நூடுல்ஸ்க்குத் தடை? தயாராகும் மாநிலங்கள்

உங்கள் குழந்தை நூடுல்ஸை விரும்பி சாப்பிடுகிறதா? அப்படி என்றால் நிச்சயமாக இதைப் படியுங்கள். நம் உணவு மேஜை நச்சுப் பொருட்களின் கூடையாக மாறிவருகிறது என்றால் எல்லோருக்கும் அதிர்ச்சியாகத்தானே இருக்கும்? ஏற்கெனவே நாம் உட்கொள்ளும் உணவுகள் யாவும் ஏதாவது ஒருவகையில் ரசாயனக் கலவையாகி இருக்க, இப்போது வெளிச்சத்துக்கு வந்திருப்பது நூடுல்ஸ்.

' குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ள அளவுக்கு மேல் ரசாயனக் கலவை உள்ளது. அதை தடை செய்யவேண்டும்’ என்று அறிக்கை அளித்துள்ளது உத்தரப்பிரதேசத்தின் உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து மேலாண்மை நிறுவனம். உத்தரப்பிரதேசம், மகாராஷ்டிராவில் நூடுல்ஸ் பாக்கெட்களுக்குத் தடை விதிக்க தீவிரமாக ஆலோசிக்கப்படும் நிலையில், கர்நாடக அரசும் பரிசோதனை நடவடிக்கையை மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது. மற்ற மாநிலங்களும் காத்துக்கொண்டிருக்காமல் நூடுல்ஸ் குறித்த ஆய்வுக்கு உத்தரவிட முன்வர வேண்டும் என்றும் குரல்கள் எழுந்துள்ளன.

அவர்கள் அளித்துள்ள அறிக்கையில், 'உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு சட்ட விதிகளைப் பின்பற்ற வேண்டியது உணவுப் பொருள் தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்களின் கடமை. அவற்றைப் பன்னாட்டு நிறுவனங்கள் மதிப்பதே இல்லை. நாம் உட்கொள்ளும் நூடுல்ஸில் சராசரியாக அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட அளவைவிட ஏழு மடங்கு அதிகமாக ஈயம் கலந்துள்ளது. 0.012.5 பிபிஎம் (ஜீஜீனீ) என்ற அளவில் மட்டுமே ஈயம் கலந்திருக்க அனுமதி உண்டு. ஆனால், நூடுல்ஸில் 17.2 பிபிஎம் அளவுக்கு ஈயம் கலந்துள்ளது. இது குழந்தைகள், பெரியவர்கள் அனைவருக்குமே ஆபத்தானது. எதிர்காலத்தில் இது குழந்தைகளின் வளர்ச்சியைப் பெரிதும் பாதிக்கும். நரம்பு, மூளை, வயிறு ஆகியவற்றில் பிரச்னைகள் ஏற்படலாம். எனவே, மக்களின் நலன் கருதி இதனை தடை செய்யவேண்டும்’ என்று தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

இதுபற்றி மருத்துவர் கு.சிவராமனிடம் பேசினோம். ''நூடுல்ஸ் என்பது கார்ப்பரேட் உணவு. எங்கு பார்த்தாலும் பன்னாட்டு நிறுவனங்கள் கிளை பரப்பி தங்கள் வியாபாரத்தை நடத்திக்கொள்ள நம் சந்தையைப் பயன்படுத்தி வருகிறார்கள். இதில் பாதிக்கப்படுவது நம் மக்கள்தான். குறிப்பாகக் குழந்தைகள். நூடுல்ஸ் என்பது பட்டை தீட்டப்பட்ட மைதாவை மூலப்பொருளாகக் கொண்டு செய்யப்படுகிறது. மைதாவே கோதுமை மாவு உற்பத்தியின்போது மீதமாகும் ஒரு பொருள். அதோடு பல்வேறு ரசாயன கலவைகளைச் சேர்த்து நூடுல்ஸ் செய்யப்படுகிறது. அதிலும் முக்கியமாக மோனோ சோடியம் குளூக்கோமைட் மற்றும் காரீயம். இவை இரண்டும் சுவையூட்டுவதற்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படுகின்றன. குழந்தை​களுக்கு இது ரத்தசோகை, மூளை நரம்பு பாதிப்பு போன்றவற்றை ஏற்படுத்தும்.

