and approval of the leading brands.
Health dept asked to inspect milk products
Move follows claims of adulteration
Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday ordered his department to inspect milk products on a daily basis and submit reports after several MLAs raised the issue of adulteration in the Delhi Assembly.
‘Synthetic milk’
AAP MLA Rajesh Rishi from Jankapuri claimed that synthetic milk is being supplied in the city, which is allegedly “damaging kidneys and liver” of people.
Other AAP MLAs also raised the issue, seeking strict action against those involved in food adulteration.
“I am issuing an order today to my department to conduct inspections of milk products on daily basis and submit reports to my office,” Mr. Jain told the House.
Panel formed
Speaker Ram Niwas Goel also formed a seven-member committee to suggest amendments in the existing laws to ensure stern action against the culprits.
MLAs Mandan Lal, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Nitin Tyagi, Alka Lamba, Anil Vaipayee, Adarsh Shastri and S.K. Bagga have been appointed as panel members.
Mr. Goel said that the government will incorporate suggestions made by the committee, which will work in coordination with the House panel on health.
The health minister said that the government will table a draft bill in the House and send the same to the Centre for its nod.
FDA finds unhygenic canteens at GMC, Kala Academy
Panaji: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Monday ordered the canteens at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) to halt operations immediately after it was found to be hygienic. The Kala Academy canteen was also directed to suspend activities following an inspection.
After seeing no improvement in the conditions of the outpatient department (OPD), college and ground floor canteens at GMC, despite being served notices in the past, the food safety authority on Monday issued spot inspection reports. The FDA also issued a similar notice to the Kala Academy canteen.
At Kala Academy, the kitchen flooring was dirty, greasy and in a soiled condition. The exhaust fan was non-functional, while the gas stove and working platform were greasy. Loose wiring and broken switches in the kitchen were soiled, and utensils were broken. Water leakage was also observed during the inspection.
During the inspections at GMC, sources said the FDA discovered ants, lizards and cockroaches in the kitchen, while the refrigerator smelled foul with food items not covered. Non-permissible food colours were being used. Windows in the kitchen premises were not fitted with fly-proof netting. Food meant for preparing samosas were stored in garbage bags that were swarming with ants. Cut vegetables were stored in the open, while water filters were not in working condition. The exhaust fan was covered with dust, while flaking of paint was observed in the kitchen.
Raw materials, including cornflower and biryani masala were stored in the open, as well as iron knives and wooden boards used for chopping.
Similar unhygienic conditions and practices were observed in the past during FDA inspections and notices were served. The food and business operators were directed to improve conditions. While temporary improvement was noticed, the FDA noted that operators later reverted to their unhygienic practices and conditions.
Step by Step reopens after meal fiasco, apologises for ‘perception’ that it denied officials access
NOIDA: Step by Step school held classes for the first time on Monday since last Thursday’s ‘food poisoning’ episode, and wrote to the district magistrate to clear the air amid a standoff with police and administration officials who have accused the reputable institution of non-cooperation.
“We understand that certain officials have complained of being denied access to the school premises. In this regard, we wish to convey our regret of such perception. The school has not, and shall never, hinder any authority or public official in the discharge of his/her duties,” the school management said in a two-page letter to BN Singh.
After officials waited for hours for access to the school premises on the afternoon and evening of April 5 — the day students threw up, complained of stomach ache and loose motion — an FIR was filed against the school at the expressway police station in Noida under section 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison), based on a complaint filed by city magistrate Mahendra Singh, who was among those who had to wait for access.
The school admitted that in the last 10 years of its operation, it had never faced an incident of such magnitude and misfortune. “The incident took everyone by surprise and required full attention to the students who were everyone’s concern and first priority. This may have caused inadvertent delay and led to the perception that the school denied access. The misunderstanding is unfortunate and the school profusely and unconditionally apologises for the same. We assure full cooperation with the administration and authorities in all respect,” it said.
In the letter, the school also outlined the sequence of events on April 5, saying some students were initially brought to the infirmary with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and stomach ache. “The school provided first-level treatment to such students. Soon, thereafter, the number of students with similar symptoms increased. The school promptly called Max Hospital for medical assistance. The hospital sent a team of doctors, paramedics, and nurses along with two ambulances to the school,” it wrote in the letter, adding parents of the affected students were also informed.
