Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad Visits US FDA Head Quarters - PTI

 Sh. Azad Stresses on Importance of Collaboration with US in Food and Drug Regulation The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad has stressed on the importance of collaboration with the USA in food and drug regulation as this will provide exposure to the Indian regulators to international best practices in this area. Sh. Azad was speaking at the headquarters of the US Food and Drug Regulatory Administration (FDA) at Maryland. Sh. Azad is member of the high level Indian delegation visiting the USA.

Sh. Azad, while interacting with the high officials at the US FDA, highlighted the importance of drug and food regulation in the lives of common people and presented an overview of the Indian food and drug industry. He stated that the Indian food industry is estimated to be worth about US $ 135 billion. There has been rapid growth in the sector, especially the processed food industry, he added. Sh. Azad also said that the Indian pharmaceutical industry, estimated to be worth about US $ 20 billion, is ranked third globally in terms of its volume and 13th in terms of its worth. The Union Minister noted that India is regarded as the ‘pharmacy of the developing world’ due to the focus on accessibility and affordability.

Sh. Azad also spoke on the drug and food regulatory framework in India. He explained the roles of the Union and State governments in the regulatory framework of food safety, as it is a concurrent subject within the Constitution of India. The role of the Central government includes making regulations on food standards and other quality parameters; playing advisory role in implementation of the Act by States and Union Territories; amending rules and standards; ensuring that the import of food articles is safe, wholesome and comply with the provisions of Indian Food Laws; and notifying referral food laboratories to test the samples, while the State governments enforce the regulatory standards by lifting samples for testing and carrying out other regulatory functions, Sh. Azad stated. The Union Minister also stressed on the need to make the regulatory mechanisms within the country more effective.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Minutes of the 9th meeting of FSSAI

9th Meeting of FSSAI on 6.6.2012

FDA Maharashtra commences special drive to ensure zero milk adulteration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has commenced a state-wide campaign against milk adulteration. This was informed by Mahesh Zagade, commissioner (food), Maharashtra.

“Milk adulteration is happening on a daily basis and we are forced to take up a special drive across the state against the illegal producers, packers and distributors of milk,” explained Zagade.

The motive behind the campaign is to obtain zero milk adulteration in Maharashtra by June 30, 2012, so that the consumers could also procure pure milk in return. In this regard, the food safety officers (FSOs) in every region would now look into the aspect closely to look at the rootcause of the problem and work on it at the earliest.

“Our officers had raided around 20,000 litres of adulterated milk in Sangli district and recently in Mumbai (Khar region) of about 450-500 litres of milk,” he said, adding that the findings had been discussed with the FSOs in a meeting.

It has been found that the milk was adulterated with water and caustic soda (a preservative), it was repacked and resold to small dairy spots, and the truck drivers or owners concerned did not possess a licence or registration. Not only this, but also the places where the milk was distributed did not ensure hygienic condition and many a times they were located near drainage.

Further, it was also found that the milk was sold in packets without proper labelling and printing or even sold with no clarity in mentioning the “best before.”

The ones which were meant to be “not to be sold” were also distributed illegally to the sellers and that the rejected milk packets by one of the dairy spots would be purchased by the other in the scenario.

Therefore, the FSO would inspect all the check-nakas of the city and the tankers would now need to produce valid documents for the same. Further, all the distributors of milk should possess the list of those milk suppliers and other details.

Soon a meeting would be called in order to alert the dairy industry with the Rule 26 of the new law. All those spots, which would be identified by the FSOs as places of adulteration, hereafter would destroy the repacked milk. And the manufacturers shall now possess the list of all the details of the FSOs of their respective regions in case of emergency.

Further, the FSOs would now take up routine inspection of milk in every region, twice a month.

Commissioner of Food Safety interacts with manufacturers

JAMMU, JUNE 11:Commissioner of Food Safety today organised a one Day Workshop-cum-interaction Session  for the awareness of the Manufacturers of Bakery, Snacks, Confessionary and Sweetmeat regarding various provisions laid down under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations, 2011.
The Commissioner, during a detailed interaction, made the participants aware about the set quality standard norms and rules for running food processing units.
He clarified that the licence holders, for any change in documents or information provided during grant of previous licence have to meet certain conditions as provided under the Act.
He said Certificate or Plan of Food Safety Management System or affidavit to that effect   was compulsory for all such units.
During the Workshop, power point presentation on the Food Safety & Standards (Registration and Licenses of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, Food Safety & Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulation, 2011 and food safety parameters to be followed by food manufacturers was presented by   Assistant Controller Food (HQ) / Food Analyst, Jammu.
 During the interaction session, various queries were raised by the Manufactures which were clarified on spot by the Commissioner of Food Safety.
All the Food Business Operators were asked to get their business registered/licensed on or before 4th of August, 2012 to avoid any legal proceeding as laid down in the   Act.

ஈரோட்டில் நடந்த ஆய்வில் கலப்பட பாலே இல்லை : தமிழக பால் விற்பனையை தடுக்க கர்நாடகா சதி

ஈரோடு : பெங்களூரில் கலப்பட பால் லாரி பிடிபட்ட நிலையில், "ஈரோடு மாவட்ட பண்ணைகளில் இதுவரை நடந்த ஆய்வில், கலப்பட பாலே பிடிபடவில்லை' என, தமிழக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி கூறியுள்ளார்.

ஏன் இந்த முயற்சி? : தமிழகத்திலிருந்து பெங்களூருக்கு, பால் சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்தின் பல்வேறு பகுதியிலுள்ள, தனியார் பால் பண்ணைகள் மூலம், பெங்களூருக்கு, ரெகுலராக பால் வினியோகமாகிறது. தமிழகத்திலிருந்து செல்லும் பால் வண்டிகளை, கர்நாடக அதிகாரிகள் பிடித்து, "கலப்பட பால்' எனக் கூறி, பாலை கீழே கொட்டி அழிப்பது வாடிக்கையாக நடக்கிறது. ஜூன் 9ம் தேதி இரவு, பெங்களூரு வில்சன் கார்டன் பகுதியில் நடந்த சோதனையில், ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து சென்ற லாரி ஒன்று பிடிபட்டது. கர்நாடக மாநில பால்வளத் துறை அதிகாரிகள், அந்த லாரியிலிருந்த பாலை சோதனையிட்டு, அது கலப்பட பால் என கண்டறிந்தனர்.
வண்டியிலிருந்த, 5,000 லிட்டர் கலப்பட பால், பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. பாலை எடுத்துச் சென்ற ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், பெருந்துறை தாலுகா, தயிர்பாளையம் தியாகராஜ், மணிகண்டன் நகர் சண்முகம் என்ற முத்துசாமி, திடியூர் பாஸ்கர் ஆகிய மூவரும், கைது செய்யப்பட்டனர். தலைமறைவான பால் பண்ணை உரிமையாளர், தனசேகரை தேடி வருகின்றனர். ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து, கலப்பட பால் எடுத்து வந்ததாக, பெங்களூரில் மூவர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டதையடுத்து, ஈரோட்டில் கலப்பட பால் குறித்த ஆய்வை, தீவிரப்படுத்தும் நடவடிக்கையில், தமிழக அதிகாரிகள் இறங்கியுள்ளனர்.

