'Even Farmers have to register under Food Safety Act'

NAGPUR: The CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), S N Mohanty while replying to a question posed by a delegation of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) said that under the new Food Safety Act even farmers are required to obtain a registration before selling their produce in the market.

The statement came after the VTA delegation asked as to why farmers and milk societies are excluded from the purview of this law. On this Mohanty replied that FSSAI was formed after the Food Safety Act came into existence and hence only the Parliament can answer this question. However he categorically said that farmers are also required to obtain registration under the act before selling their produce claimed a press release issued by VTA.

VTA claims the new Food Safety Act in force since August this year, is threatening the very existence of several operators in the eatery and other food related businesses. They termed several provisions of the law to practically impossible to comply claiming that it may also lead to Inspector Raj as tremendous powers have been vested with the officials.

Secretary of VTA Tejindersingh Renu, questioned the CEO as to why the law failed in creating a logical balance and gradation between different types of businesses to be covered under the act. The act practically covers all the kinds of businesses including those even slightly related too food or food material. ""Under the new law there will be similar norms for a dhabha (highway eatery) to a seven star hotel,"" said Renu.

Baba Ramdev’s unit given another chance to get products tested

Baba Ramdev may be famous for starting the yoga revolution, but he is also quite well known to be skilled at dodging accusations thrown at him. Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Department department has given Baba Ramdev yet another chance to prove his stand and get his Kankhal-based unit’s food samples re-tested in the central laboratory in Pune within a month. Reacting on reports about his ‘misbranded’ food products, the yoga guru on Wednesday had termed the shocking findings as ‘misleading’ and ‘politically motivated’. He accused the State and Central investigating agencies of trying to defame him and threatened to take legal actions against the Food Safety and Standards Department also.
While addressing the local media, Ramdev said “It is a conspiracy to defame our trust and also sabotage our movement against corruption and black money”.
According to senior officials of the Food Safety and Standards Department, failure to get products re-tested within the given time will instigate adjudication of the case against Baba Ramdev’s unit. The department had collected samples of six food products after conducting a surprise raid at the unit in August this year. The samples were sent to Rudrapur for testing and the laboratory findings that the food products had failed the tests were made public on Tuesday.
District food safety officer RS Rawat admitted that there is no problem with the quality of the products being manufactured by the unit. “However, many products are manufactured elsewhere and their marketing is done here. Like the Patanjali salt is procured from Kutch in Gujarat and mustard oil from Rajasthan and both are sold as Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd products,” Rawat added.
According to sources, the yoga guru could possibly be fined to the tune of Rs 90 lakh for misbranding  six products. The misbranded products include Patanjali salt, Patanjali mustard oil, Patanjali lychee honey, Patanjali gram flour and Patanjali pine-apple jam.

5 penalised for selling substandard food

Fatehabad, September 26
The additional deputy commissioner-cum-adjudicating officer, Rajiv Rattan, has imposed penalties on five persons and firms for keeping substandard food items with them for sale to the public under the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006.
Hearing complaints filed in his court by the Food Safety Officer, Fatehabad, the adjudicating officer imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Manish Kumar from Dangra road Tohana, proprietor of Gem Ice Candy.
Samples of ice candy taken from his factory in April this year were found substandard.
In another case, Om Parkash, a resident of Naya Bazaar Tohana, was ordered to pay a penalty of Rs 10,000 as the sample of ghee taken from his grocery shop was found below the prescribed standards.
Ajit Kumar, a milkman whose sample of milk taken in April this year was found substandard in laboratory tests, has been imposed a penalty of Rs 3,000 by the ADC, while Surinder Kumar from Hansi, whose barfi was found below the prescribed standards, will have to pay Rs 2,000 as penalty.
Gulshan Kumar Grover, who runs Gulshan Hotel opposite the Panchayat Bhawan in Fatehabad, has been penalised by the adjudicating officer for keeping substandard dahi for serving his customers.

750kg of adulterated tea seized

COIMBATORE: A team of officials from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India along with revenue officials and police raided a residence at Gandhipuram third street extension on Wednesday and seized 750kg of low quality tea dust and 100kgs of chemical dye which was ready to be packed and distributed in the open market. The dye according to the officials was to be mixed with the tea dust so that it would have a deep brown tinge when served for consumption. "All these chemicals are carcinogens and prolonged use could lead to serious health complications. We will send the seized samples for detailed lab analysis. The owner of the establishment is absconding at the moment," said R Kathiravan, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Officials raided the spot on the basis of adulterated tea samples seized from a tea stall near Somanur early Wednesday morning. They traced the location of the tea distributors to Gandhipuram 5th street and later traced the warehouse and packing centre to a rented portion of a residential building on third street extension.
"We have also recovered the packing and blending materials inside. He has been running this business for the past couple of years," said K Chandran, Food Safety Inspector who was part of the operation.
The tea dust packed under the label of 'Three Star' tea was packed in polythene packets and the address of the manufacturers mentioned on it was found to be fake claimed officials. The house owner also claimed that he was unaware that something illegal was being carried out in the rented portion of the building. Officials have sealed the building after collecting samples for examination. The operation was carried out on the orders of district collector M Karunagaran.

FDA to crack down on sale of loose edible oil

PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) will ensure strict implementation of the ban on the sale of edible oil in loose form across the city and adjoining districts from Thursday.
Almost 45% of the city's population purchases oil in loose form, sale of which is banned as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
"The ban on selling edible oil in loose form will henceforth be enforced in letter and spirit. Our officials will start inspecting shops and firms selling edible oil in loose form," Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune, told TOI on Wednesday.
The officials will fine shops registered with the FDA Rs 25,000 if found selling oil in loose form. If shops/firms having an FDA licence are found indulging in such sale, they will have to pay a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The oil should not only be sold in packets, but must also have proper labelling and information about its package date, type of oil, price, etc, according to the act.
Most shops in and around slums sell oil in loose form. "So we are going to focus on those pockets in city where this practice is rampant. The aim is to enforce the ban across the division," Kekare said.
Currently, 80% of edible oil is sold in loose form in the country, which, according to trade sources, is in the blended form. For example, refined sunflower oil or soybean oil in loose form is a blend of the respective oil and palm oil in the proportion of 65:35.
According to experts, such impurities are difficult to for a layman to identify, as the blending of palm oil does not change the physical property or taste of the product. But it changes the chemical property, which affects the consumers' health in the long run. Selling of loose edible oil is not permitted in developed countries.
What the Act says
No person shall sell or distribute or offer for sale or dispatch to any person for the purpose of sale any edible/vegetable oil
a) which does not conform to the standards of quality as provided in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and rules/regulations made under, and
b) which is not packed in a container, marked and labelled in the manner as specified in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) regulations

Small food vendors taste a sour tang - THE HINDU

A street food vendor in the city, thinks a strict food safety regime will do good to the trade. 

 

Impact of food-poisoning death on wayside eateries 

The times are not good for the food vendors in the streets of the capital city Thiruvananthapuram. Already facing action from authorities, including the police, as part of attempts to ensure hygiene and to maintain law and order, the sector is anticipating tougher days as more operational norms are to be brought into force.

The turmoil created by a recent food-poisoning death has had its impact not just on big eateries, but also on the little pushcart and makeshift ‘thattukada’ traders as well. They, who stay awake while the rest of the city sleeps, serving spicy omelettes, piping hot ‘dosas,’ and steaming tea to late-night office-goers, the techie crowd, and other passers-by, are now worried over their very existence.

