FOOD SAFETY LATEST

Sep 2, 2017

Imported chocolates seized for violating labeling norms in Srinagar

Srinagar Sep 1 (UNI) The Legal Metrology department under the supervision of Deputy Controller (Enforcement) Kashmir booked a departmental store in Srinagar at Karan Nagar for selling imported chocolates and biscuits without the mandatory declaration of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and trade name of the importer.

Under Legal Metrology laws, every packed product should carry the mandatory declarations including MRP and trade name of importer with consumer care details, an official spokesman said here this afternoon.

He said the erring store failed to produce the bills of importer and as a result, the retailer was held responsible for the offence and an amount of Rs 2,000 was slapped as fine on the erring store.

In another instance, a bakery shop was found indulging in short-weighing of packed biscuits. The net quantity declared on the label of biscuit packs was 1 kg whereas when the net contents were weighed, they were found short by 30 grams and the department penalised the bakery shop with Rs 2000 fine.

The department also conducted joint market checking with Drug and Food Organisation, SMC, Revenue, Police under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar namely and booked a number of erring traders for violating different provisions of laws. Moreover, pavements occupied by vendors were cleared at many places by the officials of SMC.

Food Safety Officers also lifted some samples of food for analysis. The markets of Batamalloo, Karn Nagar, Kaka Sarai and Qamarwari were inspected. One team headed by Tehsildar Hazaratbal also conducted joint inspection with Legal Metrology department in the localities of Kanitar, Sadrebal, Hazrarbal, Habbak etc and booked 22 erring traders for which LMD collected a fine of Rs 15,200.

2,000 join online plea against caged hens

PUNE: As many as 2,000 consumers have taken to the social media to join Pune-based animal protection organisation, Animal Equality, demanding that McDonald's stop procuring eggs from caged hens. They want the multinational to opt for eggs from cage-free hens.

The consumers signed an Animal Equality petition for better treatment of hens. "Consumers also took selfies holding signs saying 'No more cages', urging McDonald's to ban cages. Their company leaders were sent emails requesting better treatment of the birds," Amruta Ubale, executive director of Animal Equality, said.

Ubale said hens in the factory farms are restricted in small wire cages. "They cannot spread their wings and are deprived of the freedom to express natural behaviour while the wire floor of the cage causes their feet to become sore, cracked, deformed, and bloody," she added.

In a response to an e-mail sent by TOI, 'a statement from McDonald's India - West & South said' said, " The transition to cage-free eggs requires the collaboration of industry bodies, governments, supply partners and local farms to establish a sustainable solution in India, one that achieves both local regulatory requirements and McDonald's high standards of food safety and animal health and welfare."

Sep 1, 2017

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEW

Food on trains more tasty? Could be crackdown effect

Poultry waste spreading drug-resistant bacteria: Study

Misuse of antibiotics in poultry farms is leading to multi-drug resistant bacteria which is spreading into the environment through unsafe disposal of poultry litter

The study found that antibiotics were being used in poultry farms and that the litter was used as manure in neighbouring agricultural lands.

New Delhi: Misuse of antibiotics in poultry farms is leading to multi-drug resistant bacteria which is spreading into the environment through unsafe disposal of poultry litter and waste in agricultural fields, with the potential to infect human beings, a new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) warns.

Urging the government to control the “rampant antibiotic misuse”, the thinktank urged the environment ministry and central and state pollution control boards to bring in laws and standards ensure monitoring and surveillance.

In 2014, another CSE study had said that there is a possibility that one in every two chicken consumed in India has a strong presence of antibiotics, which could be leading to growing antibiotic-resistance in humans.

For the present study, CSE collected samples of litter and soil from in and around 12 randomly selected poultry farms in four key poultry-producing states in north India—Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab. The farms were spread out across 12 different clusters in nine districts.

“A total of 217 isolates of three types of bacteria – E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus lentus —were extracted and tested for resistance against 16 antibiotics. Ten of these antibiotics have been declared Critically Important (CI) for humans by the World Health Organization (WHO),” the study said.

The study found that antibiotics were being used in these poultry farms and that the litter was used as manure in neighbouring agricultural lands. The poultry sector is estimated to be worth Rs1 trillion in India, which is among the top five eggs and chicken producers in the world.

“Antibiotic misuse is common in the poultry sector. What makes the situation worse is the fact that the sector is also plagued with poor waste management. Therefore we first wanted to understand the extent of antibiotic resistance in the poultry environment, and then establish if the resistance bacteria is moving out of the poultry farms into the environment through waste disposal,” said Chandra Bhushan, CSE’s deputy director general while releasing the study on Thursday.

