Revision of scales of pay of certain categories in the Public Heath and Preventive Medicine Department

Online food licensing and regn faces manpower & infrastructure hurdles

Even technology has failed to speed up the snail-paced licensing and registration of FBOs procedure being undertaken across the country under the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
That is because, fraught with glitches like lack of tech-savvy users and officials and inadequate infrastructure – software, hardware and manpower - the online version of the procedure, which meant the entire process will be completed in a few minutes at the click of a few buttons, has failed to gather steam in most parts of the country where it has been launched in recent times.
While the above-mentioned glitches are a matter of grave concern for now, they are also likely to impact the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) goal of completing the licensing and registration procedure in the country before the deadline – February 4, 2014 – be it manual or online. Interestingly, the deadline has been extended by the Authority twice earlier.
To know the current scenario, let us take a look at Goa. The tiny state commenced the process of licensing and registration online on January 31, 2012. Jyoti J Sardessai, deputy director, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the South Goa district, said, “Most food business operators across the state prefer offline application.”
This was confirmed by a source in the district FDA, who added that online licensing and registration constitutes 30 per cent, while offline licensing and registration accounts for the remainder.
He said, “Adequate infrastructure has not been created for citizen-centric centres (for instance, cyber-cafes, which charge exorbitant rates). Another hurdle the online system faces in Goa is that most FBOs are not too tech-savvy.”
“We have recently appointed four data entry operators, who upload the information about applications received – both online and offline – from FBOs in the state's two districts (North Goa and South Goa) onto a database,” the official informed.
“Establishments with larger premises and more staff opt for online licensing and registration,” he added.
Software glitches
The online licensing and registration process first started about two years ago. But the software for the same, though developed with a great deal of fanfare and trials, was not upto the mark. While efforts were made to rectify the weak areas, users still found some glitches.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra was the first to start the online licensing and registration. Till date, 3 lakh FBOs across the western state have either registered or obtained licences. Yet, 90 per cent of the registration and licensing has taken place offline, and the remainder online.
Haryana & Chandigarh
Haryana also started the online registration for FBOs on March 22 2013. Chandigarh, the capital of the state (as well as that of Punjab), became the first Union Territory recently to introduce the online food licensing and registration system (FLRS) to facilitate food business operators (FBOs) to file and track their applications.
Tamil Nadu & Kerala
The total number of licenses issued by and FBOs registered in Tamil Nadu so far is 1,85,000, all of which are offline. The online process recently commenced in Madurai district. The number of FBOs who have either obtained a license or registered – all offline – across Kerala is 55,000.  

Gujarat – An exception
However, Gujarat is a state whose Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has fared better than its counterparts in the other states.
H G Koshia, the state's food commissioner, said, “About 1,20,000 FBOs have either obtained a license or registered offline so far. And I am proud to say that Gujarat has become the first state in the country to start the online registration and licensing process in all 26 districts at one go.”
He added, “We imparted training to all the FBOs and also organised five workshops covering all the districts along with the National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).”
Koshia added, “I am sure Gujarat will complete its licensing and registration well before the deadline stipulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, namely February 4, 2014.”
Puducherry's poor performance
“There are seven months to go before the February 4, 2014 deadline lapses, but the process of licensing and registration is yet to commence in Puducherry,” said Ragesh Chandra, the Union Territory's health and education secretary.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, FSSAI is organising workshops and educating FBOS across the country hoping that all the states concerned come up with solutions for their problems soon.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Over 700 poor quality foreign food shipments rejected since ’11

In a little over two years, nearly 750 consignments of imported food and agricultural products were stopped at Indian ports and international airports after they were found to be of unacceptable quality. Nearly 18 per cent of rejected shipments came from countries of the European Union.

The bulk of the material examined and rejected by Indian regulators consisted of moong dal, garlic powder, white onion powder, fruit drinks, chocolates and dietary supplements such as True-Mass, a protein powder popular with bodybuilders.

Among the other products denied entry are soyabean oil, spices, additives, fruits, peach syrup, jack cheese (an American semi-hard cheese) and Haribo Happy-Cola gummy candy.

According to information provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in response to a query filed by The Indian Express under the Right to Information Act, of a total 1,40,534 samples of imported food and agri products examined between March 2011 and June 2013, 746 were stopped — a rejection rate of about 0.5 per cent.

Consignments began to be examined at the international airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, seaports in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and at the Inland Container Depot in Delhi in March 2011 following the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and the establishment of the FSSAI.

European Union member countries have rejected over 800 Indian products over the last five years (The Indian Express, May 15, 2013); however, K Chandramouli, FSSAI chairperson, said the rejection of 134 consignments from EU nations since March 2011 was "not a case of tit for tat".

"Our action is not prompted by their action against Indian products. We are supposed to maintain the quality of imported food products, and we are doing that," Chandramouli said.

According to the FSSAI, the most rejections (448) were at Mumbai, followed by Chennai (198 rejections), Kolkata (64) and Delhi (36).

Experts highlight potentials of street food sector

The country needs to tap the huge potential of street food sector as it can provide employment and help growth of tourism, food experts said today.
At a national consultation organised by National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) here, street food advocates demanded that the government should formulate a national policy for encouraging street food vendors.
They also called for creation of food streets, trainings to street food vendors and support for entrepreneurship development of food vendors.
"FSSAI had notified Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations under which food and beverage firms, manufacturers and vendors, including companies in the unorganised sector, have to be registered and licensed and the regulations had helped street food vendors get legitimacy in several cities," Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) chairperson K Chandramouli said.
"A lot still have to be done...Implementation is a huge challenge and multi-sectoral synergies are needed to professionalise the street vended foods," he said.
Chandramouli also welcomed the recommendation of the parliamentary standing committee to create a 'Retail Regulatory Authority' to monitor the entry of foreign chains through foreign direct investment (FDI) and study the impact of FDI on medium, small and micro enterprises.
Delhi Food Safety Commissioner K J R Burman who extended support to street vendors said, "Professionalising leads to good advocacy. The food safety department is thinking over opening facilitation centres for registering street food vendors."
Senior CII functionaries Deepak Mathur and Anju Bisht announced that the industries' body would engage with NASVI in its new intervention project, which includes street food.

Traders fined Rs 60,000 for selling sub-standard products

JAMMU: The Additional District Magistrate (ADM), R.K Shavan on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 each on two traders in case of  selling sub-standard and mis-branded food stuff .
The ADM, who is Adjudication Officer under Food Safety and Standard Act 2006,   imposed the penalty on the retailers, Vijay Paul S of Kishtwar and Ghulam Rasool Sheikh of Patimhala for selling miss-branded and substandard biscuits and candies.
As per the charges, Food Safety Officer took the samples of Yougata Bites candy and Burkha Biscuit being sold by the two shopkeepers and sent the samples   to NABL Lab for quality test.
The test report   found both the products sub-standard and mis-branded.
The Additional District Magistrate, after hearing   Tariq Ahmed Butt, Designated Food Safety Officer and Sajjad Hussain Food Safety Officer pronounced the judgment imposing Rs 30,000 fine on each defaulter.

DINAKARAN NEWS

Grant of one additional increment of 3% of basic pay to employees on award of Selection Grade / Special Grade in the revised scales of pay – Orders – Issued.

Ban on gutka, pan masala, khaini, supari – can we finally say goodbye?

Exactly one year after the landmark decision to ban gutka and pan masala, the Maharashtra government became the first state which will look to prohibit all flavoured chewing tobacco and supari products sold under whatever name or in whatever combination. That means the state government is the first one to wake up to the fact that tobacco and other unpackaged, unbranded products like zarda, khaini, kharra which are being sold on the black market. The government has also decided to make it a crime to sell any of the aforementioned products; vendors and manufacturers are likely to attract 10-year jail terms! One man who is extremely happy with this move is Tata Memorial Hospital’s anti-tobacco campaigner extraordinaire Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi who has been incessantly campaigning against tobacco use for a long time. Here’s his view on the move:

It’s in every sense a historic judgement. We shall see the health benefits in as short a time span as the next five years as cancer rates go down. The simple ban on gutka and pan masala didn’t completely cover all the products that like zarda, khaini, kharra, masher, mawa and flavoured supari all of which pose innumerable health hazards. WHO has classified chewing tobacco as a confirmed carcinogen and there’s enough evidence to suggest a causal link with various other diseases like heart ailments, hypertension, increased risk of stroke and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Dangers of gutka, khaini and other forms of smokeless tobacco

Sold as mouth fresheners or something similar, these products use menthol, perfume, spices, sugar, etc. to mask the bitter taste of tobacco and other carcinogens and get youngsters hooked. The truth is that tobacco remains the most dangerous consumer product in the world in the 21st century which kills half its patrons (and I see many of them every day, those who’ve been  disfigured by the most horrible forms of oral and mouth cancer) and its very existence is a bane to mankind.

 In India, tobacco causes 45% of all cancer deaths and 20% of all deaths. People find it impossible to quit because of the addictive nature of the chemical nicotine – so addictive that WHO considers tobacco addiction a disease which sadly afflicts one out of every three Indian. Along with tobacco, gutka and pan masala contains other harmful metal content like – lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, copper and nickel. Areca nut or betel nut – one of the main ingredients of all these products is a confirmed carcinogen according to WHO and a cause of severe illnesses. (Read: Have you joined the War on Tobacco)

Adverse effects of areca nut

• Highly addictive
• Usually taken along with smokeless tobacco
• International Agency for research on Cancer, World Health Organization has classified Areca Nut as confirmed cancer causing substances.
• It contains several polyphenols and nitrosamines that are confirmed carcinogenic.
• It causes impairment of oral and dental health.
• Its usage is strongly associated with precancerous lesions and cancer of mouth that is a leading cancer in India.
• Studies have shown association between supari chewing and cancers of the Liver, oesophagus,  stomach and lung.
• Supari use is associated with hypertension and ischemic heart disease.
• Usage of Supari adversely affects reproductive health in women and also affects fetus.
• Supari chewing is associated with diabetes, obesity and several metabolic disorders.

As a result India has one of the highest oral cancer rates in the world (1 lakh every year) and half of them die within the first 12 months of diagnosis.

A watertight legal move

The Maharashtra government by ensuring gutka and pan masala are classified as food has ensured that it comes under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSSA) which gives the government a watertight case to for its continued ban. Smokeless tobacco lobbyists had argued that since these products contained tobacco and had no nutritional value they couldn’t be classified as food and would be outside the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and should instead come under the Tobacco Act 2003 but thankfully common sense prevailed and the ban was upheld.

While bans have been tried earlier, this time the law is watertight so that the unscrupulous elements of the tobacco lobby cannot find loopholes to sell their products legally. Under the FSSA any food item containing nicotine and tobacco are banned since they’re injurious to health.  (Read: Gutka ban – only on paper) The Commissioner of Food Safety of the State is empowered under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to prohibit in the product.

