PIL on Food Safety Act

Not just on labs, we have failed even on basics. 
The Chief Secretary has candidly admitted before the Division Bench of the State High Court the failure of the State Administration in enforcing the provisions of Food Safety Act, 2006 since the inception when the legislation came into effect. (GK 15 May). He has assured the Hon’ble Court that the State would be soon initiating action to set up two technologically advanced laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar to check the menace of food adulteration and would not wait for the transfer of funds from the Central Government for the purpose.

The Chief Secretary was personally present in the case on the summons of the High Court along with some senior officers of the State Government in a PIL filed against the State and on his assurance the Court dropped proceedings against the erring officials. 

Hopefully, the assurance handed down by the CS will be carried into effect at the earliest. But, it is a sheer apathy that nothing in our State now seems to work till the Courts intervene. It has, so to say, become a regular feature that the State apparatus swings into action only when the courts are actively involved. This reflects very poorly on the officials who shy away from their assigned duties and responsibilities and whose culpable negligence is largely responsible for the suffering of the people and in the falling standards of health.

The two technologically advanced labs to be set up in place of the existing old and defunct labs will indeed ask for time even if the State accords top priority as it has promised the High Court. How about then the intervening time? The public is not expected to continue to suffer as it is now. It is widely acknowledged that the adulteration of food items is continuing on a massive scale here and no one in the authority seems to be bothered even to enforce a semblance of order. It has resultantly shaken the public faith and confidence in the Government’s ability to check this malaise. 

Therefore, it is important that the Government does something to establish the supremacy of law. Thus, without waiting for the labs to come up, it is imperative that the State Administration swings into action against those involved in selling adulterated food items to the general public. That has to be done on a non-stop basis to restore semblance of order so that the general public heaves a sigh of relief.

We see a mushroom growth in hand carts all over the city selling food items like vegetables and fruits. Most of the cart sellers cut open fruits to lure public inspite of the fact that the surroundings all over the city have become highly dirty and dusty. The mammoth growth in the vehicular traffic is largely responsible for this state of affair. Given the scale of traffic mess, it is unlikely that the environment around will show any noticeable improvement.

Therefore, the officials of the department concerned need to launch a massive awareness program advising general public to desist from purchasing food items and fruits that are cut and sold in the open on carts. Simultaneously, such food items should be seized and destroyed on the spot and the sellers fined so that they refrain from repeating such acts. Similar action also needs to o be taken against shop keepers dealing in food items who show insensitivity to public health. The Department concerned may make use of audio visual aids for creating public awareness on mass scale.

It is also important that people involved in the adulteration of food items like milk are subjected to regular checks against adulteration. Not only should the substandard and adulterated milk be destroyed on the spot, but the dealers subjected to heavy fines and even imprisonment. The resolve of the Government should appear to the public firm and uncompromising. That will help changing public mind against food adulteration.

If the State Administration takes these small but significant basic steps, no wonder the public faith and confidence will be restored in its ability to cope with the situation. There is no doubt in the fact that the falling standards of health conditions are largely caused by adulteration of food items . Therefore, any action aimed at checking the menace of food adulteration will positively reflect on the health of our people. Let the basics be taken care of immediately to improve the food standard scenario. The use of sophisticated labs will then become more practicable. The need of the hour is improving the basics. The rest can always follow.

Are ice-cream manufacturers aware of the food regulatory requirements for ice-cream?

However while ice-cream manufacturers can get creative about ice-cream they also need to keep in mind the food regulations so that their product continues to be enjoyed safely by consumers

Come summer and ice-cream is usually promoted with all kinds of images that titillate the senses and tempt consumers as being a product that they simply cannot miss out. The delectable summer treat comes in the form of bars, sandwiches or scoops and is often topped with flavours, nuts, chocolate chips which make the ice-cream even more irresistible.

However, while ice-cream manufacturers can get creative about ice-cream they also need to keep in mind the food regulations so that their product continues to be enjoyed safely by consumers.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has categorised ice-creams under “Dairy Based Desserts/Confections” and under the category of ice-cream they have ice-cream, kulfi, chocolate ice-cream and softy ice-cream which are all obtained by “freezing a pasteurized mix prepared from milk and /or other products derived from milk with or without the addition of nutritive sweetening agents, fruit and fruit products, eggs and egg products, coffee,cocoa, chocolate, condiments, spices, ginger and nuts and it may also contain bakery products such as cake or cookies as a separate layer and/or coating. “

Ice- creams may be frozen hard or they may be of a soft consistency but one thing they must have is a pleasant taste and smell and must not have any off flavour or odour. Ice- cream can contain permitted additives but the FSSAI says the product must be tested formicrobiological parameters so that it does not contain any organisms such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Listeria, and others that can cause human disease and are associated with farm animals.

Ice- cream is also categorised as Ice- cream, Medium fat ice-cream and Low fat-ice-cream depending on the percentage of total solids, milk fat, milk protein used.Where chocolate, cake or similar food coating, base or layer forms a separate part of the product only the “ice cream” portion will need to conform to the requirements in the table below. FBO’s need to keep in mind that type of ice-cream (whether medium or low fat) shall be clearly indicated on the label otherwise standard for ice-cream shall apply.

Requirement	Ice cream	Medium fat ice-cream	Low Fat ice-cream
(1)	2)	(3)	(4)
Total Solid	Not less than 36.0 percent	Not less than 30.0 percent	Not less than 26.0 percent
Wt/Vol (gms/l)	Not less than 525	Not less than 475	Not less than 475
Milk Fat	Not less than 10.0 percent	More than 2.5 percent but less than 10.0 percent	Not more than 2.5 percent
Milk Protein (Nx6.38)	Not less than 3.5 percent	Not less than 3.5 percent	Not less than 3.0 percent

The FSSAI regulations also have another definition which is similar to ice-cream but is called Frozen Dessert / Frozen Confection. This product is defined as“product obtained by freezing a pasteurised mix prepared with milk fat and / or edible vegetable oils and fat having a melting point of not more than 37.0 degree C in combination and milk protein alone or in combination / or vegetable protein products singly or in combination with the addition of nutritive sweetening agents e.g. sugar, dextrose, fructose, liquid glucose, dried liquid glucose, maltodextrin, high maltose corn syrup, honey, fruit and fruit products, eggs and egg products, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, condiments, spices,ginger, and nuts.”

Similar to the ice-cream, frozen dessert is also categorised as Frozen Dessert/ Frozen Confection, Medium Fat Frozen Dessert/ Confection and Low Fat Frozen Dessert/ Confection. The requirement for milk fat and protein is also the same except that the protein is Nx6.25 whereas for ice-cream it is Nx6.38. Frozen dessert may also contain a separate layer of cake or cookies.

Where is the difference???