The study said if bacteria are resistant to antibiotics of at least three classes, they are considered multi-drug resistant, adding 100% of the E. coli, 92% of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 78% of Staphylococcus lentus isolated from the poultry environment were multi-drug resistant,

About 40% of E. coli and 30% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were resistant to at least 10 out of 13 antibiotics against which these bacteria were tested for resistance, said the study.

“Both E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae had very high resistance to antibiotics of critical importance to humans such as penicillins, fluoroquinolones, third and fourth generation cephalosporins and carbapenems, which is a last resort antibiotic used in hospitals,” the study added.

Bhushan warned, “In humans, E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause infections which are becoming difficult to treat due to high resistance.”

“Disturbingly, we found very high resistance in E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from the poultry environment. In some of the isolates, all antibiotics that we tested were ineffective. If these bacteria infect a human, then hardly any medicine will work as cure,” he added.

The study also found strong similarity in the resistance pattern of E. coli from the litter and from agricultural soil in the surrounding areas where the litter was used as manure.

“This similarity was statistically established by the study,” it added.

“This indicates that the multi-drug resistant E. coli being created in the poultry farms is entering the environment through litter. From the agricultural fields, these bacteria can go anywhere – into groundwater and food – and can infect agricultural workers and animals, thereby becoming a public health threat,” said Amit Khurana, senior programme manager of CSE’s food safety and toxins team.

In April 2017, India’s health minister J.P. Nadda announced the finalization of India’s comprehensive and multi-sectoral National Action Plan (NAP) to combat Antimicrobial Resistance. The government had pledged to adopt a “holistic and collaborative approach towards prevention and containment of AMR in India”.

Bhushan said the NAP must be properly supported and funded by the Union government.

“We must eliminate the use of antibiotics as growth promoter in the poultry industry. Antibiotics should be used as a last resort to control the disease. This is the only way we can reduce the creation and spread of antibiotics resistance,” Bhushan said.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation to make food vendor's registration compulsory

KOLKATA: Kolkata Municipal Corporation plans to bring city's food vendors under a compulsory registration scheme. The idea behind such a plan is to ensure hygiene of the food being sold in the open as prescribed by Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The KMC in association with FSSAI will train city's food vendors or hawkers on how to prepare food following basic health standard and sell the same following the hygiene norms.

Similarly, sweet sellers will be advised not to use chemicals to bring colours to the food item. In addition to the workshop which is being organized by the union health and family welfare ministry, the KMC will organize several training sessions for the food vendors across the city from September 15 to October 1. "We will teach them how to prepare and sell food items following the FSSAI guidelines.

After successful completion of the training session, a food vendor can apply for registration. In that case, our food safety officers will pay surprise visits to the stalls and submit their reports on the state of health and hygiene of food that an applicant is serving to the customers. If the report goes in favour of a particular food vendor, he will be eligible for our registration scheme," Atin Ghosh, the member, mayor-in-council overseeing the KMC health department said on Wednesday.

According to a KMC health department official, the civic body took such a plan after conducting anti-adulteration drives across the city. After examination of food samples such as Biryani, noodles, snacks or sweets in the KMC laboratories it was found that some of these food items were unfit for human consumption. "Side by side with the training sessions, we will conduct anti-adulteration drives during the puja days.

The drive will be conducted not only in the pavement food stalls but some major hotels and restaurants will also come under the drive," the civic official said.

Compulsory registration scheme mooted for Kolkata food vendors

With this aim in mind, the KMC will invite representatives of city's food hawkers' union to a workshop on food safety and standard to be held in the city on September 13. The workshop will train a vendor the essentials of doing away with adulteration in food. For example, the workshop will focus on the exact means of cooking Biryani without mixing unapproved colours to make the food attractive to the buyers. Similarly, sweet sellers will be advised not to use chemicals to bring colours to the food item. In addition to the workshop which is being organized by the union health and family welfare ministry, the KMC will organize several training sessions for the food vendors across the city from September 15 to October 1.

"We will teach them how to prepare and sell food items following the FSSAI guidelines. After successful completion of the training session, a food vendor can apply for registration. In that case, our food safety officers will pay surprise visits to the stalls and submit their reports on the state of health and hygiene of food that an applicant is serving to the customers. If the report goes in favour of a particular food vendor, he will be eligible for our registration scheme," Atin Ghosh, the member, mayor-in-council overseeing the KMC health department said on Wednesday.

