FSSAI moves to notify draft food guidelines

The new draft guidelines cover almost 1,000 items versus the 377 items listed in the 2011 regulations

After last week's setback in the Supreme Court, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set in motion the process of notifying guidelines for proprietary foods, health supplements and additives, which were not covered under the food safety regulations of 2011. The latter operationalises the Food Safety & Standards, Act, 2006.

The drawback of the 2011 regulations are that it covers only 377 food items, implying that only these products are standardised and the rest are not. The new draft guidelines, which have been put up on the FSSAI website for public comments, covers almost 1,000 items under health supplements and nutraceuticals. Another 5,000-6,000 items have been included under the category of foods. The latter includes everything from proprietary to functional to novel foods and additives.

Public comments have been invited till September 23, after which FSSAI will include the feedback and suggestions appropriately in the draft guidelines. After that, the guidelines will move to the law ministry, and then Parliament, following which it is expected to be notified, persons in the know said.

Most food and healthcare companies expect the guidelines to be notified by early next year owing to the urgency of the matter. More importantly, the draft guidelines will get India up-to-speed with international standards under Codex Alimentarius - global standards and codes of practice related to foods, food production and food safety.

While India is a signatory to Codex, its norms are yet to be followed in India. The draft guidelines, according to R K Sanghavi, chairman, neutraceutical sub-committee, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association of India (IDMA), would align India with international standards. "The proposed regulations are positive from the point of view of companies as well as consumers as there will be specific regulations and standards which were hitherto absent in India."

It was IDMA along with a city-based company called Vital Neutraceuticals that had first moved the Bombay High Court last year challenging the FSSAI's product approval process based on what they termed 'arbitrary' guidelines. The problem had emerged because of the limited number of categories covered under the food safety regulations of 2011, compelling the regulator to find a 'middle path' to resolve the issue of clearing products that were not standardised. The product approval process was positioned as a solution, but it soon hit a rough patch owing to repeated advisories that the regulator would issue.

The Supreme Court last week deemed the entire process as invalid following an appeal by FSSAI that it stay the order passed earlier by the Bombay High Court in the matter. The Bombay High Court had also ruled the product approval process as illegal (this was in the Vital versus FSSAI case) after hearing detailed arguments from all sides.

While food and healthcare companies will no longer have to abide by any 'arbitrary' product approval process, it still does not mean they can get away, sources in the know said. FSSAI is said to be pushing hard to ensure these draft guidelines are notified, since it will ensure there are proper rules and regulations for all categories of food and healthcare products.

Apex court ruling on FSSAI order brings some relief to food, drug firms

MUMBAI, AUGUST 24: 

A recent Supreme Court ruling has brought some relief to food and nutraceutical companies that were unable to sell their products due to a “product approval process” introduced by the food safety regulator.

Last week, the apex court quashed a product approval advisory from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that required food companies to seek approval on a broad spectrum of products, including those already available/being consumed.

With the court rendering the product approval system (of May 2013) “defunct” (except on new products) companies will be able to bring products that had been held up due to delays in the approval process back into the market indicated RK Sanghavi, Chairman, Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association’s nutraceuticals sub-panel.

Several products, including Ranbaxy’s Revital (now owned by Sun Pharma), had been caught in this net and are now back in the market. Packaged food manufacturers are however, wary, preferring to wait for more clarity before bringing their products back.

The Supreme Court had upheld the judgment of the Bombay High Court (about a year ago) that had disposed of a Special Leave Petition filed by the FSSAI.

The Bombay High Court, in its August order, had said that the advisory had no force of law and that the FSSAI had no power to issue an advisory without it being ratified by Parliament. The issue had been brought to the court by Vital Neutraceuticals.

The industry had been knocking on FSSAI’s doors for about two years, said IDMA’s Daara Patel. The apex court’s order will allow health supplements, nutraceuticals and so on to enter the market in line with globally prevalent practices, he said.

Industry representatives, however, said that a recently issued draft of the FSS Act (2006) would bring in more clarity as it defined the different product categories and the claims they can make.

Products outlined in the guidelines issued late last month indicate that the product cannot claim medicinal properties. In fact, the guidelines list several ingredients, allowing firms easy access to the market if they contain them in combinations and quantities outlined in the rules. Only new products not mentioned here will require formal product approval.

This was a globally-accepted system, IDMA representatives said, adding that the consumer was protected by provisions already available in the law. Besides, safety has nothing to do with product approvals on paper, they said, adding that it depended on the FSSAI lifting samples from the market and testing them for their quality and safety.

Maggi case makes it to India Research Center of Harvard Business School

The India Research Center of Harvard Business School (HBS) is said to be working on a case study on one of the country’s biggest food recalls.

NEW DELHI: Maggi noodles may be going to Harvard, where Ivy Leaguers will try to pick apart the tangled strands of a narrative that saw the discovery of excessive lead content, the Indian food regulator banning the product in June, mass incineration in cement kilns and then a court battle.

While the story is by no means over — the court ordered further tests while setting aside the ban — the India Research Center of Harvard Business School (HBS) is said to be working on a case study on one of the country's biggest food recalls.

ET has learnt that the case study, which largely dwells on the missteps that led to the product withdrawal, is being put together on a fast-track basis and could be ready in about a month, against the more typical nine months or so that it takes to wrap up one of these.

HBS case studies have included the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Mumbai dabbawalas — the commercial capital's high-efficiency, low-cost, on-time meal delivery system. While the latter two are unqualified successes, the Maggi noodles episode is anything but that, having damaged the Swiss parent's brand value, exposed the Indian system's many faults and triggered harsh criticism of the regulator's crackdown by the government that runs it. On top of that, the judiciary poked holes in the manner in which the matter was pursued. Nestle India denied it had been approached for a case study. "We have not been contacted by Harvard Business School," a spokesperson said. The Business School itself declined to comment. "As a matter of policy and in fairness to the companies that work with us, we do not comment on cases until they are officially published and entered into the Harvard Business School case collection," Brian Kenny, HBS chief marketing and communications officer, said in an email revert to ET. "So I cannot provide you with any insight into cases that are currently in progress."

According to information available with ET, HBS has approached key stakeholders and top food companies for their views on the issue. "We have been approached for comment on the Nestle Maggi mess," a top official said. He didn't want to be named, given the sensitivity of the matter.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned the sale of Maggi noodles nationwide on June 5, although Nestle had recalled the product earlier that day, after tests showed samples exceeded the permissible level of lead. The regulator also cited mislabeling of monosodium glutamate (MSG) content.

It also said that the company had begun sales of Maggi oat noodles without product approval. On August 13, the Bombay High Courtoverturned the ban and ordered fresh tests of the two-minute snack within six weeks.

Some industry experts were of the view that Nestle reacted late, with regard to reassuring both the regulator and consumers. For over a week after the controversy first broke in May, the company did not issue any definitive statement to address the concerns of regulators or consumers. Nestle officials held a press conference more than two weeks after the news broke.

"This story moved from local to national very, very quickly," said Shiv Visvanathan, public intellectual and social scientist. "The multinational, being a multinational, took its time to react. It got played out through a huge lot of publicity. In the days of enormous disasters such as the Union Carbide Bhopal gas leak tragedy of 1984 or the verdict steel giant Posco faced for environment damage, there wasn't all this social media and so much other media. It's different now." But the company could bounce back. "Nestle's mess could be temporary," he said. "Nestle and Maggi seem to be a case of a mighty multinational being disciplined by the government."

In the past month, food regulators of seven countries, including the US, UK, Singapore and Australia, have cleared India-made Maggi noodles to be safe for consumption.

அதிகாரிகள் கண்டுகொள்வார்களா? தடைசெய்யப்பட்ட பான்மசாலா விற்பனை படுஜோர்

பர மக் குடி, ஆக.25:

பர மக் குடி மற் றும் அதன் சுற் றுப் புற பகு தி களில் அர சின் தடையை மீறி பான் மசாலா விற் பனை அமோ க மாக நடந்து வரு கி றது. அதி கா ரி கள் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும் என சமூக ஆர் வ லர் கள் கோரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ள னர்.

தமி ழ கத் தில் கடந்த 2013 ஏப் ரல் 23ம் தேதி பான் ம சாலா, வாயில் மெல் லும் புகை யிலை பொருட் களுக்கு தடை விதிக் கப் பட்டது. இப் பொ ருட் களை மொத் த மா கவோ, சில் ல ரை யா கவோ விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது. மீறி னால் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என எச் ச ரிக் கை யும் விடப் பட்டது.

ஆனால் ராம நா த பு ரம் மாவட்டத் தில் பர மக் குடி மற் றும் அதன் சுற் றுப் புற பகு தி களில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் விற் பனை ஜோராக நடந்து வரு கி றது. தடையை பயன் ப டுத்தி, மறை மு க மாக அதிக விலை வைத்து இந்த பாக் கெட்டு கள் விற் கப் ப டு கின் றன. இவற்றை கண் கா ணித்து நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டிய அதி கா ரி கள் கண் டு கொள் வ தில்லை என சமூக ஆர் வ லர் கள் குற் றம் சாட்டி யுள் ள னர்.

