பாலில் கலப்படம அதிகாரிகள் அதிரடி

கூடலூர், டிச.16: 

கூடலூர் பஜாரையொட்டிய ராஜகோபாலபுரத்தில் வியாபாரிகள், விவசாயிகள் சங்க கூட்டுறவு பால் விற்பனை நிலையம் உள்ளது. இங்கு பல பகுதியில் இருந்து சேகரிக்கப்படும் பசும்பால், வியாபாரிகள் மற்றும் பொதுமக்களுக்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. இந்த பசும்பாலுடன், தனியார் பாக்கெட் பால் கலந்து விற்பனை செய்வதாக தொடர் புகார் எழுந்தது. 

இதையடுத்து நகராட்சி சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர் எடிசன் அற்புதராஜ் தலைமையில் நகராட்சி பணியாளர்கள் அங்கு திடீர் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். இதில் 60 லிட்டர் பால், மொத்தம் 120 தனியார் பால் பாக்கெட் உடைத்து கேனில் நிரப்பப்பட்டு இருந்தது. இதுகுறித்து வருவாய் ஆய்வாளர் மற்றும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலருக்கு தகவல் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. அவர்கள் வந்து விசாரணை நடத்தினர். 

பால் தட்டுப்பாட்டுக்காக, இதுமாதிரி தனியார் பால் பாக்கெட்டுகள் கலந்து விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவது தெரிந்தது. மேலும் கலப்படம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதா என்பதை அறிய, கேனில் இருந்த பாலின் மாதிரியை ஆய்வுக்காக எடுத்து சென்றனர். தனியார் பால் பாக்கெட்டுகள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டன.

பால் விற்பனை நிலையத்தில் பசும்பாலுடன், தனியார் பால் பாக்கெட்டை கலந்து விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது என அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரித்தனர்.

Gutka worth Rs 3L seized in Pimpri Camp

PUNE: The police on Saturday arrested a 46-year-old man from Pimpri Camp and seized gutka worth Rs 3 lakh. The suspect had planned to send the gutka to Dubai.

The suspect was identified as Ashok Arjandas Ramnani, a resident of Pimpri. Food safety officer of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Ravindra Nagvekar has lodged a complaint with the Pimpri police station in this regard.

Sub-inspector of the Pimpri police station Ansar Shaikh said that he had received a tip-off on the illegal export of Gutka. "We laid a trap and nabbed Ramnani along with the consignment of gutka and informed the PCMC officer about the raid," Shaikh said.

During investigations Ramnani revealed that he was going to send the gutka to Dubai. "We are investigating on the source from where Ramnani had obtained the gutka," Shaikh said. Ramnani has been charged under section 273 (sale of noxious food or drink) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Cops seize gutkha worth Rs 4 lakh

According to police, the consignment was meant to be sent to Dubai 

The export quality RMD gutkha was seized from Arjandas Ramnani in Pimpri 

Detection branch sleuths of the Pimpri Police Station claimed to have seized export quality RMD gutkha worth Rs four lakh from a 46-year-old man in Pimpri Camp on Saturday night.

Cops said the accused was to send the consignment to Dubai. The arrested accused has been identified as Ashok Arjandas Ramnani, a resident of Pimpri. 

Food safety officer Ravindra Nagvekar of Pimpri-Chinchwad Muncipal Corporation (PCMC) has lodged a complaint against Ramnani with the Pimpri PS. 

According to police, the incident took place around midnight when Ramnani was ferrying the gutkha in a tempo. “Ramnani was taken into custody and Nagvekar was informed. PCMC officials checked the consignment and later lodged a complaint. 

They have estimated the gutkha to be worth Rs 2.88 lakh, which has a market value of about Rs four lakh. The accused was to send gutkha to Dubai. Investigations are on to find the source from where it was procured,” said PSI Shaikh. 