“We do not have any problems in a stricter food safety regime coming. But yes, before that is brought into force, we would like the authorities to ensure basic facilities like supply of clean water, proper drainage garbage disposal facilities, and adequate power supply,” says Gopakumar, who operates a mini tea-stall adjacent to the compound wall of the Transport Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Gopakumar, who has been in the business for 28 years now, says the ‘field’ is very competitive, and hence ‘99.99 per cent’ of his colleagues in the sector would be ready to embrace better hygiene practices to stay afloat.

“I have not faced any losses after the recent developments, since my clientele is largely the same set of people, including employees from the Transport Bhavan and surroundings. They know I offer only safe food. But it has not been the same for everyone,” he says, adding that many were reluctant to make more investments into what they already had because there was no guarantee that they would be allowed to continue.

Padmini, who runs a pushcart eatery along with her brother Manikandan near the Museum, is one among those hit hard by the raids, revelations, and their impact on public psyche.

“Our revenue on weekdays used to be around Rs.3,000 a day before all this. That has fallen to less than 1,000 now, and the profits are far lesser. On top of that, there are officials who tell us repeatedly that our surroundings are not hygienic. We submitted several complaints to the Corporation pointing out that there were no public toilets here and that garbage from the surroundings are washed towards our carts whenever it rains,” she says. The onus, many of them feel, is not just on them to make affairs better, but on civic authorities as well.

'Ban gutka or we will', High court tells Akhilesh Yadav government

LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has ordered the UP government to implement central government's directions under the Food Safety Act to restrain manufacturing, sale and distribution of 'gutka' or other products containing tobacco as an ingredient in the state and inform the court after 14 days steps taken in compliance of the order.

Fixing October 10 as the date filing compliance report, the court, in its order passed on a public interest litigation filed by Indian Dental Association, also said that if the state government failed to act within in stipulated time, it may be consider to pass an order banning gutkha.

Earlier, standing counsel for the central government submitted before the court three letters sent by the special secretary, union ministry of health and family welfare, between May-August 2012 directing the UP government to prohibit the sale and distribution of gutkha or pan masala containing tobacco, in the light of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act putting restrictions on adding tobacco and nicotine to any food product.

In response, the state government on September 10, filed an affidavit in the court assuring that it would take necessary action to ban the sale of guthka in UP in 14 days. However, contrary to its assurance, the UP government has not banned gutkha so far. As a result, a division bench comprising Justice Amar Saran and Justice Anurag Kumar, which is hearing the case, in its order observed that as many as 13 states have already imposed ban on manufacture, distribution and sale of gutkha.

Also, it said, no stay orders by the high courts of those states or the Supreme Court on decision to ban gutkha by any state has been passed. The high courts of Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Kerala and Patna have affirmed the decisions of their state governments imposing restrictions, it said. "There can hardly be any dispute that use of gutkha is highly addictive and causative of oral cancer and periodontal and other diseases including being a risk factor for strokes and cardiac arrests and that according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS) 2010 an estimated 20.6 crore Indians are using this harmful product which poses a grave health risk to our people in general and to the younger generation in particular.

It is also stated that India enjoys the dubious distinction of being the oral cancer capital of the world due to the high levels of smokeless tobacco use,"" the bench stated in the order.The court recalled that UP government had earlier assured on May 23, 2012 that it is seriously considering prohibiting the sale of gutkha.

"But instead of putting a ban on the manufacture and sale on gutkha, the UP government has lowered the tax so as to facilitate increased sale of this product. We have already expressed regret over this development in our on September 10," the bench said. In the light of thse facts, the sincerity and commitment of the UP government to care for the health of citizens by restricting the use of gutkha which is a health hazard is under examination now, the court stated in the order.

The court also observed that the Right to health is a fundamental right flowing from the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Article 47 casts a fundamental duty on the State to improve public health, and to endeavour to prohibit consumption of intoxicating substances which are injurious to health. The state government counsel told the court that there is no doubt that gutkha is harmful but only the central government can put a restriction on its use. However, court's view was that both the central and state government are responsible for enforcement of the Food Safety Act.

Strict food safety regime soon - THE HINDU

A strict food safety regime, where people will not have to be apprehensive about eating out, will be in vogue in the State within three years, Food Safety Commissioner Biju Prabhakar has said.
Inaugurating a one-day workshop on ‘streetside vendors and food safety’, jointly organised by the SEWA-Union and the Kerala Street Vendors’ Forum (KSVF) here on Monday, Mr. Prabhakar said the recent happenings in Thiruvananthapuram and elsewhere after the death of one person due to food poisoning had got the public thinking more on the safety aspects of eating out.
Hotels had already lost about 60 per cent of their business, according to hotel sources themselves, he said, stating that only few hotels had managed to get back to normal business.
A fast food trend that was rapidly catching up in the State had brakes applied on it, though the department had not taken any drastic step other than making clear what the law said.
Street vendors or the ‘thattukada’ sector was yet to feel a serious impact of the developments, most probably because there was no stocking of food for the next day.
Still, unless street food vendors upgraded their hygiene levels, they were bound to lose customers gradually, Mr. Prabhakar said.
Stating that a grading system, based on the hygienic practices and standards adhered to by each hotel and food seller, would soon be introduced, Mr. Prabhakar said street vendors too would have to go in for food safety registration and certification, which was being made mandatory.
It would cost only Rs.100 a year, he told the gathering of street vendors at the workshop, adding that future training programmes, rehabilitation programmes, campaigns and the entire gamut of government initiatives for the sector would require such registration.
The aim was to bring into force a strict food safety regime, in which hotels or street vendors who were not registered or did not adhere to safety and hygiene norms would not be allowed to do business, he said.
Citing examples of the law already being enforced strictly, Mr. Prabhakar said the Indian Coffee House at Thampanoor had been served an ultimatum to shift base from its current location, since there was a drainage adjacent to it and that could not be allowed under any circumstance.
Joint Food Safety Commissioner K. Anil Kumar, SEWA-Union State secretary Sonia George, and KSVF State president Sadashivan Nair spoke.

Medical staff given work of food safety officers

The state government has notified that deputy civil surgeons, senior medical officers (SMO) and medical officers (MO) serving with the health department would also enjoy the power of food safety officers (FSO) in districts where the posts of food safety officer were lying vacant or where the workload was more in order to implement the Food and Safety Standards Act-2006.
Dr G.L. Singhal, Drug Controller and Joint Commissioner Food and Drug Administration of Haryana, said since there was a shortage of food safety officers in the state, the medical officers had been assigned the powers of the food safety officer so that there was no violation in the field.
He said Haryana was, perhaps, the first state to take action regarding the sale of infant milk substitute. It had raided the premises of a wholesale distributor of infant milk substitute food products here in July and seized some samples for testing.
The state government had also banned the sale of bottled white fluid used as corrector (eraser) in typed documents and nail polish remover sold in bottle type of container, he said.