இது குறித்து சமூ க ஆர் வ லர் பார்த் தி ப னூர் விஜ ய ரா க வன் கூறு கை யில், ‘‘மாநில அள வில் தின மும் 4 கோடி வரை இப் பொ ருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன. ரூ.100 கோடி வரை வரு வாய் கிடைப் ப தாக ஒரு ஆய்வு தெரி வித் துள் ளது. பான் ம சலா, வாயில் மெல் லும் புகை யி லையை பயன் ப டுத் து வ தால் புற் று நோய், சிறு நீ ரக பாதிப்பு, நரம்பு மண் ட லம், மூளை பாதிப்பு உட் பட பல் வேறு உடல் உபா தை கள் ஏற் பட வாய்ப் புள் ளது. இப் பழக் கதை கைவிட முடி யா மல் இளை ஞர் கள் பலர் சுற்றி வரு கின் ற னர். கடை களில் பதுக்கி வைத்து இப் பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது. ரூ.5 க்கு விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்ட பாக் கெட் ரூ.10 முதல் 15 வரை யும், சற்று பெரிய அள வி லான பாக் கெட் ரூ.30 வரை யும் கொள்ளை லாபம் வைத்து விற் பனை செய் கின் ற னர் ’’ என் றார்.

நச் சுப்ெ பா ருட் கள் அதி கம்

மருத் து வர் ஒரு வர் கூறு கை யில், ‘‘பான் ம சாலா, வாயில் மெல் லும் உணவு பொருட் களில் காரி யம், சோடி யம் கார் ப னேட், அமோ னியா, அமோ னி யம் கார் ப னேட், நைட் ரஸ் போன்ற உட லுக்கு தீங்கு ஏற் ப டுத் தும் நச் சுப் பொ ருட் கள் அதிக அள வில் உள் ளன. 4 ஆயி ரத் துக் கும் மேற் பட்ட நச்சு பொருட் கள் இதில் உள் ளன. நீண்ட காலம் இப் பொ ருட் கள் பயன் ப டுத் து வோ ருக்கு பற் கள், ஈறு கள் சிதைந்து போகும், வாயில் புகை யி லையை வைப் ப தால் அரித்து துளை ஏற் ப டும் வாய்ப் புள் ளது. இப் ப ழக் கத்தை திடீர் என நிறுத் தி னால் ஏற் ப டும் பாதிப்பு விரை வில் சரி யாகி விடும் ’’ என் றார்.

DINAMANI NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

FSSAI may issue NOCs for product launches

This system to be followed till the regulation is amended

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 23: 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will likely issue provisional ‘No Objection Certificates’ (NOCs) to food manufacturers for product launches after the Supreme Court quashed its product approval advisory issued last week.

This system will remain in place till the regulation can be amended in tune with the apex court’s ruling on August 19.

Industry stakeholders had sought clarity over what would follow after the advisory was made invalid for approvals that had been rejected by or were pending with the food regulator, FSSAI.

Sources said FSSAI officials, including Chairman Ashish Bahuguna, indicated the possible solution to prevent manufacturers from being stuck in a limbo at a meeting with industry officials on Saturday.

The meeting was held under the aegis of industry chamber Assocham.

“One of the core issues in front of the industry after the SC order is how we proceed with product launches. It seems the food regulator could look at giving a provisional NOC to help companies launch products till there is an amendment,” said a senior official present at the meeting.

A presentation made by the industry highlighted the need for risk assessment and mitigation processes to be instituted by FSSAI prior to subsequent decisions and regulations.

A “suitable redressal mechanism” was also requested at the Central and State levels.

Core group

Importantly, the presentation suggested that the label of ‘proprietary food’ be removed till specific standards are established and that a procedure was required to approve ingredients and additives cleared by food agencies abroad but not by FSSAI.

“FSSAI officials said that industry should form a core group to give their suggestions regarding problems they are facing with regulations. We urged the regulator to develop a communication channel and meet with manufacturers every quarter in the light of recent issues,” he added.

The “issues” referred include testing standards, labelling norms and product approvals, which have become commonplace in the aftermath of Nestle’s Maggi Noodles controversy.

Innovation and Regulations in Product Approval

Food safety is becoming a growing global concern with regulatory regimes worldwide facing the challenge of minimising food safety risks. With India being one of the biggest markets for the import of various kinds of food products from across the globe, food safety has become a major concern for India. The government is focussing on the delivery of safe and wholesome food to its citizens by setting up a single unified established standard. Enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) is a major step taken by the government in this direction.

The FSSA was introduced to establish a single statutory body for governing food laws, setting standards of enforcement so as to remove confusion from the minds of consumers, traders, manufacturers and investors pertaining to multiple food laws prevailing in the country. FSSA, 2006, integrates and consolidates all food safety related legislations.

An FBO needs to apply for product approval before licensing when the ingredient(s) and / or additive(s) used by him are those for which standards are not specified under FSS Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations and are different from those of the product which are detailed in the FSS Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations. All imports of food articles are subjected to scrutiny under the FSSA. As per the FSSA, all imports will come under Central Licensing. An existing importer will need to be registered with the Central Authority and all imported products will be screened for safety parameters by FSSAI.

Scope of Product Approval 

Standardised foods do not require Product Approval – Food for which standards are prescribed in FSS Regulations and the food product conforms to the prescribed standards (both for product categories and those which may apply across all products), it is termed as Standardised Food and does not require Product Approval.

Non-standardised foods require Product Approval – Excluding the above major category, all other Food Products are termed as non-standardised and need to be subjected to risk/safety assessment and require Product Approval. 

Products for which Product Approval is required:

The food product(s) including food ingredient (s) or food additive(s) for which there are no standards notified by FSSAI will require Product Approval.

Product Approval is also required in cases where the product is already approved under the Product Approval System but there are minor compositional changes in ingredients provided that FSS Regulations have been defined for that ingredient. 

Every product which has different ingredient (s) and /or additive(s) needs separate Product Approval (except any number of flavours or colours can be accommodated in one application).

Organic Food Product, ingredients and additives are treated in the same manner as non-organic products for the purpose of the Product Approval.

If the intermediary or premix which are not meant for consumer contain ingredients or additives which are not specified or do not have standards in the FSS Regulations will require Product Approval.

The permissible amount of vitamins and minerals is as per RDA of ICMR guidelines and, however the applications will get rejected wherein vitamins and minerals have been added above RDA.

Product Approval will be required for a food product, all ingredients of which are approved or allowed by FSSAI under its various regulations, but the product per se is not standardised. 

In case the product contains ingredient (s) and /additive(s) which are not mentioned in the Indian Standards but their safety and usage limits are established by Codex and other regulatory bodies like EU/USFDA then such products may be given Product Approval.

Product Approval is required for products where added colours or flavours are not approved in the FSSR.

If all ingredients are approved by FSSR but a new additive which is not allowed under FSSR is added then Product Approval is required. The application should be submitted in Form 1 (a) giving all relevant data on Status of Approval in Codex/USFDA/EU/FSANZ etc. If it is not approved by these regulatory bodies, then it will be forwarded to Scientific Panel on Additives for evaluation.

Ayurvedic ingredients are not permitted by FSSR but have been approved and authorised for use since ages. Such Ayurvedic ingredients will require Product Approval if it is not normally consumed as conventional food and will fall under 1A category of PA Advisory.

If the NOC has been granted for a certain product, it is mandatory for the FBO to carry out trading of that product with the exact name as given in the NOC otherwise any other fancy name used on the product label keeping the composition same will require Product Approval.

Product Approval is required if a proprietary ingredient (having NOC) is added to a standardised product as the final product will also become proprietary.

When a company has sought Product Approval under Brand A and then wishes to manufacture the same product under a different brand, will require to obtain Product Approval again with the formulation remaining same, however, no additional fee needs to be paid.

The Product Approval is required for the manufacturing of food products by 100% Export Oriented Units which sell and distribute a part of the food products domestically.The units covered under the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as defined by the ministry of commerce are not required to apply for Product Approval.

Products for which Product Approval is not required:

Product approval is not required for products with same composition but different nomenclature except in cases where different claim is made on the label.

Traditional / ethnic foods mentioned under Regulation 3.1.1 (2) of FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, which are cooked, served and consumed fresh e.g. Sarson ka saag, raita, dal, dosa or idlis or rasham or sambhar are not required to get Product Approval, provided it contains food additives permitted in Table 2 of appendix of FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. However, the moment someone decides to process these foods with the addition of any preservatives or colours or any fortification with vitamins and proteins etc. for packaging with a given shelf-life, it ceases to be traditional or ethnic food and may require Product Approval, if the same is not in conformity with the prescribed standard.

In case one business entity (such as franchise etc.) of a company has obtained the Product Approval for Product X, then another business entity of the same company will not required to file an application for Product Approval for same Product X, only brand owner needs to obtain Product Approval.

No separate product approval is required for the organic nature of the standardised product or which has otherwise been granted product approval.

