Artificial ripening bigger than thought

In a sustained campaign propelled by judicial monitoring, food safety authorities are discovering that the use of fruit ripening agents is more widespread than what was thought earlier.

Ever since a petition was filed last year in the High Court expressing safety concerns over quality of fruits sold in the State, food inspectors in all districts have conducted raids and collected samples to ascertain the extent of practice. The exercise has overturned existing notions that ripening agents are used mostly for mangoes and apples.

Of the 140 fruit samples collected between last August and February 18 this year from across the State, 72 have been found unsafe for consumption. Many of the samples include banana, pineapple, sapota, grapes, and even strawberries.

Ethephon and calcium carbide are the usual culprits, food safety experts say. A plant growth regulator, ethephon is allowed for use before harvest in tomatoes and mangoes, but State Food Laboratory found that it is being used on fruits like banana to hasten ripening.

From Hyderabad alone, about 50 samples were collected from February 18 through February 20. While results of the entire batch of samples are yet to be made available to the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), at least three samples were found to be ‘unsafe’.

IPM, in tandem with municipal agencies, is overseeing the exercise in the State. Samples were also collected from Warangal and Nizamabad this week. Officials expect many of the other recently collected samples to also fail the test.

While the exercise of collection and testing has uncovered the extent of the problem, citizens wonder if it is adequate. “The consumer movement should be strengthened by the government through involvement of consumers. Additionally, the execution of the law should be non-compromising,” says V.B.J. Chelikani Rao of United Federation for Residential Welfare Societies.

Officials say the completion of legal process from the start of prosecution proceedings can take a very long time. The GHMC is fighting adulteration battles in local courts that pertain to as far back as 1999. The public glare of the problem and court monitoring has fuelled some action, including shutting down of an ethephon ripening unit in Moosapet earlier this month.

Food Safety: SC pulls JK over tardy implementation of FSA

SMC, CAPD, FCO lock horns to establish their writ

In spite of the Supreme Court directions over the implementation of Food Safety Act in JK, the state government has failed to specify the department that has the mandate to ensure food safety here. 

In February last year, the Supreme Court had pulled up the state government over what it called ‘tardy implementation’ of Food Safety Act and directed the Health and Medical Education Department to strictly implement it.

Although the apex court in its order of February, 2015 in the PIL ( 01/2012) had sought a ‘compliance report’ from the state government, the implementation of Food Safety Act in the state is not being implemented on the ground. 

Earlier this month, the government constituted two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 to ensure food safety law implementation. The Health and Medical Education Department, under whose ambit Food Safety falls, has promised SC that it would ‘abide by its directions in letter and spirit’. However there seems to be lack of clarity on food safety provisions in the state.

While the Food Safety Act 2006 mandates the Food Control Organization (FCO) to be solely responsible for the quality of food being served at outlets such as restaurants, vendors and canteens, the organization has failed to take the control. On the contrary departments such as Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Department of Legal Metrology and District Administrations are seen carrying out sporadic ‘drives’, issuing token fines, destroying eatables deemed of inferior quality and sending press notes to media. One such drive that was carried out recently in Srinagar in which SMC officials issued a press statement of having recovered Rs. 19700/ from food business operators who as per the reports of the special squad were selling food in ‘unhygienic and unsafe manner’.

When Greater Kashmir contacted a SMC official to know as to why the Corporation takes the responsibility of Food Safety as and when it pleases, the official denied any role in the business of Food Safety. “It is not our job. We have been de-notified in 2014 and can no more check food items’ quality,” Dr Sameena Maqbool, Health Officer SMC said.

She added that the drive was a special one and involved members from various government departments. Sources however said, “No food sample was lifted repeatedly for testing in the special drive, and the action taken such as destruction of property and eatables was ‘illegal’ as per the provisions of the Act.”

“A food operator who is found to be using unsafe chemicals and dyes is to be prosecuted under the law if the samples of his food are found to contain these harmful chemicals,” said an official of Food Safety Organization. “Officials cannot destroy food items that they think contain dyes and let the person go,” he added. 

Similarly, the official said, for unhygienic conditions, the organization has to serve improvement notice to the food operators and if the improvement notice is not heeded to, the license of the food business operator may be cancelled.

However, food business operators have alleged that officials from a multiple agencies barge into the shops and food establishments and demand fees for various ‘offences’. “We sometimes have no other choice than to give whatever is demanded because we do not want a scene in our restaurant,” said a Lal Chowk restaurant owner who wished anonymity. He said that he had no idea who the Food Organization was and had always seen ‘new faces from government department’. 

SMC authorities however, agreed that there is confusion among masses about who to approach regarding food safety grievances and complaints. “We still have people reporting at SMC with milk samples,” Dr Maqbool said.

“We are doing everything we can. In a few months, we have tested and issued challan to more food establishments than ever were. And we are tightening the noose around violators,” Hilal Mir, Assistant Food Commissioner Kashmir said.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Food hygiene training for street vendors

The scheme, which will be flagged off around March 11-12, will continue for 15 days

Around 20,000 food vendors across Delhi will be trained in hygiene and food safety.

Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Delhi government, and National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) have come together to formulate the training module.

A meeting in this regard was convened on Tuesday, where secretary, Sector Skill Council of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; CEO, FSSAI, officials of the food safety department of the Delhi government, and NASVI members were present, among others. The scheme, which will be flagged off around March 11-12, will continue for 15 days.

Under the project, vendors will be taught techniques on food storage and handling, maintaining hygiene, and customer relationship management. They will then be made to appear for a test and certificates will be given on the basis of their performances.

“We have divided the city into 10 zones for the project, and each zone will have five training centres. Every centre will have to impart training to a total of 500 vendors, with each batch having 40 participants,” said Arbind Singh, national coordinator, NASVI.

To begin as a pilot project, the scheme will be taken up in other States if it sees success.

When asked what would make street vendors attend these sessions, he said that they would get incentives.

“Each vendor will get about Rs. 500 after receiving the certificate. The money will not be given in cash, but will directly be credited in their accounts. They will also get a vending ID card which will have a bar code, thereby registering them under the Street Vendors Act. A ‘hygiene kit’ containing aprons, gloves and caps will also be given to them,” Mr. Arbind said.

A pocket book stating the guidelines will also be given to them.

The announcement of the project was made by Pawan Agrawal, CEO, FSSAI, at the three-day Delhi Street Food Festival which concluded on February 21.

தரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் விற்றால் கடும் நடவடிக்கை நியமன அலுவலர் எச்சரிக்கை

தர் ம புரி, பிப்.27:

தர மற்ற உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் ப வர் கள் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை பாயும் என மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ளார்.

தர் ம புரி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந்து நிர் வா கத் துறை சார் பில், உணவு பொருட் கள் மற் றும் மருந்து விற் ப னை யா ளர் க ளு டன் ஆலோ சனை கூட் டம், நேற்று ஒட் டப் பட் டி யில் உள்ள மாவட்ட தொழில் மை யத் தில் நடந் தது. கூட் டத் திற்கு மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் (பொ) கலை வாணி தலைமை வகித்து பேசி ய தா வது:

உணவு பொருள் விற் ப னை யா ளர் கள், உணவு பொருட் களை திறந்த நிலை யில் வைத்து விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது. உப யோ கப் ப டுத் திய சமை யல் எண் ணெயை மீண் டும் பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூ டாது. அயோ டின் கலந்த உப் பையே வினி யோ கம் செய்ய வேண் டும். காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது. உணவு பொருட் களை பாது காக்க பூச் சிக் கொல் லி களை பயன் ப டுத்த கூடாது. 40 மைக் ரான் கீழே உள்ள பிளாஸ் டிக் பைகளை பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூ டாது. குடி நீர் சுத் த க ரிப்பு நிலை யங் கள் பிஐ எஸ் தரச் சான்று பெற் றி ருக்க வேண் டும்.

மத் திய, மாநில அரசு தடை செய் யப் பட் டுள்ள பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய்ய கூடாது. நோயா ளி களை பணி யா ளர் க ளாக நிய மிக்க கூடாது. உணவு பொருள் பரி மா று ப வர் கள், சமை ய லர் கள் கையுறை அணிய வேண் டும். சுத் தி க ரிக் கப் பட்ட குடி நீரை வழங்க வேண் டும். உணவு பாது காப்பு தரங் கள் சட் டம் 2006ன் படி கட் டா யம் பதிவு சான்று, உரி மம் பெற வேண் டும்.

பாது காப் பான தர மான உண வு க ளையே பொது மக் க ளுக்கு வினி யோ கம் செய்ய வேண் டும். நுகர் வோர் பிளாஸ் டிக் பைக ளில் காபி, டீ,ரசம், சாம் பார் ஆகி ய வற்றை வாங்க கூடாது. எண் ணெ யில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை செய்தி தாளில் வைத்து பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டாம். தர மற்ற உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வது தெரிந் தால் உட ன டி யாக உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரிக்கு தக வல் தெரி விக்க வேண் டும். இவ் வாறு அவர் பேசி னார்.

கூட் டத் தில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கோபி நாத், சேகர், சிவ மணி, கும ணன், நந் த கோ பால், கந் த சாமி, நாக ராஜ், ஓட் டல் உரி மை யா ளர் கள், பேக் கரி உரி மை யா ளர் கள், நகர வணி கர் கள், மருந்து விற் ப னை யா ளர் கள் உள் ளிட் டோர் கலந்து கொண் ட னர்.

காரைக்காலில் பரபரப்பு உணவில் கரப்பான் பூச்சி விடுதி மாணவர்கள் மறியல்

காரைக் கால், பிப். 27:

காரைக் கா லில் சாப் பாட் டில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி கிடந் த தால் விடுதி மாண வர் கள் சாலை மறி ய லில் ஈடு பட் ட னர்.

காரைக் கால் கோவில் பத் தில் புதுவை ஆதி திரா வி டர் நலத் துறை மாண வர் கள் விடுதி உள் ளது. இங்கு 86 மாண வர் கள் தங்கி படித்து வரு கின் ற னர். இவர் கள் தர மான உணவு, குடி நீர், கழி வறை உள் ளிட்ட அடிப் படை வச தி கள் வேண் டும் என வலி யு றுத்தி பல் வேறு போராட் டங் களை நடத்தி வரு கின் ற னர்.

இந் நி லை யில் நேற் று முன் தி னம் இரவு மாண வர் க ளுக்கு வழங் கிய உண வில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி கிடந் த தாக கூறப் ப டு கி றது. இத னால் ஆத் தி ர ம டைந்த மாண வா ் கள் சாப் பாட்டு பாத் தி ரத் து டன் பார தி யார் வீதி யில் சாலை ம றி ய லில் ஈடு பட் ட னர். அவர் க ளு டன் தாசில் தார் பொய் யா த மூர்த்தி, ஆதி திரா வி டர் நலத் துறை உதவி இயக் கு னர் கன க ராஜ் ஆகி யோர் பேச் சு வார்த்தை நடத் தி னர். இனி மேல் தர மான உணவு வழங் கு வ தாக அவர் கள் உறுதி கூறி யதை ஏற்று மாண வர் கள் மறி யலை கைவிட்டு கலைந்து சென் ற னர். இத னால் சிறிது நேரம் பர ப ரப்பு ஏற் பட் டது.

Cancer, kidney problems on the rise, courtesy plastic

Dos and Don’ts

• Carry your own glass—steel, or ceramic water bottle — filled with water
• Reduce consumption of canned food
• Use baby bottles with labels that say 'BPA free'
• Don't cook food in plastic containers or use roasting/steaming bags as plastic residues may leach into food when heated in a regular or microwave oven
• Use glass, porcelain, enamel-covered metal, or stainless steel pots, pans and containers for food and beverages whenever possible, especially if the food or drink is hot

Store food carefully

• Proper food storage is important for keeping it safe to eat. Eating food that has not been stored properly can make a person sick, particularly if that storage container is a plastic that contains dangerous chemicals. Food should be stored in plastic bag designed only for that purpose. However, storing food in any plastic can be harmful to human health. When food is stored in plastic bags, these chemicals can leach into the food and then be ingested.

Doctorspeak

• Whenever hot food or liquid is packed in a plastic bag, there is an exchange of toxic chemicals into the food. Those chemicals include styrene and bisphenol and may lead to cancer, heart diseases and other reproductive problems— Dr Deepak Gupta, a city-based gastroenterologist

Ludhiana, February 24 Several people are being diagnosed with kidney problems, throat ailments, infertility and cancer these days. Experts have attributed the rise in such cases largely due to people packing hot food in plastic bags. The plastic bags used for packing food are very dangerous as they contain polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. 

With authorities planning to put a ban on the use of polythene, experts have heaved a sigh of relief as it will solve some of the major health-related issues. 

Everyday several patients are seen visiting doctors because of developing problems after eating hot food packed in plastic bags. 

Plastic poses serious environmental pollution as well. 

“Whenever hot food or liquid is packed in a plastic bag there is an exchange of toxic chemicals into the food. Those chemicals include styrene and bisphenol and may lead to cancer, heart diseases and other reproductive problems,” said Dr Deepak Gupta, a city-based gastroenterologist. 

In the past two years, the number of patients suffering from kidney, throat cancer and infertility has increased, he said. 

Sous-vide cooking harmful too! 

Apart from carrying food in plastic bags, another trend that has led to these ailments includes sous-vide cooking method. In this the food is cooked in water in a sealed plastic bag but below boiling temperature.

“When plastic is boiled, chemicals used to produce it can leach into the food being prepared due to high temperature. Common chemicals in plastic include BPA and phthalates. Some plastic bags will leach toxic fumes from the ink, glue and recycled materials used in making them,” said another city-based medicine expert Dr Gurmeet Singh. 

Not only this, beware next time you consume tea, coffee or milk from tea vendors. Water in plastic containers is also unfit for human consumption because containers are usually exposed to direct sunlight when they are loaded onto trucks. A city-based cardiologist said at an average, a person already has around 2-3 gm plastic in his/her body. 

“People are actually consuming plastic through food. They continue to store, eat and sometimes cook food in plastic containers as they are unaware of the harmful effects of consuming food stored, cooked or carried in plastic containers or packets,” he said. 

Ban on plastic, thermocol items from April 1
Authorities to act tough 

Ludhiana: Plastic bags and items made from thermocol will be banned completely in Punjab from April 1, 2016. 

A notification regarding this was issued by the state government on February 18. It stresses on completely prohibiting manufacturing stock, distributing, recycling, selling or using plastic bags in the jurisdiction of all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in Punjab. 

For the implementation of the notification in true spirit, the state government has constituted teams under high-level officials, who will randomly conduct checks in the districts and those found guilty will be strictly punished as per the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags Control Act, 2005. 

 Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, MS Chatwal said plastic carry bags were non-biodegradable, which choked everything. 

 "In many states, including Himachal Pradesh, carry bags are totally banned and people have accepted it for the sake of their health, health of birds and animals. We will make sure that the ban on carry bags is not taken lightly," he said. 

As per the notification, no person shall manufacture any carry bag from virgin plastic of thickness not less than 30 microns and size not less than 8"x12" and of a colour, other than the specified colour. 

Under the "Swachh Bharat Mission", the dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it must be ensured that the ban on plastic carry bags is implemented in toto, stresses the state government in its notification. 

Traders, manufacturers seek alternative solution 

The Plastic Manufacturers and Traders' Association said banning carry bags was not a viable solution. "If we stop manufacturing and trading carry bags, what will the government do of packing material? From chips, pulses, dress material, electricity equipment and sanitary items among other things, everything is packed in plastic material. Will the government stop packaging material as well?" asked Pawanpreet Singh, an executive member of Plastic Manufacturers' and Traders' Association. 

He said there were about 6,000 small scale industries (plastic carry bags) in Punjab and over 10 lakh people were getting bread and butter from this industry. He said the dangerous carry bags were coming from the states of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The government needs to strengthen its waste management programme as the ban was not a solution, he added.

Food-safety norms flouted with impunity

Experts take

• When food is heated in plastic bags or wraps, chemicals from plastic wrap may seep into the food that turns potentially carcinogenic. It is best to avoid such food— Dr Kulwant Singh, IMA, Ludhiana president
• I was not aware of the issue. We will educate the restaurant and sweetmeat shop owners about it— Dr Abinash Kumar,District Health Officer

Eatables stored in plastic bags are hazardous to health.
Ludhiana, February 24 Throwing food safety norms to the wind, several sweetmeat shops and restaurants in the city are using plastic bags or wraps to warm up food items. These food items are served piping hot to ignorant customers who seldom question the sellers about the health hazards of eating food microwaved in plastic wraps. Instead of microwave-safe containers, sellers use whatever comes in handy – plastic containers, transparent plastic wraps or small bags. Their only concern is that the snacks they serve should be sufficiently warmed up to please the palates of customers. 

“I went to a sweetmeat shop in Aggar Nagar area to buy some snacks. I was shocked to see that they used small plastic bags to warm up gulab jamun in microwave. When I questioned the owner, he was evasive. The excuse was that their stock of microwave-safe containers was finished and they were yet to buy new ones,” said Sheilja, a homemaker. 

According to experts, when plastic bags or wraps are used for heating food in microwave, chemicals like BPA, phthalates can leach into the food. The World Health Organisation SEARO (South East Asian Regional Office), while cautioning about food safety, states that while warming up food in microwave, one should only use the cookware that is microwave-safe. Many plastics, that are not microwave-safe, can dissolve or leach chemicals into food. 

“When food is heated in plastic bags or wraps, chemicals from plastic wrap may seep into the food that turns potentially carcinogenic. It is best to avoid such food,” said Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ludhiana president, Dr Kulwant Singh. 

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Abinash Kumar said he was not aware of the issue. “You have brought it to our notice. We will educate the restaurant and sweetmeat shop owners about it,” he said.

FDA continues to perform despite severe staff crunch

NASHIK: The Nashik Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with its jurisdiction spread over Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon and Ahmednagar districts, is facing a severe staff crunch. The unit is currently working with 40% less staff.
While the FDA officials, under the condition of anonymity, said that they were not letting the shortage of manpower affect their work, they added that it was challenging to keep a tab on all the food and drugs related administration in the current situation.
The two posts of the joint director for FDA for the division are lying vacant for years together, whereas there is only one assistant director for the food department, for which two more posts are vacant. The post of administrative officer is also vacant. Of the eight posts of drug inspectors, only six are filled.
Officials said that of the 10 posts of food safety officer, five were lying vacant. There are a total of 44 posts approved for Nashik district, out of which, only 25 are filled and 10 are lying vacant.
The officers said that due to shortage of staff, it was difficult for them to conduct raids as they anticipated chances of attack on them.

Stale food seized from eateries

The health squad of the Kollam Corporation seized huge quantities of stale food from eateries in raids conducted on Thursday. Junior health inspector N.S. Shine said that food unfit for human consumption was found for sale at five restaurants and a club. The food was destroyed by the authorities.
Many employees of restaurants did not have the mandatory health card. Eateries employ migrant labourers who move to other jobs quickly. Thus, many restaurants employ new faces frequently, Mr. Shine said. Notices were served on the eateries from where stale food was seized and at places where employees did not have health cards. In the latter case, the restaurant owners were directed to rectify the shortcoming in a week. The health squad team, led by Health Inspector S. Faizal, comprised JCIs P.K. Babu and S. Mujeeb Khan.

FSSAI to hire ad agencies for an image makeover

May also rope in consultants to ramp up its social media presence
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the regulator that stirred a controversy after banning Nestle India's Maggi instant noodles, has decided to go in for an image makeover.
It plans to rope in advertising agencies to devise multimedia advertising campaigns and will hire consultants to ramp up its social media presence. FSSAI has requested expressions of interest on its website.
"FSSAI would require the services of multimedia creative agencies for jobs activities such as designing of print ads, creatives illustrations on various aspects of food safety for various events," the regulator said in a request for expressions of interest on its website.The budget for the proposed multimedia campaign is not known. The authority said payments will be made at rates offered by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity . The contract is for one year and can be extended to three years.
Agencies based in New Delhi with an annual turnover of at least Rs 50 lakh during the past three financial years and experience of working with a government bodies can apply for the deal by March 3. The regulator's Facebook page was last updated on November 15.
Following the controversy over the ban on Maggi noodles, which was later lifted, and the implementation of a product approval process through an advisory that had no legal standing, the FSSAI was criticised by the food industry and food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal for bringing back an "inspector raj".

$72mn Fine Slapped as J&J Products Tied to Ovarian Cancer

MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mahesh Zagade was at the centre of a nationwide debate on how foreign companies were being harassed in India, when he revoked the licence of a city plant of Johnson & Johnson in June 2013 after complaints that its product Baby Powder contained hazardous particles. Zagade, a senior IAS official, was on Wednesday relieved after a US jury ordered J&J to pay $72 million to the family of a woman who claimed her death was linked to the use of the Baby Powder she had used for decades.
A resident of Alabama, Jacqueline Fox, 62, had died of ovarian cancer in 2015. Her family had argued in court that the company knew of talc risks and failed to warn users. J&J denied the family’s claim. A company spokesperson told BBC: “We’ve no higher responsibility than the health and safety of consumers, and we are disappointed with the outcome of the trial. We sympathise with the plaintiff’s family, but firmly believe the safety of cosmetic talc is supported by decades of scientific evidence.”
“I am hearing about the court’s verdict from you. It shows my stand vindicated,” Zagade told Express from Pune where he is currently posted. In 2007, FDA officials discovered that J&J had used an unauthorised process for sterilising Baby Powder. The company had conducted the sterilisation process at another organisation in Thane which did not have the licence. The FDA probe revealed that the company had used ethylene oxide, a substance used to produce industrial chemicals and sterile medical equipment, to kill bacteria in Baby Powder and had not conducted mandatory tests to make sure there were no remaining traces in the powder.
According to rules, it is mandatory for a company to inform the FDA on what process they are going to adopt for sterilisation.
An FDA official said that J&J had not informed that they are going to sterilise the product using ethylene oxide, which can cause cancer. The FDA officials did not take any action in spite of the test results revealed the possible danger. The first action was taken by Zagade in 2011 when he assumed the charge of FDA Commissioner.
“He came to know about the complaint against J&J when he was taking a stock of the complaints his office had received inlast couple of years. By the time he took initiative the company had sold around 50-60,000 packs of Baby Powder,” the source said.
Zagade formed another enquiry team after the company refused to call back its sold product. The other inquiry also revealed that there were hazardous particles in the product. “He (Zagade) sent them a showcause notice after the enquiry report was out. Little he knew that he will be put under tremendous pressure from the higher authorities to go slow in this case. However, he got a go ahead from the government and the plant was closed down,” the source said.
The company had approached the Bombay High Court against the FDA action.
Case History

• First-ever penalty by a US jury on Johnson & Johnson
• Charged with failing for decades to warn consumers that its talc-based products could cause cancer
• Jurors awarded the family of Jacqueline Fox $10 mn in actual damages and
• $62 mn of punitive damages
• Fox used Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years before being diagnosed three years ago with ovarian cancer; died in October last
• In October 2013, a federal jury in South Dakota found another petitioner Deane Berg’s use of J&J body powder products was a factor in her developing ovarian cancer. It, however, awarded no damages

80% roadside eateries in Jharkhand outside food safety net

The Jharkhand Food Safety Directorate is still to recruit enough food inspectors to implement the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Beware! Over 80% small food vans, roadside restaurants, stalls, take-away counters and sweet shops in urban Jharkhand are running without a mandatory food safety registration, state food safety officials said on Wednesday.
Reason: The Jharkhand Food Safety Directorate is still to recruit enough food inspectors to implement the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. The state just has 24 food inspectors, one for each district of the state.
Officials said risk of consumption of sub-standard food, which causes food poisoning and serious stomach illnesses, increases during festivals with people eating outside on most days.
However, a senior directorate officials, requesting anonymity, said that to implement the FSSA at least 70 food inspectors were required.

FSSA makes it mandatory for a person or firm in the food trade to have a license or registration, which ensures food items being sold are safe and unadulterated. “More inspectors will be recruited but the need of the moment is an attitude change among people,” said director-inchief Jharkhand health services Praveen Chandra.
He said the biggest problem was small vendors with less than Rs 12 lakh turnover per annum. “I am surprised that despite the paltry registration fee they are not coming forward for the FSSA tag,” he said.
For businesses with less than Rs 12 lakh turnover, the registration fee is Rs 100, those with Rs 12 lakh to Rs 25 lakh turnover it was Rs 5,000 and for turnover above Rs 25 lakh it was Rs 7,500.
“Small vendors feel that coming under the FSSA will demand huge investments in ensuring safe and hygienic food. Majority of them cannot afford it. Hence they avoid the norms unlike bigger hotels and restaurant chains,”said a senior official of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI).
Officials said that if Ranchi was any indication, roughly 10% of 7000 odd businesses have applied under the FSSA, with coverage almost the same in Bokaro, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad.
“This fiscal we have received just 1759, which is tepid compared to huge number of eateries in the state,” said Chandra.
Since the FSSA was implemented in Jharkhand, around 3500 food business have registered for food safety, said officials.
Last year, officials slapped notices on more than a 100 food outlets for selling sub-standard and adulterated food during Durga Puja and Diwali as none had the FSSA license.

Food safety officials inspect bottled water, cold drinks

Chandigarh: As per the action plan prepared by Dr Rajinder K. Sharma, designated officer I/c Food Safety Administration, Chandigarh health department, a joint team of food safety officials Bharat Kanojia and Surinder Pal Singh on Thursday inspected carbonated drinking water (cold drink) and packaged drinking water consignments in Dariya, Makhan Majra and Industrial Area and samples of sweetened carbonated water and mineral water were taken for analysis and examination.

திருக்கோவிலூர் பகுதியில் புகையிலை பொருட்கள் அமோக விற்பனை

திருக் கோ வி லூர், பிப். 26:
இந் தியா முழு வ தும் புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தற்கு தடை விதிக் கப் பட் டுள் ளது.
திருக் கோ வி லூர் பகு தி யில் கடந்த ஆண்டு சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் அடிக் கடி சோதனை செய்து தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த தோடு, சம் பந் தப் பட்ட விற் ப னை யா ளர் கள் மீதும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுத்து வந் த னர்.
இந்த நிலை யில் கடந்த ஒரு வரு ட மாக அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய்வு திடீ ரென நிறுத் தப் பட் ட தால் புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் தற் போது தடை யின்றி விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு கி றது.
திருக் கோ வி லூர் பகு திக்கு மட் டும் அதி கா ரி கள் விலக்கு அளித் துள் ள னரா அல் லது உய ர தி கா ரி க ளின் அனு ம தி யோடு விற் பனை செய் கி றார் களா என்று பொது மக் கள் தரப் பில் கேள்வி எழுப்பி உள் ள னர்.
திருக் கோ வி லூர் பகு தி யில் அமோ க மாக விற் ப னை யா கும் புகை யிலை பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்து விற் பனை செய் ப வர் கள் மீது கடு மை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும் என்று சமூக ஆர் வ லர் கள் கோரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ள னர்.

FDA seizes snacks worth 75,000

Bicholim: Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials on Wednesday raided Bicholim and Panaji bus stands and seized misbranded snacks (farsan) and bakery products worth 75,000. The team found that Bicholim shops prepared snacks using substandard ingredients and non-permitted food colors.
Sangam Bakery and Royal Bakery in Bicholim have been asked to stop operations immediately as they were found to be operating without licences. tnnAlso they conducted their activities in unhygienic condition.
The raid was conducted by senior officials of FDA Raju Korde, Richard Noronha, Madhav kavlekar, Atul Desai, Amit Mandrekar and a staffer Pradeep Parsekar under the guidance of commissioner of food safety and director, FDA Salim A Veljee.

FSDA seizes 500 kg adulterated spices from a factory

AGRA: A large scale adulteration in edible oil and spices has been going on in the city. The team of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) on Thursday raided a factory in Trans Yamua area and seized 500 kg of adulterated spices. The team also collected five samples - two of turmeric and chilli powder, one additive, and two of inedible colours and sent them to a lab for study.
FSDA designated officer Ram Naresh Yadav said, "Following a tip off we conducted a raid and unearthed this massive criminal activity at the factory near Itimad-ud-daulah police station. We have initiated action against one Ravi Bansal for this activity. Our survey has revealed that this kind of adulteration in spices and mustard oil has been going on at a large scale in the district. From Friday we will start a drive against them and take punitive actions. We advise people to buy their products from good shops only."
Yadav informed that recently the results of two samples of mustard oil sent to the Lucknow laboratory were received which revealed that synthetic colour was being mixed in palm oil along with an essence and sold as the former. Palm oil is Rs 20-25 less than mustard oil. But what is most harmful is the use of synthetic colour (butter yellow), which is highly carcinogenic.
The senior official said now the case will be pursued against the culprits in the court of additional district judge.
Earlier this month, i n a major success against adulterated milk manufacturers, FSDA had got arrested an owner of a factory and destroyed 4000 litre of synthetic milk. They also found a set up comprising electric churner, a sack of titanium-dioxide powder, mainly used for manufacturing paints, and other equipment at the site.

Almost 100 school students land in hospital after eating midday meal in Palghar

Mumbai: Nearly 100 schoolchildren were hospitalised with suspected food poisoning Thursday after eating a free midday meal at a government-run school near Mumbai, officials said, adding that 13 were in a critical condition.
Most of the children at the rural primary school fell ill after the lunch of rice and pulses.
"Ninety-seven have been admitted to hospital, a few of them are critical," Shrikrishna Kokate, deputy police chief of Palghar district in the western state of Maharashtra, told AFP.
Hospital officials said 247 students were initially brought for treatment late afternoon after they complained of nausea and started vomiting.

"Thirteen are critical but out of danger. More than 140 were discharged after medical screening. The rest are undergoing treatment," Ashok Khandagle, a doctor attending the sick children told AFP.
He said the symptoms point towards food poisoning, adding samples have been sent for tests to a laboratory in Mumbai.
The ill students are aged between six and 14.
Police said they also have sent teams to the school to take samples of food — a mixture of rice and pulses — served to the children.
More than 250 students are enrolled at the Zilla Parishad primary school in Kasa village in Palghar, district about 120 kilometres (74 miles) from the financial capital Mumbai.
Most of the inhabitants of the village are rural tribespeople.
The government's midday meal programme is the world's largest, feeding 120 million children daily in more than a million schools, for many of whom it is their only substantial daily meal.
But the nearly US$ 2 billion scheme is hampered by corruption and inefficiency.
Last week the federal government said they will form fresh guidelines to improve food safety and hygiene to end a string of cases of poisoning.
Students often fall sick after eating contaminated and poorly prepared food, and in 2013 about two dozen children died in impoverished Bihar state after they ate a meal laced with pesticide.
The government scheme, which started nationally in 2001, is aimed at enticing particularly poor and vulnerable children to attend class instead of languishing at home hungry or helping their parents labour and combat chronic malnutrition.
The 2015 global hunger index (GHI) report ranked India at 20th spot, with a World Bank estimate saying it has the highest number of malnutrition among children, almost double that of sub saharan Africa.

Over 100 School Kids Hospitalised After Eating Mid-day Meal in Maharashtra

THANE: At least 104 students of a zila parishad-run primary school in neighbouring Palghar district were today admitted to hospital as they suffered health problems after consuming mid-day meal food, district officials said.
Over a 50 students of the school at Kasa Budruk village complained of health problems immediately after eating the packed food this afternoon.
"Nearly 280 students of the ZP school at Kasa Budruk in Palghar district were served the food under mid-day meal scheme this afternoon. After eating, over 50 students immediately complained of severe stomach ache, nausea, giddiness and other health problems," Vikramgadh tehsildar Suresh Sonawane said.
After being alerted about the situation, local police as well as the revenue and health department officials arrived at the school.
"As a precautionary measure, the authorities took all the 280 students to Kasa Rural Hospital for medical checkup. While 104 affected students were hospitalised, others were discharged after medical examination," district health officer S B Gaikwad said.
The packed mid-day meal was supplied by the ISKCON center located at Wada (in Palghar district), Sonawane said, adding, "The food samples have been collected for laboratory analysis."

Beer could feel FSSAI chill, soon

Regulator plans to bring alcoholic beverages on its radar by fixing standards
THE Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ( FSSAI) plans to bring alcoholic beverages also on its radar by fixing standards for drinks like beer, whisky, vodka, rum and wine. The regulator will come up with a draft notification on standards of alcoholic beverages in the next two months that manufacturers will have to meet.
" Standards for alcohol are also being considered after packaged food products like Maggi noodles and various milk samples were found to have contained hazardous materials. As there are additives and preservatives in alcoholic beverages like wine and beer, it becomes important to keep a check on them as well,"an FSSAI senior official said.
" FSSAI is in the process of preparing standards for alcoholic beverages and the best global practices in this regard are being referred to. The draft notification will be put out to seek comments from the public,"the official added. The entire gamut of alcoholic drinks, including lighter varieties such as Bacardi Breezer, will come under the proposed standards.
In terms of packaging, the FSSAI has already proposed that alcoholic beverages, pan masala and supari may not be treated as unsafe food for recall just because FSSAI is in the process preparing standards for alcoholic beverages they carry a mandatory warning on their covers. It is mentioned on packaging of pan masala, supari and alcoholic drinks that their consumption is injurious to health. The proposal has been made in the Safety and Standards ( Food Recall Procedure) Regulations, 2015.
In the case of alcoholic beverages, pan masala, supari, the mandatory mention of warning consumption of alcohol/ pan masala/ supari is injurious to health, may not be treated as unsafe food as part of any recall plan unless the beverage or food is determined unsafe as per the classification of recall making it injurious to health or even causing death, the proposal states. These norms were put up for public comments on May 29 and the last date has been set as August 1.

Govt sets up special Food Safety Tribunals for Jammu, Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 24:
The government has established Food Safety Appellate Tribunals (FSAT) for Kashmir and Jammu divisions to look at the cases related food safety matters.
The order was issued by the Commissioner/Secretary Health and Medical Education Department, M K Bhandari, who is also the Commissioner Food Safety in J&K.
As per the government order, the two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals have been established for Kashmir and Jammu divisions to hear appeals from the decisions of the Adjudicating Officers under section 68 of the Food Safety and Standard Act (FSSA) 2006.
The Additional Deputy Commissioners of every district have been designated as Adjudicating Officer as per the FSSA 2006.
Officials told Rising Kashmir that the decision was taken in wake of large number of pending cases related to unsafe, substandard and misbranded food products and items with the District Magistrates and in civil courts.
“The decision will fast-track the process of litigation in cases like substandard and misbranding of food items among others,” they said.
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the few places that would have this tribunal in place.
Appellate tribunals have already been set up in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chattisgarh apart from the union territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Chandigarh.
According to officials, a district or sessions judge (in-service or retired) has been put in charge of the tribunals that would function in both the divisions.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been in the process of constituting Appellate Tribunals in a number of states for the last couple of years.
“However, the responsibility of setting up the tribunals rested with the state governments while FSSAI would provide the required assistance to complete the process,” added officials.

Are your veggies really safe?

Highlights
• This virtuous vegetable is said to be one of the healthiest food items. It can lower your cholesterol and has cancer fighting features in it. But over eating it could prove harmful.
• Bright and vibrant spinach contains a lot of essential vitamins. But it also contains a chemical called as oxalic acid.

We have only known vegetables to possess amazing nutrional values. Ever wondered if your favourite vegetable might actually be harming you?
Broccoli
This virtuous vegetable is said to be one of the healthiest food items. It can lower your cholesterol and has cancer fighting features in it. But over eating it could prove harmful. It contains chemicals which could stop the production of thyroids and lead to a condition called as Hypothyroidism. Someone already suffering from this condition should stay away from all cruciferous vegetables.
Spinach
Bright and vibrant spinach contains a lot of essential vitamins. But it also contains a chemical called as oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is harmful because it could stop the absorption of calcium and iron in the body and contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Eating raw spinach in salads or any other way can be harmful.



Celery
This is another green vegetable which contains high nutritional value, but eating too much of celery might come with a cost ! This is because celery contains crude fibre, and consumption of too much crude fibre could lead to indigestion. People suffering from gastrointestinal diseases should avoid eating too much of it!

Bell Peppers
If you are eating organically grown bell peppers then you are safe. Bell peppers are capable of retaining pesticides and chemicals so checking the labels while purchasing them and buying only organically grown peppers is a wise option.

Peas
While Peas are rich in fibres and vitamins, they also have high calorie and carbohydrate content. Eating them in small portions would do no harm but excessive consumption could lead to bloating and even weight gain for those watching their diet!

In fact too much consumption of any vegetable could prove to be detrimental. Vegetables should be consumed in proper portions and like any other food item not be over consumed.

ADM stops unauthorized lucky draw contest

Thiruvananthapuram: The food safety department destroyed 15 boxes of ice candies during Attukal pongala on Tuesday. The boxes, each carrying around 75 ice sticks, were destroyed as a follow up to its drive against use of artificial sweeteners in ice candies.
The department had initiated a major drive against the sale of ice and cotton candies after noticing rampant use of artificial sweeteners like saccharine and carcinogenic dulcin. In a drive that started on February 12, the food safety department had closed down three ice manufacturing units that used artificial sweeteners and colours.
Food safety officer A Satish Kumar said that ice candies were brought from a manufacturing unit in Kottayam. "Apart from the sale of ice candies, no other food safety issues were reported during the festival," he said.
The department has successfully brought majority of food distribution units under them by making registration mandatory for all sellers.
ADM stops unauthorized lucky draw contest : The district administration's move to seal down an unauthorized lucky draw contest organized by the Killippalam Poura Samithi at Killippalam Junction made way for minor tension amidst the pious atmosphere of Attukal pongala. The Poura Samithi was conducting the contest for devotees, in which the latter stood chances of winning prizes, including household utensils. The first prize was a Yamaha Ray scooter. Each coupon was prized Rs 20.
When the matter was brought to the notice of district collector Biju Prabhakar, he deputed additional district magistrate T R Azad to inquire into the matter and take action. Azad and team reached the spot but the Samithi members refused to cooperate and they even tried to block him and other officials from carrying out their duty. Following this, more cops rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. The ADM seized all the coupons and stopped the contest. No police case was registered in this regard till Tuesday night.

Mars recalls Snickers, Milky Way, Celebrations and other chocolates in 55 countries after plastic found in bars

BERLIN: US chocolate maker Mars said on Tuesday it's recalling candy bars and other items in 55 countries in Europe and elsewhere after plastic was found in one of its products.
Roel Govers, spokesman for Mars in the Netherlands, told The Associated Press that the recall affects 55 countries but would not provide further details, saying the company would email a news release later.
Mars in Germany confirmed that it was one of the countries affected, and said in a statement that the recall affected products with "best before" dates from June 19, 2016 to January 8, 2017.
"We have intentionally chosen a long production time frame in order to ensure that all possibly affected products are recalled," the company said in a German-language statement, adding that it was in "close contact" with food safety authorities.
It also did not specify which other countries were affected, and Mars in Germany did not respond to calls or emails. The German news agency dpa cited a Mars Germany spokesman saying the voluntary recall affects products made early this year in the Netherlands.
The Dutch food safety authority posted what it said was a Mars press release on its website, saying a piece of plastic had been found in a product that could lead to choking. It listed affected products as: Mars, Milky Way, Snickers, Celebrations, and Mini Mix.
Mars, Inc. is privately held and based in McLean, Virginia. It also owns the world's largest chewing gum maker, Wm Wrigley Jr Company.
The Mars family owns the secretive company, making it one of the wealthiest families in the US, according to business research company Hoover's.

US FDA hopes for productive conversations on food safety law

The US Food and Drug Administration officials are visiting India to discuss the new law on food safety with the Indian government and industry stakeholders.
The US food and drug regulator is conducting a series of trips abroad including India to update government and industry stakeholders on the bipartisan and landmark FDA Food Safety Modernisation Act, (FSMA), its most sweeping reform to food safety system in 70 years.
"India is of particular importance to the FDA because it is the seventh largest supplier of food to the US. FDA values its partnership with India as US - India continue to advance their ability to prevent food-borne illnesses and enhance the safety of the food supply in both countries," FDA Deputy Commissioner Howard Sklamberg told reporters here.
"We have come here to speak with Indian government regulators and industry stakeholders about the FSMA. This follows a visit eleven months ago, when we signed a MoU with the Centre in order to develop opportunities for cooperative engagement in regulatory and technical matters related to food products, Sklamberg said.
India exports USD 4 billion worth agri, spices and sea food exports to US every year.
"Our office (in India)(is) engaged in technical workshops with Indian regulators, where we engaged in training on food and drug related issues and inspections techniques, good manufacturing practises and the detection of data integrity issues," he added.
FNMA mandates a food safety system that is preventive rather than reactive, and in which foreign food producers are held to the same safety standards as our domestic farmers and food companies.
FSMA is our food safety system in 70 years and we are committed to working with our international partners, as well as consumers and industry, to implement the law in a timely and efficient manner, he added.
Under FSMA's new import safety system, importers in the US are made accountable to US FDA for verifying that their foreign suppliers are using methods to prevent food safety problems that provide the same level of public health protection as those used by their US counterparts.
Under FSMA, this new accountability for importers will be backed up by more overseas inspections by FDA and crucial for the purposes of this trip to India, more active partnership with our foreign government counterparts and with industry stakeholders, he said.

More inspections in store for food exporters to the US PT Jyothi Datta

Mumbai, February 24:
More inspections are in store for food exporters to America, as new final rules under the food safety law there look to hold foreign suppliers to the same level of scrutiny as their US counterparts.
“The Food Safety Modernisation Act is our nation’s most sweeping reform of our food safety system in 70 years,” said Howard Sklamberg, Deputy Commissioner for global regulatory operations with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Focussed on being preventive than reactive, the Act will hold US importers accountable to the FDA “for verifying that their foreign suppliers are using methods to prevent food safety problems” and adhering to the same public health standards, he said at a select media interaction.
This new accountability on importers will be backed up by more overseas inspections.
“We do site inspections now and we will continue to do them. And probably the numbers will increase as imports increase,” Sklamberg told BusinessLine. The USFDA conducts about 100 inspections a year on food facilities in India.
The FDA has an India office. But most India inspections are largely done by FDA personnel from the US, he said, adding, “FDA is staffed to meet its obligations.”
The law places obligations on food producers — whether it’s a farmer, an owner of a food manufacturing plant or someone in the supply chain that exports to the US — to make sure that they follow the right procedures. Inspections will be supplemented by the foreign suppliers verification programme. Foreign suppliers will have to be qualified by spring 2017, so sometime this year Indian food exporters will start having conversations with their US customers, another USFDA official explained.
A suggestion doing the rounds among Indian authorities is that local regulators like the Food Authority be allowed to certify exporters to the US. However, a USFDA official clarified that there were ways for government entities to become auditors and certify.
But they would have to ensure that the practices in the exporting facility met the FSMA requirement. And presently no such certification exists, another official added.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINATHANTHI NEWS

மக்களுக்கு பாதுகாப்பான உணவு வழங்குவதே வியாபாரிகளின் முக்கியக் கடமை:ஆட்சியர்

மக்களுக்கு பாதுகாப்பானதும், தரமானதுமான உணவுப் பொருள்களை வழங்குவதே வியாபாரிகளின் முக்கியக் கடமை என ராமநாதபுரம் மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் எஸ்.நடராஜன் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை பேசினார்.
ராமநாதபுரத்தில் உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாகத் துறையின் சார்பில் பாதுகாப்பான உணவு, தயாரிப்பு, விற்பனை, நுகர்வு ஆகியன குறித்த ஒரு நாள் கருத்தரங்கம் மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலக கூட்ட அரங்கில் நடைபெற்றது. உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் மருத்துவர் எம்.ஜெகதீஷ்சந்திர போஸ் வரவேற்றார். பால், தேயிலை, பழங்கள் இவற்றில் எவ்வாறு கலப்படம் செய்யப்படுகிறது என்ற கண்காட்சியை ஆட்சியர் பார்வையிட்டார்.
பின்னர் அவர் கருத்தரங்கை தொடங்கி வைத்துப் பேசியதாவது: உணவு வணிகத்தில் ஈடுபடும் உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் கலப்படமில்லாத உணவுப் பொருள்களை வழங்குவதே முக்கியக் கடமையாகும். வியாபாரிகளிடையே பாதுகாப்பான உணவுப் பொருள்கள் குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்தி, தரமான உணவை மக்களுக்கு வழங்கிட முன் வர வேண்டும். நுகர்வோரால் வாங்கப்படும் பொருள்கள் எவ்வித சுகாதாரக் கேடும் இல்லாமல் பாதுகாப்பான முறையில் வழங்கப்படுகிறது என்பதை உறுதி செய்வதற்காகவே இது தொடர்பான சட்டங்கள் இயற்றப்பட்டுள்ளன என்றார்.
கருத்தரங்கில், வர்த்தக சங்க மாவட்டத் தலைவர் பா.ஜெகதீசன், குப்தா கோவிந்தராஜன், ஜபருல்லாகான், ஞா.காசி, நுகர்வோர் சங்கத் தலைவர் கே.ஜே.மாதவன், தன்னார்வ ரத்ததான ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் வேணு.சதீஷ்குமார் ஆகியோர் உள்பட வியாபாரிகள், உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் பலரும் கலந்து கொண்டனர். நிகழ்ச்சியில், உணவுப் பொருளில் எவ்வாறு கலப்படம் செய்யப்படுகிறது என்ற குறும்படமும் திரையிட்டுக் காட்டப்பட்டது.

Enhancing awareness of food safety

FOR BETTER HEALTH:Collector S. Natarajan at the Food Safety Workshop organised at Ramanathapuram Collectorate on Tuesday. District Designated Officer M. Jagadish Chandra Bose is seen.
Officials demonstrate how food items are adulterated
The district wing of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department organised a training-cum-workshop to enhance awareness of food safety from manufacturing to distribution to storage to consumer points among stakeholders.
Inaugurating the one-day programme held at the Collectorate here on Tuesday, Collector S. Natarajan said that the event aimed at sensitising food manufacturers, distributors and stockists to the need for providing safe, unadulterated and quality food to the consumers.
He said that after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 came into force in August 2011 throughout the country, repealing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the State government set up Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and implemented the new Act, making it mandatory for the food business operators to obtain licence.
To ensure food safety and standards of food items, food laboratories had been set up across the State, he said, and appealed to the manufacturers, hoteliers and traders to ensure that the consumers got safe and quality food items.
M. Jagadish Chandra Bose, District Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, in his address, detailed the provisions of the Act and dwelt upon the duties and responsibilities of the food business operators to provide safe and quality food items and prevent spread of food-borne diseases.
He exhorted the food business operators to adopt good manufacturing practices and advised the representatives of trade bodies and chambers of commerce to play the role of watchdog in the larger interest of consumers.
The workshop was an eye-opener to the consumers as the officials demonstrated how various food items such as pepper, ‘vadagam’, candies and cakes were subjected to colouring and adulteration. “I have decided to avoid drinking tea after seeing the demonstration of how tea dust was coloured and adulterated,” S. Ramesh, a consumer, said.
A cross section of the consumers who attended the workshop said that it was unbelievable that even fruits such as watermelon and pomegranates were coloured with artificial substances, adopting injection method.

SHRC demands report on adulterated packaged food

Kochi: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has demanded reports from the secretaries of local self-government and health departments as well as the food safety commissioner on issuing licences to adulterated food products. KSHRC chairperson Justice J B Koshy has asked them to submit an explanation before March 10.
The commission sought the report at its sitting in Kochi on Monday on corporation councillor Thampi Subramanian's complaint that adulterated food products were being sold as branded ones in the open market.
In his petition to the commission, he also demanded that licences be granted only to food products inspected by food safety officials. The commission will hear the case at its sitting on March 23.
Recently, the commission had sought a report from the civil supplies commissioner regarding canteens charging excessive rates for food items in cinema theatres.
Meanwhile, food safety commissioner T V Anupama said, "We give licences to traders based on infrastructure facilities such as buildings and details of food items they sell. We can't take measures against them for excess rates charged in cinema canteens as the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) does not clearly specify it."
At the sitting, another petitioner wanted private bus owners to revise the rates like Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which reduced the minimum ordinary fare from Rs 7 to Rs 6. The commission decided to issue notices to the secretary of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and private bus owners regarding the demand.
The commission also heard a petition to prevent toll collection on bridges that have completed the toll period as per contract. According to the petitioner, the toll period of SN Kavala, Kochi Refinery and Chithrapuzha bridges in Tripunithura have been completed. But the government is collecting toll from vehicles taking these bridges.
KSHRC also decided to issue notices to the district collector, principal secretaries of the Public Works Department (PWD) and finance department as well as the division executive engineer regarding the levy of toll on bridges that have completed the term.
The commission also heard a complaint alleging police officials were not given weekly offs as per the law, and decided to send a notice to the home ministry.
A total of 51 cases, including 15 new ones, were heard at the sitting.

FSSAI raids: Kochi tea traders clarify over quality

Kochi, February 23:
Tea Trade Association of Cochin has clarified that the valuation of teas in the auction centre was done by industry experts and the trade was regulated by the Tea Board of India.
The quality aspects of teas offered at the auctions are well assured and the export quantities for the previous period will substantiate the value offered through auctions.
The Association’s clarification comes in the wake of the recent raids carried out by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on adulterated tea dealers in the State and confiscating several adulterated quantities.
According to JK Thomas, the association Chairman, the teas auctioned through the centre were confirmed by the sellers and in accordance prescribed under FSSAI and by the Tea Board-approved brokers before offering it in the auctions.
The Association urged the public to abstain from approaching tea dealers who are offering teas at comparatively very low price, which is practically not possible for any estate to produce under the current circumstances. It also requested traders, retailers and consumers to demand a bill with the suppliers’ VAT and FSSAI license number while purchasing the commodity, considering the rise in adulterated products from neighbouring States.

Food safety officials conduct raids in city

Food Safety Department officials conducted raids in the city on the second day on Tuesday. They inspected hotels and edible oil shops and godowns at different places.
The teams, comprising food safety officers from Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts, raided a hotel at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS). They collected samples of the ingredients and some food items being sold in the hotel.
Later, they raided a few edible oil shops and warehouses and collected samples of different brands. They found that some oils were of substandard quality and said the samples would be sent to laboratory for examination.
“We found that the material used by the hotel was substandard and the food items sold in the eatery was poor in quality. The raids will continue,” said the food safety officers.

காலாவதி பொருட்கள் விற்பனையை தடுக்கக்கோரி கலெக்டரிடம் மனு

கோவை, பிப். 23:
கோவை மாவட்ட கலெக் டர் அலு வ ல கத் தில் மக் கள் குறை தீர்க் கும் முகாம், மாவட்ட வரு வாய் அலு வ லர் கிறிஸ் து ராஜ் தலை மை யில் நேற்று நடந் தது.
அப் போது, வழக் க றி ஞர் புஸ் பா னந் தம் அளித்த மனு வில்,‘கோவை யில் தடா கம் ரோடு கோவில் மேடு, சிவாஜி காலனி, இடை யர் பா ளை யம், வேலாண் டி பா ளை யம் ஆகிய பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள பல டீக் கடை, மளிகை கடை, பெட் டிக் கடை மற் றும் பேக் க ரி க ளில் காலா வ தி யான மற் றும் கெட் டுப் போன திண் பண் டங் கள் பாக் கெட் டில் அடைத்து விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன.
இந்த பாக் கெட் க ளில் தயா ரிப்பு தேதி, காலா வதி தேதி, தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வ னம் உள் ளிட்ட எந்த தக வ லும் இல்லை.
இந்த பொருட் களை வாங்கி உண் ணும் பொது மக் கள் பல் வேறு உடல் ந லக் கோ ளா றுக்கு ஆட் பட்டு வரு கின் ற னர். இது கு றித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி காரி கதி ர வ னி டம் புகார் அளித் தும் எந்த நட வ டிக்கை இல்லை. அத னால் இந்த பகு தி க ளில் மாவட்ட அதி கா ரி கள் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண்டு, காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் ப வர் கள் மீது நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும்’ என கூறப் பட் டுள் ளது.

ஓட்டல்களில் மாமூல் கேட்டு மிரட்டுவோர் மீது நடவடிக்கை

பெரம் ப லூர், பிப். 23:
ஓட் டல் க ளில் மாமூல் கேட்டு மிரட் டு வோர் மீது நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் க வேண் டும் என ஓட் டல் உரி மை யா ளர் கள் சங் கம் சார் பில் கலெக் ட ரி டம் புகார் மனு அளிக் கப் பட் டது.
பெரம் ப லூர் மாவட்ட ஓட் டல் கள் உரி மை யா ளர் கள் சங் கத் தின் சார் பாக அச் சங் கத் தின் தலை வர் ரவி, செய லா ளர் முத் துக் கு மார், பொரு ளா ளர் மற் றும் நிர் வா கி கள் உள் ளிட் டோர் கலெக் டர் நந் த கு மா ரி டம் நேற்று அளித் துள்ள புகார் மனு வில் தெரி வித் தி ருப் ப தா வது: பெரம் ப லூர் மாவட் டத் தில் நாங் கள் பல் வேறு இடங் க ளில், பல் வேறு பெயர் க ளில் ஓட் டல் கள் நடத்தி வரு கி றோம். இது வரை எந் த வி த மான குறை பா டு க ளின்றி நல் ல மு றை யில் மக் க ளுக் குத் தர மான உண வு களை வழங்கி வரு கி றோம். இருந் தும் சில நபர் கள் கடை க ளுக்கு வந்து, மாதந் தோ றும் எங் க ளுக்கு மாமூல் பணம் தர வேண் டும் என் றும், தரா விட் டால், உண வுப் பொரு ளின் தரம் பற்றி உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல ரி டம் புகார் செய்து, உண வ கத் தின் பெயரை கெடுக் கும் வகை யில், வியா பா ரம் பாதிக் கும் படி செய் து வி டு வோம் என்று அடிக் கடி மிரட்டி வரு கின் ற னர்.
எனவே, ஓட் டல் களை மிரட்டி வரும் நபர் க ளைக் கண் ட றிந்து, அவர் கள் மீது தகுந்த நட வ டிக்கை எடுத்து, எங் க ளுக் கும், எங் கள் பணி யா ளர் க ளுக் கும் தகுந் தப் பாது காப்பு வழங் கும் படி கேட் டுக் கொள் கி றோம். இவ் வாறு அவர் கள் அதில் தெரி வித் துள் ள னர்.

FSSAI to engage professionals for purpose of policy guidelines and awareness

Apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to engage professionals and food safety experts for the purpose of policy guidelines with regards to the subject of food safety. The professionals would be attached to different programme divisions of FSSAI and regional offices for help in strategic and operational requirements.
According to a senior official of FSSAI, a notice has been issued by the food regulator and the purpose of such a scheme is to identify and empanel reputed professionals and individual consultants who may be asked to provide technical, project management and other professional support on short-term basis (upto six months) for the purpose of policy guidelines, project support, detailed project report preparation and other professional support to FSSAI.
The official informed that it was aimed at getting reliable information about technical subjects like standards for the purpose of food safety that can meet the global standards as well as the operational requirement at the local level. Further for this purpose, professionals with relevant background from academic research, not for profit organisation, registered society, freelancers, consultancy firms having expertise in the relevant field are eligible to apply provided they possess the minimum experience, according to the notice.
Meanwhile, the food safety regulator has also decided to engage Central or state government agencies, consumers’ organisations, non-governmental organisations and other institutions including government universities, colleges working in the area of food safety for undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) activities on behalf of FSSAI.
The apex food regulator has issued a notice in this regard as well recently. It says that as per the recommendations of the Expert Committee constituted under the scheme, it is being done and for the “State Level Proposal,” applications should be submitted directly to the State Food Safety Commissioners (FSCs) concerned by the applicant whereas the “National Level Proposal” should be submitted to the FSSAI HQ, New Delhi.
According to the senior official, since the state food safety machinery is reeling under the shortage of manpower, it has been decided that awareness programmes that are aimed at engaging FBOs and such other institutions should help. Further as the deadline for licensing and registration has been extended for the final time for three months, the authority wants to complete the aim within this period and for this purpose a large number of such volunteers are likely to be roped into spread the message.

KUMUDAM ARTICLE

KUNGUMAM ARTICLE

KUMUDAM SINEKITHI ARTICLE

மாநி லங் க ளு டன் இணைந்து விழிப் பு ணர்வு உணவு பாது காப்பு செயல் ப டுத்த தர நிர் ணய ஆைண யம் தீவி ரம்

புது டெல்லி, பிப்.23:
மத் திய, மாநில அர சு கள், கல் லூ ரி கள் போன் ற வற் று டன் இணைந்து உணவு பாது காப்பு விழிப் பு ணர்வை ஏற் ப டுத்த இந் திய உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் தர நிர் ணய ஆணை யம் திட் ட மிட் டுள் ளது.
உணவு பொருட் க ளில் சுவை மற் றும் நிறத் துக் காக செயற் கை யாக பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் ரசா யன பொருட் கள் உடல் நலத் துக்கு கேடு விளை விக் கின் றன. இது போல், துரித உண வு கள், பாக் கெட் உண வு க ளில் அள வுக்கு அதி க மாக சேர்க் கப் ப டும் பொருட் க ளும் உடல் நல பாதிப் புக்கு வழி வகுக் கின் றன. எனவே, உணவு பாது காப்பு தர விதி களை இந் திய உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் தர நிர் ணய ஆணை யம் (எப் எஸ் எஸ் ஏஐ) வகுத்து வரு கி றது.
இந் நி லை யில், உணவு பொருட் கள் குறித்து விழிப் பு ணர்வை ஏற் ப டுத்த மத் திய, மாநில அர சு க ளு டன் இணைந்து செயல் ப ட வும் இந்த அமைப்பு திட் ட மிட் டுள் ளது. இது கு றித்து எப் எஸ் எஸ் ஏஐ மூத்த அதி காரி ஒரு வர் கூறி ய தா வது:
உணவு பாது காப்பு பற் றிய விழிப் பு ணர்வு நம் நாட் டில் மிக வும் குறை வாக உள் ளது. எனவே, நுகர் வோ ருக்கு இது பற்றி கற் றுத் தர வேண் டிய அவ சி யம் ஏற் பட் டுள் ளது. இதற் காக பல் வேறு அமைப் பு க ளு டன் இணைந்து செயல் பட உள் ளோம்.
அதா வது, மத் திய, மாநில அர சு கள், பல் க லைக் க ழ கங் கள், கல் லூ ரி கள், தன் னார்வ தொண்டு நிறு வ னங் கள் ஆகி ய வற் று டன் சேர்ந்து செயல் ப டுத் தி னால் விழிப் பு ணர்வை அதி க ரிக்க முடி யும். அதோடு உணவு பாது காப்பு தொடர் பான சட் டங் களை செயல் ப டுத் த வும், ஆய்வு உள் ளிட்ட பணி க ளுக் காக ஆட் கள் பற் றாக் குறை, திறன் குறை பா டு களை போக்க முன் வ ரு மாறு மாநில உணவு கட் டுப் பாட்டு அமைப் பு களை கேட் டுக் கொண் டுள் ளோம்.
இந்த புதிய திட் டத் தின் படி மாநில அமைப் பு கள் எப் எஸ் எஸ் ஏஐ சார் பாக பிர சா ரங் க ளில் ஈடு ப டும். அதோடு, அந் தந்த மாநி லங் க ளும் உணவு பாது காப்பு தொடர் பான தங் கள் கருத் து ருக் களை அனுப் ப லாம். இது நாடு முழு மைக் கும் பயன் ப டுத் த வும் உத வி க ர மாக இருக் கும்.
இவ் வாறு அவர் தெரி வித் தார்.

FSDA collects 30kg supplement from 2 stores

Meerut: Nearly twenty days after a Special Task Force (STF) along with officials from the Food Safety & Drugs Administration (FSDA) raided a factory and sealed two shops allegedly selling adulterated items being passed off as dietary protein supplements in containers with labels of renowned companies, the FSDA team collected six samples, including 30 kg food supplement, from two shops.
The two shops are owned by Jahid and Shadaab. The raid was conducted in presence of the city magistrate.
The samples have been sent to a Lucknow-based laboratory and the results are likely to be out in a month's time.
Giving information, JP Singh, chief food safety officer, said, "On February 2, we had sealed Apollo Medical Store and Hindustan Sports Nutrition Store located in Khairnagar area during a raid that was carried out against fake food supplements. Today, we collected three samples from each of the sealed shops."
While the three samples taken from Apollo Medical Store include 17 kg of Kwik Size XXX, 13 kg of Serious Mass Weigh Gain Supplement and Carbo 8000 food supplement, the three samples from Hindustan Sports Nutrition Store are of Glucogen Ace, Nitro Mass powder and all in one Mega Amino Mass.

NABL accreditation to give more teeth to Lucknow's food testing lab

LUCKNOW: After proving its mettle in detecting heavy metals (such as Lead), trace metals, insecticides and pesticides in food items through Trace Metal Analysers, the Aliganj-based food laboratory has got NABL accreditation. The NABL accreditation would not only enhance the authenticity of the food test reports of these labs, but would also help the officials, as the test reports would be considered valid in any court of law.
Confirming the development, officer in-charge of the food testing laboratory SK Pant told TOI, "We got accreditation on January 29, and we are the first (FSDA/FDA) laboratory in entire north India to get the coveted NABL accreditation." He further stated that the reports of the NABL accredited laboratories are globally accepted and also in any court of law.
NABL stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. "It is a body, which is under the Union ministry of Science and Technology, and the accreditation is subjected to surprise inspection by concerned officials in a span of every 10-11 months," Pant said and added that if the standard is not maintained or adhered to, then the accreditation can be suspended or even withdrawn.
The Lucknow laboratory has got accreditation in two categories - milk and dairy products and cereals. The other categories in which NABL accreditation has been sought are: sweets, oil, spices and miscellaneous. Officials also admitted that earlier labs of the state were not NABL-accredited, hence the reports were challenged by the manufacturers of various food items. The in-charge officer of the food laboratory also acknowledged the help he got from principal secretary Hemant Rao and FSDA commissioner BK Singh for expediting the entire process in getting the coveted accreditation. Officials also maintain that as per the provisions of the Food Safety Act, all the food testing laboratories should be NABL-accredited.

Market checking intensified

1 lakh fine realized from offenders

On the directions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a market checking squad on Monday conducted checking at various markets in Srinagar.
The joint checking squad, comprising officials of SMC, CA&PD and Legal Metrology, was headed by Sub Divisional Magistrate Srinagar Syed Haneef Balkhi. The squad inspected various markets of Srinagar including Hari Singh High Street, Karanagar, Soura, SMHS, Rainawari, Hazratbal, Nowhatta, Nowshera and other adjoining areas.
During the inspection, the squad inspected different Food establishments where 10 quintals of fruit and milk, large quantity of expired juice, 30 quintals of rotten vegetables were destroyed besides food-colours and dirty utensils were also destroyed on spot and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh was realised from the defaulters.
“The Market Checking Squads also sealed one Restaurant namely (Naya Darbar Hotel) at Karanagar which was found in unhygienic condition and was adding harmful colors in food items,” official communiqué said.
During the drive, the vendors, hoteliers and bakery shop owners were directed to display rate lists issued by the competent authority and in case any ingredient is essential to be added in food items, certificate from competent authority, Department as per the standards laid down in food safety Act for adding the same shall be displayed.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner constituted four teams in four zones of the district which were led by respective Tehsildars and instruction have been passed for mobilization of additional teams for market checking to ensure quality of essential commodities and price control.