Health Dept raids sweets shops Issues directions to shop owners to adhere to guidelines on food safety

Chandigarh, October 11
In view of the festive season, teams of the UT Health Department today conducted raids at around a dozen sweets shops in the city and destroyed sweets and other items in quintals.
The drive was meant to issue directions to the sweets shop owners to adhere to the food safety guidelines else strict action will be taken against them.
The drive was conducted under the supervision of Additional Secretary (Health) SK Setia.
The health officials issued challans to the owners of two sweets shops in Mani Majra, including the owner of Panna Halwai and Shivam Sweets in Mani Majra after unhygienic conditions were found in their shops during the raid.
Raids were also conducted at sweets shops in Pulsora, Ram Darbar, Industrial Area and Darua village. A total of four teams were designated for the purpose to raid various sweets shops.
The team also raided Chandigarh sweets in Darua village and Aggarwal sweets in the same area.
Infected almonds were destroyed at Aggarwal Sweets and directions were issued to the owner to adhere to food safety standards. Barfi with excess synthetic colour and flies were also detected at various shops and instructions were then issued and sweets destroyed.
The team destroyed 15 kg ‘rasgullas’ and another 10 kg of sweets at the shops.
Around 50 kg of sweets, found to be cooked in unhygienic conditions, were also destroyed during a raid at Gobind Sweets in Ram Darbar.
As the festive season takes off, the Food Safety Cell of the UT Health Department is keeping an eye on all major sweet manufacturers in the city.
Under Epidemic Diseases Act, u/s 2, health officials are empowered to take immediate steps to ensure safety of residents by taking precautionary measures. Health officials are empowered to destroy food articles on-the-spot, which are exposed to dust and flies and prepared in unhygienic conditions.
The department has further warned the shop owners of action if they fail to maintain hygiene in future.
As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, cases of adulteration and labelling fall under the categories of substandard and misbranded food, while the use of synthetic and major adulterated products, including harmful chemicals fall under the unsafe category.
“The surprise checks will continue till the end of the festive season” said a food inspector.
CRACKING THE WHIP
Health officials issued challans to the owners of two sweets shops in Mani Majra.
Raids were also conducted at sweets shops in Pulsora, Ram Darbar, Industrial Area and Darua village.
The drive was conducted under the supervision of Additional Secretary (Health) SK Setia.

Special food adulteration drive on Karwachauth

Jammu, Oct 11 : A special drive was launched against adulteration in commonly used food items today, especially on the eve of Karwachauth by the team of Food Safety Officers of Jammu Municipal Corporation under the supervision of Health Officer Dr. Mohd. Saleem Khan. Teams inspected various food establishments like hotels, restaurants, provisional stores, food stalls, sabzi vendors, fruit Juice corners / vendors, tea stalls, ice cream corners, etc. in different areas falling within the limits of Jammu Municipal Corporation. During the round the team lifted 6 different kind of food samples and sent it to food analyst for analysis to ascertain its standard of purity. Al the food business operators were also directed not to sell any type of unhygienic food not conforming to prescribed quality & standards which can put the public health to danger, otherwise stringent action under Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 will be taken against the defaulters.

2 months on, majority of food vendors yet to be registered

Even as two months have passed since the deadline for food registration and licensing expired, more than 40% vendors in the district are yet to get registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which has been made mandatory for selling eatables.
The state government’s deadline of August 4, as notified to all district health officials, to assure the registration of food sellers has expired since. But several vendors are still unmindful to the registration.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has made it mandatory for all food business operators, including producers, processors, transporters or traders of food items, to get license and registration certificates.
A food seller with an annual turnover of up to `12 lakh has to pay `100 per year to get registered, while food business owners who have an annual turnover of over `12 lakh have to get license by paying `2,000 per annum.
It has been learnt that only 550 eateries have got licences in Kapurthala district while about 3,200 vendors got registered with the department.
To make easy the process of registration, the authorities concerned had recently started an online facility at the Kapurthala suwidha kendra to get registered instantly.
An applicant can also avail the online facility from his home by logging on to www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in’ and get registered. After this, the applicant has to fill the form for registration or issuance of licence and upload scanned copies of the required documents and submit fee.
In Kapurthala district, only 110 people have availed the online service since it was started.
Dr Guriqbal Singh, district health officer, said they are trying to get 100% registrations under the Food Security Act and the department has given 15 more days to those who have yet to get registered.
“We will wait till October 15 and then cases will be lodged with the chief judicial magistrate. Strict action will be taken against the defaulters,” the district health officer said.
Those who will fail to register their food outlets would face fine up to Rs. 6 lakh or six-month imprisonment, or both, he added.

Drive to check food adulteration by sweet shops

To check supply of adulterated sweets and milk items during the festive season, the Department of Food Safety will start a special checking drive from Monday. A team of four department officers will inspect manufacturing units of sweets and confectioners to check the purity of items prepared by them, said Dehradun Food Safety officer Anoj Kumar Thapliyal on Saturday.
Thapliyal said he has chalked out a plan for the festive season. The department officials will start conducting drive from October 13.
This will cover manufacturing units of sweets and shops. The officials will monitor preparation techniques and also keep a close watch over hygiene and precautions maintained by the manufacturers. The officials will be directed to take samples of milk and the milk by- products which are in great demand during the festive season.
During the festive season, the officers will be deployed at different places, including Vikasnagar Sahaspur, Chakrata, Doiwala, Dehradun city and Rishikesh.
After collecting the samples, they would send the food items to Food and Drug Testing Laboratory (FDTL), Rudrapur to have their purity checked. But as the machines meant for the purpose are not working for some time the State Government may send the collected samples to other states, including Himachal Pradesh, through the unit in Rudrapur, it is learnt.
Moreover, shortage of office staff and lack of vehicles with the department officials are negatively impacting the execution of the Food Security and Standards Act. Dehradun being the State capital and one of the big cities of Uttarakhand, the department needs at least 10 food safety officers to conduct the inspections in various manufacturing units. But only four officers are deputed to do the work presently. “Despite this, we would not be found wanting as far as implementation of the Act in the district is concerned,” he added.
Thapliyal further said that in the last one year, the department had collected 70 samples of food items from the restaurants, milk dairy, shops and other manufacturing units in the district, out of which around 30 samples were found to be unsafe or sub-standard or misbranded or containing extraneous things. The matter keeps pending in the court.
The penalty is being imposed on the food business operators who are manufacturing articles of food containing ingredients or substances which are not safe as per the said Act.
Department has issued 14, 00 licenses to the business operators whose annual turnovers are more than Rs12 lakh while around 6500 shopkeepers whose annual turnovers are less than Rs12 lakh got registered in the department.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is enforced on all food business undertakings- profit, non-profit, public and private- carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, import, sale, transportation and distribution of food.

Ajay Traders fined Rs 2 lakhs for adulterated oil seized on June 9

IMPHAL, October 11: The Court of Adjudicating Officer (Food Safety)/Additional district Magistrate Imphal East has imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh penalty against M/s Ajay Traders for violating food safety norms and adulteration of food products.
Ajay Traders owned by Mulchand of Thangal Bazar was identified as the owner of adulterated edible mustard oil and betel nuts worth around Rs 50 lakh seized by a joint team of the Food Safety and Narcotics and Affairs of Border from a private godown at Khambam Lamkhai consignment earlier on June 9.
According to an order copy released by the Adjudicating Officer (Food Safety)/ADM Imphal, Somorjit Salam, the proprietor of Ajay Traders has been directed to deposit the fine under the Health department within seven days from the date of passing the order failing which the amount would be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
The court also directed the concerned food safety officer to dispose of the seized items by ways of destroying at a suitable place and expenditure if any in disposing the seized items shall be borne by the M/s Ajay Traders.
M/s Ajay Traders, if it wishes to continue the business should get itself registered and licensed with the designated officer Food Safety Officer, Imphal East, stated the order.
And once the firm is registered, the ban imposed on their business will be lifted for operation, it continued.
The court said that based on facts and documentary evidence on record submitted by the Food Safety officers Imphal East, the proprietor of the Ajay Traders against whom a case has been lodged (case no. 01/AO(FS)/ADM (IE)-2014), under the Food Security Act, 2006 has committed offence of storing edible mustard oil in violation of Section 26(2)(i)(ii)(iii) & 5 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and also violated regulation 2.2.1(6) of Food Safety and Standards (Food products standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

DAILY THANTHI NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

Food business operators asked to ensure quality

Ahead of Deepavali, Collector M. Ravikumar has instructed food business operators to ensure quality. With just eleven days left for the festival, eateries selling sweets and bakeries are busy preparing several varieties. All food business operators should get registered and obtain licence from Food Safety Officers under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). The packed food items should mandatorily possess labels mentioning its name, full address of manufacturer, manufacturing date, shelf life and expiry date and should be categorised as vegetarian or non-vegetarian, he said here on Thursday. Consumers should look for these details while buying food products. The ready-to-eat food items should be covered properly so as to keep them free from flies. For any complaint, consumers could reach the Designated Food Safety Officer, FSSA and stern action would be taken against violation of norms, the Collector said. 

