New Year parties under FDA’s check

All the big parties that will happen on the New Year’s Eve across the city can expect the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department check their platters. The FDA will collect food samples served at restaurants and inspect its quality to see if it is in line with the standards set by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
Last year, the FDA inspected about 174 food samples of which only 2% served eatables that didn’t comply with the FSSAI standards.
The department also urges party goers to be aware of the quality of foods they are being served.

Food safety checks to be stepped up

Food safety inspections will be stepped up across the State for New Year celebrations following directivess issued by the government.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar has instructed Food Safety Commissioner T.V. Anupama to organise surprise raids on bakeries, hotels, restaurants, and outdoor eateries.
Night-time inspections will be carried out at tourist centres.
Fruit stalls will also be checked to verify reports about the use of calcium carbide for artificial ripening of oranges. Ms. Anupama informed the Minister that inspections so far had failed to establish the use of calcium carbide.
A pressnote issued by the Minister’s office said an amount of Rs.5.95 lakh had been levied from bakeries and other food outlets for violation of food safety regulations during the Christmas season. One unit in Kollam manufacturing bakery items was closed down.
The pressnote said the new laboratories set up by the Food Safety department at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam had stepped up analytical tests of samples to detect pesticide residue in vegetables.

Raids planned on illegal meds makers before New Year’s Eve

Meerut: With the city residents gearing up for their annual New Year's Eve parties, the Meerut drug administration (a wing of the Food Safety and Drug Administration) has planned a series of raids across the city to unearth illegal medicine manufacturing units. This follows fears by the administration that makers of illegal drugs will take advantage of police and other officials being stuck in managing festivities, giving the manufacturers the chance to transport their products with impunity.
The move comes nearly three weeks after a television channel conducted a sting operation unearthing an illegal medicine making racket in Meerut. There were no arrests made in the case due to lack of evidence.
"The city is gearing up for celebrating New Year's Day. The administration would be busy with various issues that come up with it like traffic jams and other emergencies. There are chances that local illegal medicine manufacturers would take advantage and try to move or sell their products," said Sandeep Kumar, illegal drugs inspector, Meerut.
A two-member team has been formed to conduct raids, while extra manpower and police officials would be called upon whenever necessary, Kumar added.
The Meerut drugs administration along with police officials and drugs inspectors of Bulandshahr, Noida and Ghaziabad raided the Lisari gate area after a sting operation showed two men - Nikhil and Shaanu - to be fake medicine suppliers. But as the sting operation was aired on TV, the evidence was destroyed or moved to a different location by the two accused, due to which the police returned empty-handed.
"We have already arrested two people in the last three weeks who were on our radar and other raids are on to check that no such illegal drugs-making factory is active in the city. We target a few more arrests before the end of the year," said Kumar.
Talking to TOI, deputy inspector general (DIG), Meerut range, Ashutosh Kumar, said, "I think it was too premature of the TV channel to air the video. Had they got the drugs from these alleged manufacturers, we would have had evidence in our hands to be able to conduct arrests. But now raids are on and hopefully some suspects will be behind bars soon."

In Bhopal, gyms, wellness centres wink at FSSAI norms

BHOPAL: A horde of macho men associated with gyms and wellness centres in Bhopal go all out extolling power of protein powder energy drinks and supplements. And many do not bother registeration with Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
District health officials are yet to wake up to side-effects of youngsters aspiring to bulk up like a pro. The risk is real and potent, said district chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Veena Sinha. "There can be unwanted side-effects from using unregulated power supplements. There are certain physical conditions that require advice from medical practitioners," she said. "We will pursue with these centres to register as per norms in keeping with public safety," she said.
On Friday, senior IPS officer S K Pandey died of heart attack during a workout in a posh gymnasium. The incident has once again brough into focus an urgent need to regulate and monitor wellness and health centres.
As per information from FDA, none of the body building or wellness centres in the state capital are registered as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules. District health office, however, claimed one centre was registered in nearly two years since the directive was issued.
As per government circular, health centres should register with the office of CMHO under the Nursing Home Act. As per new directives, fitness centres will have to obtain licence from CMHO. Health officials will conduct surprise inspections and test supplements being supplied by these centres.
As per directives, owners of gyms, spas and other fitness centres should submit a list of documents, including health status of their employees to get a licence. Physiotherapy centres will also be covered under the new rules.
Experts said there are chances of bacterial infections and spread of diseases like hepatitis in a gym. The centres would also have to provide clean drinking water and toilet facility.
"In past, FDA collected samples of nutraceuticals. However, registration of these centres is mandatory as per law," said MP-FDA joint controller Pramod Shukla.