உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையினர் திருவிழா கடைகளில் சோதனை

நாமக் கல், ஆக.6:

நாமக் கல் மாவட்டம், கொல் லி ம லை யில் நடை பெற்ற வல் வில் ஓரி வி ழா வின் போது, உண வுப் பா து காப் புத் துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் தமிழ்ச் செல் வன் தலை மை யில் 7 குழு வி னர் கார வள்ளி சோத னைச் சா வடி, சோளக் காடு, எட்டுக் கை அம் மன் கோவில் ப குதி, தெம் ப ளம், அரப் ப ளீஸ் வ ரர் கோ வில் பகுதி, பெரி ய கோ வி லூர், செம் மேடு, வாச லூர் பட்டி, படகு இல் லம் பகுதி, மாசி பெரி ய சாமி கோவில் பகுதி, நத் துக் கு ழிப் பட்டி, நம் ம ருவி மற் றும் மாசி லா ருவி ஆகிய பகு தி களில் கண் கா ணிப்பு பணி யில் ஈடு பட்ட னர்.

அங் குள்ள கடை களில் உள்ள கலப் ப டப் பொருட் கள், அதி கம் சாயம் சேர்க் கப் பட்ட உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் ஆகி யவை கண் ட றிந்து பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர்.

அதி கம் சாயம் சேர்த்த (கலர் அல்வா, கலர் கேக்) போன் ற வற்றை விற் ப னைக்கு வைத் தி ருந் ததை கண் ட றிந்து விற் ப னை யா ளர் களை அதி கா ரி கள் எச் ச ரித் த னர். சுத் த மில் லாத இரண்டு உண வுக் க டை கள் மூடப் பட்டது. தற் கா லிக அன் ன தான கூடங் களில் பணி பு ரி யும் சமை ய லர் கள், உணவு பரி மா றும் அனைத்து பணி யா ளர் கள் தலைக் க வ சம், முக க வ சம், கையுறை, மேலங்கி அணிந்து உணவு பரி மாற வேண் டும் என அறி வு றுத் தி னர்.

அரப் ப ளீஸ் வ ரர் கோவில் பகு தி யில் அதி கம் சாயம் சேர்க் கப் பட்டு வண் டி யில் வைத்து வினி யோ கம் செய்து கொண் டி ருந்த 3 ஐஸ் வண் டி கள் திருப்பி அனுப் பப் பட்டன.

திருச் செங் கோடு அரசு மருத் து வ மனை முன்பு சாலை மறி ய லில் ஈடு பட முயன்ற கிராம மக் களி டம் போலீ சார் சமா தான பேச் சு வார்த்தை நடத் தி னர்.

அரப் ப ளீஸ் வ ரர் கோவில் பகு தி யில் அதி கம் சாயம் சேர்க் கப் பட்டு வண் டி யில் வைத்து வினி யோ கம் செய்து கொண் டி ருந்த 3 ஐஸ் வண் டி கள் திருப்பி அனுப் பப் பட்டன.

இந்த சோத னை யில் உண வுப் பா து காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் பால மு ரு கன், செந் தில், சதீஸ் கு மார், ராமச் சந் தி ரன், ராம சுப் பி ர ம ணி யன், ராஜா, கொண் டல் ராஜ், நர சிம் மன், சங் க ர நா ரா ய ணன், சண் மு கம், சிவ சுப் ர ம ணி யம், சிவ நே சன், ராம சாமி, எமுத் து சாமி, பாலு, மாதேஸ் வ ரன், இளங் கோ வன் ஆகி யோர் கலந் து கொண் ட னர்.