According to parents and health department officials, around 150 students were affected after eating meals, with the symptoms manifesting in several kids the next day. Around 90 children were treated at various private hospitals in Noida and Delhi. The school’s meals are prepared and served by Sodexo, whose services it suspended on Thursday itself.
The school’s letter to the DM did not specify how many students were affected or what they had eaten that might have led to them falling ill. The food department found only ajwain and edible oil in the school’s pantry during its inspection. It said it found none of the prepared food, not even in the dustbins. The school had said in an email to parents that it shared samples of food and water for tests. Asked about it on Monday, Noida’s food safety and drug administration officer Sanjay Sharmamaintained only ajwain and oil samples had been found at the school.
Police said they were talking to students and parents on the issue. They have also written to the school, asking it to state the exact number of students affected by the meals. District Magistrate Singh said the probe will continue.
Apr 9, 2018
Apr 8, 2018
'Companies must offer scientific proof for herbal products'
Adulteration with synthetic drugs is rampant, says Vishwakarma.
Ram A Vishwakarma, director, Indian Institute Of Integrative Medicine-Jammu, tells Prerna Katiyar that India has to cover a lot of regulatory ground. Edited excerpts:
There is a lot of ambiguity around the use of quantity sufficient (QS) or base material. Can you explain what is base material or QS?
Most people buy herbal products based on a hunch or hearsay. Cosmetics are vanity products. Still, all companies have to get a guarantee of safety. The problem is that registration of cosmetics is not based on the efficacy of a product. For e.g., a company selling an anti-ageing product could be marketing it in the form of cosmetics or medicines or nutraceuticals. For nutraceuticals, we have the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as the regulator. For drugs, we have a separate regulator.
The fundamental problem is that India doesn’t have one regulatory pathway. In other countries, the pathway for approval of drugs, cosmetics and nutraceuticals is the same. Of course, the level of requirement of the regulator may vary, with the most stringent criteria being for drugs. India has created the Drug Controller of India, which is the gatekeeper of quality of medicines, and then you have the AYUSH (ministry). India is the only country with two windows of approval.
Who governs herbal cosmetics?
On paper, these are regulated by the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which comes under the Drug Controller General of India. But the Act is hardly implemented. In the US, if a company claims to have an herbal product that can make the skin glow, it has to show scientific data to back its claims. Here, neither the research on herbal cosmetics is published or patented nor is it reviewed by peers.
Herbal products have to be manufactured in an accredited facility approved by a regulator. In reality, many herbal companies have outsourced manufacturing. As the products are not medicines, the government is not involved. I am not saying all Indian brands are bad. But scrutiny is non-existent in India. People are mixing products with emotions, which stops the need for any scientific requirement or argument. The level of R&D required is missing. Merely using turmeric and tulsi is not enough. But who cares, as far as you are making money. By using unsubstantiated products, we are harming ourselves.
What should to be done?
We need scientific proof of what companies claim. Disclosure has to be 100%. A lot of companies are fortifying products with other substances. Adulteration with synthetic drugs is rampant. One can get a food product tested by the FSSAI. There is no such facility for cosmetics. There is no inspection of manufacturing facilities and accreditation. The good thing about Indians is that our skin is brown. This is god’s gift. We don’t get skin cancer easily. How should a customer ensure what he is buying is truly herbal? Do more research on the company before you buy. Look at its R&D. Choose only reputed players and brands.
Preservatives are used in herbal products for the protection of the customers: Shahnaz Husain
Always buy products of a reputed company, advises Shahnaz Husain.
How does a product qualify as botanical, herbal or ayurvedic?
Botanical or herbal are overlapping terms that refer to plant products or plant-based extracts and oils. For the uninitiated, a product is considered ‘natural’ when its ingredients are sourced from nature and not created synthetically.
What was the rationale for entering the herbal market four decades ago when the trend was yet to catch up among Indians?
When I returned to India and opened my first herbal clinic in 1971, devising treatments and formulating my own herbal products, herbal beauty care did not exist. There were no herbal products and no salon treatments, based on herbal remedies. But faith in ayurveda always existed. That is why our products caught on. We started extending salons through a franchise system. Our first herbal salon opened in Calcutta in 1979 and within a year, we had opened 80 salons in India. I entered the international market in 1982.