Violators of food safety act going scot-free

With all the stir that the recent food safety inspections and the Food Safety and Standards Act 2011 has brought in, the prosecution against the food outlet owners and other food manufacturers have been practically wiped out. Or at least, such has been the case for the last one year since the passing of the Act.
“We have not had to prosecute anyone as yet,   owing largely to the fact that the food safety campaigns, raids and the fines have been  acting as powerful deterrents in themselves. In the earlier Prevention of Food Adulteration  Act, such deterrents were not given priority and prosecution was resorted to in most of the  cases. Hence, there has been thousands of pending cases. Even now, we have more than 2,000 cases pending under the Act. This means that a large number of the officials would be involved in appearing for the cases before the court, which can now be prevented,” said Biju Prabhakar, Commissioner of Food Safety.
But a few critics have pointed out that though the campaigns of the Food Safety and Standards Department have had some effect, the new Act has implied the suspension of the rigorous sampling and prosecution measures against the defaulters in the last one year.
“Earlier, it was mandatory for the food inspectors to take at least 30 samples each month and test the same. If found adulterated,  the defaulters were immediately prosecuted, which acted as a deterrent for the food manufacturers. But in the last one year or so, after the new Act coming into being, the measure has been suspended. Now it is only under the emergency cases or filed complaints  that the samples are being tested,” said a food safety inspector from Ernakulam.
Another issue pointed out is that none of the labs in the state that tests the food samples  have the NABL accreditation as recommended under the Act, making it difficult to execute the penalty. The Food Safety Commissioner countered the point by saying that the onus of proving the authenticity of the samples rested with the accused and not with the authorities.
“The lack of accreditation will not be a factor in the prosecution. If the accused has doubts on the authenticity of the charge, the onus is on him to test the sample in a  NABL-accredited lab. Moreover, we are working towards getting the NABL accreditation for the lab in Thiruvananthapuram by March 2013. The funds for more labs are yet to be allocated by the Twelfth Finance Commission,” he said.

Food safety wing lacks staff

The understaffed Warangal zone’s food safety department is likely to get some respite under recently enacted The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into force in the state with effect from December 2011 in place of the old Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
Out of the official sanctioned strength of over 30 food safety officers (FSOs) in Warangal zone, comprising 6-8 each for Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts, the regional Food Safety department is presently being manned by only six FSOs.
Out of the six FSOs working in Warangal zone, Adilabad has only two FSOs followed by Karimnagar (1), Warangal (1) and Khammam (2).
The regional unit has two other higher-level officers above the FSOs, namely food safety designated officers (four are presently working in four districts) headed by an assistant food controller, who is the supervising authority in the regional unit.
As the only department playing watchdog role over food safety aspects like adulteration, sub-standard food and misbranding, sources said the understaffed department officials had little time to take up surprise raids under the old 1954 Act, which had no provision to take up compounding of cases registered by the department.
Presently, the lone Food Safety Officer (FSO) working in Warangal district is burdened with attending 220 court cases filed in various courts leaving no time for conducting raids on suspected shops selling adulterated or sub-standard food items in the market.
Sources pointed out FSOs in each of the four districts under the Warangal zone are facing a similar situation attending pending court cases numbering about 150-300 in each district.
What is more, once a case is registered by the FSOs of the respective district, official sources pointed out that the case often drags on for an average period of 5-7 years before it is disposed of by a competent court.
This also explains why the department never carries out en mass raids over hundreds of roadside eateries and hotels selling sub-standard food items to customers.
However, department officials hope the new 2006 Act would bring in positive change as joint collectors of the respective districts have been designated as ‘adjudicating officer’ with power to compound the offence of the accused by levying fines.
According to D. Ramakrishna, food safety designated officer, Warangal district, the new Act brings offences such as ‘misbranding of products’ and sale of ‘sub-standard eatables’ under the compoundable category.
“These offences can now be decided by joint collector under the new Act without approaching the courts,” he said.

Ban Guthka It's a grave health concern, it spoils lives of our youth

The increasing consumption of Guthka, Pan Masala and such other chewing tobacco products in Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of deep concern.  Unfortunately, even the children and young adolescents have access to these products as they are freely available and at affordable costs at every nook and corner of the State. These products thus act as a gateway to drug addiction for this vulnerable population. Besides, poor section of the society consumes it as a leisure product. The impact can be seen in the form of rising number of cancer cases, especially oral cancer in the State.
            As per, Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)-India Report 2009-10, among 26.6% adult tobacco users in the State of J&K, 8% exclusively use smokeless form of tobacco. Shockingly, usage of Guthka, Pan Masala and such other chewing tobacco products are found to be significant among females and young adults in the State. Among 4.1% of the current women users in the State 3.7 % are consuming it on a daily basis. In other words, a majority of them are addicted to the Guthka products.
It is in this context of greater health concerns, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a notification in 2011 that clearly states “any food product should not contain tobacco and nicotine”. Therefore, Guthka, Pan Masala and such other chewing tobacco products falling under this category are prohibited by virtue of the above mentioned notification. 14 states including Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttarakhand have already banned and complied with the notification, by issuing orders and taking appropriate measures to prevent the sales, manufacture and use of these lethal products.
Government of Jammu & Kashmir should also take measures to ban Guthka and other chewable food products containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients, to show its commitment towards greater health concerns of the citizens. This would be a milestone and progressive step towards making J&K a tobacco free State.

(A. M. Mir, IAS (Retd.) is Executive Director J&K Voluntary Health Association)

Working towards healthy eateries - THE HINDU

Food contamination to be traced back to material suppliers

The government has plans to bring raw material suppliers to hotels into the ambit of the food safety regulations, Minister for Health V.S. Sivakumar has said.

Delivering the inaugural address at a seminar on ‘‘Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006’’ here on Saturday, he said a proposal to reward informants disclosing the source of food contamination was also being considered.

Mr. Sivakumar stressed the need to trace food contamination to the source, rather than book hotels where it was served to the customer. “Our objective is to ensure that only safe, healthy food is served in all hotels,” he said.

The FSSA, he said, had shifted the focus to food safety. “There is a need for local bodies to adopt scientific measures for supply of safe meat from abattoirs.”

The Minister said the government’s approach was to get the hotels to rectify their shortcomings rather than prosecute them. He called upon hoteliers’ associations to support the implementation of the FSSA. “The government will iron out the difficulties being faced by hotels. The Chief Minister himself has convened a meeting to sort out the confusion over certain provisions of the Act,” Mr. Sivakumar said.

Grading system

Commissioner of Food Safety Biju Prabhakar said a grading system would be introduced for hotels in association with organisations representing food business operators (FBOs). The grading, he said, was part of a quality assurance mechanism.

He said the proposed rating system would cover wayside eateries, star hotels, and Janata hotels. Establishments would be graded into four categories, A to D, based on their compliance with food safety standards.

The inspection and rating would be done by an accreditation agency in food safety acceptable to the Commissioner of Food Safety as well as the stakeholder FBOs. The rating would come down if standards were found to be diluted at any stage. Manufacturers, food growers, wholesalers, transporters, and sellers would also be brought into the system, he said.

Mr. Prabhakar said the commissionerate had identified the hotspots of food safety in Kerala. “We are issuing improvement notices to the establishments with shortcomings.”

He said moves were on to computerise laboratories for testing food samples. “Manual registration of FBOs has been initiated and online registration will be introduced soon. Mobile laboratories will be pressed into service.”

Mr. Prabhakar said many raw materials used by hotels were often found to be adulterated and carcinogenic. “There is a need to keep a tab on the suppliers so that the source of contamination can be identified.”

He said investigations carried out by the commissioner had revealed appalling conditions at poultry farms supplying hotels.