Food Businesses Operators are usually busy trying to fulfil the demand for the sugary frozen foods in summer. However, they need to pause to see that they know the differences between ice-cream with frozen dessert so that the consumer does not think both are the same. While both the products contain milk solids, fats and proteins a number of the ingredients are totally different.

One of those ingredients allowed in frozen food but not in ice-cream is vegetable oils and fats

While you can use any of the emulsifying and stabilising agents permitted in the regulations in frozen desserts all are not permitted in ice-cream{3.1.6 (7)}

Labelling Requirements

The FSSAI indicates that it is mandatory for all ice cream dealers to “legibly and conspicuously” display their name and address as well as the name and address of the manufacturer on the stall, vehicle or container as the case may be.

FSSAI also clearly states that every package of ice-cream, kulfi and chocolate ice-cream containing starch shall have a declaration on a label as specified in regulation 2.7.1(2).

This article as an attempt to refresh the minds of the FBOs so that they use ingredients and additives as permitted so that the millions of Indians who love ice-cream can be assured that they are consuming a product that is safe to eat. So that consumers make the right choice FBO’s must label the ice-creams correctly because there is a huge difference between ice-cream and frozen dessert especially in the permitted ingredients and that the labelling must be such that the normal consumer is not deceived. For its part the Apex Food Regulator must also bring in more clarity about ice-creams and frozen desserts neither is mistaken for the other.

19 trucks transporting harmful poultry waste seized

VIJAYAWADA: In a major breakthrough, the Krishna district police seized 25 vehicles which were illegally transporting poultry waste to various parts of the State in the early hours of Monday.The incident came to light when police were conducting surprise checks at Garikapudi checkpost on Vijayawada- Hyderabad national highway at Chillakallu village.

The police had identified 19 trucks transporting poultry waste from Hyderabad, which is believed to be used as feed for fish in ponds across Krishna, East and West Godavari districts.

The officials seized 100 tonnes of poultry waste and disposed it of in a scientific way.

In another incident, police detained three autos at Hanuman Junction and three lorries at Tadepalligudem of West Godavari district which were illegally transporting the poultry waste.

According to Nandigama DSP Umamaheswara Rao, all the 19 trucks belonged to transporters in Hyderabad and the efforts to contact them proved futile.

It is believed that the kingpin behind the business has been collecting the poultry waste from various parts of Hyderabad and transporting it to West and East Godavari districts, which have a large number of fish ponds and aqua product industries.

"The drivers have confessed that they are transporting the waste to AR Fish products in Vandram village of West Godavari district," the DSP said.

The DSP said there were also reports that some small-scale industries in and around Nandigama town are extracting oil from the poultry waste and supplying them to fast food centres and hotels at cheap rates. Raids would be conducted with the help of food safety officials on such units and stern action would be taken against them if such cases come to light, he added.

When contacted, food safety officials said the oil extracted from waste is not fit for consumption and will have harmful effects on health. "The poultry waste and its products are banned and violators will be booked under Public Health Act," said a senior food safety official.

FSSAI to bring comprehensive recall policy by April

Regulator's to-do list includes guidelines on traceability mechanism, food recall portal and final notification of product approval regulations

Almost after a year of no food product being pulled out of the market, the regulator has decided to bring a comprehensive recall policy this financial year.

The last big food recall was in June 2015, of Nestle India's Maggi noodles. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had ordered the removal on reports that it contained traces of lead and monosodium glutamate. Subsequent lab tests cleared Maggi and the product is now back on retail shelves.

In the making for five years, the draft procedure for a food product's recall was put up for public comment on the body's website last year by FSSAI, where it has remained. Its latest newsletter lists "final notification of recall regulations'' as among the 12 important things it plans for 2016-17.

Other items include guidelines on a traceability mechanism, a food recall portal, final notification of the product approval regulations and amendment of the Food Safety Act of 2006. An industry representative said another round of deliberations with businesses is expected before fine-tuning the draft food recall procedures.

Besides Maggi, several energy drinks, flavoured water, syrups and sauces had been recalled in the past for not adhering to prescribed food standards. While the current law has provision for a recall, there hasn't been a foolproof policy or procedures, unlike in mature markets such as the US or Britain.

In August 2015, FSSAI said it would not continue with the process of product approvals, citing a Supreme Court order allowing food and health care products to be launched freely. That saw the end of food recall, too.

According to the draft recall procedure, the objective is to "guide the food business operators on how to carry out a recall process, using global identification systems such as barcode and other mechanisms like e-mail, paper, fax, etc, which facilitates fast removal of the food under recall from the distribution chain…"

The idea is also to inform consumers of the presence of such food in the market and ensure it is contained and destroyed or rendered safe. Once the policy comes into effect, it will be a guide to operators on how to establish a written "recall plan" for executing such a process, in case the food is determined unsafe and to protect the health of consumers in such a situation.

It will be about the complete process of recall, post-recall report, closure of the recall process and follow-up action to prevent a recurrence.

The proposed regulation exempts retailers from having a recall plan unless they are also engaged in the manufacture or import of food. Restaurants, caterers and takeaway joints do not need to have a recall plan. But, every entity in the distribution chain must remove the recalled product, once notified.

The draft procedures say a recall of food made abroad may also be initiated by reports of health authorities or from information received directly from such authorities or otherwise. Back in 2011, then FSSAI chairman P I Suvrathan had told this newspaper that food recall was a complex process and the Authority would come up with related norms in the following year.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

According to the draft recall procedure, the objective is to guide the food business operators on how to carry out a recall process, using global identification systems such as barcode and other mechanisms such as e-mail, paper, fax

The idea is also to inform consumers of the presence of such food in the market and ensure it is contained and destroyed

Once the policy comes into effect, it will be a guide to operators on how to establish a written 'recall plan' for executing such a process

Most maida dangerous as diabetes causing chemicals used for processing

Mumbai

Several maida processing units in the country are found to be using alloxan, a banned substance by FSSAI, to achieve a soft texture to the maida. Although alloxan is banned by FSSAI sometime back, there are no published scientific studies which have mandated it as a hazard.

In this regard, recently, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed with the Madras High Court alleging that alloxan (a chemical), which is known to induce diabetes, is mixed with white flour or ‘maida.’ K Rajendran, a resident of Thethakudi South of Vedaranyam taluk, had approached the court seeking a direction to the authorities to act on a representation he made to ban mixing of alloxan with the white flour.

In view of this, the first bench of chief justice S K Kaul and Justice M M Sundresh has directed FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to assess the maida or white flour from the flour mills and submit a report on the same within three months. The PIL was disposed of by the High Court as the applicant was not an expert on the subject, nevertheless, the court sought clarity on the issue from FSSAI officials. 

According to the petitioner, the chemical alloxan is used to induce diabetes in animals for research purposes. Further, consuming food made of flour that contains alloxan kills beta cells of pancreas and consequently affects production of insulin, resulting in diabetes. 

