அனைவரும் சாப்பிடலாம் ஆர்கானிக் ஃபாஸ்ட் ஃபுட்

குழந்தைகளை வெளியே அழைத்துச் சென்றால், முதலில் கேட்பது ஃபாஸ்ட் ஃபுட் எனப்படும் 'துரித உணவு’ வகைகளைத்தான். பரோட்டா மட்டுமே தெரிந்த கிராமப்புறங்களில் கூட, 'பாவ் பாஜி, பானி பூரி, நூடுல்ஸ்’ எல்லாம் இப்போது சக்கைப்போடு போடுகின்றன. காரணம், துரித உணவின் ருசி மற்றும் அதன் மணம். பெருகிவரும் இந்த இன்ஸ்டன்ட் உணவுக் கலாசாரத்தினால், மக்களின் ஆரோக்கியம் பாதிக்கப்படுவது தெரிந்தும்கூட இந்த 'ஜங்க் ஃபுட்’ ருசிக்கு அடிமையாகின்றனர் பலர். இந்த உணவுகளில், உடலுக்குத் தீங்கு விளைவிக்கும் நச்சுப்பொருள்கள்தான் அதிக அளவில் இருக்கின்றன. சுவைக்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படும் அதிகப்படியான உப்பு, சர்க்கரை, மாவுப்பொருள்கள் மற்றும் கொழுப்பு போன்றவை, உடல் பருமன், உயர் ரத்த அழுத்தம், சர்க்கரை, இதய நோய் போன்ற நோய்களை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடும். நுகர்வோரைக் கவர்வதற்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படும் செயற்கை ரசாயன நிறமூட்டிகளும் சுவையூட்டிகளும், அஜீரணத்தில் தொடங்கி அல்சர், புற்றுநோய் என பல ஆபத்துகளில் கொண்டுபோய்விடும் என்பது மருத்துவர்களின் எச்சரிக்கை! அதிலும், சின்னக் குழந்தைகள் இந்த 'ஃபாஸ்ட் புட்’ வகை உணவுகளை அதிகம் விரும்பி உண்பதால், அவர்கள் இளமையிலேயே நோய்வாய்ப்படுவதும் அதிகரித்துவருகிறது. 

கட்டாயம் தேவை கலர் ஃபுல் உணவு!

FSSAI guidelines for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products

Milk packaging has changed from the traditional methods to new innovative methods. Keeping the consumers’ convenience in view, the packaging is done in different types of impressive package containers. In 80s and 90s the milk used to be packed in glass bottles, but now we get it in impressive packaging materials and at present time, only a small proportion of glass bottles are being used in milk packaging.

Guidelines for Milk Packaging

The reason behind the change in packaging can be read as:

• Changing Life Style
• Demand of the consumers
• Ecological factors
• Cost of Production & Recycling

Despite having various choices available for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products, like Glass bottles, Plastic Bottles, Cans & Cartons and Pouches; Pouches are found more preferred. Reason behind this is that:-

 i) They are cheap 

ii) Convenient & Easy to Handle 

iii) Occupies less space

Thermoformed plastic bottle being used for Milk Packaging is considered of good quality because of its resistance to wide temperature range and UV rays, also they are highly stable. 

The dairy industry comprises of Livestock, Dairy Farming, Dairy Packaging & Product Distribution. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has laid down certain guidelines for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products. They are:

1) The heat-treated milk and milk product shall be carried out mechanically and the sealing of the containers shall be carried out automatically.

2) Only those containers could be reused for packaging of Milk & Milk products which can be used after thorough cleaning and disinfecting; others may be discarded.

3) Sealing of containers carrying Milk & Milk products shall be carried out in a place where the last heat-treatment of drinking milk or liquid milk-base products has been carried out. Immediately after filling the product, the container must be sealed properly sealed to avoid any adverse effects of external organisms on its characteristic. The sealing device shall be so that once the container has been opened, the evidence of the opening remains clear and easy to check.

4) Immediately after packaging, the dairy products shall be placed in the rooms provided for storage.

What all licenses are required to run a Restaurant business?

The restaurant industry is one of the fastest growing industry verticals in the recent times, reason being, people prefer to dine outside due to taste, preferences and the changing lifestyle. Restaurant business is a lucrative idea but one must thoroughly investigate the prerequisites to avoid legal complications.

If you are in the process of setting up a restaurant then you need to check the following licenses/NOCs issued from different regulatory bodies in order to comply with the norms:
Food License: It is one of the primary requirements to a obtain a license under FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. Every restaurant owner has to first register their business with FSSAI as running a restaurant business without a license will be treated as a legal offense and this would invite penalties. One can check the eligibility criteria for Registration, State Licensing & Central Licensing. Please refer the following link for Central Licensing Procedure. http://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/UserLogin/Login.aspx?
Health Trade License: The restaurant owner has to obtain a health / trade license which is issued by the municipal corporation or the health department of the concerned state.
License for Eating House: The restaurant owner has to apply for the Eating House License under the city/state police headquarters and the police commissioner – Licensing.is authorized to grant this license. In most of the cities the applicant can apply online for grant of the registration certificate. For Example in Delhi, one can apply through: (http://delhipolicelicensing.gov.in/eating/eating-house.htm#section1)
Fire Security Certificate: The restaurant premises should have proper fire security arrangements and for this one has to acquire NOC from the fire department. Once you apply, the inspection would be carried out and the decision will be taken by the officials of the Fire Department for the grant of the NOC.
Liquor/Bar license: The Liquor license L-4 (L-17 as per new excise rule) is required if Liquor is served in the restaurant. The Liquor license can be obtained from the Excise Commissioner of the city/region of the state. (http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_excise/Excise/Home/Licences/)
Approval/Re-Approval of Restaurants: If restaurants are looking to acquire L-4 license then they have to take prior approval from the department of Tourism of the Govt. of India in the concerned state.

1. Lift clearance: The restaurants with multi story building premises shall have to get clearance from the electrical inspector of the office of the labor commissioner, to ensure that the lift operations comply with the safety norms.
2. License for playing music/video: If recorded music or video is to be played in the premises then one has to obtain a license in compliance to the Copyright Act of 1957 and the license can be obtained from Phonographic Performance Limited or Indian performing Right Society. The links for your reference: http://www.pplindia.org/licctg.aspx, http://www.iprs.org/cms/
3. Environmental Clearance: A NOC from the pollution board of the city/state is required by the restaurants for ensuring that their activities are not violating pollution norms.
4. Insurances required: The restaurants have to take insurance for public liability, Product liability, fire policy & for building & Asset. Insurance policies can be obtained from any insurance company providing such insurances.
5. Signage license: Restaurants can obtain this license from the local civic bodies like Municipal Committee or City Corporation.
6. Shop & Establishment Act: Restaurants have to obtain license under the prescribed Act as applicable to the concerned state. 

It is the responsibility of the owner of the restaurant to meet all the requisites like obtaining licenses and their timely renewal.
* It is important to note here that all previous food laws & orders have been repealed and have been consolidated under one Act i.e. FSS Act, 2006. So if you are carrying a license issued under previous food laws then you have to transfer you license to the FSS Act and have to comply with the requirements & provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations.

Food business Operators to follow guidelines regarding displaying of FSSAI license and logo on the labels

In reference to the Notification of June 7, 2013, relating to the displaying of FSSAI License number and logo on the food product’s label, the apex body on food safety in India ‘FSSAI’ has issued the guidelines that the label of the food product shall carry FSSAI’s license number and logo. The judgement on the said notification was made on Oct. 31, 2013. 

There are some bogus food manufacturers who are selling substandard food items in the market and Food Safety Authority wanted to track the activities of the such food business operators and to ensure the safety of the people. The effective date to comply the latest guideline is July 1, 2014, beyond which the food business operators would be penalized. 

The 14 digits license number will keep a strict check on the activities of the FBOs and would further ensure the safety of the consumers. The consumers can now complain to the regulatory bodies on the basis of the license number mentioned on the labels of the food products. For a food business operator who has an annual turnover of more than 12 lacs, is required to obtain a license in order to do business in India. For imported food products, the importer shall display; the FSSAI Logo, his (importer’s) license number along with the name and the address on a sticker to be affixed on the label for the customs clearance. 

As per FSSAI’s latest guidelines: 

The FSSAI logo and the license number of the brand owner shall be displayed on the label of a food package in the color that is in contrast to the background in case of multiple units (Manufacturer/packer/relabeller/marketer)

The height of the letters and the numeral of license number shall be as prescribed in 2.3.3 as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) regulation, 2011.

பெட்டிக்கடை, பேக்கரியில் சுகாதாரத்துறையினர் ஆய்வு

ஜலகண்டாபுரம், ஏப்.6: 

ஜலகண்டாபுரம் பஸ்நிலையத் தில் உள்ள கடைகளில் சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நேரில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண்டு பொது இடங்களில் புகைபிடித்த நபர்கள் மற்றும் புகை பிடிக்க ஊக்குவித்த கடைக்காரர்களுக்கு அபராதம் விதித்தனர். 

சேலம் மாவட்டம் ஜலகண்டாபுரத்தில் மாவட்ட சுகாதாரத்துறை துணை இயக்குநர் ஜெகதீஸ்குமார் உத்தரவின் பேரில் பஸ் நிலைய கடைகளில் சோ தனை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட் டது. நேர்முக உதவியாளர் பன்னீர்செல்வம் தலைமை யில் நங்கவள்ளி வட்டார மருத்துவ அலு வலர் நித்யா, சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் செல்வராஜ், ஆயிரம், சக்ரவர்த்தி, பால்ராஜ், ராஜன் ஆகியோர் ஜலகண்டாபுரம் பஸ் நிலைய பகுதிகளில் உள்ள கடைகளில் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். 

ஆய்வின்போது கடை களில் விற்பனைக்காக வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த காலாவதியான உணவுப்பொருட்கள், தயாரிப்பாளர் முகவரி மற்றும் பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட தேதி இல்லாத உணவுப்பொருட் கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டு அழிக்கப்பட்டது. மேலும் பொது இடங்களில் புகைபிடித்த நபர்கள் மற்றும் புகை பிடிக்க ஊக்குவித்த கடைக்காரர்கள் ஆகியோருக்கு மொத்தம் 

2 ஆயிரத்து 500 அபராதம் விதித்தனர். மேலும் தரமில்லாத உணவுப்பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது என கடைக்காரர் களை அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரித்தனர். மேலும் இது குறித்து அதிகாரிகள் பொதுமக்களிடையே விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தி கடைகளில் காலாவதியான பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்துவோர் பற்றி தக வல் அளிக்கலாம் என்றனர். 

ஜலகண்டாபுரத்தில்

சேலம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை கடத்திய கேரள வாலிபர் கைது

சேலம், ஏப்.6: 

சேலத்தில் இருந்து ரயில் மூலம் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பாக்கெட்டுகளை கேரளாவுக்கு கடத்த முயன்ற வாலிபரை ரயில்வே போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர். 

நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தலையொட்டி வாக்காளர்களுக்கு கொடுப்பதற்காக பணம் மற்றும் பரிசு பொருட்களை ரயில்களில் கடத்தி வருகின்றனரா? என கண்காணிக்கும் படி ரயில்வே போலீசாருக்கு தேர்தல் ஆணையம் உத்தரவிட்டது. இதைத் தொடர்ந்து மாநிலம் முழு வதும் ரயில்வே போலீசா ரும், ரயில்வே பாதுகாப்பு படையினரும் இணைந்து தனிப்படை அமைத்து, ரயில் பயணிகளிடம் சோதனை நடத்தி வருகின்றனர். 

சேலம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் மணிகண்டன் தலைமையில் ஏட்டுகள் பாரதிராஜா, தங்கராஜ் மற்றும் போலீசார் அடங்கிய தனிப்படையினர் நேற்று அதிகாலை, பயணிகளின் உடமைகளை சோதனையிட்டனர். 3வது பிளாட்பாரத்தில் ஐதராபாத்& திருவனந்தபுரம் செல்லும் சபரி எக்ஸ்பிரசில் ஏறுவதற்காக ஏராளமான பயணிகள் நின்றிருந்தனர். அதில், சந்தேகப்படும்படியாக இருந்த வாலிபர் ஒருவர் வைத்திருந்த பேக்கை போலீசார் சோதனையிட்டனர். அதற்குள் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட 150 புகையிலை பாக்கெட் பண்டல்கள் குவியலாக இருந்தது. இதன் மதிப்பு ரூ.20 ஆயிரம். 

உடனே அதை பறிமுதல் செய்து, அந்த வாலிபரிடம் போலீசார் தீவிர விசாரணை நடத்தினர். விசாரணையில் அவர், கேரள மாநிலம் திருச்சூரை சேர்ந்த சதீசன் (34) என்பது தெரிந்தது. சேலம் சூரமங்கலம் பகுதியை சேர்ந்த ரமேஷ் என்பவரிடம் இருந்து தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பாக்கெட் க்ஷ்டுகளை வாங்கிக்கொண்டு, திருச்சூர் செல்வதற்காக சபரி எக்ஸ்பிரசுக்கு காத்திருந்தது தெரியவந்தது. பின்னர் கைதான சதீசனையும், கைப்பற்றப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்க ளையும் சேலம் உணவு கடத்தல் தடுப்பு பிரிவு போலீசாரிடம் ஒப்படைத்தனர். 

சேலம் ஜங்ஷன் ரயில் நிலையத்தில், தடை செய்யப்பட்ட ஹான்ஸ் பாக்கெட்டுகளை திருச்சூருக்கு கடத்த முயன்ற கேரள வாலிபரை போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர். 

631 samples fail to food safety, Govt lets off adulterators

Source of milk sold in market not known

Srinagar, Apr 7:In a criminal act, the Food Safety Department of the Government is playing with the lives of the people as the companies, whose 631 food samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe across the State last year, have either been let off or prosecution has not at all been launched against them.

A status report filed by the Government before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court reveals that that out of 1663 food samples taken in Jammu division, 287 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 200 samples and the accused have been let off in most of the cases.

The status report revealed that in Kashmir division, out of 1405 food samples taken last year, 344 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe and prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused and majority of them have been let off.

The status report said that 3068 food samples have been lifted during last year, with 1663 samples lifted from Jammu division and 1405 from Kashmir division of the State.

The High Court after perusal of the status report observed that the number of samples taken from Srinagar district is 351, which far below as the district has huge population.

The bench observed that food safety officer of SMC has lifted 351 samples while food safety officer of Food Safety Authority has not lifted even a single sample in Srinagar district. The Court has directed the Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of court orders.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising, Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today pulled up the Government officials and companies for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Court directed the officials to implement the act in its letter and spirit and asked them to pull up their socks and hone up the machinery without showing any leniency.

The court directed that officials of the Food Safety Department to speed up lifting and analysis of samples of food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.

The bench observed: “A cursory look at the status report would reflect lack of understanding of provisions of the act and machinery envisioned under the Act on part of respondents.”

The court expressed its anguish over the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards not making the Act operational as large number of posts are vacant in the department.

The court directed the in charge food analysis laboratory both at Jammu and Srinagar to submit information regarding capacity of laboratories, machinery and manpower. It has directed them to initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.

The court while expressing disappointment over functioning of the Government regarding the Food Safety observed: “In case of companies like M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Zum Zum, Snow Cap, Haleeb, the number of samples lifted is less than five during the year, and samples lifted during 2013 is far less with regard to population of State and volume of food items sold and consumed. The overall performance of the staff, therefore, is dismal and disappointing.”

Regarding the compliance report about lifting of samples on regular bases of M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Agro Food the court observed: “Compliance does not give the dates when samples were lifted, so as to enable the Court to find out whether samples were lifted once in a week or not.”

Compliance report reveals that prosecution has been launched against three companies – M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Spices – in the court of Munsiff Budgam, CJM Anantnag, and Municipal Magistrate Srinagar respectively.

The Court directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a committee of three to four experts with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Dairy Expert, Dairy Technologist from SKUAST and former District and Sessions Judge, Abdul Wahid, as its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/s Khyber Agro Milk. The court has asked for a comprehensive report.

The direction came after counsel for M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Advocate Zaffar Shah, informed the court that the company does not have a dairy farm and the milk and milk products are processed in the milk processing unit of the company and what is sold in the market is processed milk.

The court in response observed: “The statement made raises a number of important issues whether M/s Khyber Agro Farms has a milk processing plant confirming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk, whether company has a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder.”

Court directed the companies to inform the general public through print media that the milk sold by them is not pure cow milk but processed milk. “As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro Farms and other companies, is pure cow milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms and other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the sources of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed”, the court order reads.

High Court wants Expert Committee to investigate Khyber Agro Milk Farms

SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Division Bench of High Court has directed Commissioner, Food Safety, to constitute committee of experts to inspect milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms and submit detailed report.

Division Bench of the court comprising of Justice Hasnain Masoodi and D S Thakur directed that the committee shall comprise of deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and Diary experts/diary technologists from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.

Experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing, the bench said. Committee has been tasked to file its report elucidating whether Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and Buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed.

In other direction, Division bench directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in place as on date in implementation of the Food Safety Act, to pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.

Respondents shall submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014 to i-e that is first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken, court said.

Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu, the Division bench said, shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.

Commissioner Food Safety shall file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014. Division bench said in order to further clarify previous direction, it is directed that only 05 samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the state.

"We modify direction dated 13th February 2014 to the extent it requires forwarding one pan of the sample to Referral laboratory. The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate. 

Food business operators/dealer, therefore, shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory."

As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow's milk, the court directed, respondents -M/s Khyber Agro milk Farms and also other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by diem is not pure cow's milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.

The respondents, the division bench said, shall give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act and that none amongst the Proprietors/Directors etc. of the company(ies) required to be arrayed accused in terms of the Act, ate shielded and complaints filed only against lower rung employees of the company(ies).

"Respondents shall initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, vacant as on date and file status report regarding state of selection process," the division bench said. Division bench directed respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.

Earlier official respondents filed status report, indicating that out of 1663 samples lifted in Jammu Division, 287 have been found substandard/misbranded/unsafe. Prosecution, however, has been launched only in respect of 200 samples. The action taken in respect of 87 samples is not explained. Again in most of the cases, accused have been let off with fine unmindful of the fact that the Act prescribes minimum punishment and punishment below minimum is not permissible under law.

In Kashmir Division, Out of 1405 samples 344 samples have been found substandard /misbranded/ unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused. 

‘Inspect milk processing units in Kashmir’ - High Court Directs Commissioner Food Safety

Srinagar, Apr 7: The J&K High Court Monday directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a panel of experts to inspect the milk processing unit of Khyber Agro Milk Farms and file a comprehensive report by the next date of hearing on April 28.

A division bench of High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice D S Thakur passed the direction on a Public Interest Litigation after perusing the status reports and hearing the parties. 

“Commissioner Food Safety shall constitute a committee of three to four experts, with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Diary Expert/Diary Technologist from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place. The experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing,” the division bench said.

The court asked the Food Safety Officers and other concerned officials to pull up socks, hone up the machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State “without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.”

The concerned authorities have been directed to submit a comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014, indicating number of samples referred to Notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the results of analysis and action taken.

The court said the In-charge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories to analyze samples and the number of samples the two laboratories can handle in a year, having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.

To further clarify the previous order, the court said it is directed that only five samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and analyzed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the State.

“If one sample in the first week is taken from each of the Districts A, B, C, D & E, in the following week, five samples shall be taken from each of other districts F, G, H, I & J. Same pattern shall be followed in respect of M/s Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/s Kanwal Agro Food Industries and other companies i.e. Snow Cap, Amul, Surya, Haleeb, Zum Zum etc. engaged in distribution, marketing of milk and milk products. Commissioner, Food Safety, shall issue instructions as regards pattern to be followed by Food Safety Officers. The direction, however, is not to be interpreted as one directing respondents to restrict sampling only to aforesaid companies. They shall continue to lift samples from all other food items for analysis,” the court said, while citing an illustration.

Modifying order dated 13th February 2014, the court directed the respondents that while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the State. 

The court said the food business operator/dealer shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited Laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory.

Besides, the court directed the concerned authorities to give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/s Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act.

It asked the concerned authorities whether the Proprietors/Directors of the companies required to be arrayed as accused in terms of the Act, are shielded and complaints are filed only against lower rung employees of the companies.

“As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow’s milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms as also all companies engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk,” the court said. “They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.”

The court asked the respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by these companies in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.

Commissioner Food Safety has been directed to file an affidavit explaining reason for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014.

Petitioners’ were represented by Advocate S M Ayoub while respondents were represented by Advocates Z A Shah, F A Mir and Shuja-ul- Haq Tantray (GA).

Packed milk not pure cow milk: HC asks cos’ to tell people

Srinagar: The packed milk sold in Jammu and Kashmir is not pure cow milk but processed one, the J&K High Court has directed companies marketing it to inform general public.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Justices Hasnain Massodi and Dhiraj Singh Thakur also directed Commissioner, Food Safety, shall constitute a committee of three to four experts to visit M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms and file a detailed report about it.

“As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/S Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow’s milk, (they) shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk,” the bench said.

The companies, court said, shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.