M. Jagadis Chandrabose, Designated Food Safety Officer, said that as many as 17, 659 food business operators, including 13, 696 private units and 3, 963 government enterprises, were functioning across the district. Out of them, 8, 194 operators, whose annual turnover was below Rs.12 lakh, had registration certificates and 962 operators, whose annual turnover was above Rs.12 lakh, had obtained licences from food safety officers.

200kg of adulterated tea seized

TRICHY: Despite repeated seizure of adulterated tea in the city, the harmful powders continue to thrive in shops that are situated on the border villages of the district. On Friday, officials of the food safety wing seized 200kg of adulterated tea powder from two tea shops in Lalgudi Bus Stand and Pullambadi Bus Stand. However, the manufacturers of such adulterated tea powder still elude the officials.

"During our visit to those areas, we checked the tea powders delivered by an unidentified person in both the areas. The tea powder was of inferior quality. The spot test confirmed adulteration in the tea powder. However, we are yet to get the results from the lab to confirm whether colouring agent mixed in the powder is harmful. If it is found harmful, the shop owners will be prosecuted," Dr A Ramakrishnan, designated officer (DO) told TOI.

Officials said the total seizure of adulterated tea powder in the city was around 500kg this year on a rough estimate.

"Today's (Friday) was the major catch of this year. Normally, we seize tea powders in small quantity from tea shops. The shop owners are not aware of the key persons behind the manufacturing of the adulterated tea powders. In today's (Friday) case also, we got a mobile number of the supplier but it remained switched off," said the DO.

Going by the previous seizures, the adulterated tea powders were made of used tea powders and colouring agents.

The manufacturers of adulterated tea powders mainly target rural areas of the district to avoid getting caught by the officers. Moreover, rural people are not aware of the consequences of consuming adulterated tea. Officials caution that continuous consumption of tea made of adulterated tea may lead to cancer.

"The adulterated tea powder has carcinogenic agent which can cause cancer. So, the consumers should be cautious about the colour of the tea. It is advisable to avoid tea in dark colour," said Dr Ramakrishnan.

State FDAs launch drives to check adulteration prior to festive season

The food and drug administrations of a few states launched drives to curb adulteration, a rampant practice during the festive season. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra conducted raids, and seized about 6,000kg of spurious mawa a few days prior to Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja.
When quizzed about the raid and seizure of adulterated mawa, Amit Deshmukh, Maharashtra’s minister of state for food and drug administration, said, “In view of the festive season, FDA Maharashtra started conducted the raids in August 2014, and has so far seized mawa worth Rs 13.49 lakh from across the state.”
“By mid-September, the state FDA had collected about 66 samples and sent them for testing. We are awaiting the reports. After the crackdown on adulterated mawa, we directed the state FDA to continue conducting raids until Christmas,” he added, urging people to take precautions while buying sweets or mawa during the festive season.
Deshmukh said, “We appeal to the people to buy only the amount of sweets or mawa that is required during the festive season, and keep the same refrigerated. If people find anything amiss in the sweets they buy or consume, they should approach FDA Maharashtra at the earliest.”
Gujarat
H G Koshia, commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat, said, “The use of adulterated mawa to make sweets is on the rise during the festive season. However, in Gujarat, we are conducting a special drive to check adulteration. We have deployed over 300 food safety officers (FSO) for the purpose.”
“However, of all the samples tested in Gujarat, only four per cent were found to be adulterated. Hence, the quality of food prepared in the state is better than most other states in the country,” he added.
Assam
L R Nampui, joint commissioner, commissionerate of food safety, Assam, said, “Before the festive season, we planned to launch a drive against food adulteration. It is a fact that the mawa and milk used to make sweets during the festive season are adulterated, because at this time, the demand for certain items increases, but its supply is limited.”
“Our officials would be collecting samples of ghee, oil, mawa, sweets and paneer, and sending these to the laboratory for testing. During Diwali, the demand for milk increases, and our officials would be keeping tabs on its supply, because the chances of adulteration are brighter. Sub-standard and adulterated food items could cause stomach ailments,” he added.
“The Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, defined unsafe food as an article whose nature, substance or quality is so affected as to render it injurious to health,” Nampui said.
He added, “The laws are stricter now, and those involved in adulteration would be punished. Anyone found manufacturing, selling or storing such unsafe foods would be liable to pay a penalty ranging between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, and sentenced to imprisonment for a term ranging between six months and life.”

UT ADMIN CRACKS DOWN ON FOOD ADULTERATION

Gearing up to prevent food adulteration during this festive season, the UT Administration has begun an intensive checking drive in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
A team of the UT Food Safety & Standards Authority, UT Health Department has been constituted to conduct preventive checks in the city.During Thursday’s inspection across the city, about 200 kgs of Matthi, Cream Rolls, Balu Shahi, Cream, Vanaspati Ghee and Maida which were kept exposed to dust and flies and were unfit for human consumption were destroyed under Epidemic Diseases Act in the city.
A spokesperson of the UT Administration said that a joint team comprising food safety officers Bharat Kanojia and Surinder Pal Singh conducted a raid on October 9 under the supervision of Dr KS Rana, designated officer in view of the ongoing festive season to check the purity of sweets and khoya products in Chandigarh.
The team inspected the areas of Sector 14, Manimajra, Pipliwala Town, Gobindpura, Indira Colony, Shanti Nagar and the area around the Railway Phatak, said the spokesperson.After inspection, the team took four samples of Khoya, Besan Laddoo, Gulab Jamun and Rasgulla Sweets.
The spokesperson said that the Administration has already issued warning to shopkeepers and vendors to refrain from activities like food adulteration. If any shopkeeper or vendor is found selling adulterated food, strict action will be taken against them under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and under Section 2 of the epidemic diseases Act 1897 (Central Act No.III of 1897).
The UT Administration has also directed all food business operators to maintain proper hygiene of their premises while preparing and selling of sweet meals.

Health Dept destroys 200 kg of sweets

Chandigarh, October 9
A team of the UT Health Department took four samples of sweets and destroyed 200 kg of sweets found exposed to flies and dust.

Following directions issued by the Additional Secretary (Health), a joint team, comprising food safety officers Bharat Kanojia and Surinder Pal Singh, conducted a raid under the supervision of Dr KS Rana, designated officer, in view of the ongoing festive season to check the purity of sweets and “khoya” products.

The team inspected areas in Sector 14, Mani Majra, Pipliwala town, Gobindpura, Indira Colony, Shanti Nagar and the railway crossing. Food vendors were instructed to maintain hygiene and ensure quality standards as stipulated in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The team took four samples, one each of khoya, besan ladoo, gulab jamun and rasgulla. A total of 200 kg of matthi, cream rolls, balushahi, cream, vanaspati ghee and maida, which were exposed to dust and flies and found unfit for human consumption, were destroyed under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Punjab progressive farmers moot milk ATMs in Ludhiana

The ATMs would function round the clock, which would allow residents of the city to have access to milk
Ludhiana-based Progressive Dairy Solutions (PDS), incorporated by progressive dairy farmers of Punjab, is planning to introduce milk ATMs in Ludhiana.
The ATMs would function round the clock, which would allow residents of the city to have access to milk. If it happens,Ludhiana would be the first city in Punjab to have milk ATMs. The company has similar plans for Chandigarh also. Currently, the company is processing around 20,000 litres a day and marketing their milk under the brand La Pure in Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
"It is a quick and efficient system of distribution. Initially, we would introduce around 15 ATMs in a fortnight in Ludhiana. Each ATM will have a 500-litre dispenser and would be located in different parts of the city. This will prove to be especially useful for working women, and also to people who work long hours during the day and return late at night, not leaving them with enough time to go and purchase their daily requirements such as milk. The milk will be kept in refrigerators at four degrees Celsius to ensure that it remains fresh and does not spoil or curdle," Munish Sharma, general manager of Progressive Dairy Solutions, told Business Standard.
According to a national survey conducted by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a major portion of the milk samples in Ludhiana have been found to be non-compliant with FSSAI norms, as they were found to be adulterated with skimmed milk powder, glucose and water. Other adulterants that are used are urea, detergents, hydrogen peroxide and other carbonates and bicarbonates are added to milk.

