FOOD SAFETY LATEST: Jun 6, 2015

Jun 6, 2015

உணவு சர்ச்சை: 2 நிமிஷம் யோசிக்கலாமே!

கையடக்க வாக்மேனிலிருந்து அதிவேகப் புல்லட் ரயில்வரை உலகுக்கு ஜப்பான் அளித்த கொடைகள் ஏராளம். ஜப்பான் மக்களிடம் 2000-ம் ஆண்டு டிசம்பர் மாதம் ஒரு கருத்துக்கணிப்பு நடத்தப்பட்டது. 20-ம் நூற்றாண்டில் ஜப்பான் கண்டுபிடித்த பொருட்களிலேயே சிறப்பான பொருள் ‘இன்ஸ்டன்ட் நூடுல்ஸ்'தான் என்று அந்தக் கருத்துக்கணிப்பில் பெரும்பாலானவர்கள் வாக்களித்திருந்தனர். ஜப்பான் மக்கள் மட்டுமல்ல, உலகைக் கவர்ந்த உடனடி உணவு வகைகளில் நூடுல்ஸுக்குத் தனியிடம் உண்டு.

ஜப்பானிலிருந்து இந்தியாவுக்கு

இரண்டாம் உலகப்போர் முடிந்த பிறகு ஜப்பானில் உணவுப் பற்றாக்குறை நிலவியது. அப்போது அவர்களுக்கு அந்நியமான பிரெட்டை சாப்பிட ஜப்பானிய மக்கள் வலியுறுத்தப்பட்டனர். அந்தக் காலகட்டத்தில் உடனடியாகத் தயாரிக்கக்கூடிய, சுவையான, சீக்கிரம் கெட்டுப்போகாத, அதற்கெல்லாம் மேலாக ஜப்பானிய மக்கள் பாரம்பரியத்திலிருந்து விலகாத உணவு ஒன்று தேவை என்று உணர்ந்தார் மோமோஃபுகு அண்டோ. அப்போது அவர் கண்டறிந்ததுதான் உடனடி நூடுல்ஸ். இப்படியாக ஜப்பானில் அறிமுகமாகி, உலகம் முழுவதும் அவசரத்துக்குக் கைகொடுக்கும் உணவாக உடனடி நூடுல்ஸ் மாறிவிட்டது.

‘இரண்டே நிமிடங்களில் சமைத்துவிடலாம்' என்ற அடையாளத்துடன் எளிதான மாலை சிற்றுண்டியாக நெஸ்லே நிறுவனம் ‘மேகி' என்ற உடனடி நூடுல்ஸை 1980-களில் இந்தியாவில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியது. தொடர்ந்து 30 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாகக் குழந்தைகளை இலக்காகக்கொண்டு உடனடி நூடுல்ஸ் விளம்பரங்கள் மிகப் பெரிய அளவில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டன. அமிதாப் பச்சன், மாதுரி தீட்சித், பிரீத்தி ஜிந்தா உள்ளிட்ட பாலிவுட் நடிகர்களும் சமீபகாலமாக இதை விளம்பரப்படுத்தினர்.

காரீயம், எம்.எஸ்.ஜி. ஆபத்து

இன்றுவரை அதிகபட்ச வாடிக்கையாளர்களைக் கொண்டுள்ள நூடுல்ஸ் பிராண்டான மேகியின் டேஸ்ட் மேக்கரில் காரீயத்தின் அளவு அதிகமாக இருப்பது கண்டறியப்பட்டுள்ளதாக டெல்லி சுகாதார அமைச்சர் சத்யேந்திர ஜெயின் கூறியுள்ளார். காரீயம் நரம்பு மண்டலத்தையும் பாதிக்கக்கூடியது என்பதால், கற்றல் குறைபாடுகள், நடத்தை குறைபாடுகளை அது உருவாக்கலாம். மேலும் பல உடல்நலப் பிரச்சினைகளும் ஏற்படலாம்.

உடனடி நூடுல்ஸின் டேஸ்ட் மேக்கரில் காரீயம் மட்டுமல்லாமல் மோனோ சோடியம் குளூட்டமேட் (எம்.எஸ்.ஜி.) என்ற உப்பும் அதிகப்படியாக இருப்பது தெரியவந்துள்ளது. உணவுப்பொருட்கள் தரம் மற்றும் உணவு கூட்டுப்பொருட்கள் ஒழுங்குமுறைச் சட்டம் (2011)-ன்படி செறிவூட்டப்பட்ட உணவு வகைகளில் மோனோ சோடியம் குளூட்டமேட் சேர்க்கப்படக்கூடாது. அஜினோமோட்டோ என்ற வணிகப் பெயரிலும், இந்த மோனோ சோடியம் குளூட்டமேட் தனியாக விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது.

வந்தது தடை

மேகி நூடுல்ஸில் காரீயம், எம்.எஸ்.ஜி. அளவுக்கு அதிகமாகக் கண்டறியப்பட்டுள்ளதால் உத்தரப் பிரதேசம், குஜராத், உத்தராகண்ட் ஆகிய மாநிலங்களில் தடை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது, டெல்லி, கேரள மாநிலங்களில் அரசு விற்பனை நிலையங்களில் தடை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. தமிழ்நாடு, கர்நாடகா, தெலங்கானா, மகாராஷ்டிரா, மேற்கு வங்க மாநிலங்களில் மேகி நூடுல்ஸை பரிசோதனைக்கு உட்படுத்தி உள்ளன அம்மாநில அரசுகள்.

