ENGINEERING THE FOODS

The journey from a natural produce to a processed food envisages a lot of operations, desirable or undesirable CONCERN

It is a universal fact that there is no substitute to the natural foods but they hardly suffice to the human needs , thus to fix this crisis Food Processing comes to the rescue. This very journey from a natural produce to a processed food envisages a lot of operations that may be either desirable or undesirable. There is a scope for enrichment, fortification, value addition, innovation and hygiene. One can add medicinal as well as dietetic dimensions to the food products during this phase. There is also a scope for the food adulteration, tampering etc. till it reaches the common masses and they find it as easy as it appears while purchasing. But the fact is that it is a long way from the raw material observation to the analytical scrutiny and then followed by the quality checks, screening and the marketing dimensions. And it will be unfair to take the credit away from the Food Processors and Food Entrepreneurs, instead we should have an educated approach towards these things. As per the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act- 1938 the food is "adulterated" if it meets any one of the following: 

1. It bears or contains any "poisonous or deleterioussubstance" which may render it injurious to health.

2. It bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than a pesticide residue, ood additive, color additive, or new animal drug, which are covered by separate provisions) that is unsafe.

3. Its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health.4.It bears or contains a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe. This brief insight actually beckons me to point out what actually I am inclined to. 

Now apropos to the recent revelations and the political gimmicks about the Food Safety and Adulteration, I am very much concerned about. I am against the view of targeting the local Food Entrepreneur giants because they are the assets of our state, economic boosters and the global representatives but we have to make them realize their responsibilities. When there was the news about the pesticide presence in the soft drinks among the leading brands of the world like CocaCola and Pepsi which cover over 50% of the world beverage market and are among the most consumed drinks in the state, why didn’t the state government, politicians and those who were at the helm of affairs make such hue and cry. Why we as a nation are hell bent to put the axe on our own feet. Even if guilty, and punished, but the question remains where the buck stops? What is the panacea to this menace? These should be the things that we need to ponder over. And for this first of all we have to understand and accept this world of knowledge theoretically. 

All these things come under the ambit of Food Engineering and Technology, whose recognition in the state is hitherto scant. As I have already given a detailed account of this vital sector of the technical education ( GK Magazine 11.10.2013) but here it is more of situation oriented. Let us have a solution based approach and stop wasting time in blaming and exaggerating the problems for no cause.

In compliance to the food safety and adulteration there is an imperative need for establishing the Food Research/ Testing Labs within the state which will become an independent authority of deterrence and scrutiny of the local as well as for national produce which otherwise is taken as for granted. These labs should be exercised and handled by Food Technologists without any interference from irrational elements. Secondly there is a need of Food Scientific Body under the ambit of which the Food Inspectors or Food Safety and Standard Officers will exercise their efficiency and knowledge. The current state of affairs indicate that these officers are assigned the job irrespective of their specialization. I wonder why the state government is delaying the implementation of FSSA- 2006 in letter and spirit which is quite effectively benefiting the rest of the states in India. FSSAI is the highest authority which governs the food laws and regulations in India. Sometimes I wonder if a butcher can sell 1kg of meat for Rs 350 why can’t he respect the laws governing the meat and meat products. Almost every butcher shop displays the naked mutton or beef parts outside the shop, in the crowded markets where the air is loaded with dust, smoke, automobile pollution, and other impurities. Every individual is a witness to this, isn’t it the form of adulteration or a concern for food safety. 

Our organization has already highlighted these concerns and put the remedial proposal in the political and administrative domain of the state and we are hopeful of a positive output. Also we are hopeful of a cooperative hand from the local food entrepreneur giants so that we can at least establish a local food certification body within the purview of food laws and regulations and within the ambit of state government obligations. 

(Author is President Association of Food Engineers and Technologists J&K)