Most food businesses still unregistered with FSSAI

NEW DELHI: Only one out of every 15 food businesses in the country is registered with the food safety watchdog Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) despite several extensions of the deadline for obtaining licences, a top official said on Wednesday.

Stating that the whole issue of food safety is becoming increasingly important, FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said the regulator is framing new regulations for more products that would be in place within the next few months.

"In terms of licenses and registrations of food businesses, we still have a very-very long way to go. Only 33 lakh are registered, I am told there are close to 5 crore food businesses in the country. You can see that it has not even reached 10 per cent the mark," Agarwal said at an Assocham event.

Food business operators cannot operate without obtaining licence from FSSAI. The licensing process was started in August 2011 and thereafter it has been extended many times.

As per the Food Safety Standards act, food business operator is defined as an undertaking, whether private or public, carrying out activities related to any stage of manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, imports.

On Tuesday, in a notification, the food safety regulator extended the last date of registration from February 4, 2016 to May 4, 2016.

He pointed out that the last date has repeatedly been extended and after consultations it is decided that "we should go for three-month extension instead of 6 months or one year".

The official said the regulator wants to work with the industry hopes for industry's cooperation in regulating the sector.

"There will be special drives for food businesses to obtain licences and registration within 3 months. I do hope that food businesses will cooperate with us in obtaining licences," he said.

Agarwal also clarified that the last date for printing of licences and registration numbers on the packaged food was over on December 31.

"We do hope that all packaged food will have FSSAI licence number. There will be no further extension and I think we have extended it for many times," he added.

He also raised that FSSAI licence is not displayed on the premises of many food businesses.

So in all these three areas, special drive would be taken by the regulatory authority through state machinery.

Rules amendment after June 30 to enable clearance of old packaging stocks

The legal metrology department under ministry of consumer affairs has issued an advisory for deferring the implementation of the packaging rules amendment issued in May 2015. The department in an advisory stated that the affected industry can now use the old packaging till June 30, 2016. This has been done primarily to clear the old stocks and industry concerned thereby gets time to implement the amendments smoothly.

The new amendments state that the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 rulings will prevail with respect to retail food packaging.

The amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2015 were issued by the department of consumer affairs in May last year, which were notified and came into force from January 1, 2016.

The department informed that the advisory was issued after a series of representations of industry chambers citing huge stockpile of old packaging and requested the department for time for clearance.

An official with the department stated that since the rules came into force from January 1, 2016, the department through this advisory has made some arrangement for smoother transition from old to new rules. For this period, companies will be allowed to use old packaging and also the industry has been asked to use stickers for some correctable errors while the stock is cleared.

Meanwhile, industry representatives also termed this decision as positive as this would help in saving losses which were otherwise inevitable due to stockpile of old packaged goods. "Overall if we see this issue, it's a positive move by the regulatory. Big players like Nestle and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) usually plan in advance. Thus, this move will enable FBOs to use their old stocks of packaging films and materials on which the label is printed," stated Varun Tipnis, assistant manager, sales, Bossar Packaging Pvt. Ltd, Navi Mumbai. He added, "With regards to monetary aspects, the move - giving an extension - has saved industry players from huge losses."

According to the amendments, the definitions have been made with regards to industrial consumer and institutional consumer. Further, the new rules make it compulsory for the industry to publish contact info for consumer complaint. On imported packages, labels should be fixed according to the required declaration under these rules.

The amendments also talk about making correction like use of word ‘L’ for litre quantity.

FSSAI extends deadline for obtaining licence under Food Safety Act by 3 months

In terms of licensing and registration of food business, of the 50 million food units in the country, only about 3.3 million are licensed.

Chandigarh: The food regulator has extended the deadline for obtaining licence and registration under food safety and standards by three months.

At an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi on Wednesday, the CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Pawan Kumar Agarwal, said the deadline was February 4 and the move to extend it was aimed at accommodating businesses that are yet to get a licence.

"We had a consultation with all food safety commissioners. There was generic view that there should not be any further extension, but considering that there may still be some businesses that have not obtained licences and the registration under the new legislation," Agarwal said at the 8th Global Food Processing Summit-cum Awards 2016.

In terms of licensing and registration of food business, of the 50 million food units in the country, only about 3.3 million are licensed. "We have not even reached the 10% mark of that," Agarwal said.

"There is no choice for us but to adopt international practices on food safety and I do hope we receive all the corporations from all the food businesses." Agarwal said there is no reason for the regulator and food businesses to be seen in an adversarial position.

"We are also the citizen and consumer apart from the food businesses where you will have profit motives, and I am sure as responsible citizens and consumers, you will ensure the food safety in the manufacturing processes, in storages, in transportation also various elements of act are still to come into force," he said.

According to the CEO, the other issue was printing of licence number on packaged food, the last date for which, after many extensions, was December 31. He said all packaged food is expected to have FSSAI licence number and that there will be no further extension.

"I think we have extended it many times and next is about display of FSSAI on the premises which again many food business are currently not doing it, Agarwal said. "The new legislation is all about creating science-based standards for food safety...It is expected that 80-90% of standards and regulations should be in place within the next few months as we move forward," he said.

Jack Charles claims “cancer causing agents” in local rice; Government responds

By Aaron Humes: Importer Jack Charles is citing tests conducted by an American laboratory to argue that the major brands of Belizean rice, Circle R and Tropic, are not safe to consume.

This is because according to a press release he issued today, the sampled brands contain low levels of aflatoxins, which are cancer causing agents known to kill large numbers of people when consumed in excess.

The samples tested by Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratories of New Orleans, Louisiana, found less than 2 micrograms per kilogram each of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, in each sample, compared to a sample of American-produced rice, but Charles cites the Bureau of Standards’Standards (Declaration of Compulsory Standard) Order 2015, issued in October. The Order, he said, was expressed to be ‘compulsory for farmers, millers, exporters, importers and other related personnel, thereby promoting standardization for this particular commodity’.

Rule 6.1.6 of the Order declares that rice shall be free of contaminants such as aflatoxin, which is caused by improper storage causing the growth of the fungus known as As-per-gill-us flav-us.

The results were forwarded on February 1, 2016 to the Bureau of Standards, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and Ministry of Agriculture to be cross-verified and steps to address the problems taken.

Charles, while pointing out that excessive consumption of these agents can result in aflatoxicosis and damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain and heart, insists that he is not trying to cause a panic, nor to have Government justify this public health problem, but to keep a sincere promise to Belizeans that they can enjoy safe, wholesome, quality rice at affordable prices.

Charles did not address in his press release how the Guyanese rice he tried to bring in compares in terms of samples, or if he is trying to shame Government into acceding to his request to bring the rice in.

Contacted for comment today, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture Jose Alpuche said that he had not seen the press release, nor could he comment at this time.

This evening, the Government hit back with a joint press release issued by the Belize Bureau of Standards, Belize Agricultural Health Authority and Ministry of Health (but not the Ministry of Agriculture, essentially dismissing Charles’ claims.

The authorities maintain that Charles is not recognized as an authority for testing any basic food items, and state that the tests presented by Charles showed that none of the samples analyzed contain detectable levels of aflatoxins and do not pose any threat to human health.

The trio of authorities also reject the suggestion that they are not committed to ensuring food safety and health in Belize – and they accuse Charles of hiding his commercial interests, referring to the attempt to import Guyanese rice into Belize, behind food safety concerns and trying to undermine the confidence of Belizeans in food safety.

Concerns had previously been expressed about the safety level of Guyanese rice, and the Bureau says it will prevent access for any goods “which are likely to be a danger to the health or safety of consumers.”

3-month extension to licensing & registration of FBOs deadline - May 4

New Delhi

In tune with the perception that this time a short extension, most probably final, will be granted to the deadline for obtaining licence and securing registration under Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, FSSAI has extended the date this time only by three months i.e., till May 4, 2016.

So far most extensions have been for six months alternating between February 4 and August 4 ever since the FSSR, 2011, was implemented in the country by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) four years ago.

In this regard, an order dated Feb 5, but uploaded on Feb 9, by the apex food regulator on its website states that the deadline has been extended for three months in accordance to the orders of the Central government. 

According to the detailed order of the ministry of health, the time has been extended till May 4 for FBOs to obtain licences and secure registration under the FSS Act and Regulations thereunder, as Section 31(1) of the FSS Act provides that no person shall commence or carry food business without licence or registration. 

Among the reasons for extension, the order cited representation by various stakeholders including individuals, FBOs and associations seeking extension. 

Meanwhile, FSSAI has indicated that under most of the repealed law existing before the FSSR, the maximum validity of licences was five years, which shall stand expired on August 4, 2016. Therefore it has been decided that the timeline mentioned in the Act be further extended for another three months to take necessary followup action accordingly. 

H G Koshia, commissioner, food safety, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat, said, "This extension will help to reach the remote areas in the country. Though the extension is small it will enable small food businesses to get registered. Remote areas in the country are of concern, as the awareness activities and initiatives don't reach them easily."