30 மாதிரிகள் ஆய்வு : பெங்களூரில், மூன்று மாதத்துக்கு முன் இதேபோல், ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து கலப்பட பால் சப்ளை செய்ததாக சிலர் பிடிபட்டனர். அப்போது, ஈரோடு பண்ணைகளில், தீவிர ஆய்வு நடத்தப்பட்டது. 30 இடங்களில் பால் மாதிரிகள் எடுக்கப்பட்டு, சோதனைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டது. இதில், இரண்டு மாதிரிகள் தரம் குறைவாகவும், இரண்டில் லேபிள் தவறு என, நான்கு மாதிரிகளில் மட்டுமே, குறை கண்டறியப்பட்டது. மற்ற நிறுவனங்களின் பால், தரமானதாக இருந்தது. கலப்பட பால் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டதாக, இதுவரை எந்த மாதிரியும் பிடிபடவில்லை. தற்போது மீண்டும், "கலப்பட பால்' எனக் கூறி, பெங்களூரில் பால் பிடிபட்டுள்ளது, அதிர்ச்சி ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. முறையான லாரி அனுமதி, உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு சட்ட அனுமதி போன்றவற்றை பெறாமல், சிலர் தமிழகத்திலிருந்து பால் சப்ளை செய்கின்றனர். அனுமதியின்றி சென்று, பிடிபடும் லாரிகள் மீது, சம்பந்தப்பட்ட குற்றத்துக்கு தான் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும். ஆனால், அதை, "கலப்பட பால்' என்று முத்திரை குத்துவதற்கே அதிகாரிகளும், போலீசாரும் ஆர்வம் காட்டுகின்றனர் என, தமிழக பால் பண்ணையாளர்கள் குற்றம்சாட்டுகின்றனர்.

Tribunal to keep watch on street food

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarati foodie with an elephantine appetite needs to know how much calories one shoves in with that lip- smacking, enticing and chatpata street food, becoming fast consumables these days. Equally important is to find out the nutritional value of the barrage of locally packaged food.

The city for this purpose will have the state's first food safety tribunal which will not only provide teeth to food safety inspectors to keep quality checks on food sold in the city but also nail defaulters who make false claims about nutritional value of their products. The tribunal will be set up within the next two months.
The tribunal will look into cases where defaulters are caught selling food not of the nature or substance or quality as was demanded. It will also hear cases of substandard and misbranded food and misleading advertisements. "Food containing adulterants, unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food, offences by companies and compensation in case of injury or death of consumer among others are few of the cases that the tribunal will look into. We are integrating the municipal health machinery into the system," said the food & drugs control administration commissioner H G Koshia.
The state government has already approved the post of a presiding officer, chaired by a retired district judge and six other posts. The tribunal has become mandatory with the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 being implemented. Food safety inspectors are being trained by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officers with short-term chemical tests that can reveal adulterants in food instantaneously. Food inspectors of municipal corporations and the food and drugs department are part of this exercise.
"Working of the tribunal will not clash with consumer courts as they deal with special issues. The tribunal is purely for enforcement purposes and an appellate body for those who have been penalized by our officers," Koshia added.

Respondent to petition cannot act on impugned FSSA provisions: Madras HC

It has been yet another eventful week for the Madurai-based Tamil Nadu Food Grains Merchants' Association (represented by S V S S Velsankar, its honorary secretary), who filed a petition against the Union of India (represented by the ministry of health and family welfare's secretary to the government) before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

In an e-mail sent by R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA), it is seen that the Madras High Court has passed an order of an ad-interim injunction constraining the respondent (Union of India), its men and agents from giving effect to the impugned provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006; Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, and the respective Regulations, 2011. "They cannot act on Sections 3 (1) (u); (za); (zf); 5 (1) (a); 13; 14; 23; 31; 40; 50 to 65 and 77 of the FSSA, 2006," he said.

Of late, this battle for justice for small food business operators in the south Indian state has taken other interesting turns too. "Assem Chaudhary, director, administration, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), arrived in Madurai this week and we had a fruitful discussion. In fact, he said the FSSAI would like to be a co-respondent to the petition we filed," Velsankar told over the telephone.

He added, "We have invited Chaudhary to visit Madurai again, accompanied by K Chandramouli, the chairman of the authority. He has agreed to come here and engage in talks with different trade bodies from across the state." Before signing off, Velsankar stated that he and a trade delegation from Tamil Nadu, accompanied by the members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, are headed to New Delhi next month to meet FSSAI officials.

DINAMALAR NEWS

''தண்ணிப்பால்தான் நல்ல பால்!''

‘It is the responsibility of provider to guarantee safe food' - THE HINDU

Jyoti Sardesai, Deputy Director, Food and Drugs Authority, speaking at the workshop on ‘Food Safety and Standards Act' in Panaji on Saturday.

The introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) has consolidated all the legislations relating to food under one law and now the “onus is on the food provider to supply safe food”.
This was the message given to the stakeholders at a day-long awareness workshop on FSSA provisions organised in the city by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Directorate of The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in association with Indian Register Quality Systems (IRQS).
The programme was attended by representatives of hotels, restaurants, and other food outlets.
IRQS is a company that carries out Certification for ISO.
Jyoti Sardesai, the Deputy Director, FDA, addressed the gathering and gave a background on the need for this awareness programme.
C.S Shankar, Head Business Development, IRQS said IRQS has the privilege of certifying organisations in various Industry segments for different  management standards like ISO 9001,ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001,ISO / TS 16949 & Food Safety Management System  ISO 22000, ISO 27001, ISO 28000 and ISO 50001.
Manguirish Pai Raiker, president of GCCI, said that in Goa the FDA has been known for their pro-activeness and have provided advice and guidance to the food industry to implement the laws.
The sessions were conducted by Satish Kumar Gupta, Assessor, FSMS from IRQS.  He highlighted the fact that earlier the focus was on Food Security and now with this Act, the thrust is on food safety and safe food. There were a variety of laws on the subject and it was difficult to monitor and implement all of them and as such now all the laws pertaining to safe food have been consolidated under FSSA. More than 100 hoteliers participated in the sessions.