நூடுல்ஸ் என்பது அவசியம் சாப்பிட வேண்டிய உணவே அல்ல. அதில், நார்ச்சத்து, புரதச்சத்து, வைட்டமின்கள் என எந்தச் சத்துகளுமே இல்லை. ஆனால், சீனர்கள் சாப்பிடும் உணவு அவர்கள் மரபுப்படி தயாரிக்கப்படுகிறது. அதில் அவர்கள் ரசாயனம் சேர்ப்பது இல்லை. இங்கு விற்கப்படுவதெல்லாம் சீன உணவே அல்ல. தங்கள் வியாபாரத்துக்காக நிறுவனங்கள் தயாரிக்கும் நச்சுக் கலவை. மோனோசோடியம் குளுக்கோமைட் என்ற சோடியம் உப்பு சுவை ஒருவரை அடிமையாக்கும் குணம் கொண்டது. குறிப்பாக, குழந்தைகளை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் இதே உணவைச் சாப்பிட வைக்கும். ஈயம் விஷத்தன்மை கொண்டது. இதைச் சாப்பிட்டால், உடல் உறுப்புகள் பாதிக்கப்படும். நரம்புப் பிரச்னைகள் ஏற்படும். கடுமையான வயிற்றுவலி வரலாம். உடல் பருமன், உயர் ரத்த அழுத்தம், மன அழுத்தம், சிறுநீரகக் கோளாறு ஏற்படும்.

இட்லி சாப்பிட்டுப் பழக்கப்பட்ட நமக்கு ரசாயன உணவுகளை உண்ணும்போது நிச்சயமாகப் பிரச்னை ஏற்படும். வீட்டில் குழந்தைகளுக்கு நமது பாரம்பர்ய தின்பண்டங்களைப் பழக்கப்படுத்த வேண்டும். ராகி, கேழ்வரகு, சாமை போன்றவற்றில் சத்தான, சுவையான உணவுகளைத் தயாரிக்கலாம். குழந்தைகளுக்கு தாய்ப்பாலுக்குப் பிறகு திட உணவுகளைப் பழக்கப்படுத்தும்போதே பாக்கெட், டின்களில் அடைக்கப்பட்ட உணவுகளைக் கொடுத்துப் பழக்குகிறார்கள். இது தவறான ஒன்று. நம் உணவில் இல்லாத சத்து வேறு எந்த உணவிலும் கிடைத்துவிடாது'' என்றார் அக்கறையுடன்.

குழந்தைகளின் ஆரோக்கியத்தில் நாம்தான் அக்கறையுடன் இருக்க வேண்டும்!

Power drinks can make you powerless

Energy drinks may give you a high, but too many can do more harm than good, doctors say, as addiction risk and misleading labels have led to their ban recently

The next time you're confused while choosing between a cup of coffee and an energy drink after a rough day at work, you might want to keep this little detail in mind - a medium-sized cup of coffee has about 150mg of caffeine, while a can of energy drink could contain anywhere from 154mg to 500mg. That is not to say that one is better than the other, but the abnormal levels of caffeine found in energy drinks have recently become a matter of much debate. Downing multiple energy drinks could mean consuming more than 400mg of caffeine, which exceeds the upper limit of daily caffeine intake. If this makes you roll your eyes, chances are you're already addicted. Caffeine tolerance of different individuals can vary, but it doesn't take an expert to point out that the level of caffeine found in many energy drinks is freakishly abnormal. Citing health concerns regarding energy drinks, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently ordered a ban on the sale and manufacture of several such drinks in the country - the ones that had an unhealthy combination of caffeine and ginseng, which had an "opposing effect on the body," and also contained "vitamins above the recommended daily allowance," the report said.