It’s therefore illegal to manufacture, store, sell, and distribute any sort of flavoured tobacco and flavoured supari by whatsoever name it is available in the market in the state of Maharashtra in the interest of public health! Now if only the rest of India could follow suit so we can say goodbye to this evil menace once and for all.

HC gives ten days to junk food at schools

  

Representational pic

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave the Centre a 10-day deadline to formulate guidelines to regulate the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in schools across the country.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru also directed the government, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other stakeholders in the matter to submit their joint comments on the draft guidelines within a period of two weeks. The court has fixed September 4 for the next hearing.

The court’s decision came after a petition was filed by NGO Uday Foundation in December 2010, seeking a direction to ban sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

In April, the Centre told the court that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. The court said the final guidelines will be made after the food processing companies are consulted for their opinions on the draft guidelines. Additional solicitor general Rajeeve Mehra assured the court that the draft guidelines will be filed on July 24.

“Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre says that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days,” the court said. It also told all parties that no further extension will be granted to them.

In January, the court had given six month’s time to the centre and FSSAI to frame similar guidelines. The court had also asked FSSAI to consult the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) and restaurant associations while framing the guidelines.

Firstpost India Worms on the plate: A close-up look at the Delhi midday meal scheme

New Delhi: For the average middle class Indian, the Midday Meal (MDM) scheme in Delhi government schools may appear to be a ticking bomb. The schools are under-resourced, ingredients poor, safety checks minimal, and neither the NGO which prepares the food nor the teachers who distribute it can vouch for the quality of the food – which often contains worms, and one occasion, a rat. But the school staff claim the MDM in the nation’s capital is one of the better run programmes.

Sanjay Srivastava (name changed), a principal in one of the 13 schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), in East Delhi’s Trilokpuri area says the midday meals in Delhi are far safer than others in the rural heartland.

“What happened in Bihar should not have happened. It is a huge tragedy. But just because there are a few bad apples in the system doesn’t mean everyone is like that,” Srivastava said.

A meal being served under the scheme in a Delhi school. Arlene Chang/ Firstpost

“Delhi’s MDM scheme is much safer and more stringent that way. It’s not like we never have complaints about the food, but they are minor ones like the food not being hot when it arrives or the rice or pulses not having been cooked well,” he told Firstpost.

However, Parvati, a local resident whose son is in class 1 in Singh’s school complained about the quality of food.

“While my son has never fallen ill because of it, at least twice I have seen small white worms in the food my son got home from school. The worms are tiny and look like rice and many a time it could have been consumed without being noticed,” she said.

Another parent, Hemlata, whose son also studies in class 1 in the school said that he has also had a bad experience with the food served in school.

“Once my son came home with food served in school, which was smelling,” she said.

An NGO that runs kitchens and serving food to the East Delhi area of Trilokpuri, does not refute these allegations, but says the government and teachers are to be blamed for this.

Stri Shakti, one of the NGOs contracted to prepare and distribute midday meals, has five centralized kitchens across Delhi and provides food to 591 schools. Their Loni kitchen, under which the Trilokpura area falls, supplies food for midday meals to 208 schools each day.

According to Jaspreet Singh, Manager, Srti Shakti, the NGO he says follows the strictest norms of hygiene and cleanliness in cooking, but some things cannot be avoided and the government does not cooperate.

“A lot of times in this season there are insects which are usually inside the pulses and even the rice we receive from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Green leafy veggies also pose a problem in this season, with worms in them,” he said.

“We try our best to do what we can with the conditions we are given and in fact we have requested the government to have menus that are seasonal so that we don’t have these problems, but their menu throughout the year is fixed,” he said.

Stri Shakti claims it serves 3,60,000 students each day across Delhi and that they make sure the food reaches schools within 1.5 hours from the time it leaves from the kitchen. The food is transported in steel containers and in hired tempos. The NGO says it can only do so much given government constraints.

“We get 100 gms of rice and wheat per child + Rs. 3.11/child (for other ingredients, vegetables, oil, transport). While we have a tie up with ingredient companies and wholesale vegetable vendors, enabling us to buy at less than MRP, we spend Rs. 5-6/child in Delhi,” Singh of Stri Shakti told Firstpost.

“We cover the extra costs through personal donations and profits made by our other units,” he said.

If the NGO’s hands are tied, the schools faces the challenge of making the most of too few hands. Principals and teachers in the schools say that severe under-staffing makes the management of the midday meal scheme more difficult.

Far from the prescribed student teacher ratio of 40:1 under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009, most of the 2,720 government schools in Delhi have a ratio 1.5 times that number or more.  Despite the Trilokpuri school having 350 students and conducting classes from standard 1 to 5, with each standard having two sections, it has only six teachers presently.

It amounts to a ratio of 58.3 students to a teacher. In April this year, the school had only four teachers — making the student to teacher ratio 88:1, more than double the prescribed ratio.

Srivastava said his school’s teachers are already overworked, and yet have no choice but to take up additional responsibilities thrust on them by virtue of being government employees. Teachers already playing the role of administrators, clerks and peons in the school. But they are also forced to shoulder additional the responsibilities during elections, census taking and other government surveys. Checking food safety becomes one more task in an already long chore list.

“After already performing more than 5 duties at any given time, the midday meal scheme puts on us an additional responsibility. When will we have time to teach the students?” asks 45-year old Ramesh Garg (name changed), who has taught at the school for the last 17 years.

Students taking a midday meal. Arlene Chang/ Firstpost

Srivastava says while the midday meal scheme is welcome, he says schools first priority is to educate the children.

“Students need teachers more than they need food. It’s more important that they get a good education. Parents who have given birth to them will feed them somehow, but if they don’t learn what they are supposed to in school, parents cannot teach them that,” he told Firstpost.

The over-burdened teachers and principal often become the immediate target for parents’ anger when there are problems with the food.

“We are helpless in conducting quality checks because it’s not like we have our own kitchen. If we did we could first hand monitor it. The most we can do, which we do, is to eat the food before we offer it to the children to make sure it’s safe. We also stir the food to check for any visible signs of it being unsafe. But our hands are tied beyond that,” he said.

Besides, doing more can land an over-enthusiastic educator in trouble.

“A few years ago, a principal in a nearby school found a rat in the midday meal supplied to his school. He sent it to a lab and complained about it to the authorities. He was not only suspended earlier than his retirement, but does not get pension money yet,” said Garg.

A teacher for 22 years, and now the principal of an MCD school in RK Puram, told Firstpost that given the shortage of teachers it was difficult to manage.

“Each teacher teaches their students six subjects. In addition our school also teaches the kids computers. So each of us teach 7 subjects. We also serve the midday meal to students ourselves,” the RK Puram school’s principal said. “What all can we do?”

Milma to remove imprint by October 31

‘Did not violate any law’

Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (Milma) will remove the imprint “fresh and pure” from its milk sachets by October 31, Milma has assured the Kerala High Court.

Milma took the decision to remove the imprint from its packets following a High Court directive.

In an additional affidavit filed in the Kerala High Court, Milma said dairies under it were keeping sufficient quantity of low density polyethylene film (LDPE) for packaging milk.

In fact, it kept the film stock for two to three months with all statutory printing. The present stock of the film would be exhausted only by the end of October. Besides, a new design would have to be developed and new packing material was to be sourced.

Therefore, introduction of new packets after removing the phrase “fresh and pure” would be possible only by October 31. Milma, therefore, sought time till October 31 to keep the stock of the film and change over to the new packets.

Milma contended that it had not violated provisions of any law while using the words “fresh and pure’ on its sachets. The affidavit added that even if milk was procured from farmers, the SNF (solid non fat) contents would not attain the required standard prescribed by the Food Safety Standards Act and Rules as its average SNF content was lower than the standards prescribed by the Act.

‘Used by many’

Therefore, it was mandatory that milk procured even from the farmers should be standardised by adding SNF; either in the form of skimmed milk powder or skimmed milk. Most of the other milk producers in the State were also using the same process for preparing pasteurised milk.

The court issued the directive on an appeal filed by Martin Paiva of Kochi against a single judge’s verdict allowing Milma to hike the prices of milk. It was brought to the notice of the court that Milma was announcing on its packets that its milk was fresh and pure despite the fact that it was adding skimmed milk powder.

Meanwhile, the petitioner in reply to the affidavit said Milma could very well cover the words “fresh and pure” by pasting blank label over it.

When Milma hiked the prices of its milk, it would soon print revised price over the old prices on the sachets. This practice could be adopted for removing the “fresh and pure” imprint from its packets.

Frame norms for junk food sale near schools in 10 days: HC

The Centre was on Wednesday given a 10-day deadline by the Delhi High Court to come out with detailed guidelines for regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks on and around school premises in the country.

"No further extension will be given," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmad firmly told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Terming the non-filing of draft guidelines by the Centre as "unfortunate", the court asked the FSSAI to submit it within 10 days.

Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra had assured the court that the draft guidelines would be filed by July this year.

"Earlier, this court had recorded that draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days. Let it be filed within 10 days," the bench, also comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said during the hearing and scheduled the next hearing for September 4.

"It is expected that parties shall adhere to this timeline and no extension would be given by this court," it said, adding that the Centre would share the report with other stakeholders who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue.

Earlier, the Centre had said that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk food and carbonated drinks within 500 metres of schools.

It had also said that after the draft guidelines were prepared, the food processing companies would be consulted for their opinions and then the final guidelines would be made.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO 'Uday Foundation', seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

பதுக்கி வைத்திருந்தபான்பராக் பறிமுதல்

சேலம்: சேலம்- திருச்சி மெயின் ரோட்டில் உள்ள மொத்த விற்பனை கடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் மாநகராட்சி சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் அதிரடி சோதனை மேற்கொண்டனர். அங்கு பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த, பான்பராக், பாக்கெட்டுக்குள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது.தமிழகத்தில், பான்பராக், புகையிலை உள்ளிட்ட போதை வஸ்துகளை விற்பனை செய்வதற்கு தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. சேலம் மாநகராட்சிக்குட்பட்ட திருச்சி மெயின்ரோட்டில் உள்ள விநாயகா ஸ்டோர்ஸ், முகமது முகா ஆகிய மொத்த விற்பனை கடைகளில், உணவுப்பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி திருமூர்த்தி, சேலம் மாநகராட்சி சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள், சரவணன், சங்கர், சேகர் ஆகியோர் அதிரடியாக ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர்.இரண்டு கடைகளிலும், பான்பராக், ஹான்ஸ் உள்ளிட்ட பொருட்களும், பிளாஸ்டிக் கப்புகளும் விற்பனைக்கு வைத்திருந்ததை கண்டுப்பிடித்து, அவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

DINAKARAN NEWS

HC sets 10-day deadline for guidelines on regulating junk food

HC sets 10-day deadline 

Centre was today given a 10-day deadline by the Delhi High Court to come out with detailed guidelines for regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around school premises in the country.
"No further extension will be given," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed firmly told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Terming the non-filing of draft guidelines by the Centre as "unfortunate", the court asked the FSSAI to submit it within 10 days.
Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra had assured the court that the draft guidelines would be filed by July this year. "Earlier, this court had recorded that draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days. Let it be filed within 10 days," the bench, also comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said during the hearing and fixed the case for September 4.
"It is expected that parties shall adhere to this time line and no extension would be given by this court," it said, adding that the Centre would share the report with other stakeholders who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue.
Earlier, the Centre had said that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. It had also said that after the draft guidelines were prepared, the food processing companies would be consulted for their opinions and then the final guidelines will be made.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO 'Uday Foundation', seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.
The Delhi government had also told the court that the Lt Governor has the power to issue directions to city schools on the issue but the same can be done only after the Centre frames guidelines on it.
In January last year, the court had given six-month time to the FSSAI for framing guidelines on banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around educational institutions.
The court had also asked the FSSAI to consult the All India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA) and restaurant associations for framing the guidelines. AIFPA, in its application, had said that it deals with processing of fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, milk and milk products and also the manufacturers of biscuits and confectionery products.
It also said that it may give some advice to the FSSAI.

HC sets 10-day deadline for guidelines on regulating junk food

Centre was today given a 10-day deadline by the Delhi High Court to come out with detailed guidelines for regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around school premises in the country.
"No further extension will be given," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed firmly told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Terming the non-filing of draft guidelines by the Centre as "unfortunate", the court asked the FSSAI to submit it within 10 days.
Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra had assured the court that the draft guidelines would be filed by July this year.
"Earlier, this court had recorded that draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days. Let it be filed within 10 days," the bench, also comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said during the hearing and fixed the case for September 4.
"It is expected that parties shall adhere to this time line and no extension would be given by this court," it said, adding that the Centre would share the report with other stakeholders who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue.
Earlier, the Centre had said that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools.
It had also said that after the draft guidelines were prepared, the food processing companies would be consulted for their opinions and then the final guidelines will be made.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO 'Uday Foundation', seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

Selling gutkha could land you in jail

Selling banned gutka, paan masala, flavoured tobacco and supari will be made a punishable offence under sections 324 and 328 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), leading to even a 10-year jail term for manufacturers and vendors, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.
So far, the offenders were only booked for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act. According to FDA officers, application of the IPC will ensure that those flouting laws are not let off easily.
“Till last year, the offenders were booked only for violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act. This year, we will also book them under the relevant sections of the IPC, which could attract imprisonment,” said Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA.

“We want to send out a message that selling of any of the banned products could land the offenders in jail for even up to 10 years too,” Deshmukh said.
Last year, the FDA had seized gutkha worth Rs4 crore from the state and filed 40 FIRs at various police stations.
“Most of the complaints were against unidentified people as no one claimed the confiscated products,” he said.
The new directive also bans the sale of scented tobacco and supari products.
“Under the new directive, the state has banned scented supari and tobacco products. We recently seized around 72kg of scented supari from STC India Pvt limited at Dahisar,” said Deshmukh.
On Tuesday, the FDA officials met members of the Pan Bidi Association, and asked them to stop selling the banned products in view of the new directive.

FDA cracks whip after ban, seizes scented supari

After a statewide ban on flavoured tobacco and betel nut, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorities swooped down on store houses. This was the first crackdown since the ban was imposed on June 20.

“We have seized products worth up to Rs1,75,000 and weighing up to 72 kgs from store houses in Dahisar East. They were being sold under the brand name Chandan Mukhwaas manufactured by STC India Pvt Ltd,” said Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner (food), FDA on Tuesday.
Food safety officers will book those found manufacturing or selling the banned products under sections 324 and 328 of the Indian Penal Code.
“Until last year, we booked offenders for violating Food Safety and Standards Act, but now we will also book them under the relevant section of IPC,” said Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA. “We want to send a strong message that selling these banned products will land the offenders in prison for up to 10 years.”
On Tuesday, FDA officials interacted with the members of Pan Bidi Association asking them to stop selling the banned products. The officials said the FDA is going to file a caveat in the Bombay high court. “In the case manufacturers of scented or flavoured tobacco and betel nut move the HC against the imposed ban, the state’s plea will be heard before passing any order,” said Deshmukh.

Six mid-day meal samples collected Health Department team visits government schools; food samples sent to laboratory in Chandigarh

Bathinda, July 23
A team of the Health Department collected six samples of mid-day meals served in government schools. Headed by the District Health Officer Dr RS Randhawa and the food inspector Amrit Pal, the team collected two food samples each from a government primary school and government high school in Sanjay Nagar and from a government school in Naruana.

The team also visited government schools at village Kot Bakhtu and Kotshamir. But by the time the team arrived, the students already had been served mid-day meals.

Samples of wheat, rice and cooked vegetable (bottle gourd) were collected. The samples have been sent for testing to the government food testing laboratory in Chandigarh and the result is expected after 15 days.

Meanwhile, during the monthly meeting of senior medical officials of the districts convened today, the SMOs were asked to regularly visit schools serving mid-day meals and check hygiene in their kitchen to ensure that the children get clean and safe food.

Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni also directed the SMOs to seal the source of water wherein water samples have failed thrice in a row. "If the water is from the public health department, the officials concerned should be requested to chlorinate the source," h e added.

The SMOs were also asked to equip themselves with anti-venom medicines in case of a snake bite, which is common during the monsoon. Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Vinod Garg discussed the Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojana (RSBY) and the low response that it has evoked. He pointed out that not even a single OPD case or indoor patient's case has been examined under the scheme at the Women and Children Hospital, Bathinda, and the government hospitals at Bhagta, Nathana, Sangat and Maur. Various strategies, including inclusion of ASHA workers and ANMs in popularising the scheme at the grassroot level, were discussed. Dr Sahni said not even a single penny has to be charged from patients belonging to the BPL category under the RSBY as it is a cashless facility.

The issue of extending the working days of radiographers at the sub-division hospital in Ghudda was also discussed. At the Civil Hospital, the need for two more trained lab technicians in the dialysis unit was raised. The SMOs were asked to send slides for pap smear test as per the targets accorded to them. It is compulsory for women above 45 years of age to undergo pap smear test every six months.

Under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Sangat and Bhagta hospitals have not been able to attain the desired 100 per cent results, which was also discussed at the meeting. SMOs of Talwandi Sabo, Rampura and Ghudda were directed to maintain dengue wards and give medication as per the New Drug Policy Malaria 2010 in cases of malaria.

District Family and Health Welfare Officer Dr Ravanjit Kaur spoke about the targets and implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). She pointed out that the scheme was running weak at the Talwandi Sabo hospital. The issue of hospitals not getting funds on time to pay the patients was also discussed.

Dr Rakesh Goel, Dr Ashok Monga and all the SMOs were present at the meeting. 

Fact file

• The team headed by District Health Officer Dr RS Randhawa and food inspector Amrit Pal collected two food samples each from a government primary school and government high school in Sanjay Nagar and from a government school in Naruana.
• The team also visited government schools at village Kot Bakhtu and Kotshamir. But by the time the team arrived, the students already had been served mid-day meals.
• Samples of wheat, rice and cooked vegetable (bottle gourd) were collected. The samples have been sent for testing to the government food testing laboratory in Chandigarh and the result is expected after 15 days.
• During the monthly meeting of senior medical officials of the districts convened on Tuesday, the SMOs were asked to regularly visit schools serving mid-day meals and check hygiene in their kitchen to ensure that the children get clean and safe food.
• Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni also directed the SMOs to seal the source of water where water samples have failed the test thrice in a row. "If the water is from the public health department, the officials concerned should be requested to chlorinate the source," he added.

Store fined for selling sub-standard mustard oil

Bathinda, July 23
The court of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Rajiv Prashar, the adjudicating officer in the Food Safety and Standards Act of India (FSSAI), slapped a fine of Rs 35,000 on Darbara Karyana Store in Pucca Kalan village for selling sub-standard mustard oil.
Earlier on July 16, the same court had imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Ganpati Mill in Bhucho Mandi for selling sub-standard products. The decision has buoyed health department official who feel that this would give an impetus to the drive of collecting food samples and sending them for testing to the food lab at Chandigarh.
The sample of mustard oil was taken around 6 to 7 months ago. Lab tests have found that the oil was sub-standard. Now, eight more similar cases are pending in the court of the additional deputy commissioner, on which a decision is likely to be passed soon.
The clampdown assumes significance in the wake of the alert generated over the use of sub-standard ingredients in the cooking of mid-day meals.

DINAKARAN NEWS

ஒதுக்கப்பட்டதோ 80 கிராம்; தேவையோ 500 கிராம் உணவு ஆய்வில் சிக்கல்

DINAMALAR NEWS

TNFS DEPT. - TIRUNELVELI DIST. NEWS

Banned tobacco products seized

Banned chewing tobacco products, worth about Rs.9 lakh, were seized from a godown in Tirunelveli Town on Tuesday during a surprise check conducted by the officials of the Department of Food Safety.
Based on a tip-off, the officials raided a godown in Tirunelveli Town, reportedly belonging to one Suresh Kumar, and seized the banned tobacco products.
“The raids to seize the banned tobacco products will continue,” said the officials

Tobacco products seized

Tobacco products worth Rs.1 lakh were seized by the Town Police and handed over to the Food Safety Wing officials here on Tuesday. According to sources, S.K.Muthukumar (41) of Muneeswaran Colony, Naranapuram, runs a shop on Bypass Road near Naranapuram Corner. Following specific information received by Deputy Superintendent of Police V.Radhakrishnan, a police team comprising Balamurali Krishna, Pothi, Gnanasekaran and Muthumariappan raided the shop, seized tobacco products and handed them over to Food Safety Wing officials.

Collector inspects noon meal centres

Collector V.Rajaraman made surprise visits to noon meal centres in various schools in Kalayarkoil panchayat and issued strict guidelines to the heads of schools and noon meal organisers to ensure that quality food was cooked in hygienic condition.

The Collector who made the surprise visit on Tuesday, in the wake of Bihar tragedy, checked the quality of rice, eggs, provisions, oil, vegetables and other ingredients used for making noon meal.

The Collector instructed the noon meal organisers and headmasters to ensure that the food items were stored in a safe and hygienic place.

