60 கிலோ குட்கா பறிமுதல்

அண்ணாநகர், ஏப். 12: 

கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில் உள்ள கடைகளில் நேற்று காலை, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் லட்சுமி நாராயணன் தலைமையில், அலுவலர்கள் சோதனை நடத்தினர். 

அப்போது, விற்பனைக்கு வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த 60 கிலோ எடையுள்ள பான்பராக், ஹான்ஸ் உள்ளிட்ட குட்கா பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. மீண்டும் கடைகளில் குட்கா விற்பனை செய்தால், கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என கடைக்காரர்களுக்கு, அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளனர்.

MAALAI MALAR NEWS

Quality not guaranteed

Doctors warn of health risks.

With the demand shooting up, manufacturers, and dealers of packaged drinking water are unable supply the required quantity. There are complaints that some of them are supplying unprotected drinking water to customers.

There are 30 licensed packaged drinking water plants in the district. They process around four lakh litres of drinking water for distribution.

The inadequate drinking water supply by local bodies, and increase in demand because of summer, have forced manufacturers to run plants for additional hours. Even then they are unable to meet the demand of around eight lakh litres a day.

This gives the scope for scrupulous elements to resort to unethical practice by supplying unprotected drinking water to customers.

Many a time, the water carrying cans are found to be unclean, and the water unprocessed despite being charged between Rs. 25 and Rs. 30 for a 20-litre can.

“It is just plain water, and not purified,” said Murugan, a resident at Mittapudur.

Doctors warn of contracting diarrhoea, fever, and jaundice if untreated water is consumed without boiling.

The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 mandates that the drinking water be packed in clean, hygienic, colourless, and transparent containers made of polythene that conform to the standards. The package should contain the date of packing, maximum retail price, and details of the manufacturer.

T. Anuradha, District Designated Food Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department told The Hindu that complaints regarding poor quality of canned water were being received from the consumers. Samples of water would be tested. If found to be unsafe for consumption, action would be taken, she added.

Many packaged water suppliers say they are unable to meet the high demand

A new clean-up act

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Watch, no, wash, what you eat 

“A vigorous scrub and a long soak in plenty of water with some salt and turmeric will do the trick. Who knows whether it’s really effective?” is the reaction of many when asked whether they would use a commercial product to clean their fruits and vegetables. Marketers in the category know that this is exactly this mindset they have to counter. It does not help that there is little visual proof they work, either. How can marketers convince consumers fruit and vegetable washes actually do? 

Do the popular bathroom cleaners and disinfectants of the day provide any visual proof, asks a spokesperson for TTK Healthcare, the latest entrant in the category with its Good Home Vegetable & Fruit Wash. There are some organoleptic elements, such as a burning sensation when one uses Dettol, for instance, but for any company that is launching an anti-bacterial product, it’s a “leap of faith”. Why were hand sanitisers such a hit? Because after the H1N1 epidemic, a need was felt and they filled the gap, he says. 

Jegsons Industries of New Delhi has been marketing its Veg Fru Wash since as far back as 2000. JS Dhingra, Managing Partner, claims it’s the only patented product of its kind in India. It uses sorbitol which is a food-grade ingredient licensed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. TTK uses chlorohexidine gluconate, which institutions with F&B businesses, such as hotels, stopped using, he says. His product is priced ₹70 for 100 ml and is distributed in North India, Bangalore and Mumbai. 

These washes make varying claims. Some promise to get rid of bacteria and fungi, some that they will also reduce the agro-chemicals present in the vegetables. Nikunj Desai, CEO of Hyderabad-based Prakruthik Health Care says his product, Nano Cleanse, will also work on meat and poultry. “Bacteria and pesticides are only the first level of contamination; you have to account for the grime accumulated during transportation, from the handlers at the markets who apply oils and waxes to make them look appealing – produce changes not less than five hands before reaching the shelves,” he says. 

Primary target group

NanoCleanse, which is made from citric acid, fruit vinegar, double distilled water and sodium bicarbonate, is compliant with EU safety standards and as its hotel clients insisted it do, procured HACCP certification from Acerta of Spain. Despite several attempts to get its certificate, the FSSAI has told them it is not in their purview as it is not a food product, says Desai. NanoCleanse sells at ₹149 for a 500 ml pack in retail stores in Hyderabad and there are 5-litre packs to institutions. Earlier, hotels used chlorine-based ingredients to clean their produce but chlorine leaves its own residue and produces THM (trihalomethane) which is carcinogenic, says Desai. 

His primary target group is the upper middle class and the rich, the health-conscious and the highly educated who are likely to use it in their homes. It’s another matter that they may themselves not do the cooking and not be able to enforce the discipline of washing the vegetables with these products. Prakruthik wants to raise venture capital for a national launch. Kent RO Systems launched an ozone purifier for produce around two years ago. Mahesh Gupta, Chairman, says it’s been slow going as people are apprehensive whether it will really work. It sells about 20,000 pieces a year. It costs ₹6,000.It will take four-five years to become popular, says Gupta, who says that RO systems, launched in 1999, have still not made it big in the market — their penetration is under 1 per cent even after 15 years. 

Awareness is the need of the hour, say the marketers, pointing out that only a few can afford organic food everyday, even if were widely available. Fruit and vegetable washes are now available only in select supermarkets and vegetable mandis. 

Most of the marketers have set up websites to educate consumers about their products. They have also got their products tested by NABL-accredited laboratories to prove they work. It seems to be a product ahead of the times and consumers too will be making a leap of faith when they buy it.

DAILY THANTHI NEWS

நாமக்கல் அருகே ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிப்பில் கலப்படம்; தொழிற்சாலைக்கு சீல்

நாமக்கல், ஏப். 11: 

நாமக்கல் அருகே லைசென்ஸ் இல்லா மல் இயங்கி வந்த ஜவ்வரிசி தொழிற்சாலைக்கு சீல் வைத்தனர். மரவள்ளிக் கிழங்கு மாவுடன் கலப்படம் செய்ய வைதிருந்த மக்காச் சோள மாவையும் கைப்பற்றி ஆய்வுக்கு அனுப்பியுள்ளனர். 

நாமக்கல்லை அடுத்த அலங்காநத்தம் பகுதியில் உள்ள ஒரு தொழிற்சாலையில் மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு மாவுடன் மக்காசோள மாவை கலப்படம் செய்து ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிப்பதாக உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அலுவலர்களுக்கு தகவல் கிடைத்தது. மேலும், 320 மூட்டை மக்காசோள மாவு லாரியில் கொண்டு வந்திருப்பதாக கிடைத்த தகவலை தொடர்ந்து நேற்று முன் தினம் இரவு நாமக்கல் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் தமிழ்செல்வன் தலைமையிலான அலுவலர்கள் அந்த தொழிற்சாலைக்கு சென்று திடீர் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். 

அப்போது அங்கு மூட்டைகளில் வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த கலப்படம் செய்ய மா வை சோதனை செய்தனர். ஏற்கனவே அந்த தொழிற்சா லை லைசென்சு இல்லாமல் இயங்கி வந்ததால் அதை நடத்தி வந்தவருக்கு நோட் டீஸ் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

தற்போது சாலையூரை சேர்ந்த செல்வராஜ் என்பவர் லீசுக்கு எடுத்து தொழிற்சாலை நடத்தி வருவதாக தெரியவந்துள்ளது. தொழிற்சாலையில் வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த மாவு பரிசோதனைக்கு எடுக்கப்பட்டு ஆய்வுக்கு அனுப்பிவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. கலப்படம் உள்ளதா என்பது பரிசோதனையின் முடிவில் தெரியவரும் என உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலு வலர் தமிழ்செல்வன் தெரிவித்தார். அதை தொடர்ந்து, நேற்றுகாலை அந்த தொழிற்சாலைக்கு அதிகாரிகள் சீல்வைத்தனர்.

