States/UTs to finalise action plan to test milk products regularly: Nadda

New Delhi : State/UT governments have been requested by the Department of Health and Family Welfare to finalise state-wide Action Plan to draw and test samples of milk products at regular intervals, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. 

Stating this in a written reply, Health Minister J P Nadda said in cases where samples of milk were found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made there under, penal action is initiated against the offender.

The Act provides for graded penalties including life imprisonment. 

However, implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 ''primarily rests with State/UT governments,'' he added.

“Random samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and are sent to the laboratories recognised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for analysis,” the Minister said.

Referring to a nationwide survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)on milk adulteration in 2011 through its five regional offices wherein as much as 68.4 per cent of milk samples were found to be ''non-conforming'' to prescribed standards with 5.75 per cent found to be adulterated with detergents. 

“A total of 103 samples (5.75 per cent) were found to be adulterated with detergents,” the Minister said.

A total of 1,791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the government laboratories.

Over 685 milk samples faily quality test, says Government

In a nationwide survey on milk adulteration by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 68.4 per cent of the samples lifted from 33 states did not confirm to the prescribed standards, the government said

NEW DELHI: In a nationwide survey on milk adulteration by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 68.4 per cent of the samples lifted from 33 states did not confirm to the prescribed standards, the government said today. 

The survey that was conducted through FSSAI's five regional offices in 2011, a total of 1,791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the government laboratories, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda said in Rajya Sabha. 

While replying to a question on milk adulteration, Nadda said,"68.4 per cent of the samples were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards. Out of these samples, in 46.8 per cent were found to be sub-standard in respect of Fat and Solid Not Fat (SNF) contents".

"Another 548 samples (44.69%) of skim milk powder were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards where presence of glucose was detected in 477 samples. A total of 103 samples (5.75 per cent) were found to be adulterated with detergents," he said. 

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for graded penalties including life imprisonment. However, its implementation and enforcement primarily rests with state and Union Territories governments, the minister said. 

"Random samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety officers and are sent to the laboratories recognised by FSSAI for analysis. In cases, where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, penal action is initiated against the offender," he said. 

68.4% of the samples lifted from 33 states did not confirm to the prescribed standards, the government said

A total of 1,791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the govt laboratories, J.P. Nadda said in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: In a nationwide survey on milk adulteration by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 68.4% of the samples lifted from 33 states did not confirm to the prescribed standards, the government said on Tuesday.

The survey that was conducted through FSSAI’s five regional offices in 2011, a total of 1,791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the government laboratories, minister for health and family welfare, J.P. Nadda said in Rajya Sabha.

While replying to a question on milk adulteration, Nadda said,”68.4% of the samples were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards. Out of these samples, in 46.8% were found to be sub-standard in respect of Fat and Solid Not Fat (SNF) contents”.

“Another 548 samples (44.69%) of skim milk powder were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards where presence of glucose was detected in 477 samples. A total of 103 samples (5.75%) were found to be adulterated with detergents,” he said.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for graded penalties including life imprisonment. However, its implementation and enforcement primarily rests with state and Union Territories governments, the minister said.

“Random samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety officers and are sent to the laboratories recognised by FSSAI for analysis. In cases, where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, penal action is initiated against the offender,” he said.

Adulteration of Milk and Milk Products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had conducted a nationwide survey on milk adulteration in 2011 through its five regional offices. A total of 1791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the Government laboratories. 68.4% of the samples were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards. Out of these samples, in 46.8% samples, milk found to be sub-standard in respect of Fat and Solid Not Fat (SNF) contents. Another 44.69% of the samples (548) in respect of skim milk powder were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards where presence of glucose was detected in 477 samples. A total of 103 samples (5.75%) were found to be adulterated with detergents. 

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for graded penalties including life imprisonment. However, implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules & Regulations made thereunder primarily rests with State/UT Governments. Random samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and are sent to the laboratories recognized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for analysis. In cases, where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, penal action is initiated against the offender. The State/UT Governments have been requested by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on 07.01.2015 to finalize State wide Action Plan to draw and test samples of milk products at regular intervals. 