The police have registered a case against Ramnani for offences under IPC sections 179 (refusing to answer public servant authorised to question), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 273 (sale of noxious food or drink) and other relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

'Food safety rules to be implemented by Feb 2014'

GUWAHATI: The state health and family welfare department has urged all food business operators in the state to implement the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS), 2006, before February 4, 2014. Accordingly, all operators will have to acquire food licenses and register before the deadline.

The measure will help the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, an agency of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, protect and promote public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

"It will be helpful for us to trace vendors for any follow-up action and address the needs of consumers. It will also help maintain a record of vendors. Introduction of good manufacturing practices and good hygienic practices is another aspect of this act," said Samiran Baruah, food safety officer.

According to Section 63 of the FSS Act, any person found running a food business without a valid license will be imprisoned for six months with a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. The commissioner of food safety, Assam, instructed all the designated officers in the five regions of the state to organize licensing melas.

Food business operators to get license

Guwahati: As per orders of the Food Safety and Standard Authority India, all food business operators across the country will have to obtain a license or registration by February 4 next year.

Under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, all food manufacturers, sellers including street hawkers and canteens, hotels and restaurants, milk sellers, and even pharmacies selling food supplements and wine shops, among others, will have to get them registered or secure a license within the deadline, failing which they will be liable to penalty and imprisonment. 

Senior officials from Food Safety Organisation, Assam, led by Joint Secretary Satyen Choudhary said that special licensing melas would be held at five places across Assam-Guwahati, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat and Silchar, in the second half of this month where application forms would be issued and registrations and licenses granted on spot. 

Sources said that in Guwahati, the event would be held at office of the Designated Officer Food Safety, Kamrup Metro, at Uzan Bazar on December 21 and 22. 

Choudhary said that the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 was introduced in India to bring out the best practices at par with latest hygiene, manufacturing and agricultural production practices across the world. From street vendors to big stores, all have to get a license or secure a registration by February 4. 

He added that the license or registration would be valid for once fixed location and would have a unique 14-digit number. 

The central rule is also aimed at giving an organized shape to the food business sector in the country and prevents incidents of adulteration or any other shortcoming in the products.

It is reported that manufacturers and sellers with an annual turnover of up to Rs 12 lakh will have to undertake registration at a fee of Rs 100 for a year, while for those with an annual turnover up to Rs 12 lakh and over, the requirement would be for a license with the annual tax differing from segment to segment.

Arecanut storm brews in Malnad-coastal region

Bangalore: Rumours of a move by the Centre to ban arecanut has stirred a Hornet’s Nest in at least five MP constituencies across the Malnad-Coastal region even as the ruling Congress claimed it was for protecting the interests of arecanut growers.

At a meeting attended by representatives of Shikshana Snehita, Sringeri, Malnad Mithra, Bangalore, the Congress and JD(S), Congress leaders said WHO had mentioned the presence of alkaloids in arecanut.

The Director, Rural Health Mission had written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to verify the truth behind the WHO findings but there was no move to ban arecanut, they said.

The Congress was represented by former Assembly Speaker B.L. Shankar and Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde, while Y.S.V. Datta spoke on behalf of the JD(S).

CAMPCO, a major arecanut cooperative, claimed that the tobacco lobby was behind the move to ban arecanut. However, Jayaprakash Hegde contended that the Centre had never said it would ban arecanut.

Arecanut growers dominate in five Lok Sabha MP seats in the Malnad-Coastal regions, including Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udipi-Chickmagalur, Shimoga and Hassan districts. With the BJP trying to make it electoral issue, the Congress is trying its best to make sure this does not happen.

B.L. Shankar said that health concerns about arecanut began after the Supreme Court banned Gutka. Since very litte arecanut is used in Gutka, the government wants to clear all doubts about arecanut, he said. The argument was endorsed by Datta. BJP leader Sadananda Gowda did not turn up for the meeting.

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Spl licensing mela in city on Dec 21, 22

GUWAHATI, Dec 15 – All food business operators across the country will have to obtain a licence or registration by February 4 next year as per orders of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.

