Sensor that can detect spoiled food

New York, April 16 (IANS) Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have devised an inexpensive sensor that can tell consumers if the food in their grocery store or refrigerator is safe to eat.

The portable sensor, which consists of chemically modified carbon nanotubes, works by detecting the gases emitted by rotting meat.

"The device could be deployed in 'smart packaging' that would offer much more accurate safety information than the expiration date on the package," said senior study author professor Timothy Swager from MIT.

It could also cut down on food waste. "People are constantly throwing things out that probably aren't bad," Swager added.

In this study, the researchers tested the sensor on four types of meat: pork, chicken, cod and salmon. They found that when refrigerated, all four types stayed fresh over four days and when left unrefrigerated, the samples all decayed, but at varying rates.

There are other sensors that can detect the signs of decaying meat but they are usually large and expensive instruments that require expertise to operate.

"The advantage we have is these are the cheapest, smallest, easiest-to-manufacture sensors," Swager said.

The new device also requires very little power and could be incorporated into a wireless platform that Swager's lab recently developed that allows a regular smartphone to read output from carbon nanotube sensors such as this one.

The paper describing the invention was published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

Pesticides more harmful than thought

Not just on the honeybees, chemicals in pesticides have severe effect on other pollinators and natural pest controllers such as parasitic wasps, ladybugs, earthworms and many more

Dead bees displayed during a demonstration of Bulgarian beekeepers against the usage of neonicotinoid pesticides.

An European scientific body said Wednesday that a group of pesticides believed to contribute to mass deaths of honeybees is probably more damaging to ecosystems than previously thought and questioned whether the substances had a place in sustainable agriculture.
The European Commission in 2013 banned the use of three neonicotinoids clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on flowering plants after a separate body, the European Food Safety Authority, found that exposure to the chemicals created high acute risks to bees.
But the chemicals continue to be employed on an industrial scale. A growing body of evidence shows that the widespread use of the pesticides has severe effects on a range of organisms that provide ecosystem services like pollination and natural pest control, as well as on biodiversity, the reports authors said.
Predatory insects like parasitic wasps and ladybugs provide billions of dollars worth of insect control, they noted, and organisms like earthworms contribute billions more through improved soil productivity. All are harmed by the pesticides.
Irreversible impact
Pollination typically by wind, bug or bird is essential to the global food supply. An estimated 75 percent of all traded crops, including apples, soybeans and corn, depend on pollination.
Neonicotinoids are absorbed by a plant so that the neurotoxic poison spreads throughout its tissues, including the sap, nectar and pollen. Far more deadly to insects than to mammals, they do not discriminate between harmful pests and beneficial pollinators.
But the pesticides are also among the most effective insecticides available to farmers. Proponents argue that they are essential to food security, and note that many of the chemicals they replaced were worse in important respects.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Artifical ripening now a criminal offence

Calcium carbide generally ripens fruit within 2.5 days, gives it appealing hue

FDA makes strict IPC Section 328 with a poisoning charge applicable against traders using calcium carbide to get fruits market ready; no bail for offenders.

Taking into consideration the slew of unpredictable weather situations over the last few months, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is stealing a march on traders likely to artificially ripen fruits using calcium carbide to keep up with market demand. While this practice is already banned, the authority has observed instances of culprits wriggling out of legal proceedings by obtaining bail, and in a stringent move, has henceforth denoted any such attempt as an offence under Section 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Orders were issued in this regard on Monday to all state FDA units, to follow with immediate effect. A diktat was also issued by the state to implement this new addition in the concerned law immediately.

Now, the use of calcium carbide or any such chemical to artificially ripen fruit will be considered a crime — an attempt to destroy the life or impair the health of others by using poison. With this IPC section applied, offenders will be unable to obtain bail from the court after arrest. If guilt is proved by the prosecution in a special court, the accused may face rigorous imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Several traders were found to be using the chemical to ripen fruit like mangoes, bananas and papayas in a neat 2.5 days, so that they can be made available in the market before season starts, to avail of additional profit. The chemical also lends fruits an appealing hue for better marketability.

As per the law, using calcium carbide to artificially ripen any fruit is banned under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and the Regulations (FSSR), 2011.

Joint commissioner (food) of the FDA's Pune division, Shashikant Kekre, told Mirror, "This year, despite the lack of yield, no cases have been discovered yet, perhaps out of fear of punishment. However, we have decided to make the law more stringent. Many cases are expected to arise with the arrival of the new stock of mangoes in the market."

He added, "Last year, we filed over 100 such cases. Now, it will be a nonbailable offence with IPC Section 328 to be applied in each case. The same section is also applied when other hazardous chemicals are used, like magnesium carbide in banned food items like gutkha, mava or scented tobacco. We have also started imposing a fine of up to Rs 3.5 lakh, which has proved to be a good disincentive."

According to an FDA official, who chose to remain anonymous, consuming such chemically ripened fruits may lead to headaches, dizziness, cancer and heart diseases. "We have suggested to traders that they use ethylene gas centres for this ripening for several kinds of fruits," he said. Another officer from the Mumbai FDA said, "The use of the new section started after a meeting between senior FDA officers, police and traders in February this year. A toll-free number, 1800222365, has also been activated in this matter, to connect all FDA units of the state."

A wholesale mango trader from Gultekdi, Hiraman Raoji Kale, told Mirror, "This is a welcome move aimed at controlling illegal activities. Chemical ripeners are used to earn extra profit with no regard for the lives of those who will consume the fruit. Use of this stringent IPC section is bound to reduce use of chemicals."

Ban on artificially ripened mangoes

The Commissioner of Food Safety has issued orders prohibiting the sale of mangoes which have been artificially ripened using calcium carbide across the State.

The ban is applicable to the sale, stocking, and exhibition of mangoes ripened using calcium carbide as well as the importing of such mangoes from neighbouring States.

The ban orders were issued invoking Food Safety and Standards Regulation 2.3.5 and FSSA Section 30.

The State police, Sales Tax, and Motor Vehicles departments have been given strict instructions to examine vehicles bringing mangoes from across the border to ensure that these are not being ripened using calcium carbide.

The public may call the toll-free number 1800 425 1125 if they find artificially ripened mangoes in the market.

Guidelines on FSSAI Restrictions on Labels of Food Products

Guidelines on FSSAI Restrictions on Labels of Food Products

According to food regulations, labels on all pre-packaged foods are mandatory and no food product can be sold without proper labelling as specified in the Food Safety and Standards(Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. Labels on food products are important for two major reasons

For the consumer they are important because the label information is used by the consumer to evaluate the food, the ingredients, nutritional value, weight, price etc. before buying the product.

For the manufacturer it is a way of communicating with the customer and informing them about the quality and the important aspects of the food product

The information on the label is important because it allows consumers to make an informed choice. While it may be easy to understand what has to be mentioned on the label it is also equally important to know what is not permitted on labels. Food Business Operators need to understand that any statement, design or claim on labels that turns out to be false could lead to penalization so they must be sure that the information on labels is correct. Accordingly FSSAI in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011has also laid down the restrictions on product labels that are to be followed by all food business operators dealing with packaged foods.