Poorna Chandran, independent consultant, Salem, Tamil Nadu, reveals, “In a wheat grain there are two parts - bran and endosperm. Maida is made from the endosperm of the wheat grain. This part is grinded and bleached with benzoyl peroxide to form a white powder. This is further mixed with alloxan (chemical) to form maida. This process makes maida very soft. To make it more attractive and appealing, such chemicals are being used while processing flours. Alloxan has shown some serious health risks of raising sugar levels on consumption in diabetes patients.”

Chandran added that in some cases, manufacturers use bleaching agents above prescribed limits especially chlorine gas, which leads to alloxan formation making maida more softer.

Chemicals used                  Maximum limits (max)

Benzoyl peroxide                        40 ppm

Potassium bromate                      20 ppm

Ascorbic acid40 p.p.m.             200 ppm

*Maximum limits for chemicals used in bleaching maida

However, P Gunasekaran, president, Tamil Nadu Roller Flour Mills Association, clarified that the allegations with regards to alloxan use in maida processing were more about bleaching agents like benzoyl peroxide which on overuse caused growth of alloxan traces in the maida.

Meanwhile, Anuj Gupta, manager, operations, Satyam Roller Flour Mills Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, stated, “Alloxan will only occur if maida is processed chemically. If maida is processed with some natural recognised methods like using natural atmospheric oxygen with sunlight, the traces of alloxan which appear in the maida could be excluded. Usage of chemicals invite formation of alloxan as it is a minor product of xanthophyll oxidation process in the flour which is responsible for its yellow colour.”

He added, “There are natural methods of tapping natural oxygen in the atmosphere where you need no chemicals. If chemicals are to be used, their use should be subjected to the prescribed levels.”

While use of chemicals in processing of maida seems to be rampant in the country what is alarming is the result of using such products as a raw material in processed foods. For instance, Chandran from Salem pointed out, “90% of the bakery items are made from maida. Unorganised bakery is a hub for most of the dangerous chemicals. One of the examples is colours in bakery food products, need mix of different chemicals. The same chemical (petroleum byproduct) is used in paint manufacturing industry. Other chemicals used with maida are mineral oil, taste makers, ajinomoto, preservative, dalda, saccharin, sugar etc. The list goes on.”

As for the row over whether alloxan was added or occurred naturally due to bleaching of maida, a Kerala based bakery consultant explained, “Alloxan is not a bleaching agent which can be used to bleach flour but it is a byproduct caused by bleaching flour. Flour is bleached most popularly by use of benzoyl peroxide or treated with chlorine gas, to enable certain changes in colour and the texture. Bleaching is allowed in India but under prescribed levels. As for the controversy that surrounds the levels of alloxan present in flour, some say it is extremely harmful and some disagree. In any case, hard proof for it is not available as yet but research is still on.”

Lastly, petitioner Rajendran claimed that he filed an RTI application to know the truth whether the chemical was mixed in the flour. Since there was no response from the authorities, he was compelled to approach the court.

On Char Dham route, eat at your own risk

DEHRADUN: The Char Dham yatra, which began on May 9, has already recorded footfall from over 45,000 pilgrims, with the number expected to be much higher than in the recent past. However, despite incidents of food-related diseases in the past and the rising level of adulteration in items along the route, the Food Safety Office has still not deployed a food and drug analyst to step up vigilance over edible items and medicine sold on the route.

A food sampling test by scientists from the Dehradun-based Society for Pollution and Environmental Conservation (SPEC) in 2005 had revealed that the level of adulteration in food and medicines along the route was an astonishing 76%. This figure has risen to 83%, according to a similar study in 2015. Despite this, the food and health departments are yet to take any steps to prevent diseases among pilgrims, with food department offcials yet to receive the results of the sample survey from 2015.

In 2015, on the Kedarnath-Badrinath route, 461 out of 561 samples (82%) and on the Yamunotri-Gangotri route, 387 out of 469 samples (82%) were found to be adulterated. The lowest adulteration level found on the Kedarnath-Badrinath route, at 62% in Chopta and Chamoli, while the highest, a shocking 100%, was recorded on the Yamunotri-Gangotri route at Kaudiyala, Gangori, Bhatwari and Gangnani.

However, the food safety officers in the districts through which the pilgrims pass have not taken action against any pharmacy, shop or hotel from where the adulterated samples were collected. The process of collecting samples from the routes and sending them to the nearest testing laboratory in the state, at Rudrapur, takes over a week. The shoddy infrastructure at the laboratory itself — four-hour power cuts every day, a single computer and manpower constraints — leaves little scope for proper analysis.

Although the Rudrapur laboratory has accreditation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the post of food and drug analyst is currently vacant, after the previous incumbent, who was on deputation from Ghaziabad, UP, returned to his parent cadre on April 30 after completing a year.

"Till now the post of food analyst was always filled by people on deputation. However, this time through UPSC an individual has been appointed but he has been given a month to join the lab, so it is up to him to decide his date of joining. The post of drug analyst is also vacant at the moment," said Rajinder Singh Rawat, designated officer, Food Safety Office, talking to TOI.

"Considering how massive an affair the Char Dham yatra is, and the other arrangements the state government makes for it every year, the department should deploy mobile food and medicine sampling vans. The very visibility of these vans would, at least, create fear among adulterers. Rather than waiting another year for reports of diseases like diarrhea and food poisoning among pilgrims, action like this is bound to have an impact," said an FSSAI official, talking to TOI.

FSSAI now adds restaurant hygiene to its menu

 A sub-group has been formed to amend rules that govern safety standards at eating establishments

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has turned its attention to restaurants, eating joints and hotels to enforce hygiene standards.

A sub-group consisting of industry bodies like the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and the FSSAI have been formed to amend rules that govern safety standards at eating establishments.

The sub-group was formed following a meeting last week in New Delhi among the FSSAI, NRAI, FHRAI as well as popular fast-food companies like Yum! and hotel groups like Taj and ITC.

FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal, while confirming the development to Business Standard, said enforcing food safety standards at eating places was a must.

"Hotels, restaurants and eating joints need an FSSAI licence to operate but food safety standards are not necessarily met. We wanted to get a sense of what the industry's view was on the subject and whether they were open to the idea of stringent enforcement," Agarwal said.

The move to regulate the food services market gains importance because of its sheer size. A report by Technopak and the NRAI says the size of the food services market in India is expected to grow from Rs 247,680 crore in 2013 to Rs 408,040 crore by 2018.

The five-year annual growth rate has been pegged at 11 per cent by the Technopak-NRAI report. The manner in which organised as well as unorganised eating places were growing in India was an indication of this trend, said Technopak Chairman Arvind Singhal.