FSO's Check Quality Standards at Eateries

City traders protest against amendments

Sporting black badges the traders of steel city under the banner of Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce on Friday staged protest against the amendments in Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The traders gathered at Golmuri market to show their solidarity.
President of the Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce, Mohanlal Agarwal said, “The amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen.” According to the amendment, every producer and retailer dealing in eatables and grocery would have to avail a licence from the food and drugs control department.
Agarwal went on to say that the amendments in the Act have created confusion among traders across the country. The Union Cabinet had recently approved the amendments which seeks to provide subdised foodgrains to over half of the country’s 1.2 billion population.
Krishi Bazaar Samiti has asked the Union and State Government to take wise steps. The trader’s body chief Deepak Bhalotia said that the amendments brought in the Act are against the interest of small businessmen. According to the amendment, every producer or retailer has to take licence from the food and drugs department.
He said that businessmen around the country are protesting against this Act. Protest against Food Security Act 2006 had greater impact in the city, especially in market. Agrawal said the Bill is “full of inaccuracies and confusion and that the Centre should not encroach into State domain.”
Meanwhile, the district health department has started taking initiatives for enforcing necessary provisions under the Act. The Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) of East Singhbhum, Swarn Singh held a meeting with a few trade outfits earlier this week.
“We are concerned over the situation. We have held talks with a few trade bodies. They have been informed about the legal provisions in the Act. The trade bodies have been asked to spread the message,” said Singh. He said that the health department would soon start mapping of food joints and restaurants and ensure that the provisions of the Act is followed. The Act also envisages that those food units with an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakhs will have to be registered, while those having turnover of more than
Rs 12 lakhs per annum will require a licence.

High Court gives govt three months to act

Srinagar, June 8: J&K High Court has directed the government to implement Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 within three months.
 A division bench comprising justices Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Hasnain Massodi issued the directions on a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub.
 The petition prays for directions to the state to implement the Act and the Rules.
 While expressing dissatisfaction over the reply the state has filed, the Division Bench observed “it is not in sync with the court directions.”
 Pertinently, the court on March 28, 2012 had directed the government to file compliance report vis-à-vis the steps taken by it to implement the Act and the Rules.
 The Court had directed the Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu, and Commissioner Food Safety J&K to file compliance report within two weeks while issuing notice to the government to file reply to the PIL.
 The PIL contends that the food safety issue has a colossal importance and requires to be taken with seriousness.
 According to the PIL, Food Safety Act 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Rules of 2011 provide that the post of Commissioner Food Safety should be manned by a person of Commissioner Secretary rank, while in J&K an Incharge Drug Controller has been assigned the job, who “lacks the basic eligibility and qualification.”
 “The present incumbent is not competent to hold the post and sanction any prosecution and he is not in a position to take any action against the person found guilty under the Act and Rules” the petition reads.
 The petition alleges that the adulterated food items are openly sold and many spices and edibles in the market are unsafe for consumption as the Act and Rules have not been implemented.

Awareness meet on food safety today - THE HINDU

Special Correspondent

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in association with the Indian Register of Quality Systems (IRQS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an awareness programme here on Food Safety and Standards Act and Food Safety Management System on June 9 at the Convention Hall of the GCCI.

The awareness programme is aimed at educating various stakeholders such as food processing units, hotels, restaurants, and so on, with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Food Safety Management System. The programme will provide participants with basic knowledge of effective implementation of processes, and contribute to the continual performance improvement of the organisation which they represent.

The Act would be implemented strictly and hence it was important that all Goa-based units which deal in various aspects of manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of food be fully aware of the rules and be prepared for its implementation.

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidates various acts and orders that had hitherto handled food-related issues in various ministries and departments. The Act had been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Artificial ripening of fruits rampant

When the Kochi city shadow police seized nearly a tonne of mangoes from a wholesale fruit vendor and arrested him for using a hazardous chemical for artificially ripening them, they were just acknowledging a practice that has been going for years.

They were also acknowledging the fact that a sizeable number of Keralites have been eating poison-laced fruits for years. Using the chemical compound calcium carbide (CaC) for artificially ripening fruits brought in from other States is so commonplace that, vendors say, you can hardly find a fruit free from it.

A large chunk of the fruits consumed in Kerala is brought in from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. For the convenience of transportation, handling and longer shelf life, they are brought in unripe and later the artificial ripening agent is applied.

“We are aware that the fruits we sell are ripened with a chemical,” a wayside fruit-vendor in the city told The Hindu. “I don't know anything about its health risks, but it is very useful for us vendors — it increases the shelf life of the fruits and makes the fruits attractive to the buyers.”

He said that the wholesale vendor from whom he purchased the fruits used to keep a tiny cloth bag of the cheap chemical in each of the crate of fruits.

Just 1 kg of calcium carbide is enough to ripen some 15 crates of fruits, he said. “The chemical helps the fruits ripen evenly and give a smooth look to the fruits,” he said. A whole range of fruits — from mangoes, grapes, bananas, water melons, pomegranates to guava — were being ripened using CaC.

But, the convenience and profits of the vendors come at an enormous health cost to the consumers. Eating fruits ripened by calcium carbide can hurt the digestive system and the liver. It can also cause dizziness, headache and mental disorientation in the short term. Since it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus, CaC is harmful to humans. When dissolved in water, CaC produces acetylene gas which can affect the neurological system.

A food safety official said that CaC greatly reduces the nutritional value of fruits as it compromises fructose contained in the fruit.

A chief food safety officer in the Food Safety Commission, Kerala, told The Hindu that artificially ripening fruits with CaC is an offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into force last year, and could fetch heavy fine and jail term for the offender.

He pointed out that the FSS Act was very harsh on those adulterating or contaminating food with poisonous chemicals.

The FSS Act takes the safety of food Indians eat very seriously.

Its ambit includes sale of sub-standard food, marketing of misbranded food, use of misleading advertisement, unhygienic manufacture and processing of food.

Some caution before eating

It is quite likely that the fruits you just bought (which most likely came from outside Kerala) could be injurious to your health.

In order to reduce the health risks, here are certain steps—as advised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India—that you can take before eating:

—Select fruits and vegetables without spots or necrosis (lesions) and any abnormality

—Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water (preferable running potable water) before eating or cooking

—Buy fruits and vegetables from vendors you know

—Peel off fruits before consumption and vegetables before cooking—to reduce exposure to pesticides

—Do not buy and consume cut fruits from the streets

—Throw away fruits and vegetables infected by mould or fungus

—Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage—to minimise risks from pesticide remnants

FOOD SAFETY DEPT. RAIDS IN HOTEL

Ice, soda factories under health scanner

In an effort to control water borne diseases during the monsoon, the National Rural Health Mission and District Medical Office have decided to launch special surveillance for outbreaks of water borne diseases associated with soda and other locally made drinks. 

