Apr 4, 2013
International Food Safety News - Expired food case accused held guilty
The Muscat Primary Court yesterday issued its verdict convicting those accused of selling expired food products. The accused were sentenced to a term of imprisonment, ranging from one to two years; fines; and deportation.
The judgments are as follows:
1. Jiartna Cindrella George, Jai Singh Dwarkadas, Ranjit Kumar Dwarkadas, and Ratan Singh Dwarkadas Kalyanji, all Indian nationals, were charged with selling expired and rotten food products that are harmful to human health. They were aware of the condition of the food products and the fact that they were violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its executive regulations.
The court sentenced them to two years of imprisonment and fined them OMR400 each, upon convicting them of storing food products in inappropriate conditions that were contrary to the requirements of the FoodSafetyLaw. It also convicted them of violating the Omani Labour Law for hiring non-Omani labourers without a licence, for which the court charged them OMR4,000 each and demanded that they pay the travel expenses for deporting the 8th and 9th convicts—Shandan Kumar Teluk, Bangladeshi national, and Mohammad Na'eem Abdulqadir, Pakistani national—to their home countries.
The penalties for each crime were combined, and the convicts will be deported from Oman after they have served their prison terms. While the rotten food products have been confiscated, their shops will be closed. The accused have been pronounced innocent of the offence criminalised by Article 294 of the Penal Law.
2. Of the remaining five accused in the case, Samir Sen Sunil Sen, Bangladeshi national; Nirmal Kumar Baliwal, Indian national; Pigo Balet Milan, Bangladeshi national; Shandan Kumar Teluk, Bangladeshi national; and Mohammad Na'eem Abdulqadir, Pakistani national, were charged with participating in the crime of selling expired and rotten food products and violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its executing regulations.
The court sentenced Samir and Mohammad to one year of imprisonment and fined them OMR400 each; Nirmal, Pigo, and Shandan were sentenced to two years of imprisonment and were fined OMR400 each. Shandan and Mohammad were found guilty of violating the Omani Labour Law by illegally working for an employer other than their sponsor and were sentenced to one month of imprisonment—a penalty that will be combined with that of their other crime before they are permanently deported along with Samir, Nirmal, and Pigo.
The group was pronounced innocent of the other charges brought against them.
The judgements were pronounced in the presence of all the accused except for Jiartna Cindrella George, who received his judgement separately.
The judgments are as follows:
1. Jiartna Cindrella George, Jai Singh Dwarkadas, Ranjit Kumar Dwarkadas, and Ratan Singh Dwarkadas Kalyanji, all Indian nationals, were charged with selling expired and rotten food products that are harmful to human health. They were aware of the condition of the food products and the fact that they were violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its executive regulations.
The court sentenced them to two years of imprisonment and fined them OMR400 each, upon convicting them of storing food products in inappropriate conditions that were contrary to the requirements of the FoodSafetyLaw. It also convicted them of violating the Omani Labour Law for hiring non-Omani labourers without a licence, for which the court charged them OMR4,000 each and demanded that they pay the travel expenses for deporting the 8th and 9th convicts—Shandan Kumar Teluk, Bangladeshi national, and Mohammad Na'eem Abdulqadir, Pakistani national—to their home countries.
The penalties for each crime were combined, and the convicts will be deported from Oman after they have served their prison terms. While the rotten food products have been confiscated, their shops will be closed. The accused have been pronounced innocent of the offence criminalised by Article 294 of the Penal Law.
2. Of the remaining five accused in the case, Samir Sen Sunil Sen, Bangladeshi national; Nirmal Kumar Baliwal, Indian national; Pigo Balet Milan, Bangladeshi national; Shandan Kumar Teluk, Bangladeshi national; and Mohammad Na'eem Abdulqadir, Pakistani national, were charged with participating in the crime of selling expired and rotten food products and violating the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its executing regulations.