Restrictions on product labels

• Labels on the products shall carry no reference to the FSS Act or FSSAI regulations that seek to qualify, modify or contradict it in any manner and which could be misunderstood whether it is directly or by implication or explanation.
• Labels cannot mention that the product has been recommended, prescribed or approved by any person in the medical profession or that the product can be used for medical purposes cannot be suggested on the label.
• Unauthorised use of words like the following are not permitted to be mentioned on the label like.
• Words that show that the food product is an “imitation” or a “substitute” for another product cannot be mentioned on the labels or in any statement attached to the product. Such words are permitted for use only for those foods that are mentioned in the regulations and the words have been permitted for using.
• Any fruit syrup, fruit juice, fruit squash, fruit beverages, cordial, crush or any other fruit products cannot be described according to these names unless these products contain the permitted levels that standardizes them according to regulations.
• The label on food products cannot contain words or pictures that imply or give the wrong impression to the consumer that the product contains the specified amount of fruit. If the fruit is not used in the product then it has to be clearly mentioned on the label ADDED (NAME OF THE FRUIT) FLAVOUR or it will be seen as deceiving or misleading the consumer.
• If a product does not contain the fruit it cannot be described as a fruit product on the label if it contains only fruit flavours even if they are natural or they are natural flavouring substances or nature identical flavouring substances, artificial flavouring substances as single fruit flavour or a combination of fruit flavours. The label in this case also shall mention the product as ADDED (NAME OF FRUIT) FLAVOUR.
• Carbonated water that does not contain fruit juice or fruit pulp cannot have a label that misleads the consumer into believing that this is a fruit product.
• If a fruit or vegetable product is fortified with Vitamin C than it has to contain 40mgms of ascorbic acid per 100 gm. of the product or it cannot be mentioned that it is fortified with Vitamin C.
• The word “PURE” or any other words that imply purity cannot be mentioned on the label if it is an imitation of the product.

Drinking water label prohibitions for packaged and mineral water

• The labels cannot claim that the water has medicinal, preventive, curative or alleviative effects or that it has any other beneficial effects on the health of the consumer.
• The name of any locality, place or village may not be part of the trade name unless the packaged water has physically been collected in the place mentioned.
• No picture, graph or statement can be used on water that can confuse the public or mislead them about the nature, origin, composition or properties of the water in the package.

Restriction on advertisement

• No food can be advertised in a manner that contradicts the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 or the rules and regulations written there under or which can mislead the public about the benefits or contents of the food.
• Food Business Operators must ensure that all packaged food products are labelled in accordance with regulations and that they provide full information so that consumers can make informed choices. They must also keep in mind that any food product that has labels that promote sales by misleading or making tall claims can be termed as misbranding and misbranding invites heavy penalties.

Only 17 food safety officers for Bihar's 11 crore population

With only 17 staffers to administer the food safety of 11 crore people, the situation of food safety in Bihar lies in doldrums.

According to Food safety act, every state is supposed to have one state health officer (SHO) per one lakh population but even though the population of Patna has crossed 27 lakhs, the city still has only one SHO.

With a population of more than 27 lakhs and more than 50,000 small and big hotels, shops, restaurants and stalls, the job of giving license, checking of safety norms and inception becomes a tedious job for one SHO.

The SHO is the one to keep track of law-breakers and see that they are punished and changes are brought in as per the norms. In this situation, the food safety law has become a joke.

The nation celebrated world food safety day on April.7, but the situation of food safety in Bihar lies in doldrums. Food safety officer and his team of 16 members (14 SHOs and two Designated officers) heads the responsibility of the state which has a population of around 11 crore.

63 raids in three years:

The food safety and standards act was brought in action in Oct 2011 and since then only 63 cases of food safety issues have come up in Bihar. During this period, 14 cases were brought up from the other five districts, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kamur and Nalanda. In most of the cases, a mere formability was done and the matter is forgotten over time or remains pending in the courts.

Only 2520 shop and hotel owners from these six districts have taken license from food safety office, till date.

According to an official from food safety department, collection of food sample becomes a tedious task for the officials due to lack of security system.

“The wrong doers do not allow us in their shops, some even start arguing and fighting. In these situations it becomes difficult to collect sample and we have to return without sample. We do have the right to use police force if necessary but the long process of requisition form, application for number of employees needed, then telling them the exact time of raid, and then excuses like higher official is not here, creates unnecessary delay,” said the official.

It would be better if we have police deployed in our department itself, added the official.

Only 17 staffs to administer the food safety of 11 crore people

According to Dr. Mukeshjee Kashyap, food safety officer cum registering authority for Hajipur, Mothihari, Bettiah, Sitamarhi and Seohar, the state had its last recruitment for food safety department in 2004.

The department started functioning with 30 members initially, but with time, the members started retiring and now have only 17 members.

“The department has only 30 sanctioned posts. At the time of Bihar Jharkhand division, the officials were also shifted to Jharkhand,” said Kashyap.

The department has also raised the qualification criteria for the recruitment. M.SC in chemistry plus food safety training has become the minimum qualification, hence it has also become difficult to find people with high qualification, added Kashyap.

According to Kashyap, they have filed an application for recruitment of 625 SHOs (1 SHO per block, and also 1 SHO per 1 lakh population), 39 DOs (one officer each for the 38 district in the state and one for the headquarters), 101 assistant DOs, and four special DOs for raid team, 9 deputy food commissioners, (one for each division in the state) and one food safety officer for the whole state.

“The file has been cleared by the health department and is now in the finance department, and we hope that all the appointments will be made in the coming two-three month,” confirmed Kashyap.

Norms of food safety:

The food safety law has divided the owners into four categories:

• Owners with yearly turnover of less than 12 lakhs do not need to take license, they only need to get themselves registered every year by paying a minimal charge of Rs100.
• Owners with turnover of more than 12 lakh need to get license every year by paying Rs 2000 as charge.
• Manufacturing units with less than 1 ton of manufacturing need to pay Rs 3000 per year for license.
• One can get the license or registration for only 5 years at one time.

The laboratory also lies dysfunctional due to absence of analyst:

United manure and drug laboratory (Sanyukt Khad avam aushadi prayogshala) of Patna is lying dysfunctional due to lack of food analyst. The samples are sent to other states for testing and it takes at least 40 days for the results to come, leading to unnecessary delay in the work.

Ramdhani Singh, health minister, Bihar has said that attempts are being made to resolve all the problems and the cabinets will work towards it.

“We are trying our best, due to lack of man power it’s difficult to carry the work and follow the act,” said Singh.

‘No traces of paraffin in coconut oil’

The government has informed the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) that as per the checks conducted across the State, the presence of liquid paraffin or mineral oil has not been detected in any samples of coconut oil.

Of the 105 samples of coconut oil examined, 26 have been found to be of low quality. The government has banned nine brands of coconut oil, as these have not adhered to quality norms and have been adulterated.

SHRC directive

The government has given orders to check coconut oil samples following a directive of the SHRC after the latter received a petition that much of the coconut oil available in the market is adulterated.

The government informed SHRC that it has checked samples of all brands of coconut oil being sold in the State. Tests have been conducted around the inter-State check-posts too.

The oil samples collected by the Food Safety officers have also been tested at the lab of the Coconut Development Board in Ernakulam. The manufacturers of adulterated brands of coconut oil have been served notices, the government informed the commission.

Don’t take action against tobacco sellers: HC

Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to Food Safety Commissioner of the Delhi government while restraining it from taking any action against sellers till the next date of hearing on May 20.