அதிரடி! : சேகோ ஃபேக்டரிக்கு "சீல்' வைத்து அதிகாரிகள்... : ஜவ்வரிசி மாவில் மக்காச்சோள மாவு கலப்படம்

சேந்தமங்கலம்: ஜவ்வரிசி மாவில் கலப்படம் செய்வதற்காக, கர்நாடகாவில் இருந்து, மக்காச்சோளமாவு எடுத்து வந்த லாரியை சிறை பிடித்ததுடன், சோகோ ஆலைக்கு அதிகாரிகள், "சீல்' வைத்தனர்.

தமிழகத்தில், நாமக்கல், சேலம், தர்மபுரி உள்ளிட்ட மாவட்டங்களில், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு சாகுபடி, அதிகளவில் செய்யப்படுகிறது. மரவள்ளிக் கிழங்கின் மூலம் மாவு, ஜவ்வரிசி உள்ளிட்ட பொருட்கள் தயார் செய்யப்படுகிறது. நாமக்கல், சேலம், தர்மபுரி, கிருஷ்ணகிரி, பெரம்பலூர், திருச்சி, ஈரோடு உள்ளிட்ட மாவட்டங்களில், சேகோ, ஸ்டார்ச் ஆலைகள் அதிகம் உள்ளன.

நாமக்கல், சேலம் மாவட்டங்களில் மட்டும், 400க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சேகோ, ஸ்டார்ச் ஆலைகள் இயங்கி வருகின்றன. இங்கிருந்து, ஜவ்வரிசி மற்றும் கிழங்கு மாவு, வடமாநிலங்களுக்கு அனுப்பி வைக்கப்படுகிறது. அதன் மூலம் சேமியா, சிப்ஸ் உள்ளிட்ட, 64 வகையான உணவுப் பொருட்கள் தயார் செய்யப்பட்டு, விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது.

ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தியில், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்ட விதிமுறை பின்பற்றாமல், அரசின் உரிமம் பெறாமல், ஈர மாவு விற்பனை செய்து வருகின்றனர். அந்த ஈர மாவில், மக்காச்சோளம், 75 சதவீதமும், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு மாவு, 25 சதவீதமும் கலப்படம் செய்வதாக, புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது.

சேலம் மாவட்டம், ஆத்தூர் பகுதியில் செயல்படும், பல ஜவ்வரிசி ஆலைகளில், மரவள்ளிக் கிழங்கு அரைக்கும் போதே, வேறொரு தொட்டியில், மக்காச்சோள மாவை கொட்டி, தண்ணீர் விட்டு கரைத்து, இரண்டு பாலையும், ஒன்றாக தொட்டியில் விட்டு கலந்து, அதன் பின் தண்ணீரை வடிகட்டி, இரண்டு மாவையும் கலந்து, கலப்பட மாவு தயார் செய்து, மோசடி செய்கின்றனர்.

அவ்வாறு கலப்படம் செய்யப்பட மாவு, ஆத்தூரில் இருந்து, நாமக்கல் மாவட்டங்களுக்கு, அதிகளவில் கொண்டு வரப்படுகிறது. குறிப்பாக, செல்லப்பம்பட்டி, பொட்டிரெட்டிப்பட்டி, அலங்காநத்தம் உள்ளிட்ட பகுதிகளில் செயல்படும் சேகோ ஆலைகளில், மீண்டும் சேகோ கலந்து, ஜவ்வரிசி தயார் செய்கின்றனர்.

மக்காச்சோளம் கலந்த ஜவ்வரிசியை, மஹாராஷ்டிரா, மத்திய பிரதேசம், குஜராத் போன்ற வெளிமாநிலங்களுக்கு, அதிகளவில் அனுப்பி வைக்கப்படுகிறது. வருமானத்தை மட்டும் குறிக்கோளாக கொண்டுள்ள ஆலை உரிமையாளர்கள், வாடகைக்கு மில்களை பிடித்து, இதுபோன்ற மோசடியில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றனர்.

இந்நிலையில், நேற்று முன்தினம் இரவு, சேந்தமங்கலம் அடுத்த அலங்காநத்தம் பகுதியில் உள்ள செல்வம் என்பருக்கு சொந்தமான, "ராஜேந்திரா சேகோ ஃபேக்டரி'க்கு, கர்நாடகாவில் இருந்து, 16 டன் மக்காச்சோள மாவு கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது. அதையறிந்த அப்பகுதி விவசாயிகள் மற்றும் ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தியாளர்கள், லாரியை சிறை பிடித்தனர்.

தகவல் அறிந்த உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருத்துவ நிர்வாகத்துறை அதிகாரி டாக்டர் தமிழ்ச்செல்வன் தலைமையிலான குழுவினர், சம்பவ இடத்துக்குச் சென்று விசாரணை நடத்தினர். விசாரணையில், ஜவ்வரிசியில் கலப்படம் செய்வதற்காக, மக்காச்சோள மாவு கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது தெரியவந்தது. அதை தொடர்ந்து, அந்த ஆலைக்கு, "சீல்' வைத்ததுடன், லாரியை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

Adulteration suspected: sago unit sealed

A sago unit was sealed by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (TNFSDAD) officials near Alanganatham Road Junction on Thuraiyur Road in Namakkal district on Thursday for allegedly adulterating sago with corn flour.

The action was initiated after a raid conducted by the officials.

பக்தர்களுக்கு பாக்கெட் தண்ணீர் விற்பனை செய்தால் நடவடிக்கை - உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் எச்சரிக்கை

பழநி, ஏப். 10: 

பழநியில் பா க்கெட் தண்ணீர் விற்பனை செய்பவர்கள் மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படுமென உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் மோகனரங்கம் எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளார். 

பழநி கோயிலில் வருடம் முழுவதும் தைப்பூசம், பங்குனி உத்திரம், வைகாசி விசாகம், நவராத்திரி, கந்த சஷ்டி என் திருவிழாக்கள் நடந்து கொண்டே இருக்கும். இதனை காண தமிழகத்தின் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் இருந்தும், வெளி மாநிலங்களிலிருந்தும் சாதாரண நாட்களில் 30 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் அதிகமான பக்தர்களும், திருவிழா நாட்களில் லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்களும் பழநி நகருக்கு வருவர். இவ்வாறு வரும் பக்தர்களிடம் விற்பனை செய்வதற்காக ஏராளமான சிறு கடைகள் பழநி நகரில் ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன. 

போதிய மழை இல்லாததால் பழநி நகரில் தற்போது கடும் குடிநீர் தட்டுப்பாடு நிலவுகிறது. இதனால் தற்போது கடைகளில் முறையான அனுமதி பெறாமல், சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் தயாரிக்கப்பட்ட பாக்கெட் தண்ணீர் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. பாக்கெட் ஒன்று ரூ.3க்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதால் பக்தர்கள் பாட்டில் தண்ணீருக்கு பதிலாக பாக்கெட் தண்ணீரையே அதிகளவு பயன்படுத்துகின்றனர். அதுபோல் டாஸ்மாக் பார்களிலும் பாக்கெட் தண்ணீர் விற்பனை அதிகளவு நடக்கிறது. இதுபோன்ற சுகாதாரமற்ற குடிநீரை உபயோகிப்பதால் நோய் பாதிப்பு ஏற்படுகிறது. 