Quick facts:

Number of city's food vendors: 1 lakh

The civic initiative for city's food vendors: Bringing them under a compulsory registration scheme

The aim: To make them responsible in serving quality food as prescribed by FSSAI.

The process: They will have to take part in several workshops to be organized by FSSAI and the KMC health department.

The KMC food safety officials will then pay surprise visits to the stalls before recommending for registration.

Food safety inspections at hotels

The health wing of the city Corporation inspected Buhari hotel at Attakulangara and Ariya Nivas at Aristo Junction on Thursday. Notice was issued to Buhari hotel to take steps to improve the hygiene there urgently. At Ariya Nivas, the health wing seized at least 200 kg of plastic carry bags used for packing food. The inspections were led by Corporation health officer Sasikumar, health supervisors Ushakaran and Rameshkumar, and health inspector N.V. Anilkumar. Inspections at hotels will continue in the days to come, a statement from the Corporation said.

Improvement notices served to city restaurants

Thiruvananthapuram: Use of monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as 'ajinomoto', is rampant in restaurants serving Chinese food in the city.

As part of a raid conducted by the food safety department, improvement notices were served and fines imposed on restaurants which did not display notices stating that they are using MSG in food items. The raid was conducted in view of the Bakrid-Onam festival season.

As MSG is not banned by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the department cannot restrict its usage. However, in an order issued two years ago, the food safety department had made it mandatory for restaurants using MSG to display it so that pregnant women and children will be on alert. But none of the restaurants displayed the statement. Many restaurants in the city have displayed that they are not using this taste enhancing food additive, creating a positive feel among consumers.

The food safety officials informed that they have found rampant use of MSG, but the eateries violated norms by not informing the consumers.

"If you take packaged products, it will clearly state that MSG is included. That is applicable to restaurants too. Studies have proved that consumption of MSG is not good for children below one year of age and pregnant women," the officials said.

Apart from use of MSG, the common food safety violation noticed in eateries in the city was improper use of freezers.

"The freezers were not used properly. As per norms, freezer must be used at -18 degree celsius and fridge at 4 degree celsius. The temperature was not maintained.

Also cooked, half-cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were kept together in plastic wraps. This would lead to contamination," an official said.

The food safety officials also found that most of the employees of restaurants lacked medical fitness certificates.

The department has formed three squads for the district. Of this, the squad formed for the city has conducted inspections in 139 eateries and slapped improvement notices on 51 institutions. A fine of Rs 2.15 lakh was slapped on various eateries.

Soon, food biz will require staff certified in safety, hygiene practices

Panaji: Training those involved in the food business in way of good sanitary and hygiene practices is a prerequisite to food safety and this is exactly what Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) recently launched the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme is looking to achieve.

In Goa, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is getting ready to commence implementation of the programme starting in the month of October.

"The programme entails training persons in food safety and nutrition through private participation. Empanelled auditors will conduct training programmes of varied durations," said FDA director Salim Veljee, adding that as directed by the FSSAI, for the first two years, the FoSTac certification will be voluntary.

"(Eventually) it will be mandatory for food establishments to recruit a person holding FoSTac certification under the FoSTac regime, and the person will have to ensure food safety and hygiene at his/her place of employment," said Veljee, adding, some 3000-odd food premises in Goa will be brought under the ambit of the programme.

Veljee said that with the implementation of this programme FDA would not need to carry out training and awareness campaigns in food safety from to time, adding that the involvement of private auditors will ease their job, leaving FDA staff to carry out their other functions that they would have had to otherwise defer due to time constraints.

"We cannot keep a 24X7 vigil. It is simply not possible," said Veljee, adding that their limited staff strength did not permit them to check each and every eatery on a regular basis. The FDA is already in talks with various stakeholders in the state to enable the programme to commence in October.

Training partners will broadly include trade, professional and scientific associations, licensed food businesses, recognized academic and vocational institutions, those approved by various sectors of skill councils and other government schemes, and other training agencies, who have had at least three years of experience at the national or international level in training in food safety and nutrition.

For FDA, the FoSTac is a big step that would change the working of food establishments. There will be different levels of programmes covering various segments and duration of training programmes would vary depending on the targeted segment.

Veljee said a person running a 'gaada' selling vada pao will not able to devote eight hours of day to attend a training programme. For him and other such people, a training programme of shorter duration has been drawn.