“Issue notice. The respondent should not take any coercive action the sellers and the manufacturers till the next date of hearing,” the judge said. The court’s notice was issued on a plea by a manufacturer Sugandhi Snuff King Pvt Ltd, which has sought quashing of the notification by the Arvind Kejriwal government, banning sale, purchase and storage of all forms of chewable tobacco including “gutkha, khaini and zarda” in Delhi.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, assisted by Vivek Kohli, appearing for the manufacturer, contended that the state government has no power to issue such a notification under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The counsel further stated that Sugandhi Snuff King Pvt Ltd was manufacturing a pure tobacco product governed by Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

The manufacturer also said only the Centre has the power to regulate sale or ban and not the state government. The manufacturer moved the high court after the Delhi government had on March 27 announced the ban on sale, purchase and storage of chewable tobacco in the city.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

Manpower shortage cripples functioning of food safety dept

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Manpower shortage is seriously affecting the functioning of food safety department. The number of food safety officers will shrink to 43 from the current 55 with the retirement of 12 officers in May. The department, which is already crippled by manpower shortage, is to face severe crisis in the coming days.

As per norms, each constituency must have a food safety officer. According to sources in the department of food safety, a single food safety officer has to look after more than three constituencies, which is impractical. "We get a call from Aruvikkara while handling an issue in Thiruvananthapuram. In such cases, it would be difficult to reach places on time. Activities such as collection of samples are affected because of the shortage," said a food safety official.

The toll free number of food safety department 1800 425 1125 FREE gets around 40 calls a day. However, the department is not able to respond to even five calls a day. "We don't have the required number of vehicles to reach places for inquiry. The department only has 12 vehicles," the official said.

As many as 156 posts are lying vacant in the department. This was reported to PSC almost a year ago. However, there was no positive response on the issue.

The food safety department was formed in 2008 to implement Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. The prevention of food adulteration wing and analytical laboratories under the control of the director of health services were transferred to the control of the commissioner of food safety then.

Initially, the department was active with frequent inspection of hotels and food business establishments. Now, in addition to manpower shortage, fund crunch too has affected the operations of the department.

"The budget allocation for enforcement activities has been cut short to Rs 2.50 crore in this budget. This is going to affect the functioning of the department," the official said.

Drive to check water quality in eateries

KOZHIKODE: The food safety officials are set to carry out week-long inspections across the state to check the use of impure drinking water for preparing food and juices. The move is to put an end to the use of unhygienic water in eateries. 

A special food safety squad from one district will carry out inspection in a neighbouring district to avoid allegations of corruption. 

"Quality of water used for preparing food, the water resources used by hotels and juice parlours and roadside eateries will be inspected," said an official with food safety department who did not want to be identified. The attempt is to prevent jaundice and other diseases during summer, he said adding that the date of the drive could not be divulged as it would affect the result of the inspections. 

The use of unhygienic drinking water for preparing ice and juice is common in summer, owing to the shortage of pure drinking water. 

Many organizations and consumer groups have also come up with the demand for regular inspections at juice parlours, hotels and roadside vendors to ensure the quality of drinking water they use. Besides, videos and photographs on the use of chemical for ripening, sweetening and adding texture to fruits is also a cause of concern to consumers. The seizure of 1,000kg artificially ripened mangoes and 150kg calcium carbonate from Kannur had caused much panic. 

In the backdrop of the incident in Kannur and taking into account the general trend of using chemicals for artificially ripening fruits, especially mangos, we have appointed persons to keep regular tab on warehouses were these fruits are stored in the district, said an official. The support of traders and residents near these warehouses are also sought to detect the use of chemicals. 

"As it is not easily possible to detect the presence of chemical by testing ripe fruits, measures are taken to prevent its use," said the official. Guarding the warehouses, frequent inspections and checking whenever a new load of fruit reaches the district has created awareness among the traders, the official said adding that they had not detected the use of chemical for ripening in Kozhikode so far . 

Inspections to check adulteration of grains and milk will also be carried out ahead of Vishu.

Artificial Ripening of Mangoes Banned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Food Safety Commissioner has issued a notification prohibiting the artificial ripening of mangoes using Calcium Carbide or other chemicals across the state.

The prohibition of selling, stocking, displaying or transporting artificially ripened mangoes from other states is as per Food Safety Standard Regulation 2.3.5 and Food Safety Standard Act Section 30.

Police, Excise and Motor Vehicles Departments have been instructed to do thorough checking of vehicles carrying mangoes from other states to ensure that chemicals like Calcium carbide have not been used.

The office of the Food Safety Commission has asked the public to be alert about the artificial ripening of fruits.

Apart from mangoes, Calcium carbide is used on several other fruits, including pineapple, apple, orange and lemon.

The public can contact the toll-free number 1800-425-1125 or call any of the following numbers (see table) to inform the authorities of any violation they come across.

Contact Numbers

T’Puram : 8943346181

Kollam : 8943346182

P’Thitta : 8943346183

Alappuzha : 8943346184

Kottayam : 8943346185

Idukki : 8943346186

Ernakulam : 8943346187

Thrissur : 8943346188

Palakkad : 8943346189

Malappuram : 8943346190

Kozhikode : 8943346191

Wayanad : 8943346192

Kannur : 8943346193

WATCH YOUR PLATE!

Due to lack of food safety, water or food-borne diseases are becoming new-age epidemics across the globe

Widespread prevalence of hunger and starvation in many parts of the world made the discourse on food security focussed to provisioning of minimum calorie intake for survival, without adequate consideration of the issues of either nutritional value or safety of food. The UN Millennium Development Goal targeted ‘to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger’. According to the MDG report card of 2014 the proportion of underfed people has decreased from 24 per cent in 1990-92 to 14 per cent in 2011-13 and therefore, the target should almost be achieved before the world leaders gather this September in New York to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fourteen per cent of the 7.2 billion global population is still a formidable number, mostly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, where basic food security remains an unfinished agenda. The fact that the agenda is high on priority is reflected in the enactment of laws making food an entitlement such as India’s National Food Security Act of 2013, and in the continuing efforts of international humanitarian agencies, spearheaded by the World Food Programme. These endeavours may ensure that the saga of starvation of human beings on planet earth may well be overcome during the course of next decade or less. It may resurface unless food production keeps pace with growth of population, which would be another challenge, considering the slowing down of agricultural growth in many countries and the spectre of climate change haunting agriculture in tropical areas.

Food security that has been achieved for almost 90 per cent of people cannot be sustained unless it is ensured that the foods they consume are sufficient, nutritious and safe. Increasing intensification and industrialisation of agricultural and animal production, globalisation of food processing and supply chains, and changing food habits of people — particularly in growing urban areas — are creating new challenges in production, supply and consumption of food that may have serious impacts on food safety.

Bottlenecks

First, on the production side increasing use of genetically modified seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, animal and poultry feeds are causing concerns on which opinions are sharply divided, but there are no differences of opinion on unsafe food processing, storage, packaging, transportation et al which raise serious issues of food safety that remain unaddressed in many parts of the world. According to World Health Organisation, unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions or chemical substances like toxins, organic pollutants and heavy metals may cause more than 200 different types of diseases — ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. Preliminary estimates of currently ongoing global burden of food-borne diseases indicate there are well over five billion episodes of diarrhoea morbidity alone every year, of which over two million people do not survive, which include many children.