He added, "We, on our part have tried to create awareness among the remote areas of Gujarat and this was done using mobile food testing labs, labs which can detect 30 different types of adulterations, which have proved to be handy. We have distributed such mobile labs to science colleges, food safety officers etc. These awareness initiatives also had 62 workshops in the remote areas with a view to educate rural population. This model of Gujarat state was undertaken two years back and is recently adopted by the food safety department of Delhi." 

However, a number of state food safety departments seem to be unhappy with the decision. 

Further, according to sources, there has been an agreement amongst FBOs and ministry that the extended time will be utilised to define the terms and conditions of the implementation and operationablity of various provisions of FSSR. In this regard, a committee will be set up to see the operational part of the regulations and the remaining part of the licensing and registration will be completed thereby.

FSSAI extends last date for registration under Food Safety Act

Food safety watchdog FSSAI has extended the last date for registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act by three months till May 4 this year.

New Delhi, Feb 9: Food safety watchdog FSSAI has extended the last date for registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act by three months till May 4 this year. A number of registrations have been received in the Health Ministry for extending the time for obtaining license and registration for the further period, Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in a notification.

“Now, therefore, it has been decided that the timeline mentioned in… Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, be further extended for another three months i.E. Up to May 4, 2016,” the regulator said. The earlier last date was February 4 this year. It is mandatory for every food business operator to get registered with the FSSAI.

Welcoming the move, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) praised the government for taking cognizance of the sufferings and plight of the trading community. ”More than 3 crore traders engaged in food business across the country shall be benefited with the extension of the date,” CAIT said in a statement. The traders association added that the food trade and industry are up in arms against this act and its regulations since it encourages packed food habits in the country which is vertically opposed to traditional food habits in the country.

Last date to apply for the food licenses extended

Chandigarh 9 Feb,the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the date to obtain license/registration in compliance to the FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 for the period of the three months till 04 May , 2016 after the matter was taken by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Earlier the last date was fixed for 4 Feb 2016. Harish Garg national secretary and president of the Chandigarh chapter CAIT has informed that the decision was taken after the CAIT took the demand with the FASSI vigorously.Food Authority has now given a new date till 04 February, 2016. This is the six time that the authority has given the extension to get the license/registration.

“There were plenty of requests from various stakeholders including the individuals, Food Business Operators, various associations and trade bodies to prolong the time line by further one year but the Food Authority has extended the deadline further up to 4 May , 2016.” Said Garg 

Food Business operators will get relief by the move of the Apex Regulator and they alleged that it was apparent as currently only a very small portion of theFood Business Community have applied for the license under the FSS Act, 2006. A large portion of the FBOs who are in the suburban areas do not even know that they need to apply for the license under the FSS Act, 2006.

Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 clearly states that nofood business activity shall be carried out without a valid license or registration. The penalty for carrying out a food business without a license is up to Rs. 5 lakhs along with an imprisonment which may extend up to 6 months. Similarly if someone carrying out a food business without a registration shall be liable for a fine which may go upto Rs. 2 lakhs.

For new Food Business Operators FBOs, they have to first apply for license/registration under the FSS Act, 2006 and get the food authority’s nod and only then should commence their food operation.

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு உரிமம் பெற வணிகர்களுக்கு 3 மாத அவகாசம்

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தர நிர்ணய சட்டத்தின் கீழ், வணிகர்கள் உரிமம் பெறவும், பதிவு செய்யவும், மத்திய அரசு, மே, 4 வரை, மூன்று மாத அவகாசம் அளித்துள்ளது.

நுகர்வோருக்கு உணவுப் பொருட்கள் தரமானதாக கிடைக்க, மத்திய அரசு, 2006ல், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணய சட்டத்தை இயற்றியது. விதிமுறைகள் உருவாக்கப்பட்டு, 2011ல் அமலுக்கு வந்தது. ஆண்டுக்கு,12 லட்சம் ரூபாய்க்குள் வர்த்தகம் செய்யும் வணிகர்கள், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையில் பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும்; அதற்கு மேல் வர்த்தகம் செய்வோர், உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும்.

இந்த விதிமுறைகள், 'காலத்திற்கேற்றதாக இல்லை; விதிமுறைகளில் திருத்தம் தேவை' என, வியாபாரிகள் கடும் எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்தனர். இதனால், வணிகர்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையில், உரிமம் பெறவும், அனுமதி பெறவும், ஆறு மாத அவகாசம் தரப்பட்டது. பின், அது நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டு, ஆறாவது முறையாக தரப்பட்ட, ஆறு மாத அவகாசம், பிப்., 4ல் முடிந்தது.'விதிமுறைகள் திருத்தப்படாததால் மீண்டும் அவகாசம் வேண்டும்' என, தமிழக வணிகர்கள் வலியுறுத்தினர். இதையேற்ற மத்திய அரசு, மே, 4 வரை, மூன்று மாத அவகாசம் அளித்துள்ளது.

இரு குழுக்கள் அமைப்பு

சட்டத்தை அமல்படுத்துவதில் மத்திய அரசு ஆர்வமாக உள்ளது. 'அவகாசம் தரப்பட்டுள்ள, மூன்று மாதத்திற்குள், விதிமுறைகளில் செய்ய வேண்டிய திருத்தங்கள் குறித்த பரிந்துரைகளை தர வேண்டும்' என, வலியுறுத்தப்பட்டு உள்ளது. ஏற்கனவே, விதிமுறைகள் திருத்தம் தொடர்பாக, மத்திய அரசு, இரண்டு குழுக்களை அமைத்துள்ளதால், விரைவில் வணிகர்கள் எதிர்பார்த்த திருத்தம் வரும் என்ற நம்பிக்கை உள்ளது.

- ஜெயபிரகாசம், தலைவர்,தமிழ்நாடு உணவுப்பொருள் வியாபாரிகள் சங்கம்.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Pepsi batch banned

The Food Safety wing has issued orders banning a batch of Pepsi soft drinks, following a consumer complaint about fungus growth inside one of the bottles she had purchased.

The Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, D. Sivakumar, said that the particular bottle of Pepsi had been purchased by the consumer from one of the Army Canteens in the city and that the bottle clearly seemed to have a layer of fat-like thick substance floating on the liquid surface, which on lab tests was found to be fungus growth.

“We have issued orders banning the sale of this particular batch of the soft drink – BN 5414BO7A.S – the manufacturing date being Jan 7, 2016. More field level checks are needed.

US Food and Drug Administration rejected 13,334 Indian products

In January 2016, the US FDA rejected 228 Indian products. In Picture: The US Food and Administration 

Between 2010 and 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected at least 13,334 Indian products. In January 2016 alone, the US food safety regulator rejected 228 products. The rejections come at a time when the Central government has been advancing its "Make in India" initiative.

The rejected products include patented and generic medicines, snacks, bakery products, spices, bath soaps and detergents, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Reasons for rejecting the products include packaging, labelling, misbranding and high residue levels, The Economic Times said.

The regulator also rejected 15,087 Chinese products in the same period, of which 314 products were in January 2016.

"I cannot comment on specific cases. But, there is a problem, ranging from data integrity issues, where some of our firms have been caught fudging data red-handed, to issues with clean environments — there was a case where a sterile area had a leaky roof — which is unacceptable, and so on. Just look at the warning letters issued to our firms. I will not name them, but they are in detail and not arbitrary," Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was quoted as saying by the publication.

On Jan. 5, the regulator rejected three drugs from Intas Pharmaceutical Limited as they had not adhered to the US regulator's guidelines. The next day, two items exported from Andhra Pradesh's RDR Export were rejected citing adulteration as the reason.

"Until a year ago, the Indian industry's focus was not on standard and quality. There may be a lot of reasons for this, but if one has to compete in the global market, this has to be adhered to," Ajay Sahai, Director General and CEO of the Federation of India Export Organisation (Fieo) was quoted as saying by The Economic Times.

Now, UP finds ash in noodles

Knorr Soupy Noodles, Horlicks Foodles Noodles and Ching’s Hot Garlic Instant Noodles were tested.

Months after Maggi storm, the Uttar Pradesh food safety department has found samples of some other instant noodle brands “sub-standard” with ash content in the tastemaker exceeding the prescribed limits.

“The samples of Knorr Soupy Noodles, Horlicks Foodles Noodles and Ching’s Hot Garlic Instant Noodles were picked up from a mall in the city in May last year for testing and its report was received about a fortnight ago,” the Food Safety Officer of Barabanki district, Sanjay Singh, said.

The samples were sent to government Food Analysis Lab in Lucknow where it was found that “total ash of the tastemaker exceeds the maximum prescribed limits... hence the samples are sub-standard,” Singh said.

Against the prescribed limit of 1 per cent, ash content was found to be 1.83 per cent in Ching’s noodles, while in Foodles it was 2.37 per cent and in Soupy noodles it was 1.89 per cent, he claimed.

Notices were sent to all the three companies a week ago giving them a month’s time to make an appeal, he said.

