Aug 17, 2012
Food safety norms do not apply for haleem
Next time you step out to have a plateful of haleem, you had better think twice. For, a majority of the outlets are not registered with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) notwithstanding the fact that it is mandatory. What more, the civic body itself hasn’t issued any food safety norms or guidelines for these outlets.
“We had asked all the roadside outlets and establishments with a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh to complete registration by August 4 but most of them have not done the same. Also we have not set any food safety norms or guidelines as it is a festive affair,” said a GHMC official with the health and sanitation wing on condition of anonymity.
The medical wing of the corporation receives one complaint in 15 days on an average. “There is a definite need to create awareness among people as most of them don’t know that such roadside establishments need to be registered. The general public too don’t know that they can approach the corporation for their grievances,” said the official.
However, the GHMC authorities had conducted surprise raids at various establishments in the city in the last few days and found many were operating in un-hygienic conditions. They had also issued show-cause notices to Pulla Reddy Sweets and Main Land China in Somajiguda.
When contacted, L Vandan Kumar, additional commissioner (health & sanitation) GHMC, said, “the raids will continue. But we don’t have information on how many establishments are actually registered.” The official felt the Food Safety Commissioner ought to be keeping tabs on these outlets. While the GHMC keeps count of such establishments through HMC (Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) Act, the Food Safety Commissioner is entitled to penalise establishments under the Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA).
For the officials, there’s also the problem of shortage of manpower. “We currently have five food safety officers (FSOs) for 18 circles of the GHMC. But in the erstwhile Muncipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) area, eight FSOs were sanctioned for seven circles. Going by that, we need 13 more FSOs and we had also submitted our representation to the government regarding this,” the official said.
“We had asked all the roadside outlets and establishments with a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh to complete registration by August 4 but most of them have not done the same. Also we have not set any food safety norms or guidelines as it is a festive affair,” said a GHMC official with the health and sanitation wing on condition of anonymity.
The medical wing of the corporation receives one complaint in 15 days on an average. “There is a definite need to create awareness among people as most of them don’t know that such roadside establishments need to be registered. The general public too don’t know that they can approach the corporation for their grievances,” said the official.
However, the GHMC authorities had conducted surprise raids at various establishments in the city in the last few days and found many were operating in un-hygienic conditions. They had also issued show-cause notices to Pulla Reddy Sweets and Main Land China in Somajiguda.
When contacted, L Vandan Kumar, additional commissioner (health & sanitation) GHMC, said, “the raids will continue. But we don’t have information on how many establishments are actually registered.” The official felt the Food Safety Commissioner ought to be keeping tabs on these outlets. While the GHMC keeps count of such establishments through HMC (Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) Act, the Food Safety Commissioner is entitled to penalise establishments under the Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA).
For the officials, there’s also the problem of shortage of manpower. “We currently have five food safety officers (FSOs) for 18 circles of the GHMC. But in the erstwhile Muncipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) area, eight FSOs were sanctioned for seven circles. Going by that, we need 13 more FSOs and we had also submitted our representation to the government regarding this,” the official said.
Gutkha makers ask HC to let them take product outside state
The five companies that had challenged the Maharashtra government’s ban on gutkha on Thursday urged the Bombay High Court to allow them to take the product outside the state. The court had on August 7 directed the government not to destroy the seized packets of gutkha and paan masala till the dispute is resolved.
The companies that have challenged the state government’s decision are Dhariwal Industries Pvt Ltd, Ghodavat Paan Masala Products, Rajnandini Foods Pvt Ltd, SDD Agencies Pvt Ltd and Hira Enterprises. The ban was came into effect through a notification issued by the government on July 19 under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
The companies claimed that gutkha is not consumed for nutritional value and questioned if it could be classified as “food”. They said their business has come to a standstill due to the ban.
Arguing for the petitioners, senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas said such a ban needs to brought in through a legislation. Dwarkadas also contended that gutkha and paan masala were earlier regulated under the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and that the Maharashtra government, through this notification, is invoking the FSSA regulation for these products.
Appearing for the state government, Advocate General Darius Khambata defended the decision, citing health concerns. Khambata said the state government was “completely justified” in putting the ban in place through the FSSA and that the authority had taken the decision in public interest. “Millions of people throughout the country, including youngsters below 15, are addicted to such products,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group of doctors from the Tata Memorial Hospital sought to intervene in the matter in favour of the state government. Their counsel Rajni Iyer on Thursday opposed the demand to allow the packets to be taken outside the state, saying this would amount to “exporting misery”.
The case will now be heard on September 12.
