Cooking up policy for street food vending

The need for a policy to safeguard the interests of street food vendors was expressed at a workshop held for women street food vendors by Sannihita, an NGO, along with the Institution of Cultural Geography at the Indian Medical Association Hall on Tuesday.

More than 25 women street food vendors shared the challenges they face. Through a series of such workshops, various NGOs seek to come up with solutions for general problems being faced by street food vendors. A draft of their proposals would be presented to the government as an aid to policy making.

Despite the fact that street food vending meets the needs of a considerable section of society and provides employment to thousands of families, as yet there is no policy that can give legal or infrastructural support for those who are involved. There is immediate need for the services of street food vendors to be acknowledged and they should be given clear, transparent and fair orientation concerning their rights and responsibilities.

Street food contributes to urban food security to various sections, including students, office goers, bachelors and particularly weaker section of society. According to a survey conducted in 2009, it generates regular income for more than 15,000 families who do not fit in the formal economy. The number has gone up considerably over the years.

It is one of the major elements of highly decentralised urban food distribution system. Street food holds great potential to foster sustainable development in mega cities. Unlike in Chennai and Bangalore, no data collection the regarding number of street food vendors, their caste, class, family background was done for Hyderabad. So, the question of policy advocacy never came up.

There is a draft policy on street vendors, though not specifically for food vendors. A rough policy regarding street food vending has been under process for many years. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has implemented the policy, but it lacks appeal to be utilised universally.

There is no legal security like licences or a single grievance cell where vendors can voice their opinions. Street vendors do not know where to go when they get caught in problems like eviction by government authorities. Also, the government does not provide any infrastructural support or spaces in master plans for them.

Regular discussions should be held for potential policy making to contribute towards settling disputes and integrating the street vending sector in urban planning activities. Initiatives like regular food festivals that have potential to highlight street food as part of the city’s cultural heritage can be helpful. Doubts regarding hygiene and health standards regarding street food are always raised, but food safety trainings can improve standards.

Food Safety and Standards Act armed with stringent provisions: JC

N. Yuvaraj

The Food Safety and Standards Authority India has recently come out with a stringent Act imposing hefty penalty against erring manufacturers and has sections under which the guilty could be imprisoned for a period of one year.

Joint Collector N. Yuvaraj who addressed a meeting of traders organised by the Department of Civil Supplies at A.C College here on Tuesday warned that the new Act was having stringent quality control provisions and license protocols and urged the traders to take corrective measures. Under the act, manufacturers of food items below the standard quality norms, would be imposed a maximum penalty of Rs.5 lakh. Those who might have manufactured food materials which caused death or serious illness would be levied a hefty penalty of Rs.5 lakh.

Unprotected food items can invite even imprisonment up to six months.

Dr. Yuvaraj further said that vendors should maintain a clean environment around their stalls and shops. The act has stringent provisions under which violators would be punished severely.

Assistant Public Prosecutor, T. Madhusudana Rao explained the basic features of Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

District Civil Supplies Officer K. Raviteja Naik, District Manager, Civil Supplies, Krishna Rao and Medical Health Officer of Guntur Municipal Corporation, Lakshmi Naik were also present.

Under the act, manufacturers of food items below the standard quality norms, will be imposed a maximum penalty of Rs.5 lakh

Food safety measures: High Court directs JK Govt to furnish compliance report

‘If Report Is Not Furnished, Chief Secretary Shall Have To Appear In Person’

