FSSAI - MILK PRESS RELEASE

FSSAI has published the results of a nation-wide surveillance survey of milk sold in the market both in packed and loose form, marketed by organised sector as well as un-organised sector.

1. At the national level, 68.4.% of the samples were not found to be conforming to the FSS Regulations. In this context, it is important to appreciate the difference between „non-conformance‟ and „unsafe food‟. Under the regulations, standards have been specified for 10 types of milk that include Buffalo milk, Cow milk, Goat or sheep milk, mixed milk, standardised milk, re-combined milk, toned milk, double-toned milk, skimmed milk and full cream milk. Out of these, the first 04 categories of milk are by definition “normal mammary secretion derived from complete milking of healthy milch animal without either addition thereto or extraction therefrom” unless otherwise provided in these Regulations as to conform to laid down standards. For milk of other categories, regulations permit standardisation of SNF and fat content by addition or removal of fat/SMP. (Skimmed Milk Powder).

2. In the survey, large numbers of samples have been found “non-conforming” for not meeting the percentage of SNF and fat implying thereby sub-standards quality of milk but not necessarily being unsafe for human consumption with proper precautions. Similar is the case for those samples that are purported to be milk (assumption being fresh milk) but found to be added with skimmed milk powder. These types of milk can pose hazards to the health if the water which has possibly been added is contaminated

3. Definition of „adulterant‟, „sub-standards food‟, „unsafe food‟, „mis-branded food‟ and „extraneous matter‟ as given in the FSS Act is annexed.

4. The detailed findings of the survey state wise has already been given in the report which is available on the website. It may be noted that 14% of the samples were found to be non-conforming because of the presence of traces of detergent. These samples were confined to Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal. This study indicates that there is a large scale practice of intentionally adding water to the milk and thereafter camouflaging it by addition of skimmed milk powder, glucose and fat. Such milk is considered as „sub-standard‟ and can pose health hazards depending upon the quality of water added by vendor. Any microbial contamination due to addition of contaminated water can, however, be overcome by thoroughly boiling the milk before consumption.

FSSAI Delhi

Now, food samples found adulterated after milk!

New Delhi: In a shocking revelation, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that around 13% of food stuff is contaminated across the country. The results of the study came a day after another survey found that milk, an important nutritional component, was found to be adulterated across almost all major cities.

As per the data released by the FSSAI, the high percentage of adulteration in food samples puts a question mark on the safety measures taken by the health ministry.

The testing showed adulteration rates as high as 40% in Chhattisgarh, 34% in Uttarakhand, 29% in Uttar Pradesh, 23% in Rajasthan and 20% in West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh. Besides, nearly 17% of the food samples tested in Bihar and Chandigarh, 16% in Nagaland, 15% in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, 14% in Haryana, 12% in Tamil Nadu and 10% in Maharashtra were found to be adulterated. Interestingly, adulteration rates in Delhi were low at 4%, while in Karnataka it was just 5%.

FSSAI examined over 1.17 lakh samples of food articles and tested them in 2010. The result was shocking that around 13% of the samples were found to be contaminated.

If we take a look at studies on food adulteration in the previous three years, the rates have shown a steady increase. In 2008, 94,000 samples were examined of which over 8,300 were found to be adulterated (8.79%). In 2009, 1.13 lakh samples were examined of which 11.14% were adulterated. In 2010, 1.17 lakh samples were examined of which over 14,000 samples (12.65%) were adulterated.

Future steps

Now that the reality behind what we eat has come out, the indirect poison that we intake unknowingly, has to be corrected with immediate steps. As part of this initiative, the health ministry has launched the National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre (NFSRAC) during the 12th Five-Year Plan which will cost around Rs 155 crore.


NFSRAC will be the storehouse of all food standards and will carry out analysis of food surveillance data received from laboratories.

This observation is expected to generate data regarding food hazards and possible outbreaks of food borne diseases which will help establish public health priorities for prevention, intervention and control.