டெல்லியில் உள்ள அறிவியல், சுற்றுச்சூழல் மையம் (Centre for Science and Environment) 2012-ல் நடத்திய பரிசோதனையில், சமீபத்தில் சர்ச்சைக்குள்ளான மேகி நூடுல்ஸில் கூடுதலான உப்பு இருப்பது கண்டறியப்பட்டது. ஒரு பாக்கெட் நூடுல்ஸில் 3 கிராம் உப்பு இருக்கிறது. ஒரு நாள் முழுவதும் நமக்குத் தேவையான உப்பின் அளவே ஆறு கிராம்தான்.

“ஒரு பாக்கெட் நூடுல்ஸை ஒருவர் சாப்பிட்டால், முழு நாளும் சாப்பிடும் உணவில் சேர்க்கப்படும் உப்பைக் கண்காணிக்க வேண்டியிருக்கும். செறிவூட்டப்பட்ட உணவு வகைகளில் இருக்கும் அதிகபட்ச உப்பால் உடல் பருமன், நீரிழிவு நோய் ஏற்படுவதற்கான வாய்ப்பு அதிகம். அவை தரும் சத்தில்லாத கலோரிகளும் உடலைப் பாதிக்கக்கூடியவை" என்கிறார் அறிவியல், சுற்றுச்சூழல் மையத்தின் திட்ட மேலாளர் அமித் குரானா.

இந்தியச் சந்தையில் விற்கப்படும் உடனடி நூடுல்ஸில் வைட்டமின் சத்துகள் உள்ளதாகவும் விளம்பரங்கள் வருகின்றன. சிறிதளவுகூட நார்ச்சத்து இல்லாத உணவால் மற்ற எந்தச் சத்தையும் தர முடியாது. 70 சதவீதம் மாவுச்சத்தைக் கொண்ட நூடுல்ஸை ஆரோக்கியமான உணவு என்று ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளமுடியாது என்கிறார் அமித்.

சாப்பிடுவதில் என்ன இருக்கிறது?

ஒரு டின்னிலோ, பாக்கெட்டிலோ, குப்பியிலோ அடைத்து விற்கப்படும் பதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட-செறிவூட்டப்பட்ட உணவில் கலந்திருக்கும் பொருட்கள் குறித்தும், அவற்றில் அடங்கியுள்ள சத்துகள் குறித்தும் லேபிளில் சரியான தகவல்களைத் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டியது அவசியம். அத்துடன் தவிர்க்கப்பட வேண்டிய உப்பு, கொழுப்பு போன்றவற்றை ஒரு வாடிக்கையாளர் தினசரி எவ்வளவு எடுத்துக்கொள்ளலாம் என்பது போன்ற பரிந்துரைகளும் லேபிளில் இருந்தாக வேண்டும்.

நாடு விடுதலை பெற்று 68 ஆண்டுகள் ஆகியும், தான் வாங்கும் ஒரு உணவுப் பொருளைப் பற்றி ஒரு வாடிக்கையாளர் முழுமையாகத் தெரிந்துகொண்டு தேர்வு செய்வதற்கான விதிமுறைகள் எதையும் அரசு வகுக்கவில்லை என்பது துரதிர்ஷ்டவசமானது.

குழந்தைகளே இலக்கு

உடனடி நூடுல்ஸ் தொடங்கி அனைத்து உடனடி உணவு வகைகளுக்கான தொலைக்காட்சி விளம்பரங்களும் குழந்தைகளையே இலக்காகக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. தங்களுக்கு எது ஆரோக்கியமான உணவு என்பதை முடிவுசெய்யும் முதிர்ச்சியற்றவர்கள் குழந்தைகள். அவர்களை முதன்மை வாடிக்கையாளர்களாகக்கொண்டு செய்யப்படும் விளம்பரங்கள் சார்ந்து, அரசு சில கட்டுப்பாடுகளை விதிப்பது தற்போதைய அவசர, அவசியத் தேவை.

நாம் சாப்பிடும் உணவின் ஆரோக்கியம் தொடர்பாக அரசு மற்றும் உணவு நிறுவனங்களை மட்டுமே நம்பியிருப்பது இப்பிரச்சினைக்குத் தீர்வளிக்கப் போவது இல்லை. வண்ணமயமான விளம்பரங்களைப் பார்த்துப் பாக்கெட் பாக்கெட்டாகச் சமையலறையை நிறைக்கும் பெரியவர்களும் பெற்றோர்களும் இனிமேலாவது கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதைச் சுட்டிக்காட்டியிருக்கிறது உடனடி நூடுல்ஸ் சர்ச்சை.

மேகியில் காரீயம் இருப்பதன் காரணம் மண்: உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள்

நூடுல்ஸ் போன்ற உணவுப்பொருட்களில் காரீயம் அதிகம் இருப்பதற்கு மண் காரணமாக இருக்கலாம் என்று உணவுப்பாதுகாப்பு ஆணையம் கூறியுள்ளது.