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி அதிரடி சேகோ உற்பத்திக்கு தடை, நோட்டீஸ்

ஆத்தூர்: ஆத்தூர் அருகே, சேகோ ஃபேக்டரியில், ரசாயன அமிலம் கலந்து, ஜவ்வரிசி, ஸ்டார்ச் உற்பத்தி செய்ததால், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி, சேகோ உற்பத்திக்கு தடை செய்து, "நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கினார்.

ஆத்தூர் நகர் மற்றும் கிராம பகுதிகளில் உள்ள, இனிப்பு, காரவகைகள் தயாரிக்கும் தொழிற்கூடம், ஸ்வீட் கடைகளில், நேற்று, மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை, டாக்டர் அனுராதா தலைமையில், சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் புஷ்பராஜ், சுந்தர்ராஜ், கோவிந்தராஜ் உள்ளிட்டோர், ஆய்வு செய்தனர். அப்போது, தீபாவளி பண்டிகையை முன்னிட்டு, ஸ்வீட், மிக்ஸர் உள்ளிட்ட இனிப்பு, கார வகை தயார் செய்யும், 20க்கும் மேற்பட்ட தொழிற்கூடங்களில், சுத்தமாகவும், சுகாதாரமான முறையில் தயார் செய்ய வேண்டும் என, அறிவுறுத்தினர்.

தாண்டவராயபுரம் கிராமத்தை சேர்ந்த, பச்சமுத்து என்பவரது, எஸ்.எஸ்., சேகோ ஃபேக்டரியில், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அலுவலர்கள் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு, உற்பத்தி செய்து வைத்திருந்த ஜவ்வரிசியில், ரசாயனம் கலந்திருப்பது தெரியவந்தது.

மேலும், இரண்டு லிட்டர், சல்ப்யூரிக் அமிலத்தை கண்டறிந்து, அவற்றை அழித்தனர். சேகோ உற்பத்தியில், ரசாயனம் கலந்துள்ளது கண்டறியப்பட்டதால், சேகோ உற்பத்திக்கு தடை செய்து, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி டாக்டர் அனுராதா, "நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கினார். ஜவ்வரிசி "மாதிரி' எடுத்து, உணவு பகுப்பாய்வு மையத்துக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தனர்.

நரசிங்கபுரம் நகராட்சி, விநாயகபுரத்தில் உள்ள, முருகன் சேகோ ஃபேக்டரியில், ஜவ்வரிசி மாதிரி எடுத்துச் சென்றனர். ஜவ்வரிசியில் கலப்படம் இருந்தால், கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். என, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி அனுராதா எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்தார்

அதிகாரிகள் அதிரடி ஆத்தூர் அருகே சோதனைஅதிமுக பிரமுகர் ஆலையில் ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்திக்கு தடை

ஆத்தூர், அக்.10:
ஆத்தூர் அருகே அதிமுக பிரமுகர் ஆலையில் ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்திக்கு அதிகாரிகள் தடை விதித்து உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளனர்.
ஆத்தூர் அருகே தாண்டவராயபுரம் கிராமத்தில் அதிமுக பிரமுகர் பச்சமுத்து என்பவருக்கு சொந் தமான சோகோ ஆலை உள்ளது. இந்த ஆலையில் நேற்று மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அலுவலர் டாக்டர் அனு ராதா தலைமையிலான அலுவலர்கள் திடீர் ஆய்வு பணியில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.
அப்போது, அங்கு ரசாயனம் கலந்த ஜவ்வரிசி மாவு தயாரிக்கும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தடை சட்டம் 55ன் கீழ் சேகோ ஆலையின் உரிமையாளர்கள் பச்சமுத்துவுக்கு ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிப்பதை நிறுத்தி வைக்க அதிகாரிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

பண்டிகை காலங்களில்உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை பதிவுபெற்ற நிறுவன பலகாரங்களை வாங்குங்கள் கலெக்டர் அறிவுறுத்தல்

தூத்துக்குடி, அக்.10:
பண்டிகை காலங்களில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறுவனங்களில் மட்டும் பலகாரங்கள் வாங்குமாறு பொதுமக்களுக்கு கலெக்டர் ரவிகுமார் அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளார்.
தற்போது பண்டிகை காலம் தொடங்கியுள்ளதால் அனைத்து விதமான விற்பனைகளும் சூடுபிடிக்கத் துவங்கியுள்ளது. தீபாவளி, கிறிஸ்துமஸ் போன்ற பண்டிகை காலத்தில் விதவிதமான இனிப்பு பலகாரங்கள், பேக்கரி உணவு பொருட்களை மக்கள் விரும்பி வாங்குவதுடன், உறவினர்களுக்கும் வழங்குவதுண்டு.
ஸ்வீட்ஸ் மற்றும் பேக்கரி பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் தரமான மூலப்பொருட்களால் சுகாதாரமாக தயாரித்து பொதுமக்களுக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும்.
கலப்படமான பொருட்களையோ, அதிகமான நிறமிகளையோ உபயோகிக்கக் கூடாது.
பேக்கிங் உணவு பொருட்களின் விபரச்சீட்டில், தயாரிப்பாளரின் முழு முகவரி, உணவு பொருளின் பெயர், தயாரிப்பு, பேக்கிங் தேதி, காலாவதியாகும் காலம், சைவ மற்றும் அசைவ குறியீடு கண்டிப்பாக குறிப்பிட வேண்டும்.
உணவு பொருட்களை ஈக்கள் மற்றும் கிருமி தொற்று இல்லாத சுகாதாரமான சூழலில் பொது மக்களுக்கு விற்பனை செய்திடல் வேண்டும். பண்டிகை காலத்தில் மட்டும் பலகாரங்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் உட்பட அனைத்து தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் மற்றும் விற்பனையாளர்களும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலகத்தினை தொடர்பு கொண்டு இந்திய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரங்கள் சட்டம் 2006ன் கீழ் தங்களது வணிகத்தினை பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெறஅறிவுறுத்தப்படுகிறார்கள்.
பொதுமக்களும் பலகாரங்கள் வாங்கும்போது, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறுவனங்களில் வாங்குமாறும், பேக்கிங் பொருட்களில் விபரச்சீட்டு இருந்தால் மட்டுமே வாங்கி உபயோகிக்குமாறும் கேட்டுக் கொள்ளப்படுகிறார்கள்.
இதுதொடர்பான புகார்களை தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாகத்துறையின் நியமன அலுவலரிடம் 0461&2340699 என்ற எண்ணில் தெரிவிக்கலாம்.
இவ்வாறு கூறியுள்ளார்.

தடையை மீறி குட்கா விற்பனை அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க கோரிக்கை

கரூர், அக்.9:
தடை செய்யப்பட்ட பான்பராக் குட்கா விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதை தடுக்க நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும் என பொதுமக்கள எதிர்பார்க்கின்றனர்.
பான்மசாலா, குட்கா போன்ற பொருட்கள் விற்பனைக்கு தமிழக அரசு தடைவிதித்துள்ளது. பொதுமக்களின் நலன்கருதி, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணயம் சட்டத்தின்கீழ் புகையிலை மற்றும் நிகோடின் கலந்த பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்ய கரூர் மாவட்டத்தில் கடந்த மே மாதம் முதல் தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது.
நிகோடின் கலந்த பொருட்களை மக்கள் உட்கொள்வதால் ரத்தக்குழாய் அடைப்பு ஏற்பட்டு இளம்வயதிலேயே மாரடைப்பு ஏற்பட்டு இறந்து விடுவதற்கு வாய்ப்புள்ளது. மேலும் வாயின்உட்பகுதி உதட்டுபாகம், தாடை, நாக்கு, தோல் புற்றுநோய் ஏற்பட்டு மக்கள் மிகவும் அவதிப்படுகின்றனர். எனவே நிகோடின், புகையிலை கலந்து தயாரிக்கப்படும் பான்மசாலா குட்கா, மாணிக்சந்த், பான்பராக், ஹான்ஸ், மாவா, தம்மக், கணேஷ், பாஸ்பாஸ் மற்றும் பீடா போன்றவற்றின் விற்பனைக்கு தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
ஆனால் தடையை மீறி இந்த பொருட்கள் மீண்டும் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. வாகன ஓட்டிகள், பயணிகள் என பொது இடங்களில் இவற்றை பயன்படுத்தி வருகின்றனர். எனவே பான்பராக் குட்கா போன்ற பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்வதை தடுக்க வருவாய்த்துறை, காவல்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவேண்டும் என பொதுமக்கள் எதிர்பார்க்கின்றனர்.