"Despite all the talk about a discretionary slowdown, eating out as a seminal trend will only grow in India, implying that eating places will also grow," he said.

Last year, a couple in Mangalore had reported finding worms in their meal at a KFC outlet. A similar episode was reported by a family in Thiruvananthapuram in 2012. Yum!, the holding company of KFC, was not immediately available for comments when contacted at its India office.

NRAI Secretary-General Prakul Kumar said, "You cannot bundle a dhaba and a fine-dining or casual-dining restaurant together. There will have to be different yardsticks."

The sub-group is expected to meet in the next three weeks to propose amendments to Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, that govern hygiene standards of food service operators.

EATING OUT TO GET SAFER

SCHEDULE 4 OF FOOD SAFETY & STANDARDS REGULATIONS

It governs food safety and hygiene standards for all food business operators

Catering and food service operators such as restaurants, hotels and eating joints are covered under it

School canteens, food service at religious places, dabbawalas, neighbourhood tiffin services, railways and airline catering as well as hospital catering under its ambit

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Separate, detailed guidelines for different food service operators

While a basic set of guidelines may be common to all, safety and storage specifics may vary

Encouraging self-regulation. Enforcement, however, will remain with the state authorities

To ensure that food service operators are not harassed by enforcement authorities

Kendriya Bhandar under food quality scanner

Recently, few wheat samples were collected from a fair price shop which tested 'marginally safe'. A meeting was held with Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain where the emphasis was laid down on ensuring checks on these shops offering food items at subsidised rates.

Fears of massive adulteration in food items in government-run shops in Delhi has prompted the AAP government to keep an eye on subsidised ration stores in the city and monitor the mid-day meal served to students in government schools.

"It will be like monitoring your own department. The government has made sure that it will not tolerate any kind of adulteration, be it private shops or even government-run food shops," said Mrinalini Darswal, commissioner, Department of Food Safety, Delhi government. "We have started the process and it will be carried out regularly," she added.

Recently, few wheat samples were collected from a fair price shop which tested 'marginally safe'. A meeting was held with Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain where the emphasis was laid down on ensuring checks on these shops offering food items at subsidised rates.

As per the official process, the department receives a complaint about an adulterated food item, the report is then marked to the designated district officer, the officer along with the safety officer visits the shop to collect the samples. The samples are then sent for testing where the food analyst supervises the work and sends the reports back to the concerned department.

"So far, the main focus was on the private players but it is our government-run shops which cater to larger population. The government is very particular about the well-being of the citizens," Darswal told Mail Today.

The government's food and drug department monitors the food policy in the city, keeps vigil on the market by way of surprise inspections and raids on food establishments, besides drawing samples of food articles that can be adulterated, substandard or misbranded.

On an average, it receives 125 food samples a month for testing.

The department also carries out awareness campaigns for the consumers and endeavours to educate food business operators for enabling them to comply with food safety management systems as prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Large number of Delhi residents depend on these government-run shops as items are supplied at subsidised rates.

Experts say that by keeping a track on these shops, the government is setting same guidelines for everyone.

Food Safety Act not implemented in letter and spirit, concedes govt

Assures High Court of immediate upgrade of two food-testing laboratories

Srinagar, May 14

Conceding that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, has not been implemented in letter and spirit, the government today assured the High Court that immediate steps would be taken for upgrade of the two outdated food-testing laboratories in Jammu and Srinagar without waiting for Central assistance.

A statement to this effect was made today by Chief Secretary BR Sharma before a Division Bench of the High Court, who along with other top bureaucrats, including Commissioner Secretaries for Health, Finance and Planning, was asked to be present in court today.

“Now that the Chief Secretary has given an assurance, we take it on record and trust him. Let them first upgrade the two outdated food-testing laboratories and provide two mobile testing laboratories,” stated a Division Bench of Justices Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Ali Mohammad Magrey.

The observation followed an assurance by the Chief Secretary in the open court that he would “immediately take review of all aspects” concerning implementation of the J&K Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Sharma termed the issues involved as a “matter of great concern” and assured the court that that “without waiting” for financial assistance from the Centre, funds for setting up technologically advanced laboratories in Jammu and Srinagar would be “immediately provided” by the state and laboratories established shortly.

He further assured the High Court that mobile testing laboratories would be provided to the department. “In view of the assurance given by the Chief Secretary, we defer recommending initiation of disciplinary action against the authorities who failed to implement the Act till date,” said the High Court in its orders.

Earlier, in its observations, the Bench said it was not a question of some small water body and encroachment on it which could be removed and the water body restored. “This is dealing with the health of the state, the rich and poor, the ruler and ruled. Everybody’s health is involved in this issue,” it said.

‘We’ve failed, my lord’: In High Court, Govt admits failure in implementing Food Safety Act

Bench defers action after assurance of prompt funds by Chief Secretary

The state government on Saturday admitted before Jammu and Kashmir High Court that it has failed to implement Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.

Issuing directions on a Public Interest Litigation against food adulteration, the court, however, deferred disciplinary action against erring officials after Chief Secretary assured the court that he will immediately take review of the all aspects concerning the implementation of the Act.

“In view of the assurance given by the Chief Secretary we defer recommending initiation of the disciplinary action to be taken against the authorities who failed to implement the Act of 2006 till date,” a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Ali Muhammad Magrey said.

Advocate General, D C Raina, and Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, candidly accepted that the Act was not implemented in the manner it should have been after senior lawyer and Amicus Curie, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, pleaded that J&K is the only state which does not have full-fledged food testing laboratory in terms of Food Safety and Standard Act.

Disapproving the manner in which the Act has been implemented in the state, the bench said: “We made it clear to authorities that whosoever has been involved at different points of time in implementing the Act of 2006 have exhibited only skin deep concern to the sufferings of people of the State.”

“The State authorities, in order to ameliorate the lot of suffering people, are required to show sole deep concern,” the bench observed.

Following the observations of the court, the Chief Secretary assured that without waiting for financial assistance from the central government, funds for setting up technologically advanced laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar would be immediately provided by the State.

He also assured the court that mobile testing laboratories will be provided to the Food Safety Department saying the authorities created in terms of Act of 2006 would also be put in place shortly.

The court said that while the Chief Secretary along with other senior officers was present in pursuance to its previous directions, it added that the necessity of appearance of senior functionaries of the State arose because of the report filed by the authorities under Food Safety and Standard Act.

In the report, the court said, it was stated that two existing labs, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, are outdated and literally non-functional.

“Since the issue concerns the health of the people of the State and for the reasons the Act of 2006 has not been implemented in the State of Jammu and Kashmir till date in the manner it is stated in the said Act, these authorities were directed to appear before the Court,” the court said.

The Court exempted the CS and other officers from personal appearance.