மேகி உள்ளிட்ட நூடுல்ஸ் வகையறாக்களில் காரீயம் அதிக அளவில் இருப்பதற்கு காரணம் மண் என்று விசாரணை செய்த உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

நெஸ்லேயின் மேகி உள்ளிட்ட நூடுல்ஸ் வகைகளில் வெங்காயம் உள்ளது. மேகியில் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் வெங்காயம் விளையும் மண் காரணமாக காரீயம் அதில் அதிகமாகியிருக்கலாம் என்கின்றனர் உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள்.

இது குறித்து இந்திய உணவுப்பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு ஆணையத்தின் தலைமைச் செயல் அதிகாரி ஒய்.எஸ்.மாலிக் தி இந்து (ஆங்கிலம்) இதழில் கூறும் போது, இவ்வகை நூடுல்ஸ்களின் டேஸ்ட் மேக்கர்களில் வெங்காயம் சேர்க்கப்படுகிறது. இதனால் வெங்காயம் விளையும் மண் தன்மையினால் காரீயம் அதிகமாக இருக்கலாம் என்று அனுமானிக்கப்படுகிறது” என்றார்.

அரிதாகவே உணவுப்பொருள் பரிசோதனை:

இந்திய உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு ஆணையத்தின் 2014-15 அறிக்கையில் பெரும்பாலும் பால் மற்றும் பால்பொருட்கள், சமையல் எண்ணெய் மற்றும் நீர், மாதிரிகள் சோதனை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதே இடம்பெற்றுள்ளன. அரசு சோதனை மையங்களில் பாக்கெட் உணவுப்பொருட்கள் சோதனை செய்யப்படுவதில்லை. இவ்வாறு உணவுப்பொருட்களை சுதந்திரமாக சந்தைகளில் விற்க அனுமதிப்பது நுகர்வோரை அறியாமையில் ஆழ்த்தும் செயல் அல்லவா? என்று கேட்ட போது,

“2006-ம் ஆண்டு உணவுப்பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரநிர்ணயச் சட்டம் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்ட போதிலும், இந்திய உணவுப்பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு ஆணையம் கடந்த 4 ஆண்டுகளாக மட்டுமே செயலில் உள்ளது. இச்சட்டத்தின் பிரிவு 26-ன் படி உணவு வர்த்தக நிறுவனங்களுக்கு மிகப்பெரிய பொறுப்பு உள்ளது. எனவே அமலாக்கம் தொடர்பாக தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு ஆணையம் அதிரடி சோதனைகளில் இறங்கினால் இன்னொரு சோதனை ராஜ்ஜியம் நடப்பதாக புகார்கள் எழும்” என்றார் ஒய்.எஸ்.மாலிக்.

உணவுப்பொருட்களில் காரீயம் பற்றி மண் கலப்படம் மற்றும் ஆராய்ச்சிக்கான இந்திய நெட்வொர்க் அமைப்பின் பொதுச்செயலரும், டெல்லி பல்கலைக் கழகத்தின் மூலக்கூறு உயிரியல் பேராசிரியருமான ரூப் பால் கூறும்போது, "உணவுச்சங்கிலியில் காரீயம் போன்ற கடின உலோகக்கூறுகள் கலப்பதற்கு முதன்மைக் காரணம் நீர்நிலைகளில் தொழிற்சாலை கழிவு மற்றும் நச்சுப் பொருட்கள் கலக்காமல் பாதுகாக்கும் போதிய சுற்றுசூழல் மற்றும் மாசுக் கட்டுப்பாட்டு ஒழுங்கு முறை இல்லாததே" என்றார்.

பனாரஸ் இந்துப் பல்கலைக் கழக பேராசிரியர் பி.டி.திரிபாதி கூறும்போது, சுற்றுச்சூழல் அறிவியில் மற்றும் தொழில்நுட்ப மையம் மேற்கொண்ட ஆய்வில் வாரணாசியில் உருவாகும் கழிவுகளில் அதிக அளவு காரீயம், குரோமியம் மற்றும் நிக்கல் கலந்துள்ளன. காரணம் இங்குள்ள ஆயிரக்கணக்கான சிறு தொழிற்சாலைகளிலிருந்து வெளியாகும் கழிவுப்பொருட்களே. கழிவுநீர் சுத்திகரிக்கப்படும் போது கூட இத்தகைய உலோகக்கூறுகள் அதிலிருந்து அகற்றப்படுவதில்லை. இதுதான் பிற்பாடு கோதுமை, மற்றும் காய்கனிகள் விளைச்சலிலும் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது” என்றார்.

இந்த ஆய்வுக் கழகத்தின் முடிவுகள் அலகாபாத் உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஒன்று என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

“இத்தகைய கடின உலோகக் கூறுகள் மாசடைந்த நதிநீர் வாயிலாக விளை நிலங்களிலும் சென்றடையும் போது அதன் மண் இதனை உறிஞ்சிக் கொள்கிறது. அதன் பிறகு உணவுச்சங்கிலிக்குள் நச்சுப்பொருட்கள் செல்லும் போது, உயிரியல் பெருக்கமடைகிறது” என்கிறார் பேராசிரியர் திரிபாதி.

