Safety stick for milkmen

Milkmen found injecting cows with oxytocin for boosting milk production would not be spared the government rod, said animal and fish resources minister Giriraj Singh today.

Singh's announcement came at the inauguration of the two-day workshop on "Applications of Food Safety Act, 2006, in dairy industry" at Scada Business Centre. He said the state would ensure an effective implementation of the legislation. It lays down science-based standards for articles of food, regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import and ensures availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The workshop has been organised by Bihar Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute. Singh said: "Raids would be conducted and action taken against milkmen who would be found injecting cows with oxytocin for milk production." He added: "Food safety is the focus of persons everywhere. Twenty-five per cent diseases happen because food safety is not taken care of."

The minister's focus for food safety was not only milkmen but also products like mineral water and junk food.

Singh said although mineral water is considered cleaner than tap water, the product is not up to the standards. Similar was the case, Singh said, with junk food popular with youths.
He added: "Camps on food safety would be organised near colleges and universities to spread awareness among students. Samosas, which students are so fond of, are fried in the same oil over and over again. Youths are not aware that this affects them."

Singh said quality and purity of food had to be ensured both at the production and consumption level, for which the agriculture and animal and fish resources department had to play an important role.

K.M. Nath, retired joint director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, said: "Food Safety Act, 2006, was implemented on August 5, 2011. The act was prepared with the motive to have a single legislation for all food products, to be controlled by a single department."

M.N. Singh, the director of Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Dairy Technology, Patna, said: "It is important to modify certain standards of dairy products to the international levels so that all items produced here are accepted worldwide."

MAHARASHTRA FDA's New Year resolution: Get eateries to toe food safety law

As the countdown to 2012 begins in December, restaurants and pubs in the city are in for an inspection for food safety. The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department will be examining the eateries across the cities just a month before New Year's eve.

After issuing notices to bars and restaurants to comply with the new Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, the FDA has deployed teams across the state to check the hygiene levels in haunts both popular and obscure.


Clean drive: FDA officials say non-compliance with food standards on
the part of diners will invite a penalty of Rs 100 daily. Representaion pic

"This year we will take stringent action against eateries that fail to comply with the amended FSS Act. We are giving them a month's notice so that they get enough time to adopt the new law. Hygiene and food safety will be our priority," said Suresh Deshmukh, assistant commissioner (food).

Deshmukh revealed that teams of food inspectors have already been put on the job to scrutinise eateries and they will issue an improvement notice to the eatery if needed. 

From getting registered with FDA to wearing gloves, submitting water reports, making food and safety management plan, testing of food extra all will be monitored before the new year commences.

"Restaurants have been given enough time to get registered with the FDA and make changes as per the
amended law. Now onwards, whoever fails to get registered with the FDA will have to pay the penalty of Rs 100. We do not want them to take the law lightly. Also mandatory chances before the New Year too is on cards," he said.

Recently, a team of retailers and hoteliers appealed to the FDA commissioner to withdraw the clause of penalty. "Orchestra bars are the major violators during new year's eve, so we have decided to start our drive with them, followed by restaurants and hotels."

However, Sudhakar Shetty, president, Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) said, "The new law is not feasible. November 30 is the deadline for registration or else we will have to cough up a Rs 100 fine per day. We have appealed to the FDA commissioner to simplify the amended act and extend the registration process till March 30. With Christmas and New Year round the corner to keep us busy, making all the necessary changes is not possible."