Representatives of the South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum, Kerala Bar Hotels Association, Bakers Association, Kerala, and Association of Approved and Classified Hotels, Kerala, were present.

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Proposal to reward informants: Minister

Grading system planned for hotels

Adulteration: Government plans to reward whistleblowers

The government is planning a ‘whistleblower system’, by introducing rewards to informers on adulterated food and ingredients, said Health Minister V S Sivakumar here on Saturday, inaugurating a seminar on Food Safety and Standards Act,2006.
“It has become clear that right from salt to meat, fish and vegetables, adulteration has become common. It is not the retail traders who are indulging in malpractices but wholesalers and those who are bringing commodities from outside the state. But there are limitations for the Food Safety Commissioner and other officials to trace it. It is against this backdrop that a mechanism to engage the civil society also for better results is being probed,” the Minister said.
He also said that the State Government would initiate concrete steps to establish scientific abattoirs in the state, in view of the fact that many a case of food poisoning occurs due to processing of meat under unhygienic conditions.
“By joining hands with the state veterinary varsity,the government will take the lead to make modern abattoirs a reality in the main Corporations and municipalities of the state,” he said. Sivakumar also put forward an idea of linking tribals and the vast, isolated stretches of land for poultry and livestock development, and thereby ensuring the requirements of the state-owned Meat Products of India. “Since there are many constraints in promoting such activities in urban areas, scientific studies to tap interior pockets are needed,” he felt.

Food Safety Commissionerate firm on bringing in grading system in hotels

The recent inspections and arm-twisting by the Food Safety Commissionerate against erring hoteliers and food outlets in the state, against the backdrop of a few instances of food poisoning, was just to demonstrate the powers of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and to regularise standards for those involved in the food business operations, Food Safety Commissioner Biju Prabhakar told a seminar on ‘Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006’ here on Saturday.
 “We are not hostile to the sector as is being made out. None need not be afraid of it. As an Act which is bound to be implemented at any cost, setting standards would ward off many difficulties in future for those running various ventures, such as stringent punishment and compensation. Looking at the emerging scenario from the people’s point of view is very important,” he said, delivering the keynote address.
“Achieving European standards in the food sector may not be possible. But definitely there should be some standards, for which a grading system from A to D will be brought in up to wayside ‘thattukadas’ with a unique logo issued for an adequate period, subject to periodical monitoring and evaluation. What we have in front of us is a three-year road map,” he said. “If the Commissionerate officials have gone wrong, including me, the matter can be taken up with higher authorities or the court.
“The Act is a well thought of law and there are no draconian problems at all. But an attitude of a section of hoteliers bordering lawlessness as if this is Kerala and everything is possible here, even after the conduct of 3,000 awareness sessions across the state, cannot be allowed. Also, none should  have an approach to reap profits in one day,”  Biju Prabhakar  said.
 The Commissioner said that after demonstrating the powers of the Act and make hoteliers aware of the fact that things have to change for the better, the Commissionerate has identified hotspots such as sources of  adulteration including the rampant use of carcinogenic materials. It has been found that the role of additives which goes into the making of food is quite alarming, he disclosed.  “It is not unhygienic conditions which is the real villain. Much more danger comes from invisible hazards,” he pointed out.
The Commissionerate  is analysing the steps taken by Dubai in the past couple of years to streamline the food business operations in that country, Biju Prabhakar added. The seminar was jointly organised by the Association of Approved & Classified Hotels of Kerala, South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum, Kerala Bar Hotels Association and Bakers Association, Kerala.

Milk vendor fined Rs 1 lakh

A judicial magistrate court on Thursday imposed Rs 1 lakh fine on a vendor for selling non-standardised milk at Hadapsar. Official sources said a special squad had checked the milk sold by A P Confectionary in November after complaints. The squad had sent a sample of frozen milk to a laboratory. The lab analysis showed it contained skimmed milk, starch and a sweetener. The vendor was fined Rs 1 lakh under Sections 50 and 51 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Eatery Chain FINED Rs.1 Lakh, highest in State

The Pune branch of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has levied a fine of Rs1 lakh to AP Confectionery based in Hadapsar. According to Shashikant Kekare, FDA’s joint commissioner (food), this is the highest fine levied in Maharashtra on any party for using sub-standard milk under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“Food safety inspector VA Unavne had visited the Hadapsar unit of AP Confectionery and drew samples of frozen milk on November 4, 2011. The samples were sent to state laboratory in Pune and declared sub-standard. It had presence of sugar, skimmed milk powder and starch. I presided over a hearing on this subject on September 20 and fined the company Rs1 lakh,” said Kekare.
On September 19, Kekare had in a separate hearing fined the company Rs35,000 for using sub-standard frozen milk at its eatery chain on FC road.
Meanwhile, Ameet Pahilani, founder-director, AP Confectinery Private Limited, slammed the action stating that it was unfair and misleading.
“When they arrived at our unit, they asked us which milk we were using. So we produced the samples of the milk. We prepare our milk using skimmed milk cow powder and sugar but according to FDA officials, unless specified, milk means buffalo milk. It is cow milk they consider sub-standard and I think it is ridiculous. Also, they say presence of sugar in milk means adulteration, but has anyone drank a milkshake without sugar?” questioned Pahilani.

ORGANIC SAFETY

A proposal worth Rs 153 crore has been submitted to Kerala government to spruce up food safety measures. Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in state will encourage Organic Farming to curb use of harmful pesticides in crops to prevent contamination of food produced at source. It will be implemented through evaluation, education and enforcement with a grading system assigned by the Food Safety Commissioner to the food producers, manufacturers and suppliers to ensure food safety standards.

 Now the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 will be in place in Kerala. It will be governed by a sole authority that will stipulate the mandate for all food producers, food business operators including hotels, restaurants, manufacturers, processors, transporters, sellers and food growers like vegetable, meat and dairy products. Violators will be slapped a penalty of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and in case of serious offences upto Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment. --

17 hospitalised after consuming Hawaijar

IMPHAL, Sep 20: At least 17 people including a pregnant woman and a minor girl have been admitted to JNIMS and RIMS hospitals after consuming dish made of fermented soya-bean.
Those undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital have been identified as Athokpam Ibemcha (30), her husband A Tiken, father-in-law Mangi (60), mother-in-law Maipakpi of Canchipur Pichu Lampak, and two guests namely Thongam Bijeta (18) of Thoubal Khekman and Ningthoujam Naresh (12) of Tentha Mathak Leikai.
Ibemcha is said to be in the fourth month of pregnancy.
Those admitted to JNIMS Hospital have been identified as Tensubam Sanajaobi (44) w/o Rushia, Tensubam Kanankumar (25), Tensubam Bebe (28), Tensubam Athoi (2), and a guest of the Tensubam family Ningombam Sangita (22) of Wangkhei Khunou.
Condition of some is said to be serious.
The other victims of apparent food poisoning case are Wangkhem Ahanbi (60), W Ichal (40), W Abe (22), W Tomchou (65) and W Ruhinikumar (45), all from Kakwa Lamdaibung.
These people are said to have been admitted to the hospitals last evening and this morning.
They reportedly consumed the fermented soyabean dish on September 17 and 18. According to relatives of some of the victims, the fermented soyabean was purchased from a local lady identified as Wangkhem Pramo (60).
Pramo is informed to have bought the soyabean from SK Variety Store, Kakwa Bazar.
Speaking to news-persons, Imphal West Food Safety standard Wing’s Food Safety Officer Yumnam Satyajit said that he had personally assessed condition of the patients and soon a test would be conducted on both the soyabean seeds as well as the fermented soyabean.
Some of the victims have reportedly returned for further treatment as they continued to suffer from loose motion and vomiting after discharge from the hospitals.