Would you describe Shahnaz Husain as a pure herbal player?
Ours is a herbal beauty company, based on ayurveda.
What sets brand Shahnaz Husain apart from other players in the herbal segment?
It is commitment to research and development, and the launch of highly innovative formulations. What also sets the brand apart is that it is not a faceless corporate or brand name. Everyone knows that there is a real person behind the brand who has been trained in cosmetology and cosmetic therapy. In fact, our products have grown out of clinical usage, based on massive client feedback. The brand has become known not only for general beauty care, but also for our clinical treatments and therapeutic products for specific skin and hair problems.
How much of herbal or botanical components go into the making of a Shahnaz Husain product?
The percentage of active ingredients in our ayurvedic formulations vary. It could be between 10 and 100% depending on the active ingredient being used, its potency, nature and application of the product.
Are there products made at Shahnaz Husain that are 100% herbal?
There are products, mainly powdered and oil formulations, where 100% of the ingredients are from botanical sources. However, it is mandatory to use preservatives, although the quantities are negligible. This ensures shelf life and is for the protection of the customer.
There is lot of opacity on the QS or base material.
QS is a word that is mainly used in herbal or pharma products, denoting quantity sufficient mainly of the base materials. Base materials are
excipients used in formulations and these are pharmacologically inactive or inert materials but play an important role in the formulation of a product. These provide bulk to the formulation, provide stability, absorb the medicaments and prevent decomposition. Base materials provide volume or add mass to active ingredients, thereby facilitating precise metering.
Who governs herbal or botanical products in India?
Herbal products are governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and manufacturing licences are issued by the Directorate of ayurvedic and Unani Services of state governments.
What is the standard procedure to get products certified as herbal or botanical?
Extensive research goes into the formulation of a herbal product. It takes several months or years before the product is ready for marketing. Clinical trials are done before the products details are sent to the licensing authorities for approval. It goes to a committee formed by the AYUSH Ministry to study all aspects of a new product for the grant of a manufacturing licence.
How should a customer ensure that what he is buying is herbal?
Always buy products of a reputed company, as it goes through quality control and testing. What is the outlook for the herbal segment? With total wellness and back-to-nature trends sweeping the world, the herbal, botanical or ayurvedic segment is expected to emerge as the leading one. Herbal beauty business has been driving the beauty business in India.
Time for ‘Safe to Eat Place’: expert
N. Anandavally
UN ex-official cites Technopark cafeteria inspection and resultant row
It is high time the State government implemented the Safe to Eat Place programme in association with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation , says N. Anandavally, former Food Safety Consultant of the United Nations.
Talking to The Hindu, Dr. Anandavally said food safety inspection in a cafeteria at Technopark and the subsequent unpleasant scenes reported in the media a few weeks ago should be an eye-opener.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation or any global regulation based on science is transparent and easily implementable. But, the way in which it is being implemented is disturbing for those who knew about the international or Codex system.
Dr. Anandavally said the intent should be to improve and educate those who are unaware of the importance of food safety and take action in case of serious deficiencies or non-compliance.
Proper procedure
It would be improper to go to a food handling facility with an army of police personnel. Instead, two or three food safety officials may visit the facility, evaluate the Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the layout or design of the facility, and provide a foolproof report to the authority concerned as is being done elsewhere, she said.
It is also the responsibility of the food safety officers to convince the management who may not be that knowledgeable in the area of food safety, she said.
Citing the recent seizure of stale curd from a godown in Ernakulam, Dr. Anandavally said the government should not wait for a crisis situation to act in the area of food safety.
Need for guidance
Any inspection should be a sort of communication of information and education for those who are being inspected. They should be guided for application of GHPs and GMPs even in a small facility so that issues related to hygiene and food safety would be minimised.
Dr. Anandavally, who initiated the concept of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) to address food safety in 1990, has already conducted more than 5,000 training programmes on food safety.
FSSAI Stresses On Safe Handling Of Street Food By Vendors
According to a report by the Free Press Journal, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked the state commissioners of Food Safety to initiate a campaign that encourages safe handling of food and currency. The move came about after various studies were conducted on the currency coins which are completely contaminated.