இதுகுறித்து பழநி உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் மோகனரங்கத்திடம் கேட்டபோது , ‘பழநி நகரில் பாக்கெட் தண்ணீர் விற்பனைக்கு தடை உள்ளது. கடைகளில் ஆய்வு செய்யப்பட்டு, இதுபோன்ற தண்ணீர் பாக்கெட் விற்பனை செய்வது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டால் பாக்கெட்டுகள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டு, விற்பனையாளர் மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். கடந்த வாரம் நடந்த சோதனையில் 10 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்ட தண்ணீர் பாக்கெட்டுகள் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டு அழிக்கப்பட்டன’ என்றார். 

Food adulteration

General observation is that one of the reasons for more people contracting various types of ailments of digestive system, respiratory system, and diseases like arthritis, tuberculosis etc. is of adulterated and impure food items of daily consumption. Water, milk, cereals, pulses, oils, vegetables etc. are among the daily consumable articles for human beings. If these items are adulterated, it means our daily intake of adulterated food items will produce cumulative effect which leads to one or other anti-body formation only to cause a health problem. It is for this reason that administration takes various steps to ensure that food items are not adulterated.

Last year a case of food adulteration by a couple of leading food processing companies came to notice and it was given much media hype. Three companies in particular were mentioned, and these are M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Agro Food. Samples of food products of these companies were lifted and sent tor laboratory tests and the case was taken up by the court for prosecution. What happened to that episode is not known. More recently the Government has filed status report before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. According to this report out of 1663 food samples taken in Jammu division, 287 samples were found substandard, misbranded or unsafe. Out of 1405 samples taken from Kashmir division last year 344 samples were found substandard, misbranded and unsafe. Cases were processed against not all but only some of the defective samples and most cases the culprits were let off. Reacting on the status report, the Court has first of all touched on the issue of number of samples lifted from Srinagar district which is bare 351, no doubt far less keeping in mind the size of the population of Srinagar. The court is not convinced that this small number of samples can give a comprehensive picture of the level of adulteration in food item in the valley. Additionally, samples have been taken by the Srinagar Municipality Corporation officials and not a single sample has been taken by the Food Safety Authority. This and other declarations in the status report have disappointed the Divisional Bench which has asked the Food Safety Authority to file an affidavit why it has not obeyed and implemented the orders of the High Court. The understanding of the court is that functionaries who are required to implement the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 have not understood it properly and maybe it is one of the reasons why full implementation of the Act has not been undertaken.

From observations made by the court it appears that the Food Safety Department is not fully equipped with all the gadgets, machinery, manpower and other infrastructural requirements enabling it to discharge its functions efficiently. Actually this exposes the department to public criticism. Why has it been sleeping over these requirements and allowing food items to be adulterated by unscrupulous elements. The court has expressed its disappointment and anguishes on lack of sense of responsibility on the part of the Food Safety Department and has issued strict orders that prosecution of companies or persons indicated for food adulteration should be expeditiously resolved.

The point is that the Government cannot play with the health and welfare of the people in general. If the prosecution of the culprits of adulteration is delayed for one or the other reason, it indirectly means that the Government is not much concerned about the adulterate food items people are consuming on daily basis. With laboratory tests showing that some items are adulterated, what should immediately follow is that these items should be banned forthwith and the company blacklisted. Unless strict action is taken, there will be no stopping of the criminal activity of adulterating food. Thus one may appreciate the Government collecting samples and sending these for test to laboratories but why there is no follow up action is the point that needs to be highlighted. Are the food products manufacturing companies as powerful and influential as to subvert the public health and run away scot free? It is for the administration to deal with adulteration cases with speed and determination in the interests of the health of ordinary citizens.

FDA to file FIR after raiding STC company

Summary 

A day after the Maharashtra government extended the ban on sale and manufacture of gutkha and paan masala to include flavoured,scented and all other types of processed tobacco

A day after the Maharashtra government extended the ban on sale and manufacture of gutkha and paan masala to include flavoured,scented and all other types of processed tobacco,Food and Drugs Administration joint secretary Suresh Deshmukh said a raid on an STC trading company led to the seizure of scented tobacco worth Rs 1.75 lakh. 

The product,Chandan Mukwas,was being manufactured on the pretext of a mouth freshener, Deshmukh said. 

An FIR will be registered under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) and IPC. 

Under FSSA,a fine up to Rs 5 lakh can be levied and the offender can be imprisoned for up to six years.

Maharashtra is the only state that has banned scented and flavoured tobacco.

Certification deadline for peanut processing units extended to June 30

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the apex body for the promotion of exports, has extended the date for Indian peanut processing and exporting firms to obtain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification to June 30, 2014.

All peanut and peanut processing companies have to submit documentary evidence that they have obtained these certificates for exporting. APEDA stated that no further extension will be given for the certification. 

Earlier, the authority mandated that all peanut exporting units get the certification for HACCP to ensure safety with lesser contamination in the products exported. The strong safety and standard measures were taken by APEDA after several cautions from the European Union (EU), an important importer.

In March, EU published a audit report of its talks with India and assessment of Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts produced in India. European countries are an important importer of Indian peanuts products. It has made serious concerns over the peanuts from India due to its contamination lack of control over the processing units. 

EU recommended that India make all peanut farmers aware about the Aflotoxin contamination and work for its reduction. It also wanted India to control and scrutinise the vital processing methods of peanuts that would be exported to EU. In the audit report, EU has observed that contamination is high in level and need to be curbed by effective measures. 

The report upheld the measures taken by Indian exporting authorities, but wanted them to be implemented effectively. As per APEDA notifications, recognition of peanut and peanut processing (PPP) units would be mandatory for exports to both EU and non-EU countries. 

Vinitha Sudhanshu, assistant general manager, western region, APEDA, said, “Aflotoxin is a kind of fungal infection that affects the quality of peanut produced.” 

“Many countries have made the limit for Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts. As concerns raised by EU and other peanut-importing countries, APEDA set up different measures to control such contaminations and ensure quality,” she added. 

“Mandatory HACCP certification would ensure the contaminations are below the prescribed levels. The final dates for document submission is extended to ensure the smooth flow of procedures and in convenience of processing units,” Sudhanshu added.

“The units having FSSAI registration and licencing will have to follow Aflotoxin limits as per the norms of importing countries, and in the absence of any specified limits, they would have to follow Codex standards,” stated the report issued by R K Boyal, director, APEDA.

The first deadline was December 2013, which was further extended through Addendum-IV to March 2014. Due to technical reasons, and to help the processing companies to complete the procedures, APEDA has issued Addendum-V, which was signed by Boyal and stated that the date was extended to June.

All peanut processing units, including integrated peanut processing units, peanut shelling units, peanut grading units, peanut shelling-cum-grading units and peanut godowns and storage has asked to get its certifications. 

HACCP is a technique for preventing micro-biological, chemical and physical contamination along the food supply chain.

Stayed FSSAI product approval scheme hits dietary supplement importers

The ambiguous scheme of product approval has been stayed by the Bombay High Court for six months, but it is causing the dietary supplement, health supplement, functional food and nutraceutical industry harm. 

