FSSAI NOTIFICATION

 

'Onam squad' to set up food testing labs near check posts in the state

The minister also warned that action will be taken against those who are found selling food products without authorized license or registration.

Thiruvananthapuram: Food safety department will deploy ‘Onam squads’ to set up food testing labs near check posts in the state to inspect the quality of food products brought in from other states. Health Minister KK Shailaja stated that special squads have been formed to ensure the quality of the food products that come to the state during Onam.

The service of mobile testing labs will be made available in Amaravila (Thiruvananthapuram), Aryankavu (Kollam), Kumily (Idukki), Walayar, Meenakshipuram (Palakkad) and Manjeswaram (Kasaragod) to check the quality of milk, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables brought from other states.

Apart from this, the squad will also ensure if the employees of local street stalls are wearing head caps and masks, whether social distancing is followed in these places and whether it provides sanitizers and hand washes for the use of customers, said the health minister.

Food safety department will carry out strict inspections along with Ksheera Development Board to stop poor quality milk from entering the state.KK Shailaja also stated that these special squads will remain active in the state till September 5.

Milk, jaggery, coconut and other edible oils, ghee, lentils, fruits and vegetables that reach the Onam market will be inspected. Also, the manufacturing and packing units of bakery products, milk, ice cream, coconut oil will be inspected by the food safety squad, informed the health minister.

The minister also warned that action will be taken against those who are found selling food products without authorized license or registration. Public can call the toll free number 1800 425 1125 to inform about adulterated food products.

Government to finalize regulation to limit trans fats during covid-19 pandemic

Over 55,000 persons in India have succumbed to the covid-19 of which majority suffered from one or the other comorbid conditions such as heart ailments, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases etc

The centre will soon finalize a proposed regulation to limit Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) or trans fats in food products as their higher consumption may put people at fatal risk of covid-19.

Over 55000 persons in India have succumbed to the covid-19 of which majority suffered from one or the other comorbid conditions such as heart ailments, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases etc. “Higher content of Trans fats in food is a potential cause of heart ailments and stroke. Comorbid medical conditions such as of heart are a major risk factor for covid-19. Majority of Patients who have died due to covid-19 in India had comorbid conditions. We have decided to expedite a proposed trans-fat limiting regulation as this is need of the hour during the pandemic," said Arun Singhal chief executive officer at Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told Mint on Thursday.

India's apex food regulator proposed a draft regulation in September 2019 to limit trans fats in food products not more than 2% through an amendment in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations.

“Since businesses of majority of hotels, restaurants, even normal eateries have suffered due to covid-19 pandemic, there may be little attention to labelling of trans fats. Earlier the food manufacturers took a voluntary pledge w.e.f. 1 January 2022 to limit trans fats. But we are now planning to make it mandatory as soon as possible," said Singhal.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), industrially-produced TFAs are contained in hardened vegetable fats, such as margarine and ghee, and are often present in snack food, baked foods, and fried foods. Manufacturers often use them as they have a longer shelf life than other fats.

Currently, India accounts for the largest number of deaths caused due to TFA in the world per year; between 60,000 – 75,000 are estimated to die because of these fats. At present, Indian regulation limits the amount of TFA in food to 5%, more than double the recommended amount of 2%.

In 2018, India made a public commitment to remove TFA from its food systems by 2022. However, while the country has created a draft regulation in 2019, no concrete legislative action has been taken on this front.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) also officially recognized TFA as a threat to food security. It not only recognized TFA as a low-hanging fruit whose elimination can result in exponential benefits to the population, but also created a framework for their elimination – REPLACE (Review, Promote, Legislate, Access, Create, Enforce). The aim of the organization is to eliminate TFA from the global food system by 2023.

Various countries have started making legislation to slowly phase out TFA. Denmark, one of the early movers in this regard, created legislation limiting the amount of TFA in foods as early as 2004. Other countries such as Chile introduced a mandatory national Front-of-Package nutrient warning label policy in 2016 to build consumer awareness around TFA.

“Mandatory trans-fat limits or bans on partially hydrogenated oils are currently in effect for 2.4 billion people in 28 countries. Yet more than 5 billion people including people in India are still being exposed to industrially produced trans-fat in their food supply. As we struggle to cope with the ongoing health crisis, this is an opportunity for governments and regulators to make the food we eat safer and more nutritious," Vandana Shah, Regional Director, South Asia Programs at Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) said.