The products which are mentioned in Annexure A or in any part of FSS regulations will not require Product Approval.The Food Authority has recently adopted a two-pronged strategy to make the Product Approval System more responsive i.e. (i) through screening of application on a regular basis i.e. an average of 4 day/week basis to clear the backlog and adhere to a definite time-frame to decide the applications for Product Approvals. (ii) Develop more and more standards and notify the same through regulations so as to cover a wider range of food products within the scope of prescribed standards.

The need for Product Approvals has been partially reduced with the development of more and more food standards by revisiting the existing standards and setting of standards for new food products. The Union ministry of health has approved and finalised harmonisation of more than 11,000 standards of Additives with that of CODEX. FSSAI thus, has issued draft regulations which may be called the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2015, link of which is- http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Draft_Regulation_on_Food_additives_WTO_23_07_2015.pdf

FSSAI has also issued draft regulations which may be called as the Food Safety and Standards (Food or Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Foods for Special Medical purpose, Functional Foods, and Novel Food) Regulations, 2015. The link for these regulations is-http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Draft_Regulation_on_Nutraceuticals_WTO_23_07_2015.pdf 

The move is expected to benefit the food companies as they would not be required to obtain Product Approval for products/ingredients/additives covered in the harmonisation.

This will be helpful in absence of national standards and will orient standardised process of food safety, overall development of consumer safety.

This will facilitate export to developed markets.

This will help in equivalence and facilitation of traceability process.

This will help to monitor imported food.

Such incremental notification of food standards and regulations is expected to expand the horizons of standardised food. The notification of about 11,000 horizontal standards for the additive is likely to reduce the need for Product Approvals to some extent. However, as per FSSAI, so long as an FBO prefers to place a product in the market as a ‘Proprietary Food,’ claiming exclusivity to the same, requiring risk and safety assessment, the system of Product Approvals will continue.

Online Food Product Approval System for the FBO

Earlier, the FSSAI Product Approval process used to be manual wherein the Product Approval application and a demand draft for the prescribed fee had to be submitted to the FSSAI office in New Delhi. However, to cope with the increase in Product Approval applications and bring in transparency into the system, FSSAI has recently introduced the Food Product Approval System (FPAS). Product Approval application can now be submitted and tracked online through the FSSAI FPAS online system.

Steps of Online Food Product Approval System for the FBO

FBO Registration in FPAS

New Application

Eligibility Check of the Application

Product Details of the Application

Ingredient Details of the Application

Additive Details of the Application

Supporting Documents of the Application

Summary PDF of the Application

Online Payment

Submission of the Application

Application Reference ID

To make an FSSAI Product Approval application the following information pertaining to the company and product is required: Business Name; Business Address; Email; Phone Number; Manufacturers’ Address; Type of Business (Manufacturer / Importer / Retailer / Marketer); Product Origin; Country of Origin; Existence in the Market; Common Name; Brand Name; Method of Manufacturing; Claim, if any; Shelf Life of the Product; Pack Size; Serving Details; and Ingredients Details.

In addition to the above information, the following documents must also be submitted in the FSSAI Product Approval application: Label for the food product; Method of manufacturing; Accelerated stability datasheet; Realtime stability datasheet; End Use Declaration Document; Certificate of Analysis from NABL Lab; Undertaking and Form-9.

The FSSAI has also prepared the Explanatory Notes with a view to assisting the FBOs about the particulars required to be given in an application. The link for these explanatory notes is -http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/Explanatory_Notes_on_Product_Approvals.pdf 

India is slated to be the food factory of the world. Making the regulatory process conducive for innovation will multiply the industry several fold. 

(The authors work at d technology and can be contacted at projects@dtechnology.ooo

Traders demand repeal of all FSSAI advisories since 2013

All advisories issued by the food regulator FSSAI since 2013 should be withdrawn, traders' body CAIT has demanded. 

The traders' body in a letter to Health Minister J P Nadda has written that "all advisories issued by FSSAI since year 2013 should be withdrawn immediately to give respect to a Supreme Court order". 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently got a jolt from the Supreme Court, which dismissed its plea against a Bombay High Court order staying its 2013 advisory requiring manufacturers to take approvals for the products already in the market. 

It has been observed that since a long time, FSSAI is conducting its working through issuing advisories from time to time not only to State FDA Departments but even to Stakeholders, CAIT National President B C Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said in a statement released today. 

"Since 2013, FSSAI has issued about 15 advisories which are in public domain and with order of Supreme Court, all such advisories tend to be redundant and as such liable to be withdrawn," the statement claimed. 

CAIT has urged the Health Minister to take immediate cognisance of the matter and take actions so that the food business operators may not be harassed by the administrative system. 

The lobby has also asked the minister to constitute a committee of senior officials and representatives of stakeholders to suggest amendments to the FSSAI Act. 

The present Act is designed to promote packaged food business in the country and the MNCs and it is far from ground realities and that of Indian food habits, the statement said.

Maggi ban: It’s more than just a two-minute tangle

If you are to go by the dictum you are what you eat, chances are your menu will be rather limited. Because from time to time, thanks to food safety inspectors, one food item or the other is deemed unfit for consumption. How do they arrive at such conclusions? More by hits and misses, if the Maggi controversy is anything to go by.

See if you can digest this. Andhra Pradesh has 13 districts, each of which needs a dozen food safety officers. There is one in each. Uttar Pradesh has five laboratories for testing food items that get up to 150 samples every day for testing. That would need at least 650 people.

They make do with 55.

We consume a large amount of pesticides and insecticides every day. According to the government, no less than 7,500 people died last year because they had eaten contaminated food. Many basic foodstuff contains adulterants: Turmeric contains metanil yellow, pepper contains small stones, milk contains detergents, chicken contains growth hormones.

On July 16, 2013, at least 23 students died and dozens fell ill at a primary school in Bihar after eating a midday meal. According to the World Health Organization, about 10% of infant deaths in India in 2013 were due to diarrhoea, a disease caused by bad food and water.

The US is known to reject Indian snacks because it finds pesticides and salmonella in them, and because they are seen to be stored in unhygienic conditions.

This newspaper reported last week on the Vaitarna river that supplies water to 1.7 million homes in Mumbai’s western suburbs.

This water contains domestic waste, bio-med-ical and industrial waste, animal carcasses, toxic liquid and huge amounts of garbage. In its 150-km journey before reaching Mumbai, this water gets treated just once — at a 30-year-old treatment plant in Bhandup, which is not entirely equipped for the task.

Who is to be held accountable? Perhaps too many people. And so no one. Things are different when there is a corporate entity to target, better if it is a multinational. That makes news, in fact headlines.

In 2013, according to a Reuters report, a Gorakhpur laboratory said it found monosodium glutamate in Maggi. The local retailer who sold the instant noodle paid a fine of Rs 25,000.

Nothing more was heard of the case after that. Last year, a day before Holi, food inspectors picked up packets of Maggi in Barabanki, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, and sent them for testing to the same Gorakhpur laboratory. It said the samples did not live up to the claim on the label: No added MSG.

Nestle challenged the finding, saying whatever the laboratory had found was because of a natural process. It may sound perverse, but Nestle would have been better off following the example of the local retailer who had settled the issue for Rs 25,000.

That would have been a fraction of the damage it has suffered to its finances and reputation by appealing.

The fire that started in Barabanki was stoked by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which banned the popular noodle and asked the Swiss multinational to withdraw it from the market.

Nestle recalled all the Maggi stock from the market and destroyed it. Some 27,420 tonnes of Maggi worth Rs 210 crore were burnt in furnaces of cement factories.

Material stock worth another Rs 110 crore with Nestle had to be discarded. Cement plants had to be paid to do the burning. Much time and money was spent on the logistics of recalling the packs from 3.5 million outlets.

Reports say 10,000 vehicles and 38 warehouses were involved.

Two laboratories approved by the FSSAI, one in Goa and another in Mysore, cleared Maggi. But their reports were trashed by the regulator for what it saw as lapses in testing.

One by one, the food approving authorities of seven countries also declared Maggi safe to eat. The last one was the biggest of them all, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), known to have the most stringent standards.

The USFDA’s clean chit came sandwiched between two big, contrasting events.

Just the day before, the government sought Rs 640 crore from Nestle in a class action suit before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).

A few days later, the Bombay High Court quashed the ban, saying principles of natural justice were not followed by the FSSAI and Maharashtra’s Food and Drugs department before banning Maggi. It allowed Nestle to go in for fresh testing.

Undaunted, the FSSAI chairman said in a newspaper interview that the ban was correct. Consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan said his ministry was not going to withdraw the suit before the NCDRC.

You would think the government and its regulators were concerned about what you eat, that they go the extra mile to make sure it was safe. If only that were the case.

In the middle of July, food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the FSSAI’s “inspector raj” had scared off investors.

Why did Nestle destroy the Maggi stock if there was nothing wrong with it? “If their product was safe why did they destroy it? We ordered only recall of the product and offered that if the product was safe for consumption they should export it. However they destroyed it,” said FSSAI CEO Yudhvir Singh Malik to The Indian Express.

Fair question, but does it establish a proof of guilt?

A line of management thinking says you don’t build companies, you build brands. Building a brand, and retaining its sheen, is all about managing perceptions. Nestle perhaps wanted to send the message to its consumers that it was not in favour of retaining something that had a taint on it. This was anyway packs recalled from shop shelves.

Why keep it? They would have gone through all kinds of transport and stocking. There would also be the possibility of stock past its sell-by date getting into the market.

The FSSAI, too, has a question to answer, raised by the Supreme Court, which last week refused to approve the regulator’s advisory to enforce food safety norms on imported food items.

According to this advisory, the FSSAI required manufacturers to take approval for a broad spectrum of food products including novel foods, functional foods, food supplements, irradiated foods, genetically modified foods, foods for special dietary uses, extracts, concentrates of botanicals... phew!

“Where is the authority for you to do this?” the court asked. As much as authority, someone should give them the wherewithal.

BANNED BITES - Govt can't stomach junk food at school canteens

Ban On Sale Of Unhealthy Food In & Around Schools Suggested

Shivam's* lunch break at school is never complete without a packet of potato chips that he buys from the canteen.

But the snack may soon be the forbidden food at school.

Earlier this year, the Union minister for women and child development had constituted a committee to study accessibility of junk food to children. The committee, in its report, has now recommended a ban on the sale of junk food in school canteens. Also, vendors, shops and restaurants within a 200m radius of schools should not be allowed to sell such items to children in school uniform, it said. The committee also said cases of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other physiological disorders among children are rising.

“The committee has suggested a comprehensive defini tion of junk food in the context of children and has suggested that all food items falling in the definition of junk food should be banned from school canteens,“ said a press statement issued by the Union minister of women and child development.

The student community , however, is not satisfied with the recommendations. “I will be disappointed if chips are banned. I al ways buy something to eat during the intervals or after school.A packet of chips or samosas is what I like,“ said Shivam, a student of a CBSE school in Coimbatore. Another student of a matriculation school, who is in Class 10, said, “I am hungry after school. I go to tuition classes directly from school. I have to go to the chaat shop near my school and eat something.“

Parents, however, have lauded the suggestions. “I will be very happy if the government implements this. I pack lunch for my son every day but he likes to buy something from the school canteen. Most of the times he eats food fried in reheated oil,“ said mother of a Class 9 student.

Doctors and nutritionists too have welcomed the recommendations. “Ten years ago 10-15% kids I treated were overweight. Today , every third child is overweight. It is high time we reduce consumption of junk food,“ said consultant paediatrician at PSG Hospitals, Jayavardhana A. “The committee should also think about putting curbs on advertisements which attract children to junk food,“ he said.

However, school representatives said only healthy food is sold in canteens. President of Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association R Visalakshi said, “The committee should list out junk food items.Simply defining junk food will not help.“

Principal of MCC Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, Revathy Bonns said the school does not serve junk food to students. “It is a good idea to ban sale of junk food around the premises but it may be difficult to implement. Awareness should be created in schools to discourage children from buying junk food,“ she said. Vel's Billabong principal Meenakshi Ramesh said teachers should educate students and spread awareness.“Ultimately , the students must realise. But the school should not sell any junk food. Instead, canteens can provide healthy food,“ she said.

CSE welcomes proposal to ban junk food sale in schools

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed the move by an expert committee set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) which has recommended ban on sale of junk foods in school canteens and within 200 meters of school in its report submitted to the ministry this week.

CSE, in a release issued on Saturday noted that they have been stridently calling for such an action for some time now, under its food safety campaign.

“Junk food consumption among school children is a big problem and the recommendations of the committee are in the right direction. Several countries have taken similar measures. The ministry needs to take this forward now,” said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, responding to the development.

The committee, chaired by T. Longvah, director-in-charge, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, was asked to look into the issues related to growing problems of obesity in children and its relationship with consumption of junk food.

In its report, the committee expressed its concern on rising childhood obesity, diabetes and hypertension and reviewed how junk food is regulated across several countries and the available legislative and institutional frameworks in India.

The committee suggested banning sale of junk foods within 200 meters of the school during school hours by vendors, and by shops and at restaurants to children in school uniform. It further suggested a list of desirable food items to be offered in school canteens.

The report recommends modifications required in the labelling of pre-packaged foods and the need for promotion campaigns to be undertaken by several stakeholder ministries.

It also suggests inclusion of nutrition related aspects in the school health card, and renaming the School Health Programme to School Health and Nutrition Programme.

A committee set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development was asked to look into the issues related to obesity in children and its relationship with consumption of junk food

Illegally-bottled water seized

Officials of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), on Thursday, raided the premises of a packaged drinking water manufacturer at Ezhupuram in the district and seized over 200 cartons containing illegally-bottled water in 1-litre, 2-litre and 300-ml pet bottles with fake ISI mark on them.

BIS officials said packaged drinking water was being filled at the plant under two brand names without a valid licence from them. “The firm’s licence had expired in March this year and it never cared to apply for renewal of licence to use ISI mark, which is mandatory as per the FSSAI Act, 2006.” One of the brands in question, was found to be marketed by a firm based at Edavanna in Malappuram district.

Offenders under the BIS Act could face imprisonment for a year or fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both. “Fake ISI-marked products are manufactured and sold to common consumers for huge profit. People should ascertain the genuineness of ISI mark on a product before purchase by logging into the BIS website,” they said. Instances of violation could be intimated to K. Kadirvel, Head, Bureau of Indian Standards at Kochi at 0484-2341174 orhtbo@bis.org.in.

FSSAI officials stumble upon bank office at Lucknow's Nestle godown

LUCKNOW: During a surprise inspection carried out at a store house/godown of Nestle India in Unnao's Shuklaganj area, officials of FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) were surprised to find a 'full-fledged' branch of State Bank of India working on the address, which as per records of FSSAI houses the godown/store house of Nestle India. The interesting development came to fore on Friday (August 14), when the the central licensing authority of FSSAI had gone to Unnao to conduct an on the spot checks of the godowns of Nestle India. 

Confirming the incident, Manisha Narayan, central licensing authority of FSSAI Lucknow, said, "As per the records in FSSAI office, there are 5 warehouses/godowns (having valid licence) of Nestle India in Unnao's Shuklaganj area. However, when we reached there, we found that a branch of SBI was functioning in a full-fledged manner on the address available with us." She further added that as per laid down provisions, the company has to surrender its licence if it wishes to change the location of its godown or go for a closure (provided the validity of the licence remains intact). FSSAI officials later told that further investigations are on. 

Prior to this, police had lodged an FIR against Nestle India Limited in Banthara police station of Lucknow. Ram Murti Yadav, station officer of Banthara police station, said, "FIR against Nestle India Limited has been lodged under sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 507(criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code. The noodle stock of the company (Nestle India Limited) has been seized." 

Elaborating more about the FIR, Manisha Narayan, said, "The FIR, which has been lodged following the police complaint made by me, is against Balbir (in-charge of the company's godown in Banthara) and other employees of Nestle India. In my complaint, I had categorically mentioned Nestle India (as a party)." 

On August 13, the stockist of the Nestle India along with his men allegedly misbehaved with 3-member FSSAI staff, who had gone to the Banthara store house to take Maggi noodles into their custody. Recalling the ugly moments, Manisha, said, "On August 13, when we were doing our job (after issuing the seizure memo), the employees of the godown said that do whatever you can. We do not care." She further added that FSSAI staff was virtually pushed out of the store house, the loaded trucks emptied and the store house subsequently locked.

Lucknow DM admits pending cases of food adulteration, says strict vigil is on

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow district administration has admitted that thousands of cases of food adulteration are pending since last 5 to 10 years are so. Most of the pendency is at the level of concerned ACJM (civil court) and most of the cases are pursued by LMC. District magistrate Raj Shekhar said, "DO letter will be sent to district judge requesting him to intervene in the matter and instruct concerned ACJM to expedite the disposal of the cases. This issue will also be flagged in the monitoring cell meeting with the judicial officers." 

The DM also informed that imposing fine or challan will be monitored weekly by the city magistrate, who will submit a report to the DM, and added that food establishment, which have not applied for registration would come under the ambit of fine/challan. As of now (as per the state of UP , Dept of Food safety) the last date registration for the valid food license for all kinds of food establishments was August 4. Now the time has not been extended by the state government.

Excess lead in UP's Yippee samples: FDA

MEERUT: A sample of Yippee noodles from Aligarh has been found to have lead content beyond permissible limits, according to officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) here.

The company, however, denied the charge and made it clear that they had received no communication from the state government in this regard. A statement by the company said, "It would be pertinent to note that the company has in the recent past carried out tests of more than 700 samples of Sunfeast Yippee noodles both internally and externally at NABL-accredited FSSAI-approved laboratories in India and international laboratories in Italy, Singapore and Japan and have found that the lead content in all the samples was either not detected, or much below the prescribed limits under the Food Safety Regulations. All the test results have been posted on our website."

According to FDA officials, the sample, manufactured on March 31, 2015, had been collected by an FDA team from the Vishal mega Mart at Kishanpur Chauraha here in May and sent to the laboratory for testing. The report notes that the noodle sample had lead content of 1.705 parts per million (ppm) beyond the permissible limit of 1.0 ppm, while the tastemaker had lead content of 3.245 ppm against the limit of 2.5 ppm, said officials.

The sample has now been sent for further testing to the department of food safety and security in Lucknow. If given the nod by analysts at Lucknow, the FDA will file a court case against Vishal Megamart, from where the sample was taken, the manufacturer ITC and the vendor or distributor, officials said.

"We are waiting for the department in Lucknow to give the nod before we file the case," said FDA's designated officer Chandan Pandey, talking to TOI. "High lead content in food adversely affects our nervous system."

However, the seller of the sample stated that they have not been informed of the development. "We have not got any intimation or notice from the government. Only a report has been sent. It is difficult to say anything right now. If we do get the notice we will reapply to the government and send the product for retests," said Dilip Yadav, purchase manager, Vishal Megamart.

Yippee noodles' manufacturers insisted that their products are regularly tested at their as well as FSSAI-approved laboratories. "We rigorously and regularly test our product for all parameters including heavy metals both in our in-house NABL accredited laboratory at the ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, Bangalore and external NABL-accredited and FSSAI-approved laboratories," the company's statement said.

5 reasons your food must have sugar

Sugar, yes please! Here's why it is often added to foods 

Who said sugar is added to foods just to make it sweet? Here are some more reasons to cherish it. The University of Minnesota researchers have explained the five functional properties of sugar.

The first one is taste. Sugar's sweetness improves the palatability of many foods. Adding sugar to foods with high nutrient quality may increase the chance they are consumed.

Additionally, sugar plays an important role in contributing to the flavor profile of foods by interacting with other ingredients to enhance or lessen certain flavors.

The second property of sugar is the color and flavor. The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned foods their desirable flavor and caramelisation is fundamental to the formation of color in several food products and can't happen without the addition of sugar.

Additionally, the Maillard reaction also provides desirable flavor formation in foods such as baked goods, chocolate, coffee and meat.

The third property is the bulk and texture of sugar, as it provides bulk to foods which impacts the mouthfeel and texture. Sugar affects multiple chemical reactions that form the texture of baked goods, ice cream, candies, and jams, preserves and jellies.

The fourth property is the fermentation, which is a process in which microorganisms in the absence of oxygen generate energy by oxidizing carbohydrates, like sugar. Sugar aids in the fermentation of many common food and beverage products produced including yogurt, vinegar, sour cream, wine, beer, bread, cheese, soy sauce, and sauerkraut.

The last one is preservation. The hygroscopic nature of sugar plays a crucial role in reducing water activity in foods. Sugar also prevents baked goods from becoming dry or stale and it also preserves the color of frozen fruits and jellies.

The study is published in the journal Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.

DINAMALAR NEWS

ஆவடி பகுதிகளில் தடைசெய்யப்பட்ட குட்கா பதுக்கி விற்ற 9 பேர் கைது 2690 பாக்கெட்கள் பறிமுதல்

 

ஆவடி, ஆக. 23:

ஆவடி, பட்டா பி ராம், திரு முல் லை வா யல் பகு தி களில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய்த 9 பேரை போலீ சார் கைது செய் த னர். அவர் களி டம் இருந்து 2690 புகை யிலை பாக் கெட்டு கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டது.

ஆவடி, பட்டா பி ராம், திரு முல் லை வா யல் பகு தி களில் பெட்டி கடை களில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் வ தாக போலீ சா ருக்கு தக வல் வந் தது.

இதனை அடுத்து நேற்று இன்ஸ் பெக் டர் கள் விஜ ய ரா க வன், மாரி யப் பன் ஆகி யோர் தலை மை யில் போலீ சார் கடை களில் தீவிர சோதனை நடத் தி னர். அப் போது ஆவடி பகு தி க ளான சி.டி.எச் சாலை, புதிய ராணுவ சாலை, காம ரா ஜர் நகர் பிர தான சாலை மற் றும் பட்டா பி ராம், தெற்கு பஜார், திரு முல் லை வா யல், சி.டி.எச் சாலை ஆகிய இடங் களில் உள்ள கடை களில் இருந்து ஹான்ஸ், பான் ப ராக், மாவா உள் ளிட்ட தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் 2690 பாக் கெட்டு களை போலீ சார் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

இதனை அடுத்து விற் பனை செய்த வியா பா ரி கள் சென்னை, சர்மா நகர், காம ரா ஜர் தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த வேலு(42), ஆவடி, கவு ரிப் பேட்டை, ஈஸ் வ ரன் கோயில் தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த பகத் சிங் (38), ஆவடி, ஓ.சி.எப் குடி யி ருப் பைச் சார்ந்த தர் மா சிங் (54), ஆவடி, காம ரா ஜர் நகர், போஸ்ட் ஆபிஸ் தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த அந் தோணி (26), ஆவடி, பக் த வச் ச ல பு ரம், 2வது தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த கண் ணன் (45), ஆவடி, காம ரா ஜர் நகர், சுந் த ரம் தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த தயா ளன்(60), பட்டா பி ராம், திரு.வி.க நக ரைச் சார்ந்த கோவிந் த சாமி (49), பட்டா பி ராம், காம ரா ஜர் பு ரம், திரு வள் ளூர் தெரு வைச் சார்ந்த கருப் ப சாமி (41), ஆவடி அருகே திரு முல் லை வா யல், சி.டி.எச் சாலையை சார்ந்த கார்த் திக் (25) ஆகிய 9 பேரை போலீ சார் கைது செய் த னர்.

கொஞ்சம் அமுதம் கொஞ்சம் நஞ்சு 10: மென்பானங்களின் இன்னொரு முகம்!

ஹோட்டலுக்குச் சாப்பிடப் போகிறோம். பக்கத்து டேபிளில் உட்கார்ந்திருப்பவரோ, எதிர் டேபிளில் உட்கார்ந்திருப்பவரோ சாப்பிட்டுக்கொண்டே ஒவ்வொரு கவளத்துக்கும் இடையே மென்பானம் ஒன்றை மடக்மடக்கென்று சாப்பாட்டுடன் சேர்த்து உள்ளே தள்ளிக் கொண்டிருப்பார். இன்றைக்கு இது சாதாரண விஷயமாகிவிட்டது. ஹோட்டல்களில்தான் என்றில்லை, போன் செய்தவுடன் வீட்டுக்கு அதிவேகமாக வந்துசேரும் துரித உணவு வகைகள் பலவற்றுக்கும் மென்பானங்கள் இலவசமாகவே வழங்கப்படுகின்றன. இப்படிக் குடிநீரின் இடத்தை மென்பானம் பிடித்து நாளாகிவிட்டது.

இந்த மென்பானங்களில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருப்பது தொடர்பாக டெல்லி சி.எஸ்.இ. (அறிவியல் மற்றும் சுற்றுச்சூழல் மையம்) வெளியிட்ட ஆய்வு முடிவு, 2003-ல் நாடாளுமன்றத்தை உலுக்கியது. மென்பானத்தில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருப்பதைத் தாண்டி, இன்னொரு முக்கியமான விஷயமும் அந்த ஆய்வு முடிவில் சுட்டிக்காட்டப்பட்டது. அது, அமெரிக்காவில் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படும் கோகோ கோலா, பெப்சி மென்பான மாதிரிகளையும் சி.எஸ்.இ. பரிசோதித்தது. ஆனால், அங்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் இதே நிறுவனத்தின் தயாரிப்புகளில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இல்லை என்பதுதான்.

எவ்வளவு குடிக்கிறோம்?

பாட்டில் குடிநீரில் உள்ள பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகள் பற்றி கடந்த இரண்டு வாரங்களாகப் பார்த்தோம். பாட்டில் குடிநீருக்கான மூலப்பொருளான அதே நிலத்தடி நீர்தான், மென்பானங்களின் அடிப்படை மூலப்பொருள். நம் நாட்டில் பாட்டில் குடிநீர், மென்பானங்கள் இரண்டையும் ஒரே நிறுவனங்கள்தான், பெரும்பாலும் உற்பத்தி செய்கின்றன. ஆனால் மென்பானம் குடிப்பது, பாட்டில் குடிநீரைவிட ஆபத்தானது, ஏன்?

இந்த இடத்தில் ஒரு சின்ன பொருளாதாரக் கணக்கு, நம் புரிதலை இன்னும் எளிமையாக்கும். தேசிய அளவில் பாட்டில் குடிநீர் உற்பத்தியில் புழங்கும் பணம் ரூ. 1,000 கோடி. ஆனால், மென்பானத் தொழிலில் புழங்கும் பணமோ ரூ. 6,000 -7,000 கோடி என்ற கணிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. ஓராண்டில் சராசரியாக 660 கோடி பாட்டில் மென்பானங்களை இந்தியர்கள் குடிக்கிறார்கள். இதுகூட 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய கணக்குதான். மொத்தம் 1,175 கோடி லிட்டர் மென்பானம் விற்பனையாவதாக 2013-ம் ஆண்டு கணக்கு சொல்கிறது.

12 நிறுவனங்கள்

இவ்வளவு பணம் புழங்கும் ஒரு மிகப் பெரிய துறை சார்ந்த கண்காணிப்பும், ஆய்வும் அத்தியாவசியம். ஆனால், எப்போதும்போல் அரசு பாராமுகமாகவே இருக்கிறது. இந்தப் பின்னணியில் புதுடெல்லியில் உள்ள சி.எஸ்.இயின் மாசுபாடு கண்காணிப்பு ஆய்வகம் மென்பானங்கள் தொடர்பான ஆய்வகப் பரிசோதனைகளை 2003-ம் ஆண்டில் மேற்கொண்டது. பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் தொடர்பாக பி.ஐ.எஸ். (இந்திய தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு அமைப்பு), மத்திய பொது சுகாதார, சுற்றுச்சூழல் பொறியியல் அமைப்பு ஆகியவற்றின் (Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation - CPHEEO) வழிகாட்டுதல்களின்படி குடிநீர்-தொடர்புடைய தயாரிப்புகளில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருக்கக் கூடாது.

இது திட்டவட்ட விதிமுறையாக வரையறுக்கப்படவில்லை என்றாலும், ‘பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருக்கக் கூடாது' என்பதை இந்த நிறுவனங்கள் வலியுறுத்துகின்றன. இந்த வழிகாட்டுதலையே விதிமுறையாக எடுத்துக்கொண்டு சி.எஸ்.இ. பரிசோதனைகளை நடத்தியது.

கோகோ கோலா, பெப்சி என மிகவும் பிரபலமான இரண்டு நிறுவனத் தயாரிப்புகள் அல்லாமல், அனைத்து மென்பானங்களும் இந்த ஆய்வில் பரிசோதிக்கப்பட்டன. அமெரிக்கப் பன்னாட்டு நிறுவனங்களான மேற்கண்ட இரண்டும் இந்திய மென்பானச் சந்தையில் 90 சதவீதத்தைக் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வைத்துள்ளன. இந்தியாவில் ஏற்கெனவே பிரபலமாக இருந்த வேறு பல மென்பான நிறுவனங்களையும், அவற்றின் தயாரிப்புகளையும் இவை கையகப்படுத்திவிட்டன. சி.எஸ்.இயின் ஆய்வு இந்த இரண்டு நிறுவனத் தயாரிப்புகளை மட்டும் குறிவைப்பது போலத் தோன்றலாம். ஆனால், அது உண்மையில்லை. டெல்லியில் விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் 12 நிறுவனங்களின் மென்பானங்களும் பரிசோதனைக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்டன.

ஏன் ஐரோப்பிய விதிமுறைகள்?

மென்பானத்தில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருக்கக்கூடிய அளவு தொடர்பாக திட்டவட்டமான விதிமுறைகளுக்குப் பதிலாக, வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகள் மட்டுமே தேசிய அளவில் இருக்கின்றன. இதனால், குடிநீர்-மென்பானம் தொடர்பான பரிசோதனைகளுக்கு வெளிநாட்டு விதிமுறைகளையே பின்பற்ற வேண்டியிருக்கிறது. அதிலும் உலக சுகாதார நிறுவனம், அமெரிக்க சுற்றுச்சூழல் பாதுகாப்பு அமைப்பின் விதிமுறைகள் இந்தியாவுக்குப் பொருந்தவில்லை. ஏனென்றால், இந்திய பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகள் அனைத்தையும் அவை கணக்கில் எடுத்துக்கொள்ளவில்லை. உலகின் பல நாடுகளில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட பல பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகள் இந்தியாவில் நீண்டகாலம் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன, தற்போதும் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டு வருகின்றன என்பதும் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

அதேநேரம் குடிநீர், அத்துடன் தொடர்புடைய மென்பானம் உள்ளிட்ட மற்ற தயாரிப்புகளில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சம் இருப்பதற்கான அதிகபட்ச அளவு தொடர்பாக ஐரோப்பிய யூனியன் சில விதிமுறைகளை வகுத்துள்ளது. குடிநீர், மென்பானத்தில் மனிதர்களை பாதிக்கும் எந்த ஒரு வேதி நச்சும் இருக்கக் கூடாது என்பதை உறுதிப்படுத்துவதாக ஐரோப்பிய விதிமுறைகள் உள்ளன. அதனால், தனது பரிசோதனைக்கு அடிப்படையாக அந்த விதிமுறைகளை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டு சி.எஸ்.இ. செயல்பட்டது.

ஐரோப்பிய பொருளாதாரக் குழுவின் வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகளின்படி குடிநீரில் அதிகபட்சமாக ஒரு தனிப்பட்ட பூச்சிக்கொல்லியின் அளவு ஒரு லிட்டரில் 0.0001 மில்லி கிராமும், பல்வேறுபட்ட பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகளின் மொத்த அளவு ஒரு லிட்டரில் 0.0005 மில்லி கிராமும் இருக்கலாம். அது மட்டுமல்லாமல் ஆல்ட்ரின், டைல்டின், ஹெப்டாகுளோர், ஹெப்டாகுளோர் ஈபாக்சைடு போன்றவை மேற்கண்ட அளவைவிடவும் குறைவாக, ஒரு லிட்டருக்கு 0.00003 மில்லிகிராம் மட்டுமே இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று வரையறுத்துள்ளது. இந்த விதிமுறைகள் பின்பற்றுவதற்கும் பரிசோதிப்பதற்கும் எளிதாகவும் உள்ளன.

உயிருக்கு ஆபத்து

தங்களுடைய பரிசோதனையில் 16 ஆர்கனோகுளோரின், 12 ஆர்கனோபாஸ்பரஸ், 4 செயற்கை பைரித்ராய்ட்ஸ் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி எச்சங்கள் கண்டறியப்பட்டதாக சி.எஸ்.இ. ஆய்வு முடிவு தெரிவிக்கிறது. இந்த எச்சங்கள் அனைத்துமே இந்திய விவசாயத்திலும் வீடுகளிலும் பரவலாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகளில் இருந்து வந்தவை என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

இந்த ஆய்வில் கண்டறியப்பட்ட லிண்டேன், டி.டி.டி., அவற்றின் மெட்டபாலைட்ஸ் துணை வகைகளான குளோர்பைரிஃபாஸ், மாலத்தியன் போன்றவை மனித உடல்நலனுக்கு ஆபத்தானவை. இவை மனித உடலில் கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக சேகரமாகிக்கொண்டே இருக்கும். குறிப்பிட்ட அளவு சேர்ந்த பிறகு, உயிருக்கே ஆபத்தை ஏற்படுத்தக்கூடிய நிலைக்குச் செல்லும். எந்த ஒரு பூச்சிக்கொல்லியும் உடனடியாக மனிதனைக் கொன்றுவிடக்கூடிய விஷம் என்று சொல்ல முடியாது.

ஆனால், கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாகக் காலாகாலத்துக்கும் நம் உடலில் அவை சேர்வதால், நீண்டகால உடல் பாதிப்புகள் ஏற்படும் என்பதை சமீபகால ஆராய்ச்சிகள் உறுதிப்படுத்துகின்றன. பூச்சிக்கொல்லிகளுடன் இருப்பதும், அவற்றுக்கு அருகே வாழ்வதும் உடலின் நோய் எதிர்ப்புசக்தியைக் குலைக்கக்கூடியது (immunosuppressive effect) என்பதும், இதன் விளைவாகப் புற்றுநோய், ஆஸ்துமா போன்றவை தூண்டிவிடப்படுவதாகவும் பல ஆராய்ச்சிகள் ஆவணப்படுத்தியுள்ளன.

அரசு - சி.எஸ்.இ. ஆய்வு முடிவுகளுக்கு இடையிலான வேறுபாடு தொடர்பான சர்ச்சை, வயலில் பூச்சிகளை விரட்ட பூச்சிக்கொல்லியாகத் தெளிக்கப்பட்ட மென்பானங்கள், மென்பானங்களுக்கு என்ன மாற்று போன்றவற்றை அடுத்த முறை பார்ப்போம்.

MSG: Much ado about nothing

What's the fuss about? It's all above board

The scientific data appear to suggest that monosodium glutamate is safe for human consumption

Despite the popularity of monosodium glutamate in the food industry worldwide, the recent controversy highlights the need to demystify myths around MSG. How safe is MSG? Is it safe for children to consume? What are the permissible levels of use and consumption of MSG? These are some key concerns.

Although glutamate occurs naturally in many foods, it is frequently added as a flavour enhancer. Codex Alimentarius categorised glutamate and its salts, monosodium glutamate, monopotassium glutamate, calcium diglutamate, monoammonium glutamate and magnesium diglutamate, as flavour enhancer .

MSG, commonly known as ajinomoto, is the most widely used food additive that is valued for its flavour-enhancing properties. It is a sodium salt of glutamate. Glutamate is an amino acid (building block of proteins) that occurs naturally in foods such as meat, poultry, seafood (fish, kelp, seaweed, prawns, crab ), dairy (milk, cheese), vegetables including tomato, potato, Chinese cabbage, mushroom, peas and so on. The body uses glutamic acid as a fine-tuner of brain function, as well as a protein building block, and contributes greatly to the characteristic ‘umami — the fifth taste’ of foods. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. The body does not distinguish between natural glutamate from foods such as tomato, or added glutamate to a tomato sauce, and metabolises both the natural and added glutamates in the same way.