இவர், தற்போது மேகியினால் எழுந்த சர்ச்சைகளை கோககோலா சர்ச்சையுடன் ஒப்பிடுகிறார். “எந்த நீர் குளிர்பானம் தயாரிக்கப் பயன்படுகிறதோ, அந்த நீர் இத்தகைய உலோகக் கூறுகளை உறிஞ்சிக் கொண்ட நீர், இதனால் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி மருந்து அதில் இருப்பதாக சர்ச்சை எழுந்தது” என்றார்.

எனினும் குறைந்த அளவில் இத்தகைய உணவுப்பொருட்களை எடுத்துக் கொண்டால் உடல் அதற்கு வளைந்து கொடுக்கும், அளவுக்கு மீறி காரீயம் போன்ற கூறுகள் இருக்கும் போது உடலுக்கு அது போதுமான கேட்டை விளைவிக்கும் என்று இவர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர்.

குறிப்பாக காரீயம் உடலுக்குள் சுவாசம் வழியாகவோ, உணவுக்குழல் வழியாகவோ செல்லும் போது மூளை மற்றும் கிட்னியை பாதிக்கிறது. பெரியவர்களுக்கு இத்தகைய நோய்களை ஏற்படுத்தும் காரீயம், வளரும் நிலையில் உள்ள குழந்தைகளின் நரம்பு அமைப்பை பாதிக்கும் என்று நிபுணர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர்.

Maggi banned but what about oil, eggs, vegetables and pulses?

Data shows that we are surrounded by food that is contaminated, adulterated and does not meet Indian safety and packaging standards

64% of the loose edible oil sold in Mumbai is adulterated, according to a study conducted last year by the Consumer Guidance Society of India. The study tested 291 samples of sesame oil, coconut oil, groundnut oil, mustard oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil and soybean oil.
Arsenic above “critical limits” was found in cereals, pulses, vegetables, roots and tubers; cadmium above similar criticality was found in cereals, fruits and curd, in a 2013 M.S. University of Baroda study. Both heavy metals are toxic to human beings.
28% of eggs sampled in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, Dehradun and Izatnagar towns were contaminated with E. coli (effects include diarrhoea, urinary and respiratory infections and pneumonia) and 5% with multi-drug resistant salmonella bacteria (effects: diarrhoea, fever, cramps), according to this 2013 study by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
More than half of all duck eggs–a local staple in Kerala–sampled in the prosperous town of Kottayam were contaminated with salmonella, according to this 2011 study.
Nearly 69% of 1,791 milk samples in a nationwide study did not conform to Indian standards (though they weren’t necessarily unsafe). Milk, as IndiaSpend reported earlier, is one of the most-commonly adulterated food items in India, followed by oil and eggs.

Percentage of Common Foodstuff Samples Found AdulteratedMilk 68.4

Loose Edible Oil 64

Eggs (ducks) 51.30

Egg (hens) 0.1

(Source: Source: FSSAI, Consumer Guidance Society of India, research)

As you can see, we are surrounded by food that is contaminated, adulterated and does not meet Indian safety and packaging standards. What we have presented to you is only a sampling of recent studies on Indian foodstuff.

Why Maggi hit the headlines

Maggi two-minute noodles are only the latest to be found violative of food-safety standards. Maggi’s case–given its popularity–is playing out in a blaze of publicity, as more states ban the noodles and has now been withdrawn from the Indian market by its manufacturer Nestle India.

“The trust of our consumers and the safety of our products is our first priority. Unfortunately, recent developments and unfounded concerns about the product have led to an environment of confusion for the consumer, to such an extent that we have decided to withdraw the product off the shelves, despite the product being safe,” said an official statement by Nestle India.

“This is a very serious issue as it concerns the safety of consumers. Therefore, for the first time, the government has suo motu complained to the Consumer Commission to take cognisance of the matter on behalf of a class of consumers,” Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said.

The move comes after product samples analysed by Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Uttar Pradesh were found three times above safe limits.

The permissible limit of lead in food items like Maggi is 2.5 parts per million (ppm), according to Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. Maggi samples analysed by UP FDA were found to have lead concentration nearly seven times higher at 17.2 ppm, raising fears of possible lead poisoning among consumers.

Lead poisoning clearly poses serious health risks, and can lead to insomnia, anaemia, constipation and brain damage.

The findings of the Uttar Pradesh FDA prompted several states to similarly conduct tests on Maggi; Delhi, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu have also temporarily banned Maggi sales. Other brands, such as Wai Wai Xpress Noodles, Reliance Select Instant Noodles, Smith and Jones Chicken Masala Noodles and Leong Hakka noodles have also now been banned in different states.

Since health is a state subject, states have their own FDAs to test if foodstuff adhere to safety regulations laid down by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Lead isn’t only in food

But foodstuff isn’t the only thing that violates safety standards. The air you breathe, the water you drink, even your walls could hold the main toxin that Maggi noodles are suspected to contain.

Lead is also present in household paint.

A third of enamel paints analysed had lead concentration above 10,000 ppm, 111 times more than Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards of 90 ppm, according to a recent study by Toxics Link, “Lead in Enamel Household Paints in India in 2015”.

The study tested 101 enamel paints, of which 32 paints revealed high lead concentrations. All 32 paints were made by small and medium enterprises.