 “Prevention is all we can do and we are making all efforts possible. Soda and other local beverages can be a source of illness and we have to prevent any such outbreak. Hence we have directed all the health officials to conduct inspections and collect samples of water used for manufacturing such beverages. Strict action will be taken against violators,” said district programme manager, B. Unnikrishnan. Unauthorised soda manufacturing units have mushroomed without strictures from the authorities, including the commissioner of food safety. 

“There are plenty of illegally functioning units; it would be safe if everyone avoids consuming sodas. We will be intensifying routine inspections. Drinking water sources will be chlorinated,” said the district medical officer, T. Peethambaran. 

 A major problem is the lack of co-ordination between the health department and the commissioner of food safety. A senior official in the health department alleg-ed that as per the Food Safety Act 2012 it is the sole responsibility of the commissioner of food safety to collect samples. 

 “Surveillance on such issues will be complete only with the co-operation of the food safety department. We are doing such activities along with our routine responsibilities,” the official said.

DINAMANI NEWS

Chandigarh traders join nationwide protest

CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh Beopar Mandal has decided to join the Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal in a nationwide agitation against the alleged unjust and impractical clauses in the Food Safety and Standards Act on Saturday. The city body of traders took the decision after a meeting with the executive body of Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal in New Delhi.

The meeting decided that traders from across the country, under the banner of Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal, will put up a demonstration before the office of food safety and standards authority, FDA Bhawan, on Kotla Road, New Delhi, on Saturday, to push their demand for simplification and rationalization of the Act. There after, an awareness campaign will be launched in New Delhi on August 9.

As many as 18 state delegations participated in the meeting, which discussed Food Safety and Standards Act and the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector.

The central body of traders believes that Centre's policies will shift the entire trade to multinational firms from crores of self-employed individual traders causing them irreparable losses.

Instead of providing loans and other facilities to the unorganized trade and industry sectors, the government is compelling traders to abide by its impractical policies and laws, said the members of Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal.

Sale of artificially ripened fruits goes unchecked in Margao

MARGAO:  Wholesalers and vendors  selling  bananas and  mangoes through the handcarts  stationed along the  Margao roads, specially, during  the odd hours, have been allegedly   using  chemicals to quicken the ripening process of fruits and all this at the cost of public health.

And, interestingly, there has been no action coming against  the fruit sellers from the concerned authority. They can be booked under the  Food  Safety and Standard Act.

Sources  stated that the Health Act mentions  severe  punishment  for  selling such  artificially ripened fruits and causing risk to human lives.
The common man eats these artificially ripened fruits, which are   being sold at a little cheaper rate – `20 to  `30  per  dozen, thus inviting  health problems.
“When we eat these bananas and mangoes, there is a smell  of some chemical and  are often  tasteless  unlike the  local bananas.  The  vendors swear that  they  never put such chemicals,’’ a buyer stated, speaking to this daily.
What indeed pushes these  wholesalers and  vendors to adopt the practice to artificial ripen the fruits is the fast buck  they can make due to  a strong demand in the market for the fruits like bananas, mangoes, apples etc.
The locally grown fruits in the state are available on a smaller scale and hence their rates are high. This drives the people with low budget to these handcarts.
“There is a commercial interest behind all this and nothing else.  They have no patience to wait for the fruits to ripe,’’ a MMC councillor  said.
The former chairperson, Mr Savio Coutinho informed that  few were caught while  selling  such   chemically  ripened fruits  in the market  by the MMC and health department officials.
“Such offenders should be booked under law in the interest of the  public  health. The MMC, Health Department and the  Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  should  jointly  conduct inspections and raids to put things in place,” opined  Mr Coutinho. 
According to him, few at the market are  carrying out such illegal business  and  MMC officials concerned turn a blind eye to it.
The chief  officer of MMC, Mr J B Bhingui, stated that he is unaware of the permissions given to these handcart operators.
Mr Bhingui added that the MMC also would commence a drive against these illegally operating handcarts selling such artificially  ripened  fruits  in the town and causing health risk to the consumers.
“We had clamped  down on them  on few occasions a year ago. It is wrong to  sell such fruits dipped into chemicals  for the greed of money. We permitted few  handcart operators to sell  fruits here in the market, but  certainly not the  artificially ripened ones. FDA should  act tough on them and  book them for risking the lives of common people,’’ commented the market inspector of MMC,  Mr Anil  Shirodkar.
The director of  Food and Drug Administration, Mr  Salim Veljee  stated that their officials conduct the inspections occasionally and  have  booked few of them.
“But,  many of them  take the advantage of the  Food  Safety and Standard  Act. The law is not very clear on the issue,’’ Mr Veljee  said.
The FDA director, however, added that  “the  law  does not allow them to use calcium carbide.  If any person is found  using  calcium carbide  to ripen the fruits  their clue for us would help to book them.”      
Sources  disclosed that these  wholesalers and vendors  use a colourless volatile organic liquid used as an anesthetic to artificially ripen the fruits  to meet the  growing demand for fruits in  the market.
Sources also indicated that  in the case of chemically ripened  bananas and mangoes, skin  of fruits often  gets blackened in a day or two whereas it is not the case in naturally ripened fruits.

RTI reveals cockroaches, rat poison in Brisbane restaurants

The ‘Sunday Mail’ obtained ‘shocking’ information under the RTI on hygiene in eateries in Brisbane. Indian cities are not far behind; all you need to do is invoke the RTI Act, like it was done in Pune

We generally believe that Indians have a bad sense of hygiene and that our municipal corporations are lax when it comes to food safety in restaurants. This myth is dismissed with last week's revelation in tourist hot-spot Brisbane, when one of its leading daily "Sunday Mail" used the Right To Information (RTI) Act to get details about "black listed" restaurants on the Queensland health public register-a policy implemented by the Labour government in 2006 to put the names of offending restaurants in public domain, to safeguard health of citizens.

The article published on 3rd June in the Sunday Mail, (ww.) on the basis of documents procured under the information act is titled "Brisbane's black-list eateries named and shamed". The information procured from Brisbane City Council has revealed that names of influential restaurants which were heavily fined and prosecuted, for risking the health of citizens have not been made public in the Queensland Health Public Register, while small-time offenders are included in the list.

