I am a Food Business Operator & Corporate Company. How does FSSAI Impact me?

Introduction
The Food Safety Standards Act was passed on 23^rd August, 2006, by the parliament. The Government of India on notification set a body known as the Food Safety Standards Authority of India that formulated the Food Safety Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011 that came in to effect from the 5^th of August, 2011. The Ministry of Health & Welfare governs the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).   FSSAI governs all food business operators in the country & has entrusted the powers at various levels to other designated authorities like the FDA to speed the process of granting registration or licenses. With the law coming into effect last year, it becomes absolutely mandatory for every food business operator to register themselves under FSSAI or acquire a license. The Food Safety Standards Act brings under one roof all of the following-

1. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. Fruit Products Order, 1955.
3. Meat & Food Products Order, 1973.
4. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947.
5. Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation), 1988.
6. Solvent Extracted Oil, Deoiled Meal & Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967.
7. Milk & Milk Products Order, 1992.
8. Any order under essential commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) relating to food.

The Standard Weights & Measures Act, 1976 is however, not covered under the FSS Act.
Any food business operator that fails to comply with the conditions will have their license suspended or cancelled without a refund of fee.
The maximum punishment for violating the regulations is a fine of Rs. 10 lacs & 3 yrs imprisonment. The validity of the license may be anywhere from 1-5 yrs from the date of registration along with periodic inspections as & when ordered by the authority. Every FBO whose annual turnover is below 12 lacs you definitely need to register where as if annual turnover is above 12 lacs the FBO needs to get a license. Every FBO must also file returns with respect to the class of food products handled by him for the previous year. Although, dairy industries are required to file half yearly returns.
Salient Features
The past: Need for a new Food Safety Law -
• The pre-existing food regulatory laws were complicated due to involvement of various ministries and departments
• Multiplicity of food laws and different enforcement agencies working in different sectors of food made it more complex
• It lacked in scientific base, modernization and advanced instrumentation in analytical areas
• Lack of awareness among consumers
The new Food Safety Law –
• Decentralization of licensing for food products
• Easy issue of License with time frame of two months
• No License for small food business operators; only registration is mandatory
• Ensures simplified licensing procedures and registration
• The act ensures safety of consumers and assures full compensation to victim (In case of injury, grievous injury, death)
• The act emphasizes on training and awareness program regarding food safety for business operators, consumers and regulators
• The act encourages self regulation through introduction of Food Recall Procedures
Benefits of the new Food Safety & Standard Act
• Single point access to all laws and departmental controls.
• FSSAI as a single reference point for all matters relating to Food Safety and Standards, Regulations and Enforcement
• High degree of consumer confidence in quality & safety of food

I am a Consumer. How does FSSAI Impact me?

Introduction
The Food Safety Standards Act was passed on 23^rd August, 2006, by the parliament. The Government of India on notification set a body known as the Food Safety Standards Authority of India that formulated the Food Safety Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011 that came in to effect from the 5^th of August, 2011. The Ministry of Health & Welfare governs the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).   FSSAI governs all food business operators in the country & has entrusted the powers at various levels to other designated authorities like the FDA to speed the process of granting registration or licenses. With the law coming into effect last year, it becomes absolutely mandatory for every food business operator to register themselves under FSSAI or acquire a license. The Food Safety Standards Act brings under one roof all of the following-

1. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
2. Fruit Products Order, 1955.
3. Meat & Food Products Order, 1973.
4. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947.
5. Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation), 1988.
6. Solvent Extracted Oil, Deoiled Meal & Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967.
7. Milk & Milk Products Order, 1992.
8. Any order under essential commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955) relating to food.

The Standard Weights & Measures Act, 1976 is however, not covered under the FSS Act.
Every FBO whose annual turnover is below 12 lacs you definitely need to register where as if annual turnover is above 12 lacs the FBO needs to get a license. Every FBO shall display the license, the format of which is given in Form C, at all times at a prominent location. Every manufacturer, distributor or dealer selling an article of food to a vendor shall give either separately or in the bill, cash memo or label, a warranty or guarantee of quality, the format of which is in Form E.
Any food business operator that fails to comply with the conditions will have their license suspended or cancelled without a refund of fee.
The maximum punishment for violating the regulations is a fine of Rs. 10 lacs & 3 yrs imprisonment. The validity of the license may be anywhere from 1-5 yrs from the date of registration along with periodic inspections as & when ordered by the authority.
Salient Features
The past: Need for a new Food Safety Law -
• The pre-existing food regulatory laws were complicated due to involvement of various ministries and departments
• Multiplicity of food laws and different enforcement agencies working in different sectors of food made it more complex
• It lacked in scientific base, modernization and advanced instrumentation in analytical areas
• Lack of awareness among consumers
The new Food Safety Law –
• Decentralization of licensing for food products
• Easy issue of License with time frame of two months
• No License for small food business operators; only registration is mandatory
• Ensures simplified licensing procedures and registration
• The act ensures safety of consumers and assures full compensation to victim (In case of injury, grievous injury, death)
• The act emphasizes on training and awareness program regarding food safety for business operators, consumers and regulators
• The act encourages self regulation through introduction of Food Recall Procedures
Knowledge Series
Benefits of the new Food Safety & Standard Act
• Single point access to all laws and departmental controls.
• FSSAI as a single reference point for all matters relating to Food Safety and Standards, Regulations and Enforcement
• High degree of consumer confidence in quality & safety of food

Health Ministry's new labelling norms on cola, energy drinks may dent sales

NEW DELHI: The Health Ministry's likely notification, which may make it mandatory for beverage firms making colas to declare caffeine content on their labels, could have a significant impact on not only on established beverage firms but also smaller, regional brands. Besides Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, several smaller brands like RC Cola and Big Cola also sell their beverages in the country.

As of now, companies like Coca-Cola already declare that their colas contain caffeine. But with the notification likely to enforce statutory warnings of all products that contain caffeine, sales of such aerated drinks could be negatively impacted, say industry officials.

Health nutrionists, on the other hand, say the move should be implemented without delay. "The notification should be implemented so that Indian consumers can make informed choices about their beverage consumption," said Dr S. Parmar, a leading Delhi-based nutritionist.

While the aerated drinks industry is estimated at Rs 11,000 crore and growing anywhere between 15-20%, per capita annual consumption of Coca-Cola products in India is just 12...or one per person per month. In China, that number is 38, in Kenya, it's 40. The global average figure is a high 92.

Last week, the Food Safety and Standards of India ( FSSAI) laid down new standards for energy drinks, according to which the beverages will need to be renamed as 'caffeinated beverages' instead of energy drinks. The energy drinks labels will also have to carry statutory warnings that the products are not recommended for 'children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons'.

The move will potentially impact sales of energy drinks brands like Red Bull and Burn. The food authority has also notified an upper limit for caffeine in the beverage at 320 ppm (parts per million). The draft standards have been sent to the health ministry for notification.