Lead (and other carcinogenic heavy metals) has also been commonly found in everything from spinach in Delhi and Nagpur to brinjal, tomato and beans in West Bengal. Indeed, there are fewvegetables that do not display lead contamination, primarily deposited from vehicular exhaust, as this 2013 study of carrot, radish, beet, cabbage and other vegetables in West Bengal revealed.

Unclear how MSG crept into Maggi

Besides lead, high levels of added monosodium glutamate (MSG), a taste enhancer, was also found in Maggi. MSG is widely used in what is called “Indian-Chinese” food.

MSG should not be added to “pastas and noodles (only dried products)”, according to Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.

Glutamate is one of the most common, naturally occurring non-essential amino acids, which is found in tomatoes, parmesan cheese, potatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables and fruits.

MSG is “generally recognised as safe” by U.S Food and Drug Administration, though it is considered harmful in India.

Major complaints arising from MSG use include burning sensations of the mouth, head and neck, headaches, weakness of the arms or legs, upset stomach and hives or other allergic-type reactions with the skin.

Maggi is the most recognisable instant noodle brands in India, commanding a 70% share. This could justify the nationwide uproar against revelations of adulteration. This also raises fear of several other food items being adulterated.

Bottom line: India cannot keep pace with its toxins

Detection is crucial to counter the growing problem of food adulteration, but the country has not established enough testing laboratories.

India, as this IndiaSpend report shows, has only 148 food-testing laboratories.

This means, each laboratory serves 88 million people. China, by contrast, has one laboratory for every 0.2 million people.

The percentage of food samples found not conforming to FSSAI regulations increased from 12.77% in 2011-12 to 18.80% in 2013-14, a 6% increase over three years.

Food Sample Test ResultsYear Samples Examined Samples found non-conforming %age of non-conforming samples

2011-12 64,593 8,247 12.77

2012-13 69,949 10,380 14.84

2013-14 72,200 13,571 18.8

2014-15 49,290 8,469 17.18

(Source: FSSAI; Note: Data for FY 2012 to FY 2014 for 14 states/UTs only, data for FY 2015 is for first 6 months for all states/UTs)

So, while products are violating safety norms, government agencies have cracked down on violators. The number of convictions in food-adulteration cases increased from 764 in 2011-12 to 3,845 in 2013-14, a 403% rise.

Action Taken For Non-Conforming Food SamplesYear Prosecutions Launched No. of Convictions/Penalties

2011-12 6,845 764

2012-13 5,840 3,1753

2013-14 10,235 3,845

2014-15 7.098 2,701

As the data show, it isn’t close to adequate.

Not just Maggi: Here's the shameful truth about food safety inspection in India

New Delhi: Even as Nestlé India continues to firefight its gravest crisis ever in its nearly three-decade old history of selling Maggi noodles in the country, the most vital question now doing the rounds, including the social media, is how could a multinational company (MNC) carry out business for so long... selling a product with potential health hazards to millions of consumers?

The presence of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and lead above permissible limits in Maggi samples cannot be an overnight phenomenon. Besides, there could be many more products by other MNCs as well that could potentially harm the health of Indians.

Who has allowed these MNCs to sell “sub-standard” product all these years? Can the government be absolved of its responsibility and accountability for allowing domestic and foreign food manufacturing companies to have a free run?

“Both, the Centre and state governments usually avoid taking stringent action against MNCs or big Indian manufacturers, despite being aware of violations. However, this time Delhi government has been prompt in taking action on Maggi issue,” a retired senior official from Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies told Firstpost on condition of anonymity.

Ashim Sanyal, COO of the voluntary action group Consumer Voice said, “Who knows what people have been consuming for the last 20 years? There’s laxity on part of both the state governments and the central regulatory body FSSAI. Both never bothered to exercise their powers to have a regular check on food products, whether Maggi or any other ready-to-eat items all these years.”

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established as an independent statutory authority under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various ministries and government departments. The agency has been created for laying down standards for food articles and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The 2006 Act aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards.

“If it’s so, why did FSSAI take so much time to act despite the fact that Maggi controversy broke some time back?” questioned Sanyal.

Grey areas

Consumer policy experts and activists have identified several grey areas that help food operators to supply sub-standard products to consumers and yet remain ‘untouched’. It’s ultimately the consumer, who gets the wrong end of the stick.

- Central regulator doesn’t conduct regular inspections and testing of products, to ensure that only the right quality product is sold in the market.

- There is laxity on part of state governments’ food safety departments as well.

- There is lack of proper coordination between the Centre and states, as the latter don’t report to the Centre in this regard.

- Barring a few laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL), several testing laboratories in states fail to conform to standards. The equipment used by these labs is often not upgraded and not properly calibrated. It leads to variation in results.

- Despite having immense power, the food safety commissioners and officers in states don’t exercise it on a regular basis to keep a check on all ready-to-eat products on shelves.

- Often the field inspectors fail to get permission from higher authorities to conduct a raid and check products.

- Lack of proper training facilities of inspection staff, and modernization.

- Unlike abroad, the implementation of law and regulations is weak in India. So, is the penalty.

- Both the regulator at the Centre and food safety departments in the states suffer from staff crunch. The state units lack funds.

- Corruption is another area of concern.

- A Five-year action plan chalked out jointly by the Centre and states in 2009-10 is yet to be implemented.

Bejon Kumar Misra, an international consumer policy expert, said, “First, the industries exercise a strong influence on policy makers and it’s easy for them to get through. Second, instead of sitting jointly and finding a solution, there’s a blame-game between the Centre and states. Even when any plan has been made, it finally fails to get implemented on ground. Nobody wants to bell the cat.”

Unlike India, legal procedures and penalty system are so stringent abroad that no one dares to violate them. The system of recalling sub-standard products in India is voluntary and not mandatory like in other countries.

Sanyal added, “The Supreme Court had pointed out the issue of penalty in the case of contaminated milk. No legal action is taken and one gets away by paying a small penalty. There’s a need to evolve laws according to changing times. We hardly get to hear sub-standard products being recalled by a company.”

“Some years back, a Jamshedpur court had prosecuted Nestlé, after MSG was found in Maggi noodles. But, what happened after that nobody knows. This is the sorry state-of-affairs of our system and no one is afraid of law. But, it’s for the first time since the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 came into existence, the government has registered a case against Maggi noodles with the National Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission, claiming compensation for the consumers,” Misra pointed out.

Un- noodling the Maggi controversy: What is the truth?

THE Swiss food giant, Nestlé, considered one of the bestknown multinational corporations with an admirable reputation for quality control and standards enforcement, finds itself in a potentially brand- damaging controversy that has snowballed ever since a laboratory in Uttar Pradesh claimed tests had revealed the presence of unacceptable levels of lead and monosodium glutamate, or MSG, in its most popular product, Maggi noodles.

State after state prohibited the sale of Maggi instant noodles while officials issued statements questioning the quality of the product and the credibility of Nestlé. On Friday,

the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India claimed to have found nine variants of Maggi noodles “ unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption.

Based on its ‘ findings’, the FSSAI, India’s national food regulator ( yes, it does exist), has ordered Nestlé to “ withdraw and recall all the nine approved variants of its Maggi instant noodles from the market ... and stop further production, processing, import, distribution and sale of the said product with immediate effect.” The firman follows Nestlé voluntarily recalling Maggi noodles to calm what its chief called “ confused consumers”. Meanwhile, Singapore has prohibited the sale of ‘ Made in India’ Maggi noodles while Britain has ordered random samples to be tested. Needless to say, all this has impacted Nestlé negatively in more ways than one; its stocks have already taken a knocking, losing 10 per cent of their value.

Three points need to be made before we proceed any further on the kerfuffle over Maggi. First, I have not seen any ( but I am willing to be corrected on this) comprehensive data- driven report on what exactly has been found wrong with Maggi instant noodles.

How many samples were tested? What were the lead and MSG levels? What are the permissible limits? While MSG is an added taste enhancer, what are the possible sources of lead? Second, Maggi is not the only brand of instant noodles sold across India. The market is now flooded with boil- and- eat noodles- in- a- cup. Most of them are imported from South- East Asian countries; some of them are bulk- produced in China ( where human hair is known to be used for making packaged instant soup, don’t ask me how) and repackaged in South- East Asia. There are desi knockoffs too. Are all these products being tested and investigated for ingredients and standards compliance? Third, if Nestlé has indeed been up to mischief, then it cannot be a recent breach of rules and violation of consumer trust. What were food inspectors and the FSSAI doing all this while? What prompted the UP test? Was it entirely out of the blue without being prompted by considerations other than concerns for food safety? Nestlé’s chief executive, Paul Bulcke, has contradicted the FSSAI’s alarming ( or should it be alarmist?) claims.

“ Our studies showed no lead or MSG in 1,035 tests … We have been carrying out tests on Maggi noodles on multiple batches. All results that came out indicate that Maggi noodles are safe for consumption,” Bulcke said in New Delhi during a globally televised media briefing.

The product, which contributes 25 per cent of Nestlé India’s revenues, had been recalled because the firm “ found the customer confused and distressed”. Bulcke clarified, “ So as a precautionary measure, as a responsible company, we have withdrawn so that our conclusive tests are shared with authorities. Once the authorities are convinced and customers are convinced, we will put back the stocks.” Given the patchy record of FSSAI and State FDAs, not to mention rampant malpractice in the departments and the lack of ethics among inspectors whose remit it is to ensure food and drug safety, it is entirely possible Nestlé, which would be averse to the idea of ‘ grease of doing business’, is bearing the brunt of unfounded allegations.

If that is proved to be true, heads must roll, officials jailed and the Government of India

made to pay damages even if they run into billions of dollars.

Nothing less would suffice.

And if the charges stick, an example should be made of Nestlé. More important, every such product should be subjected to similar scrutiny and severe penalties imposed on producers. Nothing less than this would do justice.

Till then, let’s stay calm and not start burning packaged food producers at the stake.

Trial by media is what happens in a banana republic. India is believed to be a law- abiding republic.

Maggi divides nation as state governments reach different conclusions

The debate over whether popular noodles brand Maggi is safe for consumption threatened to divide the nation on Friday as some states gave its contents a clean chit while other governments quickly moved to ban its sale.

The issue of different state governments reaching different conclusions on the same snacks' ingredients following the lab tests has become a disputation and Nestle immediately flew in its global CEO Paul Bulcke from Switzerland to try and clear the 'misconceptions' among Indian public.

