Raids show K’taka units processing ginger with sulphur, calcium hypochlorite

Ginger, an aromatic spice with wide-ranging culinary use, is reportedly being processed using chemicals like calcium hypochlorite and sulphur in some parts of the country.
Raids conducted recently on ginger processing units in Ayanur and Ripponpet areas of Shimoga district of Karnataka were found using chemicals in order to give the spice a yellowish tint and erase the dark spots on it. This is done to make the ginger rootstock attractive and command good prices.
With regard to the raids, C R Srinivasa Gowda, joint director, State Public Health Institute, Bangalore, explained, “We had received consumer complaints earlier. Some of our officers were suspecting bleaching agents being used in ginger processing units. Later, our district food safety officers (designated officers) went on to inspect ginger processing units in Ayanur and Ripponpet in Shimoga district. The whole vegetable, ginger was whitened using bleaching agents like calcium hypochlorite and sulphur.”
Gowda added, “We have seized sulphur and bleaching agents from the units. Our designated officers are on a search of processing units to ensure safe processing of ginger.” The quantity of seized sulphur was 100 kg.
He pointed out, “Three samples of the processed ginger from the processing units are sent to Bengaluru-based laboratory for tests. The results are expected to arrive in a month.”
Further, Gowda stated, “If the results are positive and usage of aforementioned chemicals in ginger processing is proved then an all-state inspection regime will be conducted to wipe out the usage of chemicals to attain appealing colour to the processed ginger.”
The designated officers have been asked to conduct regular checks at the units to unearth such malpractices since ginger cultivation doubled in the area in the past seven years.
It may be noted that many consumers in Shimoga district are facing issues regarding breathing and some have reportedly developed allergies. The usage of sulphur in processing is said to have contaminated the nearby water bodies making the situation worse. Following this, people in the vicinity lodged a complaint with the department of health and family welfare. Based on the complaint, designated officers conducted raids.
A source close to department of health and family welfare, stated, “One of the possible reasons for using chemicals is discoloured ginger in the market fetches low prices. Harmful chemicals like calcium hypochlorite are used in the processing to cease discolouring, ripening and rotting of ginger.”

Rajkot civic body collects samples of Patanjali ghee, noodles, biscuits

The food department of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has collected samples of some Patanjali products and sent them to laboratory for testing.
“We have collected random samples from the market in the RMC area. Samples of Patanjali's products like ghee, atta noodles and biscuits were collected on December 29, 2015, and those of chilli powder, son papdi and besan on December 30, 2015. These samples were sent to the Food and Drugs Laboratory, Nizampura, Vadodara,” informed A N Panchal, food safety officer, food department, Rajkot Municipal Corporation.
“The inspection results should arrive in 40 days as per the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act in practice. As and when the inspections will occur, the products will be sent to the Vadodara lab in this winter season,” stated Panchal, explaining the winter inspection drive.
The food department will be on an inspection regime of ghee and edible oils in the coming days.
“We have taken similar product samples of noodles, ghee, edible oils and sweets under our regular inspection regime,” informed Panchal.
“We conduct such inspection regimes every year. Last year, Patanjali samples met the standards,” added Panchal.
Panchal pointed out that some local sweet manufacturers will also be raided soon.

Hindustan Coca-Cola among food companies fined for selling sub standard items

Srinagar: Tightening noose on food companies selling sub standard and misbranded item, the Food Safety officials in Baramulla have imposed heavy fine on Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and Divine Crops and allied products.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Baramulla told a local news gathering agency, KNS, that under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, a total fine of Rs 990000 was imposed on M/S Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd industrial estates Gangyal, Jammu, M/S Divine Crops and allied products Pvt Ltd and other companies for selling sub standard and misbranded items to people.
“The food operators were fined as they were involved in the sale, distribution and manufacturing of sub-standard and misbranded products in their stores, which is the violation of section 26 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006,” Iqbal said.
He said, “21 complaints were registered under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 by the Food Safety administration district Baramulla and Drug and Food control organization Jammu and Kashmir.”
The officer has warned the Food Business operators of strict action for violating food safety laws.

Easier norms for import of food items soon

NEW DELHI: The new year heralds good news for food lovers. For faster clearance of imported food products, including supplements and nutraceuticals, the government has decided to waive off sampling from consignments of general food products at ports, airports and other points of entry. Instead, only risk-based sampling will be done to ascertain compliance.
The move is in line with international standards aimed at easing trade between countries by awarding speedier clearances to products that do not involve serious health concerns, while focusing on specific items which are identified on the basis of "pre-defined risk parameters", as specified by food and drug regulatory agencies. The customs department could then introduce these parameters into its own system to draw random samples at ports, while immediately clearing those that do not raise an alarm.
"...after detailed consultations, it has been decided that amongst others, it is possible to reduce the time taken for clearance of imported consignments by adopting a risk-based criteria for clearance of such consignments in place of samples being drawn from each consignment," said a recent order of the health ministry.
However, the order will come into effect from March 1 as the customs department will put in place a specific software to identify products with potential risk.
According to a senior official in the ministry, products which are imported regularly by importers of established reputation with a credible record are likely to get faster clearances under the new system.
The move is in line with the government's resolve to launch single-window clearance for all imports by March. The customs department has already started clearing textiles from countries like the US and EU, with prohibited use of harmful azo dyes, without testing at ports. It is planning risk based testing for imports from nations that are known to use azo dyes.
The health ministry's rule will be applicable for both export and import of food products and drugs that require clearance from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and Drugs Controller General of India.
Food importers and pharmaceutical companies, particularly those selling supplements and nutraceuticals, have been pushing for faster clearances for a long time. Premium chocolates, dairy products such as cheese and various fruits and dry fruits were often held back at ports by customs for days for sampling and checking. Companies allege that such delays in clearances lead to huge loses as shelf life of the products get exhausted and sometimes they are even spoiled.
The latest move also assumes significance because consumption of imported premium products including chocolates and gourmet based products is increasing tremendously.

Mysuru scientists develop anti-obesity oil

In what is described as a major innovation, CFTRI has developed an anti-obesity edible oil (diacylglycerol oil).
CFTRI has claimed that it was a healthy vegetable oil prepared from sunflower oil.
In addition to maintaining healthy bodyweight, the oil provides energy and does not store as fat, according to the institute. CFTRI Director Ram Rajashekaran claimed that it was “one of its kind in the world” as a similar product developed in the past by a foreign country had to be withdrawn over the issue of “food safety”.