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

Amway's Nutrilite in trouble

United States-based direct selling company Amway is in trouble as a lower court in Uttar Pradesh has pronounced that the company has been making false and misleading health claims for its vitamin supplement Nutrilite Daily and violating India's food law.

United States-based direct selling company Amway is in trouble as a lower court in Uttar Pradesh has pronounced that the company has been making false and misleading health claims for its vitamin supplement Nutrilite Daily and violating India's food law.

Besides, the ruling could cast a shadow on the multinational company's flagship brand Nutrilite, under which it sells a range of products including vitamin supplements and protein powder.

After hearing a complaint filed by the food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or FSSAI, the court said in a recent order that Amway has been claiming that its product has exclusive natural extracts such as 'phytofactors plant compounds from Nutrilite's exclusive plant concentrates', without citing any scientific evidence to back it.

The court also slapped a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the company. Amway said that it has already challenged the order in Food Safety Appellate Tribunal at Meerut and got a stay order.

The Greater Noida court also found Amway's claim - that its special coating called 'Nutrilite exclusive nutria lock' makes it easier to swallow tablets - misleading and without proof, and said that it fails to understand how the company's coating is exclusive and different from those used by several other drug making companies for the same purpose.

The judge also took note of the fact that FSSAI's product approval division has rejected applications for several other products under Nutrilite series such as Iron-Folic, Natural 'B' and Bio C, among others. The food regulator argued before the court that it has become a trend for many drug-making companies to project their medicinal products as 'food' to escape the tighter regulations under Drug and Cosmetics Act, and expensive and time consuming clinical trials mandated under it.

Leading brand consultants said the adverse impact of one sub-brand has a negative rub-off on other sub-brands under the umbrella brand. "An adverse event like this absolutely has the potential to make a dent in the brand image of the entire Nutrilite range of products, albeit not to the extent of damage faced by the brand of the product in question, Nutrilite Daily in this case," said Harish Bijoor, CEO of Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.

Amway said it doesn't think that the ruling will hit the brand image of Nutrilite in India.

"We have moved Food Safety Appellate Tribunal at Meerut challenging this order which questioned claims made through product merchandising literature of Nutrilite Daily. The Tribunal vide an order dated May 07, 2015 has stayed the order passed by ADM, Gautam Budh Nagar, Greater Noida. We are hopeful of getting a positive order in our appeal as we have adequate substantiation for all the claims made in the product merchandising literature of Nutrilite Daily," said an Amway spokesperson

Claiming that Nutrilite is the world's No. 1 selling vitamins and dietary supplements brand, he added that all Nutrilite products globally comply with World Health Organisation and International guidelines like CODEX for vitamin and mineral content.

"The Nutrilite range has been manufactured and sold in India, after getting requisite licences under the food law, for more than a decade. Nutrilite Daily was launched in India in 2002 and we have lakhs of satisfied customers here," he said.

According to media reports published in March, of the over Rs 2,000 crore annual revenue that Amway clocks in India, the Nutrilite range of products accounts for 55%, beauty products portfolio contribute another 30% while the balance comes from the company's homecare range.

Amway making false, misleading health claims for Nutrilite Daily: UP court

The ruling could cast a shadow on company’s flagship brand Nutrilite, under which it sells a range of products including vitamin supplements and protein powder.

NEW DELHI: A lower court in Uttar Pradesh has pronounced that the United States-headquartered direct selling company Amway has been making false and misleading health claims for its vitamin supplement Nutrilite Daily and violating India's food law. 

The ruling could cast a shadow on the multinational company's flagship brand Nutrilite, under which it sells a range of products including vitamin supplements and protein powder. 

After hearing a complaint filed by the food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or FSSAI, the court said in a recent order that Amway has been claiming that its product has exclusive natural extracts such as 'phytofactors plant compounds from Nutrilite's exclusive plant concentrates', without citing any scientific evidence to back it. 

The court also slapped a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the company. Amway said that it has already challenged the order in Food Safety Appellate Tribunal at Meerut and got a stay order. 

The Greater Noida court also found Amway's claim - that its special coating called 'Nutrilite exclusive nutria lock' makes it easier to swallow tablets - misleading and without proof, and said that it fails to understand how the company's coating is exclusive and different from those used by several other drug making companies for the same purpose. 