Government to introduce new food standardisation norms

 

New Delhi: The government will further strengthen food safety in the country by introducing standards regulations to bring quality of Indian food items at par with international quality levels, a senior official said Friday.

“The new norms and the policies for standardisation are in place and we have consulted all stake holders in that. The new norms will harmonise the Indian and international standard,” said K. Chandramouli, chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)  on the sidelines of the annual Indian Beverage Association (IBA) meet held here.

“This (process) will be run in consultation with all the stakeholders, including experts. This will strengthen the food safety measures we are taking,” Chandramouli said in his address.
The FSSAI is expected to notify the standard norms by next week, and will be available on its website. The norms will be implemented in phases.
On its part the IBA’s president S.R. Goenka said that food safety is critical for the growth of the non-alcoholic beverage industry and that all stake holders should put forth their views.
“As safety is critical to the growth of the beverage industry, we have brought key stakeholders on a common platform to address the issues of safety, standards and quality and discuss potential solutions to promote growth in the sector,” Goenka said.
The non-alcoholic beverage industry players also felt that research and development (R&D) is key to suit the local palates and increase low per-capita consumption of packaged beverages.
The association was formed to act as an interface between industry, government and the public, besides providing a unified and focused viewpoint on legislative and regulatory matters.
The association also comprises leading beverage makers like Del Monte, Red Bull India, Coca-Cola India, Pepsico India, Dabur, Cadbury, Reliance Industries and Parle Agro.

Drinks with 320ppm caffeine to be labelled 'caffeinated drinks': FSSAI

Currently, the prescribed upper limit of caffeine in soft drinks and aerated sugar water is 145 ppm

Drinks that contain caffeine should be categorised as ‘caffeinated drinks’ and packs should clearly mention statutory safety warnings, said K. Chandramouli, chairperson, Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

“We are separating these drinks with other soft drink items, creating a new category called ‘caffeinated drinks’. Consumers should have such a drink after knowing what it contains,” Chandramouli said, on Friday. Labelling these as energy drinks is misleading for consumers, said the FSSAI chairman.

As per the FSSAI guidelines, which would be published soon, drinks that contain caffeine of more than 320 mg per litre or parts per million (ppm) would be labelled as caffeinated drink, said Chandramouli. Currently, the prescribed upper limit of caffeine in soft drinks and aerated sugar water is 145 ppm.

“Most of the energy drinks are likely to come under the caffeinated drinks category,” he added.

Packs should contain the statutory safety warnings, specifying “not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons”, as per a FSSAI note.

"We already declare caffeine on Burn. It says it “contains caffeine”," said a Coca-Cola spokesperson. PepsiCo said that the company does not sell energy drinks in India, and Red Bull officials were not available for comments.

The government has, in July, given approval to Coca-Cola to produce energy drinks in India, as reported in Business Standard. The company, however, is yet to chalk out the detailed plan.

Coca-Cola sells its energy drink Burn in India. According to Coca-Cola website, Burn contains 0.03% of caffeine in a can of 300 ml.

The energy drink market in India is dominated by Red Bull, Cloud 9 and Power Horse that are marketed by two Australian companies. Indian energy drinks market is estimated at Rs 500 crore and is expected to grow at CAGR 25%, according to a study by Technopak Advisor. The carbonated drinks market is close to Rs 6,000 crore and is growing by 10-12% annually.

PepsiCo, in 2008, had launched SoBe in India. The company does not sell the product anymore, said a company spokesperson.

Coca-Cola launched its energy drink Burn in India in December 2009. Prior to this, Coca-Cola had launched another energy drink – Shock in 2001, which failed to penetrate Indian markets.

Energy drinks, mostly those with more caffeine, are favourite among young generations, and mostly consumed before gym activities and at pubs.

New food standards on cards: FSS To Harmonise Indian Food Standards With Global Standards

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning bring fresh standardisation norms for food items across categories, in order to harmonise Indian foods at per with international standards.

“Imported food items come with far better quality than Indian food items. We need to ensure that food exported and consumed here should maintain that standard,” said K. Chandramouli, chairperson, FSSAI.

The authority will seek inputs from experts to work on developing the strategy to frame the new standards next week, said FSSAI advisor S.

Dave. “We will notify the same on FSSAI website early next week.”

The whole process of framing the standards is likely to be completed in three to four phases, but implementation will be a continuous process, Dave said. “Details of the roadmap and strategy are yet to be finalised. We would be in a position to give more details after a few days,” he added.

The gap between Indian standards and the international standards is huge, baring a few items. “In just a few cases, we are slightly better. Our enforcement mechanism is very strong and is applicable for everybody. Once we get the standards defined, implementation would not be an

issue,” said Dave.

It would be implemented across all food categories, but a few areas will get priority, including milk and dairy, fat or oil-based products, fruit-based products, and vegetables, according to Chandramouli.

He serves as a one-man 'FOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT'

The Uttarakhand Government does not look interested in tackling the menace of food adulteration. This is the inference that can be drawn from the State Government’s attitude toward the ‘food safety department.’ In fact, there is no proper “department” in the real sense of the word. There is only one Food Safety Officer (FSO) in the State Capital Dehradun who is single-handedly responsible for collection of samples and sending them to laboratories for testing and that’s all. What’s more, the officer has to pay for the samples from his own pocket and has to bear the other expenses, too, like transportation of samples etc. 
The Food Safety Act has been in effect since August 5, 2011 all over the country. The Central Government notified the State Government way back in 2009 to restructure its food safety department so that it can effectively work according to the new guidelines. But almost three years after that, all the department has is a single Food Safety Officer who has to double up as a porter to carry the samples collected by him apart from doing all the clerical work as well. This officer has no assistant, no vehicle, and no security. The officer has to pay for all the expenses from his own pocket, including the transportation of the samples to the labs and other places. The Government reimburses the money later, but like any other sarkari process, this one too is very slow.
For the uninitiated, the collection of sample is a tedious process. It requires filling up of a dozen and a half papers and sealing the samples on the spot. At least four samples have to be purchased by the officer and sealed on the spot in the presence of two independent witnesses. Many shopkeepers do not give the samples willingly and try to lure or threaten the FSO. After that begins the filling of form 5A (4 copies to be filled), form 6A (7 copies to be filled) and later panchnama — the complete details of the sample, shopkeeper, officer along with date, time and place. At present all this is done by a single person in Dehradun.
A few things are so expensive that they are beyond the purchasing power of an FSO in the stipulated quantity. For example silver foils (at least 8 gram required) and saffron (80 gram needed for 4 samples). Besides, an FSO is required to send at least 12 different samples to the laboratory in a month. In these circumstances, how effective the checking of food adulteration is can be easily gauged.

