Feb 2, 2018
Bombay HC asks state to explain adulteration mechanism
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining what mechanism they have set up to check adulteration in fruits and vegetables in the state. The court also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is responsible for checking the kind of food being served in the city.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.W. Sambre was hearing a PIL filed after the death of 20 farmers in Yavatmal, while using hazardous pesticides for their crops.
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Further, the PIL sought the state to take steps to ensure Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) rules are adhered to and safe food reaches common people for consumption.
In the last hearing, the court directed the state government to inform the court what action it has taken to curb the practice of using banned chemicals and overdose of pesticides in vegetables and fruits, which are harmful for public health.
Government pleader Poornima Kantharia informed the court that 215 FDA officers are working throughout the state to curb adulteration and 40 officers are deployed in Mumbai.
The court then asked Kantaria if there are any portable kits to check adulteration in the eatable items at ground level.
FSSAI Permits The Use Of Fortification Logo On Oil Labels
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive that permits the use of the fortification logo or stamp on the product labels meant for edible vegetable oil. The move has been take so that the Food Business Operators (FBOs) can clear the packaging material stock and they are permitted to do so till June 2018.
OIL STOCK CLEARING
The report further says that the FSSAI had received options for the fortification logos as mentioned in the directive. “The reference on the same was drawn from the directive issued in November 2017 with regards to the scaling up of edible oil fortification,” said the notification by the FSSAI.
“Permitting the use of stickers with the fortification logo on the product label would help manufacturers and marketers of edible oil, especially the smaller players,” said Umesh Verma, spokesperson from the Puri Oil Mills Limited to FnB News. In general, manufacturers and marketers stock the inventories for a few months. The smaller organisations might have raised concerns about exhausting their stocks in hand. In that case, it is justified for the time being.”
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