When asked for comment on the issue, a GSK Consumer Healthcare spokesperson said: “We manufacture Foodles as per product approvals received by us from FSSAI and manufacturing licences received by our third party manufacturer from the Authorities. Foodles available in the market have been manufactured in accordance with this product approvals.”

A query sent to Hindustan Unilever, which sells Knorr range of noodles, remained unanswered.

Capital Food, which markets Ching’s Hot Garlic noodles, could not be reached for comment.

Responding to a question, Mr. Singh said the report did not mention the health hazards caused by ash content higher than prescribed limits.

Interestingly, the UP Food Safety Department in May last year had found high lead content and presence of taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) in samples of Maggi noodles.

Later in June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi noodles, alleging that the instant noodles were “unsafe and hazardous” due to higher than permissible lead content and presence of MSG.

Nestle had then pulled the product off shelves. The instant noodle brand made a comeback in November after passing tests at three government labs, after which the Bombay High Court removed the ban.

Health Deptt.Team Inspects Shops at Grain Market:Samples of Five Items Collected

Chandigarh 09th February:- As per the action plan prepared by Dr. Rajinder K. Sharma, Designated Officer I/c Food Safety Administration, Chandigarh Health Department, Chandigarh, a joint team of Food Safety Officers Bharat Kanojia, Surinder Pal Singh & Bhaljinder Singh on 09th February, 2016 inspected the area of Grain Market, Sector 26, Chandigarh. 

Various wholesalers of the Karyana items were inspected and five samples of Jeera, Poha, Patasha, Rice and Dal Moongi Dhuli were lifted for analysis & examination. The Shopkeepers were instructed to adhere to the norms of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and Rules, 2011. 

The shopkeepers were also educated about the common adulterants found in the Karyana items. In addition to this they were also instructed to keep segregation of the food articles from pesticides and other chemical products.

Some noodle brands are sub-standard: Uttar Pradesh food safety department

Food safety officer of Barabanki district Sanjay Singh says notices have been sent to three companies

Barabanki: The Uttar Pradesh (UP) food safety department has found samples of some instant noodle brands “sub-standard” with ash content in the taste maker exceeding the prescribed limits.

“The samples of Knorr Soupy Noodles, Horlicks Foodles Noodles and Ching’s Hot Garlic Instant Noodles were picked up from a mall in the city in May last year for testing and its report was received about a fortnight ago,” food safety officer of Barabanki district, Sanjay Singh, said.

The samples were sent to the government-run food analysis laboratory in Lucknow where it was found that “total ash of the taste maker exceeds the maximum prescribed limits... hence the samples are sub-standard,” Singh said.

Against the prescribed limit of 1%, ash content was found to be 1.83% in Ching’s noodles, while in Foodles it was 2.37% and in Soupy noodles it was 1.89%, he said.

Notices were sent to all the three companies a week ago giving them a month’s time to make an appeal, he said.

No immediate comments were received from the companies. To a question, Singh said the report did not mention the health hazards caused by ash content higher than prescribed limits.

The UP food safety department in May last had found high lead content and presence of taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) in samples of Maggi noodles. Later in June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi noodles, alleging that the instant noodles were “unsafe and hazardous” due to higher than permissible lead content and presence of MSG.

Nestle had then pulled the product off the shelves. The instant noodle brand made a comeback in November after passing tests at three government laboratories, after which the Bombay high court removed the ban.

UP Food Safety Department Finds More Noodle Brands 'Sub-Standard'

Notices were sent to three companies a week ago giving them a month's time to make an appeal. 

BARABANKI, UTTAR PRADESH: Months after Maggi storm, the Uttar Pradesh food safety department has found samples of some other instant noodle brands "sub-standard" with ash content in the tastemaker exceeding the prescribed limits.

"The samples of Knorr Soupy Noodles, Horlicks Foodles Noodles and Ching's Hot Garlic Instant Noodles were picked up from a mall in the city in May last year for testing and its report was received about a fortnight ago," the Food Safety Officer of Barabanki district, Sanjay Singh, said.

The samples were sent to government Food Analysis Lab in Lucknow where it was found that "total ash of the tastemaker exceeds the maximum prescribed limits ... hence the samples are sub-standard," Singh said.

Against the prescribed limit of 1 per cent, ash content was found to be 1.83 per cent in Ching's noodles, while in Foodles it was 2.37 per cent and in Soupy noodles it was 1.89 per cent, he claimed.

Notices were sent to all the three companies a week ago giving them a month's time to make an appeal, he said.

No immediate comments were received from the companies. To a question, Singh said the report did not mention the health hazards caused by ash content higher than prescribed limits.

Interestingly, the UP Food Safety Department in May last had found high lead content and presence of taste enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) in samples of Maggi noodles.

Later in June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi noodles, alleging that the instant noodles were "unsafe and hazardous" due to higher than permissible lead content and presence of MSG.

Nestle had then pulled the product off shelves.

The instant noodle brand made a comeback in November after passing tests at three government labs, after which the Bombay High Court removed the ban.

Order dt.5.2.16 Extension of timeline upto 4.5.2016 for the FBO obtaining License/Registration

HIGHCOURT DIRECTS SECRETARY HEALTH TO APPEAR ON APPOINTMENT OF WHOLE TIME 'DESIGNATED OFFICERS'

Chndigarh

Punjab and Haryana Highcourt directs Secretary, Personnel and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare to appear before it in connection with appointment of whole time “Designated Officers” under the Food Safety Act.
During resumed hearing of a Quo Warranto Writ petition filed by Social activist, Kuldeep Khaira of Ludhiana, seeking the removal of 22 District Health Officers, who have been given charge of post of “Designated Officers” under the “Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006”-instead of making appointment of 27 whole time Designated Officers , one for each district (as required under Central Government Rules, of 2011), the Bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal took a very serious view of the delaying tactics on the part of State Government.
Despite granting repeated opportunities, the responded-State Government was not making appointment of Designated Officers under the pretext that it was in the process of framing Rules, which required not only consultation with PPSC, but required concurrence of Finance department, and were also required to be approved by Cabinet of Ministers.
On 17.12.2015, Smt. Raji P. Srivastava, IAS, Secretary to Punjab, Department of Personnel, and Mr. R.L. Mehta, OSD (Litigation), Health, had appeared before Justice Paramjeet Singh’s Bench, and had assured that they will make efforts for notifying the rules by issuing notification before the adjourned date.
Today, during resumed hearing, again the Law Officer of Punjab Government pleaded that rules could not be notified for want of clearance by the Cabinet. Taking a very serious view of the matter, the HC Bench directed that Secretary to Punjab, Department of Personnel, and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, shall come present in the Court on 15.2.2016, in case rules are not notified before that date.

Food business operators informed to obtain licence

Kohima, February 8 (MExN): As per Regulation 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 of the Food Safety & Standards Regulation 2011, every business operators of food such as Pharmacies (selling food supplements, proprietary foods, etc.), Hotels, Restaurants, Provisions, Groceries, Home Based, Canteens of Schools, Colleges, Offices, etc. have to obtain Food Safety Licence/Registration from the office concerned.
Therefore, Food Business Operators of Kohima District whose Licence/Registration are valid up to March 31, 2016 are informed to renew before the stated date in order to avoid penalisation as per the Food Safety & Standards Act, Rules & Regulations. Newly established food business operators who have not obtained the stated Licence/Registration are also informed to obtain it.
There will not be any further reminders. Violators will be penalised as per the provision laid under the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006, Rules 2011 & Regulation 2011.
This was informed in a press release issued by Dr Avino Metha, Chief Medical Officer & Designated Officer, Kohima.

Food samples taken for analysis

Chandigarh: A team of food safety officers inspected the eateries of Sector 8 and took three samples -- two of tomato gravy and one of chaat.
These were taken and sent to Food Analysis Laboratories, Chandigarh for analysis and examination.
Two improvement notices were issued and one challan was issued. The food vendors were instructed to keep hygiene and quality standards as per food safety & standards Act, 2006.

Inspection the eateries of Sector 8

Chandigarh, 8th February, 2015: As per the action plan prepared by Dr. Rajinder K. Sharma, Designated Officer I/c Food Safety Administration, Chandigarh Health Department, Chandigarh , a joint team of Food Safety Officers Sh. Bharat Kanojia , Sh. Surinder Pal Singh & Sh. Bhaljinder Singh today inspected the eateries of Sector 8, Chandigarh and three samples namely two of Tomato gravy and one sample of Chaap were taken and sent to Food Analysis Laboratories, Chandigarh for analysis & examination.
Two improvement notices were issued and also one challan was issued under un-hygienic conditions.
The Food vendors were also instructed to keep hygiene and quality standards as per Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.