CONTAMINATED FOOD AND CURRENCY
“The handling of currency with unclean and soiled hands, use of saliva during counting and storage under unhygienic conditions leads to its contamination with a harmful micro-organism.” read the notification according to the Free Press Journal. “Cross-contamination from currency risks human health and causes serious diseases like food poisoning, gastrointestinal infection, skin problems and many more. Especially, children and pregnant women and with weak immune system person are more vulnerable to such infections,” said Dr Om Srivastava, Infection Disease Specialist to the publication.
The focus here is on the food vendors particularly because they tend to give out food and collect money with the same hand and are now going to be discouraged of the practice. “After handling currency, hands should be thoroughly washed before touching food items and vice-versa,” the notification stated. The notification also said that V K Panchal, Deputy Director of FSSAI, Mumbai said that money can be collected with bare hands but the food should be handled while wearing gloves.
He also added that while educated and knowledgeable food vendors will comply, it is the smaller food stalls at various corners of the city is what might cause a problem. “The vendor can try to control the spread by keeping extra hand/assistant for handling of currency exclusively, but that will add to his costing. If the consumer understands the genuine reason and agrees to pay that extra rupee for his protection, the move will be successful,” said Panchal to the Free Press Journal.
FDA asks business operators, fruit vendors to refrain from use of harmful chemicals
Panaji, Apr 7 (UNI) Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned food business operators and fruit vendors to refrain from use of harmful chemicals.
According to a statement here, Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has come across instances wherein agricultural chemicals like Ethapone, Etherel etc are used to ripen fruits like mango, banana etc and that such practice is commonly adopted during the festival season, when the demand of fruits is on the higher side.
''In view of such mal-practice FDA has strictly warned all the food business operators (FBO) dealing in trade of fruits to refrain from use of such harmful chemicals for Artificial ripening of Fruits.
Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have come out with an advisory wherein the use of Ethapone, Carbide etc for artificial ripening is strictly prohibited and hence FDA will engage in special drives to check for use of such chemical and any vendor found using such chemicals or is found in possession of such chemicals will be dealt with seriously as per the penal provision of law,'' the statement said.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has permitted artificial ripening by use of Ethylene gas at a concentration up to 100 ppm depending on the crop, variety and maturity through ethylene gas chambers which are licensed/registered under the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, the FDA further informed.
Check on lamp ghee after suspected food poisoning
It was alleged that lamp ghee was used for preparing prasadam at a temple
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is conducting checks across Coimbatore district on the label used for ‘lamp ghee’, a low quality ghee used for lighting lamps, following the death of two women near Mettupalayam, who allegedly died of food poisoning caused by temple prasadam made with the product.
B. Vijayalalithambigai, designated officer of FSSAI, said that lamp ghee sold in shops are checked to verify whether the labelling mentions that the product should only be used for lighting lamps and not of edible quality.
“Labels of lamp ghees checked during the inspections by the officials had labels mentioning that they are made for the use of lighting lamps. Ghee made for such non-edible purpose must bear the label, warning the buyers,” said Ms. Vijayalalithambigai.
It was alleged that lamp ghee was used for preparing prasadam at Mariamman temple near Mahadevapuram in Mettupalayam on Tuesday.
While Loganayagi (60) and Savithri (60) of Nadar Colony near Mahadevapuram died of suspected food poisoning, more than 60 people underwent treatement with complaints of stomach pain and diarrhoea at Government Hospital, Mettupalayam.
Officials with the Health Department said that the two women did not come for treatment at the Government hospital.
When food safety officials checked with the persons who prepared the prasadam (made of aval - rice flakes), they informed them that lamp ghee was not used for the preparation.
However, it was found that lamp ghee was used for lighting lamps at the temple.
“They showed us a ghee bottle with a label which said that it should be used only for lighting lamps. We could not confirm if it was used in the prasadam as its samples were not avaialable,” said a food safety officer.
It has also been alleged that the prasadam was prepared previous day night for the ease of serving on Tuesday, which could lead to contamination and growth of micro organisms.
M. Chandhirasekaran, Joint Director of Health Services, said that condition of those who undergoing treatment at the Government hospital was stable.
He said that the reason for the death of the women could be ascertained based on the autopsy report.
Commissioner reviews implementation of FS&S Act
JAMMU: Commissioner Food Safety, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar chaired a special meeting regarding the present status and preparedness of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS&S Act) in the State, here on Saturday.
The meeting held deliberations on the new food law and its current status in the state besides on ways and means to streamline the state food safety department.