Also accessed is the dismal state of kitchen hygiene in the 'culprit' restaurants which debunks the theory put up by CWG (Commonwealth Games) official Lalit Bhanot that hygiene standards in India are different. If Mr Bhanot is to be believed, one would have thought that rat and cockroach-infested restaurants exist only in India but it is surprising to know that an otherwise forward nation like Australia is also marred by such problems. The article describes, "hundreds of cockroaches, and rat poison on a kitchen bench-these are some of the restaurant nightmares being kept from the public... Diners are being left in the dark about filthy rat and cockroach-infested restaurants thanks to the state's broken 'name and shame' regime."

The report states that documents under the Right to Information law revealed that a leading sushi restaurant, which was fined $45,000 because it was found to be a serious risk to public health during an inspection, has not been included in the public register. Another café which was also penalized heavily and has court cases against it for hundreds of cockroaches in its premises has also been protected from public eye. A Red Rooster restaurant which was fined $50,000 is not named in the public register. Similarly, 200 such restaurants have been protected and worse, instead of improving the system of food safety scrutiny, the Queensland council is contemplating shutting of the public register and instead introducing a mandatory board outside each restaurant with rating grades in order that the visitor instantly knows the cleanliness and hygiene standards. However, a research study conducted by New Zealand's food safety experts along with the government's food safety authority shows that visitors generally miss seeing the board and so the researchers have designed a special board which will not miss the eye of the visitor. For details: (ingentaconnect)
Among those penalised is an Indian restaurant too by the name of "Bombay Dhaba". The report states: "Bombay Dhaba, Shop 5, 220 Melbourne St, West End (relocated to Shop 2, 220 Melbourne St in May 2012)

"Action: Food licence cancelled January 2012. New licence issued 1 May 2012. Prosecution pending.

"Rat poison on bench tops, rodent faeces on shelving and flooring, rusting dishwasher racks, filthy floors and dirty dishes found during a council inspection in September, leading to the cancellation of the food licence. Photographs show green rat poison pellets on a food preparation bench, including close to a pair of tongs. Another business using the same name as Bombay Dhaba opened a short distance away on Melbourne St under a new licence last month after a fire in the old premises in January. A spokesman last week said the restaurant had a new premises and was under new ownership."

Other restaurants that have been prosecuted include Chinese as well as those serving European food.

The scenario in Pune
In 2010 and 2011, inspection of files under the RTI Act revealed that even posh restaurants, some of them five-star hotels, did not adhere to necessary food safety, kitchen and staff hygiene. Inspectors from the health department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) which conduct a bi-annual inspection (there are 11 inspectors for over 7,500 eateries), carry with them a form that is filled during an inspection. It contains a list of 29 items that the restaurant is expected to adhere to strictly under the BPMC (Bombay Provisional Municipal Corporation) Act.

Leading restaurants in various localities were given show cause-notices. Most shockingly, none of the restaurants (which were inspected) had conducted medical examination of their staff even once, let alone on a regular basis, which is mandatory for every restaurant. When asked, most of the restaurant managers had the audacity to say that they could not afford to spend on medical examination. This means that we could be eating food served by, or even prepared by someone who is suffering from skin disease or something worse including stomach infections.

What the PMC inspectors found:

• Cobwebs noticed on the walls of the kitchen
•  Prepared food not covered properly
• No care taken to prevent contamination of food by dust or insects
• Kitchen and storeroom used for storing raw materials not located at a safe distance from bathrooms, gutter or urinals, to avoid contamination of food

What can we do?
Since laws are weak, we need to be very careful about eating out. Home food is best, but when tempted, be finicky. At least once a year, invoke the RTI Act on five of your favourite restaurants to check if they have been sent show-cause notices. Any other idea is welcome as the WHO's (World Health Organization) report is disturbing. Read this: "The World Health Organization estimates that up to 30% of individuals in developed countries become ill from contaminated food or water each year, and up to 70% of these illnesses are estimated to be linked to food service facilities. The aim of restaurant inspections is to reduce food-borne outbreaks and enhance consumer confidence in food service. Inspection disclosure systems have been developed as tools for consumers and incentives for food service operators.

Disclosure systems are common in developed countries but are inconsistently used, possibly because previous research has not determined the best format for disclosing inspection results. In India, it unarguably the worst and we must not forget that we pay through our nose even to bite into a 'dosa'.

New norms to check bacteria presence in milk

AHMEDABAD: The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made it mandatory for the food and drugs department of every state to test for harmful bacteria like e coli in milk this year. This apart, the milk producers too will have to test for bacterial content like staphaureus and listeria monocytogenes before pushing it into the market. The new set of standards was first introduced across the nation in August 2011. The producers will have to declare on their packets that the milk is certified e coli, staphaureus and listeria monocytogenes free. The FSSAI has laid down standards for 10 types of milk that include buffalo, cow, goat or sheep, mixed, standardized, re-combined, toned, double-toned, skimmed and full-cream milk.

The food and drugs department of the state will be responsible for monitoring of the milk samples for bacteria content. FSSAI will also check randomly for bacteria content once in a while.

Gujarat's food and drugs commissioner H G Koshia told TOI, that nearly 45 designated officers and several food inspectors have been trained in checking milk and other food samples for contamination. "The FSSAI had provided us manual for food inspectors. We would be one of the first states to comply with new standards. The inspection of bacterial content in milk is also a concern in areas which are supplied loose milk as presence of microorganisms says a lot about milk processing and handling," says Koshia.

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation managing director R S Sodhi said, "We have been checking bacteria content at our dairies, which is a routine activity."

White revolution diluted

Does the milk delivered at your doorstep meet the set quality standards and has enough nutritional value? Apparently, not in Gujarat. In one of the most comprehensive surveys across the country on packed and loose milk, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found 89 per cent of Gujarat's milk samples not conforming to standards.

Another lesser known fact was that the highest number of non-conforming milk samples that were collected from urban areas in India was from Gujarat cities. For instance in Gujarat, 75 of the 89 milk samples that were collected from cities were found lacking the desired Solid Not Fat (SNF) and fat content as mentioned on the cover. This was due to dilution of milk with water.

Higher the SNF, better the quality of milk, food and drugs department officials say. Interestingly, none of the packed and loose milk samples collected from rural areas were seen deviating from standards according to the FSSAI. Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP), generally used to increase volume of milk in lean season, was also noticed in a few samples in the state.

SNF is one of the most essential components of milk that consists of vitamins , minerals and nutritional components. The price of the milk is based on its SNF and fat contents. "We have intensified our vigil on the milk being sold in different regions. This is our first priority now. FSSAI had found dilution of milk to be a problem for Gujarat but found no harmful substances in milk being sold here unlike others states. Packaged milk is the safest by all standards," said state's food and drugs commissioner H G Koshia.