Hygiene whip on food vendors

Kolkata: Don't be surprised if your neighbourhood chaiwala is forced to close shop after July for not obtaining a licence under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

The regulation came into effect on August 5, 2011, but the authorities had not been able to enforce it in Kolkata yet. Not only large restaurants, bars and canteens, even roadside food stalls come under these regulations. The deadline for obtaining the licences is August 4, 2012.

"The regulations were formulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the ministry of health and family welfare to ensure that safe and hygienic food is supplied by the outlets. Every outlet needs to obtain a licence and maintain a certain level of hygiene. Kolkata is one of the cities where very few outlets have obtained licences. We have started raids elsewhere and will soon start in Kolkata. Outlets that do not have the licence will be shut down till they apply and ensure proper hygiene," a ministry official said from Delhi.

The problem is the Bengal government has not taken any steps to enforce the law or create awareness on the issue. Most food joints, especially the small ones, do not even know about the licence.

A ministry official said that they have information of some high-end restaurants, including a few on Park Street, not maintaining the requisite level of hygiene. "The food is to be cooked in a hygienic manner under proper cover to prevent harmful things from falling in. All stalls and outlets should have a proper sewerage facility that is not close to the drinking water source. The food has to be stored in a hygienic manner," he said.

The stall owner has to keep his hands clean and abstain from activities such as spitting, blowing his nose or scratching himself while preparing or serving the food. The utensils have to be washed properly in clean water. The regulations will also apply to college and office canteens and catering agencies that supply food during marriages and other ceremonies.

"We have been informed by the state government but preparations are still not at a level where we can issue licences to all stalls. Our software will have to be changed. We are looking into the matter," said Partha Pratim Hazari, MMiC, prevention of food adulteration.

Officials in Delhi say that they require assistance from the state governments and local civic bodies.

"In fact, the licence will be an additional benefit to the stall owners. By displaying the identity cards issued to them, they would be able to attract more customers. The customers would be assured of hygienic products, even if the stall is small," an official said.

The procedure of applying for licences is not too elaborate. The stall owner merely needs to apply to the registration authority that will then carry out an inspection and then issue a licence that needs to be renewed every year. The identity cards will be issued with the licences and have to be kept on display at all times.

Regulate salt use in fast food: WHO

A RISKY VENTURE: WHO wants the Union health ministry to regulate the use of salt and sugar in the fast foods 

 

New Delhi: The amount of salt and sugar on the menus of fast food companies in India may soon come under the scanner.
    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it would like to see the Union health ministry regulate the use of salt and sugar in the fast food being dished out. Experts say junk food — high on salt and sugar content — is fuelling India’s hypertension and obesity epidemic.
    Dr Nata Menabde, country representative of the WHO, told TOI that the global health watchdogs would support India with scientific evidence to help better negotiate with companies on cutting down salt and sugar use.
    “The ministry should put in place effective policies to reduce consumption of salt and sugar. However, there is also a need to change the tastes of general public. We recommend the ministry should take up the issue with the food industry,” Dr Menabde said.
    A recent study — Consensus Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Living and Prevention of Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes and Related Disorders in Asian Indians — says Indians have become more affluent, urbanized and mechanized. The easy availability of convenience foods have led to irregular meals and frequent snacking on energy dense fast foods that typically have low nutritional value and are packed with sugar.
    WHO recommends consuming 5 grams of salt a day by an adult. However, an average Indian consumes 9-10 grams of salt a day.
    Salt is known to cause hypertension that is responsible for 57% of deaths due to stroke, and 24% of fatalities caused by heart attack in India. Experts say just by reducing salt consumption, India can reduce incidents of stroke by 25% and heart attacks by 10%. On the other hand, sugar is being considered the new enemy in Indian kitchens. A consortium of scientists recently said sugar is far from just “empty calories” that make people fat. At the levels consumed by most, sugar changes metabolism, raises blood pressure, critically alters the signalling of hormones and causes significant damage to the liver.

An unpalatable truth about our food safety

Shop till you drop: The contents of some food items can be a health hazard

It appears India's food regulator has got all its priorities horribly wrong.
The regulatory body plans to spend a whopping sum of over Rs1,000 crore just on publicity during the 12th plan period.
The amount the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought from the government for publicity related activities is much more than what it plans to spend on its core activities - developing food safety standards, setting up testing labs, surveillance and so on.

Out of Rs6,548 crore for various projects and initiatives planned during the 12th plan period, as much as Rs1,019 has been earmarked just for publicity.
The meek justification being offered for this disproportionate funding for publicity is that people have to be made aware about various provisions of the Food Safety Act, 2006. While detailed rollout schedule and clear deliverables have been shown for various activities, the authority remains vague when it comes to its gigantic media spending plan.
All that the proposal says is 'awareness generation/ IEC programme would be as per well-thought-out media plan to be undertaken regularly using all forms/formats of publicity having wide reach'.
The Rs1,000 crore media blitzkrieg is expected to result in 'overall general awareness about food safety rules/ regulations and sensitisation of various stakeholders about food safety issues'.
The stated focus of the FSSAI plan is developing science-based standards for food products, standards for health supplements, nutraceuticals and proprietary foods, setting new residue limits for pesticides and antibiotics in food products, besides establishing a surveillance network to test food articles for adulteration, contamination, health claims, false labelling etc. 

But the funds being sought for different projects don't match these grand objectives.
The setting up of a national food science and risk assessment centre will get Rs155 crore, while Rs40 crore has been sought for upgrading central food laboratories including for GM testing.
For the proposed Nationwide Food Safety Surveillance Network and data collection, a sum of Rs50 crore is being set aside.
Expansion of scientific wing and facilities for imported food testing and screening would require Rs350 crore. Scaling up of 62 public food labs - which has been described as the weakest link in the surveillance network – will be done for Rs310 crore.
In contrast, Rs350 crore under the so-called media plan will be spent for undertaking a 'comprehensive campaign utilising audio and video and print media for dissemination of messages'.
An amount of Rs319 crore has been proposed for publicity utilising 'non-media vehicles' such as multi-coloured pamphlets on food safety, hygiene, prevention of food spoilage, use of potable water in cooking etc. Such material will be distributed to schools, vendors and will be displayed at bus and railway stations.
Another Rs350 crore would be disbursed to states at the rate of Rs2 crore for every state every year for publicity in local language.
K. Chandramouli, FSSAI chairperson and CEO, did not respond to queries till the time of going to the press.
This is not the first time when the authority has got its focus wrong. In August 2009,  exposed how scientific panels of FSSAI had been filled up with food industry representatives. All such members had to be purged and all scientific panels were recast.

BAN ON IMPORT OF DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM CHINA - FSSAI

DINAMANI ARTICLE

Meet looks at adulteration in milk, regulatory challenges

With food safety being the key area of concern in the food safety management systems (FSMS) today, a recently-held seminar by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) here, aptly addressed this issue.

The seminar was divided into two halves. The first session had speakers like Dr Venkateshwara Rao, director, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore; Dr Amit Sharma, Export Inspection Council of India; Vinayak Hasthak, Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry, and Dr Surya Kalyani S, scientist, BIS; addressing the delegates.