குழித்துறை வாவுபலி பொருட்காட்சி திடலில் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் திடீர் ஆய்வு

களி யக் கா விளை, ஆக.6:

குழித் துறை வாவு பலி பொருட் காட்சி திடல் பகு தி யில் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

கடந்த 30ம் தேதி முதல் குழித் து றை யில் வாவு பலி ெபாருட் காட்சி நடந்து வரு கி றது. 20 நாட் கள் நடை பெ றும் இப் பொ ருட் காட் சி யில் பொது மக் களை மகிழ் விக் கும் பல அம் சங் கள் உண்டு. பொருட் காட்சி திட லுக்கு செல் லும் வழி யில் சாலை யின் இரு ஓரங் களி லும் ஏரா ள மான தின் பண் டங் கள் விற் பனை செய் யும் தற் கா லிக கடை கள் அமைக் கப் பட்டுள் ளன. இந்நி லை யில் இக் க டை களில் நேற்று மதி யம் உண வுத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற்ெ காண் ட னர்.

மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் சாலோ டீ சன் தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கிளாட் சன், சிறில் ராஜ் உள் ளிட்ட அதி கா ரி கள் ஒவ் வொரு கடை களி லும் சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட்ட னர். உண வுப் பொருட் களில் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பட்டுள் ளதா என வும் காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் கி றார் களா என வும் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர்.

கலப்பட டீத்தூள் விற்பனை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி ஆய்வு

முஷ் ணம், ஆக. 6:முஷ்ணத் தில் கடை கள் மற் றும் டீ கடை களில் கலப் பட டீத் தூள் விற் கப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரிக்கு புகார் சென் றது. இதனை தொடர்ந்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி காரி ராஜா மற் றும் காட்டு மன் னார் கோ வில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கொளஞ் சி யான், புவ ன கிரி குண சே க ரன், கும ராட்சி மாரி முத்து உள் ளிட்ட குழு வி னர் முஷ் ணத் தில் உள்ள பகு தி களில் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர். கலர் இனிப்பு வகை கள், தர மற்ற சமை யல் எண் ணெய் விற் பனை, கலப் பட டீத் தூள் ஆகி யவை கடை களில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கிறதா என்று ஆய்வு செய் தார். அப் போது மளிகை கடை ஒன் றில் தர மற்ற சமை யல் எண் ணெய் விற் பனை செய் வதை கண் ட றிந்து எச் ச ரித் தார். பின் னர் டீக் க டை களில் கலப் பட டீத் தூள் விற் பனை செய் வதை கண் ட றிந்து எச் ச ரித்து இது போன்ற கலப் பட டீத் தூளை தொடர்ந்து 1 வாரம் அருந் தி னால் புற் று நோய் வரும் என பொது மக் களி டம் தெரி வித் தார். குமாரகுடி பகுதியில் டீக்கடைகளில் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட 50 கிலோ போலி டீத்தூள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது.

பின் னர் மளிகை கடை களில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் மற் றும் காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் இருப்பு உள் ள தா? என ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் டார்.

இனிப்பு கடை களில் கலர் அதி க மாக சேர்க்க வேண் டாம் என அறி வு றுத் தி னார். பின் னர் மளிகை மற் றும் கடை களில் மாதிரி பொருட் களை எடுத் துச் சென் றார்.

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திரு வ னந் த பு ரம், ஆக. 6:

தமிழ் நாட்டில் இருந்து கேரளா செல் லும் காய் கறி லாரி களை குமுளி சோதனை சாவ டி யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நேற்று இரவு முதல் பரி சோ தனை தொடங் கி னர்.

கேர ளா வுக்கு தமிழ் நாட்டில் இருந் து தான் பெரு ம ளவு காய் கறி, பழங் கள் மற் றும் உணவு பொருட் கள் கொண்டு செல் லப் ப டு கின் றன. இந் நி லை யில் தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து கொண்டு செல் லப் ப டும் காய் கறி மற் றும் பழங் களில் அதிக அள வில் பூச்சி கொல்லி மருந்து கலக் கப் ப டு வ தாக கேரளா புகார் கூறி யது. இதை ய டுத்து பூச் சிக் கொல்லி கலப் பதை குறைக் க வேண் டும் என் றும் இல் லா விட்டால் தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து கொண் டு வ ரப் ப டும் காய் கறி மற் றும் பழங் களுக்கு தடை விதிக் கப் ப டும் என் றும் கேரள அரசு கூறி யது. மேலும் தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து காய் க றி கள் மற் றும் பழங் கள் கொண்டு வரு ப வர் கள் கேரள உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யில் பதிவு செய் ய வேண் டும் என் றும் பதிவு செய் யாத லாரி கள் ஆகஸ்ட் 4ம் தேதிக்கு பிறகு கேர ளா விற் குள் அனு ம திக் கப் ப ட மாட்டாது என் றும் கேரள சுகா தா ரத் துறை அமைச் சர் சிவ கு மார் கூறி யி ருந் தார்.

இந் நி லை யில் நேற்று இரவு முதல் குமுளி சோதனை சாவ டி யில் இடுக்கி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து செல் லும் காய் கறி லாரி களை பரி சோ திக்க தொடங் கி னர். இந்த லாரி களில் இருந்து மாதிரி காய் க றி களை பரி சோ த னைக் காக அதி கா ரி கள் சேக ரித் த னர். மேலும் பதிவு சான் றி தழ் பெறாத லாரி களுக்கு மேலும் 5 நாள் கால அவ கா சம் அளிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளது. இது குறித்து இடுக்கி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி காரி கங் கா பாய் ‘தின க ரன்’ நிரு ப ரி டம் கூறி ய தா வது: தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து வரும் காய் கறி லாரி களில் இன்று (நேற்று) முதல் பரி சோ தனை தொடங் கி யுள் ளது.

முதல் கட்ட மாக குமுளி சோதனை சாவ டி யில் பரி சோ தனை நடத் தப் பட்டது. சேக ரிக் கப் பட்ட காய் க றி கள் பரி சோ த னைக் காக ஆய் வுக் கூ டங் களுக்கு அனுப்பி வைக் கப் ப டும். தமி ழ கத் தில் இருந்து காய் க றி கள் கொண் டு வரு ப வர் கள் கேர ளா வில் பதிவு செய் ய வேண் டிய கட்டா யம் இல்லை. தமி ழ கத் தில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி ட மும் பதிவு செய் து கொள் ள லாம். அந்த சான்று இருந் தால் மட்டுமே கேர ளா வில் இனி தமி ழக லாரி கள் அனு ம திக் கப் ப டும். தற் போது பதிவு சான் றி தழ் இல் லாத லாரி களுக்கு மேலும் 5 நாள் அவ கா சம் அளிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளது. இவ் வாறு அவர் கூறி னார்.

Maggi will return to retail shelves soon: Paswan

Despite the stand taken by the food safety watchdog, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday said he was hopeful that Nestle's Maggi will be back on the shelves soon, drawing comfort from favourable test reports for the top instant noodles brand from some accredited laboratories.

"The latest tests conducted by Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has found Maggi safe. I have a gut feeling it will return to retail shelves soon," Paswan said of the margins of a conference on fast moving consumer goods, hosted by Assocham here.

He was alluding to the test reports from the Mysore facility of the lab, which gave is report based on the samples sent to it by the Goa food safety department. The minister's comments also come against he backdrop of the food safety regulator declining to take note of the latest report.

Paswan made it clear that consumer interest will be paramount while deciding on the matter pertaining to ban against Maggi, while expressing concern over the negative perception such developments have created in the minds of the potential foreign investors.

"I am worried. After Maggi ban the perception of people changed. Foreign investors will also now think twice before investing in India. Our credibility is at stake," he said, adding: "But all this is possible to rectify only after addressing all concerns. The concerns of our consumers is most important."

Speaking in Hindi, he also sought to use an analogy. 

"We cannot take everything for granted. The whole Maggi episode is like what happens after the rains -- pots made of mud get destroyed, but utensils made from steel and brass shine. I hope Maggi will start shining again," he told IANS.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday said Nestle India had not been given a clean chit regarding its noodles and that its ban order of June 5 was still operative, despite a noted lab in Karnataka reportedly finding the snack to be safe.

But following the favourable test reports, Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza aaid he favoured a re-think on the ban since it was certified laboratory that found the popular instant noodle to be safe for consumption. "Why should you ban something when it is safe? If it was not safe I could have understood."

India's official food regulator on June 5 had banned the sale of Maggi after an allegedly high amount of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) were found in samples. Following that, Nestle withdrew all variants of the noodle, while continuing to maintain that its products were safe.

On the latest matter, Nestle has refrained from making any comment, on the ground that the matter was sub judice. The Bombay High Court is hearing the matter.

Nestle India drops after clarification from FSSAI regarding safety of Maggi Noodles

Nestle India dropped 4.84% to Rs 6,501 at 12:15 IST onBSE after Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified that it has not given any clean chit regarding the safety of Nestle India's Maggi Noodles.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued clarification yesterday, 5 August 2015.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 43.93 points or 0.18% at 28,179.15.

On BSE, so far 11,139 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 16,547 shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 6,619 and a low of Rs 6,461.15 so far during the day. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 7,499.95 on 10 March 2015. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 5,165.10 on 5 August 2014.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 5 August 2015, rising 10.66% compared with Sensex's 0.46% gain. The scrip had however underperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 0.32% as against Sensex's 2.85% gain.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 96.42 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) made the above clarification after various reports appeared in certain section of the press and electronic Media yesterday, 5 August 2015, stated that the FSSAI or the FSSAI approved Lab found Maggi Noodles safe.

The stock had jumped 7.53% yesterday, 5 August 2015, after recent media reports suggested that a FSSAI approved laboratory of CFTRI has found Maggi Noodles in compliance with food safety standards on a testing of five samples sent by Goa Food and Drug Administration.

As regards the reports of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore finding mentioned in the media reports the FSSAI said that as per factual position The Food Safety Department of Goa had drawn 5 samples of Maggi Noodles pursuant to a Communication dated 25 May 2015 from FSSAI to all the Food Safety Commissioners of states to draw samples and get the same tested. These samples were initially sent for testing in the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa. The reports of first test were received on 1 June, 2015. Observing that the Food Analyst of the said lab had wrongly taken the permissible limit of Lead as 10 PPM for the 'Tastemaker' as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 PPM and the results reported by the lab did not contain specific Lead content found in the samples, the FSSAI had sought clarifications from the State Food Authority in this behalf.

The Food Safety Department of Goa subsequently sent one part of the said samples to the CFTRI, Mysore, where the Lead has been found to be within permissible limits. A perusal of the Test Results from CFTRI, Mysore shows that the said samples have not been tested for MSG.

In any case, the test results of Goa samples had no bearing on the order dated 5 June, 2015 as the samples tested qua Goa were not assumed to be unsafe while passing the Recall order by FSSAI. As such, the present test reports do not have any bearing on that order.

FSSAI said that it may also be noted that as per information shared by Nestle India with the FSSAI, Nestle India has been manufacturing Maggi Noodles at their factories situated at Village Mauliguem, Bicholim(Goa); Industrial Area, Nanjangud, Mysore; IEE, Pantnagar, SIDCUL, Rudrapur; Tahliwal, Haroli, Una (HP); Moga (Punjab) and one Co--?packer facility at Birshibpur, Howrah (West Bengal). Further, as informed by Nestle at the initial stage, all their Maggi Noodles for exports to 8 countries were manufactured only at the Bicholim (Goa) factory. Part of the local domestic supplies, including 4 out of 5 samples tested, were also from the product manufactured at the Bicholim (Goa) factory.

Further, FSSAI stated that news reports have also appeared in the media in past stating that Maggi Noodles were found to be safe in UK and Singapore. The FSSAI requested Nestle India to share the details of test reports of UK and Singapore. Nestle has not shared the details of the said test reports of UK and Singapore Regulators with the FSSAI stating that they do not have this information.

Meanwhile, Nestle India in a clarification issued during market hours yesterday, 5 August 2015 said that it has come to know about the above news item only through media reports and the company does not have any further information on this except what is reported in media. In case of receipt of any information, the company shall revert the same, Nestle India said. The company further said that it is not aware of any information that has not been announced to the stock exchange, which would explain the aforesaid movement in trading.

Nestle India had stopped supplies of Maggi Noodles in India after government of India and many states had banned the product after finding more than permissible levels of lead and MSG in it.

FSSAI extends deadline for licences till Feb 4 next year

Food safety regulator FSSAI today extended the deadline for food companies to get licence to run their businesses by another six months to February 4, 2016. 

This is the sixth time that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline. The last date to get the licence lapsed on August 4. 

"...The Central Government has directed the FSSAI...To extend the time-line mentioned in...Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, for a further period of six months up to February 4 2016..," FSSAI said in its order. 

The decision has been taken after the Union Health Ministry considered representations from various stakeholders including food companies and industry associations. Industry was demanding for an extension of one year. 

Section 31 (1) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides that no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence, the order added. 

As per the Food Safety and Standards regulations of 2011, no person or food business operator can commence any food business unless if he or the operator possess a valid license. 

There are about 5.5 crore food business operators in the country. 

Welcoming the move, All India Food Processors Association Executive Secretary D V Malhan said, "It is a good move as it will give more time to the companies to register themselves with the food safety regulator.

Order dated 06th August, 2015 regarding Extension of time upto 04th February, 2016 for the Food Business Operators to obtain licenses / registration under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011

 

State FDAs product approval system bringing back inspector raj: Food companies

Soon after the ban on Maggi noodles in June, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had openly criticised the effects of regulatory overreach.

NEW DELHI: Food companies have said the product approval system should be restricted to new ingredients and novel items that don't have a history of safe use while criticising the functioning of the sector's regulators, saying it paved the way for an "inspector raj".

The firms voiced concerns at a meeting last week called by the health secretary. It is learnt the meeting was called at the PMO's behest to resolve the "crisis" on product approvals sparked by the Maggi ban. It is understood the ministry of food processing, PMO and other ministries want issues related to food safety and standards to be resolved at the earliest. The July 27 meeting was attended by industry bodies that have food companies as their members and YS Malik, CEO of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, according to an industry representative who was present.

"If critical actions are taken by state FDAs, it is a huge opening for inspector raj. It takes years to establish a production unit and minutes to destroy it in a rush action. The prevailing thought that industry is always a defaulter is overshadowing the function of regulation and needs to be urgently corrected," the industry representative told Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma.

Officials in the health ministry, under which FSSAI functions, declined to comment on the meeting.

Soon after the ban on Maggi noodles in June, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had openly criticised the effects of regulatory overreach. She said an "inspector raj" had engendered so much fear among packaged food companies that it was stalling overseas investment, killing innovation and threatening the government's 'Make in India' initiative.

Industry representatives alleged that FSSAI was implementing the product approval process through advisories, which have no legal standing. They alleged that the current approval system lacked scientific basis and discouraged innovation.

The representatives said product approvals should be made through notifications, which means the industry should be consulted while the regulations are being formulated. The current system of advisories is not consultative.

"The product approval system is self-defeating and has led to a severe crisis because FSSAI has decided to approve ingredients and additives which are already permitted in regulations and have a history of safe use," the industry bodies said.

OVERLAP BETWEEN NORMS

The industry bodies pointed to the overlap between the Food Safety and Standards Act regulations framed for broad food categories and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for food on an item-to-item basis. While the regulations are meant for juices, BIS norms are set for each beverage type, such as mango juice, pineapple juice and orange juice. They suggested that critical actions such as sealing production units, ordering a ban or recall and the cancellation of licences should be decided by senior officers of FSSAI.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India, All India Food Processors' Association and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Food safety discussions have intensified after FSSAI banned Maggi noodles, stating that it was unsafe and hazardous after tests found the presence of lead above permissible limits and mislabelling of flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate. Nestle recalled the noodles in an exercise that cost Rs 320 crore and another Rs 1,270 crore in brand loss, according to global valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

The government recently appointed former agriculture secretary Ashish Bahuguna as chairman of FSSAI. The position had been lying vacant since January, when the tenure of K Chandramouli ended.

ET View

Holistic action for food safety

Instead of placing all responsibility for food safety on food processors, the government must act to clean up farm inputs that make food toxic. Refineries must be made to invest in cleaning up fuel, so that vehicle emissions do not pass on their lead and other toxins to crops near highways. Untreated industrial effluents should not enter rivers or penetrate ground water. Agro-chemicals should not leave harmful residues. Merely cracking down on food processors can spoil an industry but will not make food safe for Indians.

Maharashtra FDA finds Haldiram’s snacks as per standards; gives clean chit

Mumbai

Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, which undertook inspection and tasting of Haldiram's snacks recently, on receipt of laboratory report has given clean chit to the company.

Uday Vanjari, joint commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra, told FnB News, “The products have met the standards and all 20 samples have been tested thoroughly.” FDA had initiated the inspection and testing following the rejection of imports of Haldiram's snacks by US FDA (United States Food and Drugs Administration) sometime back. 

Providing details about the products tested, Vanjari stated, “The products inspected included namkeens of Haldiram's like salted potato chips, gathia Takatak, bhujia sev, navratan mix, orange sonpapdi, sonpapdi, alu bhujia sev, Khatta Meetha and moong dal. Twenty samples were procured, of which 14 were from Nagpur from the factory and six samples were procured in Mumbai from retail outlets.”

He informed, “The samples were tested for lead which met standards. The proportion of lead was below 2.5 ppm (parts per million). The snacks tested contained lead 1.65 ppm, which is below the standard proportion. Other ingredients like carbohydrates, fats and proteins were also tested which were normal as per standards.” He added, “Bacteria salmonella, E coli and vibrio cholera stand absent.” 

All the tests were undertaken at the FDA campus laboratory. Vanjari stated, “All the inspections undertaken are as per FDA guidelines and not as per US FDA guidelines. Though the products are rejected by US FDA, they are clean as per FDA tests and guidelines.”

On a concluding note, Vanjari stated that regular inspections were on and results of tests conducted on some noodle brands were awaited.

Surprise checks ensure safe food during festival

Surprise checks conducted by officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department have ensured that shops are selling safe food products in Kolli Hills during the Valvil Ori Festival.

A team led by K. Tamil Selvan, Designated Officer, had carried out two surprise inspections at shops in Kolli Hills last month.

Seven other teams continued the inspections on August 2 and 3 at Karavalli check post, Solakadu, Ettukai Amman Temple area, Thembalam, Arapaleeswarar Temple area, Periyakovilur, Semmedu, Vasaloorpatti, Boat House area, Nam Aruvi, and Masila Aruvi.

The teams seized food items that were found to be containing banned colours, and expired and adulterated products. All the food items were destroyed.

Shop keepers were warned against indulging in illegal activities. Shopkeepers selling halwa that had excess colours were warned of action. Two eateries that were found to be preparing food under unhygienic conditions were closed down.

During the festival on August 3, when volunteers were found serving food without proper dress, they were asked to wear masks, gloves, overcoat, and cover their hair. Those at temporary eateries too were asked to wear these. Shop owners were asked not to keep the food items in the open.

Those found to be selling poor quality ice-cream were sent back. Many found violating rules were served notices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Food (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011.

Regulator whip may hit food product launches

NEW DELHI: This festive season, you may have to struggle to find some new variants of your favourite chocolate, cookies or even sauces. After the Maggi saga, the market is expected to see less number of food product launches even as the food safety regulator maintains a tight scrutiny of what is already on the shelves. 

Market sources and industry executives say in the absence of clarity in the food safety regulation, many companies are holding back new launches as well as supplies of existing products. 

This comes in the wake of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) refusing approvals for several new variants of top brands in the packaged food segment even as many others in segments like macaroni, pasta, sauces etc. continue to be under stringent check. 

Over the past few months, many products including those from Tata Starbucks, Venky's and McCain Foods had to exit the market following the regulator's crackdown, which started with recall of all nine variants of Maggi instant noodles after many state food regulators alleged the popular snack of contained added monosodium glutamate (MSG) and excess of lead. 

While Nestle is contesting the regulatory order in court, the packaged food industry as a whole is complaining that the regulator is circumventing its purview. The industry has also expressed qualms about the failure of the government and the regulator to communicate with the manufacturers on required labeling and standards, the basis for rejection of many food products in recent past. 

Moreover, the industry claims the testing facilities used by the regulators are not at par with their products and that is the reason many of these products which have failed testing in one state have got a clean chit from another.

"The looming uncertainty has not only impacted the existing products in the market but also many new product launches. Companies have put their product launches on hold because any enforcement has the potential to do a significant damage to their brands and products," a senior industry executive, who is also part of All India Food Processors' Association, said. 

Branding is a very essential component of the packaged food product market and companies do not want to risk that, especially in cases where the product is yet to be launched. "Maggi is an apt example. All such food products are sold based on their brand value which is attached to trust on quality. Any kind of regulatory action has the potential to harm that trust," says another executive. 

However, FSSAI officials say the testing facilities are accredited. Brushing aside concerns about less number of products entering market, regulatory officials say only quality products should be available for consumers. It has also come out with new regulations and standards to bring in more clarity. 

While both packaged food industry as well as food regulations are at a nascent stage in India, it may take a while before consumers can taste choicest delicacies.

DINAMALAR NEWS

No clean chit given to Nestle over safety of Maggi: FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in a rare press statement, rejected findings of the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa as well as CFTRI, Mysore over test discrepancies.

Food safety watchdog FSSAI on Wednesday said it has not given any clean chit to Nestle 's banned Maggi noodles as it rubbished all-clear reports from two of its own empanelled labs, saying there were lapses in the tests.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in a rare press statement, rejected findings of the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa as well as CFTRI, Mysore over test discrepancies. It also cast doubts over clean chits to Maggi noodles by UK and Singapore labs saying the Swiss food giant has not shared details of foreign test reports.

Rubbishing tests done by the Goa lab, the food regulator said food analysts at the lab had "wrongly taken the permissible limit of Lead as 10 parts per million as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 ppm".

On the report of the CFTRI on the same sample, FSSAI said the Mysore lab had not tested the noodles for the banned MSG.

"It is clarified in the first instance that FSSAI has not given anyclean chit regarding the safety of Maggi Noodles," it said in the statement that followed reports that the Goa and Mysore labs have found Maggi samples safe.

FSSAI said the samples tested by labs at Goa and subsequently Mysore were primarily drawn from Nestle's Bicholim factory in Goa, which manufactures the noodles largely for exports to as many as eight countries.

"In any case, the test results of Goa samples had no bearing on the order dated 5th June, 2015 as the samples tested qua Goa were notassumed to be unsafe while passing the Recall order by FSSAI. As such, the present test reports do not have any bearing onthatorder," it said.

On reports of Maggi Noodles being found safe in UK and Singapore, the regulator said it had requested Nestle India to share details of the tests but the company "has not shared the details of the said test reports of UK and Singapore Regulators with the FSSAI stating that they do not have this information".

FSSAI said the Food Safety Department of Goa had drawn 5 samples of Maggi Noodles on its direction issued in May. These samples were first sent to Goa-based Food and Drugs Laboratory and later to Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

While the lead content has been found to be within permissible limits of test reports of CFTRI, FSSAI said: "A perusal of the tests results from CFTRI, Mysore shows that the said samples have not been tested for MSG."