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Delhi High Court notice to government on milk contaminated issue

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stands of the Union and City governments on a news report claiming that 70 percent of milk samples lifted from the national Capital were found to be contaminated.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought the two governments' stands after taking suo motu cognisance of the news report published in a national daily on January 10.

The bench issued notices to the Delhi government's Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration and the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and sought their replies by January 25.

According to FSSAI, 70 percent of the milk samples, lifted for testing in the national capital, were found to be contaminated with glucose and skimmed milk powder.

The report further claimed that almost 69 percent of the samples tested by the government agency across the country were found to be adulterated with detergent, fat and even urea, besides water.

According to the report, the samples taken for testing by FSSAI from urban areas included both packed as well as loose milk.

Around 13% of food samples found contaminated nationwide

NEW DELHI: After milk, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has found contamination to be quite common among food items across the country.

A comparative analysis has shown adulteration rates as high as 40% in Chhattisgarh, 34% in Uttarakhand, 29% in Uttar Pradesh, 23% in Rajasthan and 20% in West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh. Besides, nearly 17% of the food samples tested in Bihar and Chandigarh, 16% in Nagaland, 15% in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, 14% in Haryana, 12% in Tamil Nadu and 10% in Maharashtra were adulterated.

In 2010, FSSAI picked up over 1.17 lakh samples of food articles and tested them. Around 13% of the samples overall were found to be adulterated. Interestingly, adulteration rates in Delhi was low - 4% while in Karnataka it was just 5%.

A comparative analysis of food adulteration rates over the last three years has shown a steady increase. In 2008, 94,000 samples were examined of which over 8,300 were found to be adulterated (8.79%). In 2009, 1.13 lakh samples were examined of which 11.14% were adulterated. In 2010, 1.17 lakh samples were examined of which over 14,000 samples (12.65%) were adulterated.

This has now made the health ministry's working group propose setting up a National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre (NFSRAC) during the 12th Five-Year Plan. To cost around Rs 155 crore, the centre has been envisaged on the lines of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the US.

NFSRAC will be the repository of all food standards and will carry out all risk assessment-related work and analyse food surveillance data received from labs.

"It is proposed to set up a dedicated institution under the direct control of FSSAI for regulatory research and risk assessment. The institute will also carry out a food safety risk analysis training programmes and will become functional within one year of sanction of the project," the working group report said.

The group has also proposed upgradation of Central Food Laboratories (CFL) at a cost of Rs 40 crore. The group said in its latest report to the health ministry, "It is proposed to upgrade and develop the existing Central Food Laboratories at Kolkata and Mumbai as control laboratories for development of testing methods and standardise practices."

The group has called for a nationwide food safety surveillance network and data collection on regular basis at the cost of Rs 50 crore. "It is proposed to carry out periodic surveys for surveillance purposes with built in mechanism for emergency warning and linked with rapid action machinery. This will publish annual state of food safety reports," the report said.

This surveillance is expected to generate data regarding food hazards and possible outbreaks of food borne diseases which will help establish public health priorities for prevention, intervention and control.

The group has also asked for Rs 525 crore for strengthening FSSAI including expanding its scientific wing, imported food testing/screening and additional regional offices. There are plans to also upgrade existing 62 public food labs to accredited standards for comprehensive testing facilities as zonal labs -- one laboratory for every 10 districts costing Rs 5 crore a lab.

"A network of efficient laboratories is the backbone of any credible food safety initiative. Most existing laboratories lack facilities for testing of microbiological parameters, heavy metals and residues. Further, adequate number of food testing laboratories is essential for effective enforcement with greater rate of conviction of violators, citizen empowerment and voluntary testing by food establishments to comply with the law. The hierarchy of laboratories proposed is: Cluster Food Testing Laboratories (1 in 5 districts) doing basic tests, Zonal Food Laboratories (1 in 10 districts) performing all tests including residues and heavy metals, 10 Referral Laboratories and two control labs under FSSAI," the report said.

In addition, the committee has also suggested putting in place mobile laboratory facilities to cater to festivals, natural calamities and inaccessible areas.

