‘20% food samples tested since 2013 unsafe’

RANCHI: The verdict on Maggi noodles may still be awaited. But several other things that one consumes in day-to-day life have been declared substandard or unsafe for consumption by the Food Sample Testing Centre in the state. 

Dr Jitendra Singh, the food analysis coordinator at the centre, said: "Of all the food samples which were sent to the lab for testing since January 2013 till date, around 20% have been declared substandard or unsafe for consumption." 

A total of 2,579 samples were sent for testing at the lab from January 2013 to May 2015, of which 452 failed various tests. 

In 2013, a total of 1,278 samples were tested of which 250 were declared unsafe. In 2014, of the 981 samples tested 156 were unsafe or substandard while this year from January-May 320 samples were tested of which 46 were found to be unsafe. 

Singh said, "The samples included many things including cereals, spices, edible oil, milk and dairy products, salt, fruits, vegetable products, sweetened carbonated water, raw fruits, vegetables and alcoholic drinks. The samples are collected from shops and vendors and sent to us by food inspectors. All the samples are coded and we do not know which shop they belong to." 

The food samples collected are tested on various parameters. The samples are classified into two categories, standardized food and proprietary food. Standardized food comprises those for which standards are prescribed under the Food Safety and Standard Regulations and are fewer in number. Proprietary food include items, which do not have any prescribed standards and the quality check is done on the basis of the claim of the maker about the composition of ingredients. 

Singh said, "The samples can fail the test on two aspects, being substandard or unsafe. Food, which does not comply with the claim made by the makers, fall in the category of substandard food. While those which contain harmful ingredients fall under unsafe items." 

He added, "There is a provision of penalty from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10 lakh for the makers of substandard, misleading or misbranding products. On the other hand, makers of unsafe products can be sentenced to punishment of three months to lifetime." 

The test reports are sent to the additional chief medical officer (ACMO) of the districts who forwards the report to the deputy commissioners, who in turn forward the matter to the CGM court. 

ACMO Ranchi Dr Beena Srivastava said, "Fine has been imposed in many cases. While some people pay the complete fine amount at once, some request to pay it in installments." 

While it is easy to track and check packaged food and permanent hotels, tracking down and sampling food being sold in thelas and makeshift shops is difficult. 

Srivastava said, "While there is a provision for getting pushcarts and makeshift shops registered, most of the vendors do not do it. As a result, when we remove them from one place they put up their shop elsewhere and it becomes difficult to trace them. We have started a drive to get all those food vendors whose annual income is less than Rs 12 lakh registered with us by August this year."