It further said, Nestle has not responded to the show cause notice of June 5. The regulator also said that Nestle had informed earlier that all their Maggi noodles for exports to eight countries were manufactured only at the Goa factory.

"Part of the local domestic supplies, including 4 out of 5 samples tested, were also from the product manufactured at the Bicholim (Goa) factory," FSSAI said in a statement.

In June, FSSAI had banned Maggi noodles only after it found 30 samples "unsafe and hazardous for human consumption." Subsequently few also decided to ban the noodles.

FSSAI had also said that Nestle violated labelling regulations on taste enhancer 'MSG' and ordered company to submit compliance report on its orders.

FSSAI trashes all-clear reports to Maggi from Goa, Mysore

Rubbishing tests done by the Goa lab, the food regulator said food analysts at the lab had "wrongly taken the permissible limit of Lead as 10 parts per million as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 ppm".

Food safety watchdog FSSAI on Wednesday said it has not given any clean chit to Nestle's banned Maggi noodles as it rubbished all-clear reports from two of its own empanelled labs, saying there were lapses in the tests.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in a rare press statement, rejected findings of the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa as well as CFTRI, Mysore over test discrepancies. It also cast doubts over clean chits to Maggi noodles by UK and Singapore labs saying the Swiss food giant has not shared details of foreign test reports.

Rubbishing tests done by the Goa lab, the food regulator said food analysts at the lab had "wrongly taken the permissible limit of Lead as 10 parts per million as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 ppm".

On the report of the CFTRI on the same sample, FSSAI said the Mysore lab had not tested the noodles for the banned MSG.

"It is clarified in the first instance that FSSAI has not given any clean chit regarding the safety of Maggi Noodles," it said in the statement that followed reports that the Goa and Mysore labs have found Maggi samples safe.

FSSAI said the samples tested by labs at Goa and subsequently Mysore were primarily drawn from Nestle's Bicholim factory in Goa, which manufactures the noodles largely for exports to as many as eight countries.

"In any case, the test results of Goa samples had no bearing on the order dated 5th June, 2015 as the samples tested qua Goa were not assumed to be unsafe while passing the Recall order by FSSAI. As such, the present test reports do not have any bearing on that order," it said.

On reports of Maggi Noodles being found safe in UK and Singapore, the regulator said it had requested Nestle India to share details of the tests but the company "has not shared the details of the said test reports of UK and Singapore Regulators with the FSSAI stating that they do not have this information".

FSSAI denies giving clean chit to Maggi

Food safety watchdog the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday said it had not given any clean chit to Nestle’s banned Maggi noodles even as it rubbished all-clear reports from two of its own empanelled labs, saying there were lapses in the tests.

The FSSAI, in a rare press statement, rejected the findings of the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa as well as CFTRI, Mysuru, over test discrepancies.

It also cast doubts over the clean chit to Maggi noodles by U.K. and Singapore labs saying the Swiss food giant has not shared details of foreign test reports.

Rubbishing tests done by the Goa lab, the food regulator said food analysts at the lab had “wrongly taken the permissible limit of lead as 10 parts per million as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 ppm“.

On the report of the CFTRI on the same sample, FSSAI said the Mysuru lab had not tested the noodles for the banned MSG.

“It is clarified in the first instance that FSSAI has not given any clean chit regarding the safety of Maggi noodles,” it said in the statement that followed reports that the Goa and Mysuru labs had found Maggi samples safe.

The FSSAI said the samples tested by labs at Goa and subsequently in Mysuru were primarily drawn from Nestle’s Bicholim factory in Goa, which manufactures the noodles largely for exports to eight countries.

“In any case, the test results of Goa samples had no bearing on the order dated 5th June, 2015 as the samples tested in Goa were not assumed to be unsafe while passing the recall order by FSSAI. As such, the present test reports do not have any bearing on that order,” it said.