Since it was launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2012, its guidelines have been revised eight times. The last of these changes were made in May 2013. 

The stay order, meant to provide interim relief while decision on the product approval scheme is pending, has failed to revive the fading businesses of importers and manufacturers alike. 

The stay on product the approval process would continue until August 2014, but port authorities have been demanding product approvals from importers of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. 

The authorities refused to send the landed products for testing without the product approval. As a result, no clearance would be made for the import of goods in India. 

Jayesh Mehta, proprietor of the import firm Paradise Nutrition Inc, said, “We filed for the product approval application two years back, but there is no revert on it from the authorities. It has neither been processed, nor rejected or accepted. This has affected over 70 per cent of our business.” 

“Since September 2013, our imports have completely stopped, and we are struggling to stay afloat with the sale of old insufficient stock. We have the necessary licence required to import and do business, and as per the stay order, we should have been allowed to run the business during this while,” he added. 

India is a fast-growing nutraceutical and dietary supplement market owing to the increase in life expectancy and subsequent increase in lifestyle diseases. 

The industry is expected to grow rapidly in the next ten years [according to a 2010 report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Frost and Sullivan]. Yet, Indian players are suffering huge losses with many forced to shut down business. 

A large number of food business operators (FBO) are also exporting nutraceuticals and dietary supplements to developed markets like the United States and Europe, where there is no such product approval system. However, there are adversely affected by the uncertain regulatory regime in India. 

Leading industry associations after making several representations to FSSAI officials, intense discussions with its own members and open conferences with the stakeholders have found no direction or definite solution from the authorities on the issue of product approvals. 

FBO, however, through their associations are determined to find an effective way to resolve the prevailing issues and demand an independent body to help the cause.

Background

The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 was implemented in August 2010 and the FSSAI has framed regulations covering food products in August, 2011. 

In January 2012, FSSAI introduced a product approval system directing all FBO to obtain product approval before applying for the licenses under the Act, which provided automatic transition of existing licences under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (which preceded FSSA, 2006), but the regulations issued in 2011 provided for a one-year time limit, which has been extended several times with no conclusion.

It appears from these advisories that the initial thought was only to limit the requirement of product approval for novel foods that contain ingredients which are introduced for the first time in the country or which do not have a history of safe use. 

However, the scope of advisories was extended to cover all categories of products which are not standardised, even if they were old and established in the market.

Most of the FBO, including those who were producing proprietary foods for a long period of time, have applied for product approval by paying Rs 25,000 for each product applied, in order to transfer the licences of existing products under erstwhile licenses and regime to the new ones. 

However, due to the lack of clarity in implementation and the criteria adopted for such approvals, many of the FBO have been facing significant problems. The majority of them have not received product approvals and no-objection certificates (NOC), despite having applied for it over a year ago, thus making them unable to apply for licences. 

Following this, a writ petition was filed in the Bombay High Court against the advisories of product approval issued by FSSAI, for which proceedings are underway. So far, FSSAI has been unable to justify whether this power to release advisories has been passed before both the Houses of Parliament or not. 

Such arbitrary Acts by the food authorities has adversely affected various sectors of food industry, especially in the states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

The adverse effect has particularly been amplified due to interrupted operations in lieu of ultra vires advisory, leading to poor economics of the industry causing shut-downs and labour lay-offs. 

In the interim, on January 31, 2014, the Bombay High Court stayed the product approval advisory dated May 11, 2013 for a period of four weeks from February 4, 2014.

While the High Court extended the period for conversion of old licences by a period of eight weeks in an advisory issued recently, FSSAI extended the same by six months until August 2014.

Health officers raid bakeries in Kalamassery Municipality, seize items

Officials of Ernakulam’s District Health Department raided over a dozen bakery establishments in Kalamassery Municipality recently, upon receiving several complaints of food poisoning from citizens.

Kalamassery is a suburb of Kochi, and an important industrial area with heavy density of population. There are numerous labour camps in the suburb, where labour from different parts of the country work.

A S Nawas, health inspector, Kerala health department, said the shopkeepers and their staff failed to adhere to the hygiene norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. “The labour camps house more people than the prescribed number, and have fewer toilets,” he added. 

The raids were supervised by district medical officer Dr Haseena Mohammed and rural health officer P N Srinivas. Other health inspectors who conducted them included K P Santosh, P Sabu, M M Zakir and Rafiq Joseph. 

They seized and destroyed large amounts of illegal food items, stale bakery items and confectionery. Nawas said, “Shopkeepers were caught repacking and relabelling such items as halwa, chips and jalebi with new dates of manufacturing.” 

“Serious health concerns were raised about the confectionery and bakery items owing to the over-use of oil, which had turned black as a result,” he added. Students who consumed these items repeatedly suffered headaches. 

“A better level of awareness among students must be created to tackle such problems. While the health department is creating awareness programmes in schools and colleges, teachers and parents have a bigger role to play in the issue,” said Santosh.

The confectionery was manufactured and sold in small shops, but their production remains untraced. Following the issue of notices by the health department, the shopkeepers confessed to the malpractice, and promised not to repeat it.

Earlier this year, the District Health Department conducted Operation Hot Water wherein it raided over 500 hotelshotels and bakeries. Two establishments were shut down and notices were sent to over 100 outlets for violating the Act.

Juice stalls cautioned

The use of unsafe water and commercial ice to prepare fruit juices and cold drinks and rinsing of used glasses in unclean water by fruit juice stalls and wayside shops should be discouraged, the Food Safety Commissioner has said. The public may report such unsafe practices to the toll-free number of the Food Safety wing (1800 425 1125). In a statement here, the Food Safety Commissioner said that directives had been issued to respective officers to impose fines or suspend the registration/licences of shops which were found to be following unsafe practices.

பிளாஸ்டிக்கேன் குடிநீரில் புற்றுநோய் அபாயம்

தேனி: வெயில் படும் போது, பிளாஸ்டிக்கில் இருந்து தண்ணீருக்குள் செல்லும் "டயாக்ஸின்” நச்சுப்பொருளால், புற்றுநோய் உட்பட பல்வேறு நோய் அபாயம் ஏற்படுகிறது. எனவே வெயிலில் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களை வாங்கி குடிக்காதீர்கள், என்று டாக்டர்கள் எச்சரித்துள்ளனர்.

தற்போதைய சூழ்நிலையில், குடிநீர் முழுக்க பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களிலேயே விநியோகம் செய்யப்படுகிறது. கடைகளில் ஒரு லிட்டர், இரண்டு லிட்டர் பாட்டில்களிலும், வீடுகளுக்கு 20 லிட்டர் கேன்களிலும், சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. பிளாஸ்டிக் அபாயம் உணர்ந்த பெரிய கம்பெனிகள் தங்களது தயாரிப்புகளை அட்டைப்பெட்டிக்குள் அடைத்து பக்குவமான முறையில் சப்ளை செய்கின்றனர். கடைக்காரர்களுக்கு, அதன் அபாயம் புரியவில்லை. எனவே கேன்களை கடை முன் வெயிலில் அடுக்கி வைக்கின்றனர். அதேபோல் வீடுகளுக்கு சப்ளை செய்யப்படும், பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களையும் வேன்களில் ஏற்றி பல மணி நேரம் அந்த வேன்களை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தி விடுகின்றனர். பிரச்னை இங்கு தான் தொடங்குகிறது. வெயிலில், சில மணி நேரம் பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களை வைத்திருக்கும் போது, பிளாஸ்டிக்கில் இருந்து, "டயாக்ஸின்” என்ற நச்சுப்பொருள் வெளியேறி குடிநீரில் கலந்து விடுகிறது. இந்த நீரை குடித்தால், புற்றுநோய் உட்பட பல்வேறு நோய்கள் உடல் உபாதைகள் ஏற்படும், அபாயங்கள் உள்ளன.