On the supply side, food is one of the fastest growing global supply chains that link producers from the remotest corners to markets around the world. While this offers enormous opportunities for the growth of food processing industries and higher returns for the primary growers, inadequate infrastructure for storage, handling, packaging and transportation and absence of well-developed regulatory regimes come with inherent dangers of creating layers of risks and of transmitting the risks far beyond the farmland or factory gates. There are many examples when local incidents quickly evolved into international emergencies due to the speed and range of product distribution. Some of these recent examples include the contamination of infant formula with melamine in China that affected 3,00,000 infants in 2008 and the 2011 Escherichia coli outbreak in Germany linked to contaminated fenugreek sprouts in Europe and North America, which caused US $1.3 billion in losses, for farmers and industries, and US $236 million in emergency aid payments to 22 European Union member states.

Safe food production and supply may not necessarily ensure food safety unless the foods that are finally consumed in homes, community feasts, eateries or on the streets are safe. It is estimated that nearly 30 per cent of food-borne diseases originate on the consumption side that can be easily prevented with better education, awareness and enforcement but these apparently simple tasks become difficult in countries afflicted with poverty, illiteracy and poor governance.

Law and disorder

Food safety in India has not engaged the kind of attention it should have. The integration of multiplicity of laws and regulations like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, Fruit Products Order 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order 1947, Milk and Milk Products Order 1992 et al into Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and establishment of a single reference point in the Food Safety and Standards Authorities at national and state levels held the promises of food safety, but the promises are far from being translated into actions on the ground. Food adulteration and widespread contamination are creating continuing risks of food-borne diseases that pose one of the gravest risks to public health.

Surely, food safety is a critical issue of public health, but the issues are much larger than just health — it involves multiple sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, food processing and marketing, consumer affairs et al. This calls for an integrated approach involving multiple stakeholders that are concerned with all these sectors, which is woefully lacking.

Food Safety Surveillance to be Intensified

PALAKKAD: The district Food Safety Department (FSD) will conduct a general inspection in all the shops in the district on April 13 and 14 to ensure food safety in view of the Vishu celebrations.

“Usually during festive seasons the town and its environs come alive as people throng restaurants and food-related establishments. No food business operator should resort to unhygienic practices and sell substandard food. We will be inspecting shops to check for unhealthy practices and seize any article of food if found unsafe to eat. Action will be taken against those eateries that do not comply with the norms,” said N Haleel, district officer of the FSD.

He also said that samples of rice, vegetables, and fruits will be collected from shops to check for its quality.

“People should report to the FSD if they spot any sale of unhygienic food items,” added Haleel. 

In the wake of Vishu, the market is flooded with adulterated coconut oil and as many as nine coconut oil brands were banned by the FSD.

Marathon for food safety held in Kalaburagi

Hundreds of students from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, run by Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society in Kalaburagi, participated in the Marathon for the cause of food safety to mark World Health Day 2015 here on Sunday.

More than 200 students, staff members, the Dean M. Bhandari and Medical Superintendent of Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital S.R. Harwal gathered at college campus to participate in the marathon event that was flagged off at 8 a.m.

The event was organised by Neoteric committee constituted by MBBS final year students to spread awareness with the theme - “Food Safety: from farm to plate, keep food safe”.

The students also displayed posters on food safety and explained the measures for food safety in brief at Sardar Vallabhbhai patel chowk where the marathon event culminated.

Ban sought on slaughtering of all animals in open places

PANAJI: Animal lovers have approached the National green tribunal (NGT) seeking a total ban on slaughtering of all animals in an open place. 

They have sought to "ban the illegal slaughtering of all animals in the state of Goa except in notified slaughterhouses possessing the consent/permission to operate from the Goa state pollution control board and the disposal of the waste generated there is at designated dumping sites and in accordance with law". 

The animal lovers have pointed out that about 9,000 litres of blood is discharged into the Mandovi river and other rivers daily from the illegal slaughterhouses. As a result, the residents of Goa and adjoining states are compelled to use such polluted and contaminated water of the rivers Mandovi, Zuari, Talpona, the peition alleged. 

The petition stated that the Food and drugs administration (FDA) raided 77 illegal meat /mutton shops in the state of Goa and stopped illegal sale of meat/mutton. The FDA said that practically all meat business carried out by vendors is unlicenced. The petition states that the department has inspected 58 meat shops in South Goa and 19 shops in the north and inspection of the 77 stalls has revealed that all were without the food safety licence, which is mandatory under the law. 

Social activist Kashinath Shetye, one among 13 animal lovers in the petition, said that owing to such horrifying and anarchical conditions at illegal slaughterhouses, the risk of communicable diseases is extremely high. A large meat-eating population is also being put to a great risk of life and health as the people are not aware of the appalling conditions under which animals are slaughtered, transported and sold. They do not know that the meat offered to them for consumption comes from a healthy or a sick and diseased animal. 

"The tribunal should be pleased to direct the state of Goa and GSPCB to take strict action against violators for the pollution caused due to illegal slaughtering in the state of Goa and submit a compliance report of the same to this tribunal," the petition said. 

Animal lovers, in their petition, also sought a direction to GSPCB to conduct a study about the damage caused to the environment owing to the illegal slaughtering of animals and forthwith initiate remedial measures to remedy the damage caused by the pollution in the state of Goa.

Go milk' compromising with quality, say people

Jammu, Apr 12: The double toned 'Go Brand' milk is compromising with the quality, according to many people in Jammu.
Many residents of Purani Mandi, Lower Mastgarh, Link Road, Peer Mitha, Lakhdata Bazar and Pacca Danga said the 'Go Brand' milk is not of absolute thickness and hence deficient in nutrient components indispensable for the growth of children.
Others complained that the milk is adulterated with skimmed milk powder.
Pertinently, under the supervision of Municipal Commissioner, Kiran Wattal, the Food Wing of JMC headed by Health Officer, Dr. Mohammad Saleem Khan and Food Safety Officers had lifted samples of double toned milk 'Go Brand' during routine checking in August 2014 from the premises of M/S Best Price, Wall Mart India Pvt. Ltd. Akhnoor Road, M/S Parag Milk Foods Pvt. Ltd., Akali Kour Singh Nagar, Digiana, Jammu (Distributor/Supplier) of the 'Go Brand'.
The samples were sent to the Food Analyst, Jammu for analysis. About 4,503 litres of the milk was seized and kept in the custody of designated officer (Health Officer) JMC.
The Food Analyst on September 20, 2014 had reported that the samples were mis-branded and accordingly prosecution was launched in the court by the Food Safety Officers Ashwani Kumar and Parveen Gupta.The court after hearing, convicted accused parties i.e. M/S Best Price, Wall Mart India Pvt. Ltd and M/S Parag Milk Product Pvt. Ltd and imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 on them. The court also ordered that the seized product was not safe for the consumers and be destroyed.

DINAMALAR NEWS

‘Farm to plate, make food safe’

‘Food safety’ is the theme forWorld Health Day this year

Two million people the world over, many of them children, die every year due to consumption of unsafe food. More than 200 diseases are caused as a result of food being contaminated due to bacteria, virus, parasites, and chemicals. Frequent attacks of diarrhoea lead to cancer. This apart, modern methods of food production, storage, and use are rendering human beings non-resistant to bacteria.

In this background, the World Health Organisation has decided to have food safety as the theme this year of the World Health Day, which is observed every year on April 7.

Rallies have been taken out at several places to drive home the need to have safe food. The WHO has prepared and circulated guidelines to ensure food safety, meeting international standards in preparation of supply of food.

Steps have been suggested as there is a chain of actions. The slogan is: “Farm to the plate, make the food safe.” The WHO, according to DMHO J. Sarojini, has suggested the following precautions: keep the food clean and hygienic; cooked food and raw food must be kept separately; food, particularly meat, must be thoroughly cooked; prepared food must be preserved at the right temperature; and safe water and ingredients like raw material must be used.