Arsenic in rice can damage Bengali DNA, finds study

London: The DNA of an average Bengali living in West Bengal could be facing serious damage due to high levels of arsenic being consumed through the rice they eat, says a study.
    A joint Indo-British study announced by the University of Manchester has proved a link between rice with high levels of arsenic and chromosomal damage, as measured by micronuclei in urothelial cells.
    Increased frequency of these micronuclei has been shown by researchers to be linked to the development of cancers.
    The researchers from the University of Manchester and CSIRIndian Institute of Chemical Biology in Kolkata looked at the frequency of micronuclei – the tell-tale sign of chromosomal damage among 40,000 people by screening individual cells extracted from their urine samples.
    They discovered that people in rural West Bengal eating rice as a staple with greater than 0.2 mg/kg arsenic showed higher frequencies of micronuclei than those consuming rice with less than this concentration of arsenic.
    They demonstrated that the trend of greater genetic damage with increasing arsenic in rice was observed for both men and women, for tobacco-users and non-users, and for those from three different locations within the study area.
    Rice is the staple food of over three billion people. Because the rice plant is highly efficient at absorbing arsenic from soil and water, it is reported to be the highest arsenic-containing cereal. For Indians, rice is their staple food.
    A good portion of the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra
plain, spread across 600,000 sq km with a population of over 500 million, is at risk from groundwater arsenic contamination.
    Over 100 million people living in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Assam, Arunachal, Manipur and Tripura drink arsenic water regularly that causes cardiovascular and neurological disorders.
    Professor David Polya from University of Manchester said, “This is the first time a link between consumption of arsenicbearing rice and genetic damage has been demonstrated. As such, it vindicates increasing concerns expressed by the European Food Safety Authority and others about the adequacy of regulation of arsenic in rice.”
    The team, funded by the UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), chose a study population with relatively similar dietary and socio-economic status that was not otherwise exposed to arsenic, for example, through drinking water.
STAPLE THREAT
    A joint Indo-British study has proved a link between rice with high levels of arsenic and chromosomal damage
    Increased frequency of micronuclei — the tell-tale sign of chromosomal damage — has been shown to be linked to the development of cancers
    People in rural West Bengal eating rice as a staple with greater than 0.2 mg/kg arsenic showed higher frequencies of micronuclei
    The trend of greater genetic damage was observed for both men and women and for tobacco-users and non-users

புதுவை கடைகளில் ரூ.20 லட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

புதுச்சேரி, ஜூலை.24-புதுவை அண்ணாசாலை, ரங்கபிள்ளை வீதியில் உள்ள கடைகளில் வருவாய் துறை அதிகாரிகள் நடத்திய அதிரடி சோதனையில் ரூ.20 லட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள புகையிலை பொருட்களை பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டன.அதிரடி சோதனைபுதுச்சேரி பொதுமக்கள் நலன் கருதி பான்பராக், பான் மசாலா, குட்கா உள்ளிட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களை விற்க தடைவிதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த நிலையில் புதுவையில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட பொருட்கள் அதிக விலைக்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாக வருவாய் துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு தகவல் கிடைத்தது.இதனை அடுத்து தாசில்தார் ரமேஷ், துணை தாசில்தார் மணிகண்டன், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி தன்ராஜ் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் புதுவை அண்ணாசாலை, ரங்கபிள்ளை வீதிகளில் உள்ள பெட்டிக்கடைகள், மளிகை கடைகள் ஆகியவற்றில் அதிரடி சோதனை நடத்தினார்கள்.ரூ.20 லட்சம்...இந்த சோதனையின் போது சில கடைகளில் இருந்து பண்டல், பண்டலாக புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பதுக்கி வைத்து விற்பனை செய்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதில் சுமார் 250 கிலோ மதிப்புள்ள புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. இவற்றின் மதிப்பு ரூ. 20 லட்சத்தை தாண்டும் என அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரிக்கைபுதுவையில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்வது தொடர்பான சோதனை தொடர்ந்து அனைத்து பகுதிகளிலும் நடைபெறும் என அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். மேலும் அவர்கள் கூறும்போது, “புதுவையில் முதல் தடவையாக நடத்தப்பட்ட இந்த சோதனையில் புகையிலை பொருட்களை மட்டும் பறிமுதல் செய்து சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நபர்களை எச்சரித்துள்ளோம். அடுத்த முறை சோதனை நடத்தப்படும் போது புகையிலை பொருட்களை பறிமுதல் செய்வதுடன், அவற்றை விற்பனை செய்பவர்களுக்கு அபராதமும் விதிக்கப்படும்“ என்று தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

புதுச்சேரியில் அதிரடி ரெய்டு: ரூ. 20 லட்சம் மதிப்பு போதை வஸ்துக்கள் பறிமுதல்
புதுச்சேரி: புதுச்சேரியில் நேற்று நடந்த அதிரடி ரெய்டில், 20 லட்சம் ரூபாய் மதிப்புள்ள குட்கா, பான்பராக் உள்ளிட்ட போதை வஸ்துகள் சிக்கியது.