அம்பை பகுதிகளில் புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

அம்பை, அக். 9:
அம்பை ஒன்றியத்திற்குட்பட்ட பகுதிகளில் உள்ள கடைகளில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்து அழிக்கப்பட்டது.
அம்பாசமுத்திரம் ஒன்றியப்பகுதிகளான மன்னார்கோவில், வாகைக்குளம், காக்கநல்லூர் போன்ற பகுதிகளில் தமிழ்நாடு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு ஆணையர் குமார்ஜெயந்த் மற்றும் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்புத் துறை நியமன அதிகாரி கருணாகரன் ஆகியோர் அறிவுரையின்பேரில் அம்பை உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி நாகசுப்பிரமணியன் சோதனை யில் ஈடுபட்டார்.
அப்போது தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களான பான்பராக், புகையிலை மற்றும் தயாரிப்புத் தொடர்பான விவரங் கள் இல்லாத குளிர்பான பாக்கெட்டுகள் போன்றவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்து அழித்தார்.
இதுபோல் மீண்டும் விற்பனை செய்தால் உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புச் சட்டப்படி நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று வியாபாரிகளிடம் எச்சரிக்கை விடுத் தார்.

Health Ministry reviewing FSS Act; Objective: To make it accommodating

Three years after the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, came into effect, the health ministry has decided to undertake a comprehensive review of it, in order to make it more accommodating and ensure its implementation without forcing it on anyone.

It decided to do so after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) received a number of complaints regarding its operations; delegations made recommendations to the health ministry, and the courts made a number of observations.

It was also learnt that the ministry planned to repeal the Act for a short period, and would represent a new draft in Parliament’s next winter session.

Commenting on the review, health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “Since I took charge of the ministry, we have received several representations and memorandums on the subject of food safety.”

“So we thought of withdrawing it for a short time, and studying the recommendations and the existing legislation in detail. We don’t want to force anything. We are trying to develop a consensus without compromising on the quality,” he added.

“The law must incorporate the practicality of the regulations. India must modify laws according to its needs. It may not be feasible to implement those that have been enforced overseas as they are here,” Dr Vardhan stated.

“The country must also ensure that there is an implementation mechanism, and has to create establishment according, and not permit any compromise on the food standards,” the minister added. 

He stated that for 100 days after he assumed office, he met scores of delegations from across India, who voiced their concerns about the implementation of the Act. He said, “You can’t rubbish every suggestion that is put across by so many people.” 

A senior official in the ministry stated that the ministry was initially planning to amend the Act, but had to paid heed to the observations made by the Supreme Court. These included the need to make the punishment more stringent. 

“In the light of that, we want to review the entire Act, before coming up with the new draft. We must adopt a holistic approach towards food safety,” he added. 

Sources said representations were made before the health minister and the prime minister. Some of them also met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah to voice their concerns regarding the implementation of the Act. 

It was also learned that the food business operators (FBO) made a detailed point-wise presentation to the health ministry about the Act. 

Although FSSAI chairman K Chandramouli wasn’t in favour of any review of the Act, his views were overruled by the representation by the FBO.

Meanwhile, Dr Vardhan said that there could not be a second opinion on food safety. “This is absolutely needed, and there should be the highest possible standards for the same,” he added. 

“Also the food industry needs to survive. That is also vital. But in the name of survival, permitting substandard or unhealthy foods is unacceptable,” the minister said.

“There has to be a balance between providing safe food to the people and ensuring that safety mechanisms are taken care of without any bias and prejudice against anybody,” Dr Vardhan said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the steps taken by FSSAI in recent times have raised eyebrows, particularly as far as the communication gap is concerned.

FBO have always rued that the apex food regulator had not opened a proper communication channel, so their voices were not heard. 

Also lately, product approval had become a bone of contention between the food industry and FSSAI. The matter was also raised in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). 

Moreover, a number of litigations were also filed, challenging the way FSSAI conducted its activities, including issuing advisories.

Food Processing: What FBOs Must Do To Succeed?

Ministry of Food Processing Industry in harmonization with some other organizations and Ministries is planning to expand India’s potential in the food processing sector. For this improvements are needed in

hygiene standards in food processing facilities

food safety and quality

agricultural waste utilization

enforcement of regulations

technology

Food processing is defined as a physical or chemical intervention that transforms agricultural or horticultural raw material. Preparation and processing techniques play a vital role in keeping away hazards in this long process from raw material to final food product. The food processing business operator must ensure that FSSAI laid down norms in preparation, processing or cooking of foods are effectively enforced so that hazards are eliminated. The steps to be followed begin at the raw material stage and continue into the whole process so that food does not get contaminated at any stage.

Since consumer safety is a prime concern there is a provision for penalty, if processed food is found to be contaminated. The industry must have safety systems and controls in place and must strictly enforce regulations. If any person, “whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, manufactures or processes any article of food for human consumption under unhygienic or unsanitary conditions, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees”.

Adding preservatives and food additives are common in the food processing industry but these need to be added keeping the regulations in mind. Sometimes these additives could render the commodity toxic and unsafe if proper care is not taken. Articles of food cannot contain any additive or ‘processing aid’ unless it is in accordance with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Processing aid is any non – consumable item which is used in the “raw materials & ingredients to fulfill certain technological purpose during treatment or processing and which may result in the non-intentional but unavoidable presence of residues or derivatives in the final product”.

Nutraceuticals have become an important food product in the food industry. Since FSSAI is still in the process of making standards for nutraceuticals, it rests on the manufacturer in the processing industry to ensure that nutraceutical ingredients are in line with regulations and food product approvals have been obtained. Since there is still ambiguity about the standards for nutraceutical products, the responsibility rests with the food processors of the existing products to use the label correctly. Herbals, medicines or ingredients that are not consumable extracts must not be labeled as nutraceuticals. Making tall claims about the efficacy of nutraceuticals on labels is also a practice that can mislead the consumer.

If all FBOs in the food processing industry address these concerns then they will continue to enjoy consumer confidence. Any shift in meeting standards or playing with consumer safety will damage the bottom line success of the food processing business.

FDA warns against adulterated sweets and Chinese milk

PUNE: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified vigilance to prevent sale of adulterated sweets and Chinese milk products in the city during Diwali.

Import of milk and its products from China has been banned in the country, since melamine, a harmful chemical, was found in some its dairy products.

"Our officials have already started conducting random inspections and on-the-spot tests to check quality of milk and products like khoya and ingredients like rawa, maida and other variety of flours used in making sweets. Vigilance has also been intensified to check whether Chinese milk products are being sold in a clandestine manner," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune

Ban on import of Chinese milk products has been extended for one more year from June 23, 2014 across the country. The banned items include chocolates and its products, candies, confectionery and food preparations with milk and milk solids.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's food regulatory body, has made it clear that the ban will continue 'unless there are dependable reports about significant improvement in the situation'.

"The ban has come in force since September 2008 and has been extended periodically. The ban has been extended by one more year, from June 23, 2014, since there have been doubts about any improvement in the quality of milk from China. Action will be initiated against those found selling the banned products," Kekare said.

Our officials have already started conducting random inspections and on-the-spot tests to check quality of milk and products like khoya and ingredients like rawa, maida and other variety of flours used in making sweets

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு

விக்கிரவாண்டி: விக்கிரவாண்டி கடைவீதியில் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். தமிழ்நாடு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாக துறை மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் டாக்டர் ஆறுமுகம் தலைமையில் பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் ரவிக்குமார், பாரதி, பன்னீர் செல்வம் , கதிரவன் ஆகியோர் நேற்று காலை விக்கிரவாண்டி கடைவீதியில் உள்ள மளிகை, டீக்கடை, ஓட்டல் ,பங்க் கடைகளில் திடீர் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். ஆய்வில் கலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்கள், புகையிலையை பறிமுதல் செய்து கடைக்காரர்களை எச்சரித்தனர்.