Consumers and consumer organisations should be cautious about bogus pharma companies that make false promises of curing diseases like cancer, improving height, reducing flab, relief from joint pains, etc., Assistant Director of Drug Control Authority V.V. Vijaya Sekhar said at a meeting organised by the Federation of Consumer Organisations and the Nehru Yuva Kendra here recently. Coordinator of NYK B. Appa Rao and president of the federation K. Venkata Ramana spoke.

Speakers underline importance of food safety

BHOPAL: Kasturba Hospital BHEL, Bhopal in association with Indian Medical Association BHEL branch organized a public awareness programme on food safety at cultural hall, Piplani to mark World Health Day on Thursday. Executive director, BHEL, AMV Yugandhar was chief guest while GM, HR, PK Goyal was guest of honour.

In her address, Chief Medical Services, Kasturba Hospital, Dr Sarla Menon, emphasized on the importance of WHO Day's theme 'Food safety: from farm to plate, make food safe'. The programme focused on demonstrating the importance of food safety.

Appreciating efforts of IMA and Kasturba Hospital for organizing such programmes, Yugandhar said, "It is our responsibility to follow all rules regarding food safety."

Elucidating on Food safety and Standards Act, joint controller of food and drugs, Pramod Shukla said that street hawkers should pay more attention to cleanliness and hygiene while preparing food.

President, BHEL Ladies Club, Aruna Yugandhar, members of Ladies Club, CISF Commandant Smt Aradhana, all general managers and union leader Shri Amar Singh Rathore were present.

Health Secretary Sharma Gets Additional Charge Of Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India

New Delhi: Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma, on Thursday has been given additional charge of chairman, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma

The appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued order assigning additional charge to Sharma.

According to the ACC order, Sharma will hold the additional charge of chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), for three months beyond April 3.

Sharma, a 1981 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, was appointed Health Secretary on January 31, in place of Lov Verma, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, who was shifted as Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

In another appointment, the ACC has appointed Sushma Suri on contract basis as additional secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved her appointment for a year, an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said. She retired on March 31. Her one-year tenure will begin from this month.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the extension of J S Deepak, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, up to six months.

Deepak, a 1982 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, will have extended tenure from April 9 to October 8, 2015, the order said.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Health hazards of consuming artificially ripened fruits

The practice has become COMMON in the lastfour to five years

It is that time of the year when the shelves of fruit shops and larders of most residents are filled with the ‘king of fruits’.

The sale of mangoes shoots through the roof in the summer season. The demand during peak season is estimated to exceed 50 tonnes for every three days in the district.

This is far higher than what the market can supply. As a result, carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents are being used to ripen the fruits quickly for higher volume of sales, says R. Kathiravan, Designated officer of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (Food Safety wing).

The chemicals used for artificial ripening of fruits can cause cancer. Food Safety Officers seized 370 kg of artificially ripened mangoes from a fruit outlet on Race Course on Monday.

In the past four to five years, the practice of artificial ripening has become prevalent in Coimbatore district. Coimbatore has 50 wholesale fruit dealers with around 15 of them dealing exclusively with mangoes during this season. It happens not only in smaller units but even bigger ones.

Artificially ripened mangoes can be spotted through a careful examination of the fruit. They will lack the aroma and will be less juicy compared to the naturally ripened ones.

Fruits that are artificially ripened will be having uniform colour throughout the skin, which will not be the case in naturally ripened fruits. If a person holds it in his hand, they can feel the difference between artificially and naturally ripened mangoes.

These fruits will also be difficult to cut and the inside will be white in colour rather than yellow.

As calcium carbide was an industrial grade product, it contained arsenic and lead participles. These toxic impurities affect the neurological system and reduce the oxygen supply to the brain. Consuming artificially ripened mangoes could result in sleeping disorders and headaches, memory loss, seizures, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, renal problems and possibly, even cancer, he says.

Ethephone, an insecticide, is another chemical used for the purpose. Some vendors also resort to burning kerosene stove or incense sticks in closed rooms to quicken the process of ripening, Dr. Kathiravan adds. All kind of fruits including guava, apples, pineapple, papaya and banana are artificially ripened. He points out that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Rules 2011) totally bans the practice of ripening of fruits in India.

HEALTH REASONS, AWARENESS ABOUT ILL EFFECTS OF `TOO BRIGHT' FRUITS KEEP CONSUMERS AWAY FROM KING OF FRUITS

Chennaiites are consuming fewer man goes than earlier.

The city, where more than 700 tonnes of the king of fruits were eaten every day five years ago consumed a mere 300 tonnes a day during the peak of the season last year, considered a good harvest year, said Chennai Fruit Commission Agents' Association president S Srinivasan.

This is surprising because the fruit is considered a `super food' and contains high quantities of Vitamin A and C and other nutrients. It could be because people have become more health conscious, say some. Diabetics in particular are advised to stay away from mangoes.“During summers, we have patients coming with complaints of high blood sugar levels because they could not control their craving for mangoes. We tell them not to stock any at home and that one or two pieces once in a while are OK,“ said Madras Diabetes Research Foundation director Dr V Mohan.

Awareness about the adverse effects of artificially-ripened mangoes, which account for a significant part of the early arrivals, is also keeping many mango lovers away. Many who come to buy mangoes from street vendors say they are uncertain about the quality . “Due to artificial colouring, the taste and quality may be compromised and this is a deterrent for us to buy them off the streets,“ said one.

“By the time the good stock comes in with cheaper price tags, people have lost interest in mangoes,“ said Srinivasan.

At the Koyambedu wholesale market, there are very few mangoes on offer currently but the situation is likely to improve after April 15 when more arrivals are expected from the main mango-growing regions of Krishnagiri, Nammakal and Salem where there have been welltimed spells of rain. However, rain has been scanty in lesser known mangogrowing areas like Tiruttani and Tiruvallur in the northern parts of the state. “The rain came when the trees were flowering. The flowers were knocked off and we are facing a tough time,“ said Bharathi, who grows mangoes on 100 acres in Tiruvallur. “However, we managed to save the situation by planting different varieties of mangoes at different times. As a result, I am expecting at least 50 tonnes of yield this year against the 20 tonnes I managed last year,“ he said.

Several farmers say the way mangoes are bought is also changing and that the Koyambedu market is losing relevance. “We are losing interest in selling to middlemen and to traders in Koyambedu. People who know my farm directly buy from me,“ said Shah Jahan, a mango grower in Salem.

Buying online a safe option

For customers worried about the quality of mangoes in markets, online sites could come as a relief.

Many sites say issues of artificial colouring or sourness do not arise as they offer the best quality after segregating them from the bulk supplied to them.

BigBasket.com co-founder and chief executive officer Hari Menon said they followed a rigor ous sorting procedure. But not too many sites are offering man goes online now because “the quality is not too good“.

Rajendra Kumar of Chennai Basket.com said they expect a good haul by April-end after which 4-5 varieties will be put up for sale. “The price range will depend on the variety but will be lesser than store prices because we will only stock as per the demand and there will be no wastage,“ he said. Prices online will hover between the prices of mangoes in grocery stores and those with street vendors (whose prices may be slightly lower).

For instance, mangoes on ibuyfresh.com range from `60 to `160 a kg now, while the price range at ChennaiBasket.com goes up to `200 a kg depending on the quality.