A talk delivered by Amit Sharma in good hygienic practices in food highlighted some of the hygienic practices to be followed with regard to air, water, and the environment as a whole or with regard to pesticides.

“The finished raw material has to be controlled and protected until it reaches the consumers,” Sharma said while explaining the topic. He said that the food products once detected unsuitable for consumption had to be segregated and rejected.

Sharma stressed that the equipment should be located in such a place where it was easier to clean and monitor, and that it must be located in a hygienic area to obtain a desirable temperature within a minimum period of time.

He added that water was another focus in this context whereby the new Food Safety and Standards Act had clearly mentioned or differentiated the potable water and the non-potable water.

“There should be proper storage facility for water and sufficiently protected,” said Sharma, adding that the new regulations had mentioned that the water consumed for drinking should be potable water and that non-potable water should be used for other purposes.

He said that there should be sufficient drainage and wastage proposal and that sufficient temperature control in the room where the machinery was kept.

Hasthak elaborated on good manufacturing facilities in the food sector, emphasising that the focus had to be put on personal health and hygiene; personal habits (tobacco, pan masala, etc.); hair protection; handwash and clothing and personal wear.

He stressed that the BIS had already set guidelines for these food chains, adding that the second pillar of food safety was the environment; where the plant should be located; cross-contamination and risk reduction, and regulatory compliance.

“Sections 6.3 and 6.4.3 of the BIS standards clearly talks about the pesticide,” Hasthak said.

He further said that the machines should be designed and maintained and it should be made sure that the equipment were easy to repair and maintain and designed and installed in an area where it could be cleaned easily.

He then pointed out that there was a need to infuse the validation process and that the food industry should also perceive foreign matter drive.

A detailed insight into the newly formed standards on food retail management by the BIS was revealed to the stakeholders and the food business operators by Surya Kalyani, scientist, BIS.

“To ensure safe food to the consumer it is important that the retailers play their role in the food chain as they are only reliable for safe food from a consumers’ point of view,” Kalyani said.

She said that there was a need to minimising the food damage, avoiding contamination by separating the food on time and space, and adopting a good
tracking system.

Kalyani explained that the food should be protected and the primary products should be as the value addition of the food products comes from the presentation of the products.

She said that foods must be packed following the standards mentioned by the BIS adhering to the labelling laws

The second session of the seminar covered topics on different types of adulteration of milk and the importance of the Food Safety & Standards Regulations and their role in it.

“The primary objective of the FSSA is to ensure safe and suitable food for human consumption,” Dr K U Methekar, food safety officer (FSO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, in his talk.

Methekar informed that the apex regulatory body had recently engaged advocates to defend them against different cases in different courts and that only cases related to foods which were projected as injurious to health would be taken up by these advocates in the court.

Mahesh Zagade, commissioner of food, FDA, Maharashtra, and G H Rathod, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Maharashtra, were also present on the occasion.

Further, regarding a detailed scenario on the various types of milk adulteration and different ways to detect them was elaborated by M G Haridas, project manager, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Milk is not only adulterated with water, but also with soy milk with around 5-10 per cent, and that which is difficult to detect, synthetic milk which tastes bad, has whey adulteration.

“No standards exist for antibiotic residues in milk today, which is a grey area of concern today,” he said.

He then said that India had developed a mycotoxin detection test in milk recently, which would soon be commercialised in the country.

Meanwhile Dr Sitaram Dixit, honorary chairman, Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI), explained how consumers could avoid and detect artificial ripening / adulteration in different food products such as bananas (calcium carbide); mangoes (calcium carbide); honey (jaggery water), and ice cream (washing powder), were all on the rise and were harmful to health if consumed.

Found detergent in your milk? Take a sample, file a complaint

While steps are being taken to check the adulteration of food, active involvement of consumers in reporting such cases can help in controlling the menace effectively, the state authorities believe. Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has promised appropriate action on complaints regarding the presence of adulterants in food items and related matters. He has urged people to be more vigilant and come forward with their complaints.
Hindustan Times had, on Thursday, reported about the increasing usage of adulterants such as colour/dyes, chemicals like calcium carbide and even detergents in our daily food items such as vegetables, fruits and milk. Last month, FDA, Mumbai had seized 6,000kg mangoes that were artificially ripened using calcium carbide – a carcinogenic substance.
The FDA is a prime instrument in the state that ensures consumer protection. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into force on August 5, 2011, every area has food safety officers who are bound to act on complaints and carry out the requisite tests. The act consolidates the law relating to food and lays down science-based standards for food items. It also regulates its manufacture, storage and distribution.
Zagde said that the FDA carries out random tests and raids, but public should not just depend on that, and be more responsive and vigilant. Officials also advise institutions related to manufacture as well as distribution of food to undertake self-audit.
Health activists recommend that people should provide the authorities with exact information of the incident, bills and samples while filing a complaint.
Zagade said: “Whether the product is branded or not, people just need to file a complaint with the food sample, so that we can carry out the test and act accordingly.”
To reduce the health risks, activists suggest that consumers should avoid buying vegetables and fruits with spots and necrosis, or from an unknown vendor. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly. Also, people should refrain from buying or consuming fruits that are cut from open market.

Wrong claims on nutritional value: Report & get reward

Soon you can approach and get a monetary reward from the country’s top food regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority (FSSAI), for exposing the food firms indulged in issuing misleading advertisements and making wrong nutritional claim.
FSSAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SN Mohanty told The Pioneer that the authority is in the process of framing a scheme to reward up to `1,000 to the whistleblowers for giving information against the misleading ads and nutritional claims. “Within the fortnight you will see the policy in place for the public.”
“Since the full-fledged whistleblower policy aimed to reward informants exposing food adulteration will take its own time to be formulated we have decided to make the beginning in the case of the misleading advertisements and false claims made by the food firms.
“We want the people to be aware of their rights as also deter the companies from taking them for the ride,” he added. There have been several instances where the companies have been found involved in issuing deceptive ads by making claims to hide the real nutritional content and used selective information.
However, another senior official felt that the stakeholders like Consumer Affairs Ministry and associations of marketing companies should also be involved for the positive results of the scheme.

NAGAI FSO ACTIVITIES

Watch out for wax on your apples, detergent in milk

Andheri resident Sunita Agarwal has become extremely cautious while shopping for groceries.  Like many consumers in the city, the increasing use of adulterants in daily food items, including fruits, vegetables, spices and even tea, has led her to be sceptical about everything she eats.
“All these food items look appealing, ripe and big.  When you eat them, you realise that they either taste different, or are not as ripe,” said Agarwal.