Srinagar, Nov 27:  The J&K High Court Tuesday directed the state government to file a report about the steps it has taken with regard to the mandate of the Food Safety and Standards Act in the state following the court directions on the issue from time to time. The Court said if the report is not furnished, the State Chief Secretary shall have to appear before it in person on the next date of hearing.
 A division bench of High Court comprising justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar passed the direction on a Public Interest Litigation by Advocate Muhammad Ayoub Sheikh seeking implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011.
 The court said in the interest of justice it was deemed proper to direct the government to comply with the directions passed from time to time and file a compliance report.
 The division bench also directed the government to file an affidavit indicating the measures taken for implementing the recommendations of the committee on implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011.
 The court also asked the respondents to take samples from the across the state, get them examined and submit the report of the experts to the court.
 The court directed the Commissioner of Food and Safety , Jammu and Kashmir, to appear in person before it on the next date of hearing.
 Earlier the court had expressed dissatisfaction over the reply the state filed to the PIL, saying it was not in sync with the court directions.
 Pertinently, the court on March 28, 2012 had directed the government to file compliance report vis-à-vis the steps taken by it to implement the Act and the Rules.
 The Court had directed the Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu, and Commissioner Food Safety J&K to file compliance report within two weeks while issuing notice to the government to file reply to the PIL. The PIL contends that the food safety issue has a pivotal importance and requires to be taken with seriousness.
 According to the PIL, Food Safety Act 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Rules of 2011 provide that the post of Commissioner Food Safety should be manned by a person of Commissioner/Secretary rank, while in J&K an In-charge Drug Controller has been assigned the job, who “lacks the basic eligibility and qualification.”
 According to the PIL, the present incumbent is “not competent” to hold the post and sanction any prosecution and he is not in a position to take any action against the person found guilty under the Act and Rules.
 The petition alleges that the adulterated food items are openly sold and many spices and edibles in the market are unsafe for consumption as the Act and Rules have not been implemented.
 Senior Additional Advocate General A M Magray represented the state .

Food adulteration: HC asks govt to examine samples across JK
Srinagar: Observing that food adulteration caused most diseases, Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to take samples of food items from entire state and get them examined by experts.
The directions were passed by a division bench of the high court comprising justices Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Muzaffar Hussain Attar while hearing a Public Interest Litigation, seeking implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 to check food adulteration in the state.
The bench also directed the government to submit the report of the experts to the court within two weeks.
On 1st June, the court had directed government to comply with the mandate of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. “They have failed to do as on date,” the bench said.
Thereafter, the bench said, the government constituted a Committee which has made some recommendations regarding the food safety measures.
“Consequently, in terms of order dated 31 June, the respondents were directed to file an affidavit indicating therein as to what measures have been taken for implementing the recommendations,” the bench said, adding, “The affidavit was required to be filed within two weeks but they failed.” 
In the given circumstance, the bench said: “In the interests of justice, we deem it proper to direct the State Government to comply with the Court directions passed from time to time and report compliance within two weeks.”
In default, the bench said Chief Secretary of the state shall appear in person before the court. “Further, we direct the Commissioner of Food and Safety, Jammu & Kashmir, to appear in person on the next date of hearing.”
In June, the court had given three months time to the government to implement the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.
The PIL, filed by a lawyer—Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub, states that non-implementation of the FSSA in the State is a grave issue and requires to be dealt with all seriousness.
According to the PIL, the Act provide that the post of Commissioner Food Safety should be manned by a person of Commissioner Secretary rank, while in J&K an in-charge Drug Controller has been assigned the job, who “lacks the basic eligibility and qualification.”
The petition alleges that the adulterated food items were openly sold and many spices and edibles in the market were unsafe for human consumption as the Act and Rules have not been implemented.
Advocates Tasaduq Khwaja and Javed Hameed appeared on behalf of the petitioner while government was represented by Additional Advocate General A M Magray, Government advocate Shah Aamir.

HC directs Govt to check food adulteration

Srinagar, Nov 27: In response to the Public Interest Litigation filed in High Court to curb food adulteration in the State, Jammu and Kashmir High Court Tuesday directed the government to take samples from the entire State, get them examined, submit the report to experts, file the affidavit and directed to comply with the court directions passed from time and time.
The directions were passed by the bench comprised of Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar.
The Public Interest Litigation filed in High Court to curb food adulteration in the State was listed today and would be listed again after two weeks.
The bench directed respondents to take the required steps, and asked Chief Secretary of the State to appear in person.
The bench directed the Commissioner of Food and Safety, Jammu and Kashmir to appear in person on the next date of hearing.
Previously, the court directed the State to comply with the mandate of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which they failed.
Thereafter the respondents constituted the committee and the committee made some recommendations.
Earlier, the court directed the State to file an affidavit indicating therein as to what measures had been taken for implementing the recommendations, which they had failed to file.

Big brands join Sahara Q Shop in deceptive advertisements!

Lucknow: Even as the Sahara Group enter into the packaged food item market, claiming serving best in the market with their pure and nutritious value catchword, the ad claims made by a few big companies in the market has come under the scanner of FSSAI(Food Standard & Safety Authority of India). FSSAI has served notice to leading companies for their deceptive advertisements.

Pardaphash has raked up the issue with Sahara joining the bandwagon to cash in on the flourishing market of healthy food. Sahara featured the cricketers in the ad to support their claim. Here, we discusses how such merchandise enterprises navigate the mentality of the common man and serve them their (commoner’s) own, with their slice of so called “perfection”.

Aao Kare Milawat Se Jung is the motto of ‘Sahara Q Shop’ that promises a subjugation over adulterated food but do the promises come in truce? It is big question that lays overhead when you witness a lineup of such companies promising the same. The Food Safety and Standards and Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notice to the companies which it finds to be ‘misleading and Deceptive’. Under mentioned products are flouting Food Safety and Standard Act.

Product(s)/Company
- Complan, Complan Memory/Heinz India Private Limited
- Horlicks, Boost/Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare Limited
- Pediasure/Abott India Limited
- Kellogs Special K, Kelloggs Extra Museli/Kelloggs India
- Maggie Multi-grainz Noodles/Nestle Group
- Saffola Active/Maico Limited
- Today Premium Tea/Today Tea Limited and other ample lots.

These corporation have drawn criticism and are being scanned for reality in promises made by the labels of their products. They are facing cases in several cities for misleading assurances like that of – body growth, increased stamina, turning slimmer, strengthening of memory, containing fruits. Simply, they have opted to sell their products in a boisterous manner and are clearly unreliable. Impeccability of such manufactured food products comes in question at large, as companies are not able to substantiate, what their product claims.

Nowadays, companies have found a way to fool people with new techniques. These syndicates innovate new styles of brand development and endorsements with strong advertisements gimmicks. The commoner falls prey to such hostile methods which are wrapped up with benefiting promises. This only adds to the finances of these companies making toll claims of health benefits.

The companies have turned rather smart then you can think them to be. They have literally out grown themselves because of some intelligent moves that an average person fails to understand. One should rush brain cells in order to understand the corruptive dealings of such companies which first manipulate things for their benefit and then later companies promising removal of those manipulations emerging in market.

One can see how contrasting are the modus operandi of these companies. The consumer suffering with adulteration goes in search of healthy benefitting products and is jolted again with high rated products, this is the moment where company strikes back in business.

On Monday, the government informed Lok Sabha that companies were unable to provide any base to the promises made by the advertisement of their respective products as there were no surveys and reviews that guaranteed their say. Evidently, there is a need to push such topics into mainstream discussion and serve them immediate warning to either provide an insightful argument towards the same or am effective shutdown of manufacturing products that ‘mislead’ the consumer.

DINAMANI

High Court asks TDB to ensure food hygiene

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to maintain good hygiene and manufacturing practices while preparing appam for the Sabarimala pilgrims.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice A V Ramakrishnapillai issued the directive while considering the report of Food safety Commissioner, laboratory reports and special commissioner’s report regarding the issue. “Kootu for the appams should  be made as per the traditional practice. It should not be diluted or changed without the permission of the court. It was deplorable to see that the appam was kept in open space, leading to fungus infection,” the HC said.
The technical assistant to Food Safety Commissioner found serious irregularities in preparing and packing appam during his visit after the controversy. The court ordered that the health of the pilgrims was more important. “No food times, including prasadam unfit for consumption, should be distributed to Sabarimala pilgrims,” the court said. That the prasadam being distributed for pilgrims is ‘’unfit for human consumption’’ is cause for anxiety, it added.
The court directed that the food safety  officials should have strict vigilance over the food being sold in Sabarimala and added that the objective was to prevent  passing of food unfit for consumption as prasadam. The food safety officers should inspect the premises every four hours so as to ensure hygienic condition.
The food safety official had directed destruction of the fungus-infested appams and cleaning the premises before storage. The court also pointed out the laboratory test reports confirming that the appam samples collected from the devaswom store were infested with fungus.
The court also directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to take effective steps  to ensure that appam was packed and distributed in  ‘first in first out’ method. A separate register should be maintained for entering the details of production, packing and distribution. The lab reports had stated that the shelf life of the appam had been reduced by storing huge quantities. The buffer stock of appam need not be kept for long days.
The court  said that the contractors who had been given the right to prepare the apppam should employ skilled and experienced labourers for making high-quality appams.
The cleaning operations should not be stopped based on the plea that the manufacture of the appam  would be affected. In fact, proper hygiene should be maintained at the manufacturing unit. The personal hygiene of the labourers should also be ensured, the court said.
The court further made it clear that former chief secretary K Jayakumar would exercise all authority in his capacity as chief coordinator.
He should be provided personal staff, police security and  other facilities as if he was the chief secretary. The court also made it clear that the rights of the board members to take decisions shall not be affected by this order.