Inappropriate and Incomplete Implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act, DC N&M

Port Blair, Sept. 20: The Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman has observed that, “The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules 2011 and Regulation 2011 are being inappropriately and incompletely implemented. There is a need for a Commissioner Food Safety and Designated Officer as per Law”. Reliable sources inform that the Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman had called up a meeting of the Food Safety Officials of his district and took stock of the problems for smooth implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act. The DC has written a Note (UO 8-24/DC(N&MA) FSSS/12/2401 dated 4th September 2012) to Secretary (Health) stating that he has been designated as Adjudicating officer under the same law but cannot exercise his duties due to inappropriate and incomplete implementation of the Act, which is a grave situation. He writes “The Commissioner Food Safety (Director of Health Services), A&N Administration, Port Blair vide order No. 92 dated 06/06/2011 has appointed the Medical Officer I/C, N&M Andaman, Mayabunder as the Designated Officer (Licensing Officer) for N&M Andaman District for a period of 01 year or till a whole time Officer Designated officer is appointed, whichever is earlier”. It revealed that the power conferred on the Medical Officer I/c, N&M Andaman, Mayabunder as the Designated Officer has already lapsed on 04/08/2012. As per qualification Rule 2.1.2.1 (iii) (b) the additional charge cannot be held by him from 05/08/2012 and no whole time Designated Officer is appointed from that date. Thus the Food Licenses and Registration issued / made by the (earlier), after 05/08/2012 will be null & void. The need now is for a full time Designated Officer to be appointed immediately. Also the Commissioner of Food Safety (State Food Authority) should be of the rank of “Commissioner and Secretary” to State Government may be notified / appointed. But at present the Director of Health Services has been conferred the power of Commissioner Food Safety. And therefore the appointment of Commissioner of Food Safety and Designated Officer is to be appointed as per the provision of the Law. “I have been designated as Adjudicating officer under the same law but cannot exercise my duties due to inappropriate and incompletely implementation of the Act. Hence your personal attention is sought in the matter. Submitted please. Sd/- Deputy Commissioner North & Middle Andaman District.” It is surprising to learn that the Administration has been simply ignoring the Note of a District Magistrate. Inappropriately and incomplete implemented Food Safety and Standards Act has rendered the enforcement officials powerless that will help learned criminals to escape on technical ground. Huge amount of salaries paid out of government exchequer is being wasted. There are no regulations to help good business people to carryout food business as some who do malpractices, practice fearlessly. And in the absences of any properly implemented regulations the consumer interests also remains unprotected.

‘Ensure hygienic, quality food at Railway outlets’ - THE HINDU

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Union Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India on a public interest litigation seeking directions for ensuring supply of hygienic and quality food at Railway outlets and in trains.
Issuing the notices, a Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice A. K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked the respondents to file replies to the petition by October 31, the next date of hearing.
The petitioner, Sardar Jagjit Singh, through counsel K. C. Mittal submitted that the respondents should be directed to implement effectively the Safety and Standards Act and the Food Safety and Standards Rules to safeguard the health of those 23 million passengers who travel everyday by train across the country.
Evidence in CD
Submitting a CD to the Court highlighting “unhygienic conditions” in pantry cars in different trains, the petitioner said the saddest part was the insensitivity and failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to passengers.
The petitioner also urged the Court to direct the respondents to establish prosecuting and adjudicating authorities and food safety tribunals at micro levels to monitor and check food adulteration at railway stations.

Merchants to down shutters on October 3

Merchants organised under the banner of the Kerala Vyapari Vyvasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) will go on a strike on October 3 in protest against the alleged harassment by officials and seeking changes in the law governing food safety.

T. Naziruddin, president of the samithi, in a statement here on Tuesday, alleged that though the Centre had postponed the enforcement of the provisions of the food safety Act, overzealous officials were persecuting merchants misusing its provisions.

Merchants would keep shops closed on October 3 and organise demonstrations in front of food safety offices at all district headquarters.

In capital

In Thiruvanathapuram, the demonstration would be in front of the office of the Commissioner for Food Safety.

The organisation appealed to the Union government to scrap the decision to allow 51 per cent foreign district investment (FDI) in the retail sector.

DINAMALAR & DINAKARAN NEWS

Gutkha is a serious health hazard

Gutkha is a highly addictive and toxic product, owing to the amount of nicotine and tobacco content in it. India currently has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world. The areca nut or betel nut used in the preparation of gutkha is a serious health hazard and a known carcinogenic substance. Areca nut is consumed widely in India in the form of paan or supari under the mistaken belief that it is actually a mouth freshener, stress reliever or that it aids in digestion.
Areca nut, just like tobacco is a psycho stimulant and an addictive substance. Areca nut is in fact estimated to be the fourth most common addictive substance (after tobacco, alcohol and caffeine). The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer lists areca nut as a Group-I carcinogen. Even without adding tobacco, areca nut chewing is known to cause cancers of the larynx, stomach, lung and cervix in humans. Apart from cancer, areca nut addiction has also been found to be cause of heart attacks, arrhythmia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Children born to mothers who habitually chew areca nut are seen to be smaller in size and usually have withdrawal syndrome.
 Apart from containing areca nut, gutkha contains several toxic and harmful chemicals such as Eugenol, N-Nitrosamines, Sodium Carbonate, Ammonium Carbonate, Ammonia, etc. Apart from these, they contain high levels of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic that cause cancer, organ failure and various nervous diseases.
The Indian Institute of Environmental Medicine estimates that on an average, tobacco contains at least 19 known carcinogens and at least 30 metallic compounds comprising of heavy metals. Further, the Cancer Tobacco Research Institute (affiliate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research) estimates that the popular brands of gutkha and pan masala such as Manikchand, Rajnigandha, Chaini Khaini, etc. all contain nicotine and gives the percentage of nicotine content in the various brands of gutkha and pan masalas available.
Gutkha or chewing tobacco is a known carcinogen and it is known to cause oral cancer and cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and pancreas. Apart from cancer, tobacco also results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease, and Coronary Artery Disease.
Health hazards of Gutkha
1.      It is estimated that tobacco results in the death of over 10 lakh Indians a year. Further, around 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of oral cancer annually is registered in India and this creates a huge strain on the public and private health care system. India currently has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world.
2.      Apart from cancer, tobacco results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Coronary Artery Disease.
3. Gutkha leads to Oral sub-mucous fibrosis (SMF), a pre-cancerous disease that is a first step to cancer. This has increased 20 to 30 times across the country. It also leads to throat, esophageal cancers.
4. Loss of appetite
5. Pregnant women in India who used gutka had a threefold increased risk of having a low birth weight infant.
Indian Scenario
According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India, the estimated number of tobacco users in India is 274.9 million of which 25.9% are users of smokeless tobacco while 5.7% are cigarette smokers and 9.2% smoke bidi.  This reveals that more Indians (almost 75%) consume smokeless forms of tobacco that includes pan, gutka, pan masala and khaini, mawa.  Slowly and gradually the use of chewing tobacco is reaching at dangerously endemic levels in the country with 8% of all adults in the country chewing gutka.
India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer globally, with 75, 000 to 80, 000 new cases of oral cancers being reported every year. Nearly 80% of all oral cancer cases are due to the consumption of tobacco products like Gutka, pan masala, betel quid with tobacco and khaini. According to a study released in March 2012, by Tata Memorial Hospital, about 1.2 lakh deaths in 2010 occurred due to tobacco alone and most number of deaths--nearly 84,000 in men and 36,000 in women were from oral cancer due to smokeless tobacco.
India spends approximately Rs 300 billion annually in both public and private spending on treatment of tobacco related illness, accounting for roughly one fourth of all health spending. According to the WHO, the total economic cost of tobacco use in India for 2004 amounted to $1.7 billion, which is 16 percent more than the total excise tax revenues collected from all tobacco products in India in the financial year 2003-04 ($1.46 billion).
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2009 – 10 released by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) conveys that about (26.6%) population of Jammu & Kashmir is using tobacco product in one or the other of its form. Jammu & Kashmir has 8.0% use smokeless tobacco, 12% cigarette smokers and 3.8% bidi smokers.
Considering the health hazards related to chewing tobacco, which causes mouth, throat cancer, 14 Indian states Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Mizoram, Delhi have banned gutka.
These 14 states have banned the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka, khaini, pan masala containing tobacco, based on the regulation issued on 1 August 2011 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the health ministry to handle food related issues. According to the rule 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, “product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health: Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products”.
With 13 states & 1 Union Territory announcing the ban on gutka and pan masala containg tobacco/nictotine, the bans have impacted about 38 million gutka users across the country. The % usage is based on Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2010 and the population numbers are based on 2011 census.
The author is Media Officer, Tobacco Control, Voluntary Health Association of India