Consumers’ fears are not without reason. Recent tests carried out by several organisations have shown presence of adulterants in several items have you consume regularly, including milk and fruits.  Commonly used adulterants include harmful chemicals and substances such as iron filings, washing powder, or even animal dung. While some of them are carcinogenic (can cause cancer), others can affect the liver, kidneys or the digestive system.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mumbai seized 6,000 kg of mangoes that had been artificially ripened using calcium carbide – known to be carcinogenic. It can also precipitate calcium deposits in the body.
In tests carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), high levels of antibiotics were found in honey, a natural product. Antibiotics are used to keep the beehive disease-free for honey bees. Small doses of antibiotics ingested over a period of time can have chronic health affects and reduce immunity.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took 1,791 milk samples under its National Survey of Milk Adulteration in 2011. Eight percent of the milk samples had been mixed with detergent, which can result in food poisoning and gastro-intestinal complications.
Taking serious note of the concerns over food adulteration, the Bureau of Indian Standards on Monday organised a seminar on Food Safety – Role of Standards in the city on Monday. Stressing on the importance of food standards, Union minister for consumer affairs, food and distribution system VK Thomas said: “Standards promote public health by reducing the risk of food-borne illnesses.”
“The consumer needs to be aware. If they come across adulterants in food items, they should immediately collect information about the vendor, collect samples and report it to the FDA” said Sitaram Dixit, chairman, Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI).

Detained milk tankers clear adulteration test

PANJIM: None of the milk samples tested by the Directorate of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a surprise check on tankers bringing milk into the State, were found to be adulterated.

To ensure that the State receives certified quality milk from outside the State, inspectors of the FDA randomly swooped down on tankers carrying milk into the State and check the milk for urea, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, synthetic milk and starch.

“The FDA conducted a special survey on the quality of milk brought into the State of Goa by milk tankers from neighbouring states on June 22. The FDA inspectors conducted spot tests on the milk, for the presence of adulterants and none of the adulterants were detected,” Director of FDA Salim Veljee said in a statement.

The inspectors had detained three milk tankers for checking milk samples – one from Siddarth Milk Dairy carrying 8,100 litres of milk, another from Yashwant Dudh Prakaiya, Sangli carrying 13,000 litres of milk and a third from Sri Mahakali Milk Dairy Belgaum tanker carrying 10,000 litres of milk.

Goa largely depends on milk from neighbouring states with even the State’s main dairy Goa Dairy and others bringing in milk from outside to meet the demand.

The FDA is also cracking down on hookah parlours operating in eateries especially in the coastal belt.

“These hookah parlours in the garb of fruit based hookah products are pushing products containing tobacco and the nicotine content... which are not claimed on the product labels, thereby misleading the public as well as the authorities,” Veljee said.

The Director of FDA has asked all food business operators to obtain a food safety registration or licensing under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

“The last date for switching over to the new registration or licensing system is July 31, 2012. With effect from August 2012, every such delayed application shall carry a delayed late fee penalty of Rs 100 per day,” he said.

India Removes “Energy” From Energy Drink Label

NEW DELHI, INDIA – Out of concern for public health, India’s food regulator has stripped energy drinks of their “energy” tag, Mail Online India reports. Henceforth, such drinks will be called “caffeinated beverages” and will be labeled with a safety warning.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India reached its decision after considering the issue for two years. It said the name “energy drinks” is misleading because it gives the false impression that drinking an energy drink is required to boost energy.
The authority is also finalizing regulations for other caffeinated drinks, with a draft regulation placing the limit of caffeine at 320 mg per liter. Additionally, all caffeinated drinks will come with a safety warning specifying, “not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons.” The drinks must also include “high caffeine content” on their label and will not be allowed to make energy-boosting or nutritive claims.
The regulation is based on the recommendations of a committee that weighed scientific evidence, regulations in other countries, and data about caffeine consumption.

TNCCI meet on FSSA lauds Act, takes note of implementation bottlenecks

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) along with Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai, organised a Workshop on Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations 2011, recently in Madurai.

Chamber president N Jegatheesan said that the chamber welcomed the new Act by the Central government which was intended to provide safe and quality food in hygienic conditions to the people. The chamber had submitted several memorandums to the government for removal of many irritants and procedural bottlenecks in the new legislation, which were under the consideration of the government, he pointed out.

Dr Lalithaa R Gowda, head, CFTRI, Mysore, in her address, elaborated on the various provisions and standards prescribed in the new Act and on the consequences of selling unsafe food items. She also gave a detailed account on the various tests and analyses undertaken by CFTRI.

A Sakthivel, former chairman, MPEDA, informed that abundant marine wealth was available in our country with its 8,000 km coastline. “However, with inadequate infrastructure we are unable to make use of it in full. Only 10 per cent of our marine products are exported and 90 per cent are used internally,” he said.

Dr A Savitri, manager, corporate, scientific and regulatory affairs, Britannia Industries Ltd, Bangalore, in her address, insisted that manufacturers and dealers of food products should adhere to the provisions of the new Food Act considering the well-being of the consumers. She said that those within Rs 12 lakh turnover should get themselves registered and others should obtain licences under the Act.

R Srinivasan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Hotel Association, said that so far about 58,000 licences have been issued under the new Act in Tamil Nadu and the association had submitted an elaborate 470- page memorandum to the government on various changes and amendments to be made in the Act which was under the consideration of the government.

Anshul Mishra, district collector, Madurai; Somi Hazari, executive committee member; and S Ragavan, secretary, Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry; also addressed the meet.

BIS Finalizes Standards for Street Food Vendors

 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has finalized an Indian Standard on basic requirements for street food vendors as food safety is a major concern with street foods. This was disclosed by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof Thomas at Mumbai yesterday .He said that street food sector has shown phenomenal growth recently. Readily accessible and affordable to urban populations, street food provides the energy and nutrient needs to large segments of workers and their families in the cities. This sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people. Hence the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health and also promote the confidence of the consumer over the entire spectrum of food industry.

Prof Thomas was addressing National Seminar on “Food Safety – Role of Standards” at Mumbai. The seminar was organized with objective of creating awareness and to provide an insight into the concept of food safety with emphasis on the role of standards.

Stressing over safety of food and quality, the Minister said that as awareness regarding food safety issues among our citizens and concerns bout the hazards in food is showing an upward trend, the need to provide them with greater assurance about the safety and quality of food is also growing. Role of standards in the domain of food safety is immense. Standards promote public health and protect consumers from unsanitary, unwholesome, mislabelled or adulterated food; and provide a sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade in food. He said that in this background, the role of BIS, the National standards body of India is significant.BIS has also formulated about 1000 Indian Standards in the area of food products and food safety. This includes IS/ISO 22000: 2005 ‘Food Safety Management Systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain’. IS/ISO 22000: 2005 is an internationally harmonized standard and has emerged as the international bench mark for food safety.

Prof Thomas said that Similarly, the three Indian Standards recently formulated by BIS, Indian Standards on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Food Retail Management (FRM) are also important in this respect as they are envisaged to act as foundations of Food Safety Management System. They delineate the basic conditions and activities that are necessary to maintain a hygienic environment throughout the food chain suitable for the production, handling and provision of safe end products for human consumption. He expressed hope that Implementation of these food safety standards can lead to exceptional improvements in food safety performance.