Joseph, a representative of Frutto.com, said the demand was rising but added that they would begin selling only after a few weeks. “We are currently receiving about 15 orders a day but we shall wait to get quality mangoes.“

Many residents said they could opt for buying mangoes online as they were delivered home. Richa N of R A Puram said, “It is convenient for me and many sites also offer me the option of cancelling the order at any point even after it is delivered to my door.“

Hari Menon hoped the demand would pick up by month-end. “The volumes of mangoes sold last year through the mango mela tripled when compared to the previous year,“ he said.

Manufacturing Unit of edibles seized in Zainakote

SRINAGAR APRIL 09: A team of Food Safety Officers headed by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety inspected various Manufacturing Units of Edibles in Zainakote HMT area of Srinagar city. The team during the inspection found huge quantity of misbranded products, mostly consumed by children including Rice Puffs, Snacks, Chips, Kachri, Maggy Massala and Rasna Orange Juice, the products of New Heena Products.

The team seized 10 quintals of Kachri Snacks, 50 quintals of Magi Massala and 15,000 packets of Rasna Orange Juice powder. The samples of seized products were lifted for laboratory analysis and proprietor of the Unit was prohibited from further manufacturing of these items until reports are received from the Laboratory.

Meanwhile, a huge quantity of rotten vegetables and fruits were destroyed in the main market of the area on spot.

The Food Safety Wing of Drug and Food Control Organization produced 32 challans in the court of Adjudicating Officer, Srinagar, Qazi Sarwar against Food Business Operators which include 18 Milk Vendors for selling, manufacturing substandard and misbranded food items.

60 quintals of food items seized in Srinagar

About 60 quintals of snacks, massala and 15000 packets of a juice powder were seized by Food Safety Wing of Drug and Food Control Organization in Srinagar today. An official spokesman said a team of Food Safety Officers headed by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety inspected various Manufacturing Units of Edibles in Zainakote HMT area on the city outskirts.

The team during the inspection found huge quantity of misbranded products, mostly consumed by children including Rice Puffs, Snacks, Chips, Kachri, Maggy Massala and Rasna Orange Juice, the products of New Heena Products.

The team seized 10 quintals of Kachri Snacks, 50 quintals of Magi Massala and 15,000 packets of Rasna Orange Juice powder.

The samples of seized products were lifted for laboratory analysis and proprietor of the unit was prohibited from further manufacturing of these items until reports are received from the Laboratory.

Meanwhile, a huge quantity of rotten vegetables and fruits were destroyed in the main market of the area on spot.

The Food Safety Wing of Drug and Food Control Organization produced 32 challans in the court of Adjudicating Officer, Srinagar, Qazi Sarwar against Food Business Operators which include 18 Milk Vendors for selling, manufacturing substandard and misbranded food items.

Chithirai Car festival being held on April 14

District Collector K.S. Palanisamy has directed officials to ensure adequate amenities and security for devotees visiting the Chithirai car festivals of the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple and the Woraiyur Vekkaliamman Temple.

Temporary bus stands would be set up at Thuraiyur Road and Attumanthai near Samayapuram in view of the Chithirai Car festival at the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple to be held on April 14, Mr. Palanisamy said speaking at a meeting with officials to discuss the arrangements to be made for the festival here on Wednesday.

Temporary drinking water tanks should be placed at strategic places.

Sanitary inspectors would be deployed to check whether the food and water packets supplied to devotees were hygienic.

Those who wish to organise annadhanams should obtain permission from the Food Safety Officer.

Kerala: Food Safety Department Bans 9 Coconut Oil Brands

For a state known for its kera plantations, coconut remains an inevitable part in the life of Keralites.

Now, the Food Safety Department Commisioner T.V. Anupama has issued orders to ban nine brands of coconut oil from the market after they were found to be adulterated with palm oil and palm kernel oil.

The department has banned oil brands Kera Plus, Green Kerala, Kerala A-one, Kera Super, Kera drops, Blaze, Pulari, Coco sudham and Kallada Priyam from the state on Wednesday, 8 April, reported Asianet News.

Earlier, many had filed complaints on the issue and high prices are said to be the reason behind oil companies opting for adulteration.

Speaking to IBTimes India, an oil mill businessman, on condition of anonymity said: "In Kerala, it is difficult for sincere oil mill owners to survive in the market. That is the reason why many prefer adulteration. While unadulterated coconut oil is accepted in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Dubai and all other places, people in Kerala do not prefer it as it is expensive."

Such unadulterated oil would cost anywhere between ₹150 and ₹160 compared to the tainted ones, which are sold in the market for ₹120 to ₹130 (price varies depending on the price of coconut). People can get good coconut oil in the market but they should be willing to shell out more money.

"However, in order to resolve this issue, the government should take proper measures to check the quality of the oil made in the state as well as coming from other places similar to the quality checking done while exporting to foreign markets," he added.

If banned brands are being sold in the market, consumers can inform the Department on the toll-free number 1800 425 1125.

Akshaya Patra Foundation stresses on food being safe, nutritious, tasty

The Akshaya Patra Foundation which operates on a module that puts hygiene and quality on top of its priorities in food preparation and serving has now gone on to highlight how every meal prepared needs to be completely safe, nutritious and tasty at the same time.

“We also believe that eating is not only for nutrition, it is also for taste. We want children to relish what they eat and hence, we prepare a different dish every day to break the monotony,” said Chanchalapathi Dasa, VC, the Akshaya Patra Foundation. 

“Social awareness and consumer education on food safety will help strengthen the enforcement of food standards, improve hygienic practices and prevent food-borne illnesses. The most relevant of all the measures is creating awareness among people to ensure that their food is safe. Serving children safe, nutritious and hygienic food is our priority to eliminate classroom hunger in India. Our Indian kitchen standards are world-class in terms of ensuring quality and hygiene. With the responsibility of feeding millions of children in India every day, we leave nothing to speculation to ensure safe and nutritious food every time,” he added. 

The practices of food making at the foundation are in sync with the recent World Health Day theme which calls to promote improvement in food safety. 

Its ISO-certified centralised kitchens are equipped to prepare meals for large-scale feeding. A strict kitchen process is observed which includes certain mandatory routines to be followed by each member of the kitchen staff. Food Safety Management Systems are implemented in all the kitchens, be it centralised or decentralised, in order to handle, prepare and deliver food.

All cauldrons, trolleys, rice chutes, dal/sambar tanks, cutting boards, knives and other instruments in these units are sanitised before usage every single day. All vessels used in the kitchens are made of food-safe stainless steel of 304 Grade which retains temperature for long intervals.

The raw materials that are procured are of the best quality and to ensure this robust Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) is implemented. 

In order to make sure that none of the personal hygiene practises are missed out before the cooking begins, each staff member follows a routine hygiene chart. 

Standardisation of our recipes is an important factor while maintaining high levels of nutrition along with taste.

Ten of the centralised kitchens of the foundation, operational in 24 locations of 10 states, are ISO 22000:2005-certified and the remaining kitchens are in the process of this certification.

Each rice cauldron has a capacity of at least 500 litre; and each dal cauldron has the capacity to cook 1,200 litre to 3,000 litre of dal. The roti-making machines, have a capacity to roll out up to 200,000 rotis from 6,000 kg of wheat flour.

The kitchens are able to properly identify, store and retrieve the raw materials in an appropriate manner.