During the meeting, the newly appointed Food Safety Officers presented their Vision Document and opined their suggestions for streamlining of the state food safety department.
Dr Kabir appreciated the suggestions of FSO’s and other participants and impressed for dedicated efforts to augment food safety in J&K state. He advised the commissionerate to gear up for speedy preparedness for implementation of FSS Act in letter and spirit.
Several important decisions were taken in the meetings including creation of a website, constituting of Flying Squads to address emergency complaints and VIP duties, constituting of Food Safety Resource Person Wing for awareness and training, creation of Research and Development wing in laboratories, Advance funding system for sampling and creation of Standing Committee and a Legal Cell and a toll-free number (to be published in leading dailies) to address the complaints of consumers.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Jammu Dr. Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner HQ Jammu Khursheed Ahmad and Public Analyst Public Health Labs J&K Sumit Sharma at Govt. Hospital Gandhi Nagar Jammu and newly appointed Food Safety Officers of Jammu and Kashmir.
Apr 7, 2018
Food watchdog warns fruit traders
Panaji: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned of action if operators in the food business, especially those engaged in the trade of fruits, are found using chemicals to artificially ripen fruits.
FDA will conduct special drives to check for use of such chemicals, and any vendor found guilty of using or in possession of these chemicals will be booked.
In a statement, FDA also said there were instances where agricultural chemicals like ethapone and etherel were being used to ripen mangoes and bananas artificially, which is a common practice during festivals due to the high demand.
FDA has also informed vendors and traders that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permits artificial ripening of fruits using ethylene gas at a concentration of up to 100ppm depending on the crop, the variety and maturity, through the use of ethylene gas chambers which are licensed/registered under the Food Saftey and Standard Act 2006.
Food department finds little to test in school kitchen
NOIDA: The food department examined the kitchen of Step by Step school but isn't very hopeful of pinpointing what led to students falling sick after eating their meals on Thursday. That's because none of the food served to students was available and no samples could be taken.
"We even checked the dustbins but they had been emptied by the time we reached. Had we got samples of the prepared food, it would have yielded good results," said Sanjay Sharma, designated officer, food safety and drug administration (FSDA).
The FSDA team waited outside the school's campus in Noida's Sector 132 for two hours before it got access to the school. Inspectors found just two items that they could bring back with them for tests - edible oil and ajwain (carom seeds), possibly used in the paratha served to students. "The results of the two samples should come within a week," Sharma said.
The FSDA said it has suspended the licence of Sodexo, the company responsible for preparing meals for Step by Step students. In an email to parents on Thursday evening, Step by Step said it had suspended Sodexo's services. The school, which does not allow kids to bring food from home, also temporarily suspended that rule and asked parents to send kids with food and water till further notice. The school remained shut on Friday and will resume classes from Monday.
Officials said in 2016, the district administration had imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh on Sodexo when a sample of syrup collected from the Step By Step canteen hadn't passed the standard test at the government laboratory in Lucknow.
City magistrate Mahendra Singh told TOI since the school did not provide timely access to the FSDA, all samples could not be taken, and that the school had claimed all prepared food was distributed.
"I had met some kids at Jaypee Hospital on Thursday night who told me cheese was also served to them. It was not available at the spot but it is possible that it was contaminated. I agree that the testing might not yield anything since only two ingredients have been taken for sampling," Singh said.
He said administration's concern was that facts should have been shared by the school to ensure the best medical treatment was provided to students.
An official who claimed to be part of Sodexo's human resources at the company's Mumbai office told TOI over the phone they would look into the matter on Monday.
‘Over 100 students fell ill after eating lunch’
FIR lodged against Noida school management; teams visit hospitals
A day after several students fell ill following a meal at a Noida school, teams formed by the Gautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate on Friday visited various hospitals and met parents of the victims to record statements.
Officials said over 100 students had fallen ill after consuming a meal at Step by Step School in Noida Sector 132 on Thursday instead of the initial estimate of 25 children.
“We visited Apollo Hospital, where we found that five children were admitted but released on Friday. Nine children were admitted to Max Hospital, of which two are still admitted. Eighteen children were rushed to Jaypee Hospital, of which 17 have been released,” said Sanjaya Srivastava, Food Safety Officer, Gautam Budh Nagar.