Managing director for Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) R S Sodhi said, "We have four levels of quality checks, one at the producer level in villages, then at the district units level, before processing milk at our dairies and after packaging of milk. Besides this there is individual dairy quality control and one belonging to GCMMF. It is at the smaller markets, one sees people breaking milk packets and selling them loose after adding water . But as far as packaged milk is concerned , we meet all standards."

FSSAI had refrained from using the word contaminated in its report but had warned Gujarat dairies that in the interest of customers, both packed and loose milk should meet the standards. FSSAI has warned people buying loose milk about the use of adulterants which could be neutralizers, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, starch, urea, salt, detergent , formalin and vegetable salt.

DINAMALAR NEWS

LICENSING ALERT - FSSAI

 

Licensing Alert

Conversion of existing Food business Licenses to new Licenses under FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulation 2011, is to be completed on or before 4th August 2012.

List of Documents to be enclosed with application for Conversion to new license
1. Any change in document or information provided during grant of previous license - Applicable for all categories of Food business.
2. Certificate or plan of Food Safety Management System or an affidavit to that effect - Applicable to manufacturing & processing units.
3. Name, Qualification and Details of technical personnel in charge of operation – Applicable to manufacturing & processing units.

NB: For any further clarification / details, please dial toll free number 1800112100, visit fssai.gov.in for advisories available on FSSAI Portal or call designated officer of your district / Food Safety Commissioner of the State or Director Enforcement FSSAI at (011- 23220994).

DINATHANTHI NEWS

Tribunal to keep watch on street food

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarati foodie with an elephantine appetite needs to know how much calories one shoves in with that lip- smacking, enticing and chatpata street food, becoming fast consumables these days. Equally important is to find out the nutritional value of the barrage of locally packaged food.

The city for this purpose will have the state's first food safety tribunal which will not only provide teeth to food safety inspectors to keep quality checks on food sold in the city but also nail defaulters who make false claims about nutritional value of their products. The tribunal will be set up within the next two months.
The tribunal will look into cases where defaulters are caught selling food not of the nature or substance or quality as was demanded. It will also hear cases of substandard and misbranded food and misleading advertisements. "Food containing adulterants, unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food, offences by companies and compensation in case of injury or death of consumer among others are few of the cases that the tribunal will look into. We are integrating the municipal health machinery into the system," said the food & drugs control administration commissioner H G Koshia.
The state government has already approved the post of a presiding officer, chaired by a retired district judge and six other posts. The tribunal has become mandatory with the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 being implemented. Food safety inspectors are being trained by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officers with short-term chemical tests that can reveal adulterants in food instantaneously. Food inspectors of municipal corporations and the food and drugs department are part of this exercise.
"Working of the tribunal will not clash with consumer courts as they deal with special issues. The tribunal is purely for enforcement purposes and an appellate body for those who have been penalized by our officers," Koshia added.

1,000 litre adulterated milk seized, 11 held

MUMBAI: Eleven people were arrested and more than 1,000 litre adulterated milk was seized by officials of the Food and Drug Administration, who along with the local police, conducted raids on four places in the city early on Friday, observed as World Milk Day in many countries.

Though the raids were carried out in Kandivli, Khar, Dharavi and Indira Nagar in Mulund, the operations in Kandivli and Khar were successful. The accused rounded up are mostly slum dwellers who change their residences often. "They buy branded milk packets from the market in the wee hours. After that, they make a small slit on each of the packets with a blade, remove up to 250 ml milk and fill the packet with water before sealing it again with wax," said FDA officer Amar Kolhe.

Around 5am, the officials swooped down on seven places in Khar, including Chaupada chawl, Dhanpada chawl and Gazdar Bandh near Santa Cruz. At the end of the operation, eight persons were arrested and 572 litre adulterated milk was seized. Among the branded products were Gokul, Amul and Mahananda, an official said. The accused have been identified as Laxmi Nalmaddi (30), Dhanlaxmi Chirkute (20), Chandrana Nalmadi (35), Narsimha Nalmadi (20), Ravindra Gauda (28), Ganesh Bundida (19), Balamani Bomgani (20) and Somlata Mudinalla (24).

Acting on a complaint lodged by a resident, Jaywantlal Shah (57), the police visited Kandivli and arrested three persons, Raju Yadaiya (23), Yadgiri Salla (26) and Gasaiya Papaiya Nanu (30), in Lalajipada. They seized 450 litre milk. "The raid was carried out around 5.30am. We have held several raids in Lalajipada in the past as well," senior inspector Hareshwar Pimple said. All 11 have been booked under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, besides provisions of the IPC.

CIRCULAR OF FOOD SAFETY COMMISSIONER, KERALA - HEALTH INSPECTORS & HEALTH OFFICERS HAVE NO AUTHORITY FOR FOOD INSPECTIONS IN HOTELS OR ANY FOOD BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT

CIRCULAR OF FOOD SAFETY COMMISSIONER, KERALA

CIRCULAR OF FOOD SAFETY COMMISSIONER TO D.O's

KERALA GOVT. GAZETTE COPY OF BAN ON SALE OF PANMASALA, GUTKHA PRODUCTS

Restaurant kitchens to mop up or face music

It is the time-tested formula of carrot first, stick later. East Singhbhum health officials are telling eatery and restaurant owners to learn about the newly formulated Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (updated in 2012). If they don’t, they must eat the humble pie, which include registrations getting cancelled. After a spate of meetings with eatery owners, district health officials are taking help of trade and commerce bodies to make small-time restaurants and roadside vendors aware of the food act, especially its provisions on hygiene. On Monday, additional chief medical officer (ACMO) Swarn Singh held a meeting at his chamber with Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce officials. On Tuesday, health officials sent messages and data sheets to other trade outfits. “We held talks with Jamshedpur Chamber of Commerce members and apprised them on the legal aspects of the act. Now, they will spread the message,” said Swarn Singh. Health officials will also meet members of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and market officers (bazaar officers) across neighbourhoods. Officials will hand them pamphlets on provisions and best practices. “We want restaurants, hotels and eateries to know the rules and regulations regarding manufacture, processing and handling of food so that they are prepared during a surprise raid,” added the ACMO. Once lessons are over, tests (read inspections) will start. “Inspections in eateries of East Singhbhum were supposed to start from May last week, but district food inspector Krishna Prasad Singh was on leave. Once Singh is back, we will form a four-member team to verify if provisions of the food act are being followed,” said the ACMO. It means surprise checks in kitchens of hotels and restaurants. If hygiene is lacking, owners will get improvement notices. During the next check, if standards are not found to have improved, the eatery’s name will be sent to New Delhi, with a recommendation to cancel its registration.

