Supply of Adulterated Milk by Private Dairies

As per the reports received from the State/UT governments, there are occasional instances of supply of sub-standard/adulterated milk. 

The menace of food adulteration and particularly milk adulteration needs to be eliminated through a series of measures including effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act by State Government, strengthening of the food safety structures in the country and to the extent necessary, by appropriately amending the laws after consultation with all concerned. While government will take all measures considered necessary for eliminating milk adulteration, even under the existing Food Safety and Standards Act, manufacturing, selling, distributing or importing unsafe food which includes milk, is punishable under Section 59. The penalties provided for in section 59 (iv) of this Act include imprisonment for not less than seven years which may extend to imprisonment for life and also fine of not less than Rs. 10 lakh. 

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today. 

Use of Banned Pesticides

Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a program for Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level under which samples of vegetable and fruits are collected and analysed for the presence of pesticide residues. No residues of banned pesticides have been detected in any of the samples collected under this program. 

However, there have been reports in media about use of toxic substances like calcium carbide and oxytocin for early ripening of fruits and vegetables. Clause 2.3.5 of Chapter 2 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on sale) Regulations prohibits sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas produced from calcium carbide. 

However, use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits is considered safe. The Commissioners of Food Safety/Food (Health) Authority of States/UTs who are responsible for implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and its Rules/Regulations in their States/UTs have been requested to keep a strict vigil on and take legal action against use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits. The State Governments have also been advised to educate the public through mass electronic media against consumption of such artificially ripened fruits. 

During 2011-2014, out of 25,664 vegetable samples, 764 (2.9%) samples were found to contain pesticide residues above the maximum permissible residues level (MRL). Out of 7,501 fruits samples, the residues above MRL were detected in 88 (1.1%) samples. However, none of the banned pesticides were detected. 

The Registration Committee constituted under the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers pesticides only after establishing their safety to human, animal and environmental health. Technical reviews are carried out from time to time and continued use of pesticides is permitted only if found safe. 

The Central Govt. through Central Integrated Pest Management Centres of Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage as well as State Department of Agriculture conduct Farmers Field Schools and awareness campaign through print media, electronic media and hoardings, sensitizing farmers regarding safe and judicious use of pesticides, use of bio-pesticides/ bio-fertilizers etc. 

A Grow Safe Food campaign has been initiated to carry the message of safe and judicious use of pesticides to farmers and other stakeholders. A simple message on the five essential principles of judicious pesticide use - application of pesticides on the right crop, against pests for which the pesticide has been approved, at the right time, in approved doses, and as per approved method of application - is sought to be conveyed through hoardings, banners etc. in regional languages in Gram Panchayats and rural areas. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture Dr.Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in Lok Sabha today.

Spurious milk products seized from market

LUCKNOW: Nearly 50% samples collected by officials of food safety department were found to be sub-standard in a check conducted on Monday. Most of the adulteration has been reported in dairy products such as mixed milk, khoya and raw milk. Around eight samples of paneer (cottage cheese) too have been found to be sub-standard (prime facie by the department). With almost 12 days left for Holi, the department tested dairy food items being sold in the district.

Some samples of mixed milk found sub-standard were collected from tea shops outside City Station and Badshahnagar station, in addition to a couple of eateries located in the busy Charbagh locality. Some of the private dairies in Alambagh and one shop selling milk in the VVIP locality of Kalidas Marg also came under scanner. A senior official told TOI that out of 80 samples (of various food items) collected by the department, 35 have been found to be sub-standard. The department has also issued a 30-day notice to the owners/management of these food joints/eateries, after which case may be lodged against the erring food joints/eateries and accordingly legal action would be initiated.

In some shops, officials also detected a couple of samples of sweetmeat kalakand with silver foil containing some extraneous material and samples have been sent for elaborate testing. Samples of cooking medium like ghee, sweets such as milk cake, besan and urad daal have also been taken by food inspectors and officials are of the view that prima facie these items violate some provisions of laws pertaining to food safety.

DINAMALAR NEWS