"It is proposed to allot Rs7.5 crore to each state for setting up mobile food laboratories. These will carry out screening and analysis of samples to provide rapid results, provide additional sampling and testing capacity and also reduce time period between sample collection, analysis and reporting. Such mobile laboratories will be highly useful during festivals and large public gatherings," the report added.

Health standards for jalebees, samosas and burgers coming

The government cannot ban junk food but will soon prescribe health standards for ingredients of samosas, jalebees, pakoras, burgers and pizzas considered bad for your heart. The Health Ministry has informed the Delhi high court that the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India will come out with standards for trans-fatty acid for food items sold off the shelf. Most of the junk foods have high quantity of trans-fatty acids and is low in minerals, vitamins and other essential food nutrients. And, said to be a major reason for obesity among children in schools in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. 
The ministry told the court that the authority has constituted a scientific panel to prescribe standards for fatty acid residues, poisonous metals and microbiological parameters in food items including those considered junk food. 
Once the new standards are prescribed, the ministry has said that its enforcement will be responsibility of the respective state governments. Such (state government) authorities are required to collect samples of food and take action on the findings of the tests reports based on safety parameters and standards prescribed by the authority, the ministry reply to the court said.
The food safety law provides the power to the state governments to impose a fine on those selling sub-standard food not adhering to the standards. Despite that action against adulterated or sub-standard has not been of desirable levels.  
On the bigger question raised in the Public Interest Litigation of Rahul Verma regarding imposing a ban on junk food in schools and educational institutions, the ministry said it was an administrative decision to be taken by respective educational institutions. “The ban cannot be imposed under the food safety and standard act of 2006,” the ministry said.
The HRD ministry has already instructed Navodaya Vidalayas to provide healthy food to its residential students. The Navodaya Vidalaya committee has prescribed a daily menu for the hostels. Another school wing in the ministry, Kendriya Vidalaya Sangthan has issued circulars regarding ill-effect of junk food and highlighted the problems of obesity linked with it.
The Health Ministry also informed the court that the authority was preparing guidelines on making quality and safe food available in school canteens.

Delhi High court takes note of milk adulteration reports

NEW DELHI,(GGS NEWS) 11 Jan 2012 :- News of 70% milk samples from the city failing quality tests also rocked Delhi Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. The BJP-led Opposition demanded an explanation from the government soon after the House assembled for business on the second day of the winter session. Speaker Yoganand Shastri asked health minister AK Walia to investigate and crackdown on adulterators.

Making a statement to quell the panic, the minister said milk sold in Delhi was safe and the samples had failed the quality survey as the packaging did not state that skimmed milk powder had been added. Walia said harmful substances such as detergents and urea were not found in the Delhi samples.

The minister has called a meeting between cooperatives like Mother Dairy and Delhi Milk Scheme, and senior officials from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – the organization that carried out the national survey – to discuss packaging standards, on Wednesday. “We will go into the depth of the matter to prevent any kind of violation,” Walia said, adding that sampling by government agencies will be intensified. Further, the government’s laboratory will be modernized for quicker testing.

Quoting the FSSAI study, the health minister told the House that 71 samples from Delhi were analysed, of which 50 were found fit “though non-conforming to standards due to the fact that the labels on pouches had no declaration in respect of presence of skimmed milk powder”.
“As per the report, none of the samples was found containing any harmful adulterant like neutralizers, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, starch, glucose, urea, salt, detergent, formalin and vegetable fat,” a statement issued by the state government later in the day emphasised.

Walia said the government was taking all necessary steps to check adulteration in milk. “Samples of milk are regularly taken and analysed for all possible adulterants. In the last three years, 458 samples were analyzed, of which 70 were found adulterated or sub-standard because of deficiency of fat and solids-not-fat. But none of the samples was found containing any harmful adulterant,” he said.

As per Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, double toned, toned, standardized and full cream milk cannot be standardized for fat and solids by mixing skimmed milk powder.

