Nov 14, 2019
10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas seized
More than 10 tonne of bananas that were ripened using ethylene solutions were seized by food safety officials from six shops at the Koyambedu Wholesale Fruit Market here in the early hours of Wednesday.
Food safety officials said vendors were diluting ethylene with water. The solution was then sprayed over the fruit and kept inside airtight rooms to speed up ripening process.
Designated food safety official A Ramakrishnan said several boxes of chemical packed in 100ml bottles were seized from the shops. “The use of ethylene in gas form is allowed. But direct contact with the fruit leads to harmful chemical contamination,” he said.
The seized fruit would be destroyed in the biomechanisation plant at Koyambedu.
Ethylene – a hormone produced naturally – is permitted for artificial ripening provided the concentration does not exceed 100 ppm (parts per million). In the gas from, under controlled concentration, ethylene, being a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazards to consumers, the guidance note points out.
Experts say these chemicals tend to stay in the body for longer periods and cause health issues such as skin rashes, digestive issues, cardiac and kidney ailments and cancer.
Nearly 40 vehicles, each carrying around eight tonne of raw bananas, come into the market every day, according to S Srinivasan, president of Chennai Fruits Commission Agents Association. “Raw bananas are transported to prevent damage during transport,” he said.
Tamil Nadu's Aavin ghee no more 'Agmark' as Centre cracks whip on 66 brands
CHENNAI: As many as 66 brands of 33 companies, including Aavin and Hatsun, have been refrained from using the ‘Agmark’ quality certification mark, while selling their food products in the State.
In a notification issued last week, the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, warned of legal action against any of these companies using Agmark on their products. Aavin and Hatsun have been barred from using the trademark for their ‘ghee’ as the ‘Agmark’ validity certificate, which is issued once in every five years, expired on March 31.
Refute notification
However, both of them refuted the Centre’s notification saying they have valid certificates to use the trademark. Similarly, as many as 37 ‘rice’ brands of 17 companies located in Chennai, Erode, Kallakuruchi, Salem, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruppur districts have also been directed not to use the ‘Agmark’ brand.
The ‘Agmark’ certificate is being issued by DMI for 225 agricultural products across the country for foodgrains and allied products, vegetable oils, fats, edible nuts, spices and condiments as mark of quality. While the certificate for food products is issued for trade and export purpose, based on the companies’ request, the quality certificate is mandatory for selling blended edible vegetable oils and fat.
Official sources said the 'Agmark' certification issued for 35 firms for selling rice, ghee, pulses, gingelly oil, ground spices and honey has expired and two of them had applied for renewal. "The remaining firms should not use 'Agmark' on their products," sources said.
Responding to the notification, the Hatsun agro products said the 'Agmark' certificate for ghee is valid till March 2020. "We produce ghee at two plants in Palacode and Koramapuram in Salem district for which we have valid certificate," an official spokesperson said. The company also sent a copy of certificate to Express.
The Aavin also claimed that the trademark certificate was renewed for its plant located at Ammapalayam village in Tiruvannamalai district last year and was valid till 2023. However, Aavin has not issued any counter against the Centre's announcement.
'Agmark' is different from FSSAI certificate. The latter, a safety licence issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is mandatory for selling a food product. The 'Agmark' trademark is a quality certificate for agricultural products and only certifies that the product meets certain criteria regarding its quality.'Agmark' is not mandatory to sell a food product.
‘Two firms applied for renewal’
Official sources said the ‘Agmark’ certification issued for 35 firms expired and two of them had applied for renewal. “The remaining firms should not use ‘Agmark’ on their products,” sources said.
‘OUR Certificates still valid’
Responding to the notification, the Hatsun agro products said the ‘Agmark’ certificate for ghee is valid till March 2020 and Aavin said its certificate is valid till 2023
Food Safety Dept. seizes 10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas in Chennai’s Koyambedu market
Food Safety Department officials during a raid at a shop in Koyambedu wholesale fruit market in Chennai on Wednesday.
A plant growth hormone was found to be directly sprayed on the fruits to speed up the ripening process, says Designated Officer A. Ramakrishnan
The Food Safety Department on Wednesday seized a total of 10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas from three shops and godowns in the Koyambedu wholesale fruit market. The bananas, worth ₹10 lakh, were destroyed in the bio methanisation plant inside the market complex.
Designated Officer A. Ramakrishnan said that a plant growth hormone was found to be directly sprayed on the fruits to speed up the ripening process. “Direct spraying is not permitted under the Food Safety Standards Act. Hence, the shops were issued notices under Sections 55, 57 and 50 of the Act. It usually takes three-four days for the fruit to ripen naturally but when you spray this, it will take just anywhere between 12-24 hours to become fully ripe. But this also reduces the shelf life of the fruit,” he said.
The early morning raids were conducted by 10 food safety officers at 34 shops after watching these establishments for 10 days.
Samples of artificially ripened bananas were sent to the Food Analytical Lab for further analysis, he said.
Though awareness programmes were being conducted among traders in the market, of late some were found to violate rules. “We started getting information regarding artificial ripening, which is why we conducted the raids,” Dr. Ramakrishnan said.
Meanwhile, fruit shops running without valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Licence/Registration were served notices.
Banned tobacco products seized in Coimbatore
Food Safety Officers inspect 52 shops and godowns
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized banned tobacco products of 320 kg in a special drive conducted here in the city on Wednesday.
Food Safety Officers inspected 52 shops and godowns at Rangai Gowder Street, Thomas Street, Vysial Street, Ukkadam vegetable market, Raja Street and Oppanakkara Street. Banned tobacco products were found at three shops and four godowns.
While FSSAI licence issued to four persons were suspended, notices were served on eight shops. Officials also lifted four samples of banned tobacco products to be examined in a Government laboratory.
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