All the kitchens of Akshaya Patra follow a standard process for preparing the mid-day meals. Specially designed and customised transport vehicles deliver food. These vehicles are steam sterilised before the loading process.

ஒமலூர் அருகே, வாகன தணிக்கையில் சிக்கிய ரூ.50 லட்சம் போதைப்பொருட்கள் தீ வைத்து அழிப்பு அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை

ஓமலூர்,ஏப்.9-

ஓமலூர் அருகே கடந்த ஆண்டு வாகன தணிக்கையில் பிடிபட்ட ரூ.50 லட்சம் மதிப்பிலான போதைப்பொருட்கள் அதிகாரிகள் முன்னிலையில் நேற்று தீவைத்து அழிக்கப்பட்டது.

போதைப்பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

ஓமலூரை அடுத்த தீவட்டிப்பட்டி சோதனை சாவடியில் போலீஸ் சப்-இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் ராமச்சந்திரன் மற்றும் போலீசார் கடந்த ஆண்டு செப்டம்பர் மாதம் 9-ந் தேதி அதிகாலையில் வாகன தணிக்கை மேற்கொண்டனர். அப்போது தர்மபுரியில் இருந்து சேலம் நோக்கி அதிவேகமாக சென்ற ஒரு லாரியை போலீசார் மடக்கி பிடித்து சோதனை நடத்தினர்.

அப்போது அந்த லாரியில் டீத்தூள் உள்ளதாகவும், பெங்களூருவில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு எடுத்து செல்வதாகவும் டிரைவர் கூறி உள்ளார். ஆனால் அதற்குரிய ஆவணங்கள் இல்லாததை கண்ட போலீசார் அந்த லாரியில் சோதனை நடத்தினர். அப்போது அந்த லாரியில் மூட்டை, மூட்டையாக தடை செய்யப்பட்ட போதை பாக்கு மற்றும் போதைப்பொருட்கள் இருப்பதை போலீசார் கண்டுபிடித்தனர். இதையடுத்து அந்த லாரியில் பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்த 4½ டன் எடை கொண்ட 100 மூட்டை போதைப்பொருட்களை பறிமுதல் செய்து தீவட்டிப்பட்டி போலீசில் ஒப்படைத்தனர்.

பின்னர் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா, பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட போதை பொருட்களை பரிசோதனைக்காக அனுப்பி வைத்தார். இந்த ஆய்வில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட நிக்கோடின் மற்றும் புகையிலை அந்த போதைப்பொருளில் கலந்திருப்பது தெரியவந்தது. மேலும் அந்த போதைப்பொருட்கள் தீவட்டிப்பட்டி போலீஸ் நிலையத்தில் தனி அறை ஒன்றில் பூட்டி சீல் வைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தது.

இந்த போதைப்பொருட்களை தீ வைத்து அழிக்க மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா உத்தரவிட்டார். இதைத்தொடர்ந்து அவர் தலைமையில், காடையாம்பட்டி பேரூராட்சி செயல் அலுவலர் கலைராணி, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் அன்புபழனி, சிங்காரவேலு, இளங்கோவன், தீவட்டிப்பட்டி போலீஸ் சப்-இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் கிருஷ்ணன் ஆகியோர் முன்னிலையில் அந்த போதைப்பொருட்கள் லாரியில் ஏற்றப்பட்டு தனவாய் பட்டி ஏரிக்கு கொண்டு செல்லப்பட்டது. அங்கு அந்த போதைப்பொருட்கள் பெட்ரோல் ஊற்றி தீவைத்து எரிக்கப்பட்டது.

எரிக்கப்பட்ட 100 மூட்டை போதைப்பொருட்களின் மதிப்பு சுமார் ரூ.50 லட்சம் ஆகும். மூட்டை, மூட்டையாக போதைப்பொருட்கள் ஏரியில் கொட்டி அழிக்கப்பட்ட சம்பவம் அந்த பகுதியில் பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியது.

ரூ.50 லட்சம் புகையிலை பொருள்கள் தீ வைத்து அழிப்பு

ஓமலூர் அருகே ரூ.50 லட்சம் மதிப்பிலான புகையிலைப் பொருள்களை உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை அதிகாரிகள் தீவைத்து புதன்கிழமை அழித்தனர்.

சேலம் மாவட்டம், ஓமலூர் அருகேயுள்ள தீவட்டிப்பட்டி சோதனைச் சாவடியில், காவல் உதவி ஆய்வாளர் ராமச்சந்திரன் தலைமையிலான போலீஸார், கடந்த 2014-ஆம் ஆண்டு செப்டம்பர் 9-ஆம் தேதி வாகனத் தணிக்கையில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தனர். அப்போது, தருமபுரியில் இருந்து சேலம் நோக்கி வந்த லாரியை தடுத்து நிறுத்தி சோதனையிட்டனர். அதில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் (ஹான்ஸ்) 100 மூட்டைகளில் இருந்ததை போலீஸார் கண்டறிந்தனர்.

பெங்களூருவில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு நான்கரை டன் அளவில் ரூ.50 லட்சம் மதிப்பிலான புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் கடத்திச் செல்லப்படுவதை அறிந்த, தீவட்டிப்பட்டி போலீஸார் அவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

இதுகுறித்த தகவலின் பேரில், சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை நியமன அலுவலர் மருத்துவர் அனுராதா, சம்பவ இடத்திற்குச் சென்று, புகையிலைப் பொருள்களின் மாதிரியை எடுத்து, ஆய்வகத்துக்கு சோதனைக்கு அனுப்பினார். சோதனையில், உயிருக்கு ஆபத்தை விளைவிக்கக்கூடிய புகையிலைப் பொருள்கள் கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டதையடுத்து, உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புச் சட்டம் 2006-இன்படி, அவற்றை அழித்துவிட தமிழக அரசு உத்தரவிட்டது. அரசு உத்தரவின் பேரில், மாவட்ட உணவுப் பாதுகாப்புத் துறை நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் புதன்கிழமை தீவட்டிப்பட்டி அருகேயுள்ள தளவாய்ப்பட்டி ஏரிக்கு, புகையிலைப் பொருள்களை எடுத்துச் சென்று தீவைத்து எரித்தனர்.

அப்போது, காடையாம்பட்டி செயல் அலுவலர் கலைராணி, உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் அன்பு பழனி, சிங்காரவேலு, இளங்கோவன், தீவட்டிப்பட்டி காவல் உதவி ஆய்வாளர் கண்ணன் ஆகியோர் உடனிருந்தனர்.

Nine brands of coconut oil banned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The food safety department has banned nine brands of packaged coconut oil after tests conducted revealed that they were adulterated with palm oil and palm kernel oil.

The brands are Kera Plus, Green Kerala, Kerala A-one, Kera Super, Kera drops, Blaze, Pulari, Coco Sudham and Kallada Priyam. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has tested the samples after criticism on the low quality of these brands and recommended the intervention of the food safety department.

The food safety commissionerate has invoked Section 36 (3)(b) to prohibit sale of the adulterated brands and food safety commissioner T V Anupama said action will be taken soon. "There were several complaints against sale of substandard packaged coconut oil. Some were sold at half the price. While the original price is Rs 120 per packet, some brands were sold at Rs 50. Following several complaints, CDB conducted tests and recommended action," a food safety official said.

Sale of a banned product can invite a fine of Rs 2 lakh. If the sale is found to be a purposeful violation of order, the department will initiate criminal prosecution.

