Dec 26, 2018
Now, officials to check samples of cooked mid-day meals
Meerut: The director of Mid-Day Meal Authority (MDMA) in Uttar Pradesh has directed the officials of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) and authorities concerned to take samples of cooked food from schools to ensure that quality food is served in government educational institutions.
A letter issued by Abdul Samad, director of MDMA, stated: “This is to instruct all the FSDA officials that samples of cooked mid-day meals should be taken from all government schools, sent for quality check and their reports sought. The reports should be then submitted to the district task force and also given to the district basic shiksha adhikari.”
The MDMA officials routinely check samples of raw materials including spices, vegetables and condiments used for cooking meals in schools to ensure the quality of food prepared. However, food samples are rarely taken.
“Samples of cooked mid-day meals should be taken from at least 10 schools every month and a report in this regard should be submitted to the authorities concerned, so that if any anomalies are found, action is taken against those found guilty,” added the order.
Fat is in the fire: Delhi private schools found wanting on food safety
NEW DELHI: The kids aren’t eating healthy: an inspection of at least 10 private schools in Delhi has revealed that these institutions don’t have a canteen policy in place and, in most cases, the students are “being given to eat what they ask for”. The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which has been making rounds of canteens in private schools to check if they are providing nutritious food, found that in all the 10 cases so far, students are being given food high in fat, salt and sugar content, something that is strictly prohibited.
DCPCR has been inspecting the schools to ensure effective implementation of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India guidelines, which are prepared by the central advisory committee of the body as advised by the Delhi high court in 2015. Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had asked states to ensure an effective implementation of the norms.
Ranjana Prasad, member DCPCR, said: “NCPCR had decided to check if these guidelines were being followed and we are doing that in Delhi. We have so far covered 10 private schools in south Delhi. In most schools we saw that the canteens were selling HFSS food and gave whatever the students asked for. The children do not know what is good for them and what they should eat.” The canteens were serving burgers, chowmein and beverages — all strictly prohibited in the guidelines.
A research recently published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that there is a link between consumption of HFSS food and obesity. Numerous studies done among schoolchildren of Delhi, Amritsar and southern India show that the prevalence of overweight/obesity is high and on the rise. In urban post-pubertal children of Delhi, it increased from 16% in 2002 to about 24% in 2006. It is high among the affluent class and children of private schools compared to low and middle-income groups.
Apart from selling food that’s high in sugar and fat content, none of these schools had a canteen policy in place.
“It is most surprising that none of the schools knew about the canteen policy. As per guidelines, the canteens are required to provide different kinds of food. They are supposed to have 80% of the menu as green food, which includes vegetables, fruits and others. It is important to raise awareness about it among schools, children and parents so that the children grow up healthy,” said Prasad.
The inspection will be carried out in all the schools of the city and the Directorate of Education has recommended that the guidelines are strictly implemented.
Ahead of New Year, FDA to keep close watch on online food operators in Pune
According to FDA, during New Year and Christmas celebrations most of the people prefer to order food online. Most people are unaware of the hygiene and the FDA certificated of the restaurant from where the food is being ordered.
FDA officers informed that,strict instructions has been given to all food inspectors in the region to keep a watch on adulteration racket.
Puneites are all set to celebrate Christmas and New Year. However, considering the health of the people, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), has been keeping a watch on all online food operators in order to avoid adulteration in food during the festive season.
According to FDA, during New Year and Christmas celebrations most of the people prefer to order food online. Most people are unaware of the hygiene and the FDA certificated of the restaurant from where the food is being ordered. It was found that,many online food delivery operators were delivering food from non approved restaurants.To avoid this the FDA commissioner has instructed to take serious action against those found guilty.
FDA officers informed that,strict instructions has been given to all food inspectors in the region to keep a watch on adulteration racket. Sampat Deshmukh, assistant commissioner (food) of FDA, Satara, said “During every festive season we have to keep a watch on adulteration racket to avoid food contamination.This time also we have informed to all our food inspectors to take strict action against adulteration of food.”
FDA officers also informed that to avoid intake of adulterated food everyone should visit the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) website and read information about adulteration of foodwhich will inform them about food safety measures to be taken while handling and preparing food.
Most people are unaware about the where and how to lodge complaints to the FDA regarding food adulteration, hygiene or other food safety-related issues. In order to do this the FDA has given a toll free number 1800222365 where people can call and register their complaint.
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