The court sentenced Samir and Mohammad to one year of imprisonment and fined them OMR400 each; Nirmal, Pigo, and Shandan were sentenced to two years of imprisonment and were fined OMR400 each. Shandan and Mohammad were found guilty of violating the Omani Labour Law by illegally working for an employer other than their sponsor and were sentenced to one month of imprisonment—a penalty that will be combined with that of their other crime before they are permanently deported along with Samir, Nirmal, and Pigo.
The group was pronounced innocent of the other charges brought against them.
The judgements were pronounced in the presence of all the accused except for Jiartna Cindrella George, who received his judgement separately.
Dealers selling packed water bottles on double rates without BSI mark; posing threat innocent lives
Nagpur faces the brunt of scorching heat right from the month of March which decreases only in the month of July with the onset of rains. During summer, not only heat but scarcity of water bothers Nagpurians and with this the sale of bottled water had increased with a rocket speed in past few years. Thus, it has attracted a large number of investors in the business. But, Shiv Sena City Vice President Ashok Zinghare claimed that most of the packed water is sub-standard and have no BSI (Bureau of Indian Standards) marks on them. He claimed that most of the companies do not attain permission from BSI and continue selling this packed water playing with the lives of innocent people. These bottles, which actually cost Rs 5.50 and after including cooling and electricity charge which costs Rs 7.50 are sold in the market with double or triple the actually cost.
Zinghare said that there was no authorized dealer of bottled water in Orange city. There are seven to eight companies active in this business in Nagpur but how many of them have authorization is a question still unanswered. He further said that the procedure to get permit certificate from BSI is a lengthy procedure and it includes many rules and then the verification process is very intense which may not offer immense profit from the business. Thus, these companies opt for the easier option and do not apply for permit certificate.
He said that seeing tons of profit in this business, even retailers never question about the BSI mark and sell this bottled water without bothering for the lives of people. It is to be mentioned that a dozen of these packed water bottles cost Rs 65 to the retailer which means Rs 5.50 per bottles and after adding the cooling and electricity cost the prices goes to Rs 7.50, but the bottles are sold at the cost of Rs 20 which goes unnoticed by the consumers.
He wronged consumers and said even buyers fail to check the BSI mark on the bottles and indirectly causing threat to their own lives. This inattentive and irresponsible behavior from consumers provokes the retailers and these companies to continue their money at the cost of innocent lives. Zinghare further zeroed Food and Safety Department on its working and allowing to continue this business.
Consumers to note
Zinghare said that consumers should check the BSI mark before buying any of the packed water bottles. They should also check the company name on the bottle. Retailers should check whenter their has permit certificate from BSI or not. This packed water include 10 ltr jars, 5 ltr, 1 ltr water bottles or even the waters packets available. Every item must contain BSI mark on them otherwise they are considered an unhealthy to use. Any dealer selling packed water without the permit certificate is liable for punishment. He appealed consumers to complaint with Food and Safety Department if they find such bottles.
Corporation to issue licence to soft drink vendors in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Wayside vendors turning up with make-shift stalls for selling cool
drinks this summer will have to go through a licensing procedure soon.
The health wing of the city corporation will issue a directive making
licence mandatory for those vending cool drinks like butter milk,
lemonades, water melon and other chilled, sweetened liquid concoctions.
The decision comes in the wake of reports from health inspectors of various circles about appalling hygienic standards maintained by most of the street vendors. "It has come to our notice that the vendors pay scant regard to the sources from where they collect water. Already the city is facing a severe drought and clean, natural reserves are a rarity these days. So, we need to find out the places from where they source the water," a senior health official said.
The health standing committee will convene a meeting of health inspectors from various health circles as part of issuing the directive. "Cool drink stalls are mushrooming in the city. We are not against the conduct of business or source of livelihood. We just need to make sure that they run their business without compromising on hygiene and health of their customers. The meeting will be held this week itself," said health standing committee chairperson S Pushpalatha.