Take up registration, traders told

Traders engaged in food business in the district should start the process of registration and obtaining licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 by the first week of June, said M.A.Subramanian, District Revenue Officer and Collector (in-charge) here on Tuesday. Chairing a consultative meeting here, Mr.Subramanian said it was essential that all traders engaged in food business conformed to the provisions of the Act. Those requiring any information with regard to the procedures could contact the Designated Officer over the telephone by dialling 9443121501.
The Designated Officer for the district Dr.Dakshinamurthy and officials of various department explained the provisions of the Act.

Contaminated water tied to Illness

MADURAI: A week-long inspection by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department at the hostel inside the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) revealed that unhygienic living conditions, poor maintenance of water tanks and supply of contaminated food were to blame for the recent outbreak of diarrhoea among nursing students.
On Thursday, when a team from the department checked the hostel canteen, they found that cool drinks and milk products in the refrigerator were contaminated.“We have seized those items,” food safety officer K Saravanan told Express. Saravanan said when they inspected the nursing hostel, they found that the food kept in the storeroom were unsuitable for consumption.“The storehouse was not maintained. Insects were found in pulses and rice.”

Food licence tastes bitter

Restaurant owners and vendors in Bokaro are upset with the district health department's diktat to apply for licence or register by August 7 in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, fearing it will lead to inspection raj.
According to assistant chief medical officer of Bokaro Arjun Prasad, owners of restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, sweet shops, fast food joints and roadside eateries will have to obtain licence or registration certificate from the department.
"We are surveying various blocks of Bokaro to identify the number of such operators as well as making them aware about the mandatory requirement for licence or registration for each of them before August 7," said Prasad, adding that about half-a-dozen shop-owners had already applied for registration/licence.
President of Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sanjay Vaidya, however, termed the department's notice draconian saying it would encourage inspection raj.
He argued that health officials would enjoy a free reign and demand bribe from the vendors in the name of issuing licence or registration.
"Big operators such as restaurant owners will remain unaffected, but roadside food stall owners will suffer, as they will be pressured by officials for granting licence or registration," said Vaidya, adding that the administration should launch awareness programme on hygiene instead.
Sanjay Singh, who runs a chowmein stall at Sector 12, said, "I barely manage to earn enough to feed my family. Where will I find the time to make rounds of offices to obtain a registration certificate?"
Prasad, however, pointed out that the new regulations were being implemented nationwide after they were formulated last year to bring about transparency.
The officer claimed that local bodies such as Mineral Area Development Authority, which issued licences to the shops and restaurants until now, did so without following standard norms.
Under the new regulations, he added, "all operators who record annual sales figures of over Rs 12 lakh will have to apply for licence and will be charged a fee of Rs 2,000".
He added that licences would be renewed every year.
Shop owners or vendors with annual sales below Rs 12 lakh will have to apply for registration at a fee of Rs 100.
Errant operators are liable to cough up fines between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
"The regulations also provide for penalties and imprisonment for food adulteration," said Prasad.

Red gram used in Vemulawada temple prasadam

KARIMNAGAR: Authorities of the Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple in Vemulawada are reportedly procuring sub-standard red gram containing harmful chemicals for preparation of prasadam, putting the lives of devotees at risk.
The shocking fact is revealed by a report prepared by the Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, which analysed the red gram samples sent to it by Karimnagar district food inspector in March this year.
The report says, the red gram supplied to the temple by a Hyderabad-based trader contains Tartrazine, a synthetic lemon yellow food colouring, at more than permitted levels. Earlier, the State Food Laboratory also reported that the red gram supplied to the temple contained Tartrazine.
Red gram is used for preparing naivedyam, prasadam and in temple canteen at Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple and scores of devotees visiting the temple daily are taking the prasadam. Health experts term Tartrazine as an unhealthy addictive which has various side-effects like anxiety, migraines, asthma, blurred vision, eczema and other skin diseases.
Sources said, a Hyderabad-based trader supplied about 500 kg of red gram to the temple about six months ago. On reliable information, Karimnagar district food inspector P Preetam Kumar raided the temple store room on March 13. Samples of red gram and jeera, obtained during the raid, were sent to Central Food Laboratory in Kolkata for analysis which confirmed the presence of Tartrazine at more than permitted levels.
The temple management is now claiming that the samples collected by the food inspector were donated to the temple by some devotees and wrote a letter to the district food inspector in this regard.
Temple EO T Appa Rao told Express that he had no knowledge about such report and would react only after going through it thoroughly. The report was sent to the food safety commissioner’s office in Hyderabad. Another report is being prepared , to be submitted to the joint collector and adjudicating officer for further action.

Your milk packet may contain sewage water

Four vendors, who used to fill empty milk packets with gutter water and sell it to customers in Vile Parle (East), have been arrested

If you thought adulterating milk meant diluting it with water, here’s a disgusting reality check. Cops caught four milk vendors red-handed selling milk packets mixed with sewage water to customers in Vile Parle (East) yesterday. The milk vendors were engaged in this act since the past six months and were using empty milk packets that they collected from garbage bins.

Acting on a tip-off, Vile Parle cops arrested Ramesh Jhala (32), Ravi Anguri (29), Narsingh Ongalu (29) and Anjaya Ongalu (42) and seized 181 adulterated milk packets and 160 litres of adulterated milk. “They were playing with the lives of their customers, especially children. It is not just adulteration but a slow poison for consumers,” said a police officer from Vile Parle police station.

Seedy business: Cops seized 181 adulterated milk packets and 160 litres of adulterated milk from the four accused who were engaged in the business since six months at Vile Parle (E)

“The accused used to fill adulterated milk into empty milk packets that were collected from garbage bins. The arrested accused used to supply milk on cycles in Vile parle. They have been charged under section 272, 273, 420 and 34 of the IPC and under several sections under the prevention of food adulteration act,” said Bhausaheb Tavre police inspector at Vile Parle police station. Cops are further investigating the matter to ascertain if the accused are part of a larger racket.
The accused were produced at Bandra Magistrate court and have been remanded to police custody till May 31. Further elaborating on the modus operandi, cops informed that the accused had devised two methods to adulterate milk packets. In the first method, they would tear open branded milk packets, and mix dirty water in them before sealing them with a stapling machine.
In the second method, the vendors would rummage through garbage bins and collect empty milk packets. They would then fill 60 per cent milk in the packet and mix it with 40 per cent gutter water, and seal it with a burning candle. Cops got specific information about milk adulteration being carried out in Vile Parle (E) from an informer on Sunday, and under the supervision of senior police inspector Talegaonkar, PI Tavre hatched a plan with PSI Vidhate, Patil and Mudhiraj to nab them. On Monday at around 7 am when the accused were about to sell the milk packets, cops arrested them. Cops have now requested residents to destroy empty milk packets, so that they cannot be used again. 