Stress on security, hygiene at BIS seminar on food safety through FSMS

A national seminar on Food Safety - Role of Standards for Food Safety through Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) was organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Monday, at Mumbai.

The seminar highlighted how food safety was related to the presence of food-borne hazards in food at the point of consumption. The other aspects that it looked at included how food safety hazards could occur in the food chain at any stage, and hence, adequate control throughout the supply chain was essential.

It also threw light on how recent studies showed that there was significant increase in illness caused by infected food in both developed and developing countries, which had necessitated the need for establishing a food safety management system by all types of organisations within the food chain.

The seminar was inaugurated by K Sankaranarayanan, governor, Maharashtra. K V Thomas, minister of state (independent in charge) for consumer affairs, food and public distribution; Alinda Chandra, director-general, BIS; and Rajiv Agrawal, secretary, ministry of consumer affairs, food and pubic distribution; were also present on the occasion.

“One of our major challenges is to ensure food security for this vast population despite the limitations of decreasing area under cultivation and vagaries of monsoon and the limitations with regard to our irrigation potential,” Sankaranarayanan pointed out.

He said that the demand for food had also driven major investments in the food processing industry and that it was needed to ensure that the quality of processed food was maintained at all costs adding that as per the results of census 2011 the population of India touched 1.21 billion, which amounted to an addition of 180 million in the last 10 years alone.

He said that the increase of population by a whopping 18 crore had added to the burden on our limited agricultural land, water and other natural resources.

He mentioned that the cooperation between the private and the public sectors in the food industry would only be a favourable answer to ensure a safer food supply chain.

He then quoted some of the issues like water contamination and adulteration in milk, which had been a challenging task for the industry to overcome. Also fruits and vegetables that we consumed also contained harmful chemicals and organic substances, he said.

He mentioned that the importance of consumer education in the prevention of food-borne illness could not be overstated and encouraged consumers to be quality-conscious, quantity-conscious and safety-conscious and that could help organisations like BIS to succeed in their motive in the near future.

“The street foods and street food vendors sector has shown a phenomenal growth recently,” Thomas said in his speech and explained that food safety was a major concern with street foods where the foods were prepared and sold in unhygienic conditions with limited access to clean water, sanitary services, and garbage disposal facilities.

He concluded that BIS was finalising the standards for street foods and stressed that if implemented efficiently these had the potential to safeguard public health and promote confidence among consumers and the food industry.

Food and drugs administration goes on hookah parlour lockdown

PANAJI: The hookah could soon disappear from Goa's shacks and restaurants. The food and drugs administration (FDA) has directed hookah parlours to discontinue the use of hookahs at their premises after FDA food safety officers conducted a drive on such parlours operating along the coastal belt.
FDA director Salim Velji told TOI that in the garb of fruit-based hookah products, the parlours are pushing products containing tobacco. He also said that in a recent judgment, the high court of Bombay at Goa directed municipal authorities to ensure that such parlours are not allowed to operate in eateries.
"We have directed these eating places operating hookah parlours to discontinue such activities," Velji said adding that the survey would be further intensified by FDA in the coming days.
"FDA has also recommended that the government examine the feasibility of directing all state bodies to issue similar directives in an attempt to ensure that tobacco smoking is not allowed to proliferate in public places," Velji added.
Food safety officers had raided around 12 food outlets along the coastal belt and drawn three samples of these alleged products used in hookah parlours to test for the presence of nicotine.
FDA has also appealed to existing food business operators to register under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulation, 2011. The last date for switching over to the new registration system is July 31.

Energy drinks will be renamed to caffeinated beverages

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/crackdown-on-energy-drinks-soon/1/202228.html

Your favourite "energy" drink is about to lose its very name.
The food regulator has decided to respond to health concerns over the high caffeine content of non-alcoholic beverages being marketed as energy drinks, stripping them of the "energy" tag.

Energy drinks will soon be renamed

All such drinks will now be called "caffeinated beverages" and will come with a statutory safety warning. After deliberating on the issue for two years, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is now close to notifying regulations for caffeinated drinks.
The matter was discussed at the ninth meeting of the authority on June 6.
The draft regulation — yet to be published — puts the upper limit of caffeine in a caffeinated beverage at 320 mg per litre or parts per million (ppm). The currently prescribed limit for caffeine in soft drinks or aerated sugar waters is 145 ppm.
All caffeinated drinks will come with a mandatory safety warning specifying "not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons". Most energy drinks are targeted at young adults and "manufacturers compare the effects of their drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine", a note prepared by the authority pointed out.
Such drinks are heavily promoted in bars or for use in combination with alcohol, which could further increase health risks.
There are a number of scientific reports on the adverse consequences of excessive consumption of caffeine.
The industry, however, is upset over the inclusion of sportspersons in the warning.
Mona Malhotra Chopra, a representative of All India Food Processors Association, opposed including sportspersons in the same category as children and lactating mothers in the safety warning.
Earlier too, the industry has opposed warnings on caffeinated drinks.
In addition to the safety warnings, all such drinks will have to print the tag "high caffeine content" and will not be allowed to make any energy- boosting or nutritive claims. Malhotra Chopra also opposed the clause relating to nutritive claims.
There would be another warning saying "not to be consumed more than two cans a day". The labelling will have to be printed prominently on every can. The font size, percentage of space it should occupy and language will all be defined, just like pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs.
The new regulation is based on the recommendations of an expert committee which went into all available scientific evidence, regulations in other countries and data about caffeine consumption in India.
It concluded that "caffeine is not addictive but is a chemical with addictive properties".
While a risk assessment done by the National Institute of Nutrition came to the conclusion that caffeine consumption in India — mainly from tea and coffee — is low at present, the FSSAI felt that regulating caffeinated drinks is necessary in view of the " potential impact of their consumption on young people and adverse effects on health". Moreover, the authority feels that the name " energy drinks" is misleading because it gives the impression that " taking an energy drink is required to boost energy".
Such drinks will now be called caffeinated beverages and will come with a statutory warning.

Faced with sudden spurt in court cases, FSSAI on a hiring spree of advocats

Faced with growing number of litigations and proceedings related to the haphazard implementation of the FSS Act, 2006, across the country, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is hiring advocates or law firms to defend itself. In this regard, the Authority has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) for selection of advocates.

An FSSAI official explained in a chat over telephone, “There were different cases relating to various issues of foods and also with regard to implementation of the new law, which had created a lot of confusion.”

He said that it was mandatory to clear all the cases pertaining to different issues on food in various courts across the country for the new law to be implemented successfully.

“We would select able advocates and the numbers would differ depending upon the number of cases to be fought in the court,” he said.

And this number is substantial especially in the south. For instance, V S S Velshankar, honorary secretary, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants ' Association, said, “There are already seven injunctions pending in the Chennai court.”

Velshankar said that the issue regarding the implementation of the new Act has already created a lot of uproar in the state. He then highlighted some of the issues which were already in the limelight such as water and chillies.