புதுச்சேரியில் குட்கா, பான்பாராக் உள்ளிட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களுக்கு தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது. சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட்டும், குட்கா, பான்பராக் விற்பனைக்கு தடை விதித்து உத்தரவிட்டது. இருந்தும், புதுச்சேரி பகுதிகளில் போதை வஸ்துக்கள் விற்பனை கட்டுப்படுத்தப்படவில்லை. இது தொடர்பான புகாரின்பேரில், சுகாதாரத் துறை செயலர் ராகேஷ் சந்திரா உத்தரவின்பேரில், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி தன்ராஜ் தலைமையில் தாசில்தார் ரமேஷ், வருவாய் ஆய்வாளர்கள் ரவிச்சந்திரன், பாலமுருகன், கிராம நிர்வாக அதிகாரி ராவ், சிவகுமார், கிருபாகரன், நக்கீரன் தலைமையிலான அதிகாரிகள் நேற்று ரங்கப்பிள்ளை வீதி, பெரிய மார்க்கெட், அண்ணாசாலை ஆகிய இடங்களில் அதிரடி ரெய்டு நடத்தினர். குடோன்களில் மூட்டை, மூட்டையாக பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த போதை வஸ்துக்கள் சிக்கியது. நேற்று நடந்த ரெய்டில், ரங்கப்பிள்ளை வீதி, அண்ணாசாலை பகுதியில் மட்டும் 20 லட்சம் ரூபாய் மதிப்புள்ள பான்பராக், குட்கா உள்ளிட்ட போதை வஸ்துகள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டன. இது குறித்து சுகாதார செயலர் ராகேஷ் சந்திரா கூறும்போது""குட்கா, பான்பராக் போன்ற போதை வஸ்துகளை விற்பதும், அதனை வாங்கி பயன்படுத்துவதும் சட்டப்படி தவறு. மீறியும் விற்றால் ஓராண்டு வரை சிறையில் அடைக்கவும், ஒரு லட்சம் ரூபாய் அபாரதம் விதிக்கப்படும். எனவே, தடை செய்யப்பட்ட போதை வஸ்துகளை கடையில் விற்கக் கூடாது. ரெய்டு சிக்கும் கடை உரிமையாளர்கள் கைது செய்யப்படுவார்கள்'' என்றார்.

ரூ. 20 லட்சம் மதிப்பு புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் பறிமுதல்

புதுச்சேரியில் விற்பனை செய்வதற்காக வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்களை தாசில்தார் ரமேஷ் தலைமையிலான அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்து எரித்து அழித்தனர்.
புதுச்சேரியில் பான்பாரக், குத்கா உள்ளிட்ட சில வகைப் புகையிலைப் பொருள்களை விற்பனை செய்வதற்குத் தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. தடையையும் மீறி ஒரு சில இடங்களில் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாகப் புகார் எழுந்தது.
இதையடுத்து, வருவாய்த்துறை தாசில்தார் ரமேஷ் தலைமையிலான அதிகாரிகள் திடீர் சோதனையில் ஈடுபட்டனர். சோதனையில் ரூ. 20 லட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் கைப்பற்றப்பட்டு அழிக்கப்பட்டன. இது தொடர்பாக தாசில்தார் ரமேஷ் கூறியதாவது:
தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் விற்பனைக்காகப் பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தகவல் கிடைத்தது. இதன் பேரில், ரங்கப்பிள்ளை வீதி, அண்ணாசாலை உள்ளிட்ட பகுதிகளில் உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை மற்றும் போலீஸாருடன் இணைந்து சோதனையில் ஈடுபட்டோம்.
இதில், சுமார் 250 கிலோ எடையுள்ள தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. இவற்றின் சந்தை மதிப்பு சுமார் ரூ. 20 லட்சம். பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் எரித்து அழிக்கப்பட்டு விட்டன. தொடர்ந்து சோதனை நடத்தப்படும்.
தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் வைத்திருப்பது கண்டறியப்பட்டால், கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பதுடன், அபராதமும் விதிக்கப்படும் என்றார்.

Chhapra tragedy: Karnataka govt introduces scores of initiatives for food safety

BANGALORE: The Bihar tragedy where 22 children died after eating lunch apparently contaminated with insecticide last week, has made the Karnataka government to come out with a proposal of starting an independent water source for cooking food under mid-day meals to school children.
Primary and secondary education minister Kimmane Ratnakar told the legislative council on Tuesday that the Chhapra tragedy was a warning bell for the government and it has initiated scores of initiatives in schools following the incident including plans to delink teaching staff from preparing food.
Maintaining that the scheme in the state was near to 100% error free, the minister said over 60 lakh school children are getting the benefits of mid-day meal every day. "Barring one incident, where a girl child died after slipping into sambar vessel last year, the scheme is running successfully since it was introduced in 2002. More than 6 crore children have benefitted by the scheme till date," Ratnakar said.
Mid-day meals is being given in around 55,000 schools and the government was into building quality kitchens in these schools. Only 75% of the schools have kitchens. Ratnakar said the Centre has announced that it would provide Rs 3 lakh to built a kitchen and Rs 5,000 to buy utensils. "There is also scheme where Centre will provide Rs 3,500 per month to grow vegetables in water availability areas. Rs 7,000 grant per month on big schemes and government has planned to give milk from August at a cost of Rs 600 crore," he said.
Of the Rs 18,000 crore allocation for the department, Rs 11,000 are being spent on the salary. Ratnakar informed that Rs 180 crore was being spent on providing free uniforms every year and Rs 3,500 crore needed upgrade school buildings.
The minister said he himself will go the corporate companies seeking financial help from them to construct/upgrade government schools. Ratnakar said the government will identify schools and corporates themselves can fund the projects. "Let corporates give money directly to the contractors, we will restrict ourselves to identifying the schools. We expect at least two schools to be developed in each zilla panchayat limits," he said.
Measures taken after the tragedy:
*Precaution and cleanliness to be maintained in kitchen
*Cleanliness in water being supplied by water tanks
*Quality storage of food grains
*Precaution to be taken in drinking water
*To preserve nutrition in the food