The direction by the court followed submission by senior advocate Z A Shah, representing that his clients—owners of M/S Khyber Milk Farms—do not have a diary farm and that milk and milk products it markets are processed in the processing unit run by the company.

Advocate Shah stated that none of the companies in the state and in particular in Kashmir division runs a diary farm and what is sold in the market is processed milk.

Advocate Shah further stated that M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms imports Buffalo milk from outside, mixes it with cow’s milk, produced locally from the farmers in some areas of Pulwama district and makes the milk homogenous in its milk plants, to maintain ratio of fats and solid non-fats (SNF) components.

He said that when milk production in the area is more than the milk marketed, the excess milk is converted into milk powder and used in a season with less production to maintain ratio between production and demand.

“The statement (by advocate shah) raises a number of important issues. Whether M/S Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed and whether residents have a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder, and whether milk and milk powder is used within its shelf life and steps taken to ensure that milk powder is stored in prescribed manner before its use,” the court observed.

In this background, the bench directed Commissioner, Food Safety, to constitute committee of three to four experts to inspect milk processing unit run by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms and submit a detailed report.

The committee, the bench said, shall comprise of Deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and diary experts or technologists from SKUAST; Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.

“The experts shall submit comprehensive report on by next date of hearing,” the bench added.

The court was hearing the PIL—Sheikh Ayoub Vs State— seeking implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 (FSSA) to check food adulteration in the state.

The bench also directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in implementation of the Food Safety Act to “pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.”

The court also directed the government to submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from January 1 to till date—first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified laboratories/referral laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken.

“Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.”

In another direction, the bench directed Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for “disobedience” of order on February 13 last.

In order to further clarify previous direction, the court directed that only five samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by food analyst and an accredited laboratory outside the state.

“(For example) if one sample in the first week is taken from each of the districts A, B, C, D and E, in the following week five samples shall be taken from each of the districts i-e F, G, H. I and J. Same pattern shall be followed in respect of M/S Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/S Kanwal Agro Food industries and other companies i-e Snow Cap, Amul Surya, Haleeb, Zum Zum etc engaged in distribution, marketing of milk and milk products.”

The Commissioner Food Safety, bench said, shall issue instructions as regard pattern to be followed by Food Safety Officers.

The direction, however, is not to be interpreted as one directing respondents to restrict sampling only to aforesaid companies. “They shall continue to lift samples from other food items for analysis.”

The court modified its direction on February 13 last to the extent it requires forwarding one part of the sample to Referral laboratory.

“The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate.”

The food business operators/dealer, court said, shall therefore, continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by accredited laboratory.

“In case of variance, (they can) even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory.”

The court also directed government initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Food Safety Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.

“Respondents shall submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/S Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/S Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated February 13,” the court said and posted the case for further consideration on April 28.

Food Safety officials plan drive against spurious cool drinks

Come summer, people flock towards one or the other of the numerous soft drinks lured by the ubiquitous commercials and a need to the beat the unbearable heat. This year, as the city faces a heat wave more intense than any in recent years, soft drinks sales are sure to go through the roof.

However, Food Safety Wing officials are urging the local populace to be cautious owing to the proliferation of spurious drinks being sold in the bottles of major soft drink brands. 

A senior official told The Hindu here on Saturday that the Food Safety Wing would soon launch a drive against spurious drinks, mainly sold on roadside shops and eateries. 

The public must remain vigilant even while consuming branded soft drinks in 500 ml/one/two litres PET bottles, as the shelf life was now only two-and-a-half month from the earlier six months. This change was effected after the Food Safety and Standards Act came into force. The shelf life for soft drinks sold in glass bottles, which are sterilised, was six months.

Most shopkeepers in rural areas failed to check the product for the expiry date, either by design or mostly because of negligence. However, under the FSSA, they were liable to face heavy fines and possible imprisonment for selling food products that had crossed the expiry date, the official added. 

Major soft drink companies have been instructed to keep a close watch on their supply chain to prevent their bottles from being misused. They have also been told to watch out for decline in orders. This could indicate that retailers in that area were buying spurious drinks, which were cheaper, the officials said.

The public were also warned against consuming soft drinks sold in sachets, as they were likely to have been prepared in unhygienic conditions. 

A senior official said that freshly-prepared juices were among the best options for people looking to stay healthy and dehydration. 

The food safety wing took periodical samples of fruits, vegetables and soft drinks following a Supreme Court directive to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in October 2013.