உணவு பொருட்களில் கலப்படமா? கடைகளில் அதிகாரிகள் திடீர் ஆய்வு

திண் டுக் கல், பிப்.9:
திண் டுக் கல் லில் கோயில் விழா விற் காக போடப் பட் டுள்ள கடை க ளில் உணவு பொருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக புகார் வந் தது. இத னால் அதி கா ரி கள் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.
திண் டுக் கல் கோட்டை மாரி யம் மன் கோயில் திரு விழா, கடந்த வியா ழக் கிழமை துவங் கி யது. இங்கு திரு வி ழா விற் காக போடப் பட்ட கடை க ளில் அப் ப ளம், பஜ்ஜி, பக் கோடா உள் ளிட்ட பல் வேறு உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது.
இது சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் தயா ரிக்க படு வ தா க வும், கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி ன ருக்கு புகார் கள் வந் தது. இத னால் நேற்று உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யின் மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் சாம் இ ளங்கோ தலை மை யில், அலு வ லர் செல் வம், மாந க ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு ஆய் வா ளர் சத் திய சுந் தர் ராஜ் மற் றும் மாந க ராட்சி ஊழி யர் கள் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.
இது சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் தயா ரிக்க படு வ தா க வும், கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி ன ருக்கு புகார் கள் வந் தது. இத னால் நேற்று உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யின் மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் சாம் இ ளங்கோ தலை மை யில், அலு வ லர் செல் வம், மாந க ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு ஆய் வா ளர் சத் திய சுந் தர் ராஜ் மற் றும் மாந க ராட்சி ஊழி யர் கள் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.
கோயி லில் உள்ள 10 பல கார கடை க ளில் இருந்து விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த அப் ப ளம், பஜ்ஜி ஆகி ய வற்றை ஆய்வு செய் த னர். எண்ெ ணய் மற் றும் மாவு பொருட் களை சோத னைக்கு எடுத் துச் சென் ற னர்.
மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் சாம் இ ளங்கோ கூறு கை யில், மக் கள் அதி கம் கூடும் இடங் க ளில் உணவு பொருட் கள் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யி லும் தரம் இல் லா ம லும் விற் கப் ப டு வ தாக புகார் கள் வரு கி றது. பொது மக் க ளுக்கு பக்க விளை வு களை ஏற் ப டுத்த கூடிய உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பதை தடுக் கும் வகை யில் கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னோம். உணவு பொருட் கள் மாதி ரிக்கு எடுத்து கொள் ளப் பட் டுள் ளது. இதில் தரம் குறைவு மற் றும் கலப் ப டம் இருப் பது தெரி ய வந் தால் கடை உரி மை யா ளர் கள் மீது அப ரா தம் மற் றும் சட்ட ரீதி யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என் றார்.

Paneer producers under scanner of Food Safety Department

A few paneer-making units in Erode are under the scanner of Food Safety and Drug Administration for alleged use of skimmed milk as input.
A soft texture is possible only if it has more than 50 per cent fat content. But, the few units at Solar and Mamarathupalayam where the Food Safety officials conducted the checks had seemingly used skimmed milk and more than accepted level of acid content in the manufacture process. “The samples have been taken for testing,” G. Karunanidhi, District Officer for Food Safety and Drug Administration, said.
It is difficult for the public to make out if paneer is made out of whole or skimmed milk.
The results are best only when whole milk is used. Use of non-fat milk will make the paneer hard, Food Safety officials explained.
According to sources, the tests will also determine presence of starch, which is used for giving paneer rich texture, but could lead to digestive problems.
If the paneer has marble white colour, sweetish, mildly acidic taste, spongy body and closely knit, smooth texture, it would have been made with whole milk.
Moisture
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 1983) imposed maximum of 60 per cent moisture and minimum of 50 per cent fat in dry matter for paneer.
The officials will also make sure if the coagulants: lemon juice, citric acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, fermented milk, sour/cultured whey, yoghurt and lactic cultures, had been used beyond accepted levels. Low acid strength results in soft body and smooth texture, while high acid strength results in hard body, officials explained.

DINAMANI NEWS

சேலம் வெல்ல ஏல மண்டிக்கு ஆய்வுக்கு சென்ற அதிகாரிகளுடன் வியாபாரி கடும் வாக்குவாதம்

சேலம், பிப்.7:

சேலத் தில் வெல்ல மண் டிக்கு ஆய் வுக்கு சென்ற அதி கா ரிக் கும், வியா பா ரிக் கும் இடையே கடும் வாக் கு வா தம் நடந் த தால் பர ப ரப்பு ஏற் பட் டது.

சேலம் சிவ தா பு ரம் மூலப் பிள் ளை யார் கோயில் அருகே, மாவட்ட கரும்பு வெல்ல உற் பத்தி விவ சா யி கள் சங் கம் செயல் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இந்த சங்க வளா கத் தில் உள்ள வெல்ல மண் டி யில், ஞாயிறு தவிர மற்ற நாட் க ளில் வெல்ல ஏலம் நடை பெ றும். நேற்று காலை வழக் கம் போல் ஏலம் தொடங் கிய சிறிது நேரத் தில், உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா, அதி கா ரி க ளு டன் அங்கு வந் தார். அப் போது காரில் வெளியே செல்ல முயன்ற வெல்ல வியா பாரி தர் என் ப வரை தடுத்த அதி கா ரி கள், கூட் டம் நடத்த வேண்டி இருப் ப தால் அதில் பங் கேற் கு மாறு அழைத் த னர். ஆனால் தர், தனக்கு முக் கி ய மான வேலை இருப் ப தால் வெளி யில் செல்ல வேண் டும் என் றார். அப் போ து கண் டிப் பாக கூட் டத் தில் கலந்து கொள்ள வேண் டும் என தெரி வித்த அனு ராதா, வியா பா ரி கள் யாரும் வெளியே செல்ல முடி யா த வாறு கேட்டை மூடு மாறு காவ லா ளிக்கு உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னால் அதி கா ரி க ளு டன் கடும் வாக் கு வா தத் தில் ஈடு பட்ட தர், வெல்ல ஏலத்தை நிறுத் து மாறு வியா பா ரி க ளி டம் கூறி னார். அப் போது அதி கா ரி கள், ஏலம் முடிந்த பின் னர் கூட் டத்தை வைத் துக் கொள் ள லாம் என் ற னர். இந் நி லை யில் அனு ராதா, துணை கமி ஷ னர் செல் வ ராஜை செல் போ னில் தொடர்பு கொண்டு, வெல்ல வியா பா ரி கள் தன்னை பணி செய்ய விடா மல் தடுப் ப தாக கூறி னார். இதைத் தொடர்ந்து அங்கு வந்த அன் ன தா னப் பட்டி போலீ சா ரி டம், தன்னை தர் மிரட் டு வ தா க வும், பணி செய்ய விடா மல் தடுப் ப தா க வும் புகார் அளித் தார். போலீ சா ரின் பேச் சு வார்த் தைக்கு பின் னர் ஏலம் தொடர்ந்து நடந் தது. இது குறித்து அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், ‘‘வழக் கம் போல் மண் டிக்கு ஆய் வுக்கு வந் தோம். பாது காப் பான முறை யில் வெல் லம் கொண்டு வரு வது குறித்த கூட் டத் தில் கலந்து கொள் ளத் தான் தரை வலி யு றுத் தி னேன். ஆனால், அவர் மீது ஏற் க னவே 6 மாதத் திற்கு முன்பு கொடுத்த புகாரை மன தில் வைத்து, வேண் டு மென்றே வாக் கு வா தத் தில் ஈடு பட் டார் ’’ என் றார்.

வியா பாரி தர் கூறு கை யில், ‘‘ஏலத்தை முடித் துக் கொண்டு, சொந்த வேலைக் காக வெளியே சென்ற எனது காரை அனு ராதா தடுத்து நிறுத்தி, கூட் டத் தில் கலந்து கொள் ளும் படி உத் த ரவு போட் டார். பின் னர் காவ லா ளி யி டம் கேட்டை பூட்ட சொல்லி உத் த ர விட் டார். கூட் டம் நடத் து வது என் றால் முன் கூட் டியே தக வல் தெரி விக்க வேண் டும். திடீ ரென கூட் டத் தில் கலந்து கொள்ள வேண் டும் என்று உத் த ரவு போட்டு, கேட்டை பூட் டு வது எந்த விதத் தில் நியா யம்?. முத லில் கேட்டை மூட சொன் ன தற்கு அவர் விளக் கம் அளிக்க வேண் டும். கடந்த 6 மாதத் திற்கு முன், கலப் ப டம் என கூறி 2526 வெல்ல சிப் பங் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர். இதனை கடந்த 28ம் தேதி விற் ப னைக்கு அனு ம தித் துள் ள னர்.

இது தொடர் பாக அதி கா ரி கள் உரிய விளக் கம் அளிக்க வேண் டும்,’’ என் றார்.

கேட்டை இழுத்து மூடுங்க...: வெல்ல மார்க்கெட்டில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் தடாலடி

சேலம்: வெல்ல மார்க்கெட்டில் நேற்று ஏலம் நடந்த போது உள்ளே நுழைந்த உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர், 'கேட்டை இழுத்து மூடுங்கள், யாரும் வெளியே செல்லக்கூடாது' என கூறி, 3 மணி நேரத்துக்கும் மேல், உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் மற்றும் வியாபாரிகளை சிறை பிடித்ததுடன், வாக்குவாதத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட வியாபாரியின் மீது, போலீசில் புகார் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரின் இந்த நடவடிக்கை அனைத்து தரப்பினரிடையே அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது.