A review of the scientific data from the world’s top scientific sources reveals that MSG is safe for human consumption. Numerous international scientific evaluations undertaken over many years, involving hundreds of studies, have placed MSG on the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list of food additives approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), along with many other common food ingredients such as salt, vinegar and baking powder. Under the Indian food laws, MSG is a permitted additive in foods.Not a hazard

According to the 31st report of the joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives, Geneva 1987, in the World Health Organization Technical Report Series 759, “on the basis of the available data (chemical, biochemical, toxicological and other), the total dietary intake of Glutamates arising from their use at the levels necessary to achieve the desired technological effect and from their acceptable background in food do not represent a hazard to health”.

The joint expert committee on food additives of the FAO and WHO placed it in the safe category for food additives. The European Community’s Scientific Committee for Food also confirmed the safety of MSG. Given these facts, it is no surprise that MSG is greatly popular among chefs and the food industry across the world, including highly regulated markets such as Japan and the West.Not allergic, either

Another issue which has cropped up is whether MSG is an allergen or not. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, MSG is not an allergen. The FDA has found no evidence to suggest any long-term, serious health consequences from consuming MSG. However, it is true that some people might be sensitive to MSG, just as to many other foods and ingredients. Because of any individual sensitivity that may occur, the food labels are required to indicate the presence of MSG. The phrase “contains glutamate” appears on labels of foods containing MSG.

There is general consensus in the scientific community, based on numerous scientific studies , that MSG is safe for the general population. While MSG may be considered safe for children, it may be prudent to limit MSG intake during pregnancy. Some preliminary scientific studies have pointed to an association between high doses of MSG and metabolic syndrome. However, more empirical studies are needed to elucidate causal inference. But by no means can MSG be categorised as a toxic, unsafe ingredient.

The recent uproar can reasonably be attributed to lack of clarity on the science behind MSG. The confusion requires us to differentiate and distinguish MSG from the natural glutamate present in foods.

What is needed is a complete relook at the food safety issues including hygiene, microbial safety, contaminants, adulterants, additives and allergens, rather than bans on individual food items. In fact, food manufacturers must conform to good manufacturing practices and quality standards of foods and ingredients according to the country of consumption. Policymakers must encourage food manufacturers to produce foods to meet the general and specific health needs of the community and encourage healthy competition.

The writer is a clinical nutritionist, founder of Theweightmonitor.com, and founder-president of the Celiac Society of India

Green veggies made greener with lethal copper sulphate

HYDERABAD: After a crackdown on artificially ripened fruits, authorities on Friday said they were planning raids on vegetables markets, as most of greens were laced with copper sulphate and chemical dye which could even kill if consumed on a regular basis. 

Two days after the Hyderabad High Court ordered a crackdown on traders for using calcium carbide to ripen fruits, food safety officials admitted that high levels of chemical are used in vegetables sold in Hyderabad's markets. 

"The vegetables are dipped in coloured dyes, which is a violation of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The vendors who usually sell such vegetables collect the vermin-infected ones, which are unfit for consumption, and colour them with artificial colouring," said G Vinod Dayal, food safety officer, Hyderabad. 

"We will proactively launch a crackdown on such vendors and collect samples for testing and take it forward from there," Dayal told TOI. If adulteration is detected in the sample after testing, a court case would be filed and the penalty could attract a jail term of up to six months, along with a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. 

According to food safety officers, most green vegetables like peas, gourds and cucumbers are dipped in chemicals such as copper sulphate which is crystalline blue in colour but gives the vegetables a fresh green look. 

The poisonous chemical is largely used in the book-binding industry, and when consumed by humans, could lead to multiple health problems and can even cause death. 

A recent study conducted by National Institute of Nutrition showed how vegetables sold in five prominent markets of the city -- including Erragadda, Kukatpally, Mehdipatnam, Falaknuma and LB Nagar -- contained pesticides and other such chemicals. 

Later scientists from the Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre (FDTRC) said vegetables laced with copper sulphate can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections -- the first symptom being vomiting. 

To make matters worse, green chillies is often coloured with a dye called 'malachite green,' an official said. "It is commonly used as a dying agent for paper, leather and silk. But now it's being used in food," said Arjun L Khandare of FDTRC, which is part of National Institute of Nutrition. 

Similarly for vegetables which are predominantly red in colour, coloured dyes are injected to make them look fresh. 

"Many farmers use polluted water for irrigation purpose, which ultimately brings down the colour of the vegetables. And that is why they are forced to use such artificial colours to make their 'wares' look better. The chemicals that they use are beyond the permissible limit," added Khandare.

Centre wants to ban sale of junk food in and around schools

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Women & Child Development formed a panel to look into the changing eating habits and obesity among twenty first century children.

A complete ban on the sale of junk food in and around schools has been proposed by a government panel endorsing concerns about health risks posed by popular eating habits of children. The committee, formed by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, submitted its report this week and recommended that junk food should be clearly defined and all eatables falling in the category should be banned in school canteens and school premises.

"All food items falling in the definition of junk food should be banned in school canteens. Shops and restaurants selling food within 200 metres of a school should not be permitted to sell these food items to children in school uniforms. There should be a list of desirable food items to be offered in school canteens," said the report.

The panel has expressed concerns about the increasing incidence of obesity in children and the related physiological issues, including diabetes and hypertension. The committee has outlined the consequences of increasing psychological and behavioural dysfunctions in children, including binge-eating, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. Even though junk food has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, many schools have already banned junk food following the Delhi High Court's order which curbed junk foods in schools.

"We have banned junk food and aerated drinks in our school completely. The food offered to students in cafeteria is healthy, wholesome and as per children's growing needs," said Pramod Sharma, principal, Genesis Global School, Sector 132, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, who has initiated the process in the school in 2013.

According to Union Health Ministry, at present, there is no proposal under consideration of the ministry to define junk food under the FSS Act. However, guidelines for making available wholesome, nutritious, safe and hygienic food to school children in the country have been framed by the Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI.

The committee constituted earlier this year under the chairmanship of Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad looked into the issues related to growing problems of obesity in children and its relationship with consumption of junk food. It had members from various institutions along with health ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research and Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI).

The committee has comprehensively reviewed the prevalent practices of regulation of junk food in 23 countries and also examined the legislative and institutional framework available in India. The committee has recommended labelling of prepackaged food, stating clearly as "unfit for infant, children, pregnant and lactating mothers or persons with specific ailments".

பள்ளி கேன்டீன்களில் பீட்ஸா, பர்கர் சிப்சுக்கு விற்க தடை

புதுடில்லி: பீட்ஸா, பர்கர், சிப்ஸ், கேக், குளிர்பானம், பிஸ்கட் போன்ற நொறுக்குத்தீனிகளை, நாடு முழுவதும் உள்ள பள்ளி கேன்டீன்களில் விற்க, விரைவில் தடை விதிக்கப்பட உள்ளது. 

மத்திய பெண்கள் மற்றும் குழந்தை நலத்துறை அமைச்சகம் நியமித்த, 10 உறுப்பினர்கள் உயர்மட்டக்குழு, பள்ளிகளில் விற்கக்கூடிய உணவு பொருட்கள் குறித்து ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டு, அறிக்கை சமர்ப்பித்து உள்ளது. 

இறுதி முடிவு எடுக்க, மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டுத் துறைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ள, அந்த அறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:நாடு முழுவதும் உள்ள பள்ளி கேன்டீன்களில், இந்திய உணவு வகைகளை மட்டுமே விற்க வேண்டும். பீட்ஸா, பர்கர், சிப்ஸ், கேக், பிஸ்கட், இனிப்பு வகை, சாக்லேட், குளிர்பானம் போன்ற நொறுக்குத்தீனிகளை விற்கக் கூடாது. பள்ளிகள் இயங்கும் நேரத்தில், பள்ளியிலிருந்து, 200 மீட்டர் துாரம் வரை, நொறுக்குத்தீனிகளை விற்க தடை விதிக்க வேண்டும். 

நொறுக்குத்தீனிகளால், பள்ளி குழந்தைகளுக்கு, உடல் பருமன், நீரிழிவு, ரத்த அழுத்தம் மற்றும் மனரீதியிலான பிரச்னைகள் ஏற்படுகின்றன. இதனால், அவர்களுக்கு தன்னம்பிக்கை குறைபாடு ஏற்படுகிறது.இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

வெல்லத்திற்கும் தரநிர்ணய சான்று

திண்டுக்கல்:திண்டுக்கல் மாவட்டம் நெய்க்காரப்பட்டி, கோவை பொள்ளாச்சி, நாமக்கல் பிலிக்கல்பாளையம், ஈரோடு சித்தோடு ஆகிய இடங்களில் புதன், சனிக்கிழமைகளில் வெல்லச் சந்தை நடக்கிறது. 