Meanwhile, taking on record the latest status report filed by Additional Advocate General, M I Dar, the court arrayed the owners of food manufacturing companies whose names figured in the report as party respondents.

The court asked Advocate P Kohli, who appeared for 22 food manufacturing units from Jammu, to file by next date of hearing undertakings in terms of the court order dated April 27.

The Court also directed Commissioner Secretary Food Safety to inform in writing to all the manufacturing units, whose particulars were given in today’s compliance report, about the order dated April 27 and inform them about the affidavits they have to file in terms of the said court order.

On April 27, the court had directed the owners of food processing units to file affidavits indicating that the food items they supply in the market are fit for human consumption.

During proceedings, the court today made certain observations following the arguments of counsels representing various food manufacturing companies. While the counsels argued that Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 is not perfect enough to make available cure to all the prevailing ills, the court disagreed.

“They have to choose a way either to surrender the license they have got under the Act to run their units or to comply with the Act,” the court observed.

Govt admits failure in implementing FS Act

92 accredited labs in country, J&K has none

Srinagar, May 14: Government today admitted in the Court that they have not implemented the Food Safety Act 2006 but assured that all aspects concerning the act will be reviewed and implemented.

Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, who made personal appearance before the State High Court today admitted that the Food Safety Act of 2006 has not been implemented in the manner, it had to be implemented in the State.

The CS assured the court that he will immediately take review of all the aspects concerning the implementation of the Act 2006 and further made assurance that funds for setting up of two technologically advanced laboratories for both at Jammu and Srinagar would be provided to the department without waiting for the financial assistance from the Central Government.

The Amicus Curie, senior advocate High Court, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, told the court that the Jammu and Kashmir is the only State in the country where there is no accredited food testing laboratory. “There are 92 accredited food testing laboratories across the country but J&K has none. Central Government in 2013 had asked the State to set up two laboratories in Jammu and Kashmir and had assured Rs 9 crore assistance and asked the State Government to pay Rs 3 crore but nothing has been done so far by the State Government”, he told Court.

The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey in view of the assurance given by the CS in the open court deferred initiation of disciplinary action against the authorities who failed to implement the Act till date.

Court expressed its serious concern over the casual approach of authorities with regard to non-implementation of Food Safety Act as submitted by CS itself and observed during the proceedings of the case: “This is not the question of a small water body and its encroachment. This is dealing with the health of the State, rich and poor, ruler and the ruled. Everybody’s health is involved in this issue” adding “all the officers have shown little concern as far as the implementation and the compliance of the Food Act is concerned”.

Court observed that necessity of directing appearance of senior functionaries of the State arose because huge public interest is involved in this PIL as also the report filed by the authorities under food safety indicates that two existing labs in the State are not only out dated but are literally non-operational and non-functional.

Court also observed to Advocate General that there is no proper lab at the moment. “Health of all is at stake, Mr AG, CS, your health is involved, and health of those who cannot reach this court is at stake. The issue is how to solve the issue of upgradation of the labs and the food analysts”, court further observed.

The assurance for providing funds by the State followed after the court pointed towards CS that ‘Forget the Central assistance’ it is the State Government which have to implement the Food Safety act. The State Government will provide funds for the upgradation of the labs at Jammu and Srinagar. “We cannot wait for the central funds to come and lives and health of the State is in your hands.”

Court while referring the extinction of water bodies by getting these water bodies encroached and to which the court is making its full efforts to get these water bodies to their original position observed to CS: “It is only to request you to look into the sad state of affairs. It is not about encroachment of the water body, which we can demolish and get back the water body. It concerns to the health of all of us. How to deal with this situation?”

Court also heavily came down on owners/processors/Managing Directors of the companies when counsel representing about 35 spice manufacturing companies submitted that it is costly to get the food samples tested. “As the Act & Rules are there they are to be followed. Why should you do the business if you are not in a position to follow the Act then do away with your business (court observed to Advocate Lone who was appearing for about 35 spice unit holders”.

“Why should you do the business if you are not in a position to follow the act? Then do away with your business (court observed to Advocate Lone who was appearing for about 35 spice unit holders.”

“The act is to be enforced at any cost. No excuse to be accepted. We will order cancelling of your licenses. If you not follow the Act? We will not allow any breach of the act and rules for your commercial activities and cannot make people to suffer”, court observed.

“We made it clear to authorities that who so ever has been involved at different points of time in implementing the Act of 2006, have exhibited only skin deep concern to the sufferings of people of the State. The State authorities in order to ameliorate the lot of suffering people are required to show sole deep concern”, reads the order.

Court has been provided the list of those manufacturing and food processing units which are located outside the State. “All the companies whose particulars are given in compliance report, are impleaded as party respondents in this petition”, reads the order and directed the Commissioner/Secretary Health & Family Welfare to provide full particulars of all these manufacturers, suppliers and processors by next date.

Court also directed the Commissioner Food Safety to inform to these manufacturers, suppliers, processors and companies to file their undertakings/affidavits before the Registrar in terms of previous orders. “The communication shall be send to them through e-mail/speed post to all these persons within one week from today and compliance report in this regard be filed before the next date”, court directed.

Senior counsel appearing Khyber Agro Pvt Ltd submitted that his client has suffered conviction and sentence, by the court of Judicial Magistrate Budgam and in consequence thereof, the production is stopped from April 7 as report of the public analyst is awaited, though the report from accredited laboratory has been received.

In terms of previous order, the said company (Khyber Agro) through its MD has filed affidavit but undertaking has not been filed till date, its counsel submitted that before filing undertaking, clarification is required to be made in respect of previous direction of this court and as per his submissions application in this behalf be filed by his client.

“The MD Khyber Agro Farms Pvt Ltd to file the undertaking in terms of aforesaid order and incase undertakings/affidavits are not filed then appropriate orders will be passed on next date”, the DB said.

Advanced testing FSDA lab to set up in city

Agra: To check food adulteration, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has finally decided to set up an advanced testing laboratory in the city, which would be run by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Agra. This lab will be fully functional only by the end of 2017. TOI had reported in December that a state-of-the-art laboratory would be set up in the soon and now the apex food safety authority has given its nod to the project.

Confirming the development, FSDA Agra designated officer Ram Naresh Yadav said: "The FSSAI has approved the food lab, which would be set up at Fatehabad Road at a cost of Rs 10 crore. Yadav said since food safety is essential. The lab will be equipped to conduct tests on all types of food samples to determine whether it has been adulterated, contaminated or contain harmful chemicals." He added till now the labs in Agra were only equipped to check presence of chemicals in food items and not adulteration.

The lab, which would be certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, will be equipped with latest in advanced equipment, the official said, before adding that the food samples for the tests will be collected based on complaints, suspicion, and random inspection.