Govt should ensure quality food in trains,Railway premises:PIL

The Centre was today asked by the Delhi High Court to respond to a PIL seeking adequate measures by the government to ensure that hygienic and quality food is available at railway premises and also in moving trains.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw issued notice to the Railway Ministry, Chairman of Railway Board, Director General (Railway Health Services) and also the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on a PIL filed by Sardar Jagjit Singh, a retired Food Inspector with Railways.
The petitioner filed the PIL through counsel K C Mittal and said 23 million people travel by train in various parts of the country every day and "the petition focuses on the prevailing appalling conditions of sale and supply of adulterated food stuffs in Indian Railways."
The lawyer also submitted a CD containing a news article from a television channel and said "the worst is the insensitivity and failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to 23 million passengers who travel everyday (24X7) by trains in different parts of the country."
Seeking a direction to various authorities to issue notifications in compliance the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, the PIL said, "...Establish prosecuting and adjudicating agency and Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, at micro level to monitor and check the food adulteration day and night at various Railway stations."
It said the checking should be done in passengers and goods trains, pantry cars, other food outlets in Railway area operated by private contractors or IRCTC or food plazas including unauthorised vendors and canteens run by Railways.
The bench has now fixed October 31 for further hearing of the matter.

Plea for hygienic food in trains

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the central government on a plea seeking directions to it to take adequate steps to ensure that hygienic food is available to 23 million passengers at railway premises and in trains.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought response from the railway ministry, chairman of railway board, director general (Railway Health Services) and also the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSA) and posted the matter for Oct 31.
The PIL filed by Sardar Jagjit Singh, a retired food inspector with the railways through advocate K.C. Mittal said that 23 million people travel by train in various parts of the country every day and the petition focuses on the prevailing appalling conditions of sale and supply of adulterated food stuffs to the Indian Railways.
Mittal also submitted a CD containing a news article from a television channel to the court. The plea said: "The worst is the insensitivity and failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to 23 million passengers who travel everyday (24X7) by trains in different parts of the country."
The PIL, seeking a direction to various authorities to issue notifications in compliance of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act said: "...Establish prosecuting and adjudicating agency and Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, at micro level to monitor and check the food adulteration day and night at various railway stations."
The PIL further pleaded that "the checking should be done in passengers and goods trains, pantry cars, other food outlets in Railway area operated by private contractors or IRCTC or food plazas including unauthorized vendors and canteens run by railways."

HC gives state govt 14 days to impose ban on gutkha

The Allahabad High Court has given 14 days to the state government to take steps for banning manufacture, sale and consumption of gutkha (paan masala containing tobacco). In the event of failure, the court would consider passing directions in this regard to the state government and gutkha manufacturers, the court said and fixed October 10 as the next date of hearing.
The court said that it saw no impediments before the state government to implement the ban in the wake of many directions of the Central government in this regard. The court passed the order on Monday while hearing a PIL, filed by the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Dr A K Mehrotra, an activist working on prevention of cancer. The PIL demanded ban on gutkha in the state.
Hearing the petition, the division bench of Justices Amar Saran and Anurag Kumar said: “We would like to have the response of the state government on the next listing as to the steps that have been taken in the 14-day period allowed by this court for ensuring compliance of the directions of the Cente for restraining the manufacture, sale and distribution of gutkha in UP. If the state failed to do so, this court may have to consider the need to issue a mandamus to the food business operators and the state government to follow the legal provisions imposing a ban on such products.” The court added: “The sincerity and commitment of the UP government to care of the health of its citizens by restricting the use of gutkha (which) is a health hazard, is under examination now.”
Taking note of the three letters issued by the Centre on May 8, August 27 and 29, directing the state to take steps for banning guktha, the court rejected the UP government’s contention that it required directions from the Centre for implementing the ban. “As the letters clearly contain the necessary directions to place restrictions on the sale and distribution of gutkha, we see no impediment before the state for not taking suitable steps for issuing the necessary directions in this matter in the next 14 days,” the bench said.
Earlier, the court had expressed its regret on the state government changing its stance. On May 23, the state had claimed that it was actively considering banning gutkha. However, on September 10, it told the court that it had referred the matter to the Centre for seeking directions. The court also agreed with the petitioners that already 13 states have imposed bans and the High Courts of Kerala, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai have upheld these bans.
Counsel for petitioners Vishnu Behari Tewari said: “One of our main arguments was that as per Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, tobacco and nicotine could not be mixed in any food product and gutkha has been considered a food product. The court has agreed with our contention.”

Poor response to complaints of milk adulteration: Consumers

Consumers in the city, worried about reports of rampant milk adulteration, have found authorities to be unresponsive to their complaints.

HT had last month reported how milk samples from several prominent milk producers had tested positive for contamination and adulteration.

Following the reports, several consumers had approached the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), which had announced helpline numbers for consumers who suspected that the milk supplied to them was adulterated.

However, several readers who called the FSSAI helpline said they were either ignored, or found the redressal mechanisms to be unfeasible. “I managed to reach the adviser after four attempts. I was told to take a sample to a municipal laboratory at Dadar, and asked to pay Rs1,000 for a test. I don’t understand why citizens have to be charged for this,” said Aelekh Kapoor, an Andheri resident.
Kapoor will also have to wait 15 days for the result. If the milk sample tests positive for adulteration, he will have to write to the designated district officer. The letter required signatures of two witnesses. “If the procedure is so lengthy, I have no hope that the problem will be solved soon,” said Kapoor. Other readers go no response to their calls. “When call the FSSAI helpline number, the call gets disconnected while I am being directed to the adviser. This happens every day. I do not know whom I can approach now,” said Nikita Mehra, Parel resident.
“Consumers would naturally want quick results in such cases. Charging them should not be a source of revenue for the government. The procedure should be consumer-friendly and act as a deterrent to offenders,” said Shirish Deshpande, chairman, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat.
However, Mahesh Zagade, state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, said there were no fees charge for adulteration tests. “When we receive a complaint, we collect the sample and test it in our laboratory. A normal fee is charged only if the reports are negative. For quicker results, consumers can approach their local food safety officers.”
A Madhavan, assistant director of the enforcement department of FSSAI also denied that money was charged. “We do not charge Rs. 1,000. I will look into the matter and get it cleared,” he said.
Last month, HT got seven milk packets tested independently at two government-approved laboratories. The lab reports showed presence of detergent, urea, coliform, salt, sugar and neutralisers. According to Indian Council of Medical Research reports, these adulterants have harmful effects health.