இது குறித்து, டாக்டர் ராஜ்குமார் கூறியதாவது: "டயாக்ஸின்” நச்சுப்பொருள் பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களின் வெயில் படும் போதெல்லாம் உருவாகும். இந்த நச்சுப்பொருள் கேனின் தன்மைக்கும் தரத்திற்கும், ஏற்ப அதிகமாகவோ, குறைவாகவோ உருவாகும். எவ்வளவு நச்சு உருவானாலும், இதனை குடிப்பதால் ஆபத்து தான்.இதனால் பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களை வெயில் படாத இடங்களில் வைத்து பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும். நம்மிடம் அந்த கேன் வந்து சேரும் முன் பல மணி நேரம் வெயிலில் இருந்திருந்தால், அதற்கு யார் பொறுப்பு. அது நமக்கு தெரியாமல் போகும். எனவே முடிந்த அளவு பிளாஸ்டிக் கேன்களை தவிர்த்து விட்டு, கண்ணாடி அல்லது சில்வர் பாட்டில்களை பயன்படுத்துவது சிறந்தது.

அதேபோல், கார்களை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தியிருக்கும் போது, காருக்குள் இருக்கும் பிளாஸ்டிக்கில் இருந்து "பென்சீன்” என்ற வேதிப்பொருள் உருவாகி காருக்குள் உள்ள காற்றில் கலந்திருக்கும். நாம் காருக்குள் அமர்ந்து உடனே "ஏசி”யை ஆன் செய்து, கார் கதவுகளை மூடி விட்டால், அந்த நச்சு கலந்த காற்று வெளியேற வழியின்றி, நம் உடலுக்குள் சென்று பல்வேறு உபாதைகளை ஏற்படுத்தும். எனவே காரை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தினால், சிறிது நேரம் "ஏசி”யை ஆன் செய்து, காருக்குள் உள்ள நச்சு காற்று முழுவதும் வெளியேறும் வரை கதவுகளை திறந்து வைத்திருக்க வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு கூறினார்.

NOTIFICATION OF WEST BENGAL

Government of West Bengal
Health & Family Welfare Department
Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety
Swasthya Bhaban, GN – 29, Sector V
Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700091

No. 45/HF/CFS/1M-6/2012(Pt) Dated Kolkata, the 4th April 2014

NOTIFICATION

WHEREAS regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations 2011 made by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (i) of sub – section (2) of section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Central Act 34 of 2006) read with section 26 thereof, prohibits sale of articles of food in which tobacco and/or nicotine are used as ingredients, as they may be injurious to health;
AND WHEREAS, gutkha and panmasala are articles of food in which tobacco and/or nicotine are widely used as ingredients;
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to prohibit gutkha and panmasala in the State of West Bengal, being food products in which tobacco and/or nicotine are widely used as ingredients;
AND WHEREAS, 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 interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food in the whole of State, for a period of one year;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of gutkha and panmasala containing tobacco and/or nicotine as ingredients, by whatsoever name it is available in the market, is hereby prohibited for a period of one year with effect from the 1st day of May, 2014, in the State of West Bengal, in the interest of Public Health.

Sd/- Gautam Ghosh
Commissioner of Food Safety
West Bengal

அனைவரும் சாப்பிடலாம் ஆர்கானிக் ஃபாஸ்ட் ஃபுட்

குழந்தைகளை வெளியே அழைத்துச் சென்றால், முதலில் கேட்பது ஃபாஸ்ட் ஃபுட் எனப்படும் 'துரித உணவு’ வகைகளைத்தான். பரோட்டா மட்டுமே தெரிந்த கிராமப்புறங்களில் கூட, 'பாவ் பாஜி, பானி பூரி, நூடுல்ஸ்’ எல்லாம் இப்போது சக்கைப்போடு போடுகின்றன. காரணம், துரித உணவின் ருசி மற்றும் அதன் மணம். பெருகிவரும் இந்த இன்ஸ்டன்ட் உணவுக் கலாசாரத்தினால், மக்களின் ஆரோக்கியம் பாதிக்கப்படுவது தெரிந்தும்கூட இந்த 'ஜங்க் ஃபுட்’ ருசிக்கு அடிமையாகின்றனர் பலர். இந்த உணவுகளில், உடலுக்குத் தீங்கு விளைவிக்கும் நச்சுப்பொருள்கள்தான் அதிக அளவில் இருக்கின்றன. சுவைக்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படும் அதிகப்படியான உப்பு, சர்க்கரை, மாவுப்பொருள்கள் மற்றும் கொழுப்பு போன்றவை, உடல் பருமன், உயர் ரத்த அழுத்தம், சர்க்கரை, இதய நோய் போன்ற நோய்களை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடும். நுகர்வோரைக் கவர்வதற்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படும் செயற்கை ரசாயன நிறமூட்டிகளும் சுவையூட்டிகளும், அஜீரணத்தில் தொடங்கி அல்சர், புற்றுநோய் என பல ஆபத்துகளில் கொண்டுபோய்விடும் என்பது மருத்துவர்களின் எச்சரிக்கை! அதிலும், சின்னக் குழந்தைகள் இந்த 'ஃபாஸ்ட் புட்’ வகை உணவுகளை அதிகம் விரும்பி உண்பதால், அவர்கள் இளமையிலேயே நோய்வாய்ப்படுவதும் அதிகரித்துவருகிறது. 

கட்டாயம் தேவை கலர் ஃபுல் உணவு!

FSSAI guidelines for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products

Milk packaging has changed from the traditional methods to new innovative methods. Keeping the consumers’ convenience in view, the packaging is done in different types of impressive package containers. In 80s and 90s the milk used to be packed in glass bottles, but now we get it in impressive packaging materials and at present time, only a small proportion of glass bottles are being used in milk packaging.

Guidelines for Milk Packaging

The reason behind the change in packaging can be read as:

• Changing Life Style
• Demand of the consumers
• Ecological factors
• Cost of Production & Recycling

Despite having various choices available for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products, like Glass bottles, Plastic Bottles, Cans & Cartons and Pouches; Pouches are found more preferred. Reason behind this is that:-

 i) They are cheap 

ii) Convenient & Easy to Handle 

iii) Occupies less space

Thermoformed plastic bottle being used for Milk Packaging is considered of good quality because of its resistance to wide temperature range and UV rays, also they are highly stable. 

The dairy industry comprises of Livestock, Dairy Farming, Dairy Packaging & Product Distribution. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has laid down certain guidelines for the packaging of Milk & Milk Products. They are:

1) The heat-treated milk and milk product shall be carried out mechanically and the sealing of the containers shall be carried out automatically.

2) Only those containers could be reused for packaging of Milk & Milk products which can be used after thorough cleaning and disinfecting; others may be discarded.

3) Sealing of containers carrying Milk & Milk products shall be carried out in a place where the last heat-treatment of drinking milk or liquid milk-base products has been carried out. Immediately after filling the product, the container must be sealed properly sealed to avoid any adverse effects of external organisms on its characteristic. The sealing device shall be so that once the container has been opened, the evidence of the opening remains clear and easy to check.