The teams also visited four other hospitals to ascertain the number of students affected.
Students had complained of severe stomach ache after eating lunch on Thursday. The children were taken to various hospitals across the NCR for treatment.
The Food and Safety Department has taken samples of food items served for lunch to the students for forensic testing.
Food samples taken
“If the food samples fail, strict action will be taken against the school,” said District Magistrate B. N. Singh, adding that a report is expected within a week.
“A parent whose son fell sick has given a complaint and we have lodged an FIR against the school under Section 328 [causing hurt by means of poison]. It seems that more than 100 children fell sick. We are trying to meet the families of students to record statements for further investigation,” said Vedpal Singh Pundir, Station House Officer, Expressway police station.
The school management has also been charged under Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty). It is alleged that the management did not allow administration teams to enter the premises to probe the incident.
The All Noida School Parents’ Association will meet the Meerut Zone Commissioner on Monday, and is likely to demand that the school’s licence be revoked.
2014 case
In 2014, the Food and Safety Department had taken samples of juice from the school canteen. The samples had failed the test and the administration had imposed a fine of ₹6.5 lakh on the school management and owner of the canteen.
The chicken and egg wars
Lounge asks four topical questions about the future of the bird
Counting chickens and eggs is big business in India, according to the National Action Plan For Egg And Poultry—2022 published by the Union government’s department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, which valued the poultry sector in India at about Rs80,000 crore (2015-16). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this ubiquitous bird often finds itself at the centre of controversy and competitions.
Last week, there was cause for celebration in Madhya Pradesh as the local black fowl, Kadaknath, was awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status. This bit of news offered some salve for the poultry industry, which has been in crisis mode since an article published in The Guardian in February revealed how farmed chicken in India is pumped with the strongest antibiotics. Overnight, some people swore off chicken, while others returned to their tikkas once the issue lost its prime-time appeal.
As scientists work round the clock to come up with a solution to the country’s growing demand for chicken, the poultry industry is poised on the cusp of change. Lounge takes a closer look at a few of the big questions around this little bird.
Is black the new white?
It was a war for GI supremacy between Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh as the neighbouring states went head-to-head to claim the local Kadaknath chicken. While the first farms rearing this all-black chicken were set up in Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh in the 1970s, it was Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected Dantewada that came up with a winning breeding programme. Although both states had filed for certification, MP emerged the winner, and, almost simultaneously, also came up with an app to market and sell the chicken across the country.
Touted as the black superbird for its high protein and iron content and low cholesterol index, Kadaknath is a rather striking bird, black from beak to bone. Despite being substantially more expensive than the standard chicken, retailing at anything from Rs500-900 per kilogram, it is finding takers among health food enthusiasts as well as fine-dining restaurants. Mumbai’s Indigo Delicatessen serves a slow-cooked black fowl and root vegetable stew while Hyderabad’s organic restaurant Jivati serves up a spicy Andhra-style curry featuring this bird. As chefs like Manish Mehrotra and Jiggs Kalra experiment with new dishes featuring the Kadaknath, this black bird seems destined for culinary fame.
What did we learn from the colistin-laden bird?
There was mayhem in the aftermath of The Guardian article, titled “India’s Farmed Chickens Dosed With World’s Strongest Antibiotics, Study Finds”. The idea of a potential superbug that could arise from the consumption of colistin-laden birds struck fear into the heart of the staunchest chicken-loving Indian. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also came under the scanner—antibiotic usage among livestock and poultry remains unregulated. Vast quantities of colistin, the last-resort antibiotics used to treat drug-resistant infections, enter India’s massive poultry chain to treat the birds and help them grow faster. This study by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism was picked up by the Indian media. As the conversation around this increases, here’s hoping the stakeholders take action and more free-range chicken farms come up around the country.
Can the chicken we eat ever be clean?
A possible answer lies in the clean meats of tomorrow. Last week, animal welfare organization Humane Society International (HSI) India in partnership with Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology announced that they will soon start manufacturing clean meat in a petri dish. The lab-grown meat developed from the bird’s tissue will not require medicines or additives and will do away with issues related to cruelty against animals. As the meat will be grown outside the animal, tweaking the actual nutritional content of the meat could become a real possibility. Although it will take a few years for the product to hit the market, research and development is under way.
Will American drumsticks and Japanese eggs rule the roost?
