Street food vendors of Kashi getting a new look

VARANASI: It is pleasant to see a properly dressed street food vendor serving food to people in hygienic condition on the roadside. A transformation in street food vending is in process in the city after 100 local street food vendors were trained under 'Clean Street Food' project in the first phase. The Union minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) Rajiv Pratap Rudy also tested Banarasi street food recently during his visit to the city.

"We were trained to maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness while making and serving food to customers. The result is encouraging, the number of customers is increasing at my food stall," said a street food vendor Shashi Gupta, who sales chaat in Englishiya Line area. He also received a new 'thela' (cart) and 'Recognition of Prior Learning' (RIL) certificate under Skill India programme at the 'Kaushal Mahotsava 2016' (skill festival) organised at the cultural complex, Chowkaghat on October 21.

Besides him, 19 other food vendors had also taken part in the festival that was attended by Rudy. "We offered him Banarasi chaat," said Gupta. Cash awards of Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5000 were also given to a fruit vendor Paras Sonkar, and a Paanwalah (betel seller) Ravi respectively at the function. He said that 100 street food vendors were given training under the clean street food project.

In order to express their joy for being a part of Skill India programme, they under the banner of Feri Patri Thela Vhavasayi Samiti took out a procession on Tuesday. They also distributed sweets among themselves. "We are happy that the street food vendors have been included in Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) under which the vendors were trained at different food processing training centres," said the secretary of the organization Pramod Kumar Nigam. According to him, there are around 5000 street food vendors in Varanasi. The training programme will be held on regular basis at four or five centres.

To rediscover country's rich tradition of street food the 'Clean Street Food' project was launched in March in New Delhi with an aim to raise the safety standards of foods sold on streets by training 20,000 roadside vendors in national capital on aspects of health and hygiene, in the first phase. As a part of the project the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) partners with the ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship to train street food vendors.

According to a report of FSSAI, there has been no census of street food vendors in the country. The union ministry of urban poverty alleviation has estimated that there are about 100 lakh street vendors in the country. About 20% of them (20 lakh) are expected to be street food vendors. The project aims to provide universal coverage of all estimated street food vendors in the country. In Phase I two lakh street food vendors in identified areas would be taken. These would include all metropolitan and major cities in the country, places of pilgrimage and tourist attraction. TheNational Skill Development Corporation, ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship is the training provider under the project, while the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) has been engaged in mobilization of street vendors.

Latest CommentFood on the street is mostly better than others. We can see what and how in front of our eyes. However the presentation always lacked and with this initiative this issue will be resolved. Next the ha... Read MoreRajesh Kumar Agarwal

Street food often reflects traditional local cultures and exists in an endless variety. The present condition in which most of the street food vendors cook and sale are unsuitable .The place is not clean, well lit and far from source of contamination. Most of the street food vendors do not practice hygienic method of covering food and water. Food is exposed to flies, birds, rodents, which may cause food borne pathogens. Street food vendors also lack proper food handling and waste disposal training.

Under the clean street food project the vendors are given safety tips like maintaining personal hygiene, use of safe drinking water, protection of food from pests and dust, use clean utensils, proper disposal of waste, and keeping place clean.

Food and Drugs Administration keeps a tab on food quality

AURANGABAD: With Diwali just round the corner, the Food andDrugs Administration (FDA) has launched a special drive to check the quality of sweets at various shops in the city. The authorities have already collected around 30 samples as a precautionary step to preventadulteration.

Officials have also appealed to the citizens to make sure that they buy sweets and namkeens from only those shops where the FDA certificates on display.

Anand Pardhi, assistant joint divisional commissioner of FDA (food), Aurangabad, said, "The food safety officers are already on the job of collecting samples of sweets, which would be sent to the FDA laboratory in Pune and Aurangabad for analysis."

He said in a bid to keep tabs on the sale of adulterated food items, especially during the festival season, FDA officials conducted surprise checks at around 10 sweet shops in the city. "We inspected nearly 10 sweet shops and collected 12 samples of different sweets, five types of oil samples, 9 milk samples and other items such as sugar, sauce, asafoetida and varai," he said.

One of the things which the food safety officers look into sweets is the colour. There are permitted colours, which are used in items like biscuits, ice cream and some sweets, and although not injurious to health, they are prevented from being used beyond certain limit, said Pardhi pointing out that the use of non-permitted colours is considered as food adulteration.

FIR registered against two shopkeepers who snatched food samples from FSDA team

Meerut: Two shopkeepers were booked on Tuesday after a team from Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) alleged that the men tried to snatch the food samples that the team had taken for checking adulteration.

Speaking to TOI, JP Singh, chief food safety officer, said, "When a team of officials from FSDA went to Kankerkhera, the properietor of Goyal Sweets, Virendra Kumar Goyal, and the owner of Trimurti Sweets identified as Neeraj, snatched the samples the officials had taken in for checking and sampling. An FIRhas been filed against them at Kankerkhera police station for interfering in government work."

To check adulteration during the festive season, the FSDA authorities have been conducting raids and taking samples from various shops in the region. The authorities collected several sampels from various shops on Tuesday. The samples taken included one sample each of gulaab jamun from New Amit Sweets Corner (Rithani), bundi guldana from Babbu Sweets (Rithani), boondi laddu from Raju Mishthan Bhandaar (Rithani), barfi from Gupta Sweets (Gagol Road), barfi from Subhash Goyal a local vendor on Gagol road, boondi laddu from Kripaal Sweets (Maliyana) and cham-cham from Golden Sweets and Bakers (Maliyana).

Food safety officers check food items at Vadodara

VADODARA: The food safety officers of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) conducted an extensive drive to check sweets and savories being sold at shops in different areas of the city. A mobile testing van of the Food and Drugs Control Administrationwas also deployed during the drive.

According to officials, the checking was conducted at shops in Khanderao Market, Jubelibaug, Warsiya andKarelibaug areas of the city. In all 38 samples were collected from shops in the area. Six establishments were given notices by the officials for not maintaining hygiene.

The officers also collected cooking oil samples from sellers of edible oil in different areas of the city. These include seven samples collected on Monday and six samples on Tuesday from different dealers.

Oil Holds Key to Food Hygiene

AS part of its 10th anniversary, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has joined hands with the Goa food and drug administration to make it the first state in India to adopt five of the ten food safety initiatives launched by it. 

It is understood that the state will be working on providing food safety standards in homes, schools and workplaces which also includes removing junk food from schools and replacing them with healthy food. It is pertinent to note that besides schools, homes and workplaces another important place where the authorities need to constantly monitor are the fast-food joints, eateries and other places where food is sold. Besides laying stress on the aspect of hygiene in places where food is sold, what also needs to be kept in mind is the quality of the ingredients that are used to prepare the food with particular stress on the oil used in the cooking. 

Oil forms an important part of any cooking and could also be the most neglected ingredient as far as its quality is concerned. It is a fact that using the same cooking oil for several times can make the food unfit for human consumption. Storing cooking oil for long period of time can also turn it rancid. 

Consuming unhealthy oil can lead to a number of health problems including hardening of arteries, deposition of fat in the arteries and veins which can precipitate a heart attack. Hence it is very essential to keep a check on the quality of oil that is being used in eateries, fast-food joints and other food stalls. 

The general public also needs to be made aware of the need to use good quality oil in their cooking.

Beware Consumers: Your Platter Is Full Of Hazardous Chemicals

Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious and key food products for the human consumption. But, due to their low shelf life, they are highly perishable. These food commodities are reported to be contaminated with toxic and health hazardous chemicals to make their lives longer and healthy.

The next time, before you eat your favourite ‘Sarson-da-saag’ or fried Bharwa-Bhindi (Lady Finger or popularly known as Okra), Lauki (Bottle Gourd), Kaddu (Pumpkin), just be aware and careful of the fact that these simple fruits and vegetables which we all have been eating since ages, can leave adverse effects on our nervous system!!

Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious and key food products for the human consumption. But, due to their low shelf life, they are highly perishable. These food commodities are reported to be contaminated with toxic and health hazardous chemicals to make their lives longer and healthy.

Chemicals like calcium carbide / ethephon and oxytocin are reportedly being used in fruit and vegetable mandis / farms for artificial ripening of fruits and for increasing the size of fruits and vegetables respectively. Calcium carbide, more commonly known as ‘masala’, is a carcinogenic agent and banned under PFA Rules,1955. Ethephon is a pesticide, and so it is not recommended as a ripening enhancer. Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone, used as a drug in veterinary services which is not advised for use in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Many instances have been reported that some unscrupulous elements are following the practise of dipping green vegetables in artificial colours to give them a fresh, attractive and pleasant appearance. PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration Act) strictly prohibits use of colours in fruits and vegetables.

The shocking evidences show that these crooks use Silicon Spray to make rotten vegetables and fruits look fresh and shining. As per rule 48-E of the PFA Rules, 1955, fresh fruits and vegetables shall be free from coating of waxes, mineral oils and colours. But, we can see wax coated-shining-decorated apples and various other fruits in similar condition with vendors.

Pesticide residues, crop contaminants (aflatoxins, patulin, ochratoxin, etc.) naturally occurring toxic substances and heavy metals are the major contaminants found in fruits and vegetables. Pesticides are used in management of pests and diseases in Agricultural and Horticultural crops. Heavy metals are present in the irrigation water and other manures. Infested seeds, irrigation water and soil act as the source of the fungal toxins.

Pesticides can leave adverse effects on the nervous system. Some harmful pesticides can cause several hazardous diseases like cancer, liver, kidney, and lung damage. Certain pesticides can also cause loss of weight and appetite, irritability, insomnia, behavioural disorder and dermatological problems. The pesticide residue found in fruits and vegetables include residues of both banned (Aldrin, Chlordane, Endrin, Heptachlor, Ethyl Paration, etc.) and restricted pesticides for use in India (DDT, Endosulfan, etc.). Heavy metals also cause adverse effect in human metabolic system, skin diseases, heart problems, etc.

A farmer in Ludhiana, who has been using oxytocin to his crops, when asked about the reason, told that he was frustrated that the agricultural experts whom he consulted about the fluctuated temperature could not explain why his crops became fruitless and barren. Therefore, farmers in India are resorting to this malpractice due to weather patterns, aside from the increase profit on their part.

Nutritionists and health experts are alarmed with the new advent of farming employed by Indian farmers. As per a Senior Doctor, any fruits and vegetables that were grown and harvested with the help of hormones will not immediately effect on health right after consumption. Nevertheless, various ailments may occur if continuously taken for long period. The damage can be irreparable including memory loss, cardiovascular diseases, and nervous breakdown.

Not only vegetables are laced with hormones, but animals like, chicken, cattle and cows too are injected with such hormones. There are certain hormones injected in young animals so that they can gain weight faster. It helps the meat and dairy industries to make more profit because of the reduced waiting time for an animal to be slaughtered and sold in the market. Not only that the amounts of feeds are lessened, but hormones can also increase milk production.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Despite the ban implemented by the government to use any hormone growth to speed up the process of growth among vegetables and poultry animals and cattle, it seems useless because farmers can still purchase hormone in drug stores or in any fertilizer and pesticide market, particularly in India. Hence, it is the best option to be a wise consumer and learn more on the food we are eating on our dining table.

Organic products are always recommended by health and nutrition experts. Although it is the most ideal, not all consumers have the access or budget to afford organic vegetables, fruits, and poultry products. Just do not be lured to visually appealing crops. Most common vegetables injected with hormones are melons, pumpkin, gourds and cucumber to make it bigger, fresher, and more attractive to the consumers.

Buying dairy products and hormone-free meat can be very expensive. If one can change to vegetarian lifestyle, well and good. Nevertheless, when meat cannot be avoided in meal, eat the leanest part (less liver and fat), and eat meats in moderation. Dominate the plate with 80% vegetables or rich in fibre food and only small portion of lean meat is recommended.

Moreover, following simple methods can be taken care of while using vegetables:

-Select fruits and vegetables without spots or lesions and any abnormality.

-Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with preferably drinkable running water before eating and cooking.

– Purchase fruits and vegetables from known dealers.

– Peeling of fruits before consumption and vegetables before cooking will reduce exposure to pesticides.

– Do not buy and consume cut fruits from open market.

– Throw away fruits and vegetables infected by mould/fungus.

-To minimize the hazards of pesticide residues, discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage.

-Do not wash fruits and vegetables with detergents as they may get absorbed inside.

– Ensure the quality of fruits and vegetables by sending them to voluntary testing laboratories.

-Wash your hands with soap and filtered water, use clean utensil and clean cutting board with stainless steel knives.

Certified street food vendors, restaurants soon in Goa

PANAJI: Street food vendors and restaurants owners in Goa may soon have to display a certificate mentioning that they have been trained on safe food practices in their premises. The certificate will be issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) office in the state.

Presently, food carts and restaurants display their FDA permit prominently. The proposed certificate of training will be in addition to the FDA permit and it will be for the benefit of consumers.

About 800 food operators comprising of 500 street food vendors and 300 restaurants will soon be trained in batches by officials from the FDA and volunteers under the project ‘Serve Safe Food,’ launched recently by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), New Delhi.

Once trained, the participants will receive a certificate, which they may be asked to display on their carts or premises for the benefit of customers. The timeframe for completion of training and issuance of certificates is tentatively six months.

The project called as 10@10 initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will first kick-off on November 2 wherein 30 street food vendors from Panaji, Taleigao and Bambolim will be taught hygienic food practices like handling of food, use of nutritious ingredients etc.

According to FDA estimates, there are 500 street food vendors and 300 restaurants with a turnover above Rs 12 lakh annually. Another equal number of restaurants have a turnover below Rs 12 lakh annually. In six months, about 800 vendors and restaurants will be trained and thereafter the rest will be trained, said Salim Veljee, director, FDA.

On Sunday, Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI, visited Goa and launched a master trainer programme to train the trainers, who will be imparting education to the food cart and restaurant owners.

Goa is the first state in India where the 10@10 initiative has been launched. The initiative is on commemoration of a decade of completion of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Dr Pasupathy Chinmayee, the expert on food safety subject from FSSAI, came down to impart training to master trainers.

Those present at the function included Sanjay Bhandari, Nestle India, Heena Yadav, consultant to FSSAI, New Delhi, and Nita Brid, Cidade de Goa, where the function was held.

Concern over flouting of norms by unauthorized food processing units

MANGALDAI, October 25: The alleged functioning of a section of unauthorized food processing and manufacturing units flouting the existing government norms, including violation of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Legal Metrology Act, 2009, for a quite long time in the greater Kharupetia area in Darrang district has become a matter of concern for the consumers of the district. This allegation was proved right when the authority of the Assistant Controller of Legal Metrology, Mangaldai seized weighing instrument from the campus of M/S Shree Giridhar Food Products located at Nagajan area of Kharupetia and owned by one Satya Deo Gupta .

According to the source of the Legal Metrology Department, a team of officials of the department led by Inspector Mukul Dutta on Thursday made a sudden visit at the campus of the food processing unit to inspect the verification status of the weighing or measuring apparatus in use. But the apparatus was found to be in use without being duly verified and stamped for the last 3-4 years.

The inspecting officer immediately registered an offence against the management of the unit for violation of section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act 2009 and seized one non-auto electronic weighing instrument in presence of the custodian of the unit.

Moreover, the management of business establishment reportedly also failed to produce any valid packaging license before the inspecting official and the authority was stated to have directed the management to produce valid license of packaging under the provision of the Legal Metrology (Packaging Commodities) Rules 2011.

Meanwhile, the food processing unit, the name of which has been printed in the packets of some consumable products under the commercial brand name ‘Sanam Amla’ and ‘Ameer’, has allegedly failed to maintain the minimum standard of health and hygiene, thereby creating every possibility of serious health hazard for its consumers.

The management of the food processing unit recently engaged themselves in a physical altercation with a section of media persons while they were bringing to light the unsafe, unhygienic environment for storage, processing of the raw ingredients of the packaging products in the campus surrounded by high walls but without any information board. The doubtful character of the management of the unit has already been brought to the notice of the Officer in-charge of Kharupetia Police Station, the in-charge District Food Safety Officer of Darrang, Sanjib Boro and Joint Director of Health Services, Darrang, Dr Pronita Saikia for necessary move.

FSSAI to soon notify new standards for food supplements

Food regulator FSSAI will soon notify a new standards for food supplements as part of its efforts to ensure safe and nutritious food to the people. 

Last year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority ofIndia (FSSAI) had come out with draft quality and safety norms to regulate food or health supplements, nutraceuticals, functional and dietary foods.

"The new standards of food supplements are in the final stage of notification and will be shortly notified post government approval," FSSAI CEO Pawan KumarAgarwal said at a conference of the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA). 

Stating that about 60 per cent of the direct selling industry players deal in food products, he asked the members to create awareness about the food safety. 

"It is FSSAI's responsibility to ensure that safe and nutritious food is supplied to 130 crore people of the country and we do require support and cooperation of each member of this Industry," Agarwal said. 

"We have been having discussions with IDSA to effectively use the reach of 40 lakh distributors of IDSA member companies towards spreading food awareness, which is an elementary requirement," he added. 

IDSA Chairman Jitendra Jagota said: "The Direct Selling Industry has huge potential to reach Rs 15,000 crore by 2019-20. We are aiming at providing business opportunities to about 90 lakh people by 2019-20. While women remain the stronghold of the industry, our focus would also be to provide business opportunities to more men in the country.