As people remained torn between eating and not eating Maggi, the Centre on Friday banned the popular instant noodle brand. The Union government has asked the company to withdraw the nine variants of Maggi noodles from markets across the country. The health ministry said the brand manufacturer, Nestle, had not adhered to food safety norms.

But West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in Kolkata that there was nothing objectionable found in Maggi being sold in her state. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also claimed that it had not found lead contamination in the nine samples of Maggi.

The presence of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), another problem substance, was within prescribed limit, it added.

Partial clean chit

But five states have already announced a temporary ban on Maggi. The partial clean chit was not enough to cap concerns as lead contamination in several samples was established by many laboratories in various parts of the country, forcing the Union health ministry to swing into action.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) claimed that Maggi noodles were found to be "unsafe and hazardous for human consumption".

The food standard authority also stopped further production, processing, import, distribution and sale of the product with immediate effect. The FSSAI even claimed that Nestle's recently launched Maggi Oats Masala noodles were introduced in the market without approval.

"We have received reports from all states and, after assessing these, have come to the conclusion that the nine variants of Maggi should be recalled," Union health minister JP Nadda said, asserting that the multi-national company had faltered on maintaining adequate safety standards.

To face the onslaught, Nestle fielded its global CEO Paul Bulcke who flew in from Switzerland amid the raging controversy following a ban imposed by Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, besides other states.

He assured that the same quality standards and methods were being maintained all over the world as in India. Bulcke also said that the company was sharing its test methodologies with the authorities to find out how the lead content was found to be beyond permissible limits.

Experts say that the methodology of testing the samples is at the centre of the whole debate. They claim that contamination can be the result of a combination of factors. At the bottom lies the fact that the noodle, the accompanying spice powder and the plastic packing need to be tested separately.

Meanwhile, FSSAI claimed that it had conducted separate tests for the noodle block and the tastemaker. The food standard authority also outlined the harmful effects of consuming lead: Even short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause brain damage and, in the long term, it can cause damage to kidneys, reproductive and immune systems.

The Union government has slammed Nestle for its alleged misconduct. "What is disturbing to note is that the company had already released the product in the market without completing the process of risk assessmentâ€¦ and has been promoting its sales," a senior FSSAI official said.

"Nestle has also not followed the regulations of labeling. Another of its variants, Maggi Masala oats noodles tastemaker, was in the market without prior approval of the government, which is why it too has been ordered to be recalled. I would like to assure the people of our country that no compromise will be made as far as the food safety and security is concerned. All measures will be taken and all levels of security and safety of food will be adhered to," Nadda added.

Mumbai doctors raise red flag over Maharashtra's Maggi lead levels

On Friday, state FDA commissioner Dr Harshadeep Kamble said nine samples of variants of Maggi noodles were analysed and lead content levels of up to 1.4 ppm were found. The levels were below 2.5 ppm, which is said to be the 'permissible' limit for lead in food as per the Food Standards and Safety Act of India (FSSAI).

Latest findings on Maggi noodles by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labs in Maharashtra have revealed that the lead content in the product is between 0.1 and 1.4 parts per million (ppm).

Doctors, however, said permissible limits have been arbitrarily set without long-term studies and lead as high as up to 1.4 ppm in foodstuffs is harmful.

"I would not advise any person to have Maggi even if it has lead up to 1.4 ppm. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is naturally present in the soil and permeates into groundwater. If groundwater with high levels of lead is used for production without adequate purification, high levels of lead will be found in manufactured packed food," said Dr Altaf Patel, former professor, medicine, at JJ hospital, and director, medicine, at Jaslok Hospital.

Eating Maggi everyday is an absolute no-no, said doctors, as small amounts of lead accumulate in the body over a period of time, leading to chronic lead toxicity.

Dr Pratit Samdani, consultant physician, Bhatia hospital in Tardeo, said even small amount accumulated in body contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. "When you are continuously eating Maggi, lead levels will concentrate in the blood over the years. Patients with lead toxicity come with typical symptoms — dip in haemoglobin levels, dementia and weakness in limbs," he added.

Food safety expert at Equinox Labs in Mumbai Ashwin Bhadri said, "As a company, Nestle India should be doing these checks regularly, as groundwater quality keeps changing dynamically. Even the central government authorities at the FSSAI should implement stricter and regular checks on groundwater quality used by food and beverage companies. Currently, FSSAI has regulations to conduct only one such test in a year per company, which is abysmally less."

Maggi noodles are manufactured by Nestle India at factories in Goa, Uttarakhand, Mysore, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka. While in Maharashtra lead levels were found to be below 2.5 ppm, in Tamilnadu and Uttar Pradesh the levels are higher.

All brands of instant noodles under quality lens

The State food safety wing will subject all brands of instant noodles in the market to strict quality control tests, in the wake of the controversy over the safety of Maggi noodles.

The Food Safety Commissioner, who attended a meeting of the Central Advisory Committee of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi on Thursday, has received a directive in this regard and, hence, the focus will now move to checking, if indeed, other brands of instant noodles in the market to ensure that they are safe for consumption.

With the FSSAI directing the manufacturer of Maggi noodles, Nestle Ltd., to recall all its nine variants of Maggi noodles from the market across the country, the countrywide ban will be implemented strictly in Kerala too, Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar said here on Friday.

