FBOs cannot use oils with total polar compounds exceeding 25%: FSSAI

Mumbai

In a bid to bring clarity over the repeated use of cooking oils, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed that vegetable oils whose total polar compounds (TPC) are in excess of 25 per cent cannot be used by the food business operators (FBOs) for the purpose of frying.

The draft notification issued by the regulator stated that the following details be included under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, under Schedule 4, Part V, Clause II, Sub-clause 3(j). However, vegetable oil having over 25 per cent TPC cannot be used.

Several food inspectors received complaints last year regarding repeated use of the cooking oils by the FBOs, which prompted FSSAI to take further action in this regard. Further, to streamline the standards for cooking oils, the regulator observed that the regulations had no particular provisions to limit the use of cooking oils.

J P Singh, food safety officer (FSO), Uttar Pradesh, said, “The notification was released just three months after the concerns over the repeated usage of cooking oils were reported by FSOs to the FSSAI. This shows the speed at which the Centre is addressing issues. On studying the detailed analysis of the cooking oils, the prescribed limit was shared with the industry for their comments and suggestions.”

Meanwhile, the regulator has directed FSOs not to draw samples to test the oils till the limits are prescribed by it. Also, the regulation to impose limits on the reuse of the cooking oils, considering the TPC of the used oil, clearly states that the regulator has clarified its intention to build the legal infrastructure to ensure safe food for all.

Moreover, biodiesel manufacturers are keen to develop a parallel legislation, which will address the concerns regarding the repeated use of cooking oils by making use of the used cooking oils from the hotels and restaurants as their raw material to manufacture biodiesel. The hotels and restaurants have welcomed this move and has responded positively in this regard.

France to review food whitener additive for health risks

The French government has ordered a review of the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive after a scientific study released on Friday found health effects in animals that consumed the substance.

Titanium dioxide is widely used in industry as a whitener, notably for paint. It is an ingredient in some foods such as sweets and known as additive E171.

France's National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and partners in a study on oral exposure to titanium dioxide had shown for the first time that E171 crosses the intestine wall in animals to reach other parts of the body, INRA said.

The researchers observed immune system disorders linked to the absorption of nano-sized E171 particles and found that swallowing regular doses of the additive led to a non-malignant stage of early cancer formation in the colon in 40 percent of animals, INRA said.

"While the findings show that the additive plays a role in initiating and promoting the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis, they cannot be extrapolated to humans or more advanced stages of the disease," it said, calling for further research to study later stages of cancer.

France's agriculture and health ministries said in a statement they would request a review from the country's health and safety agency ANSES to see if the additive presented risks for consumers.

The findings of the review were expected at the end of March, the ministries said, adding that this was in addition to a wider study of the risks of nano-particles in food launched last year.

The European Union's food safety agency EFSA last year completed a re-evaluation of the E171 additive in food, concluding that available data did not indicate health concerns.

However, it recommended new research to fill data gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system.

Baker, restaurateur, two vegetable sellers booked for violation of food safety act

“A joint checking squad on the instructions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today conducted market inspection in various areas of Srinagar city,” said an official spokesman.

Baker, restaurateur, two vegetable sellers booked for violation of food safety act

Two vegetable sellers, a baker and a restaurateur were booked and penalized for violation of Food Safety and Standards Act in Srinagar on Saturday.

“A joint checking squad on the instructions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today conducted market inspection in various areas of Srinagar city,” said an official spokesman.

The team comprising officials of Legal Metrology, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Food Safety Standard Departments conducted the drive to book erring traders for violating various consumer protection and food safety standard laws, he added.