He explained that water, which was to be used for different purposes and consumed was considered to be “potable water” under the earlier Act, while the current one stated that the one consumed or drinking had to be potable and not for other purposes.

Another significant issue was the specifications laid down for chillies and turmeric powder. He said that these specifications were based on the 1954 Act, which had roots in British rules, which needed to be reframed.

He stressed that chillies which were grown in different parts of the country had different odour, colour and taste and that each had its own requirement to grow.

Meanwhile, B C Bhartia, president, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that the apex regulatory body was aware of the fact the new Act would definitely give rise to multiple complications and litigations.

“Therefore the law must be simplified, which is one of the opinions of the industry where the FSSAI should focus to make it consumer-friendly,” Bhartia said.

He mentioned that there were issues with regard to implementation of the law, the registration and licensing, procedure for registration and also the method of collecting samples. All these are among many such cases wherein the Authority needs to defend itself.

Meanwhile, the EoI stated that FSSAI being a statutory body possessed the power to select and elect party respondents to defend their stand before the Supreme Court, various High Courts and Central Administrative Tribunals or any other court of law.

The advocates may also be required to submit their legal opinion on the issue and such other miscellaneous work related to court matters, therefore, FSSAI invites proposals from experienced advocates or law firms to submit their bid for each of their work to be carried out like defending matters on behalf of the apex regulatory body before various courts.

Further, the agency would be required to carry out activities like preparation of drafts, replies, para-wise comments, affidavits to the writ petitions or similar legal or quasi legal petitions filed before courts of law.

The agency would be advised to take up preparation of draft appeal as well as legal vetting to be filed before the court of law against any order or judgement, injunctions of lower court or tribunal or high court and after finalising, file the same before the appropriate court(s).

Also, the agency should pose legal opinion on specific legal matters referred to by FSSAI and its officials on matter involving a point of law including any subordinate legislation.

Lastly, it should also defend FSSAI as when required before various courts of law and that the selected advocates should pose as a prosecutor before an arbitrator as well as draft arbitration proceedings in which FSSAI is a party.

The advocates are needed to handle related matter in the labour courts, industrial tribunals and other similar tribunals and examine legal viewpoint in consultation with scientific experts, labs, and research.

“Registration essential for effective implementation of Food Safety Act”

The Hindu Collector Anshul Mishra speaking at a workshop on Food Safety Standards Act 2006, in Madurai on Saturday. 

The Right to safe food is like right to life and liberty and the right of the consumer to get the required food on exchange of money should be guaranteed and implementation of the Act should be done fully in ‘letter and spirit’ said Collector Anshul Mishra.

Delivering the valedictory address at the workshop on the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations 2011, held by Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Madurai and Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai, he said that the whole idea of the Act is to ensure that safe and hygienic food is available for the people at the prescribed rates.

Coverage of registration is essential for effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

All hotels, eateries and roadside food vendors should register their particulars with food safety officials at the office of the Deputy Director of Health Services, he said.

Earlier in the day, technical sessions were held on the subject where experts from the various fields made presentations. Lalitha Gowda, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Mysore, gave a presentation on regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and explained how referral laboratories would analyse a sample of contaminated food. She said that the technical staff members involved in testing the samples are well equipped and sophisticated.

A. Sakthivel, former chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority, spoke about the sea food industry and the intricacies involved in maintaining safety and standards.

A. Savitri, manager, corporate, scientific and regulatory affairs, Britannia Industries Limited, Bangalore, gave a presentation highlighting issues of labelling, packaging, registration and penal provisions.

R. Srinivasan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners Association, spoke on safety and standards in hotel industry.

Somi Hazari, executive committee member, SICCI presided over the valediction.

N. Jegatheesan, president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered the welcome address and J. Rajamohan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposed a vote of thanks.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Beverages, milk adulteration high in TN

High levels of adulteration are found in beverages, milk and milk products in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, even as the overall percentage of adulteration in food articles is on the decline across most parts of India.
This was stated in a note circulated during the workshop on ‘The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and rules & regulations, 2011’, organised by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TNCCI) and Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry here on Saturday.
Dr Lalitha R. Gowda, chief scientist and head, food safety and analytical quality control laboratory, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, referred to instances of adulteration detected by authorities in India and abroad, to drive home the case for FSSA.
“In India, a biscuit manufacturer’s claim that his product contained substances that enhanced the cognitive abilities of children was found to be misleading as there was no scientific evidence to back it. The manufacturer was forced to withdraw his product,” she elaborated. Pesticides in imported fruits were found to be within limits, she said

Mittal apprehends return of 'inspector raj' due to Food Safety Act

Punjab health minister Madan Mohan Mittal lighting a lamp to inaugurate a seminar on food safety standard Act in Ludhiana on Saturday. 

The Food Safety and Standards Act has not only raised apprehensions among those in the food business, but also the Punjab government which too seems concerned about more powers that would be vested in the implementing authorities. Punjab health minister Madan Mohan Mittal on Saturday

said though the Act would benefit the masses by ensuring the safety of food, he said it might give rise to a system of 'Inspector Raj'. However, he assured that the government would take the necessary steps to avoid such a problem.

The health minister was in Ludhiana to attend a seminar on the Food Safety and Standards Act. The seminar was aimed at spreading awareness about the Act among the masses.
Under the Act, all food-serving units will be required to get permission from the health department. Units with sales above Rs. 12 lakh per year will need to get licences, while others will only have to get registration.
"The Food Safety and Standards Act will be very helpful in maintaining a system that will ensure safety of food. For that, the people involved in the food industry will have to get registered or acquire a license, according to the provisions of the Act."
However, he added, "Since there are lot of people involved in the industry, including those with tiny businesses, we feel there is scope of 'Inspector Raj'. But we will design a proper system to keep a regular check on all the officials, to eliminate that possibility."
The Act has already created trepidation among the people associated with the food industry. Harjit Singh, president, Bakery Association Ludhiana, said, "This law is suitable for big business units. Small units like ours can never fulfil the norms of the Act. The Act does not even allow us to use water that is not passed as hygienic. Now, if the municipal corporation's water also does not pass the hygiene test, how will we use this water? The Act will only give more powers to inspectors and will certainly create 'Inspector Raj'."
In fact, worried about the provisions of the Act, the sweet makers have submitted a memorandum to the health minister.
Narinder Pal Singh, president, Punjab Halwai Association, said, "We have submitted a long list of demands regarding the Food Safety and Standards Act. There are provisions in the Act, which need to be revised. For instance, the Act directs us to get a water-testing certificate. Now, a certificate for both bacterial and chemical testing from private labs cost us around Rs. 4,500 with six months' validity. Therefore, we should be exempted from the mandatory water analysis."
Department does not have manpower to give licences
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, all food-serving units from a top hotel to a small tea stall will have to get registration or licence from the heath department. However, at present the health department does not even have the infrastructure to get the registration and licensing done.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official from the health department said, "In Ludhiana district alone, there will be more than 5,000 licences and around 1 lakh registrations required. But the health department is short of staff and people are coming to get licences are already getting harassed."
When Punjab health minister Madan Mohan Mittal was asked on Saturday about the workforce required to get the licensing and registration done, he said, "It will take time. We will have a separate wing for those purposes and we will solve the problem of staff shortage."
Till now, the health department has issued 834 licences and completed 1,375 registrations under the Food Safety and Standards Act across the state.