FSSAI asks States to inspect units manufacturing, processing edible oil over compliance of max 5% trans fatty acids norm

FSSAI asks States to inspect units manufacturing, processing edible oil over compliance of max 5% trans fatty acids norm

New Delhi, Aug 31 (KNN) Food quality watchdog Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked the states to inspect the units manufacturing and processing edible oil, particularly those with large capacity, to verify compliance to the notification revising maximum limit of trans fatty acids.

Through a notification dated August 4, 2015 FSSAI had revised maximum limit of trans fatty acids to be not more than 5 per cent in Interesterified Vegetable Fat/ Oil, Margarine and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils.

The timeline for compliance of the notification was extended up to February 27, 2017 through notification dated August 10, 2016.

Now, FSSAI on completion of deadline has asked Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/ UTs to take up special drive to inspect the units in this regard.

It has asked the Commissioners to furnish details on action taken report regarding compliance of notification; data on trans-fatty acids in interestified vegetable fat/ oil, margarine and hydrogenated vegetable oils; and report from FBOs on the technological changes, in any, carried out to bring down trans fatty acids within 5 per cent limit.

The reports have to be sent to FSSAI by September 30, 2017

Market checking team realizes Rs 5000 as fine

RAJOURI, Aug 31: In view of upcoming festive days of Eid-ul-Azha, a special squad comprising of AD FCS&CA Javaid Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety and Standards, Assistant Controller Legal Metrology and officials of revenue, municipality, animal husbandry department and police today conducted extensive market checking and booked the defaulters under relevant sections of Food Safety Act.

In order to contain profiteering, blackmarketting and hoarding besides ensuring the quality of food items, fruits and vegetables the joint team held market checking in the main town including Gujjar Mandi, Malik Market and other adjoining markets. A huge quantity of adulterated food items, rotten fruits and vegetables, and expired packs of juices and milk were destroyed by the team and Rupees five thousand was realised from the defaulters.

The team also inspected various chicken and meat establishments in the town and instructed the concerned to strictly adhere to the laid down.

Online registration for FBOs

Imphal, August 31 2017: Designated Officer/Chief Medical Officer, Tamenglong district, in a statement informed all the Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the district that Online Licensing/Registration may be available on the website www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in.

It asked the FBOs to comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations, 2011

How to choose the right health supplement

Experts shares some important facts before you choose a health suppliment.

Fitness today is a far more integral part of daily life than ever before. We all want toned bodies, firm muscles, right weight and an appealing appearance.

For that we do extensive workouts. Working out burns up calories and we need supplements to make up for the energy loss and to avoid exhaustion. A good supplement ensures that you get adequate and measurable essential nutrients. Sportspersons and athletes, especially, need supplements for stamina and post-workout recovery.

There are a number of supplements in the market. But you need to read the label carefully. Here's what, according to Manpreet Kaur, nutritionist at Proquest Nutrition, one should look out for and what you should guard against, while picking up nutritional supplements.

Look out for:

Nutritional supplements help athletes meet their increased protein requirement. Intensive training endurance athletes, athletes trying to gain muscle mass and strength athletes all need high-protein supplements in the initial stages of training. Even though the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends that it is best for athletes to get their protein requirements from their diet, it is not always possible, so supplements are a practical and convenient way to meet the demand. Supplements with whey and casein protein, because of their "high protein digestibility, corrected amino acid score and ability to increase muscle protein mass, meet athletes' post-workout needs.

Creatine, in the supplement, aids muscle performance Protein supplements usually contain creatine. Creatine is said to improve strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help the muscles recover quickly after exercise. The European Food Safety Authority reports that, for high intensity workout, athletes who consume 3g of creatine everyday achieve "an increase in physical performance during short-term, high intensity and repeated exercise bouts".

Branched chain amino acids promote muscle protein synthesis. Studies have shown that branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in nutritional supplements improve recovery and exercise performance during intense workout. BCAAs are three amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine and valine -- with similar structures that beneficially influence the muscles. They help to promote muscle protein synthesis and minimise muscle protein breakdown without putting any substantial calorie load.

# Warning:

Health risks: Consuming too much protein in nutritional supplements over a period of time can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, cause kidney stones and worsen existing kidney problems. Other side-effects includes: dehydration, constipation, increased bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating, reduced appetite, fatigue and interaction with medication.

Not always nutritionally balanced: Protein shakes are often marketed as meal replacements. However, not all of these are nutritionally balanced; excess intake of protein could also lead to nutritional imbalance and harm your digestive system.

May contain harmful substances: Many of us take supplements not just to make up for what's lacking in our diet, but also to give ourselves an extra health boost. But, some supplements may contain harmful ingredients which can be detrimental to health. Steroids, stimulants and hormones, sometimes included in some supplements, can result in kidney failure, seizure or heart problems.

