Arsenic contamination in ‘boro’ rice: FSSAI cautions farmers on excessive use of ground water

KOLKATA, MARCH 24

Increased dependence on groundwater during ‘boro’ cultivation could lead to arsenic contamination in crops.

According to Ashish Bahuguna, Chairman, FSSAI, farmers could look at alternatives like drought resistance paddy; high yielding varieties or other long stem crops where chances of contamination are much less.

FSSAI or the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the autonomous body looking after food safety and regulations in the country.

“The excessive use of sub-surface or ground water during boro irrigation could lead to arsenic contamination. Farmers could look at different variety of drought-resistance seeds, go for long stem crops or other solutions,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a CII seminar organised in the city.

Citing Bangladesh as an instance, the senior bureaucrat pointed out how the neighbouring country discouraged ‘boro’ rice cultivation and reduced its dependence to avoid such contamination.

Bengal, he said, could also take a cue from Bangladesh, for areas which are prone to arsenic contamination.

Common Regulation

According to Bahuguna, the FSSAI is also in favour of unified regulations regarding organic food products. Labelling norms are expected to be in operation soon. Pegged as a premium offering, organic products command at least 30-40 per cent more price than their non-organic counterparts.

When it comes to organic farming in India, Sikkim has shown the way.

Declared the first ‘Organic State’ in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, Sikkim State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (SIMFED) recently launched its brand of organic products.

SIMFED works with more than 40,000 farmers on almost 35,000 hectares of agricultural land in 10 states of the country.

Warning to manufacturers

The Food Safety and Standards wing of the Health Department has warned manufacturers of fake and unbranded beverages with penal action, including a fine of Rs. 5 lakh. In a statement here, the competent authority for Dakshina Kannada said that several beverages were found to be sold in fictitious names or without any brand name and without food licence or registration thereby violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.

11 illegal drinking water plants shut, pipelines ran through sewage canals

VIJAYAWADA: As many as 11 water plants were shut down in Vijayawada on Saturday.

In a joint operation conducted by food control and revenue department sleuths, it was found that most water plants, which supply drinking water cans, were breaking prescribed rules. The officials noted that almost all water plants were not fit to supply drinking water. The rules which were commonly broken were poor hygienic conditions, no Bureau of Indian Standards licence, no license from local bodies, no labour licence and no licence from revenue department for borewells. 

Further, sources said a number of water pipelines are passing through sewerage canals where the lines have developed leakages. Assistant controller of food safety in Krishna district N Purnachandra Rao was shocked to find that most water plants do not have necessary licences.

“They should get Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) licence but they are conveniently escaping the routine by using loopholes. They bracket themselves under purified drinking water instead of packaged drinking water. Technicalities of Food Safety Act are aiding them,” said Purnachandra Rao.

Food Safety Act only applies to packaged products and every packaged product should have a label with product description, manufacturer details and also the customer care contact details. However, water plants in the city do not even have licences from local bodies, labour department or even the licence for bore-well from the revenue department.

Only 14 water plants have BIS licence in Vijayawada city. According to an estimate, more than 100 water plants are being operated in Vijayawada alone and about 1,000 plants across Krishna district. Speaking to TOI, Purnachandar Rao said they are booking cases under section 133 CrPC for causing damage to public health. The drinking water that these plants are supplying is not at all safe and can cause many diseases including diarrhoea. Interestingly, the NTR Sujala Sravanti water plants initiated by the state government are also running without BIS licenses.