The department had in 2012 banned sale of three brands of adulterated milk in 2012.

No coercive action on tobacco ban, government told

Granting some relief to manufacturers and sellers of tobacco and tobacco products, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the state government to not take any coercive action to enforce the ban on sale of chewing tobacco. The court of Justice Rajiv Shakdher also agreed to look into the legal issue of whether the definition of “food” under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) would include tobacco and tobacco products.

In an order issued last week, the Delhi government banned the manufacture, storage and sale of chewabletobacco in the capital for one year under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The ban has now been challenged by Sugandhi Snuff King Pvt Ltd, a Badarpur-based company which manufactures flavoured and unflavoured chewing tobacco.

According to the plea filed by Sugandhi, the government could not have issued the notification banning chewing tobacco as the product was not within the ambit of the definition of “food” underthe Food Safety Act, but was a regulated product under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition ofAdvertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA).

The company has also claimed chewing tobacco was distinct from gutkha or paan masala. The plea sought court orders to lift the ban.

During the hearing before the court of Justice Rajiv Shakdher, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the company, argued that COTPA was a special law and tobacco was deliberately kept outside the purview of the FSSA by the legislation.

He argued that the ban was “arbitrary” as only chewing tobacco had been banned and not the sale of smokable tobacco. “Smoking causes about 7,00,000 deaths per year in India,” the plea states, adding that consumption of smokeless tobacco and exposure to second-hand smoke caused an estimated “1,00,000 deaths per year”.

Rajiv Nanda, counsel for the government, told the court that the decision had been taken in public interest and that the definition of “food” included tobacco and tobacco-based products.

Is our Food Safe?

A recent survey on Indian food habits and even home cooked food has shown that we have unsafe food habits and almost two million people die every year due to eating unsafe food out of which 1.5 million are children whose lives are simply cut short. Children are more at risk due to unsafe food as they are forced by a UN diktat to eat mid-day meals in schools, which puts them more at risk than others. But even mothers cooking or Ma key haath ka khana has been found to be unsafe. 

The survey shows that Indians are getting unsafe food from farms where it could be laced with toxins due to the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides. Fruits like apples are given a shine with a highly toxic substance and the same apples which sell for Rs 50 a kg are then sold in fancy packaging for Rs 250 a kg. 

Fruits are ripened with the use of chemicals which are known carcinogens and the less said about meat, poultry, dairy and fish products the better. These suffer much in terms of storage. Milk and cottage cheese in India have been found to contain vegetable oils and powders which should not have been there in the first place.

Even housewives are unaware about food safety practices and norms and the survey reveals that most housewives do not reheat food hours after it is cooked and even serve it cold from the fridge. It has been proven that if flies sit on hot food and it is consumed immediately then the person who has consumed it does not fall it but if the food is refrigerated and then consumed it can lead to a bout of gastroenteritis. Housewives, however, are unaware of this. 

The survey conducted by the Andhra Medical College also shows that farming practices coupled with unsafe eating and cooking practices provide a perfect recipe for ill health. While most of these symptoms may not be visible immediately, they can lead to health ailments ranging from allergies, stomach and liver and kidney disease to cancers. Not surprisingly the theme of the WHO this year for World Health Day in Food Safety.

Packaged goods with trans fats, sugar & salt fuelling diseases: Report

The food and beverage industry is fuelling childhood obesity, blood pressure and diabetes by promoting use of packaged goods laden with trans fats, sugar, and salt, according to Dr Shweta Khandelwal, research scientist, Public Health Foundation of India. She was quoting from Chronic Conditions in India – Evidence Based Solutions for a Growing Health Crisis, a joint report released in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The report was released by minister of state for science and technology Y S Chowdary after launching Centre for Control of Chronic Conditions (CCCC), a centre focussed on generating knowledge and awareness about chronic diseases in India.

Both the initiatives, the report and CCCC, are developed through international partnership between four leading institutions - the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Emory University; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; and Public Health Foundation of India.

Among other things, the report looks at the rising tide of chronic conditions in India and argues that the cost of inaction towards chronic conditions would be too high for India to bear. 

Khandelwal explains, “Wrong diet or trans fat foods are hugely responsible for pumping in all sorts of unhealthy concoctions touted with unchecked health claims. Scientific evidence shows that food and beverage industry is fuelling childhood obesity, blood pressure and diabetes very early on by promoting use of packaged goods laden with trans fats, sugar, salt, and saturated fats. This unhealthy environment predisposes us to chronic disease risk factors and events.”

She adds, “Wrong type of oil selection is an important risk factor. Subsidised oils are usually promoting dyslipidemia, bad cholesterol, etc. Indians are as it is predisposed to higher chronic disease risks than other ethnicities. Saturated and trans fats are bigger contributors than overall oil intake. Type of fat along with quantity is of prime importance.”

With regard to gutkha and tobacco ban, Khandelwal states, “I strongly support the ban but long-term high level commitment must not to dilute this ban. Also I would request agriculture and health department about long- term strategies on advertising control, promoting locally available healthy whole grains, fruits, and avoiding processed goods. Subsidies on healthy options and taxes on high salt, sugar and fats are what I propose.” 

Lauding the international collaboration, Prof. M C Misra, director, AIIMS, comments, “India alongside other developing nations has not yet got over infectious disease burden in all age groups and childhood in particular. It is also projected that India and China will house largest proportion (>80%) of elderly population with all antecedent health issues, which would include chronic disease burden, which has not been witnessed earlier. India has already passed the early stages of a chronic disease burden (diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, mental health illness etc.).”

Misra points out, “As if that was not enough we face injury epidemic in the current millennium. If we go by the number today, injury has become a major public health problem in developing countries as also in developed countries. Developed countries have done well by formulating and enforcing injury prevention strategies. Realistic dimension of injury burden has not been well appreciated. Injury epidemic is real in developing countries and 88% of injury burden remains in Asia, which is contributed largely by India and China, two populous nations and developing economies.”

He adds, “When we compare death in all age groups, injury is at No. 3, but when it comes to years of productive life lost and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to injury, it exceeds both put together cancer and heart disease together. In view of the implications for future disease burden and the demographic transition that is in progress in India and globally the agenda of chronic diseases and injuries should be a priority. This international collaboration between AIIMS, Emory University, LSHTM and PHFI will be the beginning to strengthen institutional framework, national and international capacity building and networks in the regions that will translate evidence into policy and practice.”

Chronic conditions is now the leading cause of death in India, accounting to more than 5 million deaths each year – which is over 53% of all deaths. This is projected to rise to almost three quarters of deaths by 2030. They are also a leading cause of disability.

In his address, Prof. James Curran, dean, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA, states, “The challenge of chronic conditions confronting India cannot be overstated. It is assumed that chronic conditions are diseases only affecting rich countries or the rich people in poor countries. Evidence now tells us that this is untrue. Chronic conditions are now a global challenge and there is a pressing need for greater understanding on how it affects people, and even threatens to undermine economic development. There is also an urgent need to advocate the integration of best practices for various chronic diseases and injuries with one another as India progresses with its national health agenda, hence this international partnership serves as a platform that will try and make a real difference to health outcomes in this enormously important area.”

The secretariat for this global partnership will be at the Public Health Foundation of India. CCCC is multi-disciplinary group of researchers and health professionals representing a spectrum of clinical, public health, genetics, biochemistry and social science disciplines. The work focusses on the priority chronic conditions of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, mental disorders, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, cancers, injuries and chronic kidney diseases.