Jun 23, 2017
Eatables should not be packed in newspapers, plastic bags: Collector
Virudhunagar Collector A. Sivagnanam has warned hoteliers and tea stalls against packing eatables in newspapers and hot beverages in plastic bags.
In a statement, he said hotels, tea stalls and bakeries had the habit of packing eatables in newspapers. The ink used for printing on newspapers have chemicals, including lead and cadium, which could get mixed with the packed eatables. The chemicals on being consumed could lead to indigestion and cancer, and also affect liver and the brain.
Similarly, serving hot eatables on plastic papers or packing hot beverages in plastic covers will lead to melting of the plastic, leading to cancer and affecting the liver.
People can lodge food-related complaints through WhatsApp number 94440-42322.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has banned packing of eatables and beverages in newspapers and plastic covers.
Hoteliers and bakeries could use plantain leaves, arecanut leaf sheath, paper plates and cups made of leaves for packing eatables.
Mr. Sivagnanam said that tea, milk, sambar and rasam should not be packed in plastic covers. Stringent action would be taken against those who violate the food safety rules under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Hoteliers can apply for food safety licence through the websitewww.fssai.gov.in. This could be done through e-service centres, Mr. Sivagnanam said.
Register your food business with food safety officials: Collector
District Collector T.N. Hariharan has asked those in food business to register with the food safety office concerned or obtain licence. A release issued by the district administration said that those who cook food, wholesale traders, distributors, retail traders, bakeries, cool drink manufacturers and sellers, ice cream parlours, sweet shops, snack bars, grocers, rice mills, spices producers, food re-packers, milk producers, processing units and sellers and those who use vehicles to transport food and everybody in the food business chain should register with the authority as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011.
Those who run canteen, mess in government establishments, hostels, street vendors, push cart vendors, caterers who undertake party, wedding or other orders, meat, poultry, pork stalls and noon meal centres should also obtain licence.
Those who had already registered or licensed should renew their registration or licence before expiry. The Coimbatore office of the Designated Food Safety Officer had issued licence to 5,722 persons and issued registration certificate to 9,521 persons.
It had initiated action on 204 persons on food adulteration charges and collected Rs. 16.60 lakh in fine, the release added.
The release also asked people to report complaints through WhatsApp on 94440-42322.
Many districts yet to comply with food safety rules
Madurai: In an age when most people are utmost vigilant about the food they eat, its safety has assumed paramount importance. However, an RTI filed by a law student has picked several holes in the imposition of food safety act including low fines due to lack of sensitisation among the officials. The RTI also revealed that many districts in the state were yet to constitute district-level steering committees which are mandatory under the act on food safety.
R S Aafreen, a second year student of law, said that district revenue officers were designated as adjudicating officer under the FSSA with powers of a civil court for imposing penalties other than jail. Due to lack of sensitisation, the fine that has been imposed in many cases ranged from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 though the act stipulates imposing fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months
Aafreen had filed the RTI seeking the status of district-level steering committees in the 32 districts. The Tamil Nadu government order G.O (D) No 923 dated September 12, 2014 had directed officials to constitute food steering committees at the state as well as the district level under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. District level food safety steering committees have to be constituted with the district collector as chairperson to monitor the food industry.
The RTI which was addressed to the state commissionerate got the district level officers to answer it but only 15 of the 32 officers have answered the query indicating the absence of the committees. As per the reply to the RTI, Dindigul, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Salem and Virudhunagar districts did not furnish any reply to the formation of the steering committees.
The state had integrated the food safety wing of the directorate of public health and the department of drugs control administration and formed the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration under FSSA and Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. The food safety commissionerate of Tamil Nadu is one of the biggest departments in the country with 32 district designated officers, 580 food safety officers and supportive staff. However, the commissioner of food safety continues to hold multiple responsibilities.
It is specified that the district designated officer should have a medical degree and that the food safety officer (FSO) a degree in chemistry and allied subjects. Persons who are appointed as FSOs cannot be promoted to the next level of district designated officer as it needs a medical degree. This leads to a lack of motivation among them.
The annual report of 2013-2014 of the department says that the 580 FSOs had collected only 658 legal samples and that cases were filed against only 61 traders and the total penalty imposed during the entire year was only Rs 5.7 lakhs while the food commissionerate gets over Rs 50 crore annually for its functioning. The annual report says that Rs 35 lakh was collected as penalty in 203 cases in the year 2014-2015.