சேலம், செவ்வாய்பேட்டையில் உள்ள வெல்ல மார்க்கெட்டில், தினமும், 100க்கும் மேற்பட்ட வாகனங்களில், வெல்லம் விற்பனைக்கு வருவதும், அதை ஏலத்தின் அடிப்படையில், வியாபாரிகள் கொள்முதல் செய்வதும் வழக்கம்.

இழுத்து மூட உத்தரவு: 

நேற்று காலை ஏலத்தின் போது, அங்கு வந்த சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் அனுராதா, 'வாகனங்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, ஆட்களும் யாரும், நான் கூறும் வரை மார்க்கெட்டிலிருந்து வெளியே செல்லக்கூடாது' என, கூறி கேட்டை இழுத்து மூட உத்தரவிட்டார். இதில், வெல்ல வியாபாரி ஸ்ரீதர் என்பவர், 'ஆட்களை சிறை பிடிக்கவோ, வெளியே செல்லக்கூடாது என கூற அதிகாரம் இல்லை' எனக்கூறி வாக்குவாதத்தில் ஈடுபட்டார். இதையடுத்து போலீசை வரவழைத்த அனுராதா, தன்னை அரசு பணி செய்ய விடாமல் தடுத்ததாக கூறி, ஸ்ரீதர் மீது புகார் அளித்தார். இப்பிரச்சனையால், காலை, 8.30 மணியிலிருந்து, 12 மணி வரை, யாரும் வெளியே செல்ல முடியாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டது. காலை உணவுக்கு கூட வெளியே செல்ல முடியாத விவசாயிகளும், வியாபாரிகளும் கடும் அவதிக்கு உள்ளாகினர். 'எதற்காக கேட்டை மூடி வைத்துள்ளீர்கள்?' என அனுராதாவிடம் நிருபர்கள் கேள்வி எழுப்பி பின், 'நான் எதுவும் கூறவில்லையே!' என கூறி விட்டு, 12 மணிக்கு மேல் கேட்டை திறக்க உத்தரவிட்டார்.

வெல்லத்தை காணவில்லையாம்: 

இதுகுறித்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் அனுராதா கூறியதாவது: கடந்த, ஏழு மாதங்களுக்கு முன் உற்பத்தியாளர்களிடம் இருந்து பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட, 2,565 மூட்டை வெல்லத்தை, உற்பத்தியாளர் சங்கத்தின் பொறுப்பில் வைத்திருந்தேன். பிப்ரவரி, 3ம் தேதி வந்து பார்த்த போது, பறிமுதல் செய்த வெல்லம் காணவில்லை. அதற்கு விளக்கம் தரும்படி, உற்பத்தியாளர் சங்கத்துக்கு நோட்டீஸ் தர வந்தேன். வெல்லம் கொண்டு செல்லும் போது, மூடியபடி கொண்டு செல்ல வேண்டும் என, அறிவுறுத்தியபோது, ஸ்ரீதர் வாக்குவாதத்தில் ஈடுபட்டார். இதனால், அவர் மீது புகார் செய்துள்ளேன். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார். 

வாய்மொழி அனுமதி

சேலம் மாவட்ட கரும்பு வெல்லம் உற்பத்தியாளர் சங்க செயலாளர் ரமேஷ்குமார் கூறியதாவது: ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு முன் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட, 2,565 மூட்டை வெல்லத்தை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் எடுத்துக்கொள்ள வாய்மொழியாக அனுமதியளித்தார் எனக்கூறி, சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் ராஜாமணி உள்ளிட்டோர் தலைமையில், கடந்த ஜனவரி, 28 ம் தேதி அனைத்து வெல்ல மூட்டைகளையும் உரிமையாளர்கள் எடுத்துச்சென்றனர். இதுகுறித்து நான் உறுதிபடுத்திக்கொள்ள, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரை தொலைபேசியில் தொடர்பு கொண்ட போது, அவர் அழைப்பை ஏற்கவில்லை. தற்போஆ நான் அனுமதியளிக்கவில்லை என, எழுத்துப்பூர்வமாக விளக்கம் கேட்டுள்ளார். இது பற்றி, சங்கத்தின் செயற்குழுவை கூட்டி மேல் நடவடிக்கைக்கு முடிவு செய்யப்படும். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார். 

நாடகம் ஆடுகிறார்

புகாருக்குள்ளான வியாபாரி ஸ்ரீதர் கூறியதாவது: நான் அவசர வேலை காரணமாக வெளியே செல்ல முயற்சித்த போது, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் ஒருமையில் திட்டினார். மார்க்கெட்டில் உள்ள வெல்லத்தை பறிமுதல் செய்யட்டும், சோதனை செய்யட்டும், ஆட்களை வெளியே செல்லக்கூடாது என, கூறி சிறைபிடிக்க அதிகாரம் உள்ளதா எனக்கேட்டது தவறாம். இவர் வாய்மொழியாக அனுமதியளித்த பின் தான், கெட்டுப்போன, 2,565 மூட்டை வெல்லத்தை எடுத்துப்போனதாக உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர். இதை மறைக்க இங்கு நாடகம் ஆடுகிறார். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Food Safety official inspects jaggery godown

District Food Safety Officer T. Anuradha inspecting a jaggery godown at Shevapet in Salem on Saturday

Stating that 2,630 gunny bags of adulterated jaggery, each weighing 30 kg that were seized and stocked at a godown in Shevapet were taken away by merchants, District Designated Food Safety Officer T. Anuradha inspected the godown here on Saturday.

She said that the bags were seized in July 2015 and were stocked in the godown.

Samples tested in laboratory confirmed that jaggery was adulterated as it was made from sugar and by diluting chemicals.

However, she said that all the bags were missing from the godown.

When she was conducting inquiry, a merchant opposed it. Annathanapatti police was informed.

She lodged a complaint that the merchant prevented her from performing her duty. The police are investigating into the incident.

A notice was also served to the Salem District Sugar Jaggery Manufacturers and Farmers Association under whose custody the gunny bags were earlier kept.

4.5 quintals of spices destroyed in Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 7 (UNI) About 4.5 quintals of spices, including turmeric, chillies and saunf power had been destroyed by the Drug and Food Control (D&FC) in the summer capital, Srinagar, including in the civil lines.

An official spokesperson said here today that complaints were received that some traders, particularly roadside vendors, were selling open powdered spices in the market in the city.

He said a team of Food Safety Officers of D&FC organisation inspected various markets of Srinagar city including Batmaloo, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Saraibala, Lal Chowk, Kokerbazar and other areas to check the sale of open powdered spices which is prohibited under Food Safety and standard Act 2006 Rule 2011.

4.5 quintals of spices destroyed

SRINAGAR, Feb 6: A team of Food Safety Officers of Drug and Food Control Organization inspected various markets of Srinagar city including Batmaloo, HSHS, Saraibala, Lal Chowk, Kokerbazar and other areas to check the sale of open powdered spices which is prohibited under Rule 2, 3, 14, 15 of Food Safety and standard act 2006 Rule 2011.

The team destroyed about 4.5 quintals of spices including turmeric, chilies and saunf powder etc.

Accordingly, all the Food Business operators have been warned not to sell or store open spice powder or else strict action under rules shall be initiated against them.

FDA seizes oil, ghee worth Rs 2 crore over high nickel content

Nickel is used as a catalyst in oil, but may prove to be carcinogenic if found in larger quantities
The Pune Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized edible oil and Vanaspati ghee worth over Rs 2 crore, manufactured by the Cargill India Pvt Ltd, after tests revealed that the products had nickel content that was more than the permissible limit.
The company, with its headquarters in Gurgaon, Haryana, has a branch in Daund district, wherein its popular products, Gemini sunflower oil and Vanaspati ghee, are manufactured. However, both products were found to have violated norms.
Confirming the same, FDA assistant commissioner SB Naragude said, "After a source shared information about Cargill having violated norms of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, we immediately collected samples of its products. Upon running tests on these, we found a high level of nickel in them, which was double the permissible amounts. This is extremely harmful to the human body."
Elaborating more on the ill effects of high consumption of nickel, Naragude said, "High nickel content can lead to many illnesses, a higher chance of developing various forms of cancer like lungs, nose, larynx and so on. It may also lead to allergic reactions and rashes. Among the products we tested, we found nickel content had risen to an extremely high level. Nickel is used as a catalyst in oil, but at 1.5 ppm, we found that it was nearly double the limits permitted by the World Health Organisation. Seeing this adulteration in oil and ghee, we seized all products they had, worth Rs 2 crore in all. We have communicated this to the company and are expecting their response. Meanwhile, we are also in the process of raiding other food companies like Wipro as we have received certain complaints against them as well."
When contacted, Ganesh Kulkarni, national quality head, Cargill India Pvt Ltd, said, "FDA has held our products. However, our products fulfil all Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and are regularly tested in accredited labs. We take food safety very seriously and are working with the authorities to understand their concerns."

ஒசூரில் புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

ஓசூர்,பிப்.5:
ஓசூ ரில் ரூ.2.5 லட் சம் புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது.
ஒசூ ரில், உலக புற் று நோய் தினத்தை முன் னிட்டு, மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் ஓசூர் பஸ் ஸ்டாண் டில் திடீர் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர்.
மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் கலை வாணி தலை மை யில் ஒசூர் பேருந்து நிலை யம், காந் தி ரோடு, நேதா ஜி ரோடு, நாமல் பேட்டை, பாக லூர் ரோடு உள் ளிட்ட பகு தி க ளில் இந்த சோதனை நடத் தப் பட் டது. அப் போது பல் வேறு கடை க ளில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட ரூ.2.5 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான பான் ப ராக், குட்கா, பான் ம சலா, மற் றும் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் களை பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. இதனை ஓசூர் சப் க லெக் டர் டாக் டர் செந் தில் ராஜ் ,ஏஎஸ்பி பிரி ய தர் சினி ஆகி யோர் பார் வை யிட் ட னர். பின் னர் அந்த பொருட் களை அதி கா ரி கள் அனைத் தை யும் தீயிட்டு அழித் த னர்.

‘Fake licences’: Punjab food and safety dept finds irregularities

The food registration certificates and licences issued by the Jalandhar civil surgeon’s office to certain food business operators was in gross violation of the mandatory online facility started by the central government in March 2014.
The Punjab food and safety department has found many irregularities in the inquiry into some of the food registration certificates and licences issued by the Jalandhar civil surgeon’s office to certain food business operators in gross violation of the mandatory online facility started by the central government in March 2014.
Food safety commissioner Hussan Lal, who had ordered a probe and deputed food safety nodal officer Dr Naresh Kumar to find out the truth, said only the district health officer (DHO) was a signing authority for issuing the licence to food operators, as per the provisions of the Food Safety Act.
Informing about the licences and registration certificates which were carrying the stamp and signature of the civil surgeon, Lal said the department checked the records and found no approval was sought by the civil surgeon to issue the same.
He said, “If the signing authority is not available in the office, then the civil surgeon can issue the licence by using special powers. But this can only be done by informing the headquarters in Chandigarh. In this case, this was not available in the records.”
The food and safety commissioner also said the inquiry also pointed that in many cases water-testing reports were also not available.
However, the inquiry left many points unanswered, raising the questions on it. It did not talk about the non-availability of the registration certificates and licences in question on the website -- foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in.
Confirming the fact, the state commissioner said he would look into this matter. However, he said it may be due to the nonavailability of computers, scanners and other infrastructure in the district offices.
‘DHO to be grilled’
He also added that he would ask the DHO to give details over his preliminary report that records were not available in the office, as when the nodal officer checked the records, the same were available.
As per the preliminary report, the DHO was asked to provide records of these registration certificates and licences and given a 15-day deadline to respond it. After an extensive search for the records, the department wrote to the nodal officer that it did not have any record of these documents.
Hindustan Times had reported on December 16, 2015 that many of the food business operators, unaware of the online system, had paid Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 despite the fact that the annual registration fee was just Rs 100 for a licence.
Balbir Singh, owner of a grocery shop and flour mill at Aman Nagar, was issued a licence for which he paid Rs 6,000. However, there was no record of Singh’s certificate (000071) on the Food Safety and Standards Authority website.
Shockingly, the certificate carried the renewal date as April 1, 2018, while the validity of the same was just one year. Singh claimed that he was not aware of the online facility and contacted the civil surgeon’s office for the purpose.
Similarly, the civil surgeon’s office issued a registration certificate (22114361006141) to Om Dhara Sweet Water at New Hardyal Nagar on November 9, 2014, with the renewal date mentioned as November 8, 2015. The certificate had manual alterations on it. The unit owner, Sukhwinder Singh, said he paid Rs 5,000 for the certificate.
Process for online registration
For online registration, one has to apply on the website after filling the requisite information. Then, the application goes to the designated food safety officer (FSO). The applicant approaches the officer who then asks him/her to submit the fee in the bank and submit the payment details. The applicant can get the registration certificate after 10 days.

'Eat Traditional,stay Healthy'

KOCHI: The office-bearers of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) said they were not against outlets selling any type of food or delicacies. But they emphasised that it was the duty of the government and authorities concerned to make sure that authentic cuisines were served in hygienic conditions.
“We are ready to extend our support to the Food and Safety Department to ensure that only authentic and healthy food are served to the public. But they should also take steps to create awareness among the public on the necessity to cling to healthy food habits and the hazards of blindly aping foreign food habits and need to give preference to our traditional food culture,” said KHRA general secretary G Jayapal.

 

He said that along with raids on middle-level food outlets, the authorities concerned should take steps to prevent the widespread popularity of junk food among the new generation. “The overuse of Cola and other soft drinks, overuse of junk food and charred food are very dangerous,” he said.
Awareness,Need of the Hour
Kochi: A proper awareness among the public on good food habits is the need of the hour, believe experts. According to Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety (Ernakulam), K V Shibu, it is not easy to convince the public of issues related to food habits. “After each raid, we expose the harmful effects of unhealthy food habits. There are many instances in the past, the recent one being the issues related to illegal ‘chaat’ shops. But has anyone stopped eating ‘chaat’ or ‘pani puri’?. What we can do is to make sure that quality food is served to public,” he said. Regarding the health threats posed by illegal Arabian food outlets, he said the Department would take necessary action. “Usually, such shops function from the evening. We will conduct regular inspections to make sure the delicacies are served in hygienic conditions,” Shibu said.

KUMUDAM SINEGITHI ARTICLE

Andhra to Set up Fast Track Courts to Deal With Adulterators

HYDERABAD: In the wake of increasing cases of sale of adulterated food items reported in the State, AP government is contemplating setting up of fast-track courts to deal with cases related to food adulteration. The State government has also decided to appoint food safety officers in all the mandals of the State to curb the use of adulterated food items.
It has also decided to make it mandatory for fruit traders to register with the department concerned to keep track of their business. The State government has booked 266 cases and collected fine to a tune of Rs. 1.65 crore in the last three months from traders involved in the sale of adulterated food items.
Disclosing this to reporters after conducting a review meeting with the senior officials of health departments here, on Wednesday, Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas said following High Court direction to the State government to take steps to curb the use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits, it has decided to strengthening the regulatory structure and work towards effective implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act in the State. “Government is serious about putting an end to the sale of adulterated food items in the State and has decided to implement food safety laws strictly,” he said.
“Officials of food safety department conducted special raids in Vijayawada town in December last and collected 65 samples of ghee, oils, dals and spices and took stringent action against the traders involved in the sale of adulterated items,” he informed.
The Health minister agreed that the government was not able to implement the Food Safety Act effectively due to shortage of staff.
Steps to curb adulteration
 AP Govt contemplating to set up fast track courts to deal with food adulteration cases

•  Food safety officers to be appointed in all the mandals to curb the use of adulterated food items
•  Govt to make it mandatory for fruit traders to register with the concerned Dept
•  266 cases booked, Rs 1.65 cr fine collected in the last three months from erring traders

Hefty Penalties

•  In case of substandard food, fine up to Rs 5 lakh under Food Safety and Standards Act
•  Misbranded food, fine up to Rs 3 lakh
•  Misleading advertisement, fine up to Rs 10 lakh
•  Unsafe food, imprisonment for a period of 6 months to 6 years and fine up to Rs 10 lakh
•  In case of unsafe food resulting in death or injury, Rs 5 lakh compensation