According to the health officials, focus will be mainly on nine health circles spread around the city. As per the directive, the vendors will have to indicate their source of water, place of business and hygienic standards maintained by them and have to get it certified by the corporation's health wing. The licence will be issued on a temporary basis.
"There are a lot of people who have been conducting this business for the past few years. However, of late we have noticed emergence of new vendors. Everybody will be put under the scanner and those who fail to meet the standards will be asked to shut their business," a health official said.
Also, the civic body will conduct inspection drives among the eateries set up by the road side to ensure hygiene. The corporation had earlier directed the vendors to procure glass enclosures for food items and that they shouldn't keep the food open. An official admitted that the corporation failed to monitor the directive and resultantly the vendors have disregarded it. "All street vendors will be issued reminders to store food items in glass enclosures and they will be fined upon non compliance," the official said.
The decision comes in the wake of reports from health inspectors of various circles about appalling hygienic standards maintained by most of the street vendors. "It has come to our notice that the vendors pay scant regard to the sources from where they collect water. Already the city is facing a severe drought and clean, natural reserves are a rarity these days. So, we need to find out the places from where they source the water," a senior health official said.
The health standing committee will convene a meeting of health inspectors from various health circles as part of issuing the directive. "Cool drink stalls are mushrooming in the city. We are not against the conduct of business or source of livelihood. We just need to make sure that they run their business without compromising on hygiene and health of their customers. The meeting will be held this week itself," said health standing committee chairperson S Pushpalatha.
According to the health officials, focus will be mainly on nine health circles spread around the city. As per the directive, the vendors will have to indicate their source of water, place of business and hygienic standards maintained by them and have to get it certified by the corporation's health wing. The licence will be issued on a temporary basis.
"There are a lot of people who have been conducting this business for the past few years. However, of late we have noticed emergence of new vendors. Everybody will be put under the scanner and those who fail to meet the standards will be asked to shut their business," a health official said.
Also, the civic body will conduct inspection drives among the eateries set up by the road side to ensure hygiene. The corporation had earlier directed the vendors to procure glass enclosures for food items and that they shouldn't keep the food open. An official admitted that the corporation failed to monitor the directive and resultantly the vendors have disregarded it. "All street vendors will be issued reminders to store food items in glass enclosures and they will be fined upon non compliance," the official said.
MCC drive to check hygiene at restaurants
Taking no chances:Mysore City Corporation authorities inspecting a restaurant on Wednesday
The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) on Wednesday conducted
random checks at a few hotels and restaurants in the city to ensure
hygiene.
The authorities also cracked down on
roadside vendors selling cut fruits, as a precautionary measure to
prevent the outbreak of gastroenteritis, which is common during summer.
Restaurant
owners were pulled up for low standards of hygiene in storage and
preparation of food. They were directed to supply boiled and cooled
water to customers.
The MCC drive will cover the entire city over the next few days.
Eateries
not complying with cleanliness and hygiene norms in storage,
preparation and serving of food would risk penalty or cancellation of
licenses.
Administration waits for official directive to enforce gutkha ban
The district administration is still waiting for an official
directive for enforcing the ban on the sale and production of gutkha in
the state capital. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA)
department, which is supposed to enforce the ban, however said there was
no need for a directive when the notification had already been issued
six months ago.
“Unless we get a written directive from the government, there is nothing we can officially do about it. It’s only after the directive, which is expected any time in the next two days, we are certain that we will start implementing the ban,” said Arun Kumar, city magistrate, Lucknow.
On October 4, 2012, the UP government had issued a notification banning the sale of gutkha from April 1, 2013 after the Allahabad high court asked the state government whether it could ban the product on the central government’s directive prohibiting sale and distribution of gutkha across the state.
“The notification clearly says the ban would come into effect from April 1, 2013. So anyone found involved in sale or manufacture of gutkha would be booked under the IPC,” said Pravir Kumar, principal secretary, FDA.