Read the label carefully. Pick a reputed brand - one that's safe and provides optimum nutrients for maximum performance!

Aug 31, 2017

Gold eating becomes a health fad

Food safety in city, a myth

It’s a precarious position with only three food inspectors for 30 circles

When Bobbili Kiran Goud, a customer to a high profile restaurant complained about finding an insect in the food to the GHMC Food Safety wing, the answer he received was bemusing. The official concerned replied that he was busy at the moment, and could inspect the food joint only after two days.

In fact, the corporation officials who are to monitor food standards have their hands too busy and overflowing with work to take prompt action as soon as the complaint is received.

For the 30 circles in five zones of the corporation, there are only three food inspectors, and one among them is burdened with multiple responsibilities. This leaves food safety in numerous joints, hotels, restaurants and hospitals in a precarious position. “I have to handle cases pertaining to three zones and within 47 police station areas. Is it humanly possible to conduct field inspections in such wide geographical range ?” an official questions. Apart from ensuring food safety, the officials are also laden with additional responsibilities of attending court cases and RTI queries.

A deputy food controller has been appointed on deputation from Institute of Preventive Medicine to handle two more zones. Nevertheless, the official admits that food served by many restaurants and food joints does not match up to the standards, and at quite a few places, the conditions are “appalling”. It has been more than three months since the Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has sanctioned 26 posts of Food Inspectors, among the total 226 posts which received the nod.

However, the notification for filling up the posts has not been issued so far by the Telangana State Public Service Commission which is the recruiting authority. “After the notification is issued, it will take a minimum of eight to nine months for the recruitment process to be completed. After that, training of the candidates will take a few more months,” says the official.

The file pertaining to recruitments has reportedly been already sent to the TSPSC by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department.

Adulterated ghee floods market

Vijayawada: Ghee, an essential commodity in every household, is now available with imitation brands in adulterated form in the market. The consumers will find it adulated only when aroma of original ghee lacked when the pack is opened.According to an official of Task Force police, the adulteration was going on everywhere, especially in the capital city. Recently, they seized a unit in Nuzvid while raided another outlet in Satyanarayanapuram.

Highlights:

According to an official of Task Force police, the adulteration is going on everywhere, especially in the capital city.

Recently, they seized a unit in Nuzvid while raided another outlet at Satyanarayanapuram in the city

Makers of adulterated ghee use palmolein and vanaspati to prepare it. The mix also contains about 15 per cent original ghee to impress the customerThe makers of adulterated ghee use palmolein and vanaspati to prepare it. The mix also contains about 15 per cent original ghee to impress the customer.Many outlets in the city also sell the adulterated ghee, along with popular brands. The makers have their own packing units and the packets resemble original popular brands. The minor changes in its name are visible only when consumer carefully examines it.

The font of the brand name and appearance of the adulterated ghee is difficult to separate it from original ghee packets. Such was the imitation that is yielding easy money for the adulterators.

Food Safety officials seized lables of about 20 reputed ghee brands during a raid on ghee-making unit at Purnanandampet. They seized 10 kgs of adulterated ghee, five tins of palmolein and one tin of vanaspati.

Three days ago, Ibrahimpatnam police seized 5,000 kg of palmolein to be used for preparation of adulterated ghee while being transported from Vijayawada to Hyderabad. A Srikakulam-based firm purchased the raw material for ghee-making from a Vijayawada firm.

These were only a few examples to know how the adulterated ghee-makers mushrooming everywhere by operating from the capital. Though the police and food officials have been seizing suspicious stocks of adulterated ghee, the ghee-makers have been successfully flooding the market with fake brands.

“The adulterated ghee makers have been supplying the fake brands to kirana shops run in slum localities and other towns to avoid problem from the consumers. As the labels have wrong address, the consumers, who observed the adulteration, are not able to do anything about the product except arguing with the supplier, who also gets a huge margin on the sales,” said an official.

‘Expired’ milk products seized in raid

In a joint raid by Vigilance and Enforcement Department, Food Safety wing of GVMC and Civil Supplies, the officials seized milk products that had crossed the expiry dates, here on Wednesday.

The officials, raided the premises of P. Suryakumari Agencies located in VUDA Colony at Madhavadhara and seized the products and took its owner Ganesh Kumar into custody.

According to DSP of Vigilance and Enforcement Department CM Naidu, the accused was running the store and two godowns without a valid licence. It was an unauthorised store and the expiry dates of some of the products especially milk products such as ghee, milk biscuits, milk chocolates and skimmed milk had lapsed, said Mr. Naidu.