In the more forseeable future, American chicken legs will soon be lining Indian supermarket shelves. The Union government has lifted food restrictions, allowing frozen poultry from the US. This move is set to meet the growing demand in India for the chicken leg or drumstick, which is considered a prized cut. From the tangri kebab of the north to the chicken fry of the south, there is a chicken drumstick for every occasion.
Meanwhile, in an interesting turn of events, Suzuki, the legendary Japanese carmaker that changed how India looks at cars, is now set to do the same thing with eggs. It has teamed up with Japan’s largest egg producer, Ise Foods, to set up farms based on the latter’s high-tech and hygienic model of egg production, providing know-how and a boost to the domestic egg market.
Training-cum-awareness programme for hoteliers held
JAMMU, Apr 6: One day training-cum-awareness programme for hoteliers was held at Cygnett Park Asia, Jammu.
The programme was led by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Jammu along with Food Safety officers Ajay Khajuria, Daleep Singh, Jai Inder and Hans Raj.
The programme was organized by Rattandeep Singh Anand, Managing Director Trans Asia Hotels Private and Secretary of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India who emphasized the need of this training session which will be fruitful for all the hoteliers.
The session was attended by large number of participants from different hotels, restaurants and food joints, which included General Managers, Executive Chefs, Supervisors, Food Handlers and many others.
Dr Parvesh Kumar apprised about good hygiene and good manufacturing practices. He asked all participants to take care from farm to plate, such as buying of raw material, screening, washing, cooking and storing. He laid special focus on personal hygiene. He also briefed the participants about the FSSAI Act 2006 and its implementation in vast.
Assistant Commissioner also informed about India Food Show which is being organized by MMYSTIC India at Government Model Middle School, Satwari Chowk, Satwari Cantt, Jammu from April 13 to 15. This type of show is happening first time in Jammu where in a exhibition of food processing, packaging, food and hospitality will be displayed, he added.
The event was organised by Amit Kumar Sood, General Manager, Cygnett Park Asia, Jammu and his management team.
Apr 6, 2018
Two women die after consuming temple prasadam
Poor quality ghee is suspected to be the reason
Two women died of suspected food poisoning after consuming prasadamserved at a temple near Mettupalayam in Coimbatore on Thursday.
Loganayagi, 60, and Savithri, 60, from Nadar Colony near Mahadevapuram in Mettupalayam had complained of stomach pain and diarrhoea allegedly after consuming the prasadam — aval (rice flakes) mixed in ghee — served at Mariamman temple on Tuesday. The women died in their houses on Thursday.
Many devotees who consumed the prasadam had sought treatment at Mettupalayam Government Hospital with complaints of diarrhoea and stomach pain.
S. Cheralathan, Chief Medical Officer of Mettupalayam Government Hospital, said Loganayagi and Savithri were not among the 60 persons who sought treatment for stomach ache and diarrhoea. Out of the 60, 36 persons, including six children, were admitted to the hospital.
“Actual cause of the deaths could be ascertained only after post-mortem. Condition of all those who sought treatment at the hospital are stable,” said M. Chandhirasekaran, Joint Director of Health Services.
The police and Health Department officials suspect that the contamination was caused by ghee used in the rice flakes that was served as prasadam. It is suspected that poor quality ghee used for lighting lamps were used for the preparation of the prasadam. The police added that they are yet to receive a complaint from the families of the deceased in connection with the deaths.
B. Vijayalalithambigai, Designated Officer of FSSAI in Coimbatore, said that food safety officials who visited the area could not collect samples of the prasadam or ingredients for clinical examination. “Though we checked at several houses near the temple for samples of the prasadam, we could not get any” she said.
A food safety official who visited the houses of the deceased said that the women had not visited the temple for the function but could not confirm if family members or neighbours gave them the prasadam.
FSSAI proposes new rules for food products, businesses
NEW DELHI: India’s apex food safety regulator has proposed draft rules of advertisements for food products that will bar food companies, restaurants and hotels from putting up ads that are “against” healthy lifestyles or portray packaged food as a complete replacement for a normal meal.
As per the proposed regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, food businesses cannot use words as “natural”, “fresh”, “premium”, “finest, “best”, “authentic”, “genuine”, “real” on food labels except under specific conditions.
The draft rules also say that food businesses will not be permitted to advertise or make claims undermining the products of other manufacturers, so as to promote their own food products or influence consumer behaviour.
“Any person, including a third party, who advertises or is a party to the publication of any misleading advertisement not complying with these regulations, would be penalised with a fine extending upto Rs 10 lakh under Section 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” the draft norms say.
These regulations, after consideration of stakeholder comments and finalisation, are likely to come into force in a month’s time
Authorities in the FSSAI said that the proposed rules are aimed at protecting consumer interests and help them make informed choices.
“The guidelines also stipulate that the claims must be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, not misleading and help consumers to comprehend the information provided,” said an official.
In respect of nutrients or components, the claims may refer to a nutrient such as energy, fat, cholesterol, saturated fat, trans-fat, sugar, or sodium salt being low or absent, a food being a source of or high in respect of nutrients like dietary fibre, protein, vitamins or minerals—he explained.
Also, food products can be claimed to be fresh only if they are not processed in any manner except washed, peeled, chilled, trimmed or cut or have undergone other processing necessary to make the product safe without altering its basic characteristics in any manner—say the proposed rules.
Food safety officers collect milk samples
Vadodara: Food safety officials of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) cracked down upon milk suppliers as well as milk processing units across the city on Thursday morning. The drive was conducted in wake of directions from the commissioner of food safety, Gandhinagar.
VMC teams were asked to remain present at 6am. The teams were despatched to different areas and collected 12 milk samples. These were sent to the public health laboratory of the civic body for analysis.
The areas where units were checked include Akota, Ajwa Road, Harankhana Road in Wadi, Chhani Road and Fatehpura.
Apr 5, 2018
Health department team collects samples from food stalls near bus stand
LUDHIANA: Following complaints of adulteration and change in weather conditions, the district health departmentteam carried out extensive checking and sampling of food items in stalls near the city bus stand here on Monday, and issued strict guidelines to different vendors and food stall owners to follow the food safety norms effectively. The health team had also issued notices to some food stalls after watching the unhygienic conditions in their premises.
As per information provided by district food safety officer Yogesh Goyal — under the supervision of district health officer Andesh Kang — eight to nine food vendors based near the city bus stand had been checked thoroughly during the food checking and sampling drive on Monday afternoon. As many as 16 to 17 food samples were collected by health officials, including pizza, bread pakoda, green sauce, ice-cream, cream roll, popcorn, and apple juice.
Apart from the bus stand area, the health team also carried out a checking drive on Gill Road, taking samples from flour production and dairy production firms, and issued notices as per the rules of the health department. After collecting samples from different food vendors, the team sent them to the state food laboratory for testing. When the reports come out, the health team will take action, charging heavy penalties on all culprits.
NGO delivers food to 3,000 needy at Chennai’s ‘hunger spots’
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CHENNAI: Two months after No Food Waste (NFW), a homegrown NGO, launched its Chennai chapter, the group has collected and served food to nearly 3,000 people in the city. Started in Coimbatore in 2014, the project was launched in Chennai a year later only to close down. In February this year, with the support of the Chennai corporation, NFW’s food collection centre began functioning out of a corporation shelter in Zone 10 to serve the underprivileged and homeless in Nungambakkam, T Nagar and Saidapet.
Using two vans donated by the Tamil Nadu food safety department, volunteers work through the day to connect food donors with those deprived of meals in different ‘hunger spots’ in the city.
Through NFW’s website and app, anyone can help locate a hunger spot – spaces where there are people who can’t afford meals such as orphanages, hospitals, shelters, slums, and pavements. Once the pick-up request is received, a route for the driver is mapped. “We have three full-time volunteers who drive the van and deliver food at shelters, to homeless on the roads, and others identified at the hunger spots,” said Arun Kumar, coordinator of Chennai operations.
The response to the initiative has been overwhelming. “We get a number of requests from areas in north Chennai and around Vadapalani. For pick-up requests from areas beyond our reach or which seek to donate 50 plates of food or less, we inform them about the nearest place mapped as a hunger spot, so that they can drop the meals off directly,” added Arun.
The group is in talks with the civic body to roll out the scheme in other zones in the city limits. Anyone can donate food by calling 9087790877.
The NGO has also started food and beverage ATMs in cities like Salem and Coimbatore and plans to extend them to Chennai.
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