HUL counters Amul with new ad to defend frozen desserts

Ad, which stresses the use of milk in HUL’s products, is seen as a response to a campaign by GCMMF, which owns Amul brand, that claimed frozen desserts contain hydrogenated vegetable oil

Mumbai: Hindustan Unilever Ltd, maker of the Kwality Wall’s brand of frozen desserts, has come out with a new ad film stressing the use of milk in its products, taking the ‘ad war’ to the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF).

The ad is seen as a response to a campaign by GCMMF, which owns the Amul ice-cream brand, that claimed frozen desserts contain hydrogenated vegetable oil, often called vanaspati.

HUL has already dragged GCMMF to the Bombay high court for the campaign, which it says is “disparaging” towards frozen desserts.

According to regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, ice-creams made with any kind of vegetable fat other than milk fat are termed frozen desserts.

HUL’s 15-second ad, posted on YouTube through the Kwality Wall’s official channel on 17 April, uses the tagline “Kwality Wall’s, Made with Milk”, and shows an animated milk bottle asking animated Kwality Wall’s products: “Who drank the milk?”

The tagline emphasizes that Kwality Wall’s frozen desserts are made with milk, just like ice-creams. The video is accompanied by a caption that says: “It’s time we answer this question and put all the rumours to rest.”

In Amul’s ad, featuring a young girl visiting the dentist, a voice-over urges viewers to give their children “pure” milk ice-creams such as Amul’s rather than frozen desserts made with vanaspati tel or vegetable oil.

The Kwality Wall’s ad was devised by HUL’s creative agency DDB Mudra, which declined to comment.

In an emailed response to Mint’s queries, an HUL spokesperson said, “This is a separate campaign to inform consumers that Kwality Wall’s range is ‘Made with Milk’.”

HUL didn’t specify which channels will be used to play the ad and how much it will invest in the campaign. Although the Kwality Wall’s YouTube channel has only around 4,900 subscribers, HUL has plenty of clout to get its message across to consumers. In the week between 8 and 14 April, for instance, HUL was the top television advertiser, according to data collected by the Broadcast Audience Research Council India.

Brand and consumer analysts say HUL will be compelled to hit back with such ads as sales of ice-creams and frozen desserts rise with onset of summer.

“Until Amul did this (ice-cream versus frozen desserts) ad, I don’t think the consumer gave a damn,” said independent brand expert Harish Bijoor. “The difference between ice-cream and frozen dessert was a footnote. Now, the consumer is curious. Now that HUL has replied, there will be two camps. One which says frozen desserts are fine and another that supports ice-creams.”

Bijoor added that while HUL has taken the legal route in its fight against Amul’s ads, the real challenge for both companies is convincing the Indian consumer.

The Amul-HUL spat is only the latest in a long list of large consumer brands fighting one another in the courtroom while taking digs at each other in their respective ad campaigns. In the court hearings, both sides cited instances including the Ujala fabric whitener campaign that took digs at Robin Blue, and Colgate India’s ad that attacked Dabur’s Lal Dant Manjan.

“Around the world, brand rivalry has shown up in ads. It has been particularly aggressive in markets like the US with famous rivalries like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, or McDonald’s and Wendy’s,” said Harminder Sahni, founder of consumer advisory firm Wazir Advisors.

“I would say India is still very timid with its brand rivalry in ads.”

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2 FSSAI testing labs in TN to be upgraded

Earlier, addressing the meeting, Agarwal said food safety regulations were strictly adhered to in Tamil Nadu, which has the highest number of officials in the department who maintain a high standard as far as food safety is concerned

The Centre has allocated Rs 500 crore to upgrade Food Testing Centres (Lab) across the country, CEO of food regulator FSSAI, Pawan Kumar Agarwal, said today.

Two labs in Tamil Nadu would be taken up for upgradation, he told reporters here on the sidelines of a steering committee meeting held at the District Collectorate.

The Centre had also decided to partner with 124 private testing labs, he said, adding that FSSAI would take efforts to incorporate some suggestions given by private players to the rule book.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, Agarwal said food safety regulations were strictly adhered to in Tamil Nadu, which has the highest number of officials in the department who maintain a high standard as far as food safety is concerned.

FSSAI was successful in sensitising the people in Tamil Nadu on their rights to good food, he said.

Collector T N Hariharan, Corporation Commissioner, Dr Vijayakarthikeyan, and FSSAI Tamil Nadu Commissioner, Amutha were among the officials participated in the meeting.

Whatsapp 9444042322 for all food safety grievances, said CEO, FSSAI in steering Committee Meeting

The steering Committee meeting of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India was convened at the District Collectorate, this morning. 

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO of FSSAI presided the meeting in the presence of District Collector, TN Hariharan, Tamil Nadu FSSAI Commissioner Amudha, Corporation Commissioner DR. K. Vijayakarthikeyan, Dr.O.L.S.Vijay. Designated Officer,. Tamil Nadu Food Safety & Drug Administration Department and other concerned Officials. 

Addressing the officials, Pawan Kumar, CEO of FSSAI stated that, 'The food safety and regulations is properly followed in Tamil Nadu as the state has the highest number of officials working under FSSAI. And, that Rs. 500 crores have been allotted for enhancing the standards of FSSAI across India. In Coimbatore, the Officials of FSSAI have created awareness programmes on food safety and sensitized people on their rights to consume clean food. Using 7 schools, 17 Colleges and 17 Private Food Outlets, close to 41 outreach programmes have been conducted. As proposed and suggested by few food private establishments, changes will be amended during the course of time' 

People were asked to register their grievances on food safety and regulation at through Whatsapp. And also, those who would like to procure new licenses and renew existing FSSAI licence may visit the website www.fssai.gov.in. 

Bad food? action is a click away

Complaints against food quality and safety, hygiene, sale of expired products, adulteration of food items can be raised through the initiative. District or zonal official will visit the spot to check if the complaint is genuine | nagaraja gadekal

BENGALURU: The next time if you see a cockroach or lizard in your meal, rats in a hotel kitchen or even if the waiter looks unclean, just click a photo and share it with the Food Safety Commissionerate. The Commissioner for Food Safety plans to involve the public in tackling food safety concerns, including hygiene, and promises appropriate action.

Commissioner for Food Safety Subodh Yadav said they recently started an initiative where people with any complaints regarding food quality and safety, hygiene, sale of expired products, adulteration of food items/milk/beverages, mixing of pulses, etc., can send it to their Whatsapp number 9482196639 along with details of the location.

Based on the complaints, the district or zonal official concerned will be sent to the spot for inspection. If the complaint is found to be genuine, action will be taken against the offender. However, if people make false allegations, action will be taken against them too,’’ he warned. Yadav also appealed to people not to forward any messages other than related to food safety.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Harshavardhan B said that since April 1, they have received 22 complaints, mostly from Bengaluru.

These included sale of unhygenic gobi manchurian on roadside cart, abnormal pigments in watermelon and peas, food products without expiry date, packaged water without seal, etc. “Based on the complaints, our officials have issued notices to seven hotels. We cannot ask them to shut, but this will be a warning,’’ he said. He also said once action is taken, the complainant is updated.

The officials are also handing out Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines which hoteliers have to adopt. “If they fail to adopt these guidelines and if we get complaints regarding this, we will take action,” Harshavardhan said.

According to Chandrashekar Hebbar, president of Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers’ Association, they have over 2,000 members right from darshinis to five-star hotels. “There are hundreds of unlicenced hotels, eateries and darshinis in Bengaluru. We have no issues if action against unhygenic hotels, but what about lack of hygience at roadside eateries? These people run their business without permission. How can action be taken against them?’’ he questioned.

“The food is the same, only the cost differs. People in the hotel industry know that they have to maintain hygiene as their business depends on it. But there might be a few who ignore it and we keep insisting on our members to ensure hygiene,” he said.

Stale food seized in hotel raids in Thrissur

Food Safety serves notices; raw meat, veggies under unhygienic state seized.

Stale food items seized from hotels in Thrissur on Friday during raids conducted by corporation health officials.

Thrissur: The Health inspectors of Thrissur Corporation on Friday conducted inspections for the second consecutive day to keep a check on food safety parameters in view of Thrissur Pooram. Like on the first day, they seized stale food from most of the hotels they raided. After officials found contaminated drinking water at Geetha Hotel at Divanjimoola, they issued a notice to shut down the hotel. Corporation health supervisor N Rajan said that action would be taken against the owner of Arabian Grills as workers of the hotel tried to turn off the lights of the hotel during inspection on Friday.

Notices were served for storing stale vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and also for preparing food items repeatedly with the same oil. The food inspectors also seized raw meat and vegetables which were kept under unhygienic conditions. The hotels which were served notices on Friday were Ladies Home and Hotel Kims at West Fort, Hotel Jaya, and Copper Spoon at MG Road. Hotel Melam, Hotel Abad Village, Hotel Makkani, Mist Vegetarian, Midhila Restaurant, Mint Malabar Restaurant, New Star Hotel, Hotel Spoon (Slex Mall), Park Hotel, Arunima Hotel, Noorjahan, Sansar Hotel, Hotel Rainbow and Thrissur Tower (Beer & Wine).

On Thursday, Hotel Radhakrishna, Casino, Pooram Hotel, Mahavir, Garuda, Revel Diet Hotel, KSRTC Canteen, Aramana Restaurant, Hotel Aliyans, Gusto Hotel, Uduppi Hotel, Paragon Tourist Home, Louciya Palace, Govind Bhavan , Jaya Palace and Sizzlers Hotel were served notices for not following Food Safety norms. “Fines starting from Rs 2,500 to 10,000 was imposed on hotels for violations and further action will be taken against them if they do not take corrective action in serving better food in the next five days,” Mr Rajan said.

Major steps taken by Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHDF) to discourage the Adulteration of Milk and Milk products in coming summer season, 2017 DAHDF is regularly reviewing the availability of milk situation in the country with National Dairy Development Board

Major steps taken by Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHDF) to discourage the Adulteration of Milk and Milk products in coming summer season, 2017 

DAHDF is regularly reviewing the availability of milk situation in the country with National Dairy Development Board 

Adulteration in Milk is harmful to health even while it is an unfair trade practices. Further, it is a market fraud and affects the honest efforts of the milk producers. Government of India has enacted Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act -2006 in August 2006 to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 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 and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is implemented by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India through the State Food Safety Commissioners in each State. The State Government machinery is equally responsible in controlling the menace of sale of adulterated/synthetic milk. 

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries is regularly reviewing the availability of milk situation in the country with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and State Milk Federations. The Department is observed that due to increase in the international and domestic prices there will be less availability of milk and milk products in the ensuing summer season which may effect the quality of milk and milk products. The issue of adulteration of milk have been discussed in the meetings held on 23.03.2017 and 31.03.2017, under the chairmanship of Secretary(ADF) with the officers from M/o Health& Family Welfare, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI), and National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, which have discussed about the measures/steps to be taken for effective enforcement of the provision of Food Safety and Standard Act (FSS Act) 2006 and to ensure availability of safe & quality Milk and Milk Products to the consumers in products in coming summer season, 2017. 

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries vide letter dated 31st March, 2017 have requested Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh to take the stock of the situation and ensure immediate drive to check sale of adulterated milk in the State especially in the Western District of Uttar Pradesh. DAHDF vide letters dated 14th Oct 2016 and 5th April 2017 have also requested FSSAI and all Chief Secretaries of States to ensure strict enforcement of provisions of FSS Act 2006 for ensuring the supply of safe and quality milk and milk products to the consumers especially children in the country.

Odisha Govt orders probe into sale of plastic eggs

Bhubaneswar, Apr 21 (PTI) Odisha government today asked Food Safety Commission officials to probe the alleged sale of plastic eggs in the markets of the state capital here.

“We have asked the Commissioner of Food Safety to collect samples of the alleged plastic eggs and get those tested in the laboratory,” Odisha Health and Family Welfare minister P K Amat told reporters here.

He said the government has taken note of media reports on the alleged sale of plastic eggs in the market. Food Safety Commissioner will check the truth behind such reports.

“Orders have been issued to immediately conduct a probe after collecting samples,” Amat said.

FSSAI to tighten vigil on meat shop owners bending rules

AGRA: In an attempt to easily obtain licences for selling meat, many meat shop owners across UP are now obtaining Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration from its common service centres without taking NOCs from civic bodies and police. FSSAI will now conduct an inspection and suspend such licences.

Vineet Yadav, assistant commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration(FSDA), Agra, said, "There is a provision for issuing licences to big slaughter houses and registration to small meat vendors."

According to rules for registration, vendors can apply online and submit documents to departments concerned and obtain the certificate. Food safety officers are eligible to approve such registrations. Besides that, FSSAI has provided another facility of common service centres where applicants can obtain a registration certificate immediately.

The department recently came to know that many vendors were queuing up at the service centres and obtaining registration certificates without submitting requisite NOCs from the civic bodies and police. Hence, it has tightened vigil and is planning to conduct an inspection of the certificates.

"Now, rules for sale of meat are being strictly implemented and vendors cannot run their business without fulfilling the requisite norms," he added. "We are reviewing all such registrations. Food safety officers will conduct inspections and check their documents. Registration will be suspended of those vendors who have got it without submitting the necessary documents," he further added.

Constituted over a year back, Food Safety Tribunals remain victims of Govt apathy

Delay in providing staff, other paraphernalia despite HC orders

*Objectives behind Act enacted 11 yrs back yet to be achieved

JAMMU, Apr 21: In a testimony of non-serious approach towards various aspects of food safety, the Government has failed to provide staff and other paraphernalia to the Food Safety and Appellate Tribunals, which were created by it over a year back that too after being reprimanded by the Supreme Court as well as State High Court. In this way, the objectives behind Food Safety and Standard Act and Rules could not be achieved despite lapse of several years.

The Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted in 2006 but its rules were framed in 2011 after a lapse of five years, which was the testimony of non-serious approach towards the important piece of legislation right from the very beginning.

After being reprimanded by the Supreme Court and High Court of Jammu and Kashmir over tardy implementation of this Act, the Department of Health and Medical Education vide SRO No.42 of 2016 dated February 10, 2016 and as per Rule 3.2.2 of the Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 established two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals—one each for Jammu and Kashmir.

Thereafter, no attention was paid towards making these Tribunals functional and Government woke up from the deep slumber only when the State High Court issued directions about appointment of Presiding Officers in Public Interest Litigations (PILs) with the observation that purpose of establishment of Tribunals was getting defeated due to inaction on the part of Government in general and Health and Medical Education Department in particular.

Finally, vide SRO No.371 dated November 18, 2016, the Health and Medical Education Department in exercise of powers conferred under Sub-Section 3 of Section 70 of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 read with Rule 3.2.1 of Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 appointed Mohammad Yousuf Akhoon, former Principal Secretary to Chief Justice, J&K High Court and Maharaj Krishan Hanjura, Member Company Law Board Delhi as Presiding Officers of Food Safety Appellate Tribunals.

These Tribunals are required to hear appeals from the decisions of the Adjudicating Officers under Section 68 of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. The Additional Deputy Commissioners of every district have been designated as Adjudicating Officer as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The appointment of Presiding Officers of Food Safety Appellate Tribunals was welcomed in the wake of large number of pending cases related to unsafe, substandard and misbranded food products and items with the District Magistrates and in civil courts.

“However, Food Safety Appellate Tribunals have remained victims of Gover-nment apathy even more than one year after their establishment as now the Government is soft-paddling on providing requisite staff and other paraphernalia to these Tribunals, which otherwise is hampering their functioning”, sources said.

They further said, “the dilly-dallying approach is notwithstanding the fact that Division Bench of State High Court had last month viewed seriously the failure of the Government to provide all the facilities to the Tribunals required for ensuring their smooth functioning”, adding “though it was submitted before the Division Bench that posts have been created for both the Tribunals but where the process of making selection has struck is not known to anybody as Presiding Officers are still awaiting permanent staff”.

“Only few officials have been placed at the disposal of one Tribunal by making internal arrangement while as nobody is available with the second Tribunal”, sources said, adding “unless posts created for these Tribunals are filled-up none can expect full functioning of these important bodies”.

It is pertinent to mention here that Division Bench of High Court in its order dated March 14, 2017 had termed the compliance report filed by the Health and Medical Education Department as an eye-wash. It had even observed that budgetary allocation was not made to the Tribunals for the development of infrastructure.

“Due to the apathy of the Government, the objectives behind enactment of Food Safety and Standard Act could not be achieved despite lapse of 11 years”, sources remarked, adding “it is a matter of serious concern that Government is adopting dilly-dallying appr-oach in meeting the requirements of the Tribunals, which have an important role to play in food safety matters”.

440 kgs of artificially ripened mangoes seized in Panjim market

PANJIM: Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday confiscated over 440 kgs of artificially ripened mangoes, costing over Rs 1.20 lakh from Panjim municipal market.

FDA officials conducted a surprise surveillance drive at the municipal market for detection of mangoes being artificially ripened using chemicals and inspected consignments of almost ten wholesalers. 

In the first consignment, 400 kgs of Alphonso mangoes were confiscated for being ripened artificially using the chemical ethopon. The fruit has been valued at Rs 1.20 lakh. 

The consignment had been brought in a rickshaw from Vengurla in Maharashtra. The mangoes were confiscated for destruction and a case booked under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 against the rickshaw owner. 

An un-claimed consignment of Deogad mangoes ripened using ethopon chemical was also confiscated. Some 32 boxes of Deogad mangoes, each containing around a dozen mangoes, were being un-loaded from trucks that had brought them from Belgavi. 

FDA also confiscated 10kgs of turmeric powder containing artificially synthetic colour, brought to ripen mangoes. 

In the the past fortnight FDA had been conducting surprise surveillances visits at Panjim, Mapusa, Siolim, Margao, Vasco and Ponda markets, however, the drives did not yield much success in detection.

Chemically ripened Alphonso mangoes seized in Panaji

In a major surveillance drive, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has confiscated 400 kgs of Alphonso mangoes at Panaji Municipal Market, which were artificially rnripened using a ripening chemical.

PANAJI: FDA office in Goa further informed that of the 400 kgs of mangoes thus confiscated, one consignment was being brought to Goa in a rickshaw from Vengurla in Maharashtra. The FDA team conducted spot test on this consignment, which responded positive to ethopon chemical presence. 

A person called Ravi Shastri from Calca owned both the rickshaw and the consignment. He was detained for interrogation by FDA. Besides this seized consignment of mangoes was also brought to the FDA lab at Bambolim, which also confirmed the usage of ethopon chemical for ripening purposes. 

FDA further informed that a case has been booked against the rickshaw owner under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Similarly, FDA also confiscated Deogad mangoes, which were also artificially ripened using the same chemical at Panaji Municipal Market. 

The truck transporters unloaded this consignment, which was brought from Belagavi in Karnataka. The FDA officials waited for three hours for owners of this consignment, but they didn’t arrive and even transporters vanished. The tests conducted on this consignment at FDA lab confirmed the presence of chemical. 

But, it wasn’t the mangoes alone, as FDA team also seized turmeric powder containing artificially synthetic colour at Panaji Municipal Market. This consignment had 8 bags of turmeric powder containing artificially synthetic colour. Yet again, there was no claimant for this consignment, either. 

FDA conducted this surprise surveillance drive in the early hours between 5 am and 8 am on April 21.

Artificial ripening of mangoes under lens

TRICHY: With the onset of summer, mangoes of all hues have started arriving in the market with most fruit and vegetable shops and even hawkers selling them. However, food safety department has warned of strict action against use of carbide stones for artificially ripening the fruit, a practice often resorted to.

Mangoes have been available in and around Trichy for the past two weeks. Since very few people manage to detect the use of artificial ripeningagents, mangoes have been selling like hot cakes thanks to the scorching summer.

The food safety officials and health department of Trichy corporation had seized tonnes of artificially-ripened mangoes from godowns in previous years and destroyed them.

"Nobody can deny the prevalence of artificially ripened mangoes in the shops. Consumers can indeed differentiate between the naturally ripened mangoes and the artificial ones. But they are unable to identify them due to their ignorance. So, a huge responsibility lies on the food safety department to check the violation and save the people from health problems," said president of Federation of Consumer and Service Organizations, Trichy, M Sekaran.

The district receives mango varieties from Natham in Dindigul district, Salem, Thiruthuraipoondi, Vedharanyam besides from Thurvarankurichi and Srirangam in the district. While the mangoes from farms in Srirangam are sold by a particular group of vendors in Mambalachalai, those from other places are available in other shops.

However, the vendors dismiss the allegations of using carbide stones. "Mangoes available in our shops are ripened in natural way with an intention to sell healthy fruit to the people," said a vendor M Satheeshkumar. Food safety department has deputed three food safety officers (FSOs) to visit the godowns and shops to check the mangoes.

"We have started inspecting the g-downs and shops in our district. We have not found any trace of ripening through the carbide stones this year. If anyone has any health complaints due to the consumption of mangoes, he or she can report to the food safety department," said designated officer, Trichy Dr C Sureshbabu on Thursday. Food safety department is planning to conduct a training programme for the vendors on alternate method of ripening through ethylene gas.

FDA seizes 890kg mangoes artificially ripened with calcium carbide in Ulhasnagar

ULHASNAGAR: Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a joint operation with staff of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation on Friday raided five godown at the Ulhasnagar. Out of them, from two they seized 890 kg mangoes that were being artificially ripenedwith calcium carbide. The raid was carried out after FDAofficials received specific Information about five wholesalers engaged in fruits business selling artificially ripened mangoes.

Acting on information, FDA inspector Santosh Vajharkar with the help of UMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Jameer Lengrekar and his team on Friday afternoon raided five godowns out of which from two godown, namely Meghraj Fruit Merchant at Ulhasnagar 1 and Vasudev Fruit Merchant near vegetable market, found 890 kg mangoes that were artificially ripped with calcium carbide.

The seized mangoes were later taken to dumping ground where it was disposed of by the staff of Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation. The FDA official said that criminal action against the owner of these godowns is on. He said any person found guilty of using chemicals to ripen fruit can be slapped with a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Talking to TOI, Jameer Lengrekar, deputy municipal commissioner, said, "Out of five godowns, we got ripe mangoes at two godows while at remaining godowns, there were no mangoes". Lengrekar further said, "Such raids will continue to curb the sale of chemically ripened mangoes that may prove dangerous to health.

Exclusive: Clash of science and politics "dangerous" - EU food safety chief

LONDON (Reuters) - Politicians who attack the EU agency that ruled the weedkiller glyphosate probably does not cause cancer are in danger of undermining the effectiveness of a body that is key to keeping Europeans safe, its chief warned.

Bernhard Url, executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), said his agency is facing unprecedented criticism after concluding in November 2015 that glyphosate - one of the world's most widely used pesticides and an ingredient in Monsanto's big seller Roundup - was "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans".

Attempts to discredit his agency over its assessment were "unacceptable and short-sighted", he told Reuters in a rare interview, accusing his critics of undermining science to pursue a "political agenda".

"If political actors discredit scientific organisations because they don't like the outcome in one out of 100 cases, they diminish the reputation of an organisation that they as policymakers will need to rely on in future," he said. "From a political perspective it's very unwise".

An international dispute over glyphosate's possible risks to human health has prompted investigations by congressional committees in the United States, and in Europe has forced a delay to a re-licensing decision for Roundup. The EU decision is now due by the end of 2017.

The row erupted after the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a semi-autonomous part of the World Health Organization (WHO), said in March 2015 that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic".

Many other regulators besides the EFSA have since determined it does not pose a cancer risk, however, including the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a joint committee of the WHO and the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Opposition in the European Union has been driven by the European Parliament's Greens-European Free Alliance and by others, including Greenpeace and a group of scientists led by Christopher Portier from the U.S.-based non-governmental organisation, the Environmental Defense Fund.

Greenpeace called the EFSA review a "whitewash" that "defied the world's most authoritative cancer agency in order to please corporations like Monsanto". Portier and more than 90 scientists signed an open letter to European Health Commissioner urging EU authorities to ignore the EFSA's opinion.

The Green alliance asked the EFSA to withdraw its assessment and last month urged European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to delay a decision on glyphosate until the dispute has been sorted out. It says the EFSA review was unduly influenced by industry-backed studies.

Members of the European parliament (MEPs) have "serious concerns regarding the influence of industry on some of the studies used in their assessment," Bart Staes, the alliance's food safety spokesperson, told Reuters in an email on Friday.

Several MEPs have asked for all the studies included in the EFSA assessment to be made public, which it says is impossible because doing so would contravene European law protecting corporate intellectual property. The agency has, however, published some 6,000 pages of data and analyses considered in the assessment, according to Url.

"POLITICAL AGENDA"

Url asked why complaints about EFSA's work seemed to emerge only in response to opinions that clashed with a particular "political agenda".

The same political groups protesting now applauded the EFSA when it said in 2013 that pesticides known as neonicotinoids posed a risk to honeybee health, he said.

"Then they said EFSA had done a great and important job and made a big contribution to the protection of public health.

"But when the same system, the same people, using the same methods, produces something that doesn't fit their political agenda - an agenda that could include for example a different way of doing agriculture in Europe, or banning pesticides... they try to discredit the scientific organization."

The EU imposed restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid chemicals - made and sold by various companies including Bayer CropScience and Syngenta - after EFSA pointed to risks for bees, which are crucial for pollinating crops.

Since its foundation 15 years ago EFSA has issued around 8,000 scientific opinions on subjects from food additives such as acacia gum and lecithin, to plastic containers, to livestock illnesses such as African swine fever and lumpy skin disease.

The vast majority of these have gone unchallenged, Url said, and have been used as intended to inform policymakers as they draft legislation on how the benefits and risks of such substances should be managed in foods for European consumers.

Staes maintained his group values "the important role that ESFA plays in contributing towards the health and safety of the European public" and said it and the ECHA should be supported with more funding and better access to publicly-funded studies as "a welcome counter balance to industry driven research".

Asked why he thinks glyphosate has generated such an intense battle, Url said:

"Glyphosate is a very widely used weedkiller; it's linked to Monsanto; Monsanto is linked to genetically modified organisms; so it's about money, obviously, but also about the way agriculture is done in Europe. There are many people who say we shouldn't use large amounts of agrochemicals."

Url said the EU's current system for risk management "works", and as a result, food is generally safe and public health is protected. Undermining its credibility poses risks for public health and for society, he argued.

"If trust in scientific advice is diminished, the likelihood will be higher that ... the decisions taken will not be the best for society," he said.

Rat in pulao: Akshay Patra says not in their food

AHMEDABAD: Following Wednesday's incident of a dead rat being found in vegetable pulao served during mid-day meal at a government-run primary school in Jamla village, Kalol, the district health department instituted a detailed inspection of Akshaya Patra kitchen at Gandhinagar.

In a press release issued on Thursday by Akshaya Patra, it was claimed that the department has expressed satisfaction over the quality and food safety standards maintained by the kitchen and that it found pest control measures meeting standards of the Indian Pest Control Association (IPCA).

The cooking process was conducted in a hygienic centralized kitchen, the statement said. "It is important to note that food is cooked at a temperature of about 95 to 99 degree centigrade and up to 140 degree centigrade while seasoning in a through stirring and inspection process," read the statement.

The visuals shown in the reports clearly indicate that the incident could have not occurred in our kitchens," claimed the statement.

Akshaya Patra claimed that it has received feedback from other school centres related to the same distribution route which clarify that no illness of any kind was encountered after consumption of the food supplied.

It further added that the raw food material is first inspected according to FSSAI standards, all the vessels which carry prepared food - rice cooking cauldrons, dal or sabzi tanks, dal cookers are thoroughly sterilized by boiling water before usage. "Similarly all the knives, cutting boards undergo the same process before use," stated the press release.

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Raid in hotel finds stale mackerel

Wayside soft drink shops under scanner in Kerala

Commissionerate of Food Safety’s special squad to check use of crushed ice in drinks leading to illness.

The special team will focus on hygiene and ingredients being used in preparation of the drinks. They hope the raids on shops will help contain diarrhoea.

Alappuzha: The Commissionerate of Food Safety launched a special squad to ensure safety of soft drink shops on wayside as it can be causative agent of mass diarrhoea in the summer.

K. Anilkumar, joint commissioner of food safety, said that a five-member team led by an assistant commissioner has been created in every district to control mushrooming wayside soft drink shops which use crushed ice, sarbath and lemon for preparing drinks.

With the mercury rising at an alarming rate these days, carts supplying soft drinks have popped up on the wayside, especially on national and state highway.

For some years now, the district medical office (DMO) had banned sale of fruit juice, welcome drinks, lime juice and Kulukki sarbath' prepared in unhygienic surroundings.

“The team will inspect all shops in the concerned districts and focus on hygiene and ingredients used to prepare drinks.

We found many cases of unhygienic ice in north Kerala. We hope to enforce safety standards with the help of raids in such shops. This year no diarrhoea cases have been reported so far,” Mr Kumar said.

For several years now, soft drinks like lime juice and Kulukki sarbath' have been regular in people's menu during summer. Kochi had become a hot bed of such unconventional drinks.

However, Kulukki sarbath maintains its rock star position in the summer season.

For the last couple of years, the medical wing in the district here had opened a 24-hour functioning control room and the district medical officer (DMO) had urged the district administration to ban these drinks in the wake of number of diarrhoea cases went up.

“We are regular customers at soft drink kiosks, but we were unaware of hygiene of ice pieces being used to prepare it. We opt for it because of its heavenly taste and of course its affordability to our wallets,” says Subhash, a student and an ardent fan of lemonades.

“Owing to the constant demand from fans, soft drinks' now come in an array of flavours — mint, pineapple, strawberry and even masala too. The cost remains the same. You will get this for `10 or `20,” he says.

Last year too the health department and commissionerate of food safety had cracked down on illegal kiosks after it was revealed that ice was manufactured using contaminated water.

Ratheesh from Alappuzha says, “Sale of such drinks, which can cause health hazards, should be curbed.

“According to Kerala Municipal Act, these mobile shops have to secure a licence from the corporation/ Municipality.

The authorities have to take stringent steps to crackdown on illegal kiosks which use ice made of contaminated water,” he demanded.

Vijesh, who run a kulukki sarbath kiosk in Alappuzha-Changanassery road, says he was buying ice from plants where he didn't know how they were prepared.

“We have no intention to serve unhygienic drinks. The authorities have to take action against those who prepare ice pieces,” he said.

Sweet manufacturing unit sealed at Barthana

A team of Food Safety Officers today conducted market inspection in various areas of the Srinagar city during which a sweets manufacturing unit was sealed and other food operators were recommended for prosecution.

The team headed by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar today visited Maharaja Bazaar, Jawahar Nagar, Qamarwari, Barthana and its adjacent markets in the city and found some food establishments operating in total insanitary conditions. Accordingly, 14 such establishments were recommended for prosecution which included 7 meat selling shops.

“Moreover, one sweets manufacturing unit at Barthana was found operating in unhygienic conditions. It was said that the unit authorities were using rusted and damaged utensils in the preparation of sweets and within its premises harmful non-edible chemicals were also recovered. The unit was sealed for further investigation besides samples were lifted for analytical purpose,” a statement of the Food Safety Standard Department said.

Dead rat found in meal at model school

AHMEDABAD: A dead rat was found on Wednesday in the mid-day meal served at a government-run primary school in Jamla village of Kalol taluka in Gandhinagar district. The tail of the rat was found in the dish of a teacher who had taken the food to taste it for safety.

Mansa MLA Amit Chavda, who rushed to the spot, said according to rules, the food has to be checked first by a teacher.

When the teacher took some food in his dish, he found the tail of a rat in it. "Immediately the entire food cooked was checked and a dead rat was found," Chavda said.

The MLA further said that the food was supplied by Akshay Patra. "One much check the quality of the food supplied. In the past also, there were cases of food poisoning in kotwas. However, the forensic report had then stated that the food poisoning had occurred because of contaminated drinking water," Chavda said.

He claimed that Jamla Adarsh Primary School, where the dead rat was found, was declared a model school by the state government. "There are 242 students in the school," the MLA said.

Rajendra Trivedi, commissioner of mid-day meal scheme, admitted that a dead rat had been found in the food.

"In Jamla village, the teacher spotted the rat in the food before it was served to students," he said.

"The department has asked senior officials to look into the incident and find out if there were complaints from any other school. Akshay Patra was supplying food in the schools of Mansa, Kalol and Gandhinagar taluka and, so far, we have not received any complaint," Trivedi said.

Officials said that as it had received several complaints about the quality of food, it was decided that the food will first be tested by the teacher and only then will it be served to students.

Tips on spotting adulteration in spices

Spices are an integral part of Indian cooking. However, the rate at which the adulteration of spices in the country has risen gives rise to serious health concerns. It is important to be able to tell whether the spices you have purchased have been adulterated, and to understand which sources, if any, are safe.

Food adulteration is slowly becoming an epidemic, affecting human lives on a large scale. The use of colours, chemicals, pesticides, and additives is becoming an acceptable but dangerous practice in India, often done for monetary gain without realising its long term and disastrous impact on the health and future of the country, both economically and ecologically. Food adulteration is no longer restricted to local produce, and has found its way into packaged products as well. The presence of starch in paneer to make it thicker, hydrogenated oils and vanaspati in ghee to lend it that rich yellow colour, and even powdered bricks in chili powder raise questions about the quality of the food that we eat.

Adulteration is dangerous as it degenerates the quality of food, making it sub-standard for human consumption. Among spices, the most commonly adulterated items include coriander, dried ginger powder, dried red chili, cardamom, cumin powder, pickle powder, garam masala, curd chili, chili powder, fennel seeds, Kashmiri chili powder, rasam powder, and curry powder, which contain pesticides exceeding the permitted limits prescribed by the European Union. In India, the agricultural sector uses an overwhelming amount of pesticide, which eventually gets absorbed into the air and later the water, giving rise to a vicious cycle.

Thus, it is becoming imperative that we buy and consume spices that are safe, as adulterated spices can have many adverse effects on our health like nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. Most often, spices like turmeric powder, chili powder, and other powdered spices have a high percentage of residual pesticides in them. These spices are also known to be adulterated, as they can be easily mixed with food colouring, added starch, coloured saw dust, or even brick powder, cutting costs for the sellers.

Below are some of the simple tests that can be conducted at home to identify the presence of adulteration in spices:

Turmeric powder: Indian cooking is incomplete without the use of turmeric powder. However, a commonly used adulterant here is lead chromate, which gives it a bright yellow tinge and is insoluble in water. To detect the presence of lead chromate, the powder can be mixed with water and placed in a beaker. If adulterated, it will immediately leak colour.

Red chili powder: Red chili powder is the most commonly used spice in any Indian household, and is perhaps also the most adulterated spice. Among the most commonly used adulterants in chili powder are saw dust and brick powder. Add a teaspoon of chili powder to a glass of water and swirl it. Adulterated chili powder will dispel a red swirl of colour.

Powdered spices: Starch, food colours, dust, and even horse dung are some of the commonly used adulterants in powdered spices, and can lead to serious health complications. Immersing powdered spices in water will ensure that the adulterants float on the surface of the water, while the remaining spices settle at the bottom.

Indian food is incomplete without the addition of masala powders and spices, but with this menace of contamination of spices, it can become a health hazard if consumed daily. The best way to avoid consuming spices that are adulterated is to buy them from a trusted source that packages them after being checked by food regulatory boards and carries either an ISI mark or an Agmark stamp.

‘Water sold in bubble top containers has high chlorine level’

Bubble top water containers of 20 litres have once again come under the scanner of FSSAI as a few samples were found not conforming to standards. (Photo for illustrative purpose only).

The level in two samples was more than 300 ppm while permitted level is 2 ppm

Samples of 20 litre bubble top packaged water lifted from Coimbatore were tested ‘not conforming to standards’ in microbiological examinations conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently.

Food safety officials here said that the main deformity found in the samples was high presence of chlorine.

Of the ten samples collected and tested from Coimbatore, two have been found not conforming to standards even after two rounds of examination.

According to FSSAI officials, seven out of the ten samples collected were initially tested positive for inordinate presence of microbiological organisms and chlorine. The seven units were served closure notice. However, three units moved court and obtained permission to improve their standards.

FSSAI later allowed the remaining four units to open their plants and improve their quality.

“Samples were collected for a second time from the three units that approached court. However, two of them did not conform to standards,” said O.L.S. Vijay, designated officer, FSSAI, Coimbatore.

Mr. Vijay said that the chlorine level in the two samples tested in the second time was more than 300 ppm (parts per million) whereas the permitted level is 2 ppm.

According to food safety officials, the main reason for high presence of chlorine in the water was improper filtering during the bottling process. They said that the bottling units often compromised to change the membrane used for filtering raw water.

“The cost of the membrane ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. Hence bottling units use the membrane for a longer period which affects the filtering process. The membrane need to be changed at frequent intervals based on the volume of water filtered,” said a food safety official.

FSSAI is planning to conduct an education and awareness programme for bottling units selling drinking water in 20 litre bubble top containers.

“There are 74 units bottling and selling drinking water in 20 litre containers. They will be called for an awareness session covering all aspects of the filtration and bottling process,” said Mr. Vijay.

250 litres of oil seized

About 250 litres of edible oil that was not sold in sealed packets were seized by officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department here on Thursday.

Based on complaints, a team led by T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, and food safety officials inspected two oil shops and one grocery shops in Kalarampatti, Karungalpatti and Kondalampatti and found edible oil sold in containers. Officials said that as per the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, edible oil has to be sold in sealed packets. Officials seized the oil and destroyed it. Shopkeepers were asked to sell the oil only in packets.

On Wednesday, the team inspected a godown on Longley Road and found 2,000 kg of green coloured fennel seeds kept in stock for sales. Officials said that non-permitted green colour is used for colouring the seeds which is banned as per the act. Sample was taken and sent to Food Laboratory in Guindy. The gunny bags were sealed in the godown.

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காலாவதியான உணவு பொருள் குளிர்பானங்கள் அதிரடி பறிமுதல்

விழுப்புரம்: விழுப்புரத்தில் காலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்கள் மற்றும் குளிர்பானங்களை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

விழுப்புரம் பழைய பஸ் நிலையம் மற்றும் புதிய பஸ் நிலையத்தில் உள்ள கடைகளில், மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் டாக்டர் வரலட்சுமி தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர்.

இப்பணியில், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் சங்கரலிங்கம், ரவிக்குமார், சமரேசன், முருகன், ஜெயராஜ் மற்றும் கதிரவன் ஆகியோர் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

ஆய்வில், காலாவதியான 25 கிலோ உணவு பொருட்கள், 70 பாட்டில் குளிர்பானங்கள், 10 கிலோ தடைசெய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை மற்றும் 5 கிலோ கலப்பட டீ துாள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து காலாவதியான பொருட்களை, அழித்தனர்.

அனைத்து வணிகர்களும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையிடம் பதிவுச்சான்று பெற வேண்டும் கலெக்டர் உத்தரவு

திருப்பூர்,

திருப்பூர் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை செயல்பாடுகள் குறித்து ஆய்வுக்கூட்டம் கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்தில் நேற்று நடைபெற்றது. கூட்டத்துக்கு கலெக்டர் எஸ்.ஜெயந்தி தலைமை தாங்கினார்.

கூட்டத்தில் அவர் பேசியதாவது:–

கோடை காலமாக இருப்பதால் சுத்திகரிக்கப்பட்ட குடிநீர் பாக்கெட், பாட்டில் மற்றும் கேன்கள் தரமாக உள்ளதா? எனவும் பாக்கெட்டுகளில் தயாரிப்பு முகவரி மற்றும் தேதி ஆகியவற்றை ஆய்வு செய்து அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். அனைத்து பழக்கடைகள் மற்றும் குளிர்பான கடைகளில் விற்கப்படும் பழங்கள், குளிர்பானங்கள், குளிர்பானங்களில் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் ஐஸ், மோர், சர்பத் மற்றும் தண்ணீர் தரமாகவும் பாதுகாப்பாகவும் உள்ளதா? என ஆய்வு செய்ய வேண்டும்.

தெருவோர கடைகளில் விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் தேநீர் மற்றும் போண்டா, பஜ்ஜி போன்ற உணவு பண்டங்களின் தரத்தை பரிசோதனை செய்ய வேண்டும். நடைபாதையோரம் விற்கப்படும் கோழி இறைச்சி, மீன் கடைகளை பாதுகாப்பான இடத்தில் வைத்து விற்பனை செய்ய வேண்டும். இறைச்சி கடைகளில் விற்கப்படும் இறைச்சிகள், வதைக்கூடத்தில் கால்நடை டாக்டரின் சான்று பெற்று விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறதா? என ஆய்வு செய்ய வேண்டும்.உரிமம்

அரசு மற்றும் அரசு சார்ந்த உணவு வணிக நிறுவனங்களான ரே‌ஷன் கடைகள், உணவு பொருள் சேமிப்பு கிடங்குகள், கூட்டுறவு அங்காடிகள், அம்மா உணவகம் மற்றும் அம்மா மருந்தகங்கள், கோவில் அன்னதான மையங்கள், சமூக நலத்துறையின் கீழ் செயல்படும் அரசு உணவு விடுதிகள், அங்கன்வாடி மையங்கள் மற்றும் பள்ளி சத்துணவு மையங்கள் ஆகியவை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையிடம் உரிமம் மற்றும் பதிவுச்சான்று பெற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

பண்டிகை காலங்கள் மற்றும் கோவில் திருவிழாக்களின்போது இந்து சமய அறநிலையத்துறையை சேர்ந்த செயல் அதிகாரிகள், தெருவோரமாக விற்பனை செய்யும் கடை ஒப்பந்ததாரர்களிடம் கடைகளை ஏலம் விடும்போது உணவு பாதுகாப்பு பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள சிறுவணிகர்கள் முதல் அனைத்து உணவு வணிகர்கள் மற்றும் தனியார் மறுவாழ்வு இல்ல காப்பகங்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையிடம் பதிவுச்சான்று மற்றும் உரிமம் பெற்று வணிகம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.

இவ்வாறு கலெக்டர் கூறினார்.

கூட்டத்தில் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை நியமன அதிகாரி தமிழ்செல்வன் மற்றும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அலுவலர்கள் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Food safety officials put ‘plastic’ eggs rumour to rest

Samples lifted from different place were tested safe

While the scare created by rumours on ‘plastic’ eggs being sold in the market is yet to settle down, samples lifted and tested by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials here found it to be safe.

FSSAI officials here said that six egg samples lifted from different places and sent for laboratory examination were tested safe with no deformity detected. The samples were tested at Government food safety laboratory in Madurai.

The examination subjected protein, cholesterol, fat, sodium and other nutrients present in the egg samples. The shell of the egg samples were also subjected to examination. “All the samples sent for laboratory examination conformed to standards. No deformity or artificiality was found in the samples,” said O.L.S. Vijay, designated officer of FSSAI in Coimbatore.

Dr. Vijay said that hardening of inner and outer shell membrane of the eggs was dubbed as plastic egg. “The inner shell membrane of the egg, the thin membrane coming in touch with the egg white (albumen), may become harder when it is older than 15 days. Due to this, the hardened inner shell membrane may look like a thin white layer with elasticity when boiled or fried,” said Dr. Vijay.

Similarly, the outer shell membrane lying between inner shell membrane and white outer shell also gets thickened as the egg becomes older.

According to Dr. Vijay, lack of calcium in the feed given to chicken may result in the texture and quality of the outer shell. The shell becomes delicate when there is an acute deficiency of calcium.

While feeds for egg laying chickens in farms used to include varied sources of calcium including calcium powder, crushed corn and dry fish in the olden days, egg producers are learnt to be using calcium solutions nowadays.

Food safety officials said that eggs produced in Namakkal are now stamped with “best use before date” so that buyers use them before the inner shell membrane gets harder. The best use before date stamped is normally 15 days from the date of egg laying.

FSSAI officials here had received two complaints from consumers who alleged that artificial eggs with plastic presence are sold in market. While one complaint was sent by a resident of Saravanampatti in March, the second complaint was from a resident of Masakalipalayam near Singanallur in April.

Regulator to clamp down on adulteration of food sold in loose form

FSSAI also wants FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) companies to introduce smaller pack sizes in small cities, sources told CNBC-TV18.

India's food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is working on stringent measures to curb food adulteration across the country. It is particularly worried about adulteration in food items sold in loose form.

FSSAI also wants FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) companies to introduce smaller pack sizes in small cities, sources told CNBC-TV18. The request for small pack sizes is for products such as spices and edible oil.

The regulator is soon going to launch a food safety awareness drive in the country, which will be rolled out in a phased manner.

It is in talks with companies like Britannia, DS Group and Tetrapak to raise funds for the campaign.

The campaign will begin with the National Capital Region.

Tobacco products seized

Banned tobacco products were seized and a fine of Rs. 23,500 was imposed on nine persons in a joint crackdown launched by Thoothukudi Corporation and Food Safety Department officials here on Wednesday.

Awareness programme conducted for fruit vendors in Chennai

CHENNAI: Anticipating an increase in artificial ripening of fruits as summer peaks, Tamil Nadu's food safety department on Wednesday held an awareness programme for fruits vendors' associations and retailers.

At the event held in the district collectorate here, senior health officials spoke about the ill effects of calcium carbide - the most commonly used chemical for speeding up the ripening process. They warned retailers and middlemen of strict action in the coming days as the department will intensify the drive.

In March, food safety officials seized a total of 4,000kg of artificially ripened fruits from the wholesale market in Koyambedu, including mangoes, sapotta and papaya. They also seized 75kg of calcium carbide stones.

Food safety officials said during the inspection, many of the vendors claimed that they were in the dark about the harmful effects of calcium carbide, known to damage the kidney and liver and cause ulcers and gastric problems.

"The practice is so rampant that many still don't know the dangers of calcium carbide, even if taken in moderate measures," said R Kathiravan, designated officer of the food safety and drug administration department, Chennai district.

Some vendors also resort to burning kerosene stove or incense sticks in closed rooms to quicken the ripening process. Experts say these methods give the mangoes a bright yellow and have a longer shelf life but are dangerous to eat.

Calcium carbide is banned under Section 44A of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, but is widely used by fruit merchants. The chemical in solid form is kept wrapped in paper among the fruits. It reacts with water to form acetylene, which catalyses the ripening process.

Food safety officials said if vendors were caught selling artificially ripened fruits, they would be booked under Section 57 of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, which could invite a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The public can also inform the department on shops selling artificially ripened fruits. Phone: 044-23813095 and email dofssache@gmail.com.

Finding rules ‘tough’, meat shop owners in Ghaziabad plan to down shutter permanently

Under the guidelines, the shop owners cannot slaughter birds or animals on the premises and have to maintain regular hygiene, besides making arrangements for procuring meat from licensed slaughterhouses.

A majority of small-scale and marginal owners of meat shops are likely to down shutters permanently as they are finding it tough to comply with the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business), Regulations of 2011.

The district authorities in Ghaziabad had started the process of registering meat shops under the guidelines issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), but shop owners are sceptical of meeting the necessary conditions.

“It has been over a month now since I shut my shop. The entire family is tensed as there is no money flowing in. Students have to start their next academic school session but we have delayed paying their fees and purchasing books due to the fund crunch. Although we have run the shop properly for three decades and have also applied online, the new guidelines have become a barrier for restarting the business,” said Yaad Ilahi Qureshi, a meat shop owner at Raj Nagar.

“Officials say that meat shop cannot be allowed as it is located near a ‘halwai’ shop. We have operated from here for the last three decades and nobody objected to it. Still, officials say that guidelines have to be followed,” he said.

Another shop owner said that a delegation will be going to Lucknow for attending a protest proposed on Thursday.

“Many shop owners renovated their shops, put up tinted glasses, made arrangements for drainage and other facilities but the guidelines are tough to adhere to. Roadside vendors will go out of business and we are also against their operations. But what about those who have been running a shop for years?” said Chand Qureshi, a shop owner.

Under the guidelines, the shop owners cannot slaughter birds or animals on the premises and have to maintain regular hygiene, besides making arrangements for procuring meat from licensed slaughterhouses.

“My shop has been located near a masjid for the last 50 years, but the officials have denied permission, on the basis that it is near a religious place. I also obtained a letter from the Imam of the masjid, that he has no objection, but it did not make a difference. It has been nearly a month since I shut shop. We are uneducated and don’t understand the intricacies of the guidelines,” said Haji Yasin from ‘Meat Vyapar Sangh.’

Shop owners also blamed the corporation for allowing their operations without renewing their licence.

“There is no option left. Some shop owners are thinking of shutting shop permanently while some are trying to relocate their shops elsewhere. However, the major problem that we have no earning as we have stopped the sale of meat,” said Jameel Qureshi, a shop owner.

District magistrate Nidhi Kesarwani said that the “guidelines have to be followed at any cost by the shop owners and there can be no relaxation for any shop owner.”

UP to issue 5,000 food licences, registrations across state

Meerut: To increase the number of legal eateries and food joints, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) units to issue as many as 5,000 new food licences and registrations across the state. Meerut alone has a target of issuing 80 new food licences and 200 new registrations. This, interestingly, is a part of 100-day action plan of the newly formed BJP government.

Randheer Singh, designated officer, FSDA, Meerut, said, “At a recent meeting in Lucknow, certain guidelines have been issued to the department to be implemented within 100 days. One of the most important decisions taken at the meeting was to increase the number of registrations and licences for operating food units in the entire state. This order will put food shops and units running without licence or registration under the scanner of the authorities.”

According to the norms, any food outlet with an income of Rs 12 lakh annually needs to get registered by FSDA’s food safety officer. Similarly, any food outlet with an income between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 30 crore needs to get a food licence from the designated officer of their respective district. Food outlets earning over Rs 30 crore per annum must get licences from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

“In Meerut district, we have to issue 80 licences and get 200 registrations done. All this has to be completed in a span of 100 days,” said Randheer Singh.

Meanwhile, the FSDA department will also conduct awareness programmes at public and religious places to make people aware about food licences and the norms of the department, which have to be followed if a shopkeeper is selling any food item.

“Court cases also have to be disposed of in 90 days’ time and delays have to be checked. Also, instructions have been given to keep a check on adulteration of milk, milk products, edible oil and spices,” said Singh.

Meat shops start getting licences in Ghaziabad

GHAZIABAD: The district administration has for the first time started issuing meatshop licences to applicants about a month after the official March 22 crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops in Ghaziabad district. On Tuesday, the food safety department of the administration issued three licences to applicants for setting up retail meat shops.

Two of the three licences issued are for setting up shops in Rajnagar District Centre while one is for a shop in Bhopura. About 200 prospective meat shopowners in Ghaziabad have so far filed online applications with the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) out of which 140 have submitted hard copies of requisite documents.

"The three shops that have been issued licences can sell meat on retail including poultry and fish. However, they have not been provided with the licence to slaughter animals," said A K Jaiswal, food safety officer.

The FSSAI has processed 19 applications and sent them to their respective local municipal bodies for no-objection certificates. However, 16 of these application forms were rejected for not fulfilling certain terms and conditions.

Officials said the rejected application forms will be considered afresh for clearance if the applicants have fulfilled all the terms and conditions.

A set of 17 terms and conditions have been listed by the FSSAI for procuring licences for meat shops. The administration is helping licence-seekers file online application forms through the Jan Sewa Kendras or common services centres.

Misbranded vermicelli operators penalized

Panaji: A penalty of Rs 5,000 each has been imposed on three food business operators for selling misbranded vermicelli.

Adjudicating officer and district magistrate, North Goa, Nila Mohanan, under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, has imposed the penalty on manufacturing firm Prayag Foods Pvt Ltd, Thane, Maharashtra, for manufacturing 'vermicelli', distributor Shree Ganesh Traders and food business operator Nagesh N Naik of Shree Ganesh Traders, Mollar, Corlim, for selling vermicelli, which was declared to be misbranded by the food analyst of the food and drugs laboratory, Bambolim, under the provisions of the food safety act.

Food safety: 161 hotels raided across State

7,62,000 collected as fines, notice given to 112 hotels, three ordered shut

As many as 161 eateries across the State were raided for food safety and quality by special teams from the office of the Food Safety Commissioner on Wednesday.

A pressnote issued here said fines to the extent of ₹7,62,000 were slapped on select eateries and improvement notices were given to 112 hotels. Three eateries were ordered shut.

In Thiurvananthapuram, 11 hotels were raided and the fine imposed was ₹7,200. Improvement notices were given to nine eateries. In Kollam district, 17 hotels were raided and the fine imposed was ₹85,000. One eatery was ordered shut and improvement notices were served on others.

In Alappuzha, seven hotels were raided and fines to the tune of ₹1,05,000 were imposed and improvement notices were issued to six eateries. In Pathanamthitta, nine eateries were raided and improvement notices were issued to five. The fine levied was ₹32,000. In Kottayam, 10 eateries were raided and ₹70,000 was levied as fine. Improvement notices were issued to six eateries.

In Idukki, raids were held at 13 places and notices issued to 10 eateries. The fine imposed amounts to ₹51,000. In Ernakulam, 15 eateries were raided and a fine of ₹75,000 was imposed. Improvement notice was issued to one eatery. In Thrissur, 15 eateries were raided and notices issued to 10. The fine imposed was ₹65,000.

In Palakkad, 13 hotels were raided and ₹20,000 levied as fine. Seven hotels were issued improvement notices. In Malappuram, 13 eateries were raided and fines of ₹12,000 were imposed. Six eateries were given improvement notices. In Kozhikode, 10 hotels were raided and eight were given improvement notices. A fine of ₹35,000 was levied. In Wayanad, six eateries were raided and a fine of ₹55,000 was imposed. While one outlet was closed, improvement notices were issued to 6.

In Kasaragod, 12 outlets were raided and one eatery was ordered closed. Improvement notices were issued to the others. A fine of ₹54,000 was levied. In Kannur, 10 hotels were raided and fine of ₹31,000 was levied. Nine hotels were given improvement notices.

Quality-related complaints about hotels and eateries can be made at the toll-free number 1800 425 1125, the press note added.

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2,000 கிலோ கலப்பட சோம்பு பறிமுதல்

சேலம்: சேலத்தில், 2,000 கிலோ கலப்பட சோம்பு பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. சேலம், செவ்வாய்ப்பேட்டை, பால்மார்க்கெட், லாங்லிரோடு பகுதியில் உள்ள மளிகை கடைகளில், கலப்பட பொருட்கள் விற்பதாக, அடிக்கடி புகார் எழுந்தது. இதனால், மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா தலைமையில், அலுவலர்கள் நேற்று சோதனை மேற்கொண்டனர். மளிகை கடை, குடோன் என, 20க்கும் மேற்பட்ட இடங்களில், காலை, 10:30 மணி முதல், மதியம், 1:30 மணி வரை சோதனை நடந்தது. அதில், கோபால் என்பவருக்கு சொந்தமான குடோனில், பச்சை சாயம் ஏற்றப்பட்ட, 2,000 கிலோ கலப்பட சோம்பு பதுக்கி வைத்திருந்தது கண்டுபிடித்து, அவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

அனுராதா கூறுகையில், ''பறிமுதல் செய்த கலப்பட சோம்பின் மதிப்பு, 2.6 லட்சம் ரூபாய். அதன் மாதிரி எடுத்து, பகுப்பாய்வுக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டு, உரிமையாளர் கோபாலுக்கு நோட்டீஸ் வழங்கி உள்ளோம்,'' என்றார்.

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