The raid was led by Superintendent of Police of Vigilance and Enforcement Department D. Koteswara Rao.

Do not allow illegal slaughter of cattle on Bakrid, state governments told

THRISSUR: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a directive to all state governments asking the latter not to allow illegal slaughter of cattle in their respective states on Bakrid.

AWBI secretary M Ravikumarhas issued the directive to chief secretaries, director generals of police and directors of animal husbandary departments of all states.

The directive also says that camels cannot be slaughtered for food. "Also, slaughtering of cows should not be allowed in states where the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act is in force," the directive added.

When contacted Ravikumar, said there is no ban on slaughtering of animals whose meats are commonly used as food. But the slaughtering must be undertaken in approved slaughterhouses, and not in public places as is being done in several places.

Also, animals can be slaughtered only for food and not for religious sacrifices. Only approved meth ods could be used for slaughtering, Ravikumar clarified.

He said as per the rules a pregnant animal or an animal with an offspring which is less than threemonthsold cannot be slaughtered.

This directive is issued to prompt the state authorities to take proactive actions to avert animal cruelty,'' said Ravikumar.

He appealed to the state authorities to take punitive actions against the violators by invoking the animal welfare laws like the Prevention of Cruelty Towards Animals Act, rules regarding transportation of animal and slaughter houses, municipal rules and the directions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Food Safety officials seizes huge quantity of Contraband tobacco products

Port Blair, Aug 30: Continuing the strict action against illegal sale of contraband tobacco products, on 30/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Nayagoan, Chakargoan, Burmanalla, Chidiyatapu, Calicut, Ferrargunj, Wimberlygunj, Bambooflat, wherein large quantities of contraband tobacco products were seized from five (05)Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Smti. Amuda, R/o Bambooflat, Shri. T. Rama Rao, R/o Bambooflat, Shri. M. Abdul Aziz, R/o Wimberly Gunj, Shri. M. Shamshad Ali, R/o Wimberly Gunj and Shri. Kalaiselvam R/o New Bimblitan. All the contraband tobacco items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 35 premises have been sealed for the violation.

Apart from this, today all the seized contraband tobacco products have been properly destroyed by burning at Brookshabad dumping yard by the Food Safety Officials.

The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the travelers who are travelling from mainland to Port Blair by Air or by Ship should not carry the contraband tobacco products with them and also warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband tobacco products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.

All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.

Choose your health supplement with care

Fitness today is a far more integral part of daily life than ever before.

We all want toned bodies, firm muscles, right weight and an appealing appearance. For that we do extensive workouts. Working out burns up calories and we need supplements to make up for the energy loss and to avoid exhaustion. A good supplement ensures that you get adequate and measurable essential nutrients. Sportspersons and athletes, especially, need supplements for stamina and post-workout recovery.

There are a number of supplements in the market. But you need to read the label carefully.

Here's what, according to Manpreet Kaur, nutritionist at Proquest Nutrition, one should look out for and what you should guard against, while picking up nutritional supplements.

Look out for:

1) Nutritional supplements help athletes meet their increased protein requirement. Intensive training endurance athletes, athletes trying to gain muscle mass and strength athletes all need high-protein supplements in the initial stages of training. Even though the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends that it is best for athletes to get their protein requirements from their diet, it is not always possible, so supplements are a practical and convenient way to meet the demand. Supplements with whey and casein protein, because of their "high protein digestibility, corrected amino acid score and ability to increase muscle protein mass, meet athletes' post-workout needs.

2) Creatine, in the supplement, aids muscle performance Protein supplements usually contain creatine. Creatine is said to improve strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help the muscles recover quickly after exercise. The European Food Safety Authority reports that, for high intensity workout, athletes who consume 3g of creatine everyday achieve "an increase in physical performance during short-term, high intensity and repeated exercise bouts".

3) Branched chain amino acids promote muscle protein synthesis. Studies have shown that branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in nutritional supplements improve recovery and exercise performance during intense workout. BCAAs are three amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine and valine -- with similar structures that beneficially influence the muscles. They help to promote muscle protein synthesis and minimise muscle protein breakdown without putting any substantial calorie load.

# Guard against:

1) Health risks: Consuming too much protein in nutritional supplements over a period of time can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, cause kidney stones and worsen existing kidney problems. Other side-effects includes: dehydration, constipation, increased bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating, reduced appetite, fatigue and interaction with medication.

2) Not always nutritionally balanced: Protein shakes are often marketed as meal replacements. However, not all of these are nutritionally balanced; excess intake of protein could also lead to nutritional imbalance and harm your digestive system.

3) May contain harmful substances: Many of us take supplements not just to make up for what's lacking in our diet, but also to give ourselves an extra health boost. But, some supplements may contain harmful ingredients which can be detrimental to health. Steroids, stimulants and hormones, sometimes included in some supplements, can result in kidney failure, seizure or heart problems.

Read the label carefully. Pick a reputed brand - one that's safe and provides optimum nutrients for maximum performance!

Market checking squad realizes Rs 15,500 fine

POONCH: A joint team of different law enforcing agencies headed by ADDC, Abdul Hamied with members including Tehsildar Haveli, Jahngeer Khan, AD FSC&CA, Ranjeet Singh and Executive Officer of Municipal Committee, Irshad Ahamad Sofi , SHO Poonch city, Mohammad Ameen, Food Safety Officer, Javid Choudhary, AC Legal Metrology, Pushker Raj conducted market checking of various business establishments & places & punished the violators under relevant laws.

The basic purpose of the drive was to remove encroachments, keep a check on prices and quality of essential commodities including vegetables, fruits, meat and chicken during Eidul-Azha days.

The team of officers conducted comprehensive checking in various localities of Poonch against violators of law. The erring shopkeepers were booked for different violations like non display of rate lists, use of unauthorized weighing scales, non display Legal Metrology Certificates, sale of packaged goods without declaration, overcharging, use of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes, unstamped meat and unverified weighing scale.

A total of Rs 15500 fine was realized from the defaulters under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Essential Commodities Act. Moreover rotten vegetables and fruits were also destroyed on the spot.

Aug 30, 2017

Man served mutton pulao with live bug

DINAKARAN NEWS

Insect in food infuriates customer

Complaint on social media to GHMC

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Tuesday received a complaint on unhygienic food being served in a high profile restaurant, from a customer who complained of finding a live insect in the ‘biryani’ being served by the hotel.

The customer, B.Kiran Goud, reportedly visited the restaurant ‘Ulavacharu’ in Jubilee Hills, along with his relative Shankar Goud on Tuesday afternoon and ordered for biryani along with mutton fry.

Recorded

“During second serving, we noticed that a live insect crawled out of the biryani, even as the captain who was serving us tried to remove it. We photographed and videographed it, so that we could prove our claim. Despite long wait, nobody from the restaurant turned up, and a captain-rank employee answered carelessly when questioned,” complained Mr.Kiran Goud.

They lodged a complaint with the Food Safety Wing of the GHMC by posting the images through social media application.

Complaint received

“We have received a complaint about unhygienic food, and will inspect the restaurant in a couple of days,” said in-charge Assistant Food Controller of the civic body Sudarshan Reddy.

When sought his version, owner of the upmarket restaurant Vijay Reddy refuted the customer’s charges and said that it was an attempt to malign the name of the restaurant.

Police raids hotels to check food adulteration

Personnel of the Commissioner’s Task Force cracked a whip against the persons involved in the preparation of adulterated food items like ice-creams and pickles in various parts of the town on Tuesday.

The Task Force police raided a popular hotel Shivas Biryani House and seized huge quantity of rotten and contaminated non-vegetarian food items - mutton and chicken and other materials used for preparation of biryani. The authorities seized the samples and sent them to food safety testing laboratory in Hyderabad and registered case against the hotel owner.

The police also raided ‘Quality Fun’ company in Ramnagar locality for the manufacture of adulterated ice-creams with cheap quality material for earning profits.

They also raided a house in Kothirampur locality and destroyed 5,000 kilograms of fungus infected pickles. The raids were conducted by Task Force Inspector Ghouse Baba, SIs Kiran, Santosh and Nagaraju, Food Inspector Amrutha Sri and others

Officials inspect hotel after finding lizard in vada

Officials attached to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) carried out inspection at a hotel in Thoothukudi, on Monday, after a lizard was found in a vada served in the hotel recently.

Lizard that was found in a vada in a hotel in Thoothukudi recently

Madurai:

The incident happened on Saturday night when one of the customers while eating a vada in the hotel, situated near Thoothukudi South Police station, found a lizard in it. Immediately, he raised the issue with the hotel management. The authorities immediately apologised to the customer.

The customer warned them that such carelessness can also cause death. Following that there was a minor tension at the hotel and vadas were not supplied to customers that night.