Fast food and health

The Government had imposed a ban on the sale of Maggi noodles following the detection of lead whose level was higher than what is permissible. While such stringent action is welcome, it throws up the problem of fast food in the larger context. Big companies produce unhealthy food like pizza, candies, and soda. Such items contain a high component of fat and sugar, but are low in terms of essential nutrients. Extensive marketing campaigns are undertaken to attract the people, school children in particular, to consume food that is potentially harmful. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes, heart problems, cancer and chronic respiratory ailments account for a large number of deaths every year. Unhealthy diet, resulting in overweight and obesity, can drive a person quicker to death. A nutritious diet can check the rate of mortality.
The big companies target school children to expand the market of harmful food items. They place advertisements in the course of children’s programmes. Cartoon characters are printed on the boxes that contain these items. Free samples are distributed in schools. Promotional campaigns such as sponsoring school events are undertaken. Altogether, it is a picture of fun and games and the harmful effects of such food are concealed. Children are particularly vulnerable and tend to suffer from excessive fat and malnutrition. They are susceptible to health problems if they miss out on essential elements in their diet.
The Government is aware of the negative impact. The tax on soft drinks was increased in the last budget to curb the spread of such food. In parallel, the Government also wants to attract FDI. Coca Cola has promised to invest $ 5 billion. This investment will generate a demand for bottles, transport, and labour. Thus the Government is reluctant to regulate these companies, fearing loss of investment and a downturn in the economy. But economic benefits of large companies are just one side of the story. If the consumption of fast food leads to sickness and death, the loss to the economy can be enormous.
Going by WHO’s projections, India will suffer a loss of national income from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, amounting to $ 336.6 billion in terms of purchasing power. This means that gains to the economy from the entry of big companies are small in comparison to the loss from the deterioration of public health. And yet the Government is pushing for such investments because the benefits from the setting up of such factories are directly visible, while the losses from deterioration of health are “invisible.”
People are shortsighted like the Government. According to economic theory, the consumer knows how to maximize his welfare. We must assume that his welfare is enhanced by the consumption of pizza and carbonated drinks if he chooses to buy them. It is forgotten though that a condition underlying this economic theory is of “informed” choice. It is assumed that the consumer is aware of the harm that his health can suffer by the consumption of fast food. This is the crux of the problem. The companies launch large campaigns to communicate the benefits from expanded choice, good ambience of the restaurants and quick energy obtained from the consumption of fast food. But the harm caused by obesity and malnutrition are not mentioned. Thus the consumer is surreptitiously led to believe that his welfare will be enhanced by the consumption of such food, while actually his welfare gets undermined.
Government intervention can rectify such situations. For example, advertisements for liquor and cigarettes are banned. The idea being that people do not realise the negative impact of consumption. Therefore, the Government should step in as a trustee of people’s health and act accordingly. Some people might wish to consume more liquor but the Government says ‘no’ and thus dissuades them from the damaging consumption of liquor and tobacco. In the same way, it is imperative for the Government to step in and dissuade the consumers from consuming fast food.
Many developing countries have formulated rules to prevent such advertising aimed at school children. Costa Rica has banned chips, cookies, candy and carbonated sodas from elementary and high schools. Mexico has barred schools from serving or selling sugary sodas, juices or processed snacks; and has directed that all tacos, burritos and salads are to be prepared with low fat content. In Peru, only health food can be sold in school cafeterias. Philippines has prohibited the sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificial flavoured juices, junk food and any food product that may be detrimental to the child’s health. Only items that are rich in nutrients, such as root crops, noodles, rice and corn products, seasonal fruit and vegetables and fortified food products labeled as “rich in protein, energy, vitamins and minerals, milk, shakes and juices prepared from fruit and vegetables” are allowed to be sold.
The Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets the standards for foods that are sold. The ban on Maggi noodles was imposed because the amount of lead was found to be in excess of these standards. But the role of FSSAI is restricted to ensuring safety of the food items. It is like ensuring that the paper used in the manufacture of cigarettes does not contain any poisonous material. FSSAI does not have the mandate to assess the impact of fast food, let alone regulate the marketing campaigns that are geared to promote these items. The Government must enact a law to regulate the manufacture, sale and marketing of fast food. We need to go beyond the marketing campaigns in schools and regulate the entire economic system in relation to fast food.
The writer is former Professor of Economics at IIM Bangalore.

Mobile Kitchens Upgrade Street Food in Kerala (Foodie Trail-Kerala)

For a while now, street food has been passe in most middle-class and upper-middle-class households in Kerala. But lately, it's making its way back on to their dining tables. One reason is the way street food has undergone a transformation and the latest fad is the mobile kitchens that appear when dusk sets in on the main roads in cities across the state.
There are more than 150 such mobile kitchens which do business till 11 p m in the state with most concentrating in the 14 district headquarters of the state. These mobile kitchens are modified vehicles, mostly tempo travellers, from which all the seats are removed and it's just the driver's section that remains from the original.
While the concept has been around in other parts of the country, notably in north India, Syed Mohammed claims to have pioneered the transformation in Kerala. Thus, as dusk falls, his mobile kitchen arrives in front of a leading foreign bank, situated a stone's throw from the Kerala governor's residence in this capital city.
"This is my 14th year. This vehicle which I use is modified and we have a state of the art kitchen behind the drivers cabin. It has been beautifully done using different material to keep it very neat and clean. We have made a makeshift water tank that's fixed at the bottom. All the water that my clients use to wash their hands is collected in the tank. At the end of the day, we empty the water on my land," noted Mr. Mohammed.
The mobile vans have an extended menu which mostly includes traditional dishes like the popular thattu dosha (the smaller version of the regular one), chappaties, parottas, idiappom, appam. Some even offer fried rice, while omelettes and bull's-eye (fried eggs, sunny side up) are the most sought after ones.
The curries on offer include various varieties of beef and chicken and also vegetable dishes.
"I am a regular at this eating joint as I have found it very tasty, besides being reasonably priced. If the very same dish that I have from here is eaten at a hotel in the city, I have to pay a minimum of 30 percent more. What I understand is that these mobile vans have very little overheads and what they save on that is passed on to people like me," said John Thomas a post-graduate student in Kottayam who is a regular customer at a mobile kitchen.
Illustratively, four pieces of chicken fry and a couple of rotis would cost Rs.70. An egg curry with a couple of rotis would cost Rs.30.
Sreekumar, a parotta maker at a mobile kitchen in Kochi. said they start around 7 pm and serve curries and other eats.
"Once we are here in the road, we start working on the parottas and make the dosas. All the fries (chicken and beef) are done inside the mobile kitchen, while the curries are all prepared at our home kitchen. We use environmentally-friendly material, which include plantain leaves (placed on steel plates), paper cups for water and also paper plates. We also provide mineral water," noted Sreekumar. "The waste is also collected and we use it in our biogas plant," he added.
The Food and Safety Commissioner is the watchdog for these mobile kitchens. Its commissioner, T.V. Anupama said the mobile kitchens are classified as street vendors.
"These vehicle kitchens have to pay an annual fee of Rs.2,000 ($30). Our officials conduct surprise checks at these eateries and any lapses connected to hygiene invite penalties. In December (2015), we realised a total fine of Rs.288,000 across the state," Anupama told.
With the watchdog doing a good job, good quality food at cheap rates, hygiene being of prime importance and ease of doing business with practically no taxes to be paid by the kitchen owners, more and more mobile kitchens are certain to hit the roads in the state in the days to come.
"Our business model is to improve the quality of the food as this would lead to more sales. I am quite happy doing this business because I have seven staff members working with me," said Mohammed, who uses an electronic machine to generate a bill, which also serves acts as a token to collect the food.
These mobile kitchens are definitely worth trying when in Kerala!

FSSAI license now mandatory for food units in J&K

Food Safety Dept asks unit holders to obtain registration before March 1
Srinagar, Feb 3
The Food Safety Department has made it mandatory for all Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the State to obtain online registration or license of their establishments for running their business.
Officials told Rising Kashmir that the department has fixed March 1, 2016 as the last date for obtaining license or registration as per the guidelines of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
“All food manufacturers, packers, whole sellers, distributors and sellers, food importers, hotels, restaurants, clubs, canteens, caterers, food transporters, food storage establishments, food processing units etc will have to obtain online license and registration till March 1 as per FLRS (Food, Licensing and Registration System) of FSSAI,” Controller Drugs and Food Control Organization, Lotika Khajuria told Rising Kashmir.
She said the action would be taken against the operators which failed to obtain license or registration on time under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“All the business people could contact the Designated Officer or Food Safety Officer of their concerned district for any query,” the Controller said.

DINAMALAR NEWS

காலாவதி உணவு பொருட்கள் அழிப்பு

 

திண் டுக் கல், பிப்.4:
திண் டுக் கல் நகர் பகு தி யில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யி லும், காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் க ளும் விற் கப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு துறைக்கு பொது மக் கள் புகார் அளித் த னர். அத ன டிப் ப டை யில் நேற்று திண் டுக் கல் பஸ் நிலை யத் தில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் சாம் இ ளங்கோ தலை மை யில், உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் லாரன்ஸ், செல் வம் ஆகி யோர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர். அப் போது கடை க ளில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் இருந்த எண் ணெய் பல கா ரங் கள், இனிப்பு வகை க ளில் தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் இருப் பது தெரி ய வந் தது. பெரும் பா லான கடை க ளில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், குடி நீர் விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந் த தும் கண்டு பிடிக் கப் பட் டது. மதுரை, திருச்சி, நத் தம், கரூர் உள் ளிட்ட பஸ் நிறுத்த பகு தி க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். அப் போது காலா வ தி யான 200 லிட் டர் குளிர் பா னம் மற் றும் 60 கிலோ சுகா தா ர மற்ற உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

அப் போது கடை க ளில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் இருந்த எண் ணெய் பல கா ரங் கள், இனிப்பு வகை க ளில் தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் இருப் பது தெரி ய வந் தது. பெரும் பா லான கடை க ளில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், குடி நீர் விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந் த தும் கண்டு பிடிக் கப் பட் டது. மதுரை, திருச்சி, நத் தம், கரூர் உள் ளிட்ட பஸ் நிறுத்த பகு தி க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். அப் போது காலா வ தி யான 200 லிட் டர் குளிர் பா னம் மற் றும் 60 கிலோ சுகா தா ர மற்ற உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட குளிர் பா னங் களை பொது மக் கள் முன் னி லை யில் அதி கா ரி கள் கீழே ஊற்றி அழித் த னர். உணவு பொருட் களை பிணா யில் ஊற்றி அழித் த னர்.

Explain move to introduce GM mustard: SC asks government

The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the central government on its proposed move to introduce herbicide resistant mustard, cotton and corn in the face of a court-imposed ban on their introduction.
A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and justices AK Sikri and R Banumathi asked Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi to explain his stand on a contempt petition filed against the members of the committee which cleared the proposal.
The petition, filed by Aruna Rodrigues against the environment and forests ministry's move, sought action against chairperson Hem Pande and the co-chairperson and member secretary of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee for flouting court orders. The petition was mentioned by her counsel Prashant Bhushan at the close of proceedings in the CJI's court on Monday. It will now be heard after two weeks.
The top court had in a series of orders passed in February 2007, April 2008 and August 2008 sought to restrain both small-scale and largescale field trials in any food crops as well as their commercial introduction in the country.
Rodrigues said the government wilfully and deliberately not only conducted small-scale field trials but also large-scale field trials for commercial introduction of herbicide tolerant crops of mustard, cotton and corn in India for the first time.
These field trials have ignored fundamental bio-safety precautions as ordered by the court. Contamination during open field trials is specifically barred in the order of May 8, 2007," the petition said. "In the light of this specific order... regulatory adventurism... is particularly unconscionable as they expose India to undue and high risk of GMO contamination of our food crops," it said.
The petition claimed that smallscale field trials of mustard were undertaken in July 2014, as also of corn. "Large-scale field trials are the final stage of field trials before commercialisation and are especially risky for contamination as their focus is seed-setting for commercial planting, not for conducting bio-safety studies which must be completed and the crop signalled as utterly safe... precisely because seed-setting entails contamination risks of an exceedingly high order of magnitude.
Bio-safety studies and risk assessment protocols must be addressed and essentially completed during the first stage, she said. Gene sequencing at that stage provides the bio-safety assurance for approvals to proceed to the next stage, Rodrigues said.
This is the sequencing required by a five-member court appointed technical expert committee.
The risk of contamination from GM mustard and corn is of an unprecedentedly high order and proven in other cases involving Canada, Japan and Mexico (corn) and US (rice), the petition said.
The case of mustard DMH 11 is especially critical since the application for commercialisation has reportedly been sent by crop developer Dr Deepak Pental of the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGCMP) to the GEAC in Sept 2015," the petition said.
It is considered for surreptitious approval for commercialisation, Rodrigues said, even as the issue of setting up an independent and efficacious protocol for their approval is pending before the court for adjudication.
This shows the collective irresponsibility displayed by the regulators, ministries concerned (agriculture, science and technology, and environment) and institutions of GMO governance (ICAR, DBT), in approving it, demonstrating a clear agenda to push GMOs into India's agriculture, the petition said.
This is now undeniable because approval of LSTs (large-scale trials) is undisguised malfeasance and regulatory delinquency. The risk of contamination in such trials and especially from GM mustard will be hard to avoid," it said. The government will have to respond to all these charges in two weeks.

STF officials seize adulterated food items in joint raid

MEERUT: Special Task Force (STF) along with officials from Food Safety & Drugs Administration (FSDA) on Tuesday raided a factory and various shops allegedly selling adulterated items. The team seized items that were being passed off as dietary protein supplements in containers with labels of renowned companies.
The mixtures seized contained prohibited medicines and steroids. As per police reports, Uttar Pradesh STF had been receiving information about fake supplements being produced in various parts of western UP and sold to a number of health aficionados.
Anit Kumar, deputy SP, STF field unit, Meerut, said, "We got directions from IG of Uttar Pradesh, STF. On Tuesday afternoon, along with officials from FSDA, we raided the premises of ZMS Healthcare Company, located at Kharkhoda and found a large quantity of raw material used to make these fake dietary supplements. We also arrested three people Mujahid Shahid, Mohammad Salman and Zeeshan Ahmad, all residents of Lisari Gate area of Meerut."
The team also went on to two more shops- Hindustan Sports Nutrition Store and Apollo Medical Store Nutrition Point which were being run by relatives of the Kharkoda factory owners. However, the police team found the shutters down as the news of raid at the factory had alerted the shop owners. The team sealed the two shops.
The arrested trio revealed that the factory used to supply these fake supplements to a large number of UP West districts like Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Noida, Ghaziabad, Hapur and even Delhi.
According to JP Singh, chief food safety officer, "Shahid has confessed that they used to mix anabolic steroids, growth hormones, etc. to boost muscular growth. All these medicines are strictly prohibited except under strict medical supervision in special cases."
According to Dr Ranji Mathew, senior consultant, medicine, "Anabolic steroids are growth hormones, strictly to be administered under the supervision of an endocrinologist and that too only in extreme cases like cancer, delayed puberty, osteoporosis, etc."
Dittos Dr Sunil Jindal, surgeon and male infertility expert, "Anabolic steroids are increasingly being used by aspiring body builders. They depend upon fitness magazines, poorly trained instructors and local chemists for doses. This leads to serious side effects like increased erectile dysfunction, oligospermia (fall in sperm count), impotency, diabetes, etc."

Contaminated meat, fish destroyed

Six kilograms of contaminated meat and 1.5 kg decayed fish stored in a freezer by a prominent restaurant near Thindal were destroyed during an inspection by a team led by District Officer for Food Safety and Drug Administration G. Karunanidhi on Tuesday.
While raw meat could be stored in below zero degree level, cooked meat ought to be consumed within six hours. The confiscated meat appeared to be semi-cooked. Samples have been sent for lab test, Dr. Karunanidhi said. The restaurant was instructed not to use monosodium glutamate and colouring agents in the dishes.
The kitchen’s floor looked untidy and garbage was found strewn in the campus, adding to the unhygienic condition, he said.
“We have instructed the restaurant to put up boards stating that monosodium glutamate or colouring agent has not been utilised for preparing dishes, and also RO water is supplied for drinking purposes,” Dr. Karunanidhi said.
Colouring powder below 100 ppm is permitted only for bakeries and restaurants have to desist from using them. The public eating out must make sure that restaurants do not use colouring powder that have been proved to cause ulcers and bladder cancer, he said.

பஞ் சாபி ஓட் டல் க ளில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் திடீர் ரெய் டி

ஈரோடு, பிப். 3:
ஈரோட் டில் உள்ள பஞ் சாபி ஓட் டல் க ளில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நடத் திய திடீர் ரெய் டில் கெட் டுப் போன சிக் கன், மட் டன் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது.
ஈரோட் டில் பெருந் துறை சாலை, நசி ய னூர் சாலை மற் றும் சத்தி சாலை யில் ஏரா ள மான பஞ் சாபி தாபா ஓட் டல் கள் நடத் தப் பட்டு வரு கின் றன.
இந்த ஓட் டல் க ளில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் உணவு சமைக் கப் ப டு வ தா க வும், மீத மி ருக் கும் சிக் கன், மட் டன் உள் ளிட் ட வை களை குளிர் சா தன பெட் டி யில் வைத்து பதப் ப டுத்தி வாடிக் கை யா ளர் க ளுக்கு வழங் கப் ப டு வ தா க வும் புகார் கள் வந் தன.
இதனை தொடர்ந்து நேற்று மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் கரு ணா நிதி தலை மை யி லான அதி கா ரி கள் குழு வி னர் பெருந் துறை சாலை யில் உள்ள பஞ் சாபி தாபா ஓட் டல் க ளில் திடீர் ரெய்டு நடத் தி னர். அப் போது ஒரு ஓட் ட லில் நடத் திய சோத னை யில் நேற்ற முன் தி னம் சமைத்து மீத மி ருந்த 6 கிலோ சிக் கன், மட் டன் மற் றும் ஒன் றரை கிலோ மீன் உள் ளிட் ட வை கள் குளிர் சா தன பெட் டி யில் வைத் தி ருந் ததை கண்டு அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந்த அதி கா ரி கள் அவற்றை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
இதே போல செயற் கை யாக ருசியை உரு வாக்க பயன் ப டுத் தும் அஜி னா மோட் டா வை யும் பறி மு தல் செய்த அதி கா ரி கள் அங் கி ருந்த சிக் கன், மீன் உள் ளிட் ட வை களை ஆய் வுக் காக எடுத் துச் சென் ற னர். மேலும் ஓட் டலை சுகா தா ர மான முறை யில் பரா ம ரிக் கா ததை கண் டித்த அதி கா ரி கள் இது தொடர் பாக நோட் டீஸ் வழங் கி னர்.
நசி ய னூர் சாலை யில் உள்ள ஒரு சில பஞ் சாபி ஓட் டல் க ளி லும் அதி கா ரி கள் ரெய்டு நடத்தி காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர். 5க்கும் மேற் பட்ட ஓட் ட லில் இந்த ரெய்டு நடத் தப் பட் ட தாக அதி கா ரி கள் கூறி னர்.

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