On Monday, the Supreme Court deferred the state government’s plea seeking an extension of the March 31 deadline to April 8. While issuing the ban order on October 4, 2012, the government had said it had given six months’ time so that lakhs of employees and labourers engaged in the long existing industry could find alternative employment.
Amidst the ‘ban or no ban’ confusion, gutkha sale continued unabated in the city on Tuesday. Though most of the shops refrained from displaying the sachets, there was no check on the sale. Sources, however said, that the administration was geared up to enforce the ban in the city as soon as a formal directive comes. “We have identified seven/eight factories functioning in Lucknow. We will seal the units besides ensuring that gutkha is not sold in the market,” an official said.
The manufacturing and sale of gutkha is a major source of revenue for both UP’s commercial tax department and the central excise department. According to a rough estimate, in Lucknow alone, at least one lakh people earn their bread and butter from manufacture and sale of gutkha.
“Unless we get a written directive from the government, there is nothing we can officially do about it. It’s only after the directive, which is expected any time in the next two days, we are certain that we will start implementing the ban,” said Arun Kumar, city magistrate, Lucknow.
On October 4, 2012, the UP government had issued a notification banning the sale of gutkha from April 1, 2013 after the Allahabad high court asked the state government whether it could ban the product on the central government’s directive prohibiting sale and distribution of gutkha across the state.
“The notification clearly says the ban would come into effect from April 1, 2013. So anyone found involved in sale or manufacture of gutkha would be booked under the IPC,” said Pravir Kumar, principal secretary, FDA.
On Monday, the Supreme Court deferred the state government’s plea seeking an extension of the March 31 deadline to April 8. While issuing the ban order on October 4, 2012, the government had said it had given six months’ time so that lakhs of employees and labourers engaged in the long existing industry could find alternative employment.
Amidst the ‘ban or no ban’ confusion, gutkha sale continued unabated in the city on Tuesday. Though most of the shops refrained from displaying the sachets, there was no check on the sale. Sources, however said, that the administration was geared up to enforce the ban in the city as soon as a formal directive comes. “We have identified seven/eight factories functioning in Lucknow. We will seal the units besides ensuring that gutkha is not sold in the market,” an official said.
The manufacturing and sale of gutkha is a major source of revenue for both UP’s commercial tax department and the central excise department. According to a rough estimate, in Lucknow alone, at least one lakh people earn their bread and butter from manufacture and sale of gutkha.
Day 1: Food safety wing raids 62 shops, seizes items worth 15,500
A TOI report on Tuesday said fake soft drinks firms were flourishing in the city and duplicating several branded items.
Officials said a special team would carry out inspections in shops across the city in the next few days. “We have found that several vendors are selling spurious drinks with label and logos of branded items,” said a senior official. The department is also planning to spread awareness among vendors about spurious drinks.
“Raw material used in making these fake drinks is harmful to health. But many vendors are unaware about the hazards. So we are now planning to conduct awareness among the vendors instead of penalising them” said an official. Health experts say spurious soft drinks can cause hepatitis, stomach diseases and typhoid, especially in children.
Consumer activists welcomed the department’s move, but urged officials to raid manufacturing units. “They should conduct frequent raids and publish the names of the violators. They should inspect the manufacturing units too,” said Consumer Association of India trustee R Desikan.
Manufacture and sale of fake cold drinks are on the rise due to huge demand in summer. Complaints can be made to the food safety department at 044-23813095 or emailed to commrfssa@gmail.com.
Manufacture and sale of fake cold drinks are on the rise due to huge demand in summer
Spurious soft drinks, buttermilk seized
A team of officials from the food safety and drug
administration department seized 200 bottles of misbranded soft drinks
and 1,875 unhygienic water and buttermilk sachets on Wednesday.
The
raid was part of the department’s attempt to crackdown on all kinds of
spurious beverages, which generally surface in large numbers in the
summer.
The items were seized from various shops in areas such as T. Nagar and Teynampet.