4) Immediately after packaging, the dairy products shall be placed in the rooms provided for storage.

What all licenses are required to run a Restaurant business?

The restaurant industry is one of the fastest growing industry verticals in the recent times, reason being, people prefer to dine outside due to taste, preferences and the changing lifestyle. Restaurant business is a lucrative idea but one must thoroughly investigate the prerequisites to avoid legal complications.

If you are in the process of setting up a restaurant then you need to check the following licenses/NOCs issued from different regulatory bodies in order to comply with the norms:
Food License: It is one of the primary requirements to a obtain a license under FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. Every restaurant owner has to first register their business with FSSAI as running a restaurant business without a license will be treated as a legal offense and this would invite penalties. One can check the eligibility criteria for Registration, State Licensing & Central Licensing. Please refer the following link for Central Licensing Procedure. http://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/UserLogin/Login.aspx?
Health Trade License: The restaurant owner has to obtain a health / trade license which is issued by the municipal corporation or the health department of the concerned state.
License for Eating House: The restaurant owner has to apply for the Eating House License under the city/state police headquarters and the police commissioner – Licensing.is authorized to grant this license. In most of the cities the applicant can apply online for grant of the registration certificate. For Example in Delhi, one can apply through: (http://delhipolicelicensing.gov.in/eating/eating-house.htm#section1)
Fire Security Certificate: The restaurant premises should have proper fire security arrangements and for this one has to acquire NOC from the fire department. Once you apply, the inspection would be carried out and the decision will be taken by the officials of the Fire Department for the grant of the NOC.
Liquor/Bar license: The Liquor license L-4 (L-17 as per new excise rule) is required if Liquor is served in the restaurant. The Liquor license can be obtained from the Excise Commissioner of the city/region of the state. (http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_excise/Excise/Home/Licences/)
Approval/Re-Approval of Restaurants: If restaurants are looking to acquire L-4 license then they have to take prior approval from the department of Tourism of the Govt. of India in the concerned state.

1. Lift clearance: The restaurants with multi story building premises shall have to get clearance from the electrical inspector of the office of the labor commissioner, to ensure that the lift operations comply with the safety norms.
2. License for playing music/video: If recorded music or video is to be played in the premises then one has to obtain a license in compliance to the Copyright Act of 1957 and the license can be obtained from Phonographic Performance Limited or Indian performing Right Society. The links for your reference: http://www.pplindia.org/licctg.aspx, http://www.iprs.org/cms/
3. Environmental Clearance: A NOC from the pollution board of the city/state is required by the restaurants for ensuring that their activities are not violating pollution norms.
4. Insurances required: The restaurants have to take insurance for public liability, Product liability, fire policy & for building & Asset. Insurance policies can be obtained from any insurance company providing such insurances.
5. Signage license: Restaurants can obtain this license from the local civic bodies like Municipal Committee or City Corporation.
6. Shop & Establishment Act: Restaurants have to obtain license under the prescribed Act as applicable to the concerned state. 

It is the responsibility of the owner of the restaurant to meet all the requisites like obtaining licenses and their timely renewal.
* It is important to note here that all previous food laws & orders have been repealed and have been consolidated under one Act i.e. FSS Act, 2006. So if you are carrying a license issued under previous food laws then you have to transfer you license to the FSS Act and have to comply with the requirements & provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations.

Food business Operators to follow guidelines regarding displaying of FSSAI license and logo on the labels

In reference to the Notification of June 7, 2013, relating to the displaying of FSSAI License number and logo on the food product’s label, the apex body on food safety in India ‘FSSAI’ has issued the guidelines that the label of the food product shall carry FSSAI’s license number and logo. The judgement on the said notification was made on Oct. 31, 2013. 

There are some bogus food manufacturers who are selling substandard food items in the market and Food Safety Authority wanted to track the activities of the such food business operators and to ensure the safety of the people. The effective date to comply the latest guideline is July 1, 2014, beyond which the food business operators would be penalized. 

The 14 digits license number will keep a strict check on the activities of the FBOs and would further ensure the safety of the consumers. The consumers can now complain to the regulatory bodies on the basis of the license number mentioned on the labels of the food products. For a food business operator who has an annual turnover of more than 12 lacs, is required to obtain a license in order to do business in India. For imported food products, the importer shall display; the FSSAI Logo, his (importer’s) license number along with the name and the address on a sticker to be affixed on the label for the customs clearance. 

As per FSSAI’s latest guidelines: 

The FSSAI logo and the license number of the brand owner shall be displayed on the label of a food package in the color that is in contrast to the background in case of multiple units (Manufacturer/packer/relabeller/marketer)

The height of the letters and the numeral of license number shall be as prescribed in 2.3.3 as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) regulation, 2011.

பெட்டிக்கடை, பேக்கரியில் சுகாதாரத்துறையினர் ஆய்வு

ஜலகண்டாபுரம், ஏப்.6: 

ஜலகண்டாபுரம் பஸ்நிலையத் தில் உள்ள கடைகளில் சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நேரில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண்டு பொது இடங்களில் புகைபிடித்த நபர்கள் மற்றும் புகை பிடிக்க ஊக்குவித்த கடைக்காரர்களுக்கு அபராதம் விதித்தனர். 

சேலம் மாவட்டம் ஜலகண்டாபுரத்தில் மாவட்ட சுகாதாரத்துறை துணை இயக்குநர் ஜெகதீஸ்குமார் உத்தரவின் பேரில் பஸ் நிலைய கடைகளில் சோ தனை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட் டது. நேர்முக உதவியாளர் பன்னீர்செல்வம் தலைமை யில் நங்கவள்ளி வட்டார மருத்துவ அலு வலர் நித்யா, சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் செல்வராஜ், ஆயிரம், சக்ரவர்த்தி, பால்ராஜ், ராஜன் ஆகியோர் ஜலகண்டாபுரம் பஸ் நிலைய பகுதிகளில் உள்ள கடைகளில் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். 

ஆய்வின்போது கடை களில் விற்பனைக்காக வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த காலாவதியான உணவுப்பொருட்கள், தயாரிப்பாளர் முகவரி மற்றும் பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட தேதி இல்லாத உணவுப்பொருட் கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டு அழிக்கப்பட்டது. மேலும் பொது இடங்களில் புகைபிடித்த நபர்கள் மற்றும் புகை பிடிக்க ஊக்குவித்த கடைக்காரர்கள் ஆகியோருக்கு மொத்தம் 

2 ஆயிரத்து 500 அபராதம் விதித்தனர். மேலும் தரமில்லாத உணவுப்பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது என கடைக்காரர் களை அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரித்தனர். மேலும் இது குறித்து அதிகாரிகள் பொதுமக்களிடையே விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தி கடைகளில் காலாவதியான பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்துவோர் பற்றி தக வல் அளிக்கலாம் என்றனர். 

ஜலகண்டாபுரத்தில்

சேலம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை கடத்திய கேரள வாலிபர் கைது

சேலம், ஏப்.6: 

சேலத்தில் இருந்து ரயில் மூலம் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பாக்கெட்டுகளை கேரளாவுக்கு கடத்த முயன்ற வாலிபரை ரயில்வே போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர். 

நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தலையொட்டி வாக்காளர்களுக்கு கொடுப்பதற்காக பணம் மற்றும் பரிசு பொருட்களை ரயில்களில் கடத்தி வருகின்றனரா? என கண்காணிக்கும் படி ரயில்வே போலீசாருக்கு தேர்தல் ஆணையம் உத்தரவிட்டது. இதைத் தொடர்ந்து மாநிலம் முழு வதும் ரயில்வே போலீசா ரும், ரயில்வே பாதுகாப்பு படையினரும் இணைந்து தனிப்படை அமைத்து, ரயில் பயணிகளிடம் சோதனை நடத்தி வருகின்றனர். 

சேலம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் மணிகண்டன் தலைமையில் ஏட்டுகள் பாரதிராஜா, தங்கராஜ் மற்றும் போலீசார் அடங்கிய தனிப்படையினர் நேற்று அதிகாலை, பயணிகளின் உடமைகளை சோதனையிட்டனர். 3வது பிளாட்பாரத்தில் ஐதராபாத்& திருவனந்தபுரம் செல்லும் சபரி எக்ஸ்பிரசில் ஏறுவதற்காக ஏராளமான பயணிகள் நின்றிருந்தனர். அதில், சந்தேகப்படும்படியாக இருந்த வாலிபர் ஒருவர் வைத்திருந்த பேக்கை போலீசார் சோதனையிட்டனர். அதற்குள் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட 150 புகையிலை பாக்கெட் பண்டல்கள் குவியலாக இருந்தது. இதன் மதிப்பு ரூ.20 ஆயிரம். 

உடனே அதை பறிமுதல் செய்து, அந்த வாலிபரிடம் போலீசார் தீவிர விசாரணை நடத்தினர். விசாரணையில் அவர், கேரள மாநிலம் திருச்சூரை சேர்ந்த சதீசன் (34) என்பது தெரிந்தது. சேலம் சூரமங்கலம் பகுதியை சேர்ந்த ரமேஷ் என்பவரிடம் இருந்து தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பாக்கெட் க்ஷ்டுகளை வாங்கிக்கொண்டு, திருச்சூர் செல்வதற்காக சபரி எக்ஸ்பிரசுக்கு காத்திருந்தது தெரியவந்தது. பின்னர் கைதான சதீசனையும், கைப்பற்றப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்க ளையும் சேலம் உணவு கடத்தல் தடுப்பு பிரிவு போலீசாரிடம் ஒப்படைத்தனர். 

சேலம் ஜங்ஷன் ரயில் நிலையத்தில், தடை செய்யப்பட்ட ஹான்ஸ் பாக்கெட்டுகளை திருச்சூருக்கு கடத்த முயன்ற கேரள வாலிபரை போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர். 

631 samples fail to food safety, Govt lets off adulterators

Source of milk sold in market not known

Srinagar, Apr 7:In a criminal act, the Food Safety Department of the Government is playing with the lives of the people as the companies, whose 631 food samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe across the State last year, have either been let off or prosecution has not at all been launched against them.

A status report filed by the Government before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court reveals that that out of 1663 food samples taken in Jammu division, 287 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 200 samples and the accused have been let off in most of the cases.

The status report revealed that in Kashmir division, out of 1405 food samples taken last year, 344 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe and prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused and majority of them have been let off.

The status report said that 3068 food samples have been lifted during last year, with 1663 samples lifted from Jammu division and 1405 from Kashmir division of the State.

The High Court after perusal of the status report observed that the number of samples taken from Srinagar district is 351, which far below as the district has huge population.

The bench observed that food safety officer of SMC has lifted 351 samples while food safety officer of Food Safety Authority has not lifted even a single sample in Srinagar district. The Court has directed the Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of court orders.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising, Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today pulled up the Government officials and companies for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Court directed the officials to implement the act in its letter and spirit and asked them to pull up their socks and hone up the machinery without showing any leniency.

The court directed that officials of the Food Safety Department to speed up lifting and analysis of samples of food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.

The bench observed: “A cursory look at the status report would reflect lack of understanding of provisions of the act and machinery envisioned under the Act on part of respondents.”

The court expressed its anguish over the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards not making the Act operational as large number of posts are vacant in the department.

The court directed the in charge food analysis laboratory both at Jammu and Srinagar to submit information regarding capacity of laboratories, machinery and manpower. It has directed them to initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.

The court while expressing disappointment over functioning of the Government regarding the Food Safety observed: “In case of companies like M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Zum Zum, Snow Cap, Haleeb, the number of samples lifted is less than five during the year, and samples lifted during 2013 is far less with regard to population of State and volume of food items sold and consumed. The overall performance of the staff, therefore, is dismal and disappointing.”

Regarding the compliance report about lifting of samples on regular bases of M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Agro Food the court observed: “Compliance does not give the dates when samples were lifted, so as to enable the Court to find out whether samples were lifted once in a week or not.”

Compliance report reveals that prosecution has been launched against three companies – M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Spices – in the court of Munsiff Budgam, CJM Anantnag, and Municipal Magistrate Srinagar respectively.

The Court directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a committee of three to four experts with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Dairy Expert, Dairy Technologist from SKUAST and former District and Sessions Judge, Abdul Wahid, as its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/s Khyber Agro Milk. The court has asked for a comprehensive report.

The direction came after counsel for M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Advocate Zaffar Shah, informed the court that the company does not have a dairy farm and the milk and milk products are processed in the milk processing unit of the company and what is sold in the market is processed milk.

The court in response observed: “The statement made raises a number of important issues whether M/s Khyber Agro Farms has a milk processing plant confirming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk, whether company has a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder.”

Court directed the companies to inform the general public through print media that the milk sold by them is not pure cow milk but processed milk. “As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro Farms and other companies, is pure cow milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms and other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the sources of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed”, the court order reads.

High Court wants Expert Committee to investigate Khyber Agro Milk Farms

SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Division Bench of High Court has directed Commissioner, Food Safety, to constitute committee of experts to inspect milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms and submit detailed report.

Division Bench of the court comprising of Justice Hasnain Masoodi and D S Thakur directed that the committee shall comprise of deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and Diary experts/diary technologists from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.

Experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing, the bench said. Committee has been tasked to file its report elucidating whether Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and Buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed.

In other direction, Division bench directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in place as on date in implementation of the Food Safety Act, to pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.

Respondents shall submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014 to i-e that is first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken, court said.

Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu, the Division bench said, shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.

Commissioner Food Safety shall file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014. Division bench said in order to further clarify previous direction, it is directed that only 05 samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the state.

"We modify direction dated 13th February 2014 to the extent it requires forwarding one pan of the sample to Referral laboratory. The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate. 

Food business operators/dealer, therefore, shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory."

As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow's milk, the court directed, respondents -M/s Khyber Agro milk Farms and also other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by diem is not pure cow's milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.

The respondents, the division bench said, shall give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act and that none amongst the Proprietors/Directors etc. of the company(ies) required to be arrayed accused in terms of the Act, ate shielded and complaints filed only against lower rung employees of the company(ies).

"Respondents shall initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, vacant as on date and file status report regarding state of selection process," the division bench said. Division bench directed respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.

Earlier official respondents filed status report, indicating that out of 1663 samples lifted in Jammu Division, 287 have been found substandard/misbranded/unsafe. Prosecution, however, has been launched only in respect of 200 samples. The action taken in respect of 87 samples is not explained. Again in most of the cases, accused have been let off with fine unmindful of the fact that the Act prescribes minimum punishment and punishment below minimum is not permissible under law.