Yadav said, "It is mandatory to collect four food samples in case of complaints or suspicion. Only one sample is sent for lab tests, while the others are kept in the custody of officer and complainant." If the food is found to be unsafe for consumption for reasons like contamination or the presence of harmful chemicals, or threatens to pose a serious health hazard to the public a case is registered against the concerned parties and action is initiated as per the law, said the FSDA designated officer.

When every sip is a step toward death

CHENNAI: Think twice before sipping from a cup of strong tea at a roadside stall next time. Because you might well be ingesting ‘hazardous’ chemicals spiked in the tea to kick in a 'feel good' factor. Chemicals that could be carcinogenic.

According to the official statistics, in Chennai alone, 8 out of 22 tea samples picked up during random checks since 2011 have flunked the tests. Of these three were sent for adjudication.

How to Test if Food Additive is added

Take a cup of normal water, mix the tea in it. If streaks of strong colour are formed, the tea has food additive colours.

Last month, a complaint was filed against a tea merchant in Ayanavaram who had been supplying tea powder spiked with food additive colours to Coimbatore and Salem and to many shops in and around Chennai, said an official source.

In another case, a tea trader was found guilty of similar violation. “The trader in Chennai was caught supplying tea under the label sharbath granule to various shops. People who asked for tea without specifying the brand were more vulnerable and were given this adulterated product. They didn't check the label and as it was cheap, they bought it quietly. So, whenever officials questioned this trader, he would claim it was ready-to-mix sharbath granule and not tea and tried to escape,” added the source.

India is one of the Largest Producers of Tea

Estimated tea production in March 2016

Tamil Nadu: 10.73 million kgs.

Kerala: 4.09 million kgs

Karnataka: 0.48 million kgs

South India total: 15.30 million kgs

Source: Tea Board, India

Most of the additives added to tea are dyes. The tea is strong because of food additive colours like carmoisine, tartrazine and sunset yellow (all belonging to the class of azo dyes). In most cases, a combination of these colours is used, say officials.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of carmoise at 0-4 mg per kg. The ADI for tartrazine is 0-7.5 mg per kg and for sunset yellow it is 0-4 mg per kg under both EU and WHO guidelines.

The Tamil Nadu Food Safety department in 2015-2016 collected 67 tea samples of which 36 met the prescribed quality standards, and 31 failed. Of these 31, 10 were declared unsafe, 20 were deemed substandard and 1 had labeling defect. The sellers of unsafe tea were taken for prosecution and the substandard group was taken for adjudication, said another official.

A powerful lobby was active in the State, targeting roadside vendors to promote the illegal business. If the tea is too dark and strong, it sure has food additive colours, said a departmental source.

Indians are addicted to strong tea, so these tea merchants make quick money, says Nirmala Desikan, chairman and managing trustee, Consumer Association of India (CAI) which filed a case on a tea firm at Periamet, Chennai along with the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. The final hearing will come up at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in a few months.

This firm was caught selling tea adulterated with brown dye to most of the shops and canteens. “An awareness should be created among the public on tea adulteration. Instead of depending on the government to act, the people can test the product themselves with tea testing kits that are available,” added Nirmala.

E Vidhubala, associate professor, department of Psycho- Oncology, Adyar Cancer Institute said it was tricky because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO-affiliate, was collecting evidence on these chemicals to find out if they were carcinogenic to humans though it had proved that carmoisine and sunset yellow caused cancer in animals.

The IARC has been collecting data for years to see if these cause cancer in humans. A lot more evidence was needed before drawing a conclusion that these chemical were carcinogenic. Any chemical added to food was definitely hazardous to human health, Vidhubala asserted.

Meenakshi Bajaj, dietician, Government Multi Superspecialty Hospital, Chennai said the European food safety body concluded that these chemicals caused urticaria (a kind of skin disease that caused rash), wheezing, leukocytoclastic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) in sensitive individuals.

The people could report any complaints by calling 044-23813095 or send a mail todofassache@gmail.com.

FSSAI does Quality Check of Imported Food Items

Friday, May 13, 2016,  The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts and orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. 

FSSAI has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. 

A number of steps have been taken by FSSAI for quality control measure for imported food products which are: 

• Standards have been developed and regulations framed in different categories of food products and machinery created for their enforcement. 
• Pre-arrival Documents Scrutiny (PADS) has been implemented in online Food Clearance System (FICS) from the 2nd of February 2016 which is currently operational in all non-single window ports namely Chennai, Kolkatta and Tuticorin. 
• Integrated Declaration form has been developed by Customs on the basis of inputs given by FSSAI. 
• FSSAI has developed its Risk based import prioritisation system and is in touch with Customs, Department of Revenue for its integration with their system. 

Plastic or synthetic rice: 

As per data available in the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), no import of plastic or synthetic rice has been noticed during last three years. The State Governments have also informed that no incidence of imported plastic rice has been reported in their respective states. 

Use of Calcium Carbide: 

Instances of use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits have been brought to the notice of the FSSAI through Action Taken Reports from the Food Safety Departments of the States and UTs. 

Regulation of Food Safety and Standards prohibits use of Calcium Carbide in ripening of fruits. 

The health hazards reported due to use of Calcium Carbide in ripening of fruits include carcinogenic effect, neurological disorders and stomach disorders. 

The steps taken for checking the use of such practices include: 

• All State and UT Governments have been well informed about the harmful effects of calcium carbide as well as the methodology for detection of Acetylene in godowns and storage chambers. 
• All Commissioners of Food Safety have informed about the permitted concentration of ethylene for ripening of fruits. 
• To increase public awareness regarding "consuming fruits ripened artificially by Calcium Carbide may pose health problems", a note has been uploaded on FSSAI website www.fssai.gov.in.

காலாவதியான 12 லிட்டர் குளிர்பானம் அழிப்பு

கட லூர், மே 13:

கட லூர் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் கள் நந் த கு மார், நல் ல தம்பி, சுப் ர ம ணி யன் ஆகி யோர் கட லூர் மஞ் சக் குப் பம் பகு தி க ளி லும், பழைய மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ லக சாலை க ளி லும் உள்ள பிரி யாணி கடை கள், பான் பூரி, பாஸ்ட் புட் கடை க ளி லும் துண் ட றிக் கை கள் விநி யோ கித் த னர். அதில் பொது மக் க ளுக்கு கேடு விளை விக் கும் அஜி னோ மோட்டோ பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூ டாது. ஒரு முறை பயன் ப டுத் தப் பட்ட ஆயிலை மறு முறை பயன் ப டுத்தி உணவு பொருட் கள் தயா ரிக் கக் கூ டாது. இடத்தை சுத் த மா க வும், சுகா தா ர மா க வும் வைத் துக் கொள்ள வேண் டும்.

பாது காக் கப் பட்ட குடி நீரை வழங்க வேண் டும் என்பது உள் ளிட்ட 12 விதி மு றை களை பாஸ்ட் புட் கடைக் கா ரர் கள் பின் பற்ற வேண் டு மென அதில் குறிப் பி டப் பட் டி ருந் தது. இதற் கி டை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் நடத் திய சோத னை யில் காலா வ தி யா கிய 12 லிட் டர் குளிர் பா ன மும், பல முறை பயன் ப டுத் திய ஆயி லும் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு அவை அழிக் கப் பட் டன.

உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி அதிரடி - அம்பையில் ரூ.1 லட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள கலப்பட நல்லெண்ணெய் பறிமுதல்

நெல்லை, மே 13:

அம் பா ச முத் தி ரம் பகு தி யில் கடை க ளுக்கு விற் ப னைக் கா கக் கொண்டு செல் லப் பட்ட ரூ.1 லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெயை உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அதி காரி பறி மு தல் செய் தார்.

அம் பா ச முத் தி ரம் வட் டா ரத் தில் கடை க ளில் குறைந்த விலைக்கு வாங்கி அதிக லாபத் திற்கு விற் ப தற் காக கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெய் விநி யோ கம் செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக உண வுப் பாது காப் புத் துறைக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது. இதை ய டுத்து அம் பா ச முத் தி ரம் வட் டார உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அதி காரி நாக சுப் பி ர ம ணி யம் கடந்த சில நாட் க ளாக தீவிர சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட் டி ருந் தார்.

நேற்று அம் பா ச முத் தி ரம் பாப நா சம் சாலை யில் சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட் டி ருந் த போது அந்த வழி யாக வந்த வாக னத்தை நிறுத்தி சோதனை செய் தார். அதில் கடை கள் மூலம் பொது மக் க ளுக்கு விநி யோ கம் செய் வ தற் காக கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெய் கொண்டு செல் லப் பட் டது தெரிய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து வாக னத் தி லி ருந்த சுமார் ரூ.1 லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள 650லி. கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெய் பாக் கெட் டு களை உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அதி காரி பறி மு தல் செய் தார். இது கு றித்து அவர் கூறும் போது, கடை க ளில் கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெய் விற் கப் ப டு வ தாக வந்த புகா ரை ய டுத்து நடை பெற்ற சோத னை யில் கலப் பட நல் லெண் ணெய் விற் பனை உறுதி செய் யப் பட் டது. இது போன்று மதுரை, ஈரோடு, சேலம் உள் ளிட்ட இடங் க ளில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டு கடை க ளில் பல பெயர் க ளில் குறைந்த விலைக்கு விளக் கெண் ணெய் கலந்த நல் லெண் ணெய் விற் கப் ப டு கி றது. எனவே குறைந்த விலை யில் கிடைப் ப தால் போலி யான எண் ணெயை வாங் கு வதை பொது மக் கள் தவிர்க்க வேண் டும். மேலும் பிடி பட்ட எண் ணெய் சோத னைக்கு அனுப் பப் பட்டு கலப் ப டம் உறுதி செய் யப் பட் டால் தயா ரிப் பா ளர் மற் றும் விற் ப னை யா ளர் மீது உண வுப் பாது கப்பு சட் டப் படி கடு மை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என் றார்.

FSSAI mulls allowing use of ethylene gas for fruits ripening

New Delhi, May 12 () Food Safety regulator FSSAI has invited public comments on an amendment to allow use of ethylene gas for ripening of fruits and vegetables.

In a notification, FSSAI said that it has proposed amendment in the regulations of Food Safety and Standards Act, for inclusion of use of ethylene gas for ripening of fruits.

"..Provided that fruits may be artificially ripened by use of Ethylene gas at a concentration upto 100 ppm (0.01 per cent) depending upon the crop, variety and maturity," it said.

Climacteric fruits are able to continue ripening after being picked, a process accelerated by ethylene gas.

It is mostly used in case of banana, as it is picked when green and artificially ripened after shipment by being gassed with ethylene.

Meanwhile, in a separate notification, FSSAI has also proposed to fix new permissible limits of heavy metals in the various food products.

Earlier this week, the FSSAI had issued draft quality regulations and fixed the foreign matter limit at a maximum 3 per cent by weight in the import of pulses.

Foreign matter means anything extraneous other than food grains. It can be inorganic matter like metallic pieces, sand, stones and organic matter consisting of husk, straws, weed seeds and other inedible grains.The presence of foreign matter in food grains is considered as adulteration and the grains could be found unsuitable for human consumption

Spices Board sets up quality testing labs

KOCHI, 

Seeking to meet stringent global norms for food safety, the Spices Board has set up a state-of-the-art Quality Evaluation Lab (QEL) at Navi Mumbai for pesticide residue analysis and microbial food safety in spices and spice products.

The laboratory, the eighth such facility established by the Board across India, is equipped with the most modern chromatographic and spectroscopic analytical instrumentations.

A Jayathilak, Chairman of Spices Board, said that the lab would act as a centre of excellence to decontaminate the pesticide residue in spices. It will make a national database on application of pesticide contamination. “This state of the art lab will elevate us to meet the global standards and export quality spices,” he said. The centre is equipped with latest immuno, molecular, biochemical and spectroscopic instrumental techniques for the detection and enumeration of microorganisms in food. The facilities in the laboratory will meet the demand for the next 10 years.

Hygiene training changes little for street food vendors of Delhi

Street food vendors at Barakhamba Lane in New Delhi. 

India’s apex food regulatory authority trained more than 23,000 food vendors how to handle hygienic food for over two months but nothing has changed on the ground.

Food vendors continue their old practices as they wait for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to give them free “promotional kits” as part of the Clean Street Food – Project Delhi training project.

The kits, containing two aprons, one t-shirt, one cap, 50 disposable plastic gloves and a hand sanitiser, will be a one-time hand-out to promote hygienic practices.

The training was organised between March 13 and May 7.

“The kits will be given to introduce them to hygienic practices. The gloves will last for five to 10 days, the aprons for a few months, after which the vendors will have to start buying their own supplies,” said Sangeeta Singh, manager of street food programmes’ National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), one of the partner organisations in the project.

The four-hour training session held by the Delhi Food Safety Department was of little help, say vendors. “We were told to wash hands and cut our nails, which we do anyway. The rest of the things were just not feasible. I cannot boil and pour tea with plastic gloves,” said Surinder Shah, a tea stall owner.

Only five of the 12 street vendors visited by the reporter had gone for the training session and only two completed it. None made changes to their processes.

Over 23,000 of the estimated 30,000-35,000 vendors in the city have participated in the project, according to the Delhi Food Safety Department. The project was termed as “successful” and may soon be rolled out in 40 big cities.

Some had already adopted practices that are good for business. Jeevan Kumar, who runs a fruit salad stall in Connaught Place said, “I have been using an apron and gloves because it is a necessity. Our hands and clothes get sticky and dirty cutting fruit. The free caps may be useful, but some other suggestions, such as using closed bin, are not feasible as we have to constantly keep throwing the peels.”

Sanjay Gupta, who sells sweets in the same area, kept his wares covered with muslin cloth and foil but that is because it drives up his sales. “When people see that the sweets are kept in hygienic conditions they come to us. I am planning to get a uniform stitched for us. And, maybe we will start wearing the caps once the kit comes in,” he said.

“We were told that we would receive certificates which will allow us to continue selling food here. That is why I rushed to the Delhi food safety office and submitted my documents. They were giving some talk, but I really did not have the time to listen to it. They said that they would be sending the certificate over to the shop, so, I left,” said Ram Bharose, who sells bread and omelette near Barakhamba Metro station.

Toxic bite

Some diseases caused by contaminated food and water

Hepatitis A and E (jaundice)

Dysentery

Diarrhoea, cramps

Typhoid

Cholera

FDA yet to recover Rs. 7.50 lakh fine from guilty

Nagpur : The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) had confiscated banned food products worth 9.30 crore worth in the last three years. Around 287 cases were decided under the food safety & standard Authority (FSAS) rules and 41 lakh fine was imposed on the guilty. However, an RTI inquiry in this case has revealed that 7.50 lakh fine has not yet been recovered from the guilty.

RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar under the RTI Act had sought information from the FDA about its confisication of goods and fine imposition in the year 2013. 

As per the details given by the FDA, it had conducted 319 seizures between April 2013 and March 2016. During which it had seized 15,924 kg of banned food products valued at` 9.46 crore. During this period 387 court cases were filed under section 68 of FSAS.

The information also revealed that 278 cases were finalised and fines were imposed in 247 cases. A fine of 41 lakh was imposed on the guilty, however, 7.50 lakh fine is still to be recovered from the guilty. Cheap onion: Due to glut of onion crop this season, traders are selling this commodity on footpaths at cheaper rate.

Govt ban on gutkha evokes no response

TRADERS OPENLY FLOUT BAN; CONSUMPTION ON THE RISE

SHILLONG: In a clear cut case of government apathy, sale of gutkha and other harmful tobacco and non tobacco products continues unabated despite a State government ban ordered in 2014 without any implementation.

There is open sale of the banned guthka and pan masala with school and college students being the most important customers. Shopkeepers in the city continue to display and sell the harmful substances openly without any fear of the authorities.

Most of the pan shops in the city continue to sell gutkhas and while some show restraint, lure of money proves to be too strong a motivation.

Speaking on the matter, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S. Dkhar asserted that he would take up the matter with officials of the Health department since this matter is dealt by them.

The manufacture, storage and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients are prohibited in the State under sub section (2) of Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Soon after the order, every Government agency was quick enough to see that the order is implemented in its spirit but as time elapsed, no further action was taken to ensure that the order is enforced strictly.

According to Dkhar, the Health department needs to conduct publicity drives about the order so that people do not buy or consume the banned products. Besides, it is the Health department which needs to conduct inspection and penalize those shopkeepers who still sell these products, the deputy commissioner said.

Dkhar also stated that since these products are brought from outside the State, the first and foremost task is to locate the stockiest of these products.

Until the time the Health department wakes up to its responsibilities and the officials move out of their cabins onto the streets to gauge the situation, sale of guthka and such products would continue in the city and across the State with more and more children falling prey to the harmful substances on a daily basis.

FSSAI NEWS LETTER

Clear, crunchy and counterfeit: China's fake jellyfish

Beijing, 

A tonne of man-made "jellyfish" has been seized by China's police, adding a new ingredient to the country's long recipe of fake foods.

The marine animal is a popular appetiser in China, known for its crisp but fleshy texture, often shredded and pickled in salt, vinegar and a little sugar.

Fake "jellyfish", made from chemicals, was first found at a food market in Huzhou, in the coastal province of Zhejiang, the local government said on its website.

They had a high aluminium content, long term consumption of which can damage bones and nerves, and lead to memory loss and mental decline.

China is prone to food safety scandals as businesses, sometimes in collusion with corrupt officials, often ignore standards and regulations in pursuit of profit.

The vendors' suppliers in neighbouring Jiangsu sold more than 10 tonnes before being caught, and between them the two gangs raked in over 170,000 yuan ($26,000), the local government said.

A total of six suspects were detained in two raids and police were investigating further, it added.

In 2008, several infants died and thousands fell ill because of baby milk powder tainted by a chemical additive.

Two dairy farmers were executed over the case. But Chinese media reports said in 2014 that many of the officials who were demoted, sacked or resigned over the scandal, including the then head of the national food and drug safety watchdog Li Changjiang, had subsequently been given other government jobs or even promoted.

Concern over food safety due to dearth of officers

Whither hygiene?:Fast food pushcarts on Sambamurthy Road in Vijayawada. 

Only 3 FSOs in Krishna district, which has over 15,000 food-related businesses

Lodging a complaint with food safety officers against food adulteration or use of unsafe ingredients in food items isn’t an easy and quick solution to clamp down on unethical practices by food traders as it would take some months or even a year to prove the violation.

Dearth of food safety officers and adequate infrastructure such as laboratories has left food safety and public health at risk.

Monitoring the ever-growing food industry in the capital region has become a cause of concern for the citizens as well as authorities. Eateries are mushrooming in the city owing to public demand but there are only three Food Safety Officers to monitor thousands of licensed businesses, including food processing, transporting, storing, distributing, manufacturing and others across the district as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

No legal mandate

The Act guaranteed the availability of safe food for all through monitoring the quality of food items, but there was no mandate on number of food safety officers required for a particular amount of population, said advocate and consumer rights activist Pavan Reddy. Also, it is responsibility of the FSOs to keep proper vigil on eateries and make frequent visits and collect samples to analyse the quality of the food. But even acting on a complaint had become a formidable task for the officers as they get stuck with court cases, laboratory visits and special raids often.

Gazetted Food Inspector T. Sekhar Reddy said that there were only three inspectors, one junior office assistant, a typist and two attenders for Krishna district. The same was the case with other districts.

For over a decade

There was no increase in the number of posts for more than a decade even as the population grew by several times in the urban areas. Officially, there are nearly 15,000 food related businesses in the district.

“It is time the government sanctioned additional posts in view of capital establishment in the region. At least 15 food inspectors are required in the capital region besides infrastructure and laboratories,” said an official. “In urban areas a food safety officer must be allotted for a populace of 50,000,” he added.

It may be recalled that a couple of days ago the Delhi High Court ordered the government to recruit sufficient food safety officers to put an end to adulteration of various food products in Delhi which was also facing dearth of officers.