Minister Promises Action in Maggi Masala MSG Controversy

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan addressing a press conference to brief about initiatives of his Ministry, during last one year, in Mumbai on May 25, 2015.

Minister Promises Action in Maggi Masala MSG Controversy

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has finally stepped into the issue of the alleged presence of “higher” level of lead and a MSG in Nestle’s Maggi Masala noodles.

The reports of higher monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in Nestle’s Maggi noodles is already under scrutiny in several states such as UP and Maharashtra. “We will look into the matter and decide on a course of action after the investigation,” Paswan told reporters.

The famous 2-minute Maggi Noodles, nowadays advertised by Madhuri Dixit, was found to have contained monosodium glutamate (MSG) and ‘lead’ beyond the permissible levels by UP food and drug officials recently.

In their test, the authorities found that Maggi contained 17 ppm (parts per million) lead, which is harmful as against the permissible levels of 0.01ppm.

While the authorities are going gor further sampling to establish the contents of Maggi Noodles, the Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration said an enquiry has been ordered and the national Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi has been inimated about the first round test results.

If the second round too confirms the conents of MSG and lead in higher permissible levels in Maggi Noodles, then the FSSAI will have to cancel the manufacturing and selling of Maggi Noodles in India. Swiss-based Nestle is the manufacturer of Maggi Noodles.

Uttar Pradesh FSDA confirmed the results and said further sampling has been ordered. Its Assistant Commissioner Vijay Bahadur Yadav told the media that the samples were tested at Kolkata lab. “The test results show that there are added monosodium glutamate and excess of lead.”

While the enquiry and further sampling is on, a Nestle spokesperson refuted the charges saying the company does not add MSG to MAGGI Noodles and glutamate, if present, may have come from naturally occurring sources. Nestle further defended that the lead content is insignificant and less than 1 % of the fixed limit.

Of late, several popular brands have come under scanner for their non-compliance with regulatory provisions. Even Colgate was found to have used excess chemicals in their Total toothpaste last year. Most of these events end up in courts or companies simply withdraw the brand with no long-term punitive action.

Otherwise, the general complaint against all noodles including Maggi, Top Ramen, Ching’s Secret and others is that they are high on salt and fat content too, which is harmful to children who love to eat and the targeted audience in TV commercials.

The Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) of Ahmedabad had complained to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) over Madhuri-promoted Maggi Oats Noodles and Maggi Atta Noodles disputing their claims of being healthy but so far no action has been taken, though the ASCI had upheld CERS’ complaint saying the ads contravened Chapter I.4 of the ASCI Code and also the Guidelines on Advertising of Foods & Beverages.

Food Safety Officers inspect Food Park at Industrial Estates Khunmoh

784 bottles of Kashmir Kissan mixed fruit jam seized

SRINAGAR, MAY 25: A team of Food Safety Officers headed by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety district Srinagar on routine inspection of Food Park Industrial Estates Khunmoh were surprised to notice that a manufacturer of Pickle, Jam and Jellies was relabeling mixed fruit jam bottles having net weight 500 grams with date of manufacture March 2014 and January 2015. The whole stock appeared to be flood contaminated.

The proprietor confessed that he had put himself, this whole stock in the muddy water so that his insurance claim is settled as victim of flood.

The whole stock which comprised 784 bottles of mixed fruit jams with Brand name Kashmir Kissan batch No's 0124 and A-0120 was seized and samples of the same were sent to food analyst Kashmir for analytical purpose.

Meanwhile, the department has received some complaints that in some areas of Srinagar City flood affected Juices and carbonated waters are being sold to the consumers.

The public at large is requested to check the date of manufacture and packing conditions of the product before purchase and in case of any suspected flood affected food article, inform department on the following No's: 0194-2490095 and 9419601090.

FSSAI ADVISORY ON IRON FILINGS IN TEA

GAZETTE NOTIFICATION OF BAN OF MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, SALE OF PANMASALA, GUTKHA

Maharashtra FDA chief urges scientists to help enforce FSS regulations

Mumbai

Food scientists and technologists have been urged to work closely with FDA to introduce new ideas and methods for the enforcement of FSS regulations in the state of Maharashtra. This call was given by Harshdeep Kamble, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, at the recently-held annual general body meeting of Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) (AFSTI), Mumbai Chapter, and Prof. J V Bhat Memorial Lecture.

Speaking at the meeting, Kamble asserted that FDA is working not only as a regulator, but also as a facilitator and quality agent for food processing industry. Food scientists, technologists and regulatory experts from different parts of the city and state were present at the meeting. 

He further said, “Collaboration of the scientific community with the food safety authority could help the initiative of Make in Maharashtra and for the development of food processing industries with focus on quality and safety. Such a combined effort and proper regulations could bring down retail prices of many unregulated products including pharmaceuticals. AFST(I) can play a role in the technological and knowledge development of both food business operators and food safety officers.”

“FDA Maharashtra is one of the best food safety authorities in the country with a track record of strict control on quality and standards for public health and development of industries. We have ordered a testing on Maggi noodles from different parts of the state after serious quality concerns. We still need to develop proper methods of checking to ensure food safety and avoid unwanted panic in public about food products,” he said. 

Later, names of the new office bearers of the AFST(I) Mumbai chapter were announced. Prabodh Halde is the new president, while Nilesh S Amritkar and Vidyutt K Naram are vice- presidents. Nilesh Lele is the new secretary with Rashmi Kolhe as the treasurer. 

Halde stated, “We are grateful to the commissioner of FDA Maharashtra for his presence and notion to collaborate with the food scientific community and industries to better quality implementation and regulatory measures. Scientific community can contribute greatly to the innovation in products and simplification of various regulatory issues with combined efforts. The association will continue to strive for the advancement of all aspects of science and technology relating to the production, processing and distribution of food.”

Food safety officers to conduct surprise checks

Food safety officers are gearing up for surprise inspections at mango mandis in the city to book fruit merchants found using the banned calcium carbide to artificially-ripen mangoes.

Amid reports of continued use of calcium carbide, which has been banned under Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, owing to its harmful effects on health, Food Safety Officer (Mysuru urban) M.S. Lokesh told The Hindu that they had received instructions to conduct surprise raids at mango markets.

“If we find calcium carbide, we will seize the chemical and the fruits. After a mahazar, we will submit the evidence to the court along with photographs,” he said.

The Food Safety Officer said they were unable to begin the checks earlier as the State government lacked lab facilities to test samples of seized mangoes.

“But now, we have been given instructions to conduct surprise checks, book erring merchants and submit the evidence to the jurisdictional courts,” he said.

Earlier this week, about 45 mango merchants of Mysuru attended a training programme by the Department of Horticulture organised as part of the mango mela at Curzon, where they were trained to use of permitted ripening agents like ethylene spray.

However, a section of the merchants continued to use calcium carbide as ripening agent.

When asked, a trader at the mango mandi on Akbar Road affirmed this.

However, Farooq Pasha, president of Mango Merchants Association, Akbar Road, sought to clarify that only a section continued to use calcium carbide while most traders had begun spraying ethylene gas. He said the mangoes take about five days to ripen when treated with ethylene gas against the three days when calcium carbide is used.

Sources in the Horticulture Department pointed out that a section of the mango merchants used calcium carbide to earn a quick buck.

FDA seizes gutka worth Rs 7.34 lakh

PUNE: Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized gutka and paan masala totally worth Rs 7.34 lakh from a grocery shop in Loni Kalbhor in Pune district on Monday afternoon. 

"We received a tip-off following which we kept a watch and raided the grocery shop in Loni Kalbhor. The shop owner had stocked a large amount of banned products in his shop and was selling them in a clandestine manner to his clients at a higher price," Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune. 

A team of food safety officials (FSO) comprising Avinash Dabhade, Sachin Aadhav and V R Sonawande conducted the raid under the guidance of assistant commissioner (food) Shivkumar Kodgire 

"A first information report (FIR) in this regard has been lodged with the Loni Kalbhor police station under section 328 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The state government has made the manufacture, sale and distribution of gutka a non-bailable offence now," said Kekare.

Beware! Are you consuming the right product???

According to a latest report revealed by the national food safety authority, brands like Fieldfresh, McCain, Venky’s, Starbucks and the Blue Bell Creameries which have an online presence in India are under the scanner.

Ever since Maggie has come into FDA’s trap, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has played a significant role in judging the food products that are being consumed generally. According to a latest report revealed by the national food safety authority, brands like Fieldfresh, McCain, Venky’s, Starbucks and the Blue Bell Creameries which have an online presence in India are under the scanner. 

Why the Hullabaloo?

The food safety authority also mentioned that certain products sold under these brands, for example, Starbucks’ sauces, pudding, mixes, syrups and a set of tea and coffee were denied approval by the authority. Meanwhile, McCain, which is one of the largest food suppliers in India, was brought down by the food safety division for its cheese bites and battered pepper.

“Most of the food business operators, especially the aggrieved ones, appear to be swearing by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, conveniently forgetting that it is also accompanied by the words ‘Zero Defect and Zero Effect’,” said Y S Malik, CEO, FSSAI in an open letter posted on the group’s website dated 11th May.

At the same time, Nestle India, which has been selling the instant Noodle Maggi in India for more than a decade now, has seen a 20-40 per cent of drop in sales in major metro cities. Contributing to approximately 40 per cent of the business, the latest issue has affected the business and brand image of Maggi noodles in the country.

“The System of ‘Product Approval’ has been projected as a highly contentious issue vis- à-vis the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) so far. There are a number of reasons for the Industry’s anguish in this behalf, of which, the most pressing could perhaps be attributed to the pendency of applications and the time taken in disposal thereof. I do not wish to be drawn into the debate about the merits of Product Approval, especially the sine qua non of the ‘Proprietary Food’ at this stage, stated Malik in the letter further.

However, talking to industry experts, it was also noticed that the product approval and the process required for a company to go through it is a long-drawn process, making the industry vulnerable to trouble. The industry also held the view that the law is too stringent to be followed, for a simple approval that they need to have, as the company needs to go through certain follow ups and the procedure is so slow that they would rather end the whole process.

How ‘Meri Wali Maggi’ wave has hit the social media

From the day Maggi ban hit the Indian market, Maggi lovers have come up with a mix of reactions on the social media pages. On one hand, many were unhappy with the issue, while on the other hand, consumers were happy to accept the situation looking for a better replacement of it.

However, going through all these setbacks, Nestle India has assured its customers for a safe Maggie bite announcing that the product samples have been sent to the local authorities for quality check.

Boosting the confidence of its customers, a Maggi spokesperson shared, “We are confident that these packs are no longer in the market. The company does not agree with the order and is filing the requisite representations with the authorities. In the meantime, it is important to note that there are no other orders to recall Maggi Noodle products in the market. People can be confident that Maggi Noodle products are safe to eat.”

Way ahead

FSSAI believes that the Indian consumer is less aware and largely gullible. As regards the constraints of our legal system, the organisation in a letter pointed out, “We often see the misleading claims and ads, but one is yet to see any visible signs of self-regulation."

However, it will be good news for other brands like MTR, Gitz, Yipee, Wai Wai noodles, and Bagrry’s among others to tap the market left by Maggi, if the government takes an initiative of banning it in India, as the replacement wave is already being witnessed on the social media platforms.

And to fix all these issues, both government and food regulators need to work together as this has a direct affect on the consumer who is going to consume these products. A more friendly law and a faster process will help in recovering these issues, which has been noticed time and again.

Maggi issue wake-up call for food cos: CSE

Activist body, best known for raising the pesticide in colas issue a decade before, say enforcement of food regulation must get stringent as consumption of packaged stuff grows

Nestle’s travails with regulatory authorities over its Maggi brand last week is a wake-up call for food & beverage companies, says Delhi-based activist body Centre for Science & Environment (CSE).

“I am happy that regulators are testing food products and taking action. As long as you don’t test, you will not know what is going into these. With packaged food consumption on the rise in India, law enforcement will have to get stringent,” said CSE Deputy Director-General Chandra Bhushan.

Last week, official agencies in Maharashtra and Gujarat collected samples of Maggi to test whether it contained more than the permissible amounts of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG). This was in response to findings by the Food & Drug Administration in Uttar Pradesh that Maggi contained lead and MSG was beyond the permissible limit. While high levels of lead in food are known to be harmful, MSG is a flavour enhancer, commonly added to Chinese food. To Indians, it is known as ajinomoto, thanks to the Japanese company of the same name that has been manufacturing it for over 100 years.

Bhushan of CSE says MSG is a non-essential salt that should not be added to food at all. However, food processing and catering industries have for long used MSG to enhance the flavour of food, say experts.

According to Nestle, there are no stated levels of MSG in India and since it does not add any artificial glutamate in Maggi, it never mentions the chemical on the packets. “We use hydolysed groundnut protein, onion powder and wheat flour to make Maggi Noodles sold in India, which all contain glutamate. We believe that the authorities’ tests may have detected glutamate, which occurs naturally in many foods,” the company said.

It also said that in its routine tests over the years, it never found Maggi containing more than 0.03 ppm of lead.

It was CSE that first raised the issue of pesticides in colas, 12 years earlier, prompting the then government led by Atal Behari Vajyapee to set up a joint parliamentary committee under Sharad Pawar to probe the matter. 

This was only the fourth JPC to be then constituted, a token of the matter’s seriousness. The issue didn’t end there. The second episode of pesticide in colas, in 2006 and raised again by CSE, prompted the then government, led by Manmohan Singh, to overhaul food regulation in the country altogether.

The Food Safety & Standards (FSS) Act, which mandates what should go into packaged foods and to what extent, was enacted in the same year. This was done in a bid to make food regulation relevant to the times, till then governed by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

There were also a series of commodity-specific laws such as the Fruit Products Order, 1955; Meat Food Products Order, 1973; Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992; and Vegetable Oil Products (Regulation) Order, 1998, which were all brought under the purview of the FSS Act.

Activists have repeatedly complained that enforcement of the FSS Act remains weak. However, in an open letter recently, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, the apex regulator, said it was both protecting the interests of consumers and ensuring food safety standards were met.