Under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, all food manufacturers, sellers including street hawkers and canteens, hotels and restaurants, milk sellers, and even pharmacies selling food supplements and wine shops, among others, will have to get themselves registered or secure a licence within the deadline, failing which they will be liable to penalty and imprisonment.

Senior officials from Food Safety Organisation, Assam, led by Joint Secretary Satyen Choudhury said here today that special licensing melas would be held at five places across Assam – Guwahati, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat and Silchar, in the second half of this month where application forms would be issued and registrations and licences granted on spot.

In Guwahati, the event would be held at the office of the Designated Officer Food Safety, Kamrup Metro, at Uzan Bazar on December 21-22.

“The Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, was introduced in our country to bring our best practices at par with latest hygiene, manufacturing and agricultural production practices across the world. From street vendors to big stores, all have to get a licence or secure registration by February 4,” Choudhury said.

He said the licence or registration would be valid for once fixed location and would have a unique 14-digit number.

He said that the central rule is also aimed at giving an organised shape to the food business sector in the country and prevent incidents of adulteration or any other shortcoming in the products.

Besides manual procurement and submission of forms, Food Safety Organisation, Assam, will also start online processing within next three months. 

Manufacturers and sellers with an annual turnover of up to Rs 12 lakh will have to undertake registration at a fee of Rs 100 for a year, while for those with an annual turnover of Rs 12 lakh and over, the requirement would be for a licence with the annual tax differing from segment to segment.

Besides, all applicants will also have to obtain NOCs from local bodies like municipal corporations and panchayats. Regular inspection of premises would be carried out to ensure safety standards. 

For businesses operating in multiple States, there is provision for securing licence directly from the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. Choudhury said licensing melas would be held at other districts of Assam also soon.

Centre has not banned arecanut: MP

Steps will be taken to protect the interests of arecanut growers, K. Jayaprakash Hegde, Congress MP, has said. 

The Union government has not banned arecanut, Congress MP K. Jayaprakash Hegde said here on Sunday. Steps would be taken to protect the interests of growers, he said.

At an interaction programme organised by the Malenadu Mithra Vrinda here, Mr. Hegde said Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad had informed him that there was no proposal before his Ministry to ban arecanut. “Under no circumstance the Centre will ban arecanut,” he said.

Lakhs of families in the Malnad and coastal districts of the State depend on the crop for their livelihood. 

Mr. Hegde, who represents the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency, said all reports in India indicated absence of carcinogens in arecanut. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization in a 2008 monograph had stated that “arecanut is carcinogenic to humans.” There is “sufficient evidence” of the carcinogenicity of betel quid (paan) with and without tobacco, the WHO had said.

On September 6, 2013, Amal Pusp, Director, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, wrote a letter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to examine the scientific evidences on the harmful effects of arecanut with a view to initiate action to classify the nut as an injurious substance and accordingly prohibit its use as ingredient in any food product, in conformity with the objectives of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Mr. Hegde said he would hold a meeting with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Director Sandhya Kabra on the issue. Arecanut as such was not harmful. Products mixed with arecanut would be harmful to health, he said. Mr. Hegde said Additional Solicitor-General Indira Jaising made a forceful submission in the Supreme Court against manufacture and sale of ghutka products. The apex court had not banned arecanut or its cultivation. The Cancer Biology Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, has clarified in its report that arecanut does not cause cancer, he added.

Senior Congress leader B.L. Shankar said agriculture was a State subject and the Centre had no power to ban arecanut cultivation. Referring to comments made by participants on the editorial titled ‘Paan Singh Tumour’ published in The Hindu on July 26, 2012, Mr. Shankar said it was the opinion of the newspaper. 

T.N. Prakash, professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, said, “Arecanut is a food item. It is nutritious. I have no objections in banning products mixed with arecanut such as paan masala.” Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Y.S.V. Datta said he would oppose any proposal to ban arecanut.