Food safety inspections continue
The Food Safety Department continued its Statewide inspections of shops on Thursday to ensure food safety and allay people’s concerns in the wake of social media speculations about the sale of food products such as rice and sugar laced with plastic.
Over the week, 677 centres were inspected and 136 of them were served notices for renovation and other issues. A fine of Rs. 1.8 lakh was imposed. A total of 436 samples of rice and sugar have been taken for examination. The test results of the samples would be available in two weeks, an official statement said.
27 food outlets asked to shut shop
Vadodara: Food safety officers of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation continued their crackdown upon eateries operating without registrations mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act. On Thursday, officers checked 48 shops, seven handcarts and 29 restaurants or eateries in different parts. It came to light that 27 establishments including 17 shops, four handcarts and six restaurants or eateries did not have registrations. The eateries include a prominent restaurant on the Old Padra Road, an Indian fast food chain outlet and prominent 'pan' shops.
FSSAI committed to robust and unambiguous standards for food supplements
Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said Thursday that the FSSAI is committed to ensuring robust and unambiguous standards for food supplements with the help of industry.
Addressing a FICCI seminar on Nutraceuticals - Seizing Growth Opportunities under Changing Economic and Regulatory Landscape held here today, Agarwal urged food processing industry players to work with the FSSAI on developing good manufacturing practices, document and adoption of it for overcoming challenges of spurious and dubious products flooding Indian markets.
Agarwal also mentioned that FSSAI is working with the central drug regulator to make a clear distinction between drug and food, which will clear a lot of ambiguity present among the stakeholders.
The other speakers in the inaugural session included Dr. B. Sesikeran, Chairman, Scientific Panel on Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, Dietetic products and other similar products, FSSAI, Dr. A K Sharma, Consultant, FSSAI; Mr. Sanjaya Mariwala, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Nutraceuticals and Managing Director and CEO, OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd; Mr. Sandeep Ahuja, Chairman, FICCI ? Wellness Committee and Executive Director, VLCC Healthcare Ltd and Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI.
Dr. A Didar Singh emphasized the need for having standards for food products and how FICCI can collaboratively work with FSSAI to further expand the scope of standards beyond the current standards.
Sanjaya Mariwala highlighted the growth opportunities in Nutraceuticals and its contribution to Make in India initiative. He also invite industry member to work collaboratively on matters related to GST.
The seminar was attended by about 100 participants from the nutraceuticals industry.
FSSAI’s move regarding organic food’s certification not wise: CSE
Making organic certification mandatory will only promote the certification industry but not safe food
Quick Read
FSSAI wants to make certification for foods sold as 'organic' in India mandatory
However, FSSAI's move might result in more Indian farmers giving up organic farming
This could impact food safety in India
Delhi-based non-profit, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has disapproved of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s move to make certification of organic food sold in India mandatory. It says that not only will such a move promote just the certification industry but also strike a blow to the organic farming movement in India and impact country's food safety.
On March 31, 2017, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued a notice asking for comments on a proposed regulation titled “Draft Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017” (Draft Regulations). The regulation seeks to make certification mandatory for any food that claims to be “organic” in the domestic market.
Currently, certification for food sold as “organic” in India is not mandatory. However, there are two prevalent certification systems which are voluntarily followed by those who want to sell food under this category. The first system, which is governed by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is mandatory for exports. It is called the National Programme for Organic Production and is also referred to as “Third Party Certification”. The second system, governed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, is called the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and is meant only for the domestic market. The Third Party Certification system is applicable to individual farmers or farmer groups, while the PGS is applicable only to farmer groups and works around the collective responsibility of the group.
The proposed Draft Regulations allow for the direct sale of “fresh organic produce” by producers or producer organisations to the end consumer without it having been certified. However, “processed food” is not exempt from the requirement of certification. This means that for any processed food to be sold as “organic” in Indian markets, it will have to be certified either by an agency under the Third Party Certification system or under PGS.
While both certification systems have a procedure for certification of processed food, practically, as of now, processed food certified under PGS is not a reality. The PGS guidelines allow certification of processed food as organic, only if the entire operation is carried out under the supervision of the PGS group of farmers (or a federation of few groups) and the items being processed are the direct produce of the group (or the groups forming the federation).In simple terms, for PGS-certified processed food, the raw produce must belong to the group of farmers and the processing must be undertaken under their supervision.
Amit Khurana, Senior Programme Manager, Food Safety and Toxins Unit, CSE says, “We understand that most PGS farmers are not undertaking any kind of processing and because they cannot not sell their produce for processing outside the group / federation, they are dealing only in fresh produce.” The sale of fresh organic food in India is already facing many challenges because of a lack of market linkages. As a result, farmers do not get the premium price they deserve for organic food and they are suffering, he adds.
Khurana said that the draft regulations could spell a lot of trouble if they became law, “If that happens, it will further eliminate any sale of PGS produce for processing outside the group and PGS farmers will be left with very limited options.”
One option could be to convert to the expensive system of Third Party Certification. But that too would be a futile move since it would only lead to the industry of certification agencies being promoted. Farmers who are unable to afford third party certification, might continue selling fresh produce despite the discouraging market situation, or worse, may quit organic farming. This adverse impact on the organic farming movement will lead to more food grown with the use of pesticides and other chemicals and will impact food safety in India.
Food safety authority’s draft amendments include fatty acids composition in edible oil
NEW DELHI, JUNE 22:
In a bid to curb misleading claims and adulteration in edible oils, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has notified a draft regulation that sets standards for the permissible composition of fatty acids in various types of edible oils.
The amendments in the regulation have been introduced at a time when edible oil companies have been increasingly looking at launching blended oil products to woo consumers with various health benefit claims.
The food regulator said the draft FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulation 2017 will pave the way for determination of the authenticity of edible oils by incorporating fatty acid composition in the standards. “Since the fatty acid composition is different for each edible oil, this amendment will go a long way in exposing and curbing two malpractices in the edible oil sector- adulteration of expensive oils with cheaper oils and misleading label claims on the composition of blended oils,” the regulator said in its notification. It is seeking comments from various stakeholders.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, said the new draft speaks about the percentage of fatty acids composition along with the different kinds of fatty acids founds in 20 types of edible oils besides their permissible limits. “This regulation will provide clarity to edible oil makers and testing authorities. It will also benefit consumers by bringing in transparency regarding the oil composition that they consume and ensure their safety,” he added.Organic food
Meanwhile, FSSAI also released a draft notification on organic food that aims to bring in a regulatory framework to ensure safety of such products as well their authentic organic status.
According to the draft FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations, any food offered for sale as “organic food’’ should comply with the provisions laid down under either the National Programme for Organic Production or the Participatory Guarantee System for India or any other systems notified by the FSSAI.
The draft regulation also mandates that such foods should convey accurate information on the organic status of the product and should carry a certificate or quality assurance mark, among other things.
BAN ON IMPORT OF CHINESE MILK PRODUCTS EXTENDED BY A YR
The Government on Thursday extended the ban on import of milk and its products from China for one more year till June 2018. India had first imposed the ban in September 2008 when it was feared that some milk consignments from the country contained melamine, a toxic chemical used for making plastics and fertilisers.
"Prohibition on import of milk and milk products (including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/ confectionery/ food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient) from China is extended for one more year, i.e., till 23.6.2018 or until their safety is established or their credential is established on the basis of the credible reports," said a senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The ban, which expired on June 23, is extended every year.
India does not import milk products from China, but has imposed the ban as a preventive measure. Milk contaminated with melamine, a chemical which causes kidney stones in young children had led to several deaths in China in 2008,
India is the world's largest producer and consumer of milk. Among states, Uttar Pradesh is the leading milk producer, followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat.
How Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu Effects On Health
Adulterated Milk, Kalthi Palu, Chemicals in Milk, Adulterated Milk Health Problems, Kalthi Palu Health Problems, Health Problems Due To Chemicals in Milk, Health Problems Due To Adulterated Milk
Are you drinking milk every day? Is your kid-child drinking milk daily? then beware, a daily glass of milk can cause serious health issues like heart problem, cancer, and sometimes even death. have a look.. According to the Government of India, over 68 percent of milk in the country does not conform to the standards set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
A glass of Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu contains highly toxic chemicals which effect our health badly. urea, water, caustic soda, paint, sugar, detergent Hydrogen Peroxide, carbonates, bicarbonates, starch, glucose, salt, Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) and vegetable fat are used to make synthetic milk or adulterated milk and milk products.
Unknown thing is some dairy farms are giving injections to yield more milk and that milk contains toxins that release into the milk which cause hormone imbalance in women and men, Early breast development in girls, Male breast (gynecomastia), Hormonal imbalance in children, Heart diseases including cardiac arrhythmia, increased or decreased blood pressure, premature ventricular contraction etc., Impaired menstrual flow in girls and women, Eye loss, Kidney diseases, Memory loss are seen. Also chemicals which are sprayed on grass is eaten by cow or buffalo or goat produces milk which may contains toxins which are dangerous to our health.
Below Are How Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu Effects On Health:
If Urea is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it damages the intestinal track and digestive system, It over burdens kidneys as they have to filter out urea content from the body.
If Detergents is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it creates health hazards like digestive system disorders, diarrhea (Motions), effects on kidney functioning
If Formalin is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it causes organ dysfunction besides damaging the intestinal track and digestive system, it can increase the chances of cancer, Skin diseases and eye disease, chances of kidney failure
If Starch is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it reduces the nutritive values in milk, you may suffer with diarrhea (Motions) and may prove fatal for sugar patients ie Diabetes (sugar disease)
If Sugar is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then chances of epidemic diseases. There are chances of getting Diabetes (sugar disease), It can be fatal for those who have kidney problems
If Salt is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it reduces the nutritive values in milk, people may suffer with high BP, It can be fatal for those who have kidney problems
If Hydrogen Peroxide is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it effects on intestinal track and digestive system causing ulcers, gastritis such as stomach burn, bloating and stomach cramps (stomach pains), it may increase heart beat and cause cardiac arrhythmia, It also cause early aging.
If carbonates and bicarbonates is present in Adulterated Milk-Kalthi Palu then it effects on fertility, It causes disruption in harmone signaling that regulates development and reproduction.
Hair in your food is not just disgusting, it's also poisonous
A doctor shares exactly why you should be extremely careful about human hair getting into your food.
Imagine you've taken a lunch or dinner break at your favourite restaurant, just to get a taste of your favourite dish. Your order comes, and you tuck into that yummy meal. But midway through, you find a teeny-tiny piece of hair in your food.
We know what your response would be: YUCK! And we thoroughly agree. It's gross, and you just shouldn't have to go through it. But the fact of life is that hair ends up in our food quite often and quite accidentally, whether it's in a restaurant or at home. Come on, admit it, you've discovered your dear mom's hair in the delicious dal at least once or twice?
It's still okay if you identify the hair in your dish in time. But what if you can't? What if you accidentally eat it? There's no way you an get away with it without repercussions. This is the reason restaurants, bakeries and food processing units have to follow hair control measures. Ingesting hair is just not healthy.
A very hairy issue
Human hair is made up of the protein keratin, which also makes up the outer layer of the skin and nails. In itself, keratin might not pose a problem. But the truth is that, besides making you feel nauseated, hair can lead to contamination in foods. It is one of the leading physical contaminants in food, along with stones, metal pieces, insect parts, rodent droppings etc.
All of these can cause physical harm as well as result in foodborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid, jaundice etc. To ensure food safety the FSSAI has established hygiene and sanitation guidelines as per Schedule 4 of the regulations, which mentions that human hair must be controlled from falling into exposed foods in eateries as well as in food processing and manufacturing plants.
Contamination
Human hair is termed a physical as well as a microbiological contaminant, because it can lead to the growth of microorganisms in the food. Oil, sweat, residue of hair treatment chemicals and shampoos, dyes or any other organic matter sticking to the hair becomes a breeding ground for pathogens when left in processed foods for long periods of time.
A report published by the National Institute of Science, Technology, and Development Studies, New Delhi, on human hair waste states that hair could contain a number of toxic chemical contaminants. These contaminants reach the hair from the environment, and so these same toxic substances can reach food from human hair.
Health risks and precautions
You can choke on hair in food, or it can make your vomit. But that apart, human hair can transmit ringworm as well as fungal infections if a person is infected by these. Staph aureus, as it's often called, is a type of bacteria that can be found on the skin and hair as well as in the noses and throats of people and animals.
Getting a bacterial infection is just not what you'd want, so it's always best to take some precautions. Make sure anybody who cooks for you wears hairnets, headbands, caps, beard covers or other effective hair restraints. If a restaurant is known for faulty safety or hygiene standards, don't go there (even if it means you won't be able to taste a dish you love), because prevention is better than cure any day.
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