The companies that have challenged the state government’s decision are Dhariwal Industries Pvt Ltd, Ghodavat Paan Masala Products, Rajnandini Foods Pvt Ltd, SDD Agencies Pvt Ltd and Hira Enterprises. The ban was came into effect through a notification issued by the government on July 19 under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
The companies claimed that gutkha is not consumed for nutritional value and questioned if it could be classified as “food”. They said their business has come to a standstill due to the ban.
Arguing for the petitioners, senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas said such a ban needs to brought in through a legislation. Dwarkadas also contended that gutkha and paan masala were earlier regulated under the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and that the Maharashtra government, through this notification, is invoking the FSSA regulation for these products.
Appearing for the state government, Advocate General Darius Khambata defended the decision, citing health concerns. Khambata said the state government was “completely justified” in putting the ban in place through the FSSA and that the authority had taken the decision in public interest. “Millions of people throughout the country, including youngsters below 15, are addicted to such products,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group of doctors from the Tata Memorial Hospital sought to intervene in the matter in favour of the state government. Their counsel Rajni Iyer on Thursday opposed the demand to allow the packets to be taken outside the state, saying this would amount to “exporting misery”.
The case will now be heard on September 12.
Canned Food from J&K
With an annual turnover of fresh fruits and dry fruits of the order of Rs. 3500 crores, horticulture plays a significant role in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. An estimated 25 lakh people are connected directly or indirectly with the horticulture sector. Horticulture production has increased from 17.13 lakh metric tonnes in 2009-10 to 22.21 lakh metric tonnes in 2010-11 recording an increase of 29.65%. Accordingly, the scope of export of the horticulture products in various forms viz., fresh & dry fruits, fruit concentrates, processed and packaged food is increasing day by day. The processing of fruits into pulp and juice has proven to be a huge market. Apart from this, since last few years J&K state has been witnessing a spurt in local consumption as well as export of processed & packed mutton food especially Kashmiri Food items. Wazwan recipes preferred over generations are now available in cans, expanding market potential and meeting national and even international demands. Processed/value-added products have tremendous scope due to changes in life style; Urbanization; Better returns from Marketable surpluses; Increase in per capita income; Increase in working Women population; Price stabilization and Scarcity of household labourers. These factors have contributed in increasing demand for processed products both in domestic and International markets.
With a continuous surge in export of fruits, dry fruits and processed & canned food items from J&K, it becomes pertinent that every producer/ manufacturer is guided & controlled by a set of quality control/ assurance policy. Confidence in safety and integrity of the food supply is an important requirement for consumers. Industries are expected to use only fresh and hygienic ingredients for processing the Food Products. For this we need to have sufficient quality testing/ assurance facilities in our state so as to certify quality of processed/ packaged food products after conducting various stringent quality tests on the food products. Quality certification of all types of packaged fruit/ food items by Quality Control/ Analysis Laboratories has, today, become an essential component of food control system to protect health and safety of domestic/ international consumers. These are essential for enabling authorities to assure safety and monitor quality of state’s agricultural/ horticulture produce entering national/international trade and also to ensure that imported fruit/ vegetables conform to required standards. The analytical results of a Quality Control laboratory are often used as evidence in a court of law to determine compliance with regulations or standards of the country.
Unfortunately, J&K state sans such facility which, otherwise should have been available in each and every city/ town. Globalization of the food supply chain, the increasing importance of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the obligations emerging from the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements have resulted in unprecedented interest in development of high food standards and regulations and strengthening of food control infrastructure in our state, also. Globally, the incidence of food borne diseases is increasing and international food trade is disrupted by frequent disputes over food safety and quality requirements. Food borne disease outbreaks involving agents such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and chemical contaminants highlight problems with food safety and increase public anxiety that modern farming systems, food processing and marketing do not provide adequate safeguards for public health. Consumers expect protection from hazards occurring along the entire food chain, from primary producer through consumer (often described as the farm-to-table continuum).
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. Various central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit Products Order, 1955, Meat Food Products Order, 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988, Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992 etc stand repealed after commencement of FSS Act, 2006. The Act aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command. To this effect, the Act establishes an independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions of the Act. Apart from other important functions, FSSAI has been mandated by the FSS Act, 2006 for laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies engaged in certification of food safety management system for food businesses and laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of the accredited laboratories. In J&K state also, the government recently appointed and designated the Controller Food & Drugs as Commissioner of Food Safety for efficient implementation of food safety and standards and other requirements laid down under this Act and the rules and regulations made there under.
Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine under Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Government of India has established Food Quality Control/ Analysis Lab at Canal Road in Jammu, which undertakes testing, quality control & offers consultancy/ licensing services with regard to plants, drugs, water, fertilizers, metal residues and pesticides residues etc. IIIM facility is insufficient to meet quality control testing/assurance requirements of horticulture producers & food processors scattered all over the state. Similar types of facilities are required to be created by the government or under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, at least, in each district for issuing quality control/ assurance certificates to all orchard owners/ farmers/ food processors exporting their produce outside the state/ country. These recognized/ accredited laboratories should be easily accessible to producers of fresh/ dry fruits and processed foods who may seek certification of quality of their products against affordable charges/ fees and well in time. Establishment of these laboratories gains more importance because of fast increasing trend of “Organic Farming” or farming with lesser use of pesticides. The Quality Control/ Analysis Labs, thus established, shall also certify degree of use of pesticides in fruits/ vegetables, thus helping the ultimate consumers making choice before buying fruits/ vegetables even for daily use.
To start with, it will be appropriate for the government to set up Quality Control/ Analysis Labs, on urgent basis, in three terminal fruit/ vegetable markets i.e., Narwal in Jammu, Parimpura and Sopore in Kashmir valley and in five satellite fruit/ vegetable markets at Batote, Rajouri, Kupwara, Kulgam and Kargil. All these markets have sufficient land required for establishment of such labs and the major business activities of fruit (both fresh and dry) and vegetables are carried on in these markets. These quality control laboratories, once established, shall encourage grower/ manufacturer/ trader community to meet quality standards while making export of fruit/ processed food outside the State and country. The certification facilities available at Quality Control/ Analysis labs shall enable J&K state growers and traders face perfect competition in the market. It has been observed that the imported fruit is sold in our markets with much higher prices in comparison to our own products although our fruit is of good quality and taste. We’ll be also able to check quality as well as required Food Control standards in imported fruit.
The facility should be provided in aforesaid eight markets in the first instance and, later on, in order to cover all fruit producing areas, the labs should be established in other Terminal/ Satellite markets. These laboratories should have adequate facilities for physical, microbiological and chemical analyses. In addition to simple routine analysis, the laboratories should be equipped with more sophisticated instruments, apparatus and library facilities as required. It is necessary that utmost care should be taken to ensure efficient and effective performance of the laboratory. The introduction of analytical quality assurance programmes and accreditation of the laboratory by an appropriate accreditation agency within the country or from outside, shall enable the laboratory to improve its performance and to ensure reliability, accuracy and repeatability of its results. The number and location of the laboratories should be determined in relation to the objectives of the system and the volume of work.
With a continuous surge in export of fruits, dry fruits and processed & canned food items from J&K, it becomes pertinent that every producer/ manufacturer is guided & controlled by a set of quality control/ assurance policy. Confidence in safety and integrity of the food supply is an important requirement for consumers. Industries are expected to use only fresh and hygienic ingredients for processing the Food Products. For this we need to have sufficient quality testing/ assurance facilities in our state so as to certify quality of processed/ packaged food products after conducting various stringent quality tests on the food products. Quality certification of all types of packaged fruit/ food items by Quality Control/ Analysis Laboratories has, today, become an essential component of food control system to protect health and safety of domestic/ international consumers. These are essential for enabling authorities to assure safety and monitor quality of state’s agricultural/ horticulture produce entering national/international trade and also to ensure that imported fruit/ vegetables conform to required standards. The analytical results of a Quality Control laboratory are often used as evidence in a court of law to determine compliance with regulations or standards of the country.
Unfortunately, J&K state sans such facility which, otherwise should have been available in each and every city/ town. Globalization of the food supply chain, the increasing importance of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the obligations emerging from the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements have resulted in unprecedented interest in development of high food standards and regulations and strengthening of food control infrastructure in our state, also. Globally, the incidence of food borne diseases is increasing and international food trade is disrupted by frequent disputes over food safety and quality requirements. Food borne disease outbreaks involving agents such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and chemical contaminants highlight problems with food safety and increase public anxiety that modern farming systems, food processing and marketing do not provide adequate safeguards for public health. Consumers expect protection from hazards occurring along the entire food chain, from primary producer through consumer (often described as the farm-to-table continuum).
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. Various central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit Products Order, 1955, Meat Food Products Order, 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988, Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992 etc stand repealed after commencement of FSS Act, 2006. The Act aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command. To this effect, the Act establishes an independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions of the Act. Apart from other important functions, FSSAI has been mandated by the FSS Act, 2006 for laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies engaged in certification of food safety management system for food businesses and laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories and notification of the accredited laboratories. In J&K state also, the government recently appointed and designated the Controller Food & Drugs as Commissioner of Food Safety for efficient implementation of food safety and standards and other requirements laid down under this Act and the rules and regulations made there under.
Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine under Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Government of India has established Food Quality Control/ Analysis Lab at Canal Road in Jammu, which undertakes testing, quality control & offers consultancy/ licensing services with regard to plants, drugs, water, fertilizers, metal residues and pesticides residues etc. IIIM facility is insufficient to meet quality control testing/assurance requirements of horticulture producers & food processors scattered all over the state. Similar types of facilities are required to be created by the government or under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, at least, in each district for issuing quality control/ assurance certificates to all orchard owners/ farmers/ food processors exporting their produce outside the state/ country. These recognized/ accredited laboratories should be easily accessible to producers of fresh/ dry fruits and processed foods who may seek certification of quality of their products against affordable charges/ fees and well in time. Establishment of these laboratories gains more importance because of fast increasing trend of “Organic Farming” or farming with lesser use of pesticides. The Quality Control/ Analysis Labs, thus established, shall also certify degree of use of pesticides in fruits/ vegetables, thus helping the ultimate consumers making choice before buying fruits/ vegetables even for daily use.
To start with, it will be appropriate for the government to set up Quality Control/ Analysis Labs, on urgent basis, in three terminal fruit/ vegetable markets i.e., Narwal in Jammu, Parimpura and Sopore in Kashmir valley and in five satellite fruit/ vegetable markets at Batote, Rajouri, Kupwara, Kulgam and Kargil. All these markets have sufficient land required for establishment of such labs and the major business activities of fruit (both fresh and dry) and vegetables are carried on in these markets. These quality control laboratories, once established, shall encourage grower/ manufacturer/ trader community to meet quality standards while making export of fruit/ processed food outside the State and country. The certification facilities available at Quality Control/ Analysis labs shall enable J&K state growers and traders face perfect competition in the market. It has been observed that the imported fruit is sold in our markets with much higher prices in comparison to our own products although our fruit is of good quality and taste. We’ll be also able to check quality as well as required Food Control standards in imported fruit.
The facility should be provided in aforesaid eight markets in the first instance and, later on, in order to cover all fruit producing areas, the labs should be established in other Terminal/ Satellite markets. These laboratories should have adequate facilities for physical, microbiological and chemical analyses. In addition to simple routine analysis, the laboratories should be equipped with more sophisticated instruments, apparatus and library facilities as required. It is necessary that utmost care should be taken to ensure efficient and effective performance of the laboratory. The introduction of analytical quality assurance programmes and accreditation of the laboratory by an appropriate accreditation agency within the country or from outside, shall enable the laboratory to improve its performance and to ensure reliability, accuracy and repeatability of its results. The number and location of the laboratories should be determined in relation to the objectives of the system and the volume of work.
Milk powder fears raised again
A second baby has been found to have an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level after drinking banned Japanese formula.
The seven-month-old girl registered a level slightly above the reference range, the Department of Health said last night.
Five other samples were found to be normal.
After the latest case was reviewed by Hospital Authority specialists and the department, it was learned that the girl has been mostly breastfed and only consumed Morinaga infant formula occasionally.
"Given the dietary history, the cause of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is less likely due to the formula and the cause requires further investigation," a department spokesman said.
The girl is thought to be the second baby to have abnormal levels of the hormone linked to the low iodine content of milk.
Also, two Korean infant formula brands - Namyang XO Five Secret 1 and 2 - were found to have iodine content below the international requirement, but show no health risks to infants, the Centre for Food Safety said last night.
The center has so far announced test results for 46 infant powders, among which six manufactured in Japan were found to have "rather low iodine content, which may affect the functioning of the thyroid gland of infants solely fed on them."
Meanwhile, United States-based Mead Johnson Nutrition said the Centre for Food Safety should adopt Codex food standards rather than those of the World Health Organization.
Its global regulatory and nutrition science vice president, Peter Van Dael, said: "Besides adopting the Codex food standards, countries and cities may also adjust the standards according to their own culture."
The seven-month-old girl registered a level slightly above the reference range, the Department of Health said last night.
Five other samples were found to be normal.
After the latest case was reviewed by Hospital Authority specialists and the department, it was learned that the girl has been mostly breastfed and only consumed Morinaga infant formula occasionally.
"Given the dietary history, the cause of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone is less likely due to the formula and the cause requires further investigation," a department spokesman said.
The girl is thought to be the second baby to have abnormal levels of the hormone linked to the low iodine content of milk.
Also, two Korean infant formula brands - Namyang XO Five Secret 1 and 2 - were found to have iodine content below the international requirement, but show no health risks to infants, the Centre for Food Safety said last night.
The center has so far announced test results for 46 infant powders, among which six manufactured in Japan were found to have "rather low iodine content, which may affect the functioning of the thyroid gland of infants solely fed on them."
Meanwhile, United States-based Mead Johnson Nutrition said the Centre for Food Safety should adopt Codex food standards rather than those of the World Health Organization.
Its global regulatory and nutrition science vice president, Peter Van Dael, said: "Besides adopting the Codex food standards, countries and cities may also adjust the standards according to their own culture."
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