Cheese and snack sample of a super market fail food test

LUCKNOW: The food samples collected from Lucknow's Khoya mandi and two major stores have failed the authority's test. Around 33% of food samples collected from the market during Diwali time have been reported to be violating Food Safety and Security Authority of India's norms. The team had taken around 34 samples, out of which 12 could not pass the laboratory test.

The official in charge of FSSAI JP Singh said that according to the report collected from food analysis laboratory of Varanasi, the cheese and snacks' samples collected from a prominent super market in Aashiyana colony have been found to be of inferior quality. Officials said that labeling norms were violated in the packed snacks of the store. Another big store for food purchase in the locality also came under FSSAI scanner during Diwali.

Packets of raw material of sweets being sold in the store also violated packaging norms. The khoya samples picked from Pandit Khoya Mandi, Thakurganj Khoya Mandi and Kursi Road Khoya Mandi have also been reported to be substandard during Diwali time. Similarly sweet samples collected from a Rahimnagar shop and cheese collected from a dairy shop in Khurram nagar near Picnic Spot Road were of inferior quality. 

The ghee samples picked from Biharipur Saadatganj and sample of mustard cooking oil from various shops have been found to be ignoring the standards. The curd collected from a famous dairy shop in Chowk was of substandard quality. FSSAI officials said they would soon file case against shopkeepers selling inferior quality food material to consumers in the ADM court. 

If their guilt is proved in the court, the shopkeepers in question would be charged a penalty of Rs 1-5 lakh, said FSSAI officials.

Regulator faces PIL over caffeine content of energy drinks

An activist has filed public interest litigation (PIL) against Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) for permitting energy drinks manufacturing companies to increase the caffeine content beyond the earlier prescribed limit. The court, on April 9, directed these firms to reply. 

Yajurvedi Rao, a social activist, had filed a right to information (RTI) application in February, seeking information about the caffeine content in popular energy drinks. He was informed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials in Maharashtra drew samples in 2009, which contained over 200 mg caffeine per litre; much higher than the prescribed limit. 

The prescribed limit of caffeine in energy drinks is 145mg per litre. In 2012, FSSAI amended the existing regulations to permit firms to add more caffeine. The amended regulations stipulated that the caffeinated beverages should contain no less than 145 mg per litre and not more than 320 mg per litre . The FSSAI, thus, increased the caffeine limits by almost 175 mg per litre. 

Rao then filed a PIL against the regulator, stating that they did so without thinking about the risk to human health. 

Advocate Anjali Purav, who is representing Rao, confirmed that a PIL has been filed. "Caffeine, being a stimulant, could have an adverse effect on human health, which is one of the reasons why the regulators should refrain from permitting companies manufacturing caffeinated beverages to increase it beyond the prescribed limit. High caffeine content damages nervous system," she said. 

"FSSAI representative has meanwhile assured that no permission will be given until the next hearing takes place on the case," said Purav. She added FSSAI has plans to make caffeinated beverages an additional category. 

"Making caffeinated beverages an additional category is only to permit the companies to add more caffeine than the standards mentioned in the existing regulations," the PIL alleges. Adding to the argument, clinical nutritionist Dr Nupur Krishnan said, "Excess caffeine consumption leads to insomnia, body's reduced power to absorb calcium, increased heart rate and anxiety. Energy drinks are not meant for all kinds of bodies, as not every body can tolerate high caffeine level." 

Meanwhile, An official from a popular energy drink company said, "We manufacture drinks not to kill people. Rather, one will find more caffeine in coffee than in energy drinks. The complainant has no scientific backing to prove anything." 

Sneha Maisheri, a resident of Mulund said, "Permitting such high levels of caffeine is not a good idea. Companies are already flouting norms and this will allow them to do so even more. The government should not permit this, as youngsters are already addicted to them. The health department should take stern action against violators and cancel their licenses." When contacted, officials from popular energy drink company Red Bull refused to comment.

Nutraceuticals slams FSSAI 'Product Approval' scheme

Mumbai, Apr 14 (IBNS): The importers and manufacturers of dietary supplements, health supplements, functional foods and nutraceutical industry have deplored the alleged ambiguous scheme of 'Product Approval' by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), despite having a stay order from the Bombay High Court for 6 months.

The Food Safety & Standards Act of 2006 was implemented in August 2010 and the FSSAI had framed regulations covering food products in August, 2011. 

In January 2012, FSSAI introduced the 'Product Approval' system directing all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to obtain a product approval before applying for the licenses under the new Act. 

The new Act provided automatic transition of existing licenses under the earlier regime of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, but the Regulations issued in 2011 provided for one year time limit. 

According to the FBO associations, most of the FBOs, including those who were producing proprietary foods for a long period of time have applied for the product approval by paying Rs.25000 for each product applied, in order to transfer the licences of existing products under erstwhile licenses and regime to the new one. 

However, due to lack of clarity in implementation and the criteria adopted for such approvals, many of the FBOs have been facing significant problems. The majority of them have not received Product Approval/NOC despite having applied for it over a year ago, thus making them unable to apply for licenses, the industry players noted.

The FBOs noted that the scheme since 2012 and its guidelines have been changed eight times, the last one being in May 2013. 

Following this, a Writ Petition was filed in the Bombay High Court against the advisories of Product Approval issued by FSSAI, for which the proceeding is on. 

So far, FSSAI has been unable to justify whether this power to release advisories has been passed before both the Houses of Parliament or not, the FBO associations informed.

They further noted that the stay order meant to provide interim relief while decision on the Product Approval scheme is pending, has failed to blow life in the fading businesses of importers and manufacturers alike.

The associations asserted that stay on product approval process remains till August 2014, yet port authorities have been demanding the product approval from importers of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. 

The authorities refuse to send the landed products for testing without the product approval; as a result, no clearance is being made for import of goods in India, they said.

Jayesh Mehta, Proprietor, Paradise Nutrition Inc., said, "We filed for the product approval application 2 years back, but there is no revert on it from the authorities. It has neither been processed, nor rejected or accepted. This has affected over 70% of our business."

Mehta added, "Our imports have completely stopped since September 2013 and we are struggling to stay afloat with the sale of old insufficient stock. We have the necessary licence required to import and do business, and as per the stay order, we should have been allowed to run the business during this while."

The industry leaders said that, Indian players are suffering huge losses with many forced to shut down business. 

A large number of FBOs are also exporting Nutraceuticals and Dietary supplements to developed markets like US & Europe, where there is no such product approval system, however, are adversely affected by the uncertain regulatory regime in India, they said.

Leading industry associations after making several representations to FSSAI officials, intense discussions with its own members and open conferences with the stakeholders have found no direction or definite solution from the authorities on the issue of Product Approvals. 

Food Business Operators (FBO), however, through their associations are determined to find an effective way to resolve the prevailing issues and demand an independent body to help the cause.