On May 26

In a statement here, Mr. Sivakumar said the State food safety wing initiated Statewide quality tests on samples of Maggi noodles in the NABL-accredited and FSSAI-recognised labs on May 26, as soon as the reports questioning its safety were out. The test reports were submitted to the Centre on June 2 itself and none of the samples tested in Kerala showed the presence of lead in quantities exceeding the permissible limit, Mr. Sivakumar said. More samples were being tested, he added.

Even though Supplyco and certain supermarket chains had opted not to sell Maggi noodles following confusion over its safety, the State administration had not banned the sale of the product outright as the sample tests conducted within the State had not given an adverse report.

The safety of Maggi noodles came into focus following reports that the food safety wing of the Uttar Pradesh government had detected dangerous levels of lead and added monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the product.

State Food Safety officials said the food regulatory authorities in the country had not fixed any limit for “added MSG.” Food manufacturers were only required to provide label information on the food packet, if the product contained added MSG.

Health officials said processed foods were known to have high levels of salt and other permitted food additives and that anything in excess could cause health concerns.

Food Safety Commissioner receives directive from Central panel

Maharashtra Government bans Maggi; 820 kg of noodles seized in Ahmedabad

The announcement was made by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Girish Bapat at a press conference in Pune tonight.

Maharashtra Government on Friday night decided to put a ban on Maggi noodlesafter some samples were found to contain lead above the permissible limit.

The announcement was made by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Girish Bapat at a press conference in Pune.

Three of the six samples collected from places including Pune, Kolhapur and Aurangabad were found to contain lead above the permissible limit, the minister said.

The ban on Maggi will be in force from June 6, the minister said, adding that action will be taken against anyone found selling it.

Maharashtra's action came in the wake of several states banning the popular noodles following controversy over its content.

Earlier on Friday, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Maggi noodles samples it tested were found to contain lead within permissible limits.

Maenwhile, following imposition of one-month ban on Maggi by the Gujarat government,Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation raided 1,296 shops in the city and seized more than 820 kgs of the instant noodles of the company.

"Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation raided over 1,269 units in the city and seized 820.6 kg stock of Maggi noodles," an official statement said.

The Gujarat government on Thursday banned sale, procurement and distribution of Maggi noodles after the tests results showed presence of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and higher-than-prescribed lead levels in samples.

A sample each of instant noodles of Sunfeast and S K Foods too were tested. Following which, S K Foods noodles were also banned for one month as a high lead content beyond 4 part per million (ppm) was found in the sample.

The AMC health department has also issued notice to around 403 shops and imposed a fine of Rs 36,100 in total for improper storage, lack of hygiene, etc.

Up to Nestle now to do due diligence, come back to us: Yudhvir Singh Malik

Interview with FSSAI CEO

Yudhvir Singh Malik, chief executive officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, answers Nivedita Mookerji's questions on their action regarding Nestle India's Maggi noodles. Edited excerpts:

What's the rationale behind the nationwide ban on Maggi noodles?

We have not banned it. We issued directions to recall the product from shelves across the country.

Did you get enough test results of Maggi samples from states to base your recall order on?

Late last night, we got reports from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, which had collected a large number of samples. There was overwhelming evidence of excessive lead in those. So, instead of leaving things to states, we decided to issue a directive to them.

Which states gave you a report showing violations in Maggi samples?

Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu showed a considerably high level of lead in large samples. The results shown by Punjab, Kerala and Goa were inadequate and were returned.

What is the difference between a ban and a product recall while calling it unsafe and hazardous?

We have told them (Nestle) to withdraw Maggi packets from the store shelves and stop their production, processing, import, distribution and sale. There's reasonable ground to say the food is unsafe. We have also sent them a showcause notice, asking them to present their case in 15 days. Otherwise, FSSAI could withdraw the product approval for Maggi noodles granted in June 2013.

How long will the product recall be effective around the country?

It is up to Nestle to carry out the due-diligence and come back to us.

West Bengal has given a clean chit after testing samples. Will the product recall order issued by FSSAI be effective there?

The order will be effective through the country.

What, then, is the use of every state carrying out the test?

States where MSG or excessive lead were found in Maggi noodle samples can prosecute the company. In other states, where no violation has been detected, there will be no prosecution.

It is learnt the Prime Minister's Office is taking interest in the Maggi issue. Did that prompt FSSAI to take fast action?

I have no idea (on PMO taking an interest). I have not received any instructions from the government on the issue. The regulator has been allowed to work independently. It is being said that multinational companies are being targeted, while Indian companies are going scot-free.

That's not right. We are issuing orders for investigation into other companies, too. We will be drawing samples from other companies' brands as well. Maggi was an ongoing issue and we had to take notice.

Isn't the international investor sentiment hurt?

I look at all international investors with respect but they should follow standards. If there are instances of violation, action must be taken. They are more than welcome in India but they must give us the taste of butter cocoa in chocolate, like they do abroad, rather than the taste of hydrogenated fat, for instance.

What's the way forward in ensuring overall food safety?

There are an estimated 10,000 food products. We don't have the capacity to test everything. But, we are drawing up a plan where large-consumption food items are being identified periodically for testing.