In Kashmir Division, Out of 1405 samples 344 samples have been found substandard /misbranded/ unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused. 

‘Inspect milk processing units in Kashmir’ - High Court Directs Commissioner Food Safety

Srinagar, Apr 7: The J&K High Court Monday directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a panel of experts to inspect the milk processing unit of Khyber Agro Milk Farms and file a comprehensive report by the next date of hearing on April 28.

A division bench of High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice D S Thakur passed the direction on a Public Interest Litigation after perusing the status reports and hearing the parties. 

“Commissioner Food Safety shall constitute a committee of three to four experts, with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Diary Expert/Diary Technologist from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place. The experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing,” the division bench said.

The court asked the Food Safety Officers and other concerned officials to pull up socks, hone up the machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State “without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.”

The concerned authorities have been directed to submit a comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014, indicating number of samples referred to Notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the results of analysis and action taken.

The court said the In-charge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories to analyze samples and the number of samples the two laboratories can handle in a year, having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.

To further clarify the previous order, the court said it is directed that only five samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and analyzed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the State.

“If one sample in the first week is taken from each of the Districts A, B, C, D & E, in the following week, five samples shall be taken from each of other districts F, G, H, I & J. Same pattern shall be followed in respect of M/s Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/s Kanwal Agro Food Industries and other companies i.e. Snow Cap, Amul, Surya, Haleeb, Zum Zum etc. engaged in distribution, marketing of milk and milk products. Commissioner, Food Safety, shall issue instructions as regards pattern to be followed by Food Safety Officers. The direction, however, is not to be interpreted as one directing respondents to restrict sampling only to aforesaid companies. They shall continue to lift samples from all other food items for analysis,” the court said, while citing an illustration.

Modifying order dated 13th February 2014, the court directed the respondents that while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the State. 

The court said the food business operator/dealer shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited Laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory.

Besides, the court directed the concerned authorities to give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/s Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act.

It asked the concerned authorities whether the Proprietors/Directors of the companies required to be arrayed as accused in terms of the Act, are shielded and complaints are filed only against lower rung employees of the companies.

“As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow’s milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms as also all companies engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk,” the court said. “They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.”

The court asked the respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by these companies in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.

Commissioner Food Safety has been directed to file an affidavit explaining reason for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014.

Petitioners’ were represented by Advocate S M Ayoub while respondents were represented by Advocates Z A Shah, F A Mir and Shuja-ul- Haq Tantray (GA).

Packed milk not pure cow milk: HC asks cos’ to tell people

Srinagar: The packed milk sold in Jammu and Kashmir is not pure cow milk but processed one, the J&K High Court has directed companies marketing it to inform general public.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Justices Hasnain Massodi and Dhiraj Singh Thakur also directed Commissioner, Food Safety, shall constitute a committee of three to four experts to visit M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms and file a detailed report about it.

“As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/S Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow’s milk, (they) shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk,” the bench said.

The companies, court said, shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.

The direction by the court followed submission by senior advocate Z A Shah, representing that his clients—owners of M/S Khyber Milk Farms—do not have a diary farm and that milk and milk products it markets are processed in the processing unit run by the company.

Advocate Shah stated that none of the companies in the state and in particular in Kashmir division runs a diary farm and what is sold in the market is processed milk.

Advocate Shah further stated that M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms imports Buffalo milk from outside, mixes it with cow’s milk, produced locally from the farmers in some areas of Pulwama district and makes the milk homogenous in its milk plants, to maintain ratio of fats and solid non-fats (SNF) components.

He said that when milk production in the area is more than the milk marketed, the excess milk is converted into milk powder and used in a season with less production to maintain ratio between production and demand.

“The statement (by advocate shah) raises a number of important issues. Whether M/S Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed and whether residents have a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder, and whether milk and milk powder is used within its shelf life and steps taken to ensure that milk powder is stored in prescribed manner before its use,” the court observed.

In this background, the bench directed Commissioner, Food Safety, to constitute committee of three to four experts to inspect milk processing unit run by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms and submit a detailed report.

The committee, the bench said, shall comprise of Deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and diary experts or technologists from SKUAST; Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.

“The experts shall submit comprehensive report on by next date of hearing,” the bench added.

The court was hearing the PIL—Sheikh Ayoub Vs State— seeking implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 (FSSA) to check food adulteration in the state.

The bench also directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in implementation of the Food Safety Act to “pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.”

The court also directed the government to submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from January 1 to till date—first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified laboratories/referral laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken.

“Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.”

In another direction, the bench directed Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for “disobedience” of order on February 13 last.

In order to further clarify previous direction, the court directed that only five samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by food analyst and an accredited laboratory outside the state.

“(For example) if one sample in the first week is taken from each of the districts A, B, C, D and E, in the following week five samples shall be taken from each of the districts i-e F, G, H. I and J. Same pattern shall be followed in respect of M/S Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/S Kanwal Agro Food industries and other companies i-e Snow Cap, Amul Surya, Haleeb, Zum Zum etc engaged in distribution, marketing of milk and milk products.”

The Commissioner Food Safety, bench said, shall issue instructions as regard pattern to be followed by Food Safety Officers.

The direction, however, is not to be interpreted as one directing respondents to restrict sampling only to aforesaid companies. “They shall continue to lift samples from other food items for analysis.”

The court modified its direction on February 13 last to the extent it requires forwarding one part of the sample to Referral laboratory.

“The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate.”

The food business operators/dealer, court said, shall therefore, continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by accredited laboratory.

“In case of variance, (they can) even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory.”

The court also directed government initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Food Safety Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.

“Respondents shall submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by M/S Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/S Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and M/S Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated February 13,” the court said and posted the case for further consideration on April 28.

Food Safety officials plan drive against spurious cool drinks

Come summer, people flock towards one or the other of the numerous soft drinks lured by the ubiquitous commercials and a need to the beat the unbearable heat. This year, as the city faces a heat wave more intense than any in recent years, soft drinks sales are sure to go through the roof.

However, Food Safety Wing officials are urging the local populace to be cautious owing to the proliferation of spurious drinks being sold in the bottles of major soft drink brands. 

A senior official told The Hindu here on Saturday that the Food Safety Wing would soon launch a drive against spurious drinks, mainly sold on roadside shops and eateries. 

The public must remain vigilant even while consuming branded soft drinks in 500 ml/one/two litres PET bottles, as the shelf life was now only two-and-a-half month from the earlier six months. This change was effected after the Food Safety and Standards Act came into force. The shelf life for soft drinks sold in glass bottles, which are sterilised, was six months.

Most shopkeepers in rural areas failed to check the product for the expiry date, either by design or mostly because of negligence. However, under the FSSA, they were liable to face heavy fines and possible imprisonment for selling food products that had crossed the expiry date, the official added. 

Major soft drink companies have been instructed to keep a close watch on their supply chain to prevent their bottles from being misused. They have also been told to watch out for decline in orders. This could indicate that retailers in that area were buying spurious drinks, which were cheaper, the officials said.

The public were also warned against consuming soft drinks sold in sachets, as they were likely to have been prepared in unhygienic conditions. 

A senior official said that freshly-prepared juices were among the best options for people looking to stay healthy and dehydration. 

The food safety wing took periodical samples of fruits, vegetables and soft drinks following a Supreme Court directive to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in October 2013.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS