A pinch of hazard

One will never be able to look at a sandwich the same way again after the recent scare with potassium bromate, a common additive in bread.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banned the usage of potassium bromate because of its harmful effects on health, including causing cancer. But we have just scratched the tip of the proverbial iceberg in terms of paying attention to food additives. And for a health-conscious generation, we are surprisingly dense when it comes to recognising these silent killers, of which more than 3000 are being used in food processing these days. 

A busy lifestyle and rapid industrialisation have spurred the demand for packaged foods that are loaded with artificial preservatives.

On the top of this list is Monosodium Glutamate or MSG. Not many of us have heard about MSG but we know it by another name —‘Ajinomoto’. A common sight on supermarket shelves, it is found in many of the processed and packaged foods that we buy and is one of the most harmful things we can put inside our body. 

“Remember how you are unable to resist finishing off that packet of chips in one go, even though you were full? It was because of ‘Ajinomoto’,” says Nishika S Desai, a student. “We have also heard people complain about how they are not able to reduce weight even if they are not eating that much. All these changes, whether in our taste preferences or body structure, have started becoming rampant only in the last few decades. These are all the side-effects of the intake of food additives like MSG.”

Says Parikshith B, a professional, “More and more people are getting addicted to outside food because it is tastier. Definitely! The reason is inclusion of enhancers like MSG, artificial sweeteners, Sodium Nitrate, Olestra, transfats and many more chemical cocktails that are not found in mom’s healthy cooking. Apart from the obvious side-effect of developing obesity, these are also known to cause headaches, nausea, weakness and heart burn at the very least.”

Picking out one more example, Nishika explains, “Artificial dyes, which are added to eatables to enhance their colour, can be found in thousands of foods, including breakfast cereals, cakes, sports drinks and even sweets. These are basically made from chemicals derived from petroleum and have been known to cause brain cancer and cell damage. Artificial food colours have been banned in many countries across the world but are still being liberally used in India.”

A knee-jerk reaction would be a decision to avoid these enhancers altogether. But that is easier said than done, especially for young working professionals or students who just look to grab a quick bite without paying attention to what they are eating. 

“Eating well is easy when we are eating fresh produce. But it becomes almost impossible when you are shopping from the supermarket,” says Syed Suhail Ahmed, a professional. “A handy tip is to avoid eatables which have a long list of ingredients. Also, it helps if one knows how to read the labels on packets and identify the different names under which additives come. For example, E 620, E 621, E 622, yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, gelatin etc are all forms of MSG. It only takes a little bit of reading and knowledge for a healthier you.”

And this is a small effort that we should all be willing to take. As someone said, ‘If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?’

Yogurts recalled over rubber fears

Five UK supermarkets have been warned to take thousands of pots of yogurt off their shelves amid concerns they may contain pieces of rubber.

The yogurts, supplied by Yeo Valley but sold under own-brand labels, pose a possible health risk and should not be eaten, the Food Standards Agency said.

The products are sold at Asda, Co-operative, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.

Yeo Valley said the rubber was found in a fruit conserve made by a supplier.

It said: "Whilst the risk is considered to be low, as a precaution, we will be disposing of any potentially affected yogurts that have not yet been dispatched, as well as recalling the relevant batches of products from those affected retailers."

the FSA said customers who have bought the products should not eat them.

The supermarkets are asking customers to return the products for a full refund, or contact customer services.

The products affected are:

• Asda: Asda Extra Special Scottish raspberry West Country Yogurt, Asda fat free red cherry yogurt, Asda fat free red cherry Yogurt (four pack), Asda low fat coconut yogurt, Asda low fat lemon four pack Yogurt, Asda low fat lemon yogurt 450g, Asda low fat mango & passion fruit yoghurt, Collective Dairy wild blueberry yoghurt, Collective Dairy wild blueberry yoghurt.
• Co-operative: Co-op Rise & Shine Greek-style yogurt and raspberry, Co-Op strawberry and raspberry low fat yogurts (four x 100g), Co-op Truly Irresistible limited edition mango, Brazilian orange and coconut yogurt (150g).
• Sainsbury's: Sainsbury's Basics fruit selection yogurts (2x strawberry 2x peach), Sainsbury's Basics Strawberry Yogurt.
• Tesco: Tesco Finest strawberries & cream yoghurt, Tesco low fat coconut yoghurt 450g, Tesco low fat lemon yoghurt, Collective Dairy wild blueberry yoghurt.
• Waitrose: 125g Deliciously fruity raspberry low fat yogurt, Fragrant creamy Scottish raspberry yogurt, Multipack deliciously fruity low fat yogurt (2x strawberry 2x raspberry), The Collective Dairy wild blueberry yoghurt (450g), The Collective Dairy wild blueberry yoghurt (150g).

No other batches or products are known to be affected, the FSA said. Yeo Valley branded products are also unaffected, the company said.

A spokeswoman for Yeo Valley said: "The supplier has identified the cause and has identified all fruit conserves, an ingredient used in fruit yogurts, that may be affected.

"Food safety and quality are paramount to Yeo Valley. We are working with the Food Standards Agency and the supplier in question to ensure it does not happen again. We would like to apologise unreservedly to all customers."

Dr Lisa Ackerley, a food safety expert, said people should not worry too much if they have inadvertently eaten one of the affected products.

"The risks are probably pretty low," she said. "It's more to do with the potential for choking, so particularly for younger children.

"It's very important that you don't eat one, but if you have eaten one then it's quite likely that it would pass out of the body and it won't have caused you any harm."

Holy offerings to conform to safety standards soon All religions expected to participate

Holy offerings are often freely distributed and commercially sold by religious institutions in India. Now they will have to confirm to the high safety and hygiene standards set by Food Safety Standards Authority of India.

Every day big temples, gurdwaras, mosques and churches distribute and sell holy offering to millions of devotees.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2006 by an act of Parliament.

To ensure high standards of safety and hygiene, the FSSAI is planning to engage with 40 big religious institutions in India by conducting a workshop soon.

Some of them include Golden Temple, Gurdwaras Saheb Nanded and Patna Saheb; all four dhams (pilgrimage sites) of Hindu religion Badrinath, Dwarkadheesh, Rameshwaram and Jagannath Puri; Siddhivinayak, Balaji, Shirdi and Akshardham temples. In the category of mosques, Dargah Ajmer Sharif, Nizamuddin, Haji Ali and Kashmir’s Hazratbal are to be invited.

Strategy to Improve Sanitation

The need for such a workshop emerged as thousands of people visit places of worship, which mostly have large kitchens. These could pose a potential health hazard to pilgrims.

Sensitisation efforts include a three-pronged strategy of engaging the managements of shrines, to help them implement food safety management systems and distribution of a draft safety manual.

According to India’s food safety regulator, about 10 pc of people in India are affected by the food and prasad served at religious places, thereby raising concerns about the food.

The workshop follows a successful experiment on the implementation of food safety systems in the kitchens of Shirdi and Siddhivinayak temples in Maharashtra. The exercise was conducted by All India Food Technologists Association, which will partner with the FSSAI to take the exercise forward by piloting the same experiment in 100 places of worship.

Traders still reluctant to acquire FSSAI licence

INDORE: Even as food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) and its officers in state claim to have made concerted efforts and repeatedly postponed the deadline since the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) came into existence, five years later a large number of food operators and vendors are still reluctant in taking licence and registration.

While so far deadline for obtaining license and registration has been extended eight times since the act was implemented, yet another deadline for obtaining license and registration is about to lapse on August 4. Experts opine that since government postponed the deadline repeatedly, people have started taking the act lightly. "Delay in deadline is a reason that the department is unable to take strict action against defaulters who are apparently benefitting by violating the rules," an official said.

According to food safety officers, there are roughly 35,000 food business operators in city. Nearly 6,000 big food operators have licenses and 24,000 small-scale operators have obtained registration so far. However, more than 5,000 are yet to comply with the mandatory directives. In the country, only one out of every 15 food businesses is registered with the food safety watchdog FSSAI.

As licensing and registration process is the first step towards implementation of FSSA in the country, it yet to be checked whether food business operators are actually maintaining the standards.

"Government has given ample time to operators for obtaining license and registration from food and drug administration (FDA). It is been five years the act came into existence. August 4, 2016 is the latest deadline. ," said food safety officer, Manish Swami.

Banned tobacco products destroyed

The officials from the Department of Food Safety destroyed banned tobacco products worth about Rs. 10 lakh in the last three weeks.

Special teams

Following reports that banned tobacco products and outdated sweets were being sold in shops near educational institutions, seven teams led by T. Anuradha, Designated officer of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, conducted surprise check in different parts of the district.

According to Ms. Anuradha, the special teams combed various parts of the district since July 8 and seized banned tobacco products weighing 2,000 kg and worth Rs.10 lakh.

The seized products were destroyed at Settichavadi near here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a team raided bakeries, meat stalls, factories manufacturing oil, coffee bars, ice cream parlours in Gorimedu area.

The team seized about 50 litres of adulterated oil, 200 litres of outdated drinking water bottles, and 10 kg poor quality chicken on the occasion.

DPI orders probe into food poisoning

Headmistress of G.V. Raja Sports School at Mylom suspended

Director of Public Instruction (DPI) K.V. Mohankumar has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident of suspected food poisoning at the G.V. Raja Sports School at Mylom where 70 students were taken ill after consuming food on Saturday.

The headmistress of the school, Sasikala, has been placed under suspension pending inquiry by Joint DPI (Academic) Shibu. The joint director has been asked to submit his report within 10 days.

Meantime, 26 of the 27 students admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) were discharged on Sunday. The remaining student was expected to be discharged on Monday, medical college authorities said.

Mr. Mohankumar told The Hindu here on Sunday that the school headmistress had taken a very irresponsible attitude to the incident.

Unreachable

“I came to know of the incident after being informed by Pradeep, Principal of the vocational higher secondary section of the school. The headmistress who is in charge of the school is yet to call me or any of my officers. She is also not reachable over phone. When the food safety team went to the school to take samples from the mess, they found the facility locked. There was no one to help them,” he said.

Canteen to be cleaned

Though the contract for running the mess was said to be given to a Kudumbasree unit, there are rumours that it was actually run by another person or agency. Such details were also not forthcoming from the school, Mr. Mohankumar said. The school would remain closed till August 3. This, he said, would give the authorities time to clean up the canteen facility and ensure that they meet all prescribed standards of hygiene.

The report from the office of the food safety commissioner was expected next week, he added.

26 of 27 students admitted to MCH discharged on Sunday

School to remain closed till August 3

Are ice-cream manufacturers aware of regulatory requirements?

With increasing consumer awareness and reports around harmful additives found in food products, food safety has turned out to be a major concern for discerning customers, food business operators and the industry. But are the ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers aware of the regulations and guidelines that they must abide by?

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

With the onset of summers, ice cream makers usually promote ice creams that lure the senses and tempt consumers. 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, they also need to keep in mind the food regulations so that their product continues to be enjoyed safely by consumers.

In its most basic form, ice cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar and that is frozen while being churned to create a frozen product. If you take into consideration the technical aspect, then ice cream is a combination of ingredients that also contains thickening and gelling agents so that the product can remain smooth and frozen. It is also a product that is pasteurised like other milk products.

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 for microbiological 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 plain 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. FBO’s need to keep in mind that the type of ice cream (whether medium or low fat) shall be clearly indicated on the label, and the standards for ice cream apply.

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 Celsius 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.

Difference Between Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert

Food business operators are usually busy trying to fulfil the demand for sugary frozen foods in summer. However, they need to see that they know the differences between ice cream and 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 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.

Additives in Ice Cream

Ice creams contain fats and proteins but they also have sweeteners, and stabilisers. Artificial sweeteners permitted for use in ice cream and frozen dessert includes aspartame (methyl ester) at 1000ppm and sucralose at 400ppm. Other sweeteners like the polyols – isomalt, erythritol and maltitol may also be added a maximum level as per GMP. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is a chemically modified cellulose polymer, which falls under the category of emulsifying and stabilising agents, and can be used at a maximum level of 1 per cent in ice cream.

Ice cream may contain starch phosphate, a gum arabic substitute, to a maximum extent of 0.5 per cent. Polydextrose may also be used in ice cream and frozen dessert as per GMP levels and proper label declaration as provided in regulation 2.4.5 (47) of FSS (Packaging & Labelling) Reg. 2011 and which says that declaration to be made is that Polydextrose may have laxative effects.

Flavours & Colours

Ice cream flavours have come a long way from the standard vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. Today ice creams come in an array of flavours that blend fruit purees and extracts, cocoa powder, nuts, cookie pieces, and cookie dough into the ice cream mixture. While fruits can add some flavours to ice creams but FSSAI also allows the use of natural, nature identical or artificial flavours and also permitted synthetic food colours in ice creams and frozen desserts and ice cream mix-powder, according to levels which are in compliance with regulations. Flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate is strictly prohibited in ice cream.

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 the label as specified in regulation 2.7.1(2).

This article is 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, FBOs 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 labeling 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 so that neither is mistaken for the other.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

Food Safety Officer booked for posing as CBI official

Steam boiler to help make quality jaggery in less time

P.V.K. Jagannadha Rao, principal scientist, AICRP on Post- Harvest Engineering & Technology Centre, explaining the working of the steam boiler system to a team of farmers at ANGRAU Regional Agricultural Research Station at Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam. 

Scientists at ANGRAU research station at Anakapalle develop it under an all-India project

In spite of being the world's largest producer of jaggery, the country has not been able to exploit the export potential. Experts attribute it to the use of bleaching agent sodium hydrogen sulphate to produce bright-coloured jaggery. Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) does not allow jaggery with more than 70 PPM for export.

Modernisation

However, with jaggery commanding a higher price sometimes and the growing preference for it by the health conscious provides an opportunity for producing export quality jaggery.

While sugar contains 99.9 per cent sucrose, jaggery comprises sucrose, glucose, fructose, Vitamins A, B and E and is rich in iron and calcium, according to agricultural scientists. Steam boiling is a step towards modernisation of jaggery-making. “In steam boiling, the entire heating using bagasse is done outside and water is converted into steam heating the sugarcane solution,” says P.V.K. Jagannadha Rao, principal scientist, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology Centre at ANGRAU Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle.

The system is developed under the AICRP project.

It keeps out the dust and particles of bagasse finding their way into the juice being boiled for jaggery.

“It saves about 17 to 20 per cent of time and gives 20 to 30 per cent better quality jaggery,” says Mr. Jagannadha Rao.

The boiler system costs Rs.10 lakh and the pay back period is two years and two months, he says.

While 250 kg of jaggery a day is made using the traditional system in and around Ankapalle and about 500 kg in the Godavari districts, the boiler gives one tonne of production, he says.

It also suits sugar factories planning to divert into jaggery making and those who want to produce granulated jaggery, Mr. Jagannadha Rao elaborates.

Three-pan system

During a recent State-level farmers' meeting, advantages of the three-pan furnace developed by the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow and the rotating filtration system developed by AICRP Centre, Kolhapur, were explained to farmers.

The three-pan system has better heating process, pipes for transferring liquid from one pan to the other and mechanical emptying of the concentrated liquid. An experienced farmer from Nellore, Babu Rao, however, differed with the estimate that each cycle would produce 100 kg and said only 50 kg would be made. The filtration system will reduce scum by 80 per cent and improve quality of jaggery, according to Dr. Rao.

5 officers to check food quality in district

Nashik: Five officers of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Nashik will take on the food adulteration business in the city before the month of Shravan, which marks the beginning of festivals.

While there are food stalls placed in every nook and corner of the city, the possibility of food adulteration and unhygienic practices is high. Hotels, dhabas and roadside kiosks serving stale food can spread bacterial infections like diarrhoea, indigestion, fever, throat infection, etc.

FDA officials said that shortage of staff is causing a hindrance in going all out against checking food adulteration and contamination.

An official, who did not want to come on record, said, "Our main role is to to check the food and water quality of all stalls and hotels. But, our time was wasted in petty clerical work, which gave us no time to visit food vendors, take samples and develop informants.

Further, the concerned officials did not have a government vehicle to carry out raids. They had to take a state transport bus to carry out raids in a taluka.

The officers have also experienced Gutkha smugglers after it was banned in the district. An official said that people with criminal records have entered the illegal trade.

With the month of Shravan approaching, FDA officials will intensify the action on vendors and hotels as the possibility of adulteration of food articles like Mava and edible oil is high.

The joint commissioner of FDA (Food), Nashik Division U S Vanjari said, "Despite the shortage of staff, we are continuing with our drive on a regular basis. We have checked around 20 hotels in July. Apart from this, 15 to 20 street vendors have also been checked. After Ganesh Chaturthi till December end, the action will be more strict as it is festival season."

With five food safety officers for the district, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Nashik is toothless to take on the food adulteration business even as the month of Shravan, which marks the beginning of festivals, is around the corner.

As food and food articles sold in every nook and corner, the possibility of food adulteration is always high. Unhygienic practices in hotels, dhabas, road-side kiosks also lead to bacterial infections from the food articles served there which lead to ailments like fever, diarrhoea, indigestion, throat infection, etc.

Officials of FDA, Nashik, said though food safety was an important aspect as it was directly linked to the health of the people, the shortage of staff was not allowing the department to go all out against checking food adulteration, contamination, etc.

One of the officials who did not want to come on record said that their main role was to be on the field all the time to check food and water quality, wherever there were chances of adulteration, contamination, unhygienic practices, etc. However, there maximum time went in petty clerical works like filling the registrations, following up the issue with various offices, laboratories, attending court matters, etc. This left hardly any time with food safety officers to carry visit various vendor of food and food articles, take samples, develop informants, etc.

The officials said that felt paralysed further as they did not have any government vehicle to carry out raids and in case, they had to travel from one taluka to another, they had no other option than to take a state transport bus. An official said that after the ban of Gutkha in the district, people with criminal record had entered the illegal trade of smuggling Gutkha into the district. There have been two occasions in the recent past when Food Safety Officer have gone through the experience of bid on their life.

Meanwhile, since the month of Shravan is around the corner, FDA officials said that they would intensify the drive only during the period of Ganesh Chaturthi, when the possibility of adulteration in articles like, milk, milk products like Mava, edible oil, etc is more/

U S Vanjari, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Food), Nashik Division said, "Despite the shortage of staff, we are continuing with our action on a regular basis. We have checked around 20 hotels so far in the month of July. Apart from this, 15 to 20 street vendors were also checked in the city. The action will be more strict after Ganesh Chaturthi which will continue till December end considering the festival season."

Food poisoning: Headmistress of GV Raja sports school suspended

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 31 (PTI) The headmistress of G V Raja Sports School here, where around 70 students had showed symptoms of food poisoning, was today suspended from service due to alleged dereliction of duty, officials said.

Sasikala was suspended by Director of Public Instructions K V Mohankumar as she failed to report the matter of food poisoning, which occurred yesterday, to higher officials on time, they said.

"She was not available over phone throughout the day. She was also not present at the hospitals where the children were admitted," a top official of the education department said.

She also allegedly did not respond to the food safety officials when they inquired about the incident and arrived at the school to collect food samples, the official said.

Of the total students, including girls, who developed uneasiness after reportedly consuming food at the state government-run school canteen, 27 were admitted to the Government Medical College hospital here and the rest to the state-run Peroorkkada hospital.

Meanwhile, hospital sources said most of the hospitalised students were discharged today, while adding that the condition of none of the remaining students was serious and they would be soon discharged.

WHO HAS THE POWER TO TAKE SAMPLES UNDER FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS ACT 2006 AND WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR SAME?

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY ANUJ VERMA, A STUDENT OF GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA, 2006) was passed by Indian Parliament and notified in the Gazette of India on 24th August, 2006. The Act aims to establish a single-reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi-level, multi-departmental control to a single line of command thereby establishing an independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – headquartered at Delhi. FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities are mandated to enforce various provisions of the Act.

The Food Safety Officer has been clothed with the power to take samples of food by virtue of Sec.38 of FSSA, 2006. 

The Food Safety Officer may take a sample of any food, or any substance, which appears to him to be intended for sale, or to have been sold for human consumption; or of any article of food or substance which is found by him on or in any such premises; which he has reason to believe that it may be required as evidence in proceedings under any of the provisions of this Act or of the regulations or orders made thereunder. He may seize any article of food which appears to be in contravention of the Act or the regulations made thereunder; and keep it in the safe custody of the food business operator after taking a sample; and in both cases send the same for analysis to a Food Analyst for the local area within which such sample has been taken subject to getting a bond executed from the food business operator for a sum of money equal to the value of such article with one or more sureties to his satisfaction in case he keeps such article in the safe custody of the food operator.

The Food Safety Officer is empowered to enter and inspect any place where the article of food is manufactured, or stored for sale, or stored for the manufacture of any other article of food, or exposed or exhibited for sale and where any adulterant is manufactured or kept while taking samples of such articles of food or adulterant for analysis.

While taking sample, its cost calculated at the rate at which the article is usually sold to the public shall be paid to the person from whom it is taken.

If any article of food seized is of a perishable nature and the Food Safety Officer is satisfied that such article of food is so deteriorated that it is unfit for human consumption, he may, after giving notice in writing to the food business operator, cause the same to be destroyed.

The Food Safety Officer shall, follow, as far as may be, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 relating to the search or inspection of a place by a police officer executing a search warrant issued under that Code, in exercising the powers of entry upon, and inspection of any place under this section.

Any adulterant found in the possession of a manufacturer or distributor of, or dealer in, any article of food or in any of the premises occupied by him as such and for the possession of which he is unable to account to the satisfaction of the Food Safety Officer and any books of account or other documents found in his possession or control and which would be useful for, or relevant to, any investigation or proceeding under this Act, may be seized by the Food Safety Officer and a sample of such adulterant submitted for analysis to a Food Analyst with prior approval of his superior authority in the presence of independent witness(s).

The books of account or other documents seized by the Food Safety Officer shall be returned within a period of thirty days to the person from whom they were seized after retaining copies thereof or extracts therefrom.

On seizure of any adulterant, the onus of proving that such adulterant was not meant for purposes of adulteration shall lie on the person from whose possession such adulterant was seized.

Section 42 of the Act prescribes the procedure for launching prosecution by the Food Safety Officer. 

The Food Safety Officer shall be responsible for inspection of food business, drawing samples and sending them to Food Analyst for analysis. Thereafter, the Food Analyst after receiving the sample from the Food Safety Officer shall analyze the sample and send the analysis report mentioning method of sampling and analysis within fourteen days to Designated Officer with a copy to Commissioner of Food Safety followed by its scrutiny by the Designated Officer to decide quantum of punishment for the contravention. In case of contravention punishable with imprisonment, he shall send his recommendations within fourteen days to the Commissioner of Food Safety for sanctioning prosecution. The Commissioner of Food Safety considering the gravity of offence shall decide for referring the matter to a court of ordinary jurisdiction in case of offences punishable with imprisonment for a term up to three years; or a Special Court in case of offences punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding three years. Finally, the Commissioner of Food Safety shall communicate his decision to the Designated Officer and the concerned Food Safety Officer who shall launch prosecution before courts of ordinary jurisdiction or Special Court, as the case may be; and such communication shall also be sent to the purchaser if the sample was taken under section 40 whereby purchaser may have food analysed.

In Lochamesh B Hugar vs. UOI (W.P.No.17713/2012) decided on 9/11/12, petitioner was seeking for a direction in the nature of mandamus to the respondents to take all necessary steps to prevent manufacture/sale of drinking water without ISI standard as prescribed under Section 15 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act. It was held and directed by the court to the respondent authorities to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prohibit, prevent the manufacture and sale of packaged drinking water without certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards. The respondent authorities were directed to take action against the manufacturers of packaged drinking water if found to be running the units without certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards.

In M/S Dhariwal Industries Ltd. vs. The State of Maharashtra (decided on 15/9/2012), the petitioners challenged the validity of the following provisions of two different Regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 as well as the statutory order dated 19 July 2012 of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Maharashtra in State vs. SRK (3 of 48 wp-1631-12)(decided on 19.9.12) under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety Act. The regulations impugned in these petitions are -“An Act to prohibit the advertisement of, and to provide for the regulation of trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of, cigarettes and other tobacco products and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. It was, hence, held that prayer for interim stay against implementation of the impugned statutory order dated 19/7/12 issued by the Food Safety Commissioner, of Maharashtra State in the public interest in exercise of the powers conferred by section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is rejected.

Fooling the fools by advertisements

This syrup will protect your liver from the ill- effects of alcohol (many have died of liver cirrhosis while continuing with the same medication). This car is as fast as the wind (speed of wind not mentioned). The only pure cow ghee in the country (where cow milk is hardly available). The cream which will make you white in three months (nobody complains because of the stigma attached to the user). The herbal drink which will protract aging (not proven). Tea that will certainly slim you down; the same tea is prescribed to gain weight. The only toothpaste which will guard your teeth (no guarantee for shrinking gum). The capsule which will make you behave like a man ( meaning you normally behave like a female). Have this drink and you will live as long as you can (that means you will have a natural death).

There are hundreds of misleading advertisements keep on flashing in the print as well as electronic media including the web-net. People buy all the products available in the market. They are crazier about the new products and new names.

General public is often misled by the advertisements of the products. If a particular product is advertised by a renowned actor or famous actress the product is sold like anything. If a particular soap is promoted by a beautiful lady, all the girls start buying and using the same soap even if their skin develops cracks. If a super-star says, use this oil for cooling your head we feel like using the same. But nobody bothers about the content of excessive camphor in that product. The karak chai ( strong tea) launched by a tabla player may convince you to buy the product ignoring the extra-ordinary caffeine content (carcinogenic too).

The concerned authorities receive complaints about misleading advertisements of various products. Many of the products are found violating of advertisement code. But the actions are hardly taken. The department of Consumer Affairs must be receiving hundreds of complaints particularly the products relating to food, drinks, beauty- care, health- care, body- care, organ- care etc. If we strictly go by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) code most the product advertisements shall flunk the test. There is also a norm for self regulation, but no one adheres to.

A portal called GAMA (grievance against misleading advertisements) is set up by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The complaints received through this portal will be handled by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). Action must be taken up against those advertisers who do not follow the guidelines and regulations .The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) can punish the rule /law violators.

One of my close friends (consumers lawyer) suggested to start a business for organic foods. He told me that there is hardly any lab or institute to check the purity and genuineness of your products; and he further added that there are many rich people who are ready to spend unlimited money on organic foods. In fact now-a-days organic foods are sold like hot cakes. These organic vegetables, grains and cereals sold in the market are not pre-tested or verified. They are pretty costly but rich customers happily purchase them. I was seriously thinking of selling organic vegetables (fake), finally I decided not to do so, because I really don’t want to bluff the common men.

Again we have the issue of surrogate advertisements. I do believe that these ads are for regular customers; they simply remind their regular users or drinkers or smokers. For a novice it is difficult to comprehend. For instance the ad is on soda with a same name of a liquor brand; the ad shows two gentlemen sipping soda and enjoying (surrogate of the liquor). In such a situation it is difficult to catch the violator. They often take the refuge of the general rules/laws.

When we were in college one of our colleagues used to take a tablet every day for gaining height. Instead of becoming taller his organs became longer including his fingers toes etc. I told him to go to consumer court and claim compensation. He replied, ‘I am happy with the results’. On the contrary he suggested me to start taking the medicine. I flatly rejected his advice.

With some topsy-turvy ads let us conclude. “The only pure milk you can have” (as if other milk in the market are not pure). “Grow hair wherever you want” (which part not clear). I really don’t understand why ladies are always involved in the advertisements of Men’s under wares? It is a bizarre blue-pill ad, “you will never kowtow even in front of the Queen”.

70 students taken ill with suspected food poisoning

27 admitted to medical college hospital; school mess closed down

About 70 students of G. V. Raja Sports School at Mailam, Thiruvananthapuram, were taken ill and 27 of them admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) here since the early hours on Saturday following suspected food poisoning.

The general condition of the students currently under treatment in the wards is satisfactory, MCH authorities said.

Four of the affected students have been admitted to the Peroorkada government hospital. Some students have been kept under observation there while several others were sent back after observation as their condition was satisfactory

Mess inspected

Following the directive of the Designated Officer of Food Safety, a special squad of food safety officials from the district inspected the school mess and after collecting samples of the food items to be sent for lab analysis, ordered that the mess be closed down temporarily.

Director of Public Instruction K. V. Mohankumar, in a statement here, said that the school will remain closed till August 3 as the food safety wing has instructed that the mess be closed temporarily.

About 13 students had been first brought to the MCH at 12.15 a.m. on Saturday with symptoms of food poisoning, including stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. Their blood samples have been sent for analysis in the lab. Microbiology analysis of stool samples is also awaited to determine the nature of the organism which could have caused the food poisoning.

More students were brought in by noon and in the evening.

As of now, 26 students are in various wards in the MCH while a 12-year-old has been admitted to the SAT hospital.

The district medical officer said that the students had consumed only food prepared in the hostel mess. Those who ate lunch as well as those who ate dinner on Friday seemed to have been affected. Only children whose symptoms seemed to be aggravated were sent to the MCH. Though the school had over 350 students, only 70 seemed to have been affected.

The Food Safety wing has sent the samples of food samples collected from the school mess to the Government Analysis Lab. Officials also took statements from the affected students as well as the doctors treating them. Health Minister K. K. Shylaja has asked the Commissioner of Food Safety to enquire into the circumstances at G.V. Raja Sports school which led to the food poisoning incident and to submit a report. She also directed the Medical College hospital Superintendent to ensure that the children were given the necessary care and facilities

The health condition of the children of G.V. Raja Sports School who were hospitalised following food poisoning was satisfactory and they would be discharged soon, a statement issued by the office of Minister for Sports E. P. Jayarajan said.

The Sports Director, the Director of Public Instruction and Food Safety officials had earlier visited the school hostel and the mess. Senior Sports and Education department officials also visited the students in the hospital

Meanwhile, the district unit of the CPI(M) alleged that the children at the G.V. Raja Sports School were not being given good and safe food.

Kudumbasree

It was also not given in a hygienic environment. Though the hostel mess is in the name of Kudumbasree, the actual running of the mess was by another individual.

The authorities should immediately conduct a detailed inquiry into all aspects and ensure that the children were given good food cooked in hygienic conditions, the district secretary of CPI(M), Anavoor Nagappan, said after visiting the students at MCH.

Food Safety wing has sent food for analysis

Condition of hospitalised students satisfactory

Toxic bacteria found in seafood samples

The septic waste is returning to our food. The latest indicator is the presence of toxigenic E coli in seafood samples collected from retail markets, fish farms and landing centres in Ernakulam district and neighbouring areas. The presence of E coli signifies the faecal sewage contamination in food and water.

Over the past one year, around 123 samples of fish were taken and analyzed at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), which is a nationally-accredited agency by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for testing the quality of fish.

The study team, consisting of Dr K V Lalitha, V Murugadas and Toms C Joseph, screened the fish samples, including shellfish. Pathogenic E coli was found in 23.4% of the 123 seafood samples while other strains, especially enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC), was seen in 18.6% of the specimens.

The presence of E coli in food items can cause severe diarrhoea in humans. There were about 10,457 cases of acute diarrhoea reported in Ernakulam in the first five months of this year.

“The study showed that our waterbodies are contaminated by septic waste. The toxic bacteria can enter into our food chain from any point, starting from catching of fish on board a fishing vessel or aquaculture farms to the point of sale in retail markets.The presence of E coli is usually linked with the use of contaminated water in food production chain,” Lalitha said.

She said there is a need for source tracking of these pathogens to identify the source of contamination and to implement control measures to reduce its incidence in seafood. With the ban on trawling, the local fish in the markets include those caught in the coastal waters. The team had earlier reported the presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in hospitals, in fish caught from the backwaters.

Presence of bacteria found in fish available in markets and also in the backwaters indicated that medical waste was being dumped into the waters.

They had screened more than 150 samples of fish, shellfish and water from different fish markets in Ernakulam. Cleanliness drive : The fisheries department has begun educating the fishermen on the need for hygiene. “The state government has begun building toilets for fishermen so that the coastal areas could become hygienic. There are awareness campaigns going on against dumping of waste in all forms into the sea,” said Ernakulam fisheries joint director K K Satish Kumar.

Food safety officials said they haven’t got any complaints on contamination in fish items. But they are monitoring ice factories and ice being sold and used by vendors.

CIFT director C N Ravishankar said public need to be aware of the presence of this pathogen in the seafood and said stress should be made on keeping hygiene while handling fish.

VMC to hold more food licence camps

VADODARA: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will conduct a drive in the Hathikhana wholesale grain market to provide food licences. The civic body had on Friday and Saturday held similar camps at Navapura and Diwalipura to provide the licences.

The camp at Hathikhana will be held on Tuesday at The Baroda Grain Merchant Association's office. The site has been selected as even grain merchants and those selling food ingredients have to obtain food licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The food safety authority has fixed August 4 as the deadline before which those involved in food and related business have to obtain licences.

On August 4, the civic body will hold a camp again at the Navapura urban health center. Officials said that after August 4, those operating food businesses without licences will be prosecuted.

பறிமுதல் செய்த புகையிலை பொருட்கள் அழிப்பு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை

சேலம், ஜூலை 31:

சேலத் தில் ஆய் வின் போது பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட ரூ.8 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான புகை யிலை பொருட் களை, அதி கா ரி கள் தீயிட்டு அழித் த னர்.

சேலத் தில், கடந்த சில நாட் க ளுக்கு முன்பு, உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட அலு வ லர் அனு ராதா தலை மை யில், தலா 3 பேர் கொண்ட 7 குழு வி னர் பள்ளி மற் றும் கல் லூ ரி க ளுக்கு அரு கே யுள்ள பெட் டிக் கடை, டீக் க டை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். அப் போது தயா ரிப்பு முக வரி இல் லாத சாக் லெட், ஐஸ் கி ரீம் மற் றும் பான் ப ராக், குட்கா, ஹான்ஸ் உள் ளிட் ட வை களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர். இதே போல் ஆத் தூர், மேட் டூர், ஓம லூர் உட் பட மாவட் டத் தின் அனைத்து பகு தி க ளி லும் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர். இந்த ஆய் வின் போது, பல லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள புகை யிலை பொருட் கள், காலா வ தி யான சாக் லெட் டு கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் களை உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் அனு ராதா மற் றும் அதி கா ரி கள், செட் டிச் சா வ டிக்கு கொண்டு சென்று, அங்கு தீயிட்டு அழித் த னர்.

உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் அனு ராதா கூறி ய தா வது:

சென் னை யில் போதை சாக் லெட் விற் பனை எதி ரொ லி யால், உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை ஆணை யர், அந் தந்த மாவட் டங் க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் யும் படி உத் த ர விட் டார். இதை ய டுத்து மாவட் டம் முழு வ தும் 1,862 கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் தோம். அதில் 238 கடை க ளில் காலா வ தி யான சாக் லெட், தயா ரிப்பு முக வரி இல் லாத சாக் லெட், இருப் பது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட் டது. அந்த சாக் லெட் டுக் களை பறி மு தல் செய் துள் ளோம்.

இவ் வாறு பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட 2ஆயி ரம் கிலோ பான் ப ராக், குட்கா, ஹான்ஸ் உள் ளிட் ட வை கள் நேற்று தீயிட்டு அழிக் கப் பட் டது. இதன் மதிப்பு ரூ.8 லட் சம். இவ் வாறு டாக் டர் அனு ராதா கூறி னார்.

சில்லி சிக்கன், காலாவதி குடிநீர் பறிமுதல் :

கோரி மேட் டில் உள்ள எண் ணெய் குடோன், எண் ணெய் அரவை ஆலை, மளிகை கடை, காபி பார், சில் லி சிக் கன் கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் தார். அப் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு செய்தனர்.

ஒரு குடோ னில் விளக் குக்கு உப யோ கப் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் எண் ணெ யில் கலப் ப டம் செய் தி ருப் பது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட் டது. இதை ய டுத்து, எண் ணெய் விற் பனை செய்ய குடோன் உரி மை யா ள ருக்கு தடை விதிக் கப் பட் டது. மேலும், அங் குள்ள ஒரு காபி பாரில் நடத் திய ஆய் வில் 200 பாக் கெட், காலா வ தி யான குடி நீரை பறி மு தல் செய் தார்.

இதை ய டுத்து, சில் லி சிக் கன் கடை யில் நடத் திய ஆய் வில், பிரிட் ஜில் நாள் பட்ட 10 கிேலா சில் லி சிக் கன் இருந் தது. அதை பறி மு தல் செய்து, அதே இடத் தில் கீழே கொட்டி, குழித் தோண்டி புதைத் த னர்.

KAALAI KATHIR NEWS

DINATHANTHI NEWS

மணல்மேடு பகுதியில் ரூ.5 ஆயிரம் மதிப்புள்ள காலாவதி உணவுப்பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

மயி லா டு துறை, ஜூலை 31:

மணல் மேடு பகு தி யில் கடை க ளில் விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த ரூ.5 ஆயி ரம் மதிப் புள்ள காலா வதி உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது.

மயி லா டு துறை அருகே உள்ள மணல் மேடு பகு தி யில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் வட் டார உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் சேகர் மற் றும் அலு வ லர் கள் சோதனை நடத் தி னர். அப் போது 20க்கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை க ளில் வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த காலா வ தி யான தின் பண் டங் கள், பிஸ் கட், தடை செய் யப் பட்ட ஹான்ஸ், புகை யிலை பான் ப ராக், குட்கா போன்ற பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர். இதன் மதிப்பு ரூ.5 ஆயி ர மா கும். இது கு றித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி காரி சேகர் கூறு கை யில், அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யும் கடை வியா பா ரி கள் மீது உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் தர நிர் ணய சட் டத் தின் படி நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என் றார்.

செம் ப னார் கோ வில்: செம் ப னார் கோ வில் வட் டா ரத் துக்கு உட் பட்ட திரு வி ளை யாட் டம், மேமாத் தூர், கடலி, நல் லாடை, வட கரை பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் வட் டார உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி காரி தவ பா லன் ஆய்வு செய் தார். ஆய் வின் போது காலா வ தி யான கோதுமை மாவு, ரவா, போலி டீத் தூள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட் டது.

நித்திரவிளையில் காலாவதியான குடிநீர் பாட்டில்கள் உணவு பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

நித் தி ர விளை, ஜூலை 31:

நித் தி ர விளை சுற் று வட் டார பகு தி க ளில் பேக் க ரி க ளில் குடி நீர் பாட் டில் கள் பேக் கிங் நாள், கம் பெனி முக வரி போன் றவை இல் லா மல் விற் கப் ப டு வ தா க வும், காலா வ தி யான உணவு ெபாருட் கள் விற் கப் படு வ தா க வும் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறைக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது.

இது சம் பந் த மாக நட வடிக்கை எடுக்க பொது மக் கள் தரப் பில் இருந் தும் கோரிக்கை விடுக் கப் பட் டி ருந் தது.

இதை ய டுத்து முன் சிறை ஊராட்சி ஒன் றிய உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி காரி ராஜன், தூத் தூர் ஆரம்ப சுகா தார நிலைய சுகா தார ஆய் வா ளர் தோம தாஸ், பிர காஷ் ஆகி யோர் நேற்று நித் தி ர வி ளை யில் உள்ள ஒரு பேக் க ரி யில் சோதனை நடத் தி னர். இதில் தயா ரிப்பு தேதி, கம் பெனி முக வரி எதுவும் இல் லாத தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் கள் இருப் பது கண்டு பிடிக் கப் பட் டது. மேலும் காலா வ தி யான சாக் லெட் கள், ஐஸ் கட் டி யாக மாறிய பாக் கெட் பால், லோக் கல் ஜூஸ் கள், தயா ரிப்பு தேதி இல் லாத ஊறு காய் கள் போன் றவை பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டன.

பின் னர் சின் னத் துறை, சமத் து வ பு ரத் தில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் முக வரி இல் லாத தண் ணீர் பாட்டில் கள், குளிர் பானங் கள், மோர் பாக் கெட் கள் போன் றவை பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட் டன. அம் பேத் கர் நக ரில் மளிகை கடை யில் முக வரி, தயா ரிப்பு தேதி இல் லாத 20 லிட் டர் தண்ணீர் ேகன் கள் 10 இருந் தன. அவற்றை அதி கா ரி கள் பறிமுதல் செய்து உடைத்து அழித் த னர். மேலும் இது போன்ற காலா வ தி யான, தயாரிப்பு நாள், முக வரி இல் லாத பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் யக் கூடாது என்று கடை உரி மை யா ளர் களை அதி காரி கள் எச் சரித் த னர்.

பராமரிப்பு இல்லாத ஆடு அடிச்சாலை கடைகளில் திறந்த வெளியில் வெட்டப்படுவதால் நோய் ஆபத்து

ராம நா த பு ரம், ஜூலை 31:

ராம நா த பு ரத் தில் ஆடு அடிச் சாலை பரா ம ரிப் பின்றி இருப் ப தாக கூறி இறைச்சி கடைக் கா ரர் கள் புறக் க ணிப் ப தால், ஆடு கள் நக ரின் பொது இடங் க ளில் வெட் டப் பட்டு வரு கின் றன. இத னால் சுகா தா ர மின் மை யால் நோய் பர வும் அபா யம் ஏற் பட் டுள் ளது.

ராம நா த பு ரத் தில் ஆடு களை வெட் டு வ தற்கு முன் பாக இறைச் சிக் கடைக் கா ரர் கள் நகர் பகு தி யில் உள்ள ஆடு அடிச் சா லைக்கு கொண்டு வந்து மருத் து வ ரி டம் காண் பிக்க வேண் டும். அதன் பின் னர் தான் ஆடு களை வெட்ட வேண் டும். நோய் தாக் கிய ஆடு களை அங்கு வெட் டு வ தற்கு அனு மதி கிடை யாது. வெட் டப் ப டும் ஆடு க ளுக்கு நக ராட் சி யின் சீல் வைக் கப் ப டும். இந் நி லை யில் தற் போது ஆடு அடிச் சாலை பரா ம ரிப் பின்றி அடைக் கப் பட்ட நிலை யில் உள் ளது.

இத னால் கடைக் கா ரர் கள் தங் க ளது இடத் தி லேயே ஆடு களை வெட் டிக் கொள் கின் ற னர். இறந்து போன, நோய் வாய்ப் பட்ட ஆடு க ளை யும் கலந்து இறைச்சி கடைக் கா ரர் கள் விற் பனை செய் வ தாக புகார் எழுந் துள் ளது. நோய் தாக் கிய ஆடு களை பொது மக் கள் சாப் பி டு வ தால் தொற் று நோய் பர வும் அபா யம் உள் ளது. நக ராட்சி சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் முறை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுத்து இறைச்சி கடை கா ரர் களை அவர் க ளது இடத் தில் வெட்ட அனு மதி அளிக்க கூடாது என பொது மக் கள் வலி யு றுத்தி உள் ள னர்.

இது கு றித்து எம் எஸ்கே நகரை சேர்ந்த சந் தி ரன் கூறு கை யில், தற் போது ஆட்டு இறைச் சி யின் விலை அதி க பட் ச மாக கிலோ ரூ.450 வரை விற் கப் ப டு கி றது. இத னால் பலர் நோய் வாய்ப் பட்ட ஆடு களை குறைந்த விலைக்கு வாங்கி அதை வெட்டி கூடு தல் விலைக்கு பொது மக் க ளி டம் விற் பனை செய் கின் ற னர். இது த விர வெள் ளா டு கள் என கூறி செம் மறி ஆடு களை பலர் விற் பனை செய்து வரு கின் ற னர். சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் ஆடு கள் வெட் டப் ப டு வ தால், நோய் கள் பரவ வாய்ப் புள் ளது. நக ராட்சி அதி கா ரி கள் ஆடு அடிச் சா லையை முறை யாக பரா ம ரிக்க வேண் டும். அங்கு வந்தே ஆடு களை வெட்ட இறைச் சிக் கடை கா ரர் க ளி டம் வலி யு றுத்த வேண் டும் என்று கூறி னார்.

சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள், ராம நா த பு ரத் தில் கடந்த சில மாதங் க ளாக மோட் டார் வேலை செய் யா த தால் தண் ணீர் சேமித்து வைப் ப தில் பிரச்னை ஏற் பட் டுள் ளது. இதை கார ணம் காட்டி இறைச்சி கடைக் கா ரர் கள் ஆடு அடிச் சா லைக்கு வர மறுக் கின் ற னர். ஆடு அடிச் சா லை யில் அடிப் படை வச தி கள் மேம் ப டுத்த நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்.

வீட்டுக்கு அருகில் சுகாதாரமற்ற உணவுப்பொருட்கள் விற்றால் ஆசிரியரிடம் கூறுங்கள் மாணவர்களுக்கு அறிவுரை

நாகை, ஜூலை 30:

வீட் டுக்கு அரு கில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் தால் ஆசி ரி யர் க ளி டம் கூறுங் கள் என்று மாண வர் க ளுக்கு அறி வுரை வழங் கப் பட் டது.

நாகை நக ராட்சி தெற் கு பால் பண் ணைச் சேரி நக ராட்சி தொடக் கப் பள் ளி யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு தொடர் பான விழிப் பு ணர்வு கூட் டம் நடந் தது. பள்ளி தலைமை ஆசி ரி யர் பிரபா தலைமை வகித் தார். போதை கலந்த சாக் லேட், மிட் டாய் களை கண் ட றி யும் பணி தொடர் பாக நாகை நக ராட்சி உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் அன் ப ழ கன் பேசி னார்.

பின் னர் மாண வர் கள் ஒவ் வொரு முறை யும் கழி வறை சென்று வந்த பின் ன ரும், உண வ ருந் தும் முன் ன ரும் கைகளை சோப்பு போட்டு கழுவி தன் சுத் தத்தை பரா ம ரிக்க வேண் டும். திறந்த நிலை யில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் திண் பண் டங் களை வாங்கி சாப் பிட கூடாது. கடை க ளில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் தயா ரித்து விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் உணவு வகை களை வாங்கி சாப் பி டக் கூ டாது. தயா ரிப்பு விவ ரம் இல் லாத குளிர் பா னங் கள் உள் ளிட்ட எந்த உணவு பொருட் க ளை யும் வாங் கக் கூ டாது. பள்ளி, வீடு அரு கில் தர மற்ற உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் வது தெரி ய வந் தால் உட ன டி யாக உங் கள் ஆசி ரி ய ரி டம் சொல் லுங் கள். அவர் கள் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல ருக்கு தக வல் தெரி வித்து நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க உத வு வார் என் றார். வட் டார உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் மகா ரா ஜன் மற் றும் ஆசி ரி யர் கள் கலந்து கொண் ட னர்.

தஞ்சை மாவட்டத்தில் ரூ.2.50 லட்சம் புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

தஞ்சை, ஜூலை 30:

தஞ்சை கலெக் டர் உத் த ர வின் பே ரில் தஞ்சை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந்து நிர் வா கத் துறை உணவு பாது காப்பு பிரிவு மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் ரமேஷ் பாபு தலை மை யில் மாவட் டத் தில் உள்ள கடை கள், உண வ கங் கள், மளிகை கடை கள், பழக் க டை கள், குளிர் பான கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொள் ளப் பட் டது. தஞ் சா வூர், கும் ப கோ ணம், பட் டுக் கோட்டை மற் றும் அதன் சுற் றுப் ப கு தி க ளில் அமைந் துள்ள கடை க ளில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் சந் தி ர மோ கன், ராஜ் கு மார், மகேஷ், உமா கே சன், மகா தே வன், கௌத மன், ரெங் க நா தன், செந் தில், விஜ ய கு மார், கிருஷ் ண மூர்த்தி, வடி வேல், கார்த் திக், பாண்டி ஆகி யோர் அடங் கிய குழு வி னர் அதி ரடி ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர். இதில் அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட குட்கா, பான் ம சாலா, காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், மளிகை பொருள் கள், கலப் பட உணவு பொருள் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு முறை யாக மாந க ராட்சி குப்பை கிடங் கில் கொட்டி அழிக் கப் பட் டது. அழிக் கப் பட்ட பொருள் க ளின் மதிப்பு ரூ.2.50 லட் ச மா கும்.

இது குறித்து மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் ரமேஷ் பாபு கூறும் போது, அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட குட்கா, பான் ம சாலா போன் ற வற்றை விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டாம். தர மான உணவு பொருள் களை மட் டும் வியா பா ரம் செய்ய வேண் டும்.

பொது மக் கள் அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட குட்கா, பான் ம சாலா போன் ற வற்றை வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டாம். மேலும் உணவு பொருள் கள் வாங் கும் போது தயா ரிப்பு தேதி மற் றும் காலா வ தி யா கும் தேதியை பார்த்து வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டு மென கேட் டுக் கொண் டார்.

What defines junk food? Health ministry has no idea

The health ministry has done quite a lot in framing reports and conducting studies but has never defined junk food in any way.

The health ministry has done quite a lot in framing reports and conducting studies but has never defined junk food in any way.

NEW DELHI: While India may be pushing for rules to regulate packaged food, supplements and dietary items, it has absolutely no guidelines for "junk food".

In fact, "Junk Food" has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

"At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the health ministry to define junk food under the FSS Act. However, guidelines for making available wholesome, nutritious, safe and hygienic food to school children in the country have been framed by the Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), ICMR has not conducted a study on junk food. A study had, however, been conducted by NIN to assess ill-effects of consumption of Carbonated Water beverages (CWBs) on the health of adolescents and young adults, which showed higher increments of body fat in young consumers.

In such a situation, the ministry is banking on consumer awareness programmes.

"Consumers are educated/made aware of the food safety through consumer awareness programmes launched jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These include advertisements in different media, campaigns launched by the FSSAI on social media such as Face-book, documentary films on YouTube, educational booklets, information on FSSAI website, stalls at Fairs/Melas/Events and mass awareness campaigns," MoS, Health, Shripad Yesso Naik told the Rajya Sabha.

"As per the conditions of license prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, all food business operators have to ensure testing of relevant chemical and/or microbiological contaminants in food products in accordance with these regulations as frequently as required on the basis of historical data and risk assessment to ensure production and delivery of safe food through the operator's own laboratory or NABL accredited /Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified labs at least once in six months," Naik said.

Every food business operator in the country has to follow and comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder, he added.

"Besides, safety standards of food items have been notified in respect of around 365 categories of food products. These standards are enforced by the Food Safety Departments of the States/UTs," he said.

VMC holds camps to issue food safety licences

VADODARA: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) began holding camps to issue food licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The first such camp was held on Friday at Navapura.

VMC officials said that the first camp was held at the Navapura urban health center. The second camp will be held at the Diwalipura urban health center on Saturday.

Sources said that the vendors could approach the civic body with necessary documents and fees. Officials said that the last date for registration was on August 4 as per the latest intimation by the Food Safety Authority of India.

Officials added that after August 4 action could be taken against vendors who did not have food licences. The vendors could be imprisoned for a period up to six years and slapped a fine of up to Rs five lakh.

FSSAI fines double to Rs 11 crore in two years for food adulteration

Uttar Pradesh was on top in the data with nearly 4,119 samples found to be adulterated and misbranded. 

Food safety and adulterated food has been making the headlines in India since last year. 

A study by the Centre for Science and Environment said in May this year that 85% of the bread and bakery items made in the country, used potassium bromate and potassium iodate, both known carcinogens that have been banned in several countries.This includes bread items served by popular brands like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Subway, McDonald's, Slice of Italy, and Domino's.

In 2015, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found that Maggi noodles contained more than the permissible amounts of lead and MSG, which led to its ban and subsequent withdrawal. Maggi noodles were brought back to the shelf only in November last year but not before starting a debate on food safety in India. 

In 2015, thanks to loopholes in food safety brought to the notice of the regulator, the FSSAI imposed a penalty of Rs 10.93 crore, highest in the last three years and nearly double than that in 2013. The data was made available in a written reply from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Faggan Singh Kulaste. 

According to the data provided for penalties imposed in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the FSSAI fined the states Rs 5.25 crore for not adhering to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products, Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011. 

In 2014, this went up to Rs 7.34 crore, and it nearly doubled to Rs 10.93 crore (from 2013) in 2015. A majority of fine was imposed on Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Rs 5.98 crore and Rs 1.65 crore, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh was on top in the data with nearly 4,119 samples found to be adulterated and misbranded, according to the data. The state has been found with the highest amount defected samples for three straight years under consideration.

However, what's interesting is that over the last three years, the number of convictions against the total penalties imposed has been steadily declining. 

In 2013, the FSSAI made 3,175 convictions, followed by 2,950 in 2014, and 2,795 in 2015.

In 2015, out of the 74,010 food samples tested for adulteration, 14,599 samples (19.72%) failed to meet the safety standards and were found to be adulterated and misbranded, Kulaste, had said in an earlier response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

DINAMALAR NEWS

உத்தமபாளையம் பகுதியில் சோதனை செய்வதற்கு வராத உணவு தரநிர்ணய அதிகாரிகள்

உத் த ம பா ளை யம், ஜூலை 30:

உத் த ம பா ளை யம் பகு தி யில் கலப் ப ட பொ ருட் கள் அதி க ள வில் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட் ட போ தி லும் கட் டுப் ப டுத் த வேண் டிய உண வு தர நிர் ணய கட் டுப் பாட்டு அதி கா ரி களோ எந்த நட வ டிக் கை யும் எடுக் கா மல் மவு னம் காக் கின் ற னர்.

தேவ ரம், கோம்பை, பண் ணைப் பு ரம், போடி, உத் த ம பா ளை யம், கம் பம், சின் ன ம னுார் ஆகிய ஊர் க ளில் அதி க ள வில் உண வு பொ ருட் கள் விற் பனை நடக் கி றது. மாண வர் க ளுக் கான மிட் டாய், நிற மூட் டப் பட்ட கடலை, சாக் லெட், சிப்ஸ், ஹோட் டல் க ளில் சுகா தா ரமே இல் லாத சாப் பாடு, இட்லி, புரோட்டா, மட் டன் வ கை கள் போன் றவை விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன.

இதே போல் இஷ் டத் திற்கு தண் ணீரை பாட் டி லில் அடைத்து விற் ப னை யும், சுகா தா ரமே இல் லாத எண் னெய், கலப் பட பால் போன் றவை அதி க ள வில் விற் பனை நடக் கி றது. பொருட் க ளின் கவர்ச் சியை பார்த்து மக் கள் வாங்கி செல் கின் ற னர். ஆனால் கலப் பட பொருட் க ளால் அதி க ள வில் உடல் ரீதி யான பாதிப்பு ஏற் ப டு வ து டன், ஆஸ் துமா, நெஞ் சு வலி உள் ளிட்ட நோய் கள் வரக் கூ டிய வாய்ப் பு கள் அதி க மாக உள் ளது. கலப் பட உண வு பொ ருட் கள் விற் ப னையை தடுப் ப தற் கென்றே மாவட்ட அள வில் டாக் டரை தலை மை யாக கொண்ட உணவு தர நிர் ணய அதி காரி, வட்ட அள வில் புட் இன்ஸ் பெக் டர் மற் றும் சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் உள் ள னர். இவர் களோ பெய ர ள வில் செயல் ப டு கின் ற னர். தினந் தோ றும் சோத னைக்கு செல் ல வேண் டிய அதி கா ரி களோ எந்த நட வ டிக் கை யி லும் ஈடு ப டு வ தில்லை. இத னால் ஒரி ஜி னல் பொருட் கள் மார்க் கெட் டில் மட் டம் தட் டப் பட்டு கலப் பட பொருட் கள் விற் பனை கன ஜோ ராக நடக் கி றது. போலி வியா பா ரி கள் எண் ணிக் கை யும் நாளுக்கு நாள் அதி க ரித் த வண் ணம் உள் ளது.

இது கு றித்து பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில்,

வயிற் றில் பெரி ய அ ள வில் உபா தை களை ஏற் ப டுத்தி நோய் விளை விக் க கூ டிய தரம் குறைந்த பொருட் கள் விற் பனை அதி க ள வில் நடந் தும் எந்த நட வ டிக் கை யும் எடுக் கா மல் அதி கா ரி கள் உள் ள னர். உணவு தர நிர் ணய அதி கா ரி கள் சில ஊர் களை தேர்ந் தெ டுத்து பெய ர ள வில் ரெய்டு நடத் தி விட்டு காணா மல் போய் வி டு கின் ற னர். எனவே ரெய்டை தீவி ரப் ப டுத் திட தேவை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் க வேண் டும். என் ற னர்.

பெரியகுளத்தில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு விழிப்புணர்வு முகாம்

பெரி ய கு ளம், ஜூலை 30:பெரி

ய கு ளத் தில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை மற் றும் நகர ஓட் டல் கள் சங் கம் இணைந்து உணவு பாது காப்பு விழிப் பு ணர்வு முகாம் நடத் தி யது.

முகா மிற்கு பெரி ய கு ளம் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் ஜன கர் ஜோதி நாதன் தலைமை வகித் தார். ஓட் டல் சங்க நகர செய லா ளர் மகேந் தி ரன் முன் னிலை வகித் தார். தேனி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் சுகுணா கலந்து கொண்டு பேசி னார். முகா மில் செயற்கை நிற மூட் டி கள் பயன் ப டுத் தும் விதம், சமை யல் எண் ணெய் பயன் ப டுத் து வது, உணவு தயா ரிக் கும் தொழி லா ளர் க ளின் சுகா தா ரம் குறித்து விளக் கப் பட் டது. முகா மில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் செந் தில் ராஜ் கு மார், மணி மா றன், சுரேஷ் கண் ணன், கணே ஷன் உட் பட ஓட் டல் சங்க நிர் வா கி கள் பலர் கலந்து கொண் ட னர்.

கடைகளுக்கு உரிமம் பெற ஆக.4 கடைசி நாள்

 

சிவ கங்கை, ஜூலை 30:

சிவ கங்கை மாவட் டத் தில் உள்ள கடை கள் மற் றும் அனைத்து உண வுப் பொ ருள் விற் ப னை யா ளர் கள் உரி மம் பதிவு செய்ய ஆக. 4 கடைசி நாள் என அறி விக் கப் பட் டுள் ளது.

பெட் டிக் கடை, டீ கடை, ஹோட் டல், கறி மற் றும் மீன் கடை கள், காய் க றி கள், பால் மற் றும் தள் ளு வண்டி தெரு வோர கடை கள், சமை யல் செட் நடத் து ப வர் கள், கல் யாண மண் ட பங் கள் நடத் து ப வர் கள் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யின் பதிவு உரி மச் சான் றி தழ் பெற்று தொழில் பு ரிய வேண் டும். தங் க ளது வணி கம் ஆண்டு ஒன் றுக்கு ரூ.12 லட் சத் திற்கு மேல் இருந் தால் ஆண் டுக்கு ரூ.2 ஆயி ரம் செலுத்தி உரி ம மும், ரூ.12 லட் சத் திற் குக் குறை வாக இருந் தால் ஆண் டிற்கு ரூ.100 செலுத் தி யும் உரி மம் பெற வேண் டும். பதிவு உரி மம் பெற அரசு நிர் ண யித்த காலக் கெடு ஆக.4ம் தேதி யு டன் முடி வ டை கி றது.

பதிவு, உரி மம் www.fssa.gov.in என்ற இணை ய த ளம் வழி யாக விண் ணப் பிக்க வேண் டும். இது குறித்து மேலும் தக வல் கள் அறிய தமிழ் நாடு உண வுப் பாது காப் புத் துறை, அறை எண் 239, இரண் டா வது தளம், கலெக் டர் அலு வ ல கம், சிவ கங்கை என்ற முக வரி மற் றும் 04575-243725என்ற தொலை பேசி எண் ணி லும் தொடர்பு கொள் ள லாம்.

Complaints against 33 ‘misleading ad’ of Patanjali Ayurved: Govt

NEW DELHI, JULY 29: 

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Friday said that complaints against as many as 33 advertisements of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved have been received during April 2015-July 2016. These complaints were made against the company’s advertisements appearing on TV, print as well as product packaging communications.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said, “The Department of Consumer Affairs has informed that 17 advertisements out of 21 advertisements complained against were considered to be in violation of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code for Self Regulation of advertising content as per the findings of Consumers Complaints Council (CCC) of ASCI.”

The Ministry also said that six product packaging communications (out of eight complained against) and complaints against two TV ads (out of four) were also considered in violation of the ASCI code.

“Further, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has informed that they have noted the complaints regarding misleading claims made by various Food Business Operators, including Patanjali Ayurved,” the reply stated.

The Department of Consumer Affairs had earlier launched a portal to look into the grievances against misleading ads by consumers and ASCI has been assigned to process these complaints. In cases, where advertisers do not comply with ASCI directions, such complaints are then referred to the concerned Ministry or regulator to take appropriate actions.

FSDA to crack down on illegal RO plants in city

Agra: The Food Safety and Drugs Administration here is planning a crack down on illegal commercial RO (reverse osmosis) plants in the city. Moreover, it will also initiate action against those who sell untreated tap water in packaged bottles. Last year, taking a stern view of spurious water being sold to people as "bottled water", the Prime Minister's office had shot off letters to the states asking them to immediately put an end to this malpractice.

Vineet Kumar, who recently took charge as the FSDA designated officer in Agra, told TOI that RO plants that don't follow norms are on top of his list. "Last year after the PMO's directive, the Noida and Ghaziabad FSDA under my supervision collected 27 samples of water from various plants and these were found to be of sub-standard quality. In Agra, the problem is more acute. Very soon we will launch a drive against such establishments." There are around 450 RO water filtration plants operating in the city, but only 14 of these have a licence, the official said. A large number of them do not have mandatory water harvesting system, he added.

As per the norms, an RO plant should have the certification from the Bureau of India Standards (BIS), a licence from the FSDA, besides a proper water harvesting system.

Kumar said the drive would be conducted to check all three criteria and action would be taken against those who fail to meet these parameters.

As the city's faces an acute shortage of drinking water, bottling plants have mushroomed across the city and supply 20lt "drinking" water cans for as cheap as Rs 5.

"In most cases, the suppliers are just passing ground water as purified water and fooling citizens. Instead of relying on this kind of water, people should buy water purifiers at home," the FSDA official added.

Don’t sell adulterated food

With Valvil Ori festival, flower exhibition and tourist vizha to be celebrated atop Kolli Hills on August 1 and 2, the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has warned shopkeepers not to sell adulterated food items during the festival.

District Designated Officer M. Kavikumar, in a press release, said that only after obtaining license from the department, food business operators would be allowed to setup temporary shops during the two-day festival.

Details

He said that packaged food items should have details of address of the manufacturer, date of manufacturing and date of expiry and also whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, license number, ingredients used, weight, quantity and other details printed on the packs. Also, he asked consumers to ensure that above details are given in the labels in the package.

He warned against selling food items made out of excessive use of chemicals or colours and also against using oils that were already used. People who wish to serve Annadhanam during the festival should inform the department and ensure that food is prepared in hygienic environment.

Also, only quality oil, masala items, vegetables and ingredients should be used apart from serving only protected drinking water to the people. Since plastic items were banned, people who serve Annadhanam should desist from using plastic items and should use eco-friendly plates. The release said that shops in Kolli Hills were inspected recently and products kept for sale after expiry date were seized and destroyed. Shopkeepers were warned against selling fake products and also products at exorbitant price.