Amul Welcomes FSSAI's Survey on Milk Adulteration

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the owner of Amul brand, today welcomed the nation-wide survey on milk adulteration by FSSAI, but opposed the findings on skimmed milk powder (SMP).

"It's good for the industry because rampant adulteration in milk shall get reduced with such surveys," GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi told PTI.

However, GCMMF is opposed to the findings on SMP. It's of the view that unless quality of the reconstituent milk made from SMP is not of specified standards, it cannot termed as adulterated.

"We don't sell powdered milk. The reconstituent milk made out of powder (SMP) cannot be called adulterated as long as it meets the specified standards," he said.

"There is little chance of mixing powder (SMP) with the loose milk," Sodhi said.

According to the survey conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), "the second highest parameter of non-conformity was the SMP in 548 samples (44.69 per cent) which includes presence of glucose in 477 samples....The presence of SMP indicates reconstitution of milk powder".

As per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, double toned, toned, standardised and full cream milk cannot be standardised for fat and solids by mixing SMP.

"During winters, the milk supply is 50 per cent in excess. So it is scientifically and hygienically converted into SMP by evaporating the water, with a view to conserve it," Sodhi said.

"The powder is made to conserve the milk in winters. It is sold later to meet the demand in summers, when supply is short. In some parts of the country people prefer to reconstitute powder into milk for consumption," he said.

The four-tier quality control check mechanism adopted at GCMMF ensures that quality milk is supplied to consumers, Sodhi said.

The National Survey on Milk Adulteration, 2011 was conducted by the regional offices of FSSAI in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. A total of 1,791 samples were collected from 33 states.

The survey found that of the 1,791, only 565 -- 31.5 per cent -- samples conformed to FSSAI standards.

CENTRAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF FSSAI

URGENT Email /SPEED POST

No. Dir (F&VP)/43/CAC/FSSAI/09 – Vol - II Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India 3rd & 4th Floor, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road,
New Delhi-110002

Dated: 2nd January, 2012

MEETING NOTICE

Subject: Sixth Meeting of Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI on 18th January, 2012 (Wednesday) – reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer the subject cited above and to say that sixth meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) is scheduled to be held on 18th January, 2012 (Wednesday) under the chairmanship of Shri V.N.Gaur, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI and Additional Secretary to Government of India. Agenda for the meeting is enclosed herewith. Detailed programme schedule and venue for the meeting will be communicated separately. You are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting. A line in confirmation to your availability for the meeting to the undersigned or Dr. S. S. Ghonkrokta, Director (Enforcement) (Telefax: 011- 23220994, Email: sghonkrokta@fssai.gov.in) will be highly appreciated.

Sd/- (Dr. D.S. Yadav) Deputy Director (Tech.) Tele: 011-23231681 Fax: 011-23220994 E-mail: dsyadav@fssai.gov.in

To: As per list attached

Troubled by FSSA licensing procedure hurdles, FBOs seek early redressal

The new Food Safety and Standards Act has come into effect on August 5, 2011, but the concerns of the food business operators about the new licensing system have not yet been addressed.

An unwieldy set of documents and untamed inspector-raj are just some of the concerns hounding the FBOs as the time for migrating to or obtaining the new licences is less and areas needing clarifications are aplenty.

Nevertheless, bodies like the Indian Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR) seem to have managed to successfully put their point across to the authorities.

During a candid chat via e-mail, Vasant Karkal of AHAR enumerated the challenges faced by hoteliers while migrating to the provision of the new Act and a host of other topics.

“First, the number of documents hoteliers have to submit to the licensing authorities while migrating from the old Maharashtra Prevention of Food Adulteration (MPFA) to the new FSSA licenses are nearly 18. That includes the water test certificate despite the fact that the municipal corporation supplies the water,” said Karkal.

Every hotelier has to give an undertaking in writing that he will abide by the new law (which is rather stringent), in spite of not having sufficient time to understand it, according to Karkal.

Further, a hotelier has to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the municipal corporation of the city in the event of loss of the MPFA, however, the BMC is not issuing any such certificate. "If the MPFA licence is lost, an undertaking has to be written on a sheet of stamp paper indicating the same," he explained.

“The complicated procedure does not end here. In fact, it is worse as the FDA officers are not accepting change of name of an establishment, though the same has been accepted by bodies like the BMC under other regulations like the Shops and Establishment Act, also the additional health licence being sought under the new FSSA and not to mention pay the annual fee of Rs 2,000,” he added.

Hence, "The Association has requested the FDA authorities to simplify the documents and convert the existing MPFA licence to the FSSAI licence by accepting the available documents, which they have acceded only for AHAR members," said Karkal.

However, the hoteliers are wary about the implementation of the new FSSAI, and with good reason. "We are worried because of the misuse of the power by the FDA officials like charging heavy penalty, charging without knowing the ground realities of the hoteliers and hotel premises of Mumbai, complaints and extortion by the NGOs and anti-social elements,” Karkal said.

“Requirements like plan copies, water test certificates of municipal water, changes in the names on the licences without valid reason, etc. will not be accepted,” he added. Although he did not comment on how the authorities reacted to the suggestions the body put forth, he spoke briefly about the suggestions.

“We had requested the authorities to be lenient in the beginning, as it would take us a while to fully understand the Act,” he said, adding that the body had suggested a couple of things. “First, we asked them to consider the option of a dual authority or dual licence, and second, we asked them not charge hotels heavy fines, as this would encourage social workers and the likes, who could resort to blackmail.”

Fungus’ on PSI’s sweets gives city shop headache!

Ahmedabad: On the day when Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) declared that 89% of milk distributed in Gujarat is below standard, a reputed sweet shop in Ahmedabad was caught selling sweets having fungus.
J K Dangar, a sub-inspector at Gujarat University police station, was allegedly sold one kg of stale sweets by Rasranjan sweet shop near Vijay crossroads. When he went back to the police station to distribute it among colleagues, they detected fungus on top of the sweets.
"I wanted to celebrate the birth of my child today. So I went to Rasranjan and purchased one kg of white pedha worth Rs314. When I offered these to my colleagues, they complained about fungus on the same," said Dangar on Tuesday.
Dangar went back to the shop along with two of his colleagues and asked for an explanation. According to him, the person at the counter denied the fact that the sweets are stale. "He didn't give a satisfactory answer, and was not ready to give me refund as well," said Dangar. Unhappy with the answer, Dangar revealed his identity of PSI, and vented his anger. "I was very upset with the answer and took back the packet," said Dangar, who immediately called VD Patel, an AMC health inspector.
After primary investigation, Patel did find some fungus on the sweets. He asked his men to seal the samples and sent them to the laboratory for further analysis. "We have learned that they make sweets at their Naroda-based facility. We will collect samples from there as well," said Patel. However, Rasranjan authorities denied reports of fungus. "Since we put sweets inside glass counter having light bulb, some do get such fungus-like shape on the top, otherwise sweets are fine," said the shop manager.
When asked about the action to be taken, Dr Suhas Kulkarni, medical health officer of AMC said, "The adulterated food was immediately destroyed by health officials and samples available at the shop have been collected for testing. Notice has been served to the shop and further action will be taken depending upon the test reports." He further said that if results find food to be sub-standard or unsafe for human consumption, then a case will be lodged in the court. "Also, penalty will be charged and the amount of penalty can go up to lakhs of rupees depending on the level of sub-standard food for sale in the shop," he added.

