Sep 8, 2016
Poisonous Prasad
Recent incidents of food-poisoning during the Lord Ganesha celebrations at Thane and Borivali have raised pertinent questions as regards to food safety. The new FDA advisory guidelines to Ganesh Mandals as regards ‘prasad’ preparations is being seen as an apt move
The arrival of the elephant-headed God brings in joy and jubilation. And in some unfortunate cases, it also spells food-poisoning, recent incidents of which have been allegedly found at Thane and Borivali. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) reportedly raided Room No. 3 of the Namdev Chawl, located at Borivali East and seized nearly 6000 kgs. of spurious “mava” worth a whopping Rs 9.11 lakh, brought in from the neighbouring Gujarat for supplying to sweet shops in the city.
The seized ‘mava’ did not meet the norms stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the Gujarat supplier did not have any license for the preparation and sale of ‘mava’ said an FDA official, adding that the perpetrator is being interrogated. In the meanwhile, the FDA has continued with its random checks of sweet shops in the city and the drive will go on till the ensuing Diwali.
With a view to avoid incidents of food poisoning during the ongoing Ganesh Utsav, the Food and Drugs Administration has prepared an advisory for Sarvjanik Ganeshotsav Mandals as regards the preparation and distribution of “prasad” (divine food offering to God) and the food served in “bhandaras” (food served as a worship offering or community feast).
As per the advisory, the ‘prasad’ should be prepared in a clean place and the raw material for it should be procured from a licensed supplier. The vessel carrying the ‘prasad’ should be closed properly with a lid so that the ‘prasad’ is not exposed to flies etc. The fruits for the ‘prasad’ should be purchased from the licensed fruit-vendors and the ‘prasad’ should not be made of over-ripened fruits. The ‘prasad’ should be made using clean potable water and those who prepare it should be provided with hand gloves and caps. Those who distribute the ‘prasad’ should not be suffering from contagious diseases. The milk and ‘mava’ used for preparing the ‘prasad’ should be stored in a cool place. When the food is prepared in a large quantity, the organisers should ensure that the raw material or ready food is purchased from suppliers that are known to them.Speaking to Afternoon D & C, Chandrashekhar Salunkhe, Joint Commissioner (Food) said, “This advisory has been issued so that the organisers of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals themselves take precautions from the point of food safety. The advisory is being served on the Mandals where the turn-out of devotees is very large. It is in no way an attempt to mar the festivity or put a damper on the enthusiasm of the Ganesh devotees. Even if the organisers purchase the food only from the reputed food supplier or the supplier known to them, it would go a long way in ensuing food safety.”
“The term ‘food safety’ means assurance that the food is acceptable for human consumption according to its intended use. It is also expected of the mandals organising ‘bhandaras’ to take adequate precautions while serving food to avoid any untoward incident”, he added.
Even if the food is served by social organisations like Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals, it attracts provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. which states that: “Food business” means any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, import and includes food services, catering services, sale of food or food ingredients. Besides “food business operator” means a person by whom the business is carried on or owned and is responsible for ensuring the compliance of this Act, rules and regulations.
However most of the mandals in Mumbai seemed to be unaware of the FDA advisory. Milind Gole, President of the 29-year old “Bal Gopal Mitra Mandal Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav”, Vakola, Santacruz East said, “We have not received any such communication. We do organise a “bhandara” on a small scale,but we take all the precautions.”Sudhir Shenoy, Secretary of the “Shree Swami Samarth Nagar Ganeshotsav Mandal”, Andheri West said that the Mandal has not received any such communication. But regardless of anybody’s advice, all precautions are being taken to ensure food safety while organising “Mahaprasad”.
Caution! Sale of counterfeit food supplements on unchecked
Administration in deep slumber
JAMMU, Sept 7: Unauthentic and uncertified food supplements are being sold without any check or regulation to the city youth openly at exorbitant prices and the administration is in deep slumber despite a stringent Food Safety Act in place.
Attractive cartons of all sizes are put on display outside chemist shops, general stores and shops selling sports and fitness equipment, which are on sale for weight gain, muscle gain and also for weight loss and are being sold at astronomical prices to youth who aspire to have good physique. It is pity that they are not been prescribed by any physician or a qualified dietician, but most of the time, young boys and girls decide to take them on the advice of peers or unqualified gym instructors, most of whom have no professional qualification and have handsome commissions on the sales.
"In the contemporary world, everyone wants to look good and hence there is an urge amongst the youth to either gain muscle and look muscular or shed weight and look sleek; since exercising needs lot of effort and discipline, most people fall prey to short cuts as food supplements, which are on sale without any control or regulation" said Veena Trisal, a worried parent, whose son is taking such one such supplement he bought at an astronomical price from local market. "There was no price tag as the product was supposed to be imported" she added.
Besides the arbitrary rates at which these products are being sold, the major concern is the quality of the product and its effect on the user. "No one knows about the ingredients and the genuineness of the product being sold. You never know whether the product has steroids in it, which can have telling effect on the health of the user" said a renowned dietician, who did not want to be named. "These products need to be sold under a valid license and a regulatory mechanism as envisaged under the Food safety act which is overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)" he added.
Despite a stringent act in place, it is pity that these food supplements are being sold in the open by all and sundry eyeing huge profits by individuals and firms which have no licenses as mandatory under the Act. The district administration, on whom lies the onus of regulating and checking the authenticity of these products has turned blind eye to the growing use of these uncertified products by the youth and their sale in violation of the provisions of the Food safety Act.
AMSU destroys large quantity of soft drinks
AMSU destroys large quantity of soft drinks
IMPHAL, Sep 7 : After the manufacturing dates of soft drinks were found tampered by some retailers, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) destroyed large quantities of Sprite and Coca Cola this afternoon at its HQs located at DM College campus.
Alteration of manufacturing dates of the popular soft drinks came to light after the student body conducted a drive on August 29 following complaints from some of the consumers.
Commenting on the incident, AMSU secretary general Manjit Sarangthem said, “BSR Enterprises located at MG Avenue was found to have altered the manufacturing dates of the soft drinks. After they were asked to clarify the matter, only one Bedajit among the three owners of the enterprise (Bedajit, Sunil and Rajendra) came forward to give his statement.”
Stating that the State authorities concerned including the Food Safety Authority have failed to perform their duties, he expressed suspicion that there is an unholy nexus between some businessmen and the State authorities concerned.
General Secretary of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) Prakash Soraisam said that norms and regulations provided under the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) are being violated by the retailers of certain soft drinks in the State. These acts have raised a serious question about the illegal activities being carried out deliberately by the retailers.
Till today, the supplier of BSR enterprises is on the run and have failed to clarify the matter. Individual(s) involved in this illegal activity should clarify within September 15 to the public and also to the student body or else all kinds of soft drink will be banned in the State.
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