According
to officials, the raids will be held in other areas of the city on
Thursday, as several complaints have been received by the food safety
department regarding spurious drinks.
“Many of the
retail outlets in the city have been found selling spurious soft drinks.
More raids will follow to identify the source of such beverages,” said
an official.
“During the raids we observed that even
the 20-litre drinking water cans are unfit for consumption. Such water
is being supplied at affordable rates of Rs. 10 in some commercial areas
and is used by many food business operators such as fruit juice
outlets. We will organise another raid to prevent the sale of such cans
soon,” the official added.
Officials said the spurt
in water-borne diseases, seen during the summer months, is usually
caused by consumption of such unhygienic water and beverages.
Earlier,
the Chennai Corporation was tasked with seizing unhygienic drinking
water, fruit juice and buttermilk sachets from the city’s retail
outlets.
Under the Prevention of Food Adulteration
Act, 1954, the civic body had to take action against all retail sellers
and manufacturers if the results of their analyses reveal any
contamination in any of the food or beverage samples seized.
After
the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 came into force on August 5,
2011, licenses issued to traders under the 1954 act expired. Action
against traders selling spurious soft drinks will now be taken as per
the provisions of the Food Safety Act.
However, many
food businesses are still not aware that they need to acquire fresh
licenses under the new Act. The task of issuing licenses is yet to be
completed on account of resistance from most traders.
Food
safety officers, whose responsibility it is to inspect outlets and look
into complaints, are now focussing on information, education and
communication campaigns.
Food safety dept. begins crackdown on unhygienic products sold in commercial outlets
Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar banned in state
Imphal, April 03 2013:
The State Government has banned selling of Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar
(In Brine) manufactured by M/s Sowkar Canning Company, Udyavara, which
is being marketed in the state by its sole agent at Imphal, M/s Y
Krishna Singh & Sons, Wahengbam Leikai.
According to an official order issued by Commissioner of Food Safety Ram Muivah, who is also the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, on March 25, 2013, selling of the specific tin fish product has been banned in the whole state with immediate effect after finding it unsafe for human consumption.
The order mentioned that the particular brand of food was found rotten and unfit for human consumption as it contained high percentage of yeast and mould.
As it violates regulation no.2.6.1 (8) (Note II) (Fish & Fish Products) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) regulations, 2011, the order said that the food item in question is unsafe and sub-standard under Section 3(1) (ZX) & (ZZ)(i)(ii) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 .
The order further mentioned that the food item does not follow the mandatory regulations of Lot/Code/Batch indentification as given under Regulation no.2.2.1 (8) (General Requirement of Labelling) under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 .
Citing the above reasons, the order restricted selling of the Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar (In Brine) food item in the state with immediate effect and until further order in the interest of public health under the provisions of Section 23 & 27 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 .
The order further explained that violation of the order is liable to be punished as per the law of the land.
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao in this regard, Deputy Food Safety Commissioner Tekcham Brojendro Khaba Meetei said that seizure of the particular food product started from January 17 after it was found being sold in violation of the norms of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.The seized products were sent to a notified laboratory under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on January 22 for necessary testing.
The laboratory, in its report on February 9, stated that the particular food product is unsafe for human consumption and it contain high percentage of yeast and mould.
Following the report, selling of the particular food product has been banned in the whole state.
He also appealed to the people of the state to report to the District Food Safety Officer, Designated Officers of Food Safety or Deputy Food Safety Officer at the Directorate of Health Services if they found anything suspicious in the food products available in the market.
Instead of discarding the unsafe food products, public should brought them to the authorities concerned for further necessary action, the officer informed.
According to an official order issued by Commissioner of Food Safety Ram Muivah, who is also the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, on March 25, 2013, selling of the specific tin fish product has been banned in the whole state with immediate effect after finding it unsafe for human consumption.
The order mentioned that the particular brand of food was found rotten and unfit for human consumption as it contained high percentage of yeast and mould.
As it violates regulation no.2.6.1 (8) (Note II) (Fish & Fish Products) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) regulations, 2011, the order said that the food item in question is unsafe and sub-standard under Section 3(1) (ZX) & (ZZ)(i)(ii) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 .
The order further mentioned that the food item does not follow the mandatory regulations of Lot/Code/Batch indentification as given under Regulation no.2.2.1 (8) (General Requirement of Labelling) under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 .
Citing the above reasons, the order restricted selling of the Sea Cherry Mackerels Sowkar (In Brine) food item in the state with immediate effect and until further order in the interest of public health under the provisions of Section 23 & 27 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 .
The order further explained that violation of the order is liable to be punished as per the law of the land.
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao in this regard, Deputy Food Safety Commissioner Tekcham Brojendro Khaba Meetei said that seizure of the particular food product started from January 17 after it was found being sold in violation of the norms of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.The seized products were sent to a notified laboratory under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on January 22 for necessary testing.
The laboratory, in its report on February 9, stated that the particular food product is unsafe for human consumption and it contain high percentage of yeast and mould.
Following the report, selling of the particular food product has been banned in the whole state.
He also appealed to the people of the state to report to the District Food Safety Officer, Designated Officers of Food Safety or Deputy Food Safety Officer at the Directorate of Health Services if they found anything suspicious in the food products available in the market.
Instead of discarding the unsafe food products, public should brought them to the authorities concerned for further necessary action, the officer informed.
Six eating joints raided
Jalandhar, April 3
To implement the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 effectively, a team of the district Health Department conducted raids on six eating joints, including a newly opened restaurant-cum-bar, and collected samples.
Led by Dr Ashwani Sondhi, District Health Officer (DHO), the team paid a surprise visit to fast food joints in Model Town, Buta Mandi, Nakodar Road, near TV Tower, and a bakery in the city.
Dr Sondhi said the food quality in the restaurant was found to be good, while samples of raw and prepared food items were collected from other business establishments.
The samples were sent to a health laboratory in Chandigarh for test. He said the eating joint owners were not following the guidelines of the Act. Action would be taken against those found guilty.
Meanwhile, a team of the Health Department today raided a dairy located in Guru Nanak Pura and confiscated drugs being sold by its owner Davinder Singh in violation of the norms.
Dr Sondhi revealed that acting on a tip-off, a raid was conducted on Ghuman Daily and drugs (medicines) were recovered from its counter. He said the dairy owner was selling medicines without having any licence and qualification.
To implement the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 effectively, a team of the district Health Department conducted raids on six eating joints, including a newly opened restaurant-cum-bar, and collected samples.
Led by Dr Ashwani Sondhi, District Health Officer (DHO), the team paid a surprise visit to fast food joints in Model Town, Buta Mandi, Nakodar Road, near TV Tower, and a bakery in the city.
Dr Sondhi said the food quality in the restaurant was found to be good, while samples of raw and prepared food items were collected from other business establishments.
The samples were sent to a health laboratory in Chandigarh for test. He said the eating joint owners were not following the guidelines of the Act. Action would be taken against those found guilty.
Meanwhile, a team of the Health Department today raided a dairy located in Guru Nanak Pura and confiscated drugs being sold by its owner Davinder Singh in violation of the norms.
Dr Sondhi revealed that acting on a tip-off, a raid was conducted on Ghuman Daily and drugs (medicines) were recovered from its counter. He said the dairy owner was selling medicines without having any licence and qualification.
File compliance report on gutka ban, SC asks States
Centre’s order not being implemented effectively, says ASG
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed 23 States and five Union
Territories to file a compliance report in four weeks on implementation
of the ban on gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine.
A Bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and Kurian Joseph directed the others
to explain why they had not imposed the ban so far and to indicate a
time frame for doing so. The Bench passed this order after Additional
Solicitor-General Indira Jaising brought to its notice an August 12,
2012 circular issued by the Centre advising all States and Union
Territories to ban gutka and pan masala. She said though 23 States and
five Union Territories had imposed the ban, the order was not being
implemented effectively.
Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for the HFM Trust, and Shri Vishnu Behari
Tewari, appearing on behalf of the Indian Dental Association, demanded a
nationwide ban on all forms of chewing tobacco products. Mr. Bhushan
said the ban was not being properly enforced as there was no control
over manufacturing units.
During the hearing, the Bench remarked that manufactures were misleading
people and creating confusion, and selling gutka and pan masala in
separate sachets.
Already 23 States — Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra, Himachal
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Punjab,
Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Delhi, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Nagaland,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh —
and five Union Territories including Chandigarh, Dadar Nagar Haveli,
Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nicobar have banned the sale, manufacture
and distribution of gutka, khaini and pan masala containing tobacco,
based on the regulation issued on August 1, 2011 by the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India, a statutory body under the Health
Ministry. In a connected matter, the Bench, after hearing Additional
Solicitor-General Mohan Jain, issued notice to the Central and State
pollution control boards seeking to know how they handled and disposed
of plastic waste.
Justice Singhvi, after going through data, observed: “We are becoming a
time bomb. When it happens, all valleys will go. The data is frightening
and steps needed to be taken as plastic waste will affect not only this
generation but generations to come.”
The Bench said it would first examine the disposal system in the cities
of Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Agra, Jaipur and Faridabad, and issued
notice to their Municipal Commissioners asking them to file their
responses.
Mr. Mohan Jain, in a note submitted to the court, said the total
quantity of plastics manufactured in the country as per a 2008
estimation was eight million tonnes per year. As per a survey conducted
by the Central Pollution Control Board in 60 major cities, the average
plastic waste generation was 843.2 tonnes out of the total municipal
solid waste of 50,592 tonnes per day.
Toxic industry dyes found in Indian sweets
The illegal colours found in some Indian sweets are used in the paper, textiles and leather industry © ShutterstockMukul Das at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, and colleagues found that while there has been an overall decline in the use of illegal colours in recent years, they are still widely used. The team detected illegal and potentially toxic colours in around 16% of sweets and savouries tested. They also found that even with sweets that contained safe colours, 58% exceeded the cap of 100 mg/kg determined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The scientists found six banned dyes in the sweets tested: rhodamine B, orange II, metanil yellow, malachite green, quinoline yellow and auramine. These are mostly used by the paper, leather and textile industries. FSSAI rules allow only eight colours to be used in food, and all the others are classed as non-permitted colours (NPCs).
Das says that a major problem with vendors and shops selling sweets and savouries is that they're not aware of FSSAI standards, and end up using more of them than are permitted. ‘But they know which colours should not be used and are lured into buying the non-permitted dyes because they are cheaper than the approved ones,’ he says.
Rhodamine B – a tracer dye – was the most commonly used illegal colour, picked up in 30% of samples. Levels of the dye varied from 36.9 to 542mg/kg. For orange II, metanil yellow and malachite green, the ranges were 23.8 to 456mg/kg, 36.8 to 256mg/kg and 57.4 to 231mg/kg, respectively.
‘All these dyes are harmful and can cause diseases like cancer upon chronic consumption,’ says V Sudershan Rao, a food safety expert at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India. ‘But since these quantities are not sufficient to cause any acute health problems, the real impact of these dyes on consumers' health cannot be assessed.’ Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, found that chronic exposure to metanil yellow causes neurotoxicity in rats.2 The dye is commonly found in a popular Indian sweet dish called jalebi.
The survey was the largest of its kind in the country, and serves as a wake-up call to regulators. Rao says added vigilance is needed by the government to stop the use of illegal, toxic dyes. ‘The study should help policy makers revisit the quantities of permitted colours used in various foods,’ Rao says. ‘Right now, there's a uniform upper limit of 100mg/kg, and 200mg/kg in a few cases, for all permitted colours. The cap for food dyes should be reset according to their individual toxicity potential.’
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