Most milk in India contaminated or diluted

(Reuters) - Indians may think twice before gulping down a glass of milk after the country's food safety regulator found most samples collected in a survey were either diluted or adulterated with products including fertilizer, bleach and detergent.
The study, conducted this month by the food safety and standards authority of India, found milk was adulterated with skimmed milk powder and glucose, or more shockingly hydrogen peroxide, urea and detergent.
Hydrogen peroxide is used in bleach, while urea is commonly used in fertilizer.
"Consumption of milk with detergent may cause health hazards and indicates lack of hygiene and sanitation in the milk handling," the regulator said in a report.
"Addition of water not only reduces the nutritional value of milk but contaminated water may also pose health risks."
A health ministry official declined to comment on the report.
India has long struggled with adulteration of food and milk by unscrupulous traders. Almost 70 percent of the 1,791 samples taken nationwide were contaminated or watered down, according to the report.
Out of 33 Indian states, non-fat adulterants were found in all the milk samples from West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. This adds to concern about West Bengal's faltering health and safety standards. In December, an adulterated batch of bootleg liquor killed at least 125 drinkers in the eastern state.
The deaths came a few days after a hospital fire killed 93 people in the state's capital Kolkata.
New Delhi fared worse than most states, with as many as 70 percent of the samples tainted. The western state of Goa and eastern state of Puducherry conformed to the standards, with no indication of adulteration in their milk

Branded milk is safe, claim companies

NEW DELHI: While TOI's report about milk adulteration became a hot topic of discussion on Tuesday, major brands were at pains to clarify that the milk they supply is rigorously tested and completely safe. However, consumers, especially parents of young children, remained sceptical and said the report had put a question mark on an important nutritional component.

"I buy only branded milk and we need to know whether it is safe. My two sons, aged seven and three, drink milk twice a day. If they skip a meal, milk also fills the gap. But now I am not sure whether giving them milk is a good idea. How will I fulfil their protein requirements?" said Aditi Sharma, a homemaker.

TOI's report had cited Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that found 70% of the milk sampled in Delhi adulterated. Glucose and skimmed milk powder were reported as the main adulterants.

Throughout Tuesday, important dairy brands tried to dispel consumers' doubts. Amul, which has a very large market share in Delhi, claimed it tests milk at four stages from procurement to distribution.

"It's not clear from the study whether the samples were taken from branded or unbranded milk," said RS Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation that sells under the Amul name. He said milk is tested before procurement from farmers, on delivery at the factory, after processing and, lastly, before dispatch. "There is a reference to skimmed milk, too, but it is nothing but milk solids minus the water and moisture," added Sodhi.

Nestle India general manager Nowuram Kumaran said, "The quality of milk available in India is inconsistent and most of us cannot tell the difference. The reasons why milk could be adulterated vary and therefore we track milk across the supply chain".

While Mother Dairy and Britannia did not comment on the controversy, Devendra Shah, chairman of Gowardhan India, blamed middle men in the unorganized sector. "The report is absolutely true for milk available loose. Norms for checking milk quality are not stringent, which causes extensive addition of detergent and water."

Acknowledging rampant adulteration in loose milk, a family dairy owner, Jagdish Chandra, said, "I sell milk for Rs 42 a litre but retailers who buy from me sell it for Rs 32. They clearly dilute it with water. But I doubt they use detergent or urea". Chandra's dairy in Vasant Kunj supplies to households in Green Park, Safdarjung Enclave and nearby areas.

Shopkeepers who sell loose milk, paneer and khoya said demand for packaged milk had increased after adulteration rackets were unearthed in the last few years. "A few years ago, adulterators were caught mixing urea in milk at Humayunpur. People rarely buy loose milk these days," said Rajesh, a worker at a kirana and dairy store.

The change in buying pattern among educated people is understandable as the risks of drinking adulterated milk range from an upset stomach to cancer. Babies or children regularly given adulterated milk can develop a variety of health conditions. Paediatrician Dr Shekhar Vashisht told TOI an infant weaned on cattle milk may remain malnourished if the milk is diluted with water.

"Milk adulterated with urea will lead to vomiting, nausea and loose motions; detergents, vegetable fat and caustic soda can even lead to cancer in the long run. It can cause liver damage, heart problems and damage of the mucous membrane of the food pipe," said Vashisht.

On a reassuring note, companies claimed adulteration is not very common in winter as milk is available in plenty. "In winter, procurement of milk is very good, so chances of adulteration are reduced," said Sodhi. His company, GCMMF, procured 19% more milk in 2011.