JK sans trained officers to check adulterations

Srinagar, June 23: The credible reports about high percentage of adulterants in the milk may have alarmed the common consumer, but it has not moved the State Food Safety Authority!
 According to sources the Authority has yet to train its manpower to check the food adulteration and regulate quality of edibles, as is required under the provisions of Food Safety Act, 2006.
 Sources said: “The Food Safety Officers of the Authority were not trained at all as was required under the provisions of the new Act that was implemented from 2011.”
 “Even as prior to coming of the new Act, the officers were given a statutory training of three months, but they don’t know anything about the provisions of the Act 2006,” sources said, questioning how could the officers do their duties without any training?
 “Some of the safety officers have conveyed to me about their helplessness in dealing with the violators of the Food and Safety Standards Act 2006,” said a designated officer of the Authority on condition of anonymity.
 Pertinently, last month, a 3-day programme “training of trainers” was organized by Food and Safety Authority of India to equip and enrich the Designated Officers and Additional Deputy Commissioners with the new changes brought in the Act 2006.
 As per the Act the Designated Officers are required to train the Food Safety Officers.
 According to the section 43 of the Act, the food safety personnel across India need to equip and enrich themselves about the shift (changes in new act) in the shortest possible time, failing which the food safety works would suffer serious setbacks and would nullify the positive changes that are purported to be brought in by the new Act (FSSA).
 Furthermore, the Act states that the existing food regulatory staff is focused on sampling and prosecution and may not be equipped to carry out the much wider range of responsibilities envisaged under the Act.
 The Food Safety regulators including State Food Safety Commissioners, Designated Officers, Adjudicating Officers and Food Safety Officers have to acquire requisite dedicated national level Capacity building program for various categories of Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 and are to be involved in granting licenses to various categories of Food Business Operators.
 In this backdrop, FSSAI has devised interim induction programs modules to be taken up as an initial exercise to make existing food safety regulators well acquainted with wide spectrum of regulatory provisions and new concepts developed in various regulatory mechanisms under the FSS Act, 2006.
 Apart from training them, the Act calls for training those officers who have also aptitude for training others, “This will enable the concerned States to cope with the changed mandate of the FSS Act, 2006 and would make the migration smother for various stakeholders in the concerned States.”
 Official in the department wishing anonymity said that despite a huge talent pool of students from Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology or Oil Technology, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Sciences, Bio-Chemistry, etc, the department has “failed” to hire them as Food Safety Officers through concerned agencies.
 When contacted Commissioner Food Safety J&K, Satish Gupta, said, “We have already trained the officers last year.”

Temples serving food must follow norms set by food safety authorities soon

COIMBATORE: Temples providing Annadhaanams to devotees will soon come under the gambit of the safety and quality norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

The move is to ensure that proper hygiene is maintained while preparing and serving food to devotees at these religious centres. A high level meeting was also convened here in the city on June 1 which was attended by officials from Hindu Charity and Religious Endowments( HR&CE) department and the designate officer for the FSSAI. The temples will have to get registered with the FSSAI as per the norms of section 31 of the FSSAI Act.

"We have already written to Executive Officers of all these temples regarding the issue. We will be able to monitor the mass food distribution ceremonies at the temples, once they register with us," said Dr R Kathiravan, designate officer, FSSAI, Coimbatore.

As per section 31, any commercial or charitable organisation indulging in food distribution and sale with an annual turnover of over Rs 12 lakh (commercial ones) both governmental and non governmental should obtain a license from FSSAI while charitable institutions and commercial food stalls with less than Rs 12 lakh turnover should obtain a registration to bring them under the purview of the food safety and standard norms. The deadline extended to the HR&CE to obtain registration is August 14, 2012.

"We have been informed about the registration norms but are yet to officially receive it in writing. But we have already passed on the message to the temples under us and proper measures will be taken," said a senior HR& CE official.

At the moment there are 60 temples in the four western districts of Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur and Nilgiri where Annadhaanam is conducted on a regular basis. Out of these 21 temples are in Coimbatore, 22 in Erode, 15 in Erode and two in Nilgiris district.

The state government has announced in the recent budget that food distribution will be extended to seven more temples in the region including two in Coimbatore and three in Tirupur districts. HR&CE officials also added that they will conduct periodic inspections of the temples through their own HR& CE inspectors and revenue officials. They also claimed that instructions have been given to the temples to ensure that the kitchen facility should be modernised and proper seating arrangements should be provided to devotees while serving food.

"We provide proper seating arrangements to the devotees and have a separate enclosure for conducting Annadhaanam in the temple complex. About 150 people come here to have food everyday from 11.30 am to 12.30 am," said an official at a popular temple in Sidha Pudhur in the city.

Maharashtra FDA, FBOs discuss licensing, registration at AFST(I) event

The Mumbai chapter of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) [AFST(I)] organised a regulatory meet for officials of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and food business operators (FBOs) in Mumbai recently.

The objective of this event was to have an interaction between between FBOs and the FDA commissioner and his team of officers with respect to the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations in the state of Maharashtra, especially with respect to licensing.

Mahesh Zagade, FDA commissioner, Maharashtra, was the chief guest at the conference. K D Yadav, president, AFST(I), gave the welcome speech. He thanked the Maharashtra FDA for their support.

Yadav said, “The implementation of licensing is not going to be an easy task. We will have to work hard with the FDA and FBOs to overcome the challenges. This conference gives a good platform to discuss the issues faced by FBOs.”

“The main objective of the regulations is to provide safe and wholesome food to people in general. The FDA will get the full support from the food business operators,” he said. His opening remarks were followed by Zagade's speech.

“We have to move at a faster pace to get the registration and licensing done in the state of Maharashtra. If the FDA and FBOs work together, the objective will be achievable,” the state FDA commissioner said.

“We have to work in a structured manner,” he said, emphasising on the maintenance of business continuity. He also spoke about the objectives of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and salient features of Maharashtra FDA.

Zagade said, “Maharashtra FDA has become powerful over the years. The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, strives to minimise the control on FBOs. We want the FBOs to regulate themselves.”

While speaking about the licensing and registration of food businesses, he assured the FBOs that the FDA will not be stringent in the licensing and registration procedure, and FBOs will be able to obtain licenses and registrations without much trouble.

However, he stressed that to run any food business, a license/registration is compulsory. He also said Maharashtra is growing economically, and like any other sector, the food and beverage industry is also growing rapidly.

“We don't want problems that will stop the growth of this sector,” Zagade said. For that, FBOs should follow the regulations. He also spoke about the punishment for not taking a license or registering.

Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, pertains to the punishment for carrying out business without a license. It states that, “FBOs commencing business without licenses are liable for a maximum punishment of upto six months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.”

Zagade said, “Maharashtra has 45 lakh FBOs, and so far, the state FDA has issued more than 1.5 lakh licenses/registrations. The national total is 2.5 lakh licenses/registrations, so the state is on top,” adding that every FBO should get licenses before the August 4, 2012 deadline.
Dilip Shrirao, joint commissioner, Maharashtra FDA, spoke about the challenges in the implentation of licensing. He said, “There are no agents, and there is no need to pay commission to anyone to get a license.”

A business whose turnover is below Rs 12 lakh has to register itself, and if its turnover is Rs 12 lakh or more, it has to be licensed. He added that the Rs 12 lakh turnover criterion isn't applicable to people who do business on their own (without any employee).

“However, if the proprietor of the business employs three or four people, or more, the Rs 12 lakh criterion will be applicable. We have simplified the documents required to obtain a license/registration,” Shrirao said.

“For registration, only the ID prood and additional proof is required, and the kind of business he plans to do has to be informed. There is no requirement for inspection for registration. Inspection is also not compulsory for renewing the license,” he said.

Shrirao added, “If someone doesn't get the registration within a month after he has filed it, it is deemed that the registration has been given to him. For licensing, it is two months.”

Prabodh Halde, vice-president, Mumbai chapter, AFST(I), spoke about the challenges faced by FBOs in licensing. He mentioned the generic issues such as the glitches faced when one is filing an online application.

“There are also issues relating to the confusion between the definition of retailer and manufacturer; licenses for non-food items and proprietary foods, and problems related to the state FDA,” he said.

Halde said, “Transporters' unions are not ready to take licenses. And who will force retailers to take licenses or registrations, Those are also issues.” This was followed by a question-and-answer session between the FDA and the FBOs. It concluded with the vote of thanks by M M Chitale of AFST(I).

'Label food based on glycemic index'

MUMBAI: Don't just count calories, check the glycemic index of each foodstuff as well. Doctors and nutritionists want Indians to learn this new health mantra in order to check the twin epidemics of diabetes and heart diseases.
"Foods should be marked and labelled as low or high on the glycemic index (GI) so that people can make healthy choices,'' said Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist and editor of medical journals.
Both calories and GI are measurements of how food affects one's metabolism. Calories is a measure of the total energy one's body receives from a food item, while GI is a relatively new concept that tells how quickly one's body can convert carbohydrates into blood sugar.
The need for GI-consciousness, say doctors, is essential if people want to watch their weight, control their blood sugar and stay healthy. "A food with high GI releases sugar instantly that could lead to fluctuations in sugar levels or increase wear and tear of tissues,'' said Dr Joshi. Low GI foods, in contrast, increase the blood sugar as well as insulin levels gradually. "We, in fact, have asked the government to make such labelling mandatory,'' said Dr Joshi.
Speaking at a seminar on "Placing the glycemic index at the centre of healthy food choices" in Bangalore on Friday, experts said that 70% of the Indian diet is made up of carbohydrates. "Hence it is important to watch the GI of the food we eat,'' said city-based nutritionist Naini Setalvad. She gave the example of rice. "Indians love longer grain but they should check on the GI of rice before buying it. Lower GI is better,'' she said.
A survey titled 'GUIDe Study' ('Glycemic Index-Usage, Interpretation in Diabetes & Well-being) released during the seminar showed that Mumbaikars were second only to Bangalore in awareness about GI. "Our survey found 50% of Bangaloreans and 47% of Mumbaikars were aware of GI,'' said Dr Priyanka Rohatgi of Apollo Hospital, Bangalore. Around 94% of Mumbai's dieticians who participated in the survey felt that GI was an important tool for reducing the incidences of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease and cancer.
What is GI?
It is defined as the rise in blood glucose after eating 50 gm of carbohydrates
High GI: 70 and up.
Instant white rice, plain white bread, white skinless baked potato
Medium GI: 56 to 69.
Sweet corn, bananas, raw pineapple, raisins and certain types of ice cream.
Low GI: 55 and below.
Raw carrots, peanuts, raw apple, grapefruit, peas, skim milk, kidney beans and lentils.

Learn food pairing for best benefits

Like human beings, foods can also bring out the best in each other, nutritionally speaking. Read on to find out who should date whom for your good health

You already know a lot about what foods are good for you. But there's more to healthy eating than just that. Sometimes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And this especially true for some food combinations, even if they sound weird when you first hear about them. Dietician Sheela Tanna tells you how to pair food to unlock the benefits of individual ingredients.

Turmeric and salmon
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Salmon is low on carbohydrates and high on protein. When the two are combined, the properties of Omega 3 fatty acids present in salmon get a boost and it guards the nervous system against the effects of ageing. It also increases the level of HDL (good cholesterol) which improves heart health by keep the arteries clear of bad cholesterol.

The combination is also believed to slow tumour growth by keeping the cancer cells from multiplying.

Whole grains and onions
Whole grains, such as maize, brown rice, barley and wheat contain iron and zinc in different quantities. The two minerals are absorbed by the human body more easily in the presence of sulphur compounds present in onions - which is also what makes you cry when you slice them.

Beans and greens
Beans are rich in proteins and iron. When paired with veggies rich in Vitamin C such as spinach, sprouts and potatoes, it aids weight loss. "Your body uses three times more energy to metabolise proteins than carbs and fats," says Tanna. "Vitamin C rich foods do not aid weight-loss directly. But they have water soluble nutrients which make them very low calorie foods. The combination of beans and veggies won't let you gain those extra kilos."

Also the iron content of beans gets better absorbed in the presence of Vitamin C from vegetables.

Tomato and olive oil
Tomatoes contain Vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene in substantial quantities. This antioxidant lowers the risk of cataracts, osteoporosis, cancer and the effects of ageing. Olive oil, also rich in antioxidants, promotes the formation of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body. Lycopene gets better absorbed in the presence of olive oil and is highly beneficial for the heart. It purifies the blood and dissolves gallstones. The combo also boosts liver function of protein synthesis and detoxification of the body. It's believed to reduce effects of hypertension.

Broccoli and mustard
Broccoli is a good source of Vitamin C, antioxidants and a compound called sulforaphane. This compound exhibits anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. The absorption of sulforaphane is better in the presence of myrosinase, an enzyme present in mustard. The two combat bacterial infections in the urinary tract, excretory system, digestive system and the colon. Iron is part of blood cells in the body and carries oxygen from the lungs to muscles and organs. Zinc helps in healing wounds. Antioxidants and Vitamin C present in onions also facilitate the iron absorption from whole grains.

Whole grains are also rich in Vitamin E which when combined with Vitamin C become beneficial for the skin. "This also goes for other combinations of vegetables rich in Vitamin C such as carrots, cabbage, peas and pumpkin with whole grains," says Tanna.