Oct 13, 2018
Civic body begins food safety drive
VADODARA: Food safety officers of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) conducted extensive drives to check sweet and savoury shops in wake of the festive season.
Stress is also being laid on ensuring that ‘fafda-jalebis’ are prepared in a hygienic manner for Dussehra.
VMC officials had begun the drive on Tuesday and this will continue till Dussehra. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the officials checked shops in the ST Depot, Rajmahal Road, Waghodiya-Dabhoi Ring Road, Sussen-Tarsali Road, Fatehpura, Akota, Sayajipark, Ajwa Road, New VIP Road, Harni, Sangam Char Rasta, Market, Kadak Bazar, Manjalpur, Somatalav, Makarpura, Parivar Crossroads and others.
On Thursday, officials checked shops in Sayajigunj, Waghodiya Road, Makarpura, Karelibaug and Warasiya Ring Road areas. In all, the food safety officers have collected 61 samples so far. The samples include those of raw materials as well as prepared food items.
Food safety authority issues draft standards for cereal products
The food regulator, which released the draft standards on Wednesday, has called for comments within 30 days
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought stakeholders’ comments on the draft notification related to cereals and cereals products, including instant noodles, fortified atta, maida, and rice; durum wheat maida, quinoa, tapioca, palm sago and pearl millet flour.
The food regulator, which released the draft standards on Wednesday, has called for comments within 30 days.
The draft defines instant noodles as a product prepared from wheat flour and/or rice flour and/or flour of any other cereals, millets and legumes covered under food additives regulations and water as the main ingredient with or without the addition of spices by kneading the dough and extending it.
“Starches, dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, edible protein and egg powder may be added, if required,” it said.
The draft rules added that instant noodles are characterised by the use of pregelatinisation process and dehydration either by frying or other methods.
Pregelatinisation is a process which is used to modify starch properties. These starches are cold-water-soluble and useful for making pasta and noodles.
According to the draft standards, the product should be presented as fried noodles or non-fried noodles.
“The product shall be of good characteristic colour, appearance, texture, aroma and taste and shall be free from added colour, undesirable taste, dirt, insects’ larvae and impurities or any other extraneous matter,” it said.
The draft rules standards state that noodles and the seasoning will separately comply with the safety regulations and the seasoning accompanying the instant noodles should be labeled distinctly on the package.
Nestle’s popular brand of instant noodles, Maggi, was banned last year when lead presence was reported in its samples. The Bombay High Court lifted the ban in August 2015, asking for fresh rounds of tests to ascertain whether it was safe for consumption.
Food safety officials seize food products in Kohima
Food safety officials conducting inspection at a food establishment in Kohima on October 11.
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): Food safety officials along with Kohima Municipal Council officials carried out a joint inspection of food establishments in Kohima on October 11.
During the inspection, some food products which had exceeded best before date was seized by the team from M/S Best Bakery located at PR Hill, Kohima, informed a press note from the Kohima Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
It further notified on the appeal made by food safety regulators of the district for consumers to participate and report to the CMO’s office about any food complaints. “Colony Panchayats/Youth Organisations can also write to the undersigned if joint inspection needs to be done in regard to food items in your colonies,” it informed.
CMO directs food business operators
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kohima meanwhile informed that no Food Business Operators (FBO) shall manufacture, store, sell or distribute any article of food except under a Licence or Registration under Food Safety & Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Another press release from the CMO informed all FBOs in Kohima to get registered or licenced under the stated regulations, 2011. Defaulters are liable to be penalized as per the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, it cautioned.
To ensure consumer safety, the CMO directed FBOs dealing with fresh fish products to first of all test the fish and to offer them for sale, only when it’s free of Formalin. CMO also requested customers to inquire from the FBO whether the fresh fish were tested and to show the test report as well.
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