திருவனந்தபுரம், நவ.28:

சபரிமலையில் பக்தர்களுக்கு பிரசாதமாக வழங்கப்படும் அப்பத்தை மிகவும் தூய்மையான முறையில் தயாரிக்க வேண்டும் என்று திருவிதாங்கூர் தேவசம்போர்டுக்கு கேரள உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

சபரிமலை ஐயப்பன் கோயிலில் பக்தர்களுக்கு பிரசாதமாக அப்பம், அரவணை பாயசம் விற்கப்படுகிறது. 7 எண்ணம் கொண்ட ஒரு பாக்கெட் அப்பம்

கி25க்கு

விற்கப்படுகிறது. சில தினங்களுக்கு முன் பக்தர்கள் வாங்கிய அப்பம் கெட்டுப் போயிருந்தது. இதையடுத்து, தேவசம் போர்டு அதிகாரிகள் நடத்திய பரிசோதனையில் பல லட்சம் அப்பங்கள் கெட்டுப்போய் இருப்பது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டு,

கி41

லட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள அப்பங்கள் அழிக்கப்பட்டன.

இதற்கிடையே, கெட்டுப்போன அப்பங்கள் பத்தனம்திட்டா மாவட்டம் கோன்னியில் உள்ள பரிசோதனை கூடத்துக்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கப்பட்டது. அதில், அப்பம் கெட்டுப் போயிருந்தது உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டது. இந்த பரிசோதனை அறிக்கை, கேரள உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் நேற்று முன்தினம் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்டது. அதில், அப்பத்தில் கலப்படம் எதுவும் இல்லை. ஆனாலும் பரிசோதனைக்குஉட்படுத்தப்பட்ட அப்பம் சாப்பிட தரமில்லாதது. முறையாக தயாரிக்கப்படாததால் இந்த குறைபாடு ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது என கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இந்த அறிக்கை மீதான விசாரணை, நீதிபதி ராதாகிருஷ்ணன் முன்னிலையில் நேற்று நடந்தது. அப்போது நீதிபதி பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவில், கெட்டுப் போன அப்பங்களை உடனடியாக அழித்தது பாராட்டுக்குரியது. இது போன்ற தவறுகள் இனிமேல் நடக்கக் கூடாது.

அப்பம், அரவணையை மிகவும் தூய்மையான முறையில் தயாரிக்க வேண்டும். அப்பம் தயாரிப்பதற்கான மூலப்பொருட்களில் மாற்றம் செய்யக் கூடாது. தேவசம்போர்டு அதிகாரிகளின் தீவிர கண்காணிப்பில்தான் இவை தயாரிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். அப்பம் தயாரிக்கும் அளவு குறைந்தாலும் தூய்மைக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுக்க வேண்டும் என்றார்.

பத்திரிகைகளுக்கு பாராட்டு

அப்பம் கெட்டுப் போனது பற்றி பத்திரிகைகள் தேவையின்றி பெரிதுபடுத்தி செய்திகள் வெளியிட்டுள்ளன. இதுபோன்ற செய்திகளை வெளியிட பத்திரிகைகளுக்கு கட்டுப்பாடு விதிக்க வேண்டும் என்றும் தேவசம்போர்டு வக்கீல் வலியுறுத்தினார். இதை ஏற்க மறுத்த நீதிபதி ராதாகிருஷ்ணன், “பத்திரிகைகள் மிகவும் பாராட்டத்தக்க வகையில் செயல்பட்டு வருகின்றன” என்ற அவர், “கெட்டுப்போன அப்பம் குறித்து கேரள அரசும், திருவிதாங்கூர் தேவசம்போர்டும் உடனடியாக அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்ய வேண்டும்” என்று உத்தரவிட்டார்.