Corpn seals its canteen

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation on Monday sealed its canteen after officials found that adulterated food was being sold. The move comes after Mayor Saidai Duraisamy and a team of officials inspected the canteen, run by the employees’ cooperative society.
    Duraisamy said that food was served in unhygienic conditions and the price was high. "The canteen would be renovated and will be opened after 15 days,” he said. The canteen was sealed under the Anti-Food Adulteration Act.

Will Maha follow Kerala and ban gutka?

With Kerala’s recent ban on chewable tobacco products, the anti-tobacco advocacy groups are now waiting for Maharashtra to follow suit by banning the manufacture and sale of gutka, khaini and other such products.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, which was conducted in India in 2009-2010, 31.4 per cent of Maharashtra’s total population consumes tobacco in one form or the other. Minister of food and drug administration Satej Patil said, “I’m all for a total ban on paan masala, gutka and other chewable tobacco products. I have presented the case to the state law and judiciary department for the final approval. Kerala and Madhya Pradesh managed to get the final approval from their respective state law and judiciary departments.”

On Friday, the Kerala government banned products like gutka, khaini and other products based on a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulation. Kerala becomes the second state after Madhya Pradesh to ban gutka and paan masala. In April, the Union ministry of health and family welfare had said that states had the jurisdiction to ban gutka and paan masala. However, in Maharashtra, the onus of implementing the ban on lies with the FDA.

Speaking about the timeframe for the ban, Mr Patil said, “I cannot comment on the time, but I’m hoping it is as soon as possible.”

Combined squad to fight gutka menace

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Police, Revenue Department and the office of the Commissioner of Food Security will form a combined squad to facilitate effective ban on gutka and pan masala in the State. The decision has in principle got approval from all the departments concerned, but the official announcement is likely to come in a day or so.
The order banning gutka and pan masala was passed by the Chief Minister on May 24. The ban was effected under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation, 2011. To validate the ban, substances like gutka and pan masala were treated as food stuffs which cause serious health hazards.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, the sales of the banned food items can attract six years’ imprisonment and a penalty amounting to ` 5 lakh. The food safety officers under the Health Department have already started a clampdown on the sales of the illegal items. But large-scale action would start only after June 15, the deadline set by the office of the Commissioner of Food Security to wind up the sales of gutka and pan masala.
“The decision to extend the deadline till June 15 was taken on humanitarian grounds. The wholesale dealers can move their goods to other states, where there is no restriction on the sales of these materials, till June 15. But action against retail dealers would continue,” said Food Security Commissioner Biju Prabhakar.
But what worries the officials is the manpower crunch faced by the department. Almost 100 food safety officers and 17 designated officers have to implement the legislation in the entire State. The authorities are planning to overcome the shortage by collaborating with the police and revenue departments.
The Police Department has been taking action against the sales of pan masala and gutka products within 400 metres from educational institutions. DGP Jacob Punnoose said that with the new order, the Police Department will intensify their action. “We have been taking action against the sales of such materials for the last couple of months. That vigil will continue,” he said.

பீர், ஒயின், விஸ்கியில் சாராயம் எவ்வளவு?நிர்ணயிக்க அமலாகிறது புதிய திட்டம்

புதுடில்லி:பீர், ஒயின், விஸ்கி உள்ளிட்ட மது வகைகளில், சாராயம் (ஆல்கஹால்) எந்த அளவு இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதை நிர்ணயிக்க, புது நடைமுறை அமலுக்கு வர உள்ளது.

வெளிநாடுகளில் எல்லாம், மது வகைகளில் சாராயத்தின் அளவு, எந்த அளவுக்கு இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதை, அதற்காக நியமிக்கப்பட்ட சில அமைப்புகள் முடிவு செய்கின்றன.ஆனால், இந்தியாவில், இதுபோன்ற கட்டுப்பாடுகள் இதுவரை இல்லை. தற்போது, விஸ்கி, ரம், ஜின் மற்றும் வோட்கா போன்ற மது வகைகளில், 45.5 சதவீதமும், பீரில் 8 சதவீதமும் சாராயம் இருக்கலாம் என்ற நடைமுறை உள்ளது.

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டம்:"உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தர நிர்ணய சட்டம்-2006' என்ற சட்டம், கடந்த ஆண்டு ஆகஸ்டில் அமலுக்கு வந்தது. இந்த சட்டத்தின்படி, இந்திய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணய ஆணையம் அமைக்கப்பட்டது. இந்த ஆணையத்தின் கீழ், மது வகைகளும் கொண்டு வரப்பட்டுள்ளன.மனிதர்களால் உட்கொள்ளப்படும் அனைத்தும், உணவு வகைகளே என, இந்த ஆணையம் கூறி வருகிறது. ஆனால், இதற்கு, மதுபான உற்பத்தி நிறுவனங்கள் கூட்டமைப்பு எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவிக்கிறது.இந்த சட்டம் மற்றும் ஆணையத்தின் கீழ், மது வகைகளை கொண்டு வரக் கூடாது என்றும், ஏற்கனவே, இது மாநில அரசுகளின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் உள்ளது என்றும், மது வகைகளில், சாராயத்தின் அளவை நிர்ணயம் செய்ய, இந்த ஆணையத்துக்கு அதிகாரம் கிடையாது என்றும் கூறி வருகிறது.

வழக்குகள்:இந்த ஆணையத்தை எதிர்த்து, மும்பை உயர்நீதிமன்றத்திலும், ஜபல்பூர் உயர்நீதிமன்றத்திலும் வழக்குகள் தொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.ஆனால், பீர் உள்ளிட்ட மது வகைகளில், சாராயத்தின் அளவை நிர்ணயம் செய்யும் முடிவை, மறு பரிசீலனை செய்ய ஆணையம் மறுத்து விட்டது. மேலும், இதற்கான வரைவு திட்டத்தையும் தயார் செய்துள்ளது. இதற்கு, ஆணையத்தின் அறிவியல் கமிட்டியும் ஒப்புதல் அளித்துள்ளது.ஆணையத்தின் கூட்டம் விரைவில் நடக்க உள்ளது. அப்போது, இந்த திட்டத்துக்கு ஒப்புதல் கொடுக்கப்பட்டு, ஜூலை 1ம் தேதி, அறிவிப்பு வெளியாகும் என்று எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.அதன்பின், பீர், ஒயின் உள்ளிட்ட பல வகையான மதுபானங்களில், சாராயத்தின் அளவு எந்த அளவுக்கு இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பது கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டு, அமலுக்கு கொண்டு வரப்படும்.

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