Feb 28, 2017
Food basket in danger
Latest data suggests a decline in the nutritional quality of food. What is stripping our food of nutrients? Can authorities cope with the challenge?
Commonly consumed vegetables, including potato, brinjal and tomato, now have less micronutrients and more fat
If you thought that your healthy food choices are going to keep you fit and disease-free, think again. The data released by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, on January 18 suggests that the foods we eat today are less nutritious than what we used to consume just three decades ago.
NIN has released such data after a gap of 28 years. In the report, Indian Food Compo sition Tables 2017, NIN researchers have measured the values of 151 nutrients in 528 food items collected from markets across six geographical regions. Down To Earth (DTE) compared the values with NIN’s previous estimation done in 1989. All the food items and nutrients listed in the 2017 report do not find a mention in the 1989 report. But DTE’s snapshot analysis shows an alarming trend: there is a perceptible decrease in nutrition levels in all types of food (see ‘Healthy no more’,).
Consider bajra (pearl millet), which is consumed across rural India and is often referred to as the poor man’s staple food. It is consumed mainly for carbohydrate, which provides energy. DTE analysis shows that carbohydrate levels in bajra have redu ced by 8.5 per cent in the past three decades. In whole wheat, carbohydrates have reduced by 9 per cent. Similarly, pulses are being depleted of their key nutrient—protein, which plays an important role in building, repairing and maintaining tissues. Protein has reduced by 10.4 per cent in masoor (whole brown lentil) and 6.12 per cent in moong (whole green gram).
On the other hand, protein content has increased in food items like snake gourd (by 78 per cent) and rice (16.76 per cent). “Foods like rice are not consumed for their proteins. So this increase may not do much to meet body’s requirements,” says Veena Shatrugna, former deputy director of NIN.
Micronutrients, which are essential for growth and development, have increased in some foods, including masoor and moong and leafy vegetables like spinach. But their levels have significantly reduced in many other food items, particularly in fruits and vegetables. In potato, iron has increased but thiamine (vitamin B1), magnesium and zinc have reduced. The four micronutrients have reduced by an astounding 41-56 per cent in cabbage. In ripe tomatoes, thiamine, iron and zinc have reduced by 66-73 per cent. Iron has reduced by 76.6 per cent in green tomato and by 60 per cent in apples.
Coarse grains, especially millets, are fast gaining popularity among the health- conscious as they come loaded with micro nutrients. DTE analysis shows that the levels of thiamine, iron and riboflavin have reduced in bajra, jau (barley), jowar (sor-ghum) and maize.
The overall trend suggests a decline in the nutrition value of foods, says Umesh Kapil, professor at the Human Nutrition Unit of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. However, he cautions against a simplistic comparison of the two reports. “Analytical methods used now are different from those used earlier,” says Kapil.
But in the 2017 report, NIN compares its 1989 data with the nutritional values of major food categories it had measured during the British regime in 1937, and says the nutritional content of many food ietms had declined during the half-century. The decline is not significant in most cases except carbohydrates in leafy vegetables and vitamin B1 in roots and tubers, it says.
An in-depth comparison of NIN’s 2017 nutritional data with that of 1937 will help understand how much nutrients are now left in our food basket, and how this change will affect the overall nutrition of a person.
But why the decline?
NIN’s findings have resonance with the global trends. In a 2004 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutri tion, researchers with the University of Texas at Austin, analysed food composition data for 43 crops grown between 1950 and 1999. Six nutrients—protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin and ascorbic acid—showed a significant decline in almost all the crops. In 1997, a study published in British Food Journal compared the nutritional values of 20 fruits and as many number of vegetables grown between the 1930s and 1980s. It found a significant reduction in the levels of six minerals—calcium, magnesium, copper and sodium reduced in vegetables, while the levels of magnesium, iron, copper and potassium dipped in fruits.
Scientists across the world have identified two reasons for this declining food nutrition. One, intensive agricultural practices have stripped the soil of micronutrients.
This could well be the reason for India where soils have been found deficient in nutrients. An assessment by the Indian Insti tute of Soil Science, Bhopal, shows 43 per cent of the country’s soil is deficient in zinc, 18.3 per cent in boron, 12.1 per cent in iron, 5.6 per cent in manganese and 5.4 per cent in copper. “The NIN data substantiates the impact of intensive agriculture on food nutrients,” says Kapil, adding that the changes could also be due to different varieties of crops cultivated then and now. In commercial cultivation, the focus is now on crops that are high-yielding and disease-resistant, and not on their nutritional content.
Scientists say rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the environment could also be affecting plant nutrition levels. In a 2014 study published in Nature, researchers compared the nutrient levels in wheat grown in present-day conditions with those grown in an atmosphere with an elevated CO2 levels, as expected by 2050. They found that wheat grown in high CO2 levels had 9.3 per cent less zinc, 5.1 per cent less iron and 6.3 per cent less protein. Rice grown in such a condition had 5.2 per cent less iron, 3.3 per cent less zinc and 7.8 per cent less protein.
A 2015 study, published in Global Change Biology, provides an explanation for this decline. High CO2 levels in the atmosphere lower the nitrogen concentration in plants, which in turn affects the protein content in food. The effect persisted even after the researchers used nitrogen-rich fertilisers on the crops. This suggests lower protein is not due to limited access to nitrogen in the soil.
In all probability, the poor nutritional status is here to stay. So the government should use the latest nutrient values to revise dietary regulations and nutrition, public health and agriculture policies. “We have seen a wide variation in the levels of micronutrients in food collected from different geographical regions. A study of such regional databases will help understand the relation of food with diseases,” says T Longvah, director, NIN. “Long-term approaches, such as exploration of biodiversity, nutritional characterisation and mainstreaming of underutilised foods, and plant breeding are stable and sustainable means of nutritional enhancement of foods,” he says.
Globally, organic cultivation is also being looked at as a solution to the problem. A 2007 study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry analysed samples of dried tomatoes kept at the University of California-Davis for flavonoids. The samples included tomatoes grown by both conventional and organic system between 1994 and 2004. Analysis showed that some flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol were present in higher levels (79 and 97 per cent, respectively) in organic tomatoes.
Experts also suggest a targeted approach for dealing with nutrient deficiency in food. Anura Kurpad, head, Department of Physiology and Nutrition at St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, says, “If there is a true decline, policies should begin to look at biofortification.”
For this, researchers must analyse the data without delay.
Kake-da-Hotel under HC scanner over food standards
A popular eating joint in the heart of the capital today came under the scanner of the Delhi High Court in the wake of a controversy erupting due to a video allegedly showing dough being kneaded by foot.
Kake-da-Hotel in Connaught Place here was asked to come out clean on the issue of food safety and standards of hygiene by the high court.
"You are one of the oldest restaurants in city. Why can't you maintain proper standards? In some countries, street vendors have better standards than our restaurants," Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva told Mehak Cuisines Pvt Ltd which runs the famous eatery on the outer circle of the Connaught Place.
"So show to the world that one of the oldest restaurants has the best standards in hygiene," the court also said and asked it to maintain proper standards.
The lawyers for the restaurant repeatedly told the court that they have rectified all deficiencies which were earlier pointed out by the Food Safety Officer (FSO).
The response came after the court said that the FSO, who is the competent authority, has pointed out deficiencies and asked "why cannot you rectify the same?"
Ater the lawyers appearing for the restaurant said all deficiencies have been removed and further steps are being taken, the court asked the FSO to inspect the eatery again tomorrow and file a fresh status report with photographs.
With regard to the controversial video, the hotel said the person shown in the video was not kneading dough, but was cleaning clothes.
During the hearing the court perused the report and photographs of the eatery placed before it by the FSO who had carried out a surprise inspection of the premises on February 23 on court's order.
The photographs showed that food containers were left open, all serving spoons for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were kept together, drains in the kitchen were overflowing and inadequate number of hand-wash basins.
The report of the food safety department of Delhi government said that the eatery did not have a chimney, nor were the records or documents certifying that their water and food served to customers was safe and hygienic as mandated under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Mehak Cuisines had moved the court after the FSO had slapped a notice on the eatery on February 21 after the video was shared online.
Food wrapped in newspapers can cause poisoning if consumed
Think twice before you eat at the street vendor again. Newspapers aren't meant to be plates or wrapping papers for a reason.
Roadside chhole-kulche served on a newspaper plate, bhelpuri served in a newspaper cone, break pakoras served on newspaper plates--all of this and more is causing your stomach to get upset repeatedly, without you even realising it.
Last year, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had banned the use of newspapers for wrapping, packing, serving and storing food items. It even directed commissioners of food safety of all States and Union territories to take necessary steps to ensure the same.
More recently, The Pune Cantonment Board issued a public notice advising people to avoid eating food (especially fried) packed in newspapers.
What we don't realise is, the printing ink on that newspaper contains harmful chemicals--dyes, alcohol, pigments, binders, preservatives and additives. When consumed in small quantities, these substances cause minor stomach upsets. An overdose, however, can cause stomach poisoning and repeated, regular consumption can lead to cancer-related health complications. Older people and children are at a greater risk of being poisoned this way, because their immune system is weaker.
"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice, and the consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food has been cooked hygienically," the Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an advisory, reports The Logical Indian.
So, the next time you're out and about and feel like indulging in street food, steer absolutely clear of newspapers!
Directive to ensure food safety during Pongala
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has instructed the Food Safety Commissioner to take necessary steps to ensure food safety during the Attukal Pongala.
Food safety registration has been made compulsory for organisations and individuals distributing food and drinking water during the Pongala .
A temporary counter will be opened on the temple premises on March 2 for this purpose.
Pamphlets
Pamphlets will be distributed to the public to spread awareness of food safety.
Samples of the raw materials used to make prasadam during the festival will be collected and tested.
Special food safety squads have been deployed in the festival area.
The Minister has also given instructions to conduct food safety checks in the Beemapally Uroos festival area.
Govt to employ third party to study arsenic content in rice
New Delhi
The government plans to hire an independent third party to study pesticides residues content in rice, particularly in basmati variety, as it wants to ensure that food safety norms are strictly adhered to and its reputation as a basmati exporter is protected.
The plan comes amidst reports of arsenic content in rice. Sources said India exported over Rs 22,000 crore of basmati rice last year, which goes on to clear doubts, if any.
The agriculture ministry will soon hire an independent third party agency to undertake a study “to clear the air,” source said. The agency will basically look into pesticides residues in rice, including basmati varieties in Punjab. Some reports had said rice produced in the state was causing cancer.
The agency will also conduct a study on methyl bromide issue, the source added. Fumigation is a common practice to disinfest rice during storage. Basmati is fumigated by methyl bromide for 24 hours by government-approved agencies.
While the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has detailed guidelines on pesticides and fumigation, its primary responsibility is only for exported items, sources said.
So, the study by an independent agency will also help the government ensure safety of rice sold in the local market, the source added.
Arsenic, which is known to cause cancer, is present in water, air and soil, coming from natural sources as well as industrial pollution. Since rice is grown in waterlogged conditions, excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in parts of Punjab are blamed for rising cases of cancer. Rice contains 20 times more arsenic than other crops like wheat or maize.
Last month, a delegation of Indian rice exporters had travelled to Iran to dispel any misconception about the quality of Indian rice. As Pakistan is the only other country that grows basmati rice, some negative reports about the quality of the rice produced in India had appeared in local media in Iran.
Iranian officials are satisfied with the quality of Indian basmati as they have been inspecting units in Punjab and Haryana from time to time. The delegation reached out to the importers and consumers there through conferences, officials said.
The arsenic issue is nothing new to India. In 1980, the government had introduced compulsory quality control and pre-shipment inspection of basmati rice. Later in 1990, the government changed the rules and started “consignment wise inspection” and “in-process quality control” systems of certifications for basmati rice.
Under CWI, each consignment is inspected and tested by an approved export inspection agency. While, under the IPQC, units having all the prescribed facilities are approved for processing and packing basmati rice for export under their own supervision and control. EIA ensures that these units follow the norms.
A recent BBC report had said soaking the rice overnight before cooking it in a 5:1 water-to-rice ratio cuts arsenic levels by 80 per cent. Using lots of water – the 5:1 ratio – without pre-soaking also reduced arsenic levels, but not by as much as the pre-soaking levels, it said.
India exported 2.30 mt of basmati rice in April-October of FY17 against 2.39 mt in the year-ago period. Exporters estimate that the total shipments in FY17 will reach at the same level as last year. The country had exported 4.04 mt of basmati rice and 6.36 mt of non-basmati rice in FY16.
Formalin found in fish samples in Agartala: Minister
Replying to a calling attention notice, Tripura Health Minister Badal Chowdhury said as many as 40 samples of fishes were collected by designated officers from February 8 to 25 from different markets and out of the 40 samples, formalin was found in 11 samples tested by experts of Regional Food Testing Laboratory here
Agartala, Feb 28 Poisonous and non-decomposing chemical agent, formalin, having harmful affect on human body was found in the samples of fish collected from different markets here, state assembly was informed today.
Replying to a calling attention notice, Tripura Health Minister Badal Chowdhury said as many as 40 samples of fishes were collected by designated officers from February 8 to 25 from different markets and out of the 40 samples, formalin was found in 11 samples tested by experts of Regional Food Testing Laboratory here.
The Minister said the government has taken sufficient steps to keep close eye on the use of formalin in fishes produced locally and imported from Bangladesh.
"Food Safety Officers and district administration were asked to collect fish samples randomly and check if there is formalin or not. The government will not allow unhygienic fishes to be sold in the markets", he said.
Government has initiated a process to appoint Food Safety Officer in each sub-division to ensure proper vigilance on food adulteration.
Explaining the legal provisions under the Food Safety Security Act & Rules 2011, Chowdhury said if anyone is found guilty under the Act, the defaulter may face a penalty of Rs one lakh to Rs 10 lakh or imprisonment or both.
Sessions judges are designated to hear such cases and dispose it at the earliest, he added.
Food business operators directed to obtain FSSAI license and registration
Kohima, February 27 (MExN): In pursuance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, all food business operators in Nagaland State have been directed to obtain FSSAI license or register or renew their business establishments irrespective of rural and urban area from the respective office of the Chief Medical Officer (Designative Officer) of the districts for a period of two years on or before March 31.
Dr. L. Watikala, Principal Director & Additional Food Safety Commissioner, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare in a press release informed that any renewal application filed beyond the period mentioned above will be accompanied with a late fee of Rs. 100/- per day, for each day of delay.
Licensing and registration forms and other details can be obtained from the office of the Chief Medical Officer (Designated Officers) on all working days.
Meanwhile, all Designated Officers (CMOs) have been requested to submit half-yearly reports on licensing and registration of FBOs (October 2016, March 2017) and annual report on Food Safety activities for the year 2016-17 on or before April 15, 2017 as per the format.
The food business operators include food manufacturers, millers, grinders, wholesalers, retailers, godowns, warehouses, gold storages, distributers, transporters, stockers, agencies, departmental suppliers, re-packers or re-labellers, pharmacies dealing with food items, food supplements, hotels, restaurants, canteens, caterers, all petty food business operators etc.
The press release reiterated that operating food business without a license or registration will attract a penalty up to Rs. 5 lakh and imprisonment up to 6 months under Section 63 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
Feb 27, 2017
The great Indian toxic food fraud
For 60-year-old Harnam Kaur, consuming a pack of edible oil she bought from a local shop cost her her sight. After investigation, the Delhi resident came to know that argemone in the oil resulted in the loss of her vision permanently.
Harnam’s case is neither first nor unique in India as everyday thousands of people get affected by one or the other deadly diseases by consuming adulterated food products. In items such as milk, khoya, paneer, arhar dal, edible oils, sugar, and chilli and turmeric powder, the quantity of adulteration is high.
However, the irony is that even if the culprit gets caught, he goes scot free in the absence of a stringent punishment under the present law, which prescribes maximum imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of `1,000.
“The change in adulteration laws is the need of the hour. Recommendations have been made, but the government hasn’t done anything. We all are aware of the rampant adulteration in food, but lack of proper punishment and fines had not helped our investigating agencies,” said Ashok Kanchan, Chief Advisor, Food Nutrition and Health Consumer Voice.
But with the government planning to change the law and amending the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to make adulteration a serious crime where the punishment could go up to life in prison, there is hope.
The Centre’s move of amending the law came after the Law Commission of India in its report recommended amendment of Section 272 and 273 of the IPC. The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice B S Chauhan, also wants Section 357 of the Criminal Procedure Code to be amended so that courts can order compensation for victims.
The panel was of the opinion that the punishment be graded, depending on the harm caused following consumption of adulterated food and drinks. “It is a welcoming step if the Law Commission has recommended life imprisonment. This will certainly cut down the rate of adulteration,” added Kanchan.
Advocate Ashish Dixit, who fights consumer cases in Delhi courts said: “I have filed 50 cases, but lack of laws makes it a futile exercise to pursue them as in most of them, courts let them off by clapping a meagre fine. The Law Commission’s step is a welcome one.”
In its report, the law panel pointed out how checks and balances taken by the government haven’t yielded any result in the absence of the stronger law. Only West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh have amended their IPC provisions 272 and 273 to award life term for milk adulteration.
Convictions were secured in only 1,246 cases in 2015-16, and many food adulteration cases never reached conviction stage. The report shows that `6.9 crore in penalties was collected from errant agencies.
Adulteration in food items becomes more rampant during festivals, owing to a steep rise in demand. Unfortunately, the common man is unaware of the adulterants. The government, however, runs advertisement campaigns to warn people about adulterated food.
According to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, any food that contains additives that are not permitted is considered to be adulterated. If the permissible limit exceeds, then also the food is considered adulterated.
The nature and quantity of the additives should be printed on the label of the container. ‘Artificially coloured’ must be written on the label if any colouring material has been added. Mixing, substitution, concealing the quality, putting up decomposed food for sale, misbranding or giving false labels and addition of toxic—all these come under adulteration.
The Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI)—responsible for protecting and promoting public health through regulation and supervision of food safety—tested various foods and found milk, ghee, edible oils, pulses, mineral water, etc to be the most adulterated. Its report states that 49,290 samples were tested across India, of which 8,469 (nearly one-fifth) were adulterated or misbranded.
Data collected by FSSAI shows a steep rise in food fraud, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh accounting for more than 90 per cent of the total penalties levied.
The law panel report came after the Supreme Court last year directed the government to examine the feasibility of imposing life imprisonment for adulteration, based on the gravity of the offence in cases.
The maximum punishment for adulteration is life imprisonment, but police don’t have the power to invoke the FSSAI Act. It can only be invoked by the food safety authority in the states.
The apex court’s directive to the Centre had come in a 2012 PIL that sought exemplary punishment for those adulterating milk. The petitioner said that milk, the only source of nourishment for infants and a major part of the diet for growing children, was being adulterated with chemicals such as baking soda.
Swami Achyuthanand Thirth had relied on a report—Executive Summary on National Survey on Milk Adulteration, 2011, released by FSSAI—which concluded that 68.4 per cent of milk being sold in the country was adulterated.
According to the report, the worst performers were Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bengal, Mizoram, Jharkhand and Daman and Diu, where adulteration in milk was found to be up to 100 per cent. It was being adulterated with urea crossing the permissible limit—700 particles per million. Milk was also being made with urea and detergent.
Rice is being adulterated with small grains of stones to increase its weight. Likewise, mustard oil is mixed with crude rice bran oil, spices such as turmeric powder with metanil yellow, which is produced with metanilic acid and diphenylamine.
Turmeric powder mixed with metanil yellow is purely carcinogenic, capable of causing cancer. One of the most frightening instances is low quality khesari dal being added to arhar dal, resulting in paralysis of the lower body. This toxic dal is banned since 1961.
The consumption of adulterated foods may have either immediate or long-term effects, or both. Immediate effects include food poisoning (diarrhoea) and consequently dehydration. Long-term effects are liver and kidney failure, and cancer.
Tragedy Strikes at Mid-Day
Several children have lost their lives after consuming food cooked at their schools
July 2013, Saran district, Bihar:
23 children die from food poisoning after eating their midday meal. It was later discovered that the oil used to make the meal had been contaminated by an organophosphate. The container used to keep the oil had earlier been used to store an organophosphate pesticide.
May 2016, Kanshiram Nagar, Mathura: Four people, including two minor children, die and 200 others, mainly schoolgoing kids, hospitalised, after consuming contaminated milk being severed in the midday meal program in the Pre-middle/primary government School.
Feb 9, 2017, Karimnagar, Telangana: At least 26 students of Government Primary School in Nagula Malyala village were hospitalised when they complained of stomach pain and vomiting after eating the mid-day meals in the school. 67 students had eaten the meals.
Food inspectors to tighten vigil on wheat mills
The state food department is preparing a directive for the wheat mills that they have to abide by to ensure quality of the stuff.
KOLKATA: In a bid to ensure quality in production and packaging of chakki atta, the state food department will deploy food inspectors for keeping a vigil in the wheat mills across the state. The inspectors will function in similar pattern as state excise inspectors who keep an eye on the production and packaging of liquor. They will work for a month and then will come back again on a rotational basis after 80 months. In this way these inspectors will keep an eye on all 80 wheat mills across the state.
“We have found that some unscrupulous traders associated with the wheat mills have been illegally extracting sooji and flour from wheat resulting in deterioration of the quality. They are also using inferior quality of plastic for packaging. The stitching too is often found to be of poor quality. We want to put an end to this malpractice as we will not compromise with the quality and food value of atta,” state food minister Jyotipriya Mallick said.
The state food department is preparing a directive for the wheat mills that they have to abide by to ensure quality of the stuff. People involved in manufacture and packaging will have to wear special shoes, gloves on their hands and apron. The room where the manufacturing process will take place will be sealed with glass. The floors should be covered with tiles or marbles. “We will soon float tender for overhauling the infrastructure of the flour mills to make it dust-proof. Those who will follow this scientific way of extracting atta from wheat will only be given the licence to function,” Mr Mallick said.
According to the food department, packaging should be done in 50 or 55 micron plastic. The stitching of the packets should be with modern stitching machines. The packet should mention the manufacturing, expiry as well as the food value of the components of atta on the pack.
The Mamata Banerjee government under the Khadya Sathi project has been providing wheat and rice at `2 per kg to more than 7 crore people in the state. However, the state has started the process of providing packaged atta extracted from wheat to the people residing in remote areas of Paschim Medinipur and the tea gardens of North Bengal. at a subsidised rate. “These people have to bear huge travel cost to reach the wheat mills to extract atta from wheat. So we are providing them packaged atta instead of wheat,” a food department official said.
Kake-da-Hotel under HC scanner over food standards
New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) A popular eating joint in the heart of the capital today came under the scanner of the Delhi High Court in the wake of a controversy erupting due to a video allegedly showing dough being kneaded by foot.
Kake-da-Hotel in Connaught Place here was asked to come out clean on the issue of food safety and standards of hygiene by the high court.
"You are one of the oldest restaurants in city. Why cant you maintain proper standards? In some countries, street vendors have better standards than our restaurants," Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva told Mehak Cuisines Pvt Ltd which runs the famous eatery on the outer circle of the Connaught Place.
"So show to the world that one of the oldest restaurants has the best standards in hygiene," the court also said and asked it to maintain proper standards.
The lawyers for the restaurant repeatedly told the court that they have rectified all deficiencies which were earlier pointed out by the Food Safety Officer (FSO).
The response came after the court said that the FSO, who is the competent authority, has pointed out deficiencies and asked "why cannot you rectify the same?"
After the lawyers appearing for the restaurant said all deficiencies have been removed and further steps are being taken, the court asked the FSO to inspect the eatery again tomorrow and file a fresh status report with photographs.
With regard to the controversial video, the hotel said the person shown in the video was not kneading dough, but was cleaning clothes.
During the hearing the court perused the report and photographs of the eatery placed before it by the FSO who had carried out a surprise inspection of the premises on February 23 on courts order.
The photographs showed that food containers were left open, all serving spoons for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were kept together, drains in the kitchen were overflowing and inadequate number of hand-wash basins.
The report of the food safety department of Delhi government said that the eatery did not have a chimney, nor were the records or documents certifying that their water and food served to customers was safe and hygienic as mandated under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Mehak Cuisines had moved the court after the FSO had slapped a notice on the eatery on February 21 after the video was shared online
Food wrapped in newspapers can be unhealthy, says PCB
PUNE: The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) last week issued an "advisory" for dealers and consumers not to sell or accept food wrapped in newspapers, due to health concerns.
This comes two months after a Central advisory regarding the same.
The board said public should refrain from accepting food items packed using newspapers out of health and safety concerns, due to the kind of substances used for printing."When newspapers are printed, dangerous chemicals are used, which can cause serious health concern. Newspapers also contain microorganisms and other additives used to enhance the print, which can cause dangerous health issues if humans consume it with the food wrapped in it," said the advisory , signed by DN Yadav, the chief executive officer of the board.
Health department officials said the push for this advisory came from medical officials of the Southern Command.
We are not going to ban newspaper wrapping of food outright. Instead, we are looking to educate the public and businessmen about the dangers of this practice," says a senior health department official of the PCB.
The push to discourage newspaper wraps for food had come from the Union health ministry as well. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had warned in December that the nation was being "slowly poisoned" due to the rampant use of newspapers to wrap food items. The contamination of food due to substances used in a newspaper could lead to serious ailments like cancer, particularly in old people and children, it said.
Knead with feet: Food safety department raids Delhi restaurant after video goes viral
Delhi's Food safety department has called in a raid at the famous Kake Da Hotel after a Twitter video, showing its staff kneading dough with feet, went viral.
You don't have to be a hygiene freak to get a little repulsed by this video.
Uploaded on Twitter, this video shows a glimpse of what goes on in a makeshift kitchen on the roof of Connaught Placei's famous eatery, Kake Da Hotel.
First, you see a man standing in a bowl. Then, he starts to move his legs, like he is mixing something. While it is not spelled out for you, it kind of becomes clear eventually that he is kneading a dough in the bowl...with his feet.
The camera then quickly pans to Kake Da Hotel's banner overhead.
So how many of you have heard about the great food at Kake - Da - Hotel? pic.twitter.com/lB9cLHA1W8
— kaveri (@ikaveri) February 19, 2017
SO WHAT?
It is not a secret that many eateries have their staff knead dough with their feet, since it is so much in amount. Even packaged breads are believed to be made this way, which is why they are said to be called 'pao'.
Also, a user in the comment thread writes that kneading with feet is a common practice in Delhi's famous paranthewale gali as well.
@ikaveri Happens at parathewale gali too, from what I've heard.
— NumbYaar (@NumbYaar) February 22, 2017
BUT DOES THAT MAKE IT OKAY?
No and yes.
No, because those are the same feet that take you to the toilet, mister.
And yes, because some people like to believe that the staff in-charge of kneading the dough wash their feet with Dettol before stepping into the bowl.
@ikaveri hope he had sanitised his legs �
— Kru â� (@Achari_Nimboo) February 20, 2017
FOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT CALLS IN INSPECTION
Following up on this viral video, the Department of Food Safety in Delhi has called in an inspection at Kake Da Hotel.
Reports have it that the deputy food and safety commissioner received a formal complaint regarding the restaurant's practice of kneading with feet.
You don't have to be a hygiene freak to get a little repulsed by this video.
Uploaded on Twitter, this video shows a glimpse of what goes on in a makeshift kitchen on the roof of Connaught Placei's famous eatery, Kake Da Hotel.
First, you see a man standing in a bowl. Then, he starts to move his legs, like he is mixing something. While it is not spelled out for you, it kind of becomes clear eventually that he is kneading a dough in the bowl...with his feet.
The camera then quickly pans to Kake Da Hotel's banner overhead.
So how many of you have heard about the great food at Kake - Da - Hotel? pic.twitter.com/lB9cLHA1W8
— kaveri (@ikaveri) February 19, 2017
SO WHAT?
It is not a secret that many eateries have their staff knead dough with their feet, since it is so much in amount. Even packaged breads are believed to be made this way, which is why they are said to be called 'pao'.
Also, a user in the comment thread writes that kneading with feet is a common practice in Delhi's famous paranthewale gali as well.
@ikaveri Happens at parathewale gali too, from what I've heard.
— NumbYaar (@NumbYaar) February 22, 2017
BUT DOES THAT MAKE IT OKAY?
No and yes.
No, because those are the same feet that take you to the toilet, mister.
And yes, because some people like to believe that the staff in-charge of kneading the dough wash their feet with Dettol before stepping into the bowl.
@ikaveri hope he had sanitised his legs �
— Kru â� (@Achari_Nimboo) February 20, 2017
FOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT CALLS IN INSPECTION
Following up on this viral video, the Department of Food Safety in Delhi has called in an inspection at Kake Da Hotel.
Reports have it that the deputy food and safety commissioner received a formal complaint regarding the restaurant's practice of kneading with feet.
VMC food safety officers checking in Vadodara
Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan (VMSS) designated officer and additional health officer conducted strict checking in different areas of Vadodara city in three days in the last week. The teams took samples of various food products used extensively in view of peoples health.
The health department formed different teams of food safety officers and checked the quality of the extensively used food items. They took the samples of butter, cheese, ghee, vanaspati, fat spread and other products and send them to the food laboratory for checking.
On 20th February the food safety officers team took samples of butter and ghee from the Khanderao market area, Madan Zampa road, Bakrawadi, Chowkhandi, Kevdabaug and Baranpura areas.
The team collect samples of fat spread and pizza cheese pack from Khanderao market, loose ghee from Bakrawadi, loose vanaspati from Baranpura naka, loose butter from Kevdabaug, loose ghee from Baranpura and loose vanaspati from Chowkhandi.
On 22nd February the team took samples of cheese, ice cream and cottonseed oil from Manjalpur, Raopura, Dairy Den circle, Fatehgunj areas.
On 23rd they took samples of cheese, table margarine, fat spread, pasteurised butter, butter from airport, Waghodia road, Kala Darshan, Raopura, Baroda Dairy and Genda circle areas.
In total the team took 18 samples of cheese, table Margarine, fat spread, pasteurised butter, butter, ghee, vanaspati, cottonseed oil and send them to the public health laboratory at Fatehgunj for checking. The teams also issued instructions to to the food business operators for maintain hygiene under food safety standard act 2006.
Huge contraband tobacco products seized by FSO team
Under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner, (SA)/Commissioner Food Safety, the officials of food safety conducted surprise raids at various places in South Andaman District and recovered huge amount of contraband tobacco products from shopkeepers as well as general public.
At Garacharama village a surprise raid was conducted at the food premises of M/s M.K. Eazzy Shoppe and recovered contraband tobacco products and the accused has been booked under the relevant section of the Food Safety and Standards Act’2006. As per information received from Central Crime Station, Port Blair a suspected unclaimed parcel was recovered from the Head Post Office, which was opened in the presence of Post Master and police personnel and recovered 56 pouches of Bhagwan 69(40gm) zarda wrapped inside sarees which was shipped from Surat, Gujarat to Bambooflat. Later, the same was seized under relevant sections of the Act. In another incident, four unclaimed suspected parcels from DTDC Express Ltd, Port Blair were opened in presence of the company staff and police personnel and seized 1.4 kg tobacco leaf, 09 pouches of Ratna brand No.69 zarda(50 gm each), 41 pouches of Ratna Brand No.64 zarda(50 gm each), 57 pouches Ratna Brand No.150 zarda(50 gm each) recovered and seized. Similarly, Police Station, Chatham recovered 7 Kgs of contraband tobacco products and 22 pouches of Nevla Brand Tobacco, 02 zarda tins and 500 gms tobacco products from four passengers arrived from mainland based ship at Haddo Wharf. All the items were seized and legal proceedings have been initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act’2006.
Further, the general public as well as business communities are requested not to involve in trade of contraband tobacco products and if any information is available with them may be communicated to the Commissioner Food Safety, A&N Islands. On phone No. 9434280018 and 03192-238881
Food and Drugs Administration confiscates adulterated snacks
PANAJI: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday confiscated a consignment of 400 kgs of adulterated food items, valued Rs 1.09 lakh. Foods items such as chips, samosas, tomato sticks, schezwan sticks, soya papdi, etc. were confiscated from a private bus parked near the Panaji KTC bus stand, near Mandovi bridge.
FDA director Salim Veljee said that preliminary spot-analysis on the food items showed presence of non-permitted colour, and the items did not carry the necessary labeling particulars/declarations, nor did the packages have any labels.
He said that the consignment was manufactured by M/s Natural Food Products, Aurangabad in Maharashtra and was sent to Goa via the private bus service, and was meant for sale at the upcoming carnival in Goa. The consignment was booked by Amit Mishra from Margao.
Veljee said that the consignment was confiscated and destroyed, and a case has been booked against the Margao-based food vendor, as well as the Aurangabad-based food vendor under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules / Regulation 2011.
The FDA enforcement team under the supervision of senior food safety officer, Rajiv Korde was assisted by Amit Mandrekar, Sujata Shetgaonkar, Sneha Sawant, Zenia Rosario - all food safety officers and attendant, Arjun Naik.
Grocer fined Rs. 15,000 for adulteration
A judicial magistrate court here has found guilty a grocer for adulteration of Bengal gram flour and sentenced him till the rising of the court.
According to the prosecution, the Food Safety Department Virudhunagar District Designated Officer, W. Salodeesan and the Sattur Municipal area Food Safety Officer, S. Narayanan, conducted a surprise inspection in Sattur on September 9, 2016.
During the inspection the officials took samples of Besan flour (bengal gram flour) and sent it to Government Food Laboratory for analysis.
It was found that the sample had an unsafe mixture of rice flour, pea flour added with Tartrazine for colour.
After the Commissioner of Food Safety gave prosecution sanction, the Food Safety Officer filed a case against the accused under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in the Judicial Magistrate Court.
The Magistrate, V. Geetha, also imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 on the shopkeeper, Chandran, on Monday.
Food Business Operators in Peren District notified
Peren, February 20 (MExN): In pursuance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, the CMO & Designated Officer, Peren Ngangshimeren has directed all Food Business Operators in Peren District to obtain License or register their Food Business under the Act from the office of the CMO Peren for the period 2017-2019 on or before April 30.
The Food Business includes food manufacturers, millers, grinders, whole sellers, retailers, godwons, warehouse, cold storage, distributer, transporters, stockers, agencies, departmental suppliers, repackers or relabellers, pharmacies dealing with food items, good supplements, hotels, restaurants, canteens, carters, all petty food business operators etc.
Any renewal application filed beyond the period mentioned shall be accompanied by a late fee of Rs. 100 per day. Licensing and registration forms and other details can be obtained from the office of the Chief Medical Officer on all working days.
Feb 24, 2017
Panipuri vendor gets 6 months jail for adulteration in Ahmedabad
AHMEDABAD: A panipuri vendor in Lal Darwaja area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad district has been sentenced for six months' imprisonment for mixing toilet cleaner in fast food, a special court said on Saturday.
In 2009, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had filed a case against vendor Chetan Nanji Marvadi in a special court for adulteration.
AMC has been receiving regular complaints from the residents of Lal Darwaja that Marvadi is mixing something to the panipuri water. The residents had also complained that the vendor throws the leftover water on the already damaged road creating nuisance for the public.
Acting on the complaints, AMC sent the samples to the food testing laboratory in the state. Shocked over the presence of oxalic acid which is used in toilet cleaners, AMC filed the case against the vendor in the local adulteration court.
Seven years later, the special court held accused Marvadi as guilty while sentencing him to six months in jail.
During the trial, the accused claimed that there is no evidence which can prove him guilty and court should release him.
However, special advocate Manoj Khandhar argued that the crime of the accused is associated with a huge class, which is dangerous for public health and should be taken to task.
Feb 22, 2017
Penalty of Rs 2 lakh, if food served on newpapers or magazines
If any trader is found selling any food item on newspapers or magazines’, then fine upto Rs 2 lakh will be charged from them under the Food Security Act-2006
MOST people do not know that eating foods on printed papers, specially served on magazines or news papers are harmful scientifically. It is the reason that, State Government has issued directives to all district health authorities as Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) that they get implementation of Food Security Act -2006 under which the selling food items on newspapers or magazines’ is totally banned.
If any trader is found selling any food item on newspapers or magazines’, then fine upto Rs 2 lakh will be charged from them under the Food Security Act-2006’s Section 55. About 80 per cent food items are sold by the vendors and restaurants on news papers or magazines openly violating Food Safety Act and playing with common man’s health.
According to sources, the Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) is trying to create awareness among the people so that they can avoid getting foods in news papers or magazines. It is not only in Madhya Pradesh, rather the State Governments are also taking such steps by issuing public notices and checking shops and vendors selling food items.
Food and Drugs Administration has made it clear that as per the Food and Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI Act) wrapping of fired foods in news papers is posing health hazard. As the news paper ink contains many hazardous chemicals that can trigger health problems. Exposure to organic chemicals and printing inks also contain additives and photo initiators which have harmful effects. It is also asked to the food safety officers to pay surprise checks on the vendors, if found food items on news papers impose heavy fine as they play with the health of people.
Joint Controller of Foods and Drugs Administration Pramod Shukla, said if any vendor or eatery owner is found selling food items on news papers, fine of Rs 2 lakh will be charged. We have issued such instructions to all Deputy Directors’ health to strictly implement Food Safety Act 2006.
Heavy penalty will be under this Act’s section -55. Besides, we are trying to create public awareness also, he said.
Food dept teams collect samples from midday meal kitchens
New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) Food department teams today picked up 27 samples from midday meal kitchens, a day after an inspection was ordered by the Delhi government.
"In accordance to the government order, 27 samples were collected by food department teams from midday meal kitchens supplying to schools. The inspection and sampling will continue," a senior government official said.
After nine students of a government school in Deoli fell ill on Thursday after consuming midday meal which allegedly had a dead rat in it, the Delhi government has directed its designated officers to visit all midday meal kitchens to check hygiene level there.
As per the order issued by the Food Safety Commissioner, all designated officers along with their Food Safety Officers have been directed to visit all midday meal kitchens and transportation facilities under their district to check hygiene and cleanliness as per the standards laid down under FSS, 2006 and Rules and Regulations 2011.
"Also, the water used for cooking be lifted and tested. All kitchens to be sampled for full testing including microbiological test," the directive said.
Also National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited empanelled private labs have been directed to pick surveillance samples from the kitchen allotted and take them to their labs for testing.
Nandini milk packets without packaging dates
Anxiety has gripped a section of consumers in Belagavi who noticed that milk packets with brand name “Nandini” marketed by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited (KMF) were being supplied without due packaging dates since two days.
The KMF’s unit in the city, Belagavi District Cooperative Milk Producers Societies’ Union Limited, has been supplying milk packets with dates stamped on them. However, some of the consumers noticed that the packets carried no date yesterday and on Tuesday and suddenly became apprehensive of its quality, thanks to reports in social media about the manufacturing of adulterated milk using certain oils and chemical compounds.
Taking cognisance of the matter, senior officials in the district administration immediately instructed the authorities to check and take action if there was any foul-play.
Technical snag
J.R. Manneri, Managing Director of KMF Union, Belagavi, admitted to the lapse stating that the stamping/printing machine had developed a technical snag two days ago. Therefore, the packets did not carry the packaging dates. The dealers had been already informed about it but there seemed to be a communication gap with the consumers.
Technicians had already rushed to the unit and taken up repairs. The faults would be set right by tomorrow or Thursday and the system of stamping the packaging dates on the milk packets would be restored, he said.
He allied apprehensions of consumers by saying that there was no need to worry about the quality of Nandini milk being supplied through its dealers.
Feb 21, 2017
After rat in mid-day meal, Delhi food safety department to inspect 33 kitchens
Delhi’s food safety department will conduct emergency inspections of all 33 mid-day meal kitchens and transportation facilities for the food.
Three days after nine children fell ill at a Delhi government school after consuming a mid-day meal that had a dead rat in it, Delhi’s food safety department will conduct emergency inspections of all 33 mid-day meal kitchens and transportation facilities for the food.
“We will finish inspection of all 33 mid-day meal kitchens tomorrow (Tuesday), after which we will move on to MCD and NDMC-run schools and then private schools as a part of the drive,” said Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Delhi’s food commissioner. Twenty-seven samples were picked up from 11 of the 15 schools inspected on Monday.
Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, issued the order on Sunday, saying all inspections must be completed by February 24.
“After inspection, if required, improvement notices can be issued and if hygiene is found to be too lacking, the kitchen may be ordered to be shut down,” the order signed by Darswal read.
During the current drive, “surveillance samples” will be picked up during this drive and if need be the food safety officers can later collect legal samples. “There is a specific process that needs to be followed when picking up legal samples that can be presented in the court of law. However, it is time-consuming. Since, this is an emergency inspection drive, we will be collecting surveillance samples. We can pick up legal samples from places that fail the preliminary tests,” said Darswal.
The food safety department has also roped in 18 NABL accredited labs to conduct the inspections. “All NABL accredited empanelled private labs may be directed to pick up surveillance samples from kitchens allotted... Also, water meant for cooking be lifted and tested. All kitchens to be sampled for full testing including microbiological test,” the order read.
Govt orders inspection of midday meal kitchens
New Delhi: The Delhi government has directed its officers to visit all midday meal kitchens in their respective districts to check hygiene level there. “If hygiene is found to be lacking, shut down notices will be served,” a government directive said. The move comes in the backdrop of a dead rat being found in the midday meal served in a school due to which nine children were taken ill.
As per the order, issued by the Food Safety Commissioner, all designated officers along with their Food Safety Officers have been directed to visit all midday meal kitchens and transportation facilities falling under their district to check hygiene and cleanliness as per the standards laid down under FSS, 2006 and Rules and Regulations 2011.
“After inspection, they are directed to fill up an inspection format completely and if required improvement notices be issued, if hygiene is found to be lacking, kitchen may be ordered to be shut down,” read the directive.
Besides, NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited empanelled private labs have been directed to pick surveillance samples from the kitchen allotted and take them straight to their labs for testing.
“Also water meant for cooking be lifted and tested. All kitches to be sampled for full testing including microbiological test,” the directive said.
Nine students of a government school in the city were taken ill on February 16 after consuming midday meal which allegedly had a dead rat in it.
The meal was served at Government Boys’ Senior Secondary School in Deoli area, and students were rushed to Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital.
Nine packaged drinking water units to be sealed
After launching a crackdown on erring packaged drinking water units in Thoothukudi district, nine were found functioning without any licenses. Hence, the authorities have been directed to seal these units, said Collector M. Ravikumar.
A total of 53 packaged drinking water units were functioning in the district and of these only eight were found to have all the licenses required, he told the media here on Monday.
To start such units, licenses have to be obtained from the Public Works Department (Groundwater), Pollution Control Board and under the Food Safety and Standards Act they have to obtain licenses from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Food Safety Department.
As nine units did not possess any of these licenses, orders were issued to seal them.
Group of secretaries recommend additional tax on saturated food items
A group of secretaries have recommended putting an additional tax on saturated food items, a top Health Ministry official today said.
A group of secretaries have recommended putting an additional tax on saturated food items, a top Health Ministry official today said. Health secretary C K Mishra today said his ministry too has been making such recommendations from time to time while some amount of work on the issue is also being done by the country’s food regulator. “We have been making these recommendations. There is some amount of work also going on in Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). “A group of secretaries also made a recommendation to tax all saturated food. These things are going on,” Mishra said.
He was asked whether the government, as a serious policy measure, contemplating to put tax on some food items and drinks. According to reports, the group of secretaries had earlier recommended imposition of additional taxes on foods with added sugar and saturated fats.
Higher taxes on junk food and sugary beverages were suggested because consumption of such products is growing fast and fuelling several lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disorders.
Taxing sugary drinks can lower consumption and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay, a new World Health Organisation report had earlier said.
Govt to come out with policy soon to keep the young away from junk food
Considering the young generation the future of economic prosperity of the nation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today said it would soon bring out a legislation or an ordinance or a policy to keep the youths healthy and away from junk food. Ministry of health and family welfare, secretary C K Mishra launching a "Saathiya app' and "Saathiya kit" to address the problems related to physical, mental and overall development of the adolescents said,'' The young constitute 26 crore of the population of the country and they are the future of the nation. If India has to be strong and wealthy, it is imperative that the health of the youngsters is good, therefore junk food has to be bid goodbye and they have to say yes to nutritious and clean food.''
He said,'' the growing years are that phase of the growing up when the youths are on the theshold of becoming 'adults'. Their mind is filled with unanswered questions about their physical and mental development and are puzzled about them. There should be someone to answer their queries in a friendly way and settle them down and therefore this "Saathiya kit". The young can know anything regarding their health using this kit. They can even ask queries and can take suggestions. Children have also been advised to lay off from junk food which is harmful for health.''In reply to a query, Mr Mishra said,'' No concrete policy has been formed as yet to ban junk food available in the market but suggestions have been forthcoming from secretaries of various ministries to stop junk food in all forms easily available in the market. The health ministry in coordination with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is deliberating upon a strategy because the authority to ban junk food lies with the latter only.
Feb 20, 2017
This young IAS officer is doing all that she can to ensure Kerala eats healthy
T.V. Anupama is a young IAS officer currently working as the Food Safety Commissioner in Kerala. In her stint as the Food Safety Commissioner, she has conducted multiple raids across the state on those conducting the illegal trading of adulterated food items, and has also closed down multiple networks of several such traders.
It all began 15 months ago when she carried out a raid on a famous food brand, with reports revealing that the products contained very high quantities of impermissible substances. After the raid, this product was banned. Following this, many more raids were carried out, which also revealed that the pesticide content in some fruits and vegetables was about 300 percent more than the permissible limit. Over the course of her stint, she has seized and produced about 6,000 samples of adulterated food in front of the court. There have also been around 750 cases filed in the court against traders.With the Food Safety Department being started only in 2011, some time initially went into the setting up of the department and determining how it would function. Resources, office and a lot of other things needed to be set up along with the analysis and work that was going on. While discussing the same, Anupama told the Deccan Chronicle,
Many things happen on a day-to-day basis, but there’s no ready solution, because we haven’t done it before. We know things like harmful pesticides are used. But how do we go about it? People have vegetables on a daily basis. You can’t just ban them. We needed another kind of solution. Everyone was aware of the situation. We were only a part of it. We spoke about it, made presentations on it at meetings, but the rest was done by the government or public. People started becoming so aware, we continued lifting samples (from check-posts and markets).
Anupama also understood that different offences needed to be tackled in different ways. While speaking to Deccan Chronicle, she said,
Then there was the banning of certain products. Only some got highlighted. There are certain kinds of food items that, under the act or by various medical reports, we know are unsafe. You should treat them in one way. Then there are certain habitual offenders you treat a different way.
The numbers, once released in the media, raised awareness among Keralites as well, and pushed them to think on whether it was better to depend on oneself rather than relying on others. Soon, the folks of Kerala started growing vegetables on their own, and this initiative was backed by the government as well. The government soon began to provide subsidies to those who wanted to begin growing their own vegetables. This has led to a massive drop of 70 percent in vegetable purchases from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Anupama had earlier become very famous in 2010, when she was ranked fourth in the Civil Services Examination. She has again shot to fame with the proactiveness and splendid work she has shown as a Food Safety Commissioner in the state. While talking about her popularity, she said,
I haven’t been comfortable with the kind of attention all this brought. I don’t use my personal FB page much. No Twitter and no verified official page. But at some point, you have to open up. It is mandatory that we put all orders on a public platform. Whenever some adulteration comes, we put it up on the website. I didn’t expect this kind of response. The worst situation is when your privacy is encroached upon. My family was dragged into it. Luckily, they were very supportive. Most of the staff were too, as was the public.
This humble and dedicated young woman proves that the actions of a single individual are enough to bring about a change.
Drinking water bottles to come under the scanner
Close scrutiny: Drinking water jars seized by Food Safety officials in Kozhikode on Saturday.
Food safety officials plan checks across Kozhikode as water crisis looms large
Food safety officials are planning to check the quality of drinking water bottles across the district in anticipation of a water shortage this summer.
“There is a possibility of people selling unclean water in such bottles as we have a drought this year and water is going to be in short supply. We will check the quality of the water being sold in one-litre bottles,” said O. Sankaran Unni, assistant commissioner, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Officials recently inspected vehicles transporting drinking water in the city and seized water jars that were not sealed properly. As per rules, the water jars should have the emblem and details of the manufacturing company and should be sealed properly.
“Water jars manufactured by four private companies have been seized and the samples have been sent to the laboratory for tests. Based on the results, we will initiate action against the manufacturers,” said Mr. Unni.
Most of the water jars seized were unclean and had deposits of fungus on them. Such jars are not being sold through shops and some agencies are involved in their sale.
Communicable diseases
Health experts said there was a chance of spreading of communicable diseases if contaminated drinking water was distributed. Last year, Health Department officials had acted against those distributing drinking water through tankers without permission. Officials had inspected areas such as quarries from where lorry operators collected water. Lorry operators were accused of forging certificates to evade inspection.
Officer suspended
A Junior Health Assistant was suspended from service for producing false certificates to get the additional post.
According to a release from the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Department and Food Safety Commissioner,
Srinivas Reddy of Bidar had submitted the fake document to get the post of food safety officer.
Feb 17, 2017
காலாவதியான உணவுப் பொà®°ுட்கள் à®…à®´ிப்பு!
திà®°ுச்சி à®…à®°ுகே காலாவதியான குளிà®°்பானம் மற்à®±ுà®®் உணவுப் பொà®°ுட்களை அதிகாà®°ிகள் தரையில் கொட்டி à®…à®´ித்தனர்.
திà®°ுச்சி அடுத்த சமயபுà®°à®®் மற்à®±ுà®®் கண்ணூà®°் பேà®°ூà®°ாட்சியில் உள்ள கடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத் துà®±ை அதிகாà®°ிகள் கடந்த வாà®°à®®் திடீà®°ென ஆய்வு à®®ேà®±்கொண்டனர். அப்போது, காலாவதியான உணவுப் பொà®°ுட்கள் தொடர்ந்து விà®±்பனை செய்வது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதனையடுத்து, பல ஆயிà®°à®®் à®°ூபாய் மதிப்புள்ள உணவுப்பொà®°ுட்களை அதிகாà®°ிகள் பறிà®®ுதல் செய்தனர். இதனைத்தொடர்ந்து பறிà®®ுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட உணவுப் பொà®°ுட்களை அதிகாà®°ிகள் இன்à®±ு à®…à®´ிக்குà®®் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டனர். இதில், சுà®®ாà®°் 500 லிட்டர் குளிà®°்பானம் தரையில் கொட்டி à®…à®´ிக்கப்பட்டது. à®®ேலுà®®், பிஸ்கட் உள்ளிட்ட சில உணவு பொà®°ுட்களுà®®் à®…à®´ிக்கப்பட்டன.
Delhi deputy CM orders cooking of mid-day meals to be monitored
NEW DELHI: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday directed the Chief Secretary to monitor cooking of mid-day meals served in Delhi schools after a dead rat was found in the food due to which nine children were taken ill.
Police has also lodged an FIR against two operators of an NGO who supplied mid-day meals to Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Deoli.
"I have ordered the Chief Secretary that all senior officers, including secretaries and principal secretaries will inspect kitchens based on my parameters and give me report within one week, similarly all kitchens in Delhi will regularly be inspected," Sisodia told reporters.
"In the morning today, I had sent my officers to this kitchen at 4.30 AM to take stock of the situation there," he added.
Nine students at the government school were yesterday rushed to Madan Mohan Malviya hospital after they were taken ill after consuming the rat-contaminated food.
Sisodia, who is also the Education Minister, had visited the students at the hospital yesterday.
According to police officials, an FIR has been registered against operators of Jan Chetna Jagriti Evam Shaikshik Vikas Manch, K P Singh and Sanjay Malik, under Sections 273 (sale of noxious food or drink) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) on the complaint of school principal Girirraj Singh Sharma.
"We have sent the food samples for test and are awaiting medical reports of the affected children to move forward. Further sections could be added and more people may be booked if needed. No one has been arrested so far," a senior police official said.
"The school principal also alleged that Malik and his associates who were present at the school ran away carrying the remaining food," he added.
Asked about the allegation of kitchens being operated by a relative of an MLA, Sisodia said, "We will not spare anyone who plays with the lives of students, even if he or she is the relative of MLA, minister and even PM".
"We will ensure strict action against the vendor. We will not tolerate those who play with the lives of students. We will teach them such a lesson that no one in future can do it again," he added.
Indore: Admin launches drive against packaged drinking water, destroys 209 packets
Indore: In a move to save people from consuming contaminated water, especially those which are labeled as mineral water, the district administration and food and drug administration department have launched a drive against packaged drinking water on Thursday.
On the first day of drive, officials raided two units of packaged drinking water – Kanha Beverages and Malhar Beverages – at Palda and destroyed 80 and 123 packets of water respectively.
“We have destroyed water pouch packets without manufacturing details and brand name. No date of manufacturing and expiry were mentioned on these pouches but they were loaded in vehicles to be sold. Along with water pouches, we have also destroyed 48 crates of water bottles,” senior food safety officer Manish Swami said.
He said that more than 15 companies are registered in city for supplying drinking water and samples will be collected from all the units to prepare a report.
Informing about the ongoing ‘Milk Survey’ by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Swami said that they had collected 45 samples of milk, including packed milk, from various places in which 10 samples were failed.
“After serving notices to them, we have again collected samples from their shops and will take action if they failed the test again,” he added.
FSSAI to focus on beverages in summer
In view of forthcoming summer, FSSAI has directed the food safety officials to concentrate on quality of beverages and collect at least 40 samples every month.
“We are collecting more than 40 samples in a month and submitting our report to the apex regulatory body. FDA has collected samples of butter milk, cold drinks, fruit juices and other drinks,” he added.
Now, relish tender coconut water from sachets, carry packs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB 17:
Nutrient-rich tender coconut water is now available in powder form in delightful packs, thanks to pioneering work by a Kerala-based startu-p.
NaturUp Consumer Products of Chalakudy in Thrissur uses modern spray drying technology to remove the water/moisture from the nut to generate the powder.
Spray drying
Spray drying is used to heat liquids and emulsions to remove moisture to generate a stable powder, says Antony S Pathadan, NaturUp promoter, and a former IT entrepreneur.
The powder retains the natural attributes of rich nutrients, essential electrolytes, vitamins and minerals associated with tender coconuts.
The powder packs are ideal for gym, camping sites, kid’s events, at work places, and pack neatly into one’s travel bag, Pathadan said.
No preservatives
“We capture the authentic taste of tender coconut water and add no preservative, artificial flavour, or colour. Our product is 100 per cent gluten-free.”
The manufacturing unit is licensed by the Food Safety and Standards Association of India. It also has FDA approval for export to various countries.
The manufacturing plant is based at Puducherry. It uses only coconut water, while the pulp is given to ice-cream manufacturers. Thus, it saves on costs of of storing, processing of whole coconut shells and managing waste.
NatureUP collects coconuts of South Indian origin (said to be the most tasty and nutritious) for sourcing water.
Convenient packs
After a refining process, the water and moisture are removed. This leaves behind the powder rich in nutrients and carbohydrates, which is packed into convenient packs.
It has a shelf-life of a year but once the pack is opened, it lasts for not more than six hours. This is in stark contrast to preservative-laden products which last for days together after opening, Pathadan said.
IGNOU programme on food safety
A two-day training programme on ‘Food safety: hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP),’ organised by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) regional centre here, concluded on Thursday.
The first programme of the series was inaugurated by G. Madhavan Nair, former ISRO chairman. Around 100 students and professionals working in the field of biosciences attended the programme.
The next phase of the programme will be organised on February 19 and 20 by the IGNOU regional centre in association with the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) and the International Institute for Certification and Training (ICCT).
FSSAI constitutes panel to identify nutritional gaps
In news:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has constituted a panel to identify critical nutritional gaps in the Indian diet in general and also in specific specific target groups.
What will panel do:
The Panel will identify critical nutritional gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as in specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence, define strategies to address nutritional needs of the general population and vulnerable groups, and review the standards for all suitable food fortifying vehicles,in addition to the healthy dietary intake of Fat, Sugar & Salt. It will also address regulatory and related technological issues, review proposals from industry using modern risk assessment methods, and prescribe standard sampling and test methods for effective monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the relevant regulations.
Malnutrition in India
- Micronutrient Malnutrition Disorders are ubiquitously prevalent in all age groups of the population. According to National Family Health Survey (2006-07) and the World Bank (2006), about 70% preschool children suffer from iron deficiency anaemia and 57% preschool children have sub-clinical Vitamin A deficiency respectively.
- As per the World Bank (2006), Iodine deficiency is endemic in 85 per cent of districts. Moreover, folate deficiency which leads to Neural Tube Defects (NTDS)are the most common congenital malformation in Indian context with an incidence that varies between 0.5-8/1000 births. It is estimated that 50-70% of these birth defects are preventable.
FSSAI being the standard setting and regulatory body has taken a step in public health domain to address these and other vitamin deficiency-related Malnutrition Disorders through fortification of food.
What is food fortification:
Food fortification - also known as food enrichment - is when nutrients are added to food at higher levels than what the original food provides. This is done to address micronutrient deficiencies across populations, countries and regions.
- Food fortification can happen at the household level, the community level or, most commonly, at the industrial level:
- Mass fortification is when micronutrients are added to foods commonly consumed by the mass population – such as cereals and condiments.
- Universal fortification is when micronutrients are added to food consumed by animals as well as people, such as with iodization of salt.
- Targeted fortification exists in such areas as school food programs, when, for example, a cracker is specifically fortified for a targeted age group.
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