DINAKARAN NEWS

Tighter regulations likely for vitamin supplement market

New Delhi: The government is planning to tighten the regulatory landscape of the R4,500-crore vitamins and neutraceuticals market in the country. Different arms of government — the drug regulator, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), and the food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — are taking a series of steps to correct the anomaly of multivitamins getting marketed as dietary supplements. First, DCGI may make it mandatory for all such vitamin manufacturers who use any drug as ingredients in their products to take a no-objection certificate from the government. This is likely to become compulsory for manufacturers who use medicinal ingredients for 'non medicinal use', which would include food supplements.
This permission may become mandatory in two cases — when drug substances are being imported for non-medicinal use and when drug substances are getting manufactured for non-medicinal uses, clearly targeting vitamins and nutraceuticals which are being marketed as food supplements. Additionally, the drug regulator has decided to form a committee with officials of DCGI, FSSAI and state drug regulators as its members to lay down guidelines for food and pharma companies in the vitamin and neutraceuticals business.
A decision to this effect was taken in a recent meeting of Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). "It was also agreed that the manufacturers intending to manufacture such formulations should be asked to provide the method of analysis or testing protocols for testing of the finished formulations to ensure that these formulations conform to the prescribed standards," an official said.
In the last few months, the food regulator has been issuing multiple directions to state food regulator offices to not issue licences for food supplements, which, under law, can only be issued by the central regulator — FSSAI. State food regulators were even instructed to cancel and withdraw licences erroneously granted.
The blurred line between drug and food supplement surfaced in 2009 when the drug price regulator — National Pharma Pricing Authority — said that pharma firms are marketing drugs as food supplement to escape the price ceiling net.
In a letter to the health ministry, it cited the example of food supplements such as Ranbaxy's Revital and Germany-based Merck KgaA's vitamin E product Evion, which, it said, were earlier getting marketed as drugs. A Bihar High Court order of 2009, however, held that health supplements marketed by various drug companies such as Feradol manufactured by Pfizer, Revital (Ranbaxy), A to Z (Alkem), Beneficial, CSN and DSN capsules (Shreya Life Sciences) need to be marketed as health supplements as the manufacturers have made no therapeutic claims on the label to suggest that can cure.
The Indian nutraceutical market — R4,400 crore in 2009 — is expected to more than double to R9,500 crore by 2013. Currently, multivitamins marketed as food supplement are just required to label their product 'not for medicinal use'.

Bogged down by cases, govt stops raids on eateries

HENNAI: The Chennai Corporation may be seizing tonnes of rotting meat from railway stations, but the food safety department has not cracked down on eateries and shops that sell substandard food since June this year.

Food safety department officials said they were unable to take legal action against shops after the Madras high court in June stayed central regulations requiring small eateries and restaurants to conform to quality norms such as registration, employing a technical person, chemical analysis of food sample and ban on menu adaptation. However, the court has not stayed inspections by food safety department.

Corporation officials said raids on eateries were now the duty of the food safety department. A senior official in the food safety department said there were 31 writ petitions filed against the department by shop owners. This has dampened the department's efforts.

Records of the food safety department say that between August last year and June this year, only 457 samples of food products were tested. They found 41 samples to be adulterated or misbranded. The most adulterated food products were milk (25 samples), tea & coffee (seven) and drinking water (four). Officials said there were six laboratories across the state to check the quality of food products, but nothing much is done of late.

Meanwhile, shop owners said the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is too stringent. Under the act, a fine up to Rs 10 lakh can be imposed for a small violation, they said. R Srinivasan, secretary of Tamil Nadu Hotels Association, said: "It's difficult to meet the standards prescribed in the act, because most raw materials used to make food are contaminated."

The food safety department is also responsible for issuing licences to shops. The 2006 act makes it compulsory for eateries and hotels with a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh to register with the department. The act stipulates that food traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs 12 lakh should pay a registration fee of Rs 100. Those with a turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh have to remit Rs 5,000. But only a few traders in the state have registered or got licence from the department. Data show that 13,153 licenses and
91,693 registrations were issued by the department. The number of licences include those for hotels (1,539), restaurants (1,048) and retail trade (3,440). Registrations have been given for 4,973 hotels, 995 restaurants and 42,594 retail traders.

Consumer activists said that the act should be implemented effectively. "It is the duty of the food safety officials to provide hygienic food to the public. There should be proper enforcement without corruption," said Consumers Association of India trustee R Desikan.

Govt to ban sale of gutka, other chewable tobacco

CHENNAI: The state government is likely to ban gutka and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine in a couple of weeks. The food safety department has recommended a ban on the manufacture, sale and storage of such products under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation issued on August 1, 2011.

Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Delhi have already banned these products. A senior official said: "Under the act, the food safety commissioner has the power to ban gutka and paan masala. We are sure we will be able to enforce the ban as early as possible," he said.

According to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations of 2011, the food safety commissioner has the powers to prohibit -- in the interest of public health -- the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of any article of food either in the whole of the state or a part for a period not exceeding one year. The act includes Rule 2.3.4, according to which tobacco and nicotine should not be used as ingredients in any food products. The state could now ban gutka using this regulation coupled with a Supreme Court ruling that stated, "since pan masala, gutka and supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food." The central government has also sent letters to all states proposing a ban on these tobacco products.

A public interest litigation petition filed by advocate P T Geotom is pending with the Madras High Court which ordered notice to the chief secretary, health secretary, commissioner of food safety and others. Geotom said he had sent a representation to the authorities on August 4, 2012 requesting a ban on sale of consumable tobacco products and restrictions on sale of cigarettes near educational institutions and no-smoking zones

The state has registered a rise in the incidence of oral and other forms of cancer, since a sizeable population is addicted to such products. Health activists and NGOs had been pushing for a ban on tobacco products. Anti-tobacco activists cite several reasons for banning gutka. A recent report of the Union ministry of health states that 28 out of the 3,095 chemical components in chewing tobacco products (including gutka) are proven carcinogens. The most abundant group of carcinogens is the tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines. More than 90% of oral cancer in India is directly associated with tobacco use. India spends 300 billion annually in both public and private on treatment of tobacco-related illnesses.

Food Safety Act: Traders get only 'assurance,' no action

Indore: The grievances of trader community regarding Food Safety and Standards Act are still far from being addressed as the Centre has not taken any concrete step in that direction so far.
The traders have been opposing some of the provisions of this act calling them too 'harsh'.
Several representations were made by the traders before various concerned bodies, including Food Safety and Standard Authority of India early this year to bring about alterations in the act.
However traders claim that 'stringent' provisions of the act were yet to be altered by the centre.
"Recently, a letter was received from union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, in which the minister only assured to look into the controversial provisions of the act ," said Ramesh Khandelwal, president of MP Food Manufacturers and Sellers Federation, which is leading traders against the act in the state.
Khandelwal, however, added that traders would continue to apply for food licences under the act, as they have reservations against few of its norms and not the entire act.
Food safety officer Manish Swami told DNA that till date around 5,000 applications have been received for registrations and licences under the act in this financial year.
He added that the food department has made registrations and issued licences to around 1,500 traders in the city.
Swami also clarified that deadline for renewal of licences has been extended by six months on August 5.