The judge also took note of the fact that FSSAI's product approval division has rejected applications for several other products under Nutrilite series such as Iron-Folic, Natural 'B' and Bio C, among others. The food regulator argued before the court that it has become a trend for many drug-making companies to project their medicinal products as 'food' to escape the tighter regulations under Drug and Cosmetics Act, and expensive and timeconsuming clinical trials mandated under it. 

Leading brand consultants said the adverse impact of one subbrand has a negative rub-off on other sub-brands under the umbrella brand. "An adverse event like this absolutely has the potential to make a dent in the brand image of the entire Nutrilite range of products, albeit not to the extent of damage faced by the brand of the product in question, Nutrilite Daily in this case," said Harish Bijoor, CEO of Harish Bijoor Consults Inc. 

Amway said it doesn't think that the ruling will hit the brand image of Nutrilite in India. 

"We have moved Food Safety Appellate Tribunal at Meerut challenging this order which questioned claims made through product merchandising literature of Nutrilite Daily. The Tribunal vide an order dated May 07, 2015 has stayed the order passed by ADM, Gautam Budh Nagar, Greater Noida. We are hopeful of getting a positive order in our appeal as we have adequate substantiation for all the claims made in the product merchandising literature of Nutrilite Daily," said an Amway spokesperson 

Claiming that Nutrilite is the world's No. 1 selling vitamins and dietary supplements brand, he added that all Nutrilite products globally comply with World Health Organisation and International guidelines like CODEX for vitamin and mineral content. 

"The Nutrilite range has been manufactured and sold in India, after getting requisite licences under the food law, for more than a decade. Nutrilite Daily was launched in India in 2002 and we have lakhs of satisfied customers here," he said. 

According to media reports published in March, of the over Rs 2,000 crore annual revenue that Amway clocks in India, the Nutrilite range of products accounts for 55%, beauty products portfolio contribute another 30% while the balance comes from the company's homecare range.

Easing of bottlenecks for import shipments

The CCCFC will have to meet frequently, once in 15-20 days to discuss the progress made by each agency in granting clearance certificate.

In a bid to cut down compliance burden and transaction cost, the customs department is working on setting up a high-level committee to coordinate between various regulatory agencies including food safety and standards, plant protection and quarantine, textiles, and drug standard control for faster and smoother clearance of goods.

Official sources told The Indian Express that a central customs clearance facilitation centre (CCCFC) would be set up this month, headed by the revenue secretary and comprising secretaries of departments including shipping, civil aviation, FSSAI, animal husbandry among others, for faster clearance of import consignments. “From May 1, local customs clearance facilitation centres at 18 major sea ports and 17 major airports have already started operating. These committees are being headed by chief commissioners’ customs and have representation from the ministries like shipping, and civil aviation. By the end of the month, a central mechanism will be in place to improve ease of doing business in the country,” the sources said.

The local committees have been tasked with identifying the bottlenecks in the clearance procedure like delay in drawing samples for lab testing, infrastructure bottlenecks, server breakdown etc and resolving them.“The local committees will take care of the intra-departmental delays. However, the issues which can not be resolved at the local level will be referred to the central institutional mechanism,” the official added.

The CCCFC will have to meet frequently, once in 15-20 days to discuss the progress made by each agency in granting clearance certificate. Further, government has also initiated online connectivity between important departments including the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) and plant protection, quarantine and storage department in three ports including Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Tughlakabad inland container depot (ICD), and Patparganj ICD.

The exercise is a part of the single-window clearance for customs announced in the Budget 2014-15. The single-window will hugely benefit around 1,30,000 importers and 1,08,000 exporters registered with the department. Last year, 37 lakh bills of entry were filed while 57 lakh shipping bills were filed by the traders.

“This will cut down the time taken. A single form will be soon made available where the importer will have to give information to only one agency and that will be electronically transmitted to others, thus curbing duplicity. In 1-2 months the online connectivity will be extended to all the ports. The bill of entry will get automatically transmitted to their systems from the customs’ system for clearance,” the official said.

The finance ministry has also asked all the departments involved in the process to give standard operating procedures and timelines for clearances to ensure accountability. “The customs system is being integrated with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, animal husbandry, wildlife and textiles departments. These departments are still not automated. In the next 4-5 months the system integration should be complete,” the sources added.