However, the issue was brought to the notice of the officials attached to FSSAI and a team headed by Thanga Vignesh, designated officer, FSSAI Thoothukudi district, carried out an inspection at the hotel. The officials found many irregularities during the inspection at the food outlet.

Speaking to DTNEXT, Thanga Vignesh said that while his team was carrying out inspection, the owner of the hotel accepted his mistake and said it a totally unexpected incident. “Never has such a thing happened before in our hotel,” said the owner.

However, the officials completed the inspection and seized the flour that was used to make the vadas. They sent it as a sample for further tests in the lab.

The FSSAI team also detected more lapses in the hygiene in the kitchen. The owner was directed to maintain better hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen. According to the powers vested on them they had served a legal notice. Further action will be initiated against the hotel and the owner based on the results of the lab test, said Thanga Vignesh.

Surprise raids by Food safety team; Contraband tobacco products seized from various parts of city

Port Blair Aug 29: Continuing the strict action against illegal sale of contraband tobacco products, on 29/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Dairyfarm, Haddo, Junglighat, Bathu Basti, Garacharma, Aberdeen village wherein large quantities of contraband tobacco products were seized from Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Shri. K. Kannan, R/o Austinabad, Smti. Janakiamma, R/o Haddo, Smti. Panchavarnam, R/o Garacharma, Smti. T. Adilaxmi, R/o Garacharma, Shri. R.N. Bhakta, R/o Garacharma and Smti. Jagadeshwari, R/o Dairyfarm.

In another cases, Shri. B. Jeevan, R/o Haddo caught red handed with 485 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Veer Savarkar International, Airport, Port Blair with the help of SB, CID, Port Blair and Shri. Mohmmed Firdose, R/o Round Basthi caught red handed by the Food Safety Officer with 80 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Marina Park, Port Blair.

All the contraband tobacco items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 30 premises have been sealed for the violation.

This is regarding continuing the strict action against illegal sale of contraband tobacco products, on 29/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Dairyfarm, Haddo, Junglighat, Bathu Basti, Garacharma, Aberdeen village wherein large quantities of contraband tobacco products were seized from Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Shri. K. Kannan, R/o Austinabad, Smti. Janakiamma, R/o Haddo, Smti. Panchavarnam, R/o Garacharma, Smti. T. Adilaxmi, R/o Garacharma, Shri. R.N. Bhakta, R/o Garacharma and Smti. Jagadeshwari, R/o Dairyfarm.

FSDA raids synthetic milk factory; 2 held

AGRA: A special squad of Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) on Tuesday raided a synthetic milk factory in Tundla near Bansidhar Degree Collegeand seized thousands of litres of spurious milk from the spot. Hydrogen peroxide and several other unidentified chemical adulterants were also found from there.

Earlier, FSDA had uncovered a major synthetic milk racket in which the accused were working in connivance with officials from the department and were using adulterants like hydrogen peroxide, detergent and urea for production. A team of FSDA, Agra district administration and police had conducted a raid at three houses in Kukhreliya village on May 25 this year and had seized adulterants in large quantities. The team had arrested a woman manufacturing synthetic milk and an FIR was registered against five people.

FSDA assistant commissioner Vineet Kumar, who headed Tuesday's raid, said, "We had got a tip-off regarding a synthetic milk factory being run in Tundla. Acting on that information, we formed a joint team of FSDA officials, Firozabad district administration and police, and raided the factory premises. The information was found to be true and we arrested two persons from the factory."

Now, free-of-cost milk testing facility

Collector S Natarajan launching the testing unit in Ramanathapuram.

Consumers can check quality of milk; available in the district till September 6

Close on the heels of the labour department installing a weighing machine for the public to check underweight, the district unit of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has made available an electronic milk adulteration testing (EMAT) unit to check the quality of milk.

Launching the facility at a special camp at the municipality here on Monday, Collector S Natarajan said consumers could check the quality of milk free of cost at the computerised automation machine. In case of adulteration, they could lodge complaints with the food cell officer. The District Revenue Officer, who is the adjudicating officer, would act on the complaints and initiate necessary action.

The district became the second in the State, after Madurai, to make the facility available to the general public. The machine would be available in the district till September 6, he said and appealed to the public to make the best of it. The consumers could give 300 ml of milk and test the solid, solid not fat (SNF), density, sucrose (sugar in milk) and other chemical substances, if any, in the milk.

Food safety officials would help them to match the quality of the milk they had purchased for their daily use with the prescribed parameters for fat, SNF, density and sucrose. All classes of cow and buffalo milk could be tested, Dr. M.J.C. