MPs’ panel raps FSSAI over lax enforcement of food safety laws

The panel observed that the quality of food is deteriorating and use of contaminants is increasing

The incidence of ADD and food poisoning was high in places where food is cooked in bulk, such as canteens, hotels and weddings.

New Delhi: In a scathing report, a parliamentary panel has rapped the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over weak enforcement of food safety laws, leading to “rampant food adulteration” by manufacturers and producers. The report by the standing committee on health and family welfare, presented to the Rajya Sabha last week, recommended the restructuring of the FSSAI— an autonomous body under the health ministry.

The panel observed that the quality of food is deteriorating and use of contaminants is increasing. Milk and food items that were safe previously were no longer safe because of adulteration, while there has been a tremendous increase in the use of hazardous chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables.

The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 rests primarily with state and Union territory governments, for which regular surveillance, monitoring and inspection is required to be undertaken by them.

“The Committee however notes that many states do not have a separate food safety department. Food adulteration, lack of quality checks, misleading labelling, sale of defective food products etc. that have become the norm these days are primarily an offshoot of absence of a dedicated and robust food safety apparatus at the State level,” the report said.

“The policies and the existing food laws are inadequate and are weakly enforced. This poor implementation of the Food Law has resulted in rampant food adulteration and various food scandals. Substandard quality food has been reaching the market and causing irreparable damage to public health,” the report said.

With staff drawn from states, the committee said FSSAI cannot function at its optimum level without employing technical persons as permanent staff. It recommended that FSSAI be restructured and people with domain knowledge and expertise in food hired to run it.

“Food safety is a specialized job and FSSAI being a science based organization should be equipped with proper tools and capabilities and headed by someone with the requisite technical acumen and appropriate expertise to address the challenging task of food regulation for a country like India,” the report said.

“Engaging manpower with technical skill and competence, therefore, becomes imperative for effective rendering of important mandate given to FSSAI. The Committee is of the opinion that the regulatory body should be run by experts or scientists in the food sector with bureaucratic support,” it said.

The parliamentary panel also highlighted that the health ministry’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has indicated that food poisoning was one of the commonest outbreaks reported in 2017 apart from acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD). The data suggest that 312 of the 1649 outbreaks reported till the third week of December, 2017 were due to ADD and 242 were due to food poisoning. The incidence of ADD and food poisoning was high in places where food is cooked in bulk, such as canteens, hotels and weddings.

Why the credibility of FSSAI is key to promoting biotech in India

The food standard regulator has so far not assessed the safety of even one GM food and neither does it have a set procedure to assess safety.

Why the credibility of FSSAI is key to promoting biotech in India

Recently, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released a laboratory study that found that one-third of the processed food samples it tested had genetically modified organism (GMO) genes. GM-positive products included infant food, edible oil and packaged food snacks. About 80% of the GM-positive products were imported from the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Thailand etc.

The law in India strictly prohibits the import, export, manufacture, use or sale of GM organisms/products without approval of regulatory agencies like the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). None of the products found GM-positive in the CSE study were approved by the regulators and were, hence, illegally sold. In addition, most of the products failed to mention use of GM ingredients anywhere on their labels, which is required by the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 of the ministry of consumer affairs. All in all, the companies selling these GM products were flouting the laws of the country. CSE’s simple recommendation is that the law of the land be implemented. The existing law explicitly states that GM products can be sold in the market, but only after an approval process that includes scientific assessment of their safety to the health and environment. The law also requires that packaged food made from GM crops clearly display ‘GM’ on the package as consumers have the ‘right to know’ what they are eating.

The simple demand to implement the law led to a fierce debate on the pros and cons of GM food. While the anti-GM group demanded action against companies, the pro-GM group issued a fascinating exposition to proclaim that the law itself is a problem. In all these, the FSSAI came across in a bad light. Let’s first look at the response of the pro-GM group. Swaminathan Aiyar published an opinion piece on August 1, 2018, in The Economic Times (bit.ly/2MgqSg3), where he blamed CSE for ‘unscientific falsehood’. He wrote that we should not bother about ‘sundry rules and laws’ flouted by companies as these GM regulations are an outcome of ‘unscientific scaremongering’. Mr. Aiyar went on to vouch for the safety of GM food by stating that Indians have been eating GM oil and Vanaspati for long without any evidence of ill effects. He further provided ‘hard proof’ by stating that millions of Indian tourists to the US eat GM food, but are unaffected.

In a similar vein, an editorial published on August 2, 2018, in the Business Standard (bit.ly/2MFSCXI) vouched for the safety of GM food by stating that the illegality happening in India is ‘the most reassuring evidence of safety of GM products’. It stated, ‘Many farmers grow Bt-cotton most carelessly without observing the recommended safety measures. The GM foods are also being consumed, even if unknowingly, as revealed by the CSE report. Yet, hardly any deleterious fallout has been observed until now’. Both the aforementioned pieces implored the government to approve new GM crops. I am not going to comment on whether the government should approve or reject the demand for new GM crops; approval or rejection should be made on the basis of hard scientific data and open public discussion. What I am going to comment on is how the unscientific logic of the pro-GM lobby is harming the development of biotechnology.

There is now a scientific consensus that eating GM food today will not make people sick tomorrow; the health impacts of GM food can be chronic and, in many cases, uncertain. The only way to establish the safety of GM food is by conducting long-term health studies. Unfortunately, while India has allowed cultivation of GM cotton and there is a clamour to allow more crops based on data submitted by companies, no long-term health study has been commissioned so far. My advice to the pro-GM lobby is that, instead of putting out arguments like ‘Indian tourists not getting affected’ or ‘farmers are growing GM crops carelessly’, they should seriously ask the government to do some health studies so that consumers can gain confidence. Company-sponsored data is not going to help the matter as companies such as Monsanto have been found to ghostwrite their own safety reviews. Recently, Monsanto was fined $289 million in California because its herbicide, glyphosate, was indicted for causing cancer. The jury found that Monsanto knew about the dangers of this weedkiller but failed to warn consumers.

Likewise, every country in the world, including the United States—the Mecca of GM food—has laws to assess the safety of GM crops and foods. By pooh-poohing GM regulations, the pro-GM lobby is actually creating deep doubts in the minds of people. If GM food is safe, companies should be encouraged to follow the law and put all information in the public domain. So, my advice is that, instead of questioning the law, GM supporters should advocate that the law is implemented in an impartial manner. Unfortunately, the currently GM debate has put a big question mark on the impartiality of FSSAI.

In an interview published on August 9, 2018, in this newspaper (bit.ly/2OowPV2), FSSAI CEO, Pawan Kumar Agarwal, stated, “There is a regulatory vacuum as far as GM food is concerned”. He went on to add that GM food would be properly regulated in the country once FSSAI came out with the new law. With this answer, he shrugged off the responsibility of the FSSAI to take action against companies for the illegality. He further stated, “The view of the food authority is, based on scientific evidence across the world, that there is no verifiable health impact of GM food vis-à-vis conventional food on humans”.

These views of Mr. Agarwal have hurt the credibility of FSSAI.

It is true that the FSSAI has so far not come out with regulations of GM food. But it is equally true that this doesn’t stop it from taking action against companies. The Union health minister, JP Nadda, made this clear in his answer in the Lok Sabha in February, 2018. He stated, ‘No standards for GM foods have been laid down/notified by the FSSAI. However, even in the absence of specific standards for GM foods, as per Section 22 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, GM foods are not allowed to be manufactured, imported or sold in the country”. So, the ‘regulatory vacuum’ that Mr. Agarwal stated can’t be an excuse for the FSSAI not to take action against illegality. Similarly, there is no basis for Mr. Agarwal to state that, “there is no verifiable health impact of GM food vis-à-vis conventional food on humans”. The FSSAI has so far not assessed the safety of even one GM food. In fact, it does not even have a set procedure to assess safety. By making an unsubstantiated claim, Mr. Agarwal has put doubts in the minds of people about the impartiality of FSSAI vis-à-vis GM food.

The bottom line is that if the regulators are suspect, we will never be able to use modern biotechnology for the benefit of all. Our regulators don’t have to be haters or lovers of GM food—they are supposed to use the best scientific knowledge and implement the law. This is the least that the citizenry expects.

The writer is a Deputy director general, CSE.

Action against illegal Genetically Modified foods sought

IFSF said it was not satisfied with the inadequate responses of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the matter of “hazardous” GM foods flooding Indian markets illegally.

Protesting activists demand removal of genetically modified food products from markets outside the FSSAI office in Bengaluru on Monday

BENGALURU: A citizens’ delegation of India For Safe Food (IFSF) on Monday approached the Karnataka Food Safety Commissioner demanding the removal of unapproved Genetically Modified (GM) foods from the market and for penal action to be initiated against violators of laws that regulate GM foods in India.

IFSF said it was not satisfied with the inadequate responses of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the matter of “hazardous” GM foods flooding Indian markets illegally.

This follows Centre for Science and Environment’s findings that 32% of the food samples it tested were GM positive.

“FSSAI CEO’s statements in this regard are a matter of great concern. Denial of adverse health impacts of GM foods by the food safety regulator does not bode well, and it does not inspire citizen confidence in FSSAI,” IFSF said in a statement. “Further, FSSAI is refusing to implement the legal provisions contained in the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 when confronted with unapproved and potentially hazardous foods that are being sold. In fact, the 2006 Act calls for action from FSSAI if there is violation of other laws too. However, the CEO gave no assurance to the citizen delegation that met him on August 7 in Delhi.”

IFSF, citing scientific studies, said GM foods are known to cause various health problems, like allergies, organ damage, adverse impacts on growth and development, reproductive health problems, immune system disorders and even cancerous growth, and attributed it to the use of deadly chemicals in GM crop production, including of glyphosate and glufosinate.

Kavitha Kuruganti of the Coalition for a GM-Free India said, “Whose interests is FSSAI protecting by not ordering removal of such unapproved hazardous GM foods from the market?” Sehar Iqbal of Greenpeace India, said, “GM foods have crept into our plates and we have no idea about it! This kind of mass deception is unacceptable and illegal. How safe are we or our children? It’s time that our authorities get their act together and answer some inconvenient questions.”

However, Dr Harshvardhan B, Special Squad, FSSAI Karnataka, told The New Indain Express, “Food Safety Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey has called for a meeting in this regard on August 18. The FSSAI Act does not mention anything about GM Food, so we need guidelines from Delhi to act on it. We don’t know how to identify them and take them off the shelves, so we need to know if they are operating under any specific brand names so that we can take action.”

Bangaluru activisit protests aginst GM Food, Food Safety Commissioner promises action

The protests came after a report by the Centre for Science and Environment found that 32% of the food samples it tested were GM-positive.

Armed with placards, activists in Bengaluru protested in multiple locations against the introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods into the market on Monday. Activists also met Karnataka Food Commissioner and Head of Civil Supplies department Pankaj Kumar Pandey and highlight GM foods, and he reportedly agreed to look into the matter.

Among these activists was Kavitha Kuruganti from the Coalition for a GM-Free India. “He agreed that GM foods have not been concluded to be safe, and that it is known that there are no good effects. He has promised to look into the matter of prohibiting such foods from Karnataka, at least. Using the authority vested in the State Food Commissioner as per the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006, and he will now organise a meeting on the 18th of August with his officials to take a decision in this matter,” she said.

Kavitha said that similar demonstrations by activists will be carried out in other cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad and Chandigarh until the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) makes its stand clear on the issue.

The protests came after a report was published by the Centre for Science and Environment at the end of July, which found that 32% of the food samples it tested were GM-positive. Following the report, many activists had asked FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal to stop the sale of these products. Some of them even met Pawan Kumar in early August, but that meeting was not fruitful.

“In the name of a regulatory vacuum, the FSSAI cannot deny citizens their right to know what they are eating, their right to safe food and their right to informed choices. When the FSSAI admits in the Supreme Court that it has not permitted any GM foods to be sold in India, it follows logically that it has to implement the provisions of the Act which disallow GM foods and unsafe foods from being sold in the country. Whose interests is FSSAI protecting by not ordering the removal of such unapproved hazardous GM foods from the market?” Kavitha asked.

Similarly, activists also questioned the FSSAI’s lack of transparency.

“This kind of mass deception is unacceptable and illegal. How safe are we or our children? It’s time that our authorities get their act together and answer some inconvenient questions,” said Sehar Iqbal from Greenpeace India.

Food safety officials inspect dairies, eateries in Ahmedgarh

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 14

Continuing their pursuit under the Tandarust Punjab Mission, officials of the food safety and dairy departments conducted inspection at eateries and dairies of the town and surrounding localities.

Besides sealing samples for testing purity of food items, the officials organised meetings with owners and staff of various eateries and give tips about storage and preservation of various perishable food items.

However, no case of adulteration or recovery of synthetic milk was reported during the inspection.

Officials led by deputy director, Dairy Department, Jaswinder Singh and food safety officer Divya Goswami said eateries and dairies supplying food items were inspected for ensuring safety and purity of various food items in the town.

Though some establishments at nearby villages in Sangrur district were raided for verification of reports about manufacturing of synthetic milk and adulterated milk products, no evidence of the illegal act was found from the spots visited by the officials.

Showing satisfaction over the standard of cleanliness and hygienic environment, Jaswinder Singh and Goswami said minor discrepancies due to lack of knowledge about food safety were taken a lenient view.

“A majority of dairy owners and milkmen did not know that stainless steel was the ideal alloy for manufacturing containers and tanks for milk and milk products. We have now cautioned all dairy owners against use of plastic and chemically active metals for manufacturing milk,” said Jaswinder Singh, appreciating that some of the dairy owners had already started using stainless steel containers.

The officials said legal action against the violators of the law would be initiated if samples of food were found to contain materials hazardous for human health.