காலாவதி உணவு பொருட்கள் 60 கிலோ பறிமுதல் அதிகாரிகள் அதிரடி

விக்கிரவாண்டி, அக். 9:

விக்கிரவாண்டியில் காலவதியான 60 கிலோ உணவு பொருட்களை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

விக்கிரவாண்டியில் தமிழ்நாடு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாக துறையின் விழுப்புரம் மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் ஆறுமுகம் தலைமையில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் ரவிக்குமார், பாரதி, பன்னீர்செல்வம், கதிரவன், ஆகியோர் கொண்ட குழுவினர் கடைகள், டீக்கடை, உணவகங்கள் மற்றும் பெட்டிகடைகளில் திடீரென ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர்.

ஆய்வில் காலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்கள் உள்ளதா, அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட பொருட்கள் அனுமதியின்றி விற்கப்படுகிறதா? என சோதனையிட்டனர். அப்போது காலவதியான மாவு பொருட்கள், சமையல் எண்ணெய், டால்டா, தேயிலைதூள் என 60 கிலோ உணவு பொருட்களை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

தடை விதிக்கப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களை விற்றால் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு விதிகளின்படி கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என எச்சரித்தனர்.

விக்கிரவாண்டியில் காலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்களை மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் ஆறுமுகம் தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

கலப்பட தேயிலை, ஈ மொய்க்கும் வடைகள் வடசேரி பஸ் நிலைய ஓட்டல்களில் சுகாதாரமின்றி தயாராகும் உணவுகள் அதிகாரிகள் சோதனையில் அம்பலம்

நாகர்கோவில், அக்.8:

நாகர்கோவில் வடசேரி பஸ் நிலைய ஓட்டல்கள் சிலவற்றில் சுகாதாரமின்றி உணவுகள் தயாரிக்கப் படுவது தெரிய வந்துள்ளது. அதிகாரிகள் சில ஓட்டல்களுக்கு 15 நாட்கள் கெடு விதித்துள்ளனர்.

நாகர்கோவில் வடசேரி பஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு உள்ளூர் மற்றும் வெளியூர்களில் இருந்து தினமும் ஆயிரக் கணக்கான பயணிகள் வந்து செல்கிறார்கள். பஸ் நிலையத்தில் பயணிகள் வசதிக்காக ஓட்டல்கள், டீக்கடைகள் உள்ளன. இந்த நிலையில் ஒரு சில ஓட்டல்களில் சுகாதாரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் தயாரிக்கப்படுவதாக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு தகவல் வந்தது.

அதன் பேரில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் சாலோ டீசன் தலைமையில் அலுவலர்கள் சங்கர நாராயணன், அய்யப்பன், குமார் பாண்டியன், சங்கர், சிதம்பர தாணு ஆகியோர் கொண்ட குழுவினர் நேற்று மதியம் வடசேரி பஸ் நிலைய ஓட்டல்கள், டீக்கடைகளில் அதிரடி சோதனை நடத்தினர்.

இந்த சோதனையில் டீ கடைகள் சிலவற்றில் கலப்பட தேயிலை பயன் படுத்தி வந்தது தெரிய வந்தது. மேலும் வடைகள் மற்றும் பலகாரங்கள் திறந்த வெளியில் ஈ மொய்க்கும் வகையில் விற்பனைக்கு இருந்தன. அதிகாரிகளை பார்த்ததும் பிளாஸ்டிக் பேப்பர்களை வைத்து ஒரு சில கடைகளில் மூடினர். இதை பார்த்த அதிகாரிகள் அந்த வடைகள் மற்றும் பலகார ங்களை கைப்பற்றி குப்பையில் கொட்டி அதன் மேல் பினாயில் ஊற்றினர். காலாவதியான குளிர்பான ங்கள், தண்ணீர் பாட்டில்கள் விற்பனைக்கு இருந்தன. அதையும் அதிகாரிகள் கைப்பற்றி அழித்தனர். மேலும் தமிழக அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட போதை பாக்குகள், புகையிலை பாக்கெட்டுகளும் விற்பனைக்கு இருந்தன. அதை அதிகாரிகள் கைப்பற்றி தீ வைத்து அழித்தனர். அதிகாரிகளின் இந்த சோதனையால் வடசேரி பஸ் நிலையத்தில் பரபரப்பு ஏற்பட்டது.

இது குறித்து உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் சாலோ டீசன் கூறுகையில், இனி வாரந்தோறும் இது போன்று திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற்கொள்ளப் படும். இந்த சோதனையில் 6 ஓட்டல்களில் சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் உணவுகள் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டது தெரியவந்தது. அந்த ஓட்டல்களுக்கு நோட்டீஸ் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 15 நாட்களுக்குள் அவர்கள் குறைபாட்டை சரி செய்யா விட்டால் சீல் வைக்கப்படும். பஸ் நிலையத்தில் ஓட்டல்கள் நடத்த உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையிடம் லைசென்சு பெறாமல் உள்ளனர். இதற்கான லைசென்சை உடனடியாக அவர்கள் பெற வேண்டும் என்றும் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. தீபாவளி பண்டிகை வர இருப்பதால், இனி சிறிய ஓட்டல்கள் மட்டுமின்றி பெரிய ஓட்டல்கள், பேக்கரிகளிலும் சோதனை மேற்கொள்ள முடிவு செய்துள்ளோம் என்றார்.

இஷ்டத்துக்கு தீபாவளி பலகாரம் தயாரிக்க தடை

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் சாலோ டீசன் மேலும் நிருபர்களிடம் கூறியதாவது :

தீபாவளி பண்டிகை வர இருப்பதால் ஆங்காங்கே சுவீட் வகைகள் தயாரிக்கப்படும். இது போன்ற சுவீட் மற்றும் பலகாரங்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையிடம் அனுமதி பெற வேண்டும். எந்த இடத்தில் பலகாரங்கள் தயாரிக்கப்படுகின்றன என்பதை தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும். அனுமதியின்றி சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் இனிப்பு வகைகள், பலகாரங்கள் தயாரித்து விற்பனை செய்வது தெரிய வந்தால் கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். பொதுமக்களும் இது பற்றிய புகார்களை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறைக்கு தெரிவிக்கலாம் என்றார்.

Fake sweeteners may up diabetes, obesity risk

Exposure to artificial sweeteners triggered certain changes in intestinal bacteria that resulted in poor sugar control in blood. 

Artificial sweeteners - the supposedly diet-friendly way to satisfy sweet craving - are now getting bad press with a new study putting a big, troubling question mark on their health benefits. 

The study published in Nature found that when healthy mice were administered common artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose and saccharine, the nature of gut bacteria was altered in such a way as to induce glucose intolerance. Simply put, exposure to artificial sweeteners triggered certain changes in intestinal bacteria that resulted in poor sugar control in blood. A badly managed sugar supply in blood directly ups the risk of diabetes and obesity. 

When researchers carried out the same experiment on human volunteers, many of them developed the same intolerance after consuming sweeteners for just one week. Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel who conducted the study said they were intrigued by the link between the use of sweeteners and a tendency to develop the very disorders they were designed to prevent. "This calls for reassessment of today's massive, unsupervised consumption of these substances," said Dr Eran Elinav of immunology department who led this research. 

The global low-calorie food market, which uses artificial sweeteners liberally, stood at $7,418 million in 2013. The sweetener market in India is currently worth approximately Rs 150 crore and is seeing double digit growth thanks to the growing population of diabetics. Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman division (department??) of endocrinology and diabetes at Medanta Gurgaon, admits that the Nature study makes him uncomfortable. "When patients ask us if they should take sweeteners we have always said yes," says Dr Mithal but adds that users need not stop taking sweeteners until the link is clearly established through more and larger studies done on humans. "Right now it has only been proven in mice and suggested in humans," says Dr Mithal. 

Dr Anoop Misra, endocrinologist and chairman Fortis C-Doc, says it's too early to push the panic button but one needs to be cautious. "Although results of this study are significant, these need to be replicated in more studies," says Dr Misra. He, however, adds: "Patients who are battling obesity and diabetes should avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible or take them in very small amounts. In particular, diet beverages which contain these sweeteners should be avoided," says Dr Misra. 