இங்கிருந்து வாரம் 60 டன் வெல்லம் தமிழகத்தின் மற்ற பகுதிகளுக்கும், 50 டன் கேரளாவிற்கும் அனுப்பப்படுகின்றன. சமீபத்தில் தமிழகத்தில் விளையும் காய்கறிகளில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி மருந்து இருப்பதாக கேரளா புகார் தெரிவித்தது. இதையடுத்து காய்கறிகளுக்கு உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை தரநிர்ணய சான்று வழங்குகிறது.

தற்போது தமிழகத்தில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் இருப்பதாக சிலர் புகார் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். விற்பனை பாதிக்காமல் இருக்க நெய்க்காரப்பட்டி வெல்லம் உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் தரநிர்ணய சான்று தரக்கோரி உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகளை அணுகியுள்ளனர். இதையடுத்து வெல்லத்திற்கு தரநிர்ணய சான்று வழங்க உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் முடிவு செய்துள்ளனர்.

திண்டுக்கல் மாவட்ட உணவுபாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் சாம்இளங்கோ கூறியதாவது: நெய்க்காரப்பட்டி பகுதியில் உற்பத்தியாகும் வெல்லம் தரமானது. இவற்றுடன் வெளிமாவட்ட வியாபாரிகள் கலப்பட வெல்லத்தை கலப்பதாக உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர். கலப்பட வெல்லத்தை தடுக்க தரநிர்ணயசான்று வழங்க முடிவு செய்துள்ளோம், என்றார்.

'நூடுல்ஸ்' விளம்பர வழக்கு அமிதாப்பச்சன் மனு தள்ளிவைப்பு

மதுரை:'மேகி நுாடுல்ஸ்' விளம்பரம் தொடர்பாக இந்தி நடிகர் அமிதாப் மீதான வழக்கை, செப்., ௯க்கு மாநில நுகர்வோர் ஆணையம் மதுரை கிளை தள்ளிவைத்தது.

வழக்கறிஞர் மணவாளன் தாக்கல் செய்த மனு :இந்தியாவில் விற்கப்படும் 'மேகி நுாடுல்சில்' உடல் நலத்திற்கு கேடு விளைவிக்க கூடிய காரீயம் அதிகம் கலந்திருப்பது ஆய்வில் தெரியவந்தது. இதற்கு தடை விதிப்பதுடன், 'நுாடுல்ஸ்' விளம்பரத்தில் நடித்த நடிகர் அமிதாப் உட்பட நடிகர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு, மணவாளன் மனுவில் தெரிவித்திருந்தார்.

இம்மனு மீதான விசாரணை நேற்று உறுப்பினர்கள் அண்ணாமலை, முருகேசன் முன்னிலையில் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.

அமிதாப் தரப்பில் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்ட மனுவில், ''190க்கும் மேற்பட்ட படங்களில் நடித்துள்ளேன். பல விருதுகளை பெற்றுள்ளேன். நுாடுல்ஸ் விளம்பரத்தில் 2012 ஜூன் 5முதல் 2013செப்., 5ம் தேதி வரை நடித்தேன். நான் நடித்தபோது யாரும் பிரச்னையைஎழுப்ப வில்லை. அதன்பிறகு ஏற்பட்ட இப்பிரச்னைக்கு நான் பொறுப்பேற்க முடியாது. எனவே இவ்வழக்கில் இருந்து என்னை விடுவிக்க வேண்டும்,'' என தெரிவித்திருந்தார்.மனுதாரர் தரப்பு வழக்கறிஞர் பிறவிப்பெருமாள் பதில் மனு செய்ய கால அவகாசம் கோரினார். இதையடுத்து வழக்கு செப்., 9க்கு தள்ளிவைக்கப்பட்டது.

It’s ‘supplementary’ Watson: FSSAI cracks the whip

Nutraceuticals and health supplements to be regulated, monitored by govt body

Late last month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) came out with draft guidelines on nutraceuticals, health supplements and other categories of novel and medicinal foods. Coming about nine years after the FSS Act (2006) defined nutraceuticals as a food and not drug, the rules have made a rather late appearance. But it certainly did not go unnoticed by food and drug companies, despite the FSSAI being in the eye of a noodle storm over Maggi.

The proposed rules “will open up the sector for several companies waiting in the wings, who want to be on the right side of the law, but did not know how to go about it,” says regulatory expert DBA Narayana. In addition to already-recognizable food and health supplements like vitamin or protein products in the market, the long-pending nutraceutical guidelines pave the way for functional foods that supplement a dietary or medicinal purpose. So beverages that supplement the diet of a person, undergoing chemotherapy; with a kidney ailment or for just plain weight management, will fall in this category.

Consumers may already encounter a plethora of food products in the market promising weight-loss, boosting brain-power and making tall claims. . But this too will be nailed by the proposed rules. The draft clarifies on claims (they need substantiation) and product labels. And it mandates that such products sport labels stating they are “not for medicinal use.”

Despite teething problems with the rules, the neighbourhood grocery store is expected to see a spike in products such as probiotic foods (with living organisms to improve digestion) or fortified foods – salt with iodine, juice with vitamin A, biscuits, chocolates etc. “The rules also include ayurveda, siddha and unani ingredients, so food products can use their preventive and protective features,” says Narayana. About 400 odd ingredients with known safety profiles have been listed facilitating an easier pathway for approvals, he adds.Approvals angst

But there are rough edges to smoothen and product approvals have always been a sticky point between the food industry and the regulator. Old and established products in the market are called in for fresh approvals, resulting in unnecessary delays, allege industry representatives.

In fact, some industry representatives question the present draft’s logic in mandating final product approvals, even when all ingredients in the product are from the FSSAI’s approved list.

Product approvals do not make a product safe, says an industry-expert. For that, the FSSAI needs to lift samples from the market and test it regularly. Maggi was an approved product and yet the authority found it unsafe, he points out. With some rules still open to interpretation, industry hopes to sort them out before it is finalized.

RK Sanghavi, heading the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association - IDMA’s nutraceuticals subcommittee, says that the rules will help if they are in the spirit of the FSS Act that envisions an easy pathway to the market.Wellness drive

Operating in the prescription-driven segment of traditional products, Charak Pharma’s Managing Director Pulin Shroff explains the nutraceuticals phenomenon. “The market for fortified packaged foods is on the rise, as unlike earlier plain fresh milk is not good enough. People want fortified milk.” As people live longer, the accent is on wellness, not just tackling illness, he adds.

Nutraceuticals are largely sold over the counter. But consultancy firm RNCOS Founder Shushmul Maheshwari explains why claims and labels are important. Consumers need to know for how long they can take a product and should it be under supervision etc. Many unknown protein products are informally promoted at gyms to unsuspecting iron-pumping health enthusiasts, he says, adding that good marketing does not mean a good product.

So are we replacing fresh fruits and vegetables and becoming a pill popping nation? IDMA’s Sanghavi counters that consumers have to take huge quantities of a fresh food to get the right amount of vitamin or protein they require. That’s where a health supplement comes in. And so does the market.

சாலையோர உணவகங்களில் அதிகாரிகள் திடீர் சோதனை

பள் ளி பா ளை யம், ஆக.21:

பள் ளி பா ளை யம் அடுத் துள்ள வெப் ப டை யில், 50க்கும் மேற் பட்ட நூற் பா லை கள் உள் ளன. இங் குள்ள நான்கு ரோடு சந் திப் பில் 20க்கும் மேற் பட்ட தள் ளு வண் டி களில் பாஸ்ட் புட் எனப் ப டும் துரித உணவு வகை கள் தயா ரித்து விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது. இந்த கடை களில் போதிய சுகா தா ரம் பேணப் ப டு வ தில்லை என மாவட்ட உணவு கட்டுப் பாட்டு துறை அதி கா ரி களுக்கு தொடர்ந்து புகார் கள் வந் தன. இதை ய டுத்து நேற்று முன் தி னம் மாலை, உணவு கட்டுப் பாட்டு அதி காரி முத் து சாமி, சுகா தார மேற் பார் வை யா ளர் சுரேஷ் கு மார் மற் றும் அதி கா ரி கள், பாஸ்ட் புட் கடை களில் திடீர் சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட்ட னர்.

அப் போது சில்லி சிக் கன் மற் றும் உணவு வகை களில் கலப் ப டம், சுகா தார குறைவு இருந் தது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது. சில்லி சிக் க னுக்கு அதி கப் ப டி யான ரசா ய னத்தை பயன் ப டுத்தி வண் ணம் ஏற் றப் பட்டி ருந் தது. மேலும் உடைந்து அழு கிய முட்டை களை மறை வாக வைத்து துரித உண வு களில் கலந் த தும் கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது. இதை ய டுத்து கெட்டுப் போன முட்டை களை பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித்த அதி கா ரி கள், முதல் முறை என் ப தால் அப ரா தம் விதிக் கா மல், சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் உணவு வகை களை தயா ரித்து விற் பனை செய் ய வேண் டும் என எச் ச ரிக்கை செய் யப் பட்ட னர்.