Nov 8, 2017
SC sets aside Rs 20 cr penalty for Khyber Milk
New Delhi, Nov 07: In a major relief to Kashmir-based Khyber Agro Farms Pvt Limited, the Supreme Court of India has set aside J&K High Court’s order imposing Rs 20 crore penalty on it.
A three judge bench led by Chief Justice, Deepak Misra on October 30 set aside the J&K HC order observing that the condition imposed by the Court directing the appellant to deposit the amount was “uncalled for”.
“Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we are of the considered opinion that the condition imposed by the Court directing the appellant to deposit the amount is uncalled for. The same is accordingly set aside. As far as other directions are concerned, the Court shall proceed in accordance with the food safety act 2006” the apex court observed.
“Having perused the impugned order and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present case, we are of the considered opinion that the Court be requested to pass an appropriate order, if required, so that the law relating to Adulteration and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is followed with all earnestness,” the order added.
The appeal on behalf of Khyber Milk was argued by Senior Advocate, Zaffar A Shah, who challenged the orders dated 23.12.2013, 24.03.2014 and 30.01.2014.
"We believe that justice has been done", a Khyber spokesman said.
Khyber, ever since the controversy began, had maintained that the company has been a “victim of a motivated campaign”.
The company maintained that the samples were mishandled and not collected as per the food safety requirements, thus taking no responsibility of the milk sample results. It has also filled for additional evidence in the Case.
In 2016 the company had to stop processing milk for one month due to repeated “false allegations and motivations”.
“Ever since various samples of Khyber milk are being tested and have found to be in accordance with the food safety standards,” the spokesperson for Khyber milk said.
“Under food safety sampling procedures, the sample is divided into four parts and marked and sealed or fastened up. As its nature permits and the signature or thumb impression of the person from whom the sample has to be taken in such place and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government. After that he has to send one of the parts for analysis to the local food laboratory and two part for safe custody and remaining part for analysis to an accredited laboratory. Provided that if the test reports received from local food laboratory and aggregated laboratory are found to be at variance, then the Designated Officer shall send one part of the sample kept in his custody, to referral laboratory for analysis, whose decision thereon shall be final,” Khyber milk said in a statement.
Heading out to buy meat? Keep these 6 things in mind
The message to eat less meat may be coming through loud and clear, but we can’t ignore the fact that it’s a rich source of proteins, vitamin B-complex (Vitamin B1 to B12), vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorous and Omega 3 fatty acids that are required to maintain the nutrition balance in our body.
So it’s important that we pick the best quality meat in order to avail all its nutrition benefits. Here are six tips to help you buy the right stuff:
Check the color: The color of the meat says a lot about its freshness. Poultry meat must be white or light pink. Check that the meat does not have a green tinge, especially under the wings. There should not be any bruises or blood clots on the surface. In the case of red meat, it must be bright red in appearance. If the meat is vacuum packed, it may appear slightly brown. This is also good quality meat and will last longer in the refrigerator.
Check the odor: Poultry meat is generally odor-free but may have a slightly meaty smell on rare occasions. The smell of red meat is very specific to the type of meat and there should not be any variance from the typical smell of a goat or lamb. One should make sure there is no foul or pungent odor to any kind of fresh meat being purchased.
Check the texture: For poultry, the texture should be firm and the muscle fibers must be clearly visible. The meat must not be slimy and if you touch it, the fingers should be dry rather than sticky. The meat should not appear translucent and watery when it is cut. In the case of red meat, it should not fall off easily when it is being cut. The fat should not be yellow in color, as it indicates that the meat is not fresh.
Prefer skinless: The skin of the meat has saturated fatty acids, which are high in calories and can potentially increase the risk of cardiac ailments. Hence, it is always recommended that meat is consumed after removing the skin.
Ensure food safety standards: It is absolutely essential that every packaged meat product has a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certified label on it to ensure that all food safety standards are met. This is also the primary reason why you should avoid buying meat from a butcher shop since there is no guarantee of food safety.
The traceability factor: The traceability of meat and understanding how it was sourced and bred is important to determine the quality of meat. The history and ancestry of the animal are also significant indicators of quality. It is always advisable to check farm to fork details on the package while buying meat, whenever the information is available.
Remember, meat is a great source of nutrition, if consumed in the right manner. But also remember that you buying the right kind is important.
Govt's health dept pulls up DIAL for not destroying seized gutkha
The Delhi government's Health Department has pulled up the airport operator for not destroying the banned product
Days after the Delhi airport asked the Muslim pilgrims flying to Mecca and Medina to leave behind their gutkha sachets, weighing 270 kg, so as to avoid any tension in Saudi Arabia, the Delhi government's Health Department has pulled up the airport operator for not destroying the banned product.
According to sources, the Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) had decided to hand over the banned product to Haj committees so that it could be either sold or used to raise funds. The DIAL returned 120 kg of gutkha to the committee and was planning to return the remaining as well.
A letter was then sent by the Delhi State Tobacco Control Society on Friday, directing the airport operator to take back the tobacco product sent to Haj committee and destroy it completely.
"In view of the above, it is requested that even the gutkha that has been returned to one Haj committee may be taken back immediately and destroyed along with the available gutkha at the airport," the department wrote in its letter.
When contacted, DIAL refused to comment on the issue. Sources, however, said the operator has not received the letter from the department.
According to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on sales) Regulations, 2011, issued by the FSSAI, under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products.
"This is really surprising that the airport operator that comes directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was not even aware that gutkha is a banned product. Such kind of seized products cannot be stored at all. The letter sent by us has been received by them," said Dr SK Arora, Additional Director (Health).
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in December, 2016, had issued a complete ban on the production, promotion, and sale of food products containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients across India.
Food Safety Dept bans ‘confectionary’ unit
Fake food label scam surfaces in Khunmoh Food park
Srinagar: The Food Safety Department on Tuesday banned a confectionery manufacturing unit at the prestigious Food Park Khunmoh for manufacturing ‘hazardous toffees’ with fake labels.
According to officials, during a routine inspection of the Food Park Khunmoh a confectionary manufacturing unit–Quality Foods–was found using fake labels with addresses of other states.
“The unit was also found in total unsanitary condition with dust accumulated on prepared confectionary containers. Food additives and artificial colours were being used indiscriminately without any record,” Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir told Kashmir Reader.
He said the unit was also using fake registration of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which is a serious offense as the unit is not registered with FSSAI.
“We have issued the ban orders on spot and the manufacturer was restrained from further processing,” Mir said.
He said the whole stocks of confectionary along with false labels were seized and samples sent to Food Analyst Kashmir for further necessary action.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered a state-wide inspection of food manufacturing units as reports suggest that ‘substandard’ and ‘hazardous’ food items are manufactured in different industrial estates of J&K.
The State Drug and Food Control Organization have raided many food outlets and manufacturing units and vowed to punish distributors and manufacturers producing substandard and adulterated food made of low-quality or artificial raw material.
“We have issued improvement notices for complying with various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act,” Mir said.
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