Today, artificial sweeteners are used in an array of commercially produced health foods - drinks, sodas, salad dressings, condiments, jams, jellies, syrups, baked goods, candies etc. Stevia, derived from a herb, is considered to be a safer substitute but doctors refuse to comment on its safety because it hasn't been studied enough. 

Interestingly, just two days after the study appeared in Nature, Coke launched its latest health drink, Zero, in India. Like many other health beverages, Zero contains artificial sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame-K). According to industry estimates low-cal beverages constitute only 1-2% of the total volume in India. In the US diet sodas make up a third of the total soda market but their consumption has been steadily declining over the past three years, according to Wall Street Journal. 

Sugar Crush 

Aspartame: It is widely used in diet sodas, sauces and salad dressings. It is almost 180 times sweeter than table sugar and closest in taste to it. 

Saccharin: Unlike aspartame, it can be heated and is used in manufacture of sugar-free bakery goods. It is 300 times sweeter than table sugar and has zero calories. 

Sucralose: It is extracted from sugar cane and is almost 600 times sweeter than table sugar. It has zero calories and is used in manufacture of dairy products, syrups, baked goods, chewing gum, jams and jellies. 

Stevia: This sugar substitute is derived from a herb. It is up to 200 times sweeter than table sugar but it leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Shops selling ready-to-cook chapatis under scanner

Shops selling ready-to-cook chapatis have come under the scanner in the city. During a random check, Food Safety officials found addition of non-permitted preservatives to the dough to extend the shelf life of chapatis.

R. Kathiravan, Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, inspected two shops at Saibaba Colony and Rathinapuri on Tuesday.

He said that the Food Safety and Standard (FSS) Act permits only the use of sorbic acid as preservative in ready-to-cook chapatis. And the chapatis must be stored in refrigerated condition under four degrees centigrade to have a shelf life of 15 days. However, many shops were storing the food item in open shelves, which shortens the shelf life of the product to three or four days.

In order to extend the shelf life, benzoic acid or calcium propanate is added to the dough.

Label

The FSS Act has permitted the use of these two compounds only in ginger beer, coffee and ready-to-serve beverages.

Further, the label should also mention the preservative used in the product, he said.

Some manufacturers were also found to be storing chapatis in unhygienic condition, which led to growth of yeast, mould, and bacteria such as e-coli, coli form and salmonella. They can cause gastro-intestinal problems such as diarrhoea beside fever.

Mr. Kathiravan said that microbiological tests conducted on a sample lifted from a supermarket near Sivananda Colony revealed that it was unfit for consumption. The owners of the shops face imprisonment besides a penalty, he said.

Besides chapatis, the officials also checked the quality of ghee sold in the shops.

Mr. Kathiravan said that the drive against food adulteration would be stepped up in the run up to Deepavali.

DAILY THANTHI NEWS

Street food vendor sets hygiene benchmark

His low income worries his wife, peers make fun of him... but that does not deter Dilip Kumar's passion to serve healthy and hygienic food to his customers


31-year-old Dilip Kumar -Nisha Samant

Kumar makes sure that fruits and other edible stuff at his stall are covered at all times -Nisha Samant

Even as per the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the food vendors should stick to basic hygiene standards
Donning an apron and a cap with gloves in his hands, Dilip Kumar (31), who sells juice and bhelpuri, an Indian snack, near Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Karol Bagh, cannot be dismissed as just another street vendor.
A cleanliness freak, Kumar has set a high benchmark for ensuring the safety of street food he sells by using only mineral water for his preparations, apart from using good quality salt and spices. Unlike his peers, he makes sure that fruits and all other edible stuff at his stall are covered at all times. Moreover, he even uses disposable glasses to serve juice to maintain food safety standards.
"I understand the importance of hygiene because I have studied till class 12th, but I had to discontinue my education due to lack of resources,” shares Kumar. Oftentimes, sticking to safety standards reduces the profit margins for Kumar but that does not deter his spirits.
His low income often worries his wife. One of Kumar's two sons is mentally challenged and medical bills add on to family's monthly expenses. "Sometimes my wife gets angry and says that no matter how much I stick to hygiene standards, I would not be able to take care of the family's needs. I try to calm her down saying that I would prove myself one day,” he confides with a smile.
Even the fellow vendors in the area make fun of Kumar when they see him following the standards so seriously. But Kumar explains why he chooses to ignore such people, “The food vendors laughing at me will eventually realise that sticking to food safety standards is good not just for the customers, but also for the vendors as it would restore the confidence in costumers and increase our business.”
Furthermore, Kumar further explains that even as per the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) , the vendors should stick to basic hygiene standards – wearing gloves and caps, washing hands before cooking, not picking their noses and not scratching their head or ears.
“But most of the vendors are not aware of the norms, and even those who are aware do not follow the rules,” mentions Kumar.
Kumar has also been invited to give a speech on food safety at National Association of Street Vendors of India's (NASVI) event, for adhering to the FSSAI standards.
But it is surprising that not only the street vendors, but even the customers have often made fun of Kumar for following rules so seriously. “Some customers have even asked me why am I wearing gloves. I tried explaining to them that I was just trying to serve healthy food to them. But it is amusing when the same people tell me – Ye akela banda pagal hogaya hai, gloves pehan ke pata nahi kya saabit Karna chahta hai? (This guy has gone crazy. God knows what does he want to prove by wearing gloves.)” he shares.
However, one of his customers, Ajay Rana who works with pharmaceutical major, Ranbaxy got impressed with Kumar's dedication and passion and now he is a regular customer. "As a customer we want fresh and hygienic street food. I prefer coming to him because he gives fresh juice and while preparing lemon juice he never uses spoiled lemon. I often pat his back for the good work,” he says.
Another regular customer, Manish, points out, “Many doctors, nurses, patients attendants and others prefer his juice and bhelpoori .His rates are also reasonable. It's very rare that we get to eat street food that is both hygienic and reasonable.”
Despite giving so much importance to cleanliness and hygiene, Kumar has no permanent place to set up his stall."I have all the legal papers where the court has mentioned that until the new vendor committee is formed, I should not be displaced. Despite that I am often made fun of when I run with my cart to escape from the MCD van. They say-- Achhe kaam karane wale ke sath yahi hota hai' (Those who do good all the time, end up like this).” he confesses.
"My only request to authorities is that if some one wants to do a good work, they should encourage them because conducive and stable environment is important for us to earn our livelihood,” he adds.
Even if people do not acknowledge his efforts, it goes without saying that street vendors like Kumar serve as an inspiration for other vendors and make sure that street food lovers can enjoy hygienic street food.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Officials, sago manufacturers consultative meet on Oct. 7

To ensure adulteration of sago with tapioca starch was avoided and banned chemicals are not used in the manufacturing of sago, a consultative meeting would be held at the district collectorate at 2.30 p.m. here on October 7.

A press release issued by T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Food Administration Department and forwarded through Collector K. Maharabushanam said that owners of sago manufacturing units in the district were asked to follow norms and not to use banned chemicals.

The owners agreed to it during a meeting held on June 10 this year.

Hence, to ensure that the norms are followed and adulteration was prevented, sago manufacturers, wet starch manufactures, traders, farmers, government officials, officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Inspector of Labours, would be participating in a meeting chaired by Collector.

The meeting would urge the manufactures not to involve in adulteration and also urge traders not to insist on polished starch using banned chemicals.

Recently in Namakkal, members of natural sago manufactures association went on strike protesting against the adulteration of sago with wet starch.

CBEC to port regulators: Need faster customs clearances

Amid increasing pressure from developed nations to ratify the WTO trade facilitation agreement, the central board of excise and customs (CBEC) has asked regulatory agencies handling clearances to upgrade their facilities and increase their manpower at various ports to facilitate round-the-clock clearances.

India is yet to ratify the agreement, a key area of interest for developed nations that would reduce transaction cost and smoothen the movement of cargo across the globe.

All WTO members are simplifying or have already simplified their customs procedures in view of the impending agreement.

In a meeting chaired by revenue secretary Shaktikanta Das last month, agencies including food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI), plant protection, quarantine and storage department, animal quarantine department and drug controller of India among others, were asked to “benchmark their infrastructure and manpower required for 24X7 operations at ports in order to bring down the dwell time”.

