Jun 20, 2017
187 milk samples were found ‘substandard’, TN tells court
CHENNAI,
The Tamil Nadu government told the Madras High Court that 187 milk samples were found to be either ‘substandard’ or ‘misbranded’.
It had launched 143 cases, convicted 81 and imposed a penalty of ₹10.26 lakh. The milk samples were taken from all the 32 districts with 886 samples analysed.
Substandard could be dilution of milk with water or addition of vegetable fats while misbranded could be labelling mistake or ingredients not mentioned.
With regard to milk products, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said in a status report submitted to the Court today that out of the 338 samples taken from all the districts, 11 were found ‘unsafe’ and 132 were found to be ‘substandard’ and ‘misbranded.’ The State government had launched 83 cases, convicted 56 and imposed a penalty of ₹6 lakh.
Out of 11 unsafe samples of milk products, six were due to presence of colours (Tartrazine, Rhodamnine and Carmoisine) while in the remaining five, there were presence of micro organisms like Coliform, detergent, yeast and mould-1.
The survey was done between August 2011 and May 2017, the State government said in the report.
Radhakrishnan filed the report on behalf of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department in response to the Court seeking a status report on steps taken for the implementation the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 particularly in relation to allegation of adulteration of milk meant for children.
Early this month, the first Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar sought the status report while hearing a PIL filed by Congress advocate AP Suryaprakasam on allegations of adulteration in milk by private milk companies. The PIL also referred to recent statements made by Dairy Development Minister Rajendra Balaji that private milk producers indulged in adulteration, and that samples were sent to various labs for testing.
Radhakrishnan said that the State government has reconstituted state-level steering committee/district level steering committee to ensure availability of safe milk.
The Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration has been directed to check the menace of adulterated milk and take stringent action against dairy owners, dairy operators and retailers if chemical adulterants like pesticides or caustic soda were found in the milk.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration has been asked to identify high risk area where there is greater presence of petty food manufacturer/ business operator.
886 milk samples tested in 32 districts, safe: TN govt to HC
The Tamil Nadu government today informed the Madras High Court that 886 samples of milk taken from 32 districts were examined and found safe.
However, 11 of the 338 samples of milk products tested were found unsafe for consumption.
The Health and Family Welfare department stated this in its report filed in the court with regard to the action taken on complaints of adulteration of milk.
The department filed its report on the high court's direction issued during the hearing of a lawsuit filed by an advocate, Suryaprakasam, seeking a CBI probe into the reports of adulteration in milk by various private producers in the state.
Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary J Radhakrishnan in his affidavit submitted that none of the 886 samples lifted and analysed between August 5, 2011 and May 31, 2017, were found unsafe.
As many as 187 samples were found sub-standard and misbranded, following which 143 cases were registered and a penalty of Rs 10,26,300 was collected, he submitted.
The affidavit added that the department had on June 15 formed a state-level steering committee headed by chief secretary and district-level steering committees under the chairmanship of district collectors for smooth operation of regulatory provisions of the 'Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.'
On analysing the milk products, the counter stated, out of the 338 samples tested in 32 districts, 11 were found unsafe and 132 samples were found sub-standard and misbranded.
As many as 83 cases were lodged and a penalty of Rs 6,00,500 was collected, it said.
Elaborating on sub-standard milk products, Radhakrishnan said dilution with water, addition of vegetable fats, less fat are treated as sub-standard.
The official further submitted that a communication had already been sent on November 1, 2016 to authorities concerned to adhere to the directions and observations made by the Supreme Court on the issue.
Report on milk adulteration finds 11 samples unsafe
56 convicted and Rs. 6 lakh penalty imposed, Health Secretary tells HC
The State government has informed the Madras High Court that out of the 338 milk/ milk product samples lifted from 32 districts in the State between August 5, 2016 and May 31, 2017, eleven were found to be unsafe, 132 substandard and misbranded.
Micro organisms
“Out of the 11 unsafe samples, six are due to the presence of colours Tartrazine – 3, Rhodamine – 2 and Carmoisine – 1. The remaining five samples were found with micro organisms like Coliform-3, Detergent-1, Yeast and Mould-1. Totally 83 cases were registered in which 56 were convicted and penalty imposed to the tune of Rs. 6 lakh,” the report field by the J. Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department said.
Mr. Radhakrishnan made the submissions on a PIL filed by advocate A.P. Suryaprakasam seeking proper action by the authorities concerned on the allegations of milk adulteration in the State.
Survey conducted
The Health Secretary filed the detailed status report on the action taken to curb milk adulteration across the State. The report added that as per the instructions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, a survey was conducted in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem, Ambattur, Tirunelveli, and Hosur for the period from November 2016 to December, 2016.
Out of 106 milk samples tested, two were reported unsafe, 22 substandard, and 82 as conforming to standards, he added.
Out of a total of 32 fresh samples lifted from Vellore, Thiruchi, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Madurai and Ramanathapuram between February 1 and March 31, none was found to be unsafe, eight turned out to be substandard due to dilution with water and addition of vegetable fats, the report said.
The government further informed the High Court that through a government order dated June 15, State and district-level steering committees to check adulteration had been reconstituted by including the Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Department, Director of Milk Production and Dairy Development, and the Deputy Registrar (Dairy).
Food traders warned against operating without licence
The district administration has warned operation of businesses in food commodities without the requisite licence mandated by the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011.
All traders in food commodities, grocers, hotel owners, tea stalls, sweet and savoury manufacturers and retailers, roadside shopkeepers, bakeries, meat sellers, vegetable and fruit stalls milk producers, and traders, canteens running in schools, college, industrial units, caterers to wedding halls, wholesale and retailers among others are now required to be licensed with permit to operate under the Act.
According to the administration, enough time had been accorded since the coming into force of the Act in May 2011.
Therefore, it is illegal to operate business without permits. Businesses with an annual turnover of Rs. 12 lakh shall pay Rs. 100 per annum in the district treasury and register on www.foodlicencing.fssai.gov.in along with a photo and valid identity.
The affidavit may be downloaded and submitted to the Food Safety Officer in person or through post.
Alternatively, business operators may take the assistance of Common Service Centres.
Further, for those with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 12 lakh, the annual fee towards permit is Rs. 2,000. Details regarding registration may be obtained from the District Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Collectorate; 04342-230385.
Those already with existing permits are required to verify the validity and renew their licence before their validity expires. Renewal of licences before the expiry of validity will prevent levy of penalty and also enable the manufacturers to retain the same registration number printed on the packets of their food products.
Any complaints on food standards may be forwarded to the Food Safety Department’s whatsapp 94440 42322.
Packaged food firms will soon have to disclose GM content: FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on the final guidelines on the labelling of GM foods
New Delhi: Soon, packaged food companies will have to disclose details of genetically modified (GM) ingredients used in processed food on the labels. The country’s food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is working on the final guidelines on the labelling of GM foods, its chief executive officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal said.
“Genetically modified items are being used in a lot of processed foods. Consumers have the right to know which products may have GM items. The scientific panel has already started work on this, and we’ll soon finalise the labeling norms,” said Agarwal.
Earlier this month, officials of FSSAI and members of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which regulates GM foods in India, had a meeting on the issue. FSSAI has the responsibility of regulating GM products used in processed food but those GM products have to be approved by GEAC, according to the Food safety and Standards Act, 2006.
At present, companies are not required to declare presence of GM ingredients in a food item in India, and a lot of imported processed foods have GM items. GEAC had, in April, expressed concern on the absence of regulations on processed GM foods, Mint reported on 9 May.
Last month, GEAC had approved commercial cultivation of GM mustard in India which the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will have to clear. To date, India allows commercial production of GM crop Bt cotton only. While Bt brinjal has the approval, the government did not introduce this due to widespread protests against the technology.
Till recently, India did not allow import of GM foods. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha last July, Nirmala Sitharaman, minister of state, ministry of commerce and industry, had said that the customs can clear GM food products after necessary approval by FSSAI, and the food regulator had not cleared import of any GM food. According to norms, import of GM foods requires prior approval from the GEAC.
In an unrelated development, FSSAI allowed import of 72 special food items meant for children with ‘Inborn errors of Metabolism’ last week. These food items, which can only be consumed under the supervision of healthcare professionals, are manufactured by only a handful of companies worldwide. The makers of these products include the local arm of US-based baby food maker Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, French Dairy firm Danone SA-owned Nutricia International Pvt. Ltd, American healthcare firm Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd and Swiss packaged food company Nestle SA’s local entity Nestle India Ltd. FSSAI has allowed import of these products for two years, or till it comes out with standards for them.
Beware, The King of Fruits Can Be Tainted With Carcinogens
As a kid, I used to get excited about the summer holidays for two reasons. One, because it meant not having to wake up early for school and two, it meant a near unlimited supply of mangoes (courtesy my extremely indulgent father). At the time, I had no idea that mangoes were often artificially ripened with calcium carbide, and even if I did, I wouldn't have been able to tell the artificially ripened mangoes apart from the naturally ripened ones. Thankfully, my dad knew the difference and it's a really good thing that he did because eating artificially ripened fruit can have some really nasty side effects. According to news reports, large quantities of artificially ripened fruits are being sold in the market.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has noted that calcium carbide is a carcinogen, and the Food Safety and Standards Rules prohibit the use of carbide generated gas for ripening fruits.
Calcium carbide when mixed with water, releases acetylene gas which speeds up the ripening of the fruit. A study linked calcium carbide to a whole host of side effects, ranging from dizziness to memory loss and seizures. The study noted that these effects occur because calcium carbide contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous. The study also pointed out that calcium carbide can cause irritation in the eye and skin rashes. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has noted that calcium carbide is a carcinogen, and the Food Safety and Standards Rules prohibit the use of carbide generated gas for ripening fruits.
So, how do you tell the difference between delicious, naturally ripened mangoes and potentially toxic artificially ripened mangoes? One way is just by looking at them. Naturally ripened mangoes don't look as good as their artificially ripened counterparts and are not uniformly coloured. Another way to tell the difference is by the smell. Naturally ripened mangoes generally have a stronger aroma than artificially ripened ones. According to the FSSAI, artificially ripened fruits are also overly soft, and inferior in taste and flavour.
Despite being aware of the signs which indicate that a mango has been artificially ripened, it is still quite likely that many people will end up buying it. In that case, the FSSAI recommends that the fruit be washed thoroughly before it is consumed.
They also have a shorter shelf life.
Despite being aware of the signs which indicate that a mango has been artificially ripened, it is still quite likely that many people will end up buying it. In that case, the FSSAI recommends that the fruit is washed thoroughly before it is consumed. It also recommends that, as far as possible, its skin should be peeled off. For mangoes and apples, the FSSAI advises that they should be cut, rather than eaten as a whole (something I've been guilty of doing quite often).
Fruit is an important part of people's diets, and mangoes aren't called the 'king of fruits' for no reason. They are extremely popular and every summer, people, myself included, tend to eat a lot of mangoes. Given their popularity, it is crucial that we take the time to ensure that we only buy naturally ripened mangoes. Do your taste buds and your health a favour!
Modern slaughterhouses mooted in 12 local bodies
THRISSUR: The state government is planning to set up 12 modern slaughterhouses under urban local bodies across the state, apart from reviving about 20-odd slaughterhouses, which are remaining unused. The urban local bodies selected for implementing the project are Kanhangad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Perinthalmanna, Kondotty, Palakkad, Kunnamkulam, Chalakudy, Aluva, Thiruvalla, Punaloor and Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) is likely to invest Rs 100 crore for the project. According to minister for local self-government K T Jaleel the ensuing board meeting of the KIIFB would accord sanction to project.
The slaughterhouses would be equipped with modern facilities for slaughtering as well as for waste processing, he said.
The urban local bodies which have been selected for the setting up of the project, have been asked to submit willingness within a week.
The local bodies have to provide land for the project.
Suchitwa Mission has already invited companies to submit expressions of interest for empaneling the agencies for the execution of the project.
The KIIFB project evaluator Dr P V Mohanan said now only one modern slaughter house located at Brahmagiri in Wayanad was available for the public. Meat Products of India (MPI) has set up a modern slaughterhouse at Koothattukulam for the company's own use.
This is despite the fact that the 3.3 lakh cattle, 6.54 lakh buffaloes, and 3.38 lakh goats are being slaughtered in the state annually. Similarly, at least 15 lakh birds including chicken are also being slaughtered in the state per each day.
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"About 15,680 slaughtering centres are functioning in the state, with the registration given by the local bodies. However, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, the slaughter houses must have licenses issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, from 2016. But none of these slaughtering centres have those licences," Mohanan said.
"Similarly, around 9,600 tonnes of meat waste is being generated at the poultry slaughtering centres alone in the state," Mohanan said. "Currently, most of the waste is being purchased by some illegal agents, who then dump it on the roadside and uninhabited areas at night hours. With the setting up of modern slaughtering units, the issue of waste treatment will also be over, which might, in turn, reduce the stray dog menace as well," he said.
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