Fortified oil, milk from January in Kerala

The Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2017 framed by FSSAI will come into effect in the state on January 1.

A top official of Milma said that the new range would be launched next month.

Thiruvananthapuram: To combat micronutrient deficiencies especially vitamin A and D among all age groups, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to introduce the fortification process in the state.

The Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2017 framed by FSSAI will come into effect in the state on January 1.

As part of its effort to implement the Act, the FSSAI in association with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), an independent non-profit foundation based in Geneva, conducted a workshop on fortification to brainstorm hundreds of food safety officials including assistant commissioners and lab analysts under the Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety (KCFS) recently.

To begin with, the Commissionerate is gearing up to facilitate good quality fortified milk and cooking oil in the state from January.

Joint commissioner of Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety K. Anil Kumar said the Act would be a boon for other states.

“Fortification is very much necessary for states with micronutrient deficiencies. In Kerala, Attapadi tribal settlement is the only pocket where nutrient deficiency is being reported," he told DC.

"We are well equipped to enforce the Act in the state. However, a thorough study would be needed by urban health centres on the necessity of fortification in Kerala.” He said that from January the Commissionerate would screen fortified products being sold in the state.

"We will collect samples and to make sure the claims labelled in the product are true," he added.As per the Act micronutrients for fortification purpose should be extracted strictly from vegetables. The Commissionerate is planning to tie up with Tata Trusts to procure extracted micronutrients. Meanwhile, Milma - Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd - is all set to launch fortified milk in the state.

A top official of Milma said that the new range would be launched next month.

"The design and logo of the new packet are being finalised. Fortified milk will be sold in the same price range like our other packet milk products," he told DC.

Watch what you eat: 20% food samples fail FDA tests

BHOPAL: For dozens of samples seized to identify food adulteration ahead of Diwali, only four may result in legal prosecution. 

Following an inspection by the food and drugs administration (FDA) here on Tuesday, only four 'legal' samples were seized.

As per norms established under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act, legal action against food adulterators can only be initiated once FDA sleuths takes 'legal' samples. 

FDA is responsible for regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products. However, taking a legal sample requires a nod from state government to appoint designated officer in each district.

FDA designated officer for Bhopal Savita Pawar along with her team seized 1.25 quintal of mawa from samples in Mangalwara. Two legal samples of sweets were also taken from Bairagarh area. "Whether these samples are random or not, they would be tested too," said Pawar.

As per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an autonomous body established under the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW), outlets selling food items are to be checked every six months at least. This rule, however, is seldom followed as FDA is short-staffed.

Legal samples that fail in a laboratory can lead to penalisation in court. On an average, an estimated 20% of food samples tested are found 'non-conforming' to the prescribed standards. FDA has yet to create a risk profile of businesses. Over the years, food sample collection by FDA and its legality has been challenged. Other issues hampering effectiveness of FDA is sampling. FDA inspector can take a legal sample of product only with permission from designated officer. Any sample even if they fail, cannot be used as court evidence.