Milk vendor fined Rs 1 lakh

A judicial magistrate court on Thursday imposed Rs 1 lakh fine on a vendor for selling non-standardised milk at Hadapsar. Official sources said a special squad had checked the milk sold by A P Confectionary in November after complaints. The squad had sent a sample of frozen milk to a laboratory. The lab analysis showed it contained skimmed milk, starch and a sweetener. The vendor was fined Rs 1 lakh under Sections 50 and 51 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Eatery Chain FINED Rs.1 Lakh, highest in State

The Pune branch of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has levied a fine of Rs1 lakh to AP Confectionery based in Hadapsar. According to Shashikant Kekare, FDA’s joint commissioner (food), this is the highest fine levied in Maharashtra on any party for using sub-standard milk under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“Food safety inspector VA Unavne had visited the Hadapsar unit of AP Confectionery and drew samples of frozen milk on November 4, 2011. The samples were sent to state laboratory in Pune and declared sub-standard. It had presence of sugar, skimmed milk powder and starch. I presided over a hearing on this subject on September 20 and fined the company Rs1 lakh,” said Kekare.
On September 19, Kekare had in a separate hearing fined the company Rs35,000 for using sub-standard frozen milk at its eatery chain on FC road.
Meanwhile, Ameet Pahilani, founder-director, AP Confectinery Private Limited, slammed the action stating that it was unfair and misleading.
“When they arrived at our unit, they asked us which milk we were using. So we produced the samples of the milk. We prepare our milk using skimmed milk cow powder and sugar but according to FDA officials, unless specified, milk means buffalo milk. It is cow milk they consider sub-standard and I think it is ridiculous. Also, they say presence of sugar in milk means adulteration, but has anyone drank a milkshake without sugar?” questioned Pahilani.

ORGANIC SAFETY

A proposal worth Rs 153 crore has been submitted to Kerala government to spruce up food safety measures. Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in state will encourage Organic Farming to curb use of harmful pesticides in crops to prevent contamination of food produced at source. It will be implemented through evaluation, education and enforcement with a grading system assigned by the Food Safety Commissioner to the food producers, manufacturers and suppliers to ensure food safety standards.

 Now the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 will be in place in Kerala. It will be governed by a sole authority that will stipulate the mandate for all food producers, food business operators including hotels, restaurants, manufacturers, processors, transporters, sellers and food growers like vegetable, meat and dairy products. Violators will be slapped a penalty of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and in case of serious offences upto Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment. --

17 hospitalised after consuming Hawaijar

IMPHAL, Sep 20: At least 17 people including a pregnant woman and a minor girl have been admitted to JNIMS and RIMS hospitals after consuming dish made of fermented soya-bean.
Those undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital have been identified as Athokpam Ibemcha (30), her husband A Tiken, father-in-law Mangi (60), mother-in-law Maipakpi of Canchipur Pichu Lampak, and two guests namely Thongam Bijeta (18) of Thoubal Khekman and Ningthoujam Naresh (12) of Tentha Mathak Leikai.
Ibemcha is said to be in the fourth month of pregnancy.
Those admitted to JNIMS Hospital have been identified as Tensubam Sanajaobi (44) w/o Rushia, Tensubam Kanankumar (25), Tensubam Bebe (28), Tensubam Athoi (2), and a guest of the Tensubam family Ningombam Sangita (22) of Wangkhei Khunou.
Condition of some is said to be serious.
The other victims of apparent food poisoning case are Wangkhem Ahanbi (60), W Ichal (40), W Abe (22), W Tomchou (65) and W Ruhinikumar (45), all from Kakwa Lamdaibung.
These people are said to have been admitted to the hospitals last evening and this morning.
They reportedly consumed the fermented soyabean dish on September 17 and 18. According to relatives of some of the victims, the fermented soyabean was purchased from a local lady identified as Wangkhem Pramo (60).
Pramo is informed to have bought the soyabean from SK Variety Store, Kakwa Bazar.
Speaking to news-persons, Imphal West Food Safety standard Wing’s Food Safety Officer Yumnam Satyajit said that he had personally assessed condition of the patients and soon a test would be conducted on both the soyabean seeds as well as the fermented soyabean.
Some of the victims have reportedly returned for further treatment as they continued to suffer from loose motion and vomiting after discharge from the hospitals.

Government to introduce new food standardisation norms

 

New Delhi: The government will further strengthen food safety in the country by introducing standards regulations to bring quality of Indian food items at par with international quality levels, a senior official said Friday.

“The new norms and the policies for standardisation are in place and we have consulted all stake holders in that. The new norms will harmonise the Indian and international standard,” said K. Chandramouli, chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)  on the sidelines of the annual Indian Beverage Association (IBA) meet held here.

“This (process) will be run in consultation with all the stakeholders, including experts. This will strengthen the food safety measures we are taking,” Chandramouli said in his address.
The FSSAI is expected to notify the standard norms by next week, and will be available on its website. The norms will be implemented in phases.
On its part the IBA’s president S.R. Goenka said that food safety is critical for the growth of the non-alcoholic beverage industry and that all stake holders should put forth their views.
“As safety is critical to the growth of the beverage industry, we have brought key stakeholders on a common platform to address the issues of safety, standards and quality and discuss potential solutions to promote growth in the sector,” Goenka said.
The non-alcoholic beverage industry players also felt that research and development (R&D) is key to suit the local palates and increase low per-capita consumption of packaged beverages.
The association was formed to act as an interface between industry, government and the public, besides providing a unified and focused viewpoint on legislative and regulatory matters.
The association also comprises leading beverage makers like Del Monte, Red Bull India, Coca-Cola India, Pepsico India, Dabur, Cadbury, Reliance Industries and Parle Agro.