“The customs department clears only after receiving clearance certificates from other regulatory agencies. However, despite the 24×7 port operations announced two years back, other agencies have been found lacking. This leads to congestion at the sea and air ports. The board has asked them to assess their dwell time, the volume handled and manpower required to speed up the customs clearance,” a government source told The Indian Express.

The source said that in a lot of cases, clearances for products are pending since April 2014. For instance, some cases regarding chocolates and olive oil are pending with the FSSAI since April-May this year. “The total clearance time has been on a rise for some of these agencies,” the source added.

The UPA-II had announced round-the-clock customs clearance in August 2012 to remove constraints for international trade. Earlier the import and export cargo, delivered at a time when clearance facilities were unavailable, had to wait till the facilities opened to move on to their destination.

To remove the piling up of cargo, the measure was announced on a pilot basis at Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai airports and Chennai, Kolkata, Kandla and JNPT, Mumbai, sea ports.

At that time, other government agencies such as concerned port authority, drug controller, FSSAI and private players like custodians, customs house agents, banks etc were asked to synchronise with the extended work hours.

Further, for bringing down the compliance cost and time, the department is also considering doing away with physical submission of some documents like bill of entry and shipping bill. This will be done by using digital signatures based on electronic data interchange (EDI), the source said.

ஜவ்வரிசியில் கலப்படத்தை தடுக்க 7ம் தேதி ஆலோசனை கூட்டம்

சேலம், அக்.4:

சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் இயங்கி வரும் சேகோ நிறுவனங்களில் உணவு பொருளான ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிக்கப்படுகிறது.

ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிப்பில் ஸ்டார்ச் கலப்படம் செய் வதை முற்றிலும் தடுத்தல், ஈரமாவு பயன்பாட்டை நிறுத்துதல், உற்பத்தியில் பாதுகாப்பற்ற ரசாயனம், திராவகம் பயன்படுத்துவதை நிறுத்துதல் தொடர் பாக ஆலோச னைக் கூட்டம் நடத்த முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள் ளது.

இந்த கூட் டம் வரும் 7ம்தேதி, பிற்பகல் 2மணிக்கு கலெக்டர் ஆபீசில் நடக்கிறது. இது குறித்து சேலம் மாவட்ட கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கை:

கூட்டத்தில் மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள அனைத்து ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிக்கும் ஆலை உரிமையாளர்கள், ஈரமாவு தயாரிக்கும் உரிமையாளர் கள், ஈரமாவு பயன்படுத்தி ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிக்கும் ஆலை உரிமையாளர்கள், ஜவ்வரிசி வணிகர்கள் சங்கத்தினர், விவசாயிகள் சங்கத்தினர், இது தொடர்பான சேகோ சர்வ் மேலாண்மை இயக்குநர், மாவட்ட வரு வாய் அலுவலர், மாசு கட்டுப்பாட்டுத் துறை கோட்ட பொறியா ளர், வணிகவரி இணை ஆணையர், மத்திய கலால் மற்றும் சுங்கவரித்துறை ஆணையர், வணிகத்துறை அமலாக்கப்பிரிவு இணை ஆணையர், உணவு பகுப்பாய்வு அலு வலர், தொழிற்சாலைகள் முதன்மை துணை ஆய்வாளர் ஆகி யோர் தவறாமல் கலந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

விவசாயிகள் சங்க உறுப்பினர்கள், ஜவ்வரிசி வணிகர்கள் என்று அனைவரும் கலந்து கொண்டு, தங்கள் கருத்துக் களை பதிவு செய்ய லாம். இவ்வாறு கலெக்டர் மகரபூஷணம் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

காலாவதியான குளிர்பான விற்பனை தடுக்க வேண்டும் அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு நடத்த பொதுமக்கள் கோரிக்கை

கரூர், அக்.6:

காலாவதியான குளிர்பானம், குடிநீர்பாக்கெட் விற்பனையை தடுக்க வேண்டும் என பொதுமக்கள் எதிர்பார்க்கின்றனர்.

கோடைகாலம் முடிந் தும் வெயில் கரூர் மாவட்டத்தில் சுட்டெரிக்கிறது. கடந்த சில மாதங்களாக வெயில் கொளுத்தினாலும் காற்று வீசிவந்ததால் வெப்பத்தின் தாக்கம் தெரியவில்லை. பகலில் அனல் பறக்கும் வெயில் அடிக்கிறது. வெயிலின் தாக்கத்தை சமாளிப்பதற்காக சிறியவர்கள் முதல் பெரியவர்கள் வரை அனைவரும் குளிர்பானங்களை வாங்கி பருகுகின்றனர். குளிர்பானங்கள் விற்பனையும் அதிகமாகிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

அவ்வாறு விற்கப்படும் குளிர்பானங்களில் காலாவதியான குளிர்பானங்களையும் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. இவற்றை அப்புறப்படுத்த வேண்டும். குளிர்பான பாட்டலில் தயாரிப்பு தேதி, காலாவதி தேதி குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். பல கடைகளில் காலாவதி தேதி முடிந்த பின்னரும் குளிர்பானங்கள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகின்றன. இதுதவிர பிளாஸ்டிக் பாக்கெட்டுகளில் மோர், ரஸ்னா, லெமன் ஜூஸ் போன்றவையும் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. இதில் பெரும்பாலான பாக்கெட்டுகளில் எந்த கம்பெனி என தெரி யாத அளவுக்கு உள்ளது. ஏதோ ஒருபெயரில் இந்த பாக்கெட்டுகளை விற்பனை செய்கின்றனர்.

புறநகர்பகுதிகளில் முறையான தயாரிப்பு இல்லாமல் இருக்கிறது. சில கம்பெனி குளிர்பானங்களிலும் காலாவதி தேதி முடிந்த பின்னரும் விற் பனை செய்கின்றனர். கிராம மக்களுக்கு இதுபற்றி தெரியாது என்பதால் அவர்கள் வாங்கி குடிக்கின்றனர். டாஸ்மாக் பார்களில் இதுபற்றி கேட்கவே வேண் டாம். அவர்கள் தருவதைத் தான் வாங்கி குடிமகன்கள் அருந்தும் கட்டாயத்தில் உள்ளனர். பார்களில்தான் இவைகள் அதிகளவில் விற்கப்படுகின்றன.

சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் அடிக்கடி கடை களில் ஆய்வு நடத்தி காலாவதியான குளிர்பானங் களை பறிமுதல் செய்து அழிக்கவேண்டும். முன்பெல்லாம் அடிக்கடி இதுபோன்ற ஆய்வுகளை நடத்தும் அதிகாரிகள் தற்போது அதுபோன்ற சோதனைகள் எதையும் மேற்கொள்வதில்லை.

குளிர்பானத்திற்கு அடுத்தபடியாக, குடிநீர்பாட்டல்கள், குடிநீர் பாக்கெட்டுகள் அதிக அளவில் விற்பனையாகிறது. கடைகளில் புதிது புதிதாக பல பெயர்களில் குடிநீர் பாட்டல்கள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. மக்கள் கூடும் இடங்களில் நிகழ்ச்சி நடத்துபவர்கள் குடிநீர் பாக்கெட்டுகளை விநியோகம் செய்கின்றனர். குடிநீர்பாக்கெட்டுகள் மூட்டைகளில் அடைக்கப்பட்டு கொண்டு வந்து கொடுக்கப்படுகிறது. இதேபோன்று கடைகளிலும் குடிநீர் மூட்டைகளில் இருந்து பாக்கெட்டுகள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. சில கடை களில் இந்த குடிநீர் பாக்கெட்டுகளை பிரிட்ஜில் வைத்து குளிர்வித்து விற்பனை செய்கின்றனர்.

பெரும்பாலான குடிநீர் பாட்டில்கள் மற்றும் பாக்கெட்டுகளில் உற்பத்தி தேதி இருப்பதில்லை. காலாவதியாகும் தேதியும் இல்லை. இதனால் குடிநீர் எப்போது தயாரிக்கப்பட்டது என்பது போன்ற விழிப்பணர்வு இல்லாத நிலையில் பொதுமக்கள் இவற்றை வாங்கி பயன்படுத்தி வருகின்றனர். இவற்றை விற்பனை செய்வதை தடுத்து பறிமுதல்செய்ய அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவேண் டும் என பொதுமக்கள் எதிர்பார்க்கின்றனர்.

Camel Slaughter for Meat to be Curtailed on Bakrid

Camel Steak
A notification of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been sent to all food safety commissioners, which states that camels cannot be slaughtered for meat. The FSSAI Regulations, 2011 do not define camel meat as food. Animals that come into the definition of Meat and Meat products are Ovines (sheep), Bovines (ox and cow including buffalo), Caprines (goats or goat-antelopes) and Suillines (pig family) besides poultry and fish. There is no mention of camels either as meat or as meat food product.
Based on this notification, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has written to all state governments to ensure that camels are not slaughtered on the occasion of Bakrid. They state that under sub heading 2.5 of the FSSAI regulations, that deal with Meat and Meat products, camels are not mentioned anywhere. The Nature Conservation Society, which is an environmental group, say that camel slaughter is a recent trend but has now become popular.
The practice of slaughtering camels on the night before Bakrid is prevalent in some cities in Tamil Nadu. Camels are bought for a hefty sum of Rs.1.50, 000 from Kankrauli, Udaipur or Raj Nagar in Rajasthan. They are not taken to slaughter houses but are sacrificed after reciting prayers at wedding halls or other areas specially hired for this festive occasion. The AWBI letter also states that all animals must be slaughtered only in slaughter houses as per regulations.
The Imam of the Al Ameen Colony mosque, Abu Bakr, is also of the opinion that goats or cows should be sacrificed. Slaughtering a camel is something that is being imitated from Saudi Arabia, where camels are free to be slaughtered. He along with some other Imams are of the view that, as camel sacrifices are not specific to Islam but cows and goats serve the purpose equally. The Imam is of the opinion that camel slaughter is only being carried out to impress as it has no religious connotations.
The Tamil Nadu Director General of Police has denied receiving such a letter and says he is not aware if it has been sent to the commissioner. The state authorities are being cautious in preventing camel slaughter as they would not like to hurt religious sentiments.

Purity, quality not on Admn’s mind No water samples collected from city eateries for testing during the past five years

There are a total of over 300 water tankers — operated by private contractors—supplying more than 4,000 litres of water every day to nearly 1,000 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and at functions involving large-scale cooking. 

Chandigarh, October 5

Even as the Chandigarh Administration claims to be having strict regulation on food items on its radar, both in terms of levying a variety of taxes and testing food samples to ensure if its fit for consumption, it has miserably failed to test samples of water being used for cooking at eating joints in the city.

Going by official records, not even a single sample of water used for cooking purpose in any of the city’s hotels, and eating joints has been taken and sent for examination atleast in the past five years.Gallons of water are being supplied everyday through direct taps (the municipal corporation supply) to a majority of medium-scale hotels, and through nearly 300 tankers to those without the direct supply. “Nobody knows whether the eating joints are using potable (drinking water) or unfit water for cooking since there have never been any checks,” said an official requesting anonymity.No records of testing of water stored in tankers or check on cleanliness of tankers are available with the UT Health Department. There are a total of over 300 water tankers — operated by private contractors—supplying more than 4,000 litres of water every day to nearly 1,000 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and at functions involving large-scale cooking, in different parts of the city.

Testing water samples mandatory

According to Section 3 (1)(j) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, water which is used for cooking is treated as a food component and hence, the sample is to be checked.

‘Provide direct supply’

Former MC Mayor Subhash Chawla said, “A majority of these small eating joints have been playing with the health of residents as they depend on unauthorised supply of water or unfit water. The best solution to the problem is to provide direct supply to all joints and there should be better coordination among all the related wings of the Administration.”

Food safety cell’s take

The testing of water comes under the purview of the municipal corporation’s public health wing.

— Dr KS Rana, Designated Officer, Food Safety Cell, Chandigarh.

Superintending engineer

The water which is being supplied by us meets all health standards. However, keeping vigil on the kind of water being used for cooking at eating joints and hotels is the job of the Health Department. .

— RC Dewan, Superintending Engineer, Public Health, MC.

DGP INFORMED OF AWBI PLAN TO INSPECT ‘SUSPECT’ LOCATIONS

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had recently written to the chief secretaries, director generals of police, Animal Husbandry department directors of all States regarding the stopping of illegal slaughter cows, camels and other animals and taking action against the offenders for violation of Transport of Animals Rules on the occasion of Eid ul Zuha or Bakra Eid. AWBI co-opted member Gauri Maulekhi has written to the DGP BS Sidhu informing him about her plan to visit places notorious for illegal slaughter in Dehradun.

In her letter to the DGP, Maulekhi states that illegal sacrifice of animals is expected to take place at multiple locations in the state on Monday during the Eid festivities.

“No animal can be slaughtered except in a slaughterhouse licensed by the prescribed authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. But animals are illegally butchered in tents, in homes, on the streets and on grounds during Eid.

“A notorious slaughterhouse at Inamullah building has been reported for the past three years with video evidence of illegal slaughter taking place there but no action has been taken by the police whatsoever. Butchers in villages including Khushaalpur, Mehuwala, Kunja Grant in Dehradun and Sikroda, Jiwangarh, Jwalapur and Manglaur in Haridwar have accumulated a large number of cows for slaughter during Eid. Slaughter of cows is a non bailable offence with upto 10 years imprisonment in Uttarakhand but no action is taken by the police to prevent it. The Bhandaribagh slaughterhouse is the only designated place for animal slaughter in Dehradun but illegal slaughter takes place in hundreds of locations across the city defiantly and without fear of law. The local police exhibits fear and hesitation when asked to take action against any person who belongs to a certain religion and turn against the complainant, as has been observed in the past years. The slaughter of camels is totally prohibited as per the order of the Food Safety and Standards Authority, but dozens of camels have been brought to Udham Singh Nagar for slaughter in the Sultanpur Patti area. As I have been duly authorised by the AWBI to inspect registered and unregistered slaughterhouses in Uttarakhand, I shall be visiting some such places in Dehradun on Monday. I request you to please instruct the local police to cooperate likewise in implementing the law,” she states in the letter to the DGP.

Online FPAS introduced by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finally launched the much-awaited online Food Products Approval System (FPAS).

The system is said to be aimed at ironing out the procedural difficulties applicants face while seeking approval for their products. A notification in this regard was issued by the Authority on September 9, 2014.

Delay in implementation

According to the earlier plan, the online system was scheduled to be put in place by February this year. This was hinted by K Chandramouli, chairman, FSSAI, during the interaction that he had with the industry last December.

This assurance was given by him following numerous complaints about delay in product approval. Even then the implementation was delayed due to the very reasons that have been plaguing the entire - offline as well as online - product approval process for a long time.

Nevertheless, with the system in place, users can now check online, the need for product approval of their products, apply online, pay relevant fee, provide required clarifications, track status and finally receive No Objection Certificate or Product Approval as relevant.

Litigations, NOC

In recent times, the issue of product approval seems to have been a thorn in the flesh between the industry and regulator. Also there are several litigations filed by disgruntled people in various courts. Products worth several crores of rupees were not allowed to enter into the country on account of NOC while hundreds of product approval applications remained pending with the FSSAI.

FSSAI has stated that this system is meant to bring in consistency, transparency and ease of use to the otherwise complex process of scientific risk assessment of new food products being introduced into the Indian market.

The system has been jointly developed by the apex food authority and ministry of health & family welfare. The project has been developed by National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) with the help of Product Approval and Screening Committee as part of the mandate of FSSAI to regulate the food business in the country.

Improvement of process

Meanwhile, Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been requested to utilise the online services and provide their feedback to improve the product approval process and eventually switch over to an ingredient-based authorisation system that is fully integrated with Food Licensing System and Food Import Clearance System, says the notice by FSSAI.

However, when contacted, industry players refrained from commenting on the system as good or bad. One senior industry member said that since the system is new and the industry is yet to see fully how workable this system is, it would be too early for them to call it a success. The industry is trying its hand on the new system. The industry representatives also had undergone a training session on how to use the system.

According to FSSAI, FBOs can apply for product approval online from anywhere, make online payment, can track the status of the application while the system would improve transparency of the PA system because it has database of FSSR and Codex product, ingredients and additives.

The system will also make tasks quicker and help in efficient evaluation of submitted application with streamlined communication between various stakeholders involved in the PA process.

The FPAS can be accessed through the website http://fpas.fssai.gov.in.

DINAMALAR NEWS