We spoke to medical professionals in the city, who helped us list the damaging effects of excess energy drink consumption, which, they say, will give you a high, but will almost always make you addicted as well. You wouldn't even know you're addicted Like smoking and alcohol, energy drinks are addictive, but not many know this. Dr Maneesh Gupta, a consultant psychiatrist in Dwarka, explains, "Energy drinks are mostly consumed by young people, who drink them while studying, especially before an exam or when they're with friends. Gradually, it becomes a habit without them realising it. I've had patients, who consume a lot of energy drinks, coming to me and complaining about not being able to sleep, irritation in their body and seeing 'flashing lights' in their head. It is a revelation for them when they find out that this comes from addiction to energy drinks.

They don't think these drinks are harmful and instead, think they are 'just another soft drink,' but energy drinks have a really, really high level of caffeine in them, which gives you a sense of false energy. After you become a regular drinker, your mind craves more caffeine. Hence, it takes a lot of time for someone who is addicted to an energy drink to wean themselves off it."

Energy drink labels are misleading Energy drinks should ideally carry warning labels about the risks of over-consumption, but doctors say that some manufacturers aren't even honest about the ingredients, let alone a health warning. Dr Nikhil Raheja, a psychiatrist at the National Institute of Psychiatry, says, "No company that manufactures energy drinks will ever come out with its true composition. These drinks contain stimulants that make you feel very active. You're able to talk nonstop, so it helps you socialise. You can work out in the gym for longer hours and it also keeps you energetic while travelling. It is a known fact in biology - anything that shows instant results is never natural, there have to be chemicals in it.

If you ever ask these companies to tell you the real ingredients, they will always give you a very evasive answer. Plus, the branding and advertisement through which they promote their product, have a deep psychological effect on you. They make wild claims and you believe them." Alcohol and energy drinks: The dangers of mixing At most bars and pubs in the city, energy drinks mixed with alcohol have become the go-to cocktails among partygoers. Dr Rahul Chandhok, senior consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, explains the adverse effects of mixing the two. He says, "Even if people are addicted to energy drinks, they will never go and see a doctor on their own, because firstly, they won't even consider that they might be addicted. Secondly, even if they do consume a lot of these drinks, they assume that the possibility of getting hooked on to them is minimal, as these drinks don't seem like alcohol. But the caffeine in energy drinks leads to a hyper-alert state of mind and makes it even more excited.

People think they are channelling this energy in a positive direction, but they are in fact consuming so many energy drinks that they can no longer focus on anything. When they mix these drinks with alcohol, they're actually doubling the harmful effects." Dr Nikhil Raheja adds, "I have noticed that some of my patients, who used to be addicted to alcohol or drugs, eventually moved on to consuming energy drinks - about 20-30 drinks in a day! There is an element of dependence and there is definitely a tendency to get hooked. There aren't many studies on this type of addiction and people don't talk much about it either. This is the reason why it is such an unpopular kind of addiction.

Any carbonated drink mixed with alcohol doubles the harmful effects. Alcohol is a depressant and energy drinks are a stimulant. So you can imagine the kind of effect the two mixed together will have on your brain - one is activating it, while the other is depressing it." Consuming too many energy drinks is not a sensible choice Dr Ankur, an emergency physician in Delhi, says, "A high dose of energy drinks could lead to restlessness, insomnia, increased heart rate, palpitations, irritability and even allergic reactions. Most of these drinks contain a very high level of sugar as well. Companies play it very smart and mislead consumers by making the sugar in their energy drink seem healthier. Sugar, too, is somewhat addictive. Hence, the addiction to energy drinks becomes very hard to cure and if the consumption is stopped abruptly - it can give you headaches and other such symptoms. There are a lot of different ways to get a healthy energy boost - good food, sufficient sleep, exercise and lots of water. Depending on energy drinks, when feeling energetic can be achieved naturally, is not a very sensible choice."

Delhi Govt to enhance punishment under food safety act

Taking a strong view against adulteration, Delhi Government has decided to amend the Food Safety & Standards Act in the next Assembly session to enhance the maximum punishment to life imprisonment. 

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked officials to initiate stringent action against adulteration. According to the government, the Food Safety and Standards Act will be amended in the Budget Session to be held in mid-June. 

"In extreme cases where adulteration could lead to death, Delhi Government has proposed imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend up to imprisonment for life and also with fine which shall not be less than Rs 20 lakh," the government said in a statement. 

As per exiting rule, in such cases, imprisonment is not less than seven years but which may extend up to life imprisonment and fine which shall not be less than Rs 10 lakh. 

The government has also proposed to increase penalty from existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for unhygienic or unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food. 

An official said it has also been decided that with the enhancement of penalty, the transparency aspect should be strengthened and the prosecution process should be made speedy and time-bound including by setting up of special courts, for which provision exists in the act. 

The official said that a person, involved in such adulteration which is not injurious to health, will have to face imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakh or both. 

"Besides, where such adulterant is injurious to health, imprisonment will not be less than five years which may extend up to life imprisonment or with fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh rupees, or both," the official said. 

According to the government, penalty for misleading advertisement will be Rs 10 lakh or thrice the cost of the advertisement whichever is more. 

"As per the proposal, for the purpose of adjudication under this Act, an officer not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate of the district where the alleged offence is committed, shall be notified by the State Government as the Adjudicating Officer for adjudication in the manner as may be prescribed by the central government," the government said.

AAP govt. cracks the whip against food adulteration

In extreme cases, where adulteration could lead to severe health loss, the government proposes maximum of life imprisonment.

To amend rules; adulterators can get life term

Soon, traders found involved in cases of adulteration could face stringent punishment, including life imprisonment.

Taking a strong view on adulteration, misleading advertisements, unhygienic or unsanitary processing of food and interfering with seized items following numerous complaints by consumers, the Aam Aadmi Party government has decided to amend the existing Food Safety and Standards Act, 2005, in the next part of the ongoing Assembly session and make the punishment more stringent.

Officials said the Act will be amended following the process prescribed for matters under the concurrent list. In extreme cases, where adulteration could lead to severe health loss, the Delhi Government proposes maximum of life imprisonment.

Besides proposing a life term, the government has also proposed enhancement of penalty. Also, focus is being laid on strengthening transparency, besides making the prosecution process speedy and time-bound by setting up of special courts, for which provision exists in the Act, officials added.

Milk and oil used by street vendors under govt scanner

New Delhi:

Milk and oil used by street vendors and in restaurants are under the scanner of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The authority is going to launch a massive drive for milk and oil with major sampling and testing across the country.

"Milk and oil are majorly used and adulterated by vendors. We will be harsh on such food vendors, whether they are the restaurants who serve or companies manufacturing these items. Contaminated milk and oil pose a major risk to human health. So, this has to be monitored minutely," a senior official at FSSAI said.

It has also written to all the state food safety officers to ensure food safety rules are followed by street vendors as the number of these vendors is swelling in the country.

"Street food vending has become a serious health issue and a great concern. This is due to an alarming rise in food-borne diseases which are a result of the mushrooming of wayside food vendors, who lack adequate understanding of the basic safety and hygiene issues. Major sources contributing to microbial contamination are the place of preparation of food, utensils used for cooking and serving, raw materials, lack of access to potable water, time and temperature abuse of cooked foods, inadequate solid waste management systems and the personal hygiene of the vendors," the official said.

Most food-borne diseases, if not all, can be prevented by applying the basic principles of food hygiene throughout the food chain. The FSSAI has proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Street Vended Foods. "The draft code provides the guidelines defining the general hygienic requirements and recommended practices concerning the preparation and vending of street foods," the official said.

DC NEWS - ADULTERATED JUICE

Two mango mandis raided in Shivamogga

As part of a crack down on the sale of mangoes ripened with calcium carbide, the officials of the Department of Food Safety and Standards raided two mango mandis here on Thursday.

K. Krishnappa, District Food Safety Officer, told The Hindu that during the raid on a shop owned by Naresh on O.T. Road and another shop owned by Shafiulla Ahmed on B.H. Road, packets containing calcium carbide were found in the mango crates. Samples of the fruits from such crates had been sent to the Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, for analysis, he said. As the research had proved that the consumption of mangoes ripened with calcium carbide would cause serious health problems like cancer, ulcer and loss of appetite, the department had earlier cautioned the traders against using the chemical. The Department of Horticulture had also organised training programmes for farmers and vendors focussing on natural methods of ripening mango. The owners of the two shops that were raided on Friday were told not to sell mangoes till the receipt of laboratory report. Appropriate action would be taken based on the laboratory test report, he said.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Maggi in soup: Centre scanner on Nestle India, UP FDA to file case

New Delhi/ Lucknow, 29 May

The Union ministry of consumer affairs on Friday jumped into the controversy surrounding the reportedly high levels of monosodium glutamate ( MSG) and lead in Nestles famous noodle brand Maggi. It said it had directed the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ( NCDRC) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to take note, as it concerned the health of a large section of consumers.

“A class action suit can be initiated into the matter if a complaint is made to NCDRC,” consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday.

The Uttar Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also filing a case against Nestle India at a district court at Barabanki, from where it had collected the “contaminated” samples, UP FDA additional commissioner (administration) Ram Araj

Maurya told Business Standard on Friday. Barabanki FDA designated officer V K Pandey confirmed they have completed preliminary homework to present a case before the court.

The UP FDA continues to collect random Maggi samples for investigation. So far, it has collected about a dozen samples from Lucknow and is checking if these are ‘ clean’. “The reports of three such samples have come and they have tested negative. Reports of the remaining samples are awaited,” Maurya said. There are six FDA labs in UP at Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Meerut, Varanasi, Agra and Jhansi.

Last month, the UP FDA had asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles " manufactured in February 2014" after it said it had found high levels of added MSG, a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits. 

Madhuri gets notice for endorsing Maggi

Dehradun, 29 May

Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit ( pictured) seems to have landed in a soup for endorsing Maggi with the Haridwar Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) on Friday serving a notice to her on the claims made in the advertisement.

The notice seeks a report from the actress within 15 days on claims made in the advertisement regarding the nutrition value of the 2- minute noodles, an official of Haridwar FDA said. Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health and the basis of making the claims. If the actress fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time, a case could be registered against her, food security officer Mahimanand Joshi said.

‘Class- action suits on firms misleading consumers’

The Union consumer affairs ministry said it would lodge class- action suits against companies against which complaints of misleading advertisements are filed. The ministry has received 116 complaints of violation of consumer rights since it launched its website. Of these, 27 are related to health, 24 are related to education and nine are related to real estate.

Notice to Madhuri for endorsing Maggi

Madhuri Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health.

Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit seems to have landed in a soup for endorsing Maggi as the Food and Drug Administration, Haridwar, serving a notice to her on Friday on the claims made in the advertisement.

The notice seeks a report from the actor within 15 days on claims made in the advertisement regarding the nutrition value of the “2-minute noodles”, an official said.

Maggi recently came under the scanner after samples collected by the Food Safety and Drug Administration of Uttar Pradesh were reported to be containing more monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead than the permissible limits.

The authorities asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of the popular food product from the market in Uttar Pradesh recently.

Ms. Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health and the basis of making the claims.

If the actor fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time, a case could be registered against her, Food Security Officer Mahimanand Joshi said.

Madhuri Dixit gets FDA notice for endorsing Maggi noodles

The notice seeks a report from Madhuri Dixit within 15 days on claims made in the advertisement.

Madhuri Dixit seems to have landed in a soup for endorsing Maggi with the Haridwar Food and Drug Administration today serving a notice to her on the claims made in the advertisement.

Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit seems to have landed in a soup for endorsing Maggi with the Haridwar Food and Drug Administration serving a notice to her on the claims made in the advertisement.

The notice seeks a report from Madhuri Dixit within 15 days on claims made in the advertisement regarding the nutrition value of the ‘2-minute noodles’, an official of Haridwar Food and Drug Administration said.

Maggi recently came under the scanner after samples collected by Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration were reported to be containing Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and lead more than the permissible limits.

Madhuri Dixit in Maggi Oats noodles ad.

Nestle India was asked to withdraw a batch of the popular snack from the market by the authorities in Uttar Pradesh recently.

Dixit has been asked to explain how Maggi is good for health and the basis of making the claims.

If the actress fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time frame, a case could be registered against her, Food Security Officer Mahimanand Joshi said.

Govt asks Food Safety body to probe Maggi

NEW DELHI, MAY 29: 

Taking “serious” note of quality issues related to global giant Nestle’s noodle brand Maggi, the government has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to look into the matter.

“We have received complaints regarding Maggi and have referred them to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said here on Friday.

“The Consumer Affairs Ministry, Health Ministry and FSSAI will proceed in a coordinated manner to address the issue,” he added.

Recalling packets

Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had, on April 30, asked the Swiss company to recall one batch containing 200,000 packets of the popular noodles that was produced in February 2014, after it found 17.20 parts per million (ppm) of lead against the 2.5 ppm norm for food items and elevated levels of artificially added MSG.

Notice to Madhuri Dixit

Meanwhile, actor Madhuri Dixit was served a notice by the Uttarakhand FDA for endorsing the “2-minute noodles” brand.

The 48-year-old actor has been asked to respond within 15 days to an advertisement which highlighted Maggi’s nutritional value, an agency report said.

A Food Security Officer of the Haridwar FDA said a case could be registered against Dixit if she failed to respond to the notice within the stipulated time-period.

More tests

Three other State governments, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, have also said they will test samples of the product.

'Class action suit' awaits Maggi if it fails tests

NEW DELHI: The food safety regulator has picked up samples of popular Maggi noodles from Delhi after those collected from some part of UP were found containing added MSG and lead in excess of prescribed limits. The reports on the samples collected from the capital are expected in a week. 

Sources said in case of adverse findings, the consumer affairs ministry could drag Nestle, the multi-national firm which produces Maggi, to the national consumer commission for violating consumer rights in what they described would be a "class action suit" on behalf of consumers.

Consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said his ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to look into the quality issue of Maggi. "Our responsibility is to protect the interest of consumers. It is a serious issue. FSSAI has the power to take action, including imposing fine and major punishment. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) can also start proceedings against the company, if it receives a complaint," Paswan said. 

Sources said FSSAI investigation will cover all parameters including the led content and added monosodium glutamate (MSG) more that the permissible limit. "We can file a case under the present consumer protection law against the company on behalf of the consumers. We are waiting for the FSSAI report," said a consumer affairs ministry official. 

NCDRC president Justice D K Jain said till now no one has filed a complaint against Nestle related to Maggi. "NCDRC does not have jurisdiction to take suo motu action," he said. 

Nestle has denied any irregularities and said the contents of all its products conform to the existing norms. 

Last month, Maggi noodles had come under regulatory scanner after samples from UP were found to have added MSG and lead in excess. The Lucknow Food Safety and Drug Administration had initiated inquiry and written to the FSSAI seeking to cancel the licence for Maggi. 

Sources said two types of sampling are done for testing - normal market surveillance and legal sampling. Those collected in Delhi were legal samples. They said legal sampling is followed for initiating action against any manufacturer or marketing firm where the seller is informed that the sampling is being done for testing. "This exercise is undertaken where you suspect something wrong being done intentionally. So, the samples picked up are recorded and all details are maintained," said an official.

Maggi Noodles Row: Uttar Pradesh Food Administration Gives Nod to Prosecute Nestle

A batch of Maggi noodles was found to contain very high levels of lead by Uttar Pradesh food administration

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has given its go ahead to prosecute Nestle India, which manufactures instant noodles Maggi, a batch of which was found to contain dangerous levels of lead.

A complaint case against Nestle will be filed in the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Barabanki district, which is where the samples had been taken for testing.

Last month, the UP Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) had asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles "which were manufactured in February 2014" after it found high levels of added monosodium glutamate (MSG), a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits.

Local FSDA officials had said the packets of instant noodles tested in the state-run laboratory were contaminated.

In a press statement last week, Nestle said it has submitted samples to an independent laboratory and will provide those results to officials. "We are aware of reports that tests by the local authorities have detected Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in a sample of MAGGI Noodles ...People can be confident that MAGGI Noodle products are safe to eat."

However, results of those tests are yet to be made official.

Nestle India said the batch of about 200,000 packets of noodles it was being asked to recall were made in February last year and had already reached their "best-before" date last November.

Shortly after food inspectors ordered the recall of batch of Maggie noodles across Uttar Pradesh, other states like Maharashtra and Gujarat also got Maggi noodle samples tested in their respective states, results of which are awaited.

Meanwhile, taking a "serious" note of the issues related to Maggi, the Central government today asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to look into the matter.

A class action suit can be initiated into the matter if a complaint with National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) is filed, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said.

"It is a serious issue. We have referred the matter to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)," Mr Paswan said.

Beware, Delhi! Your street food is shit

The report highlights that fast food consist of extremely high volume of E.coli bacteria which can cause severe infections.

If you were already battling a strong urge to refrain yourself from Maggi after the fresh controversy of excess level of lead and MSG found in it, yet another irresistible food category in India is under scanner.The spicy water filled 'golgappas' (also called as Pani puri and Puchkas) or 'steaming momos' and all other street food that you relish is highly contaminated with faeces.

A latest study carried out by Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Pusa, shows that street food items in several west and central Delhi localities contain extremely high amount of E. coli bacteria which can cause severe infections.

Dr Arpita Sharma of the Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition had conducted a survey of commonly consumed street food on 100 individuals for a microbial analysis, an news magazine reported.

According to the report, the unclean water in which the food is cooked is the primary reason for contamination along with unhygienic conditions in which the food is cooked and served. 

The report stated the prominent reasons for contamination depends on the handling practises as well as weather conditions. During summers and rainy season, bacteria are more conducive for growth.

For the study, the locations chosen for the analysis were mainly the areas which come under West and Central Delhi.The sample food products collected for the microbial analysis consist of samosa, golgappa, burger and momos and were taken from popular shops twice where sales were maximum, at one month interval.

The samples which were infected with bacteria, were drawn from both well-off localities like Connaught Place and famous markets like Rajouri Garden main market, Rajendra Place and Subash Nagar. The amount of bacteria or the normal Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliform bacteria in such foods is 50 or less as per the Central Pollution Control Board. However, the MPN of the samples was over 2,400.

These bacterial pathogens found commonly in our street eateries are bacillus cereus, clostridium perfringens, staphylococcus aureus and salmonella species. Bacillus cereus cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Clostridium perfringens causes abdominal cramps along with diarrhoea. Staphylococcus aureus may lead to appetite loss and fever, while salmonella species which leads to typhoid, food poisoning, and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has written to Delhi's food safety commissioner to check the quality of street food eateries. The Food Safety & Standards Act of 2006 keeps a check on their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import for safe human consumption. Any person found manufacturing or processing any food item in unhealthy or unhygienic conditions is liable to a penalty of up to Rs.1 lakh. Harmful food that may lead to death of any consumer may get the seller imprisoned.

Dr Manoj Singh, professor at department of pathology at AIIMS, said that E. coli can lead to typhoid and cholera. He suggested street food handlers be trained for maintaining hygiene conditions while handling food products.

BP Mishra, administrative officer with the department of food safety, Delhi government, assured that appropriate verification and actions will be taken. He also said that the government had made it mandatory for all of street food vendors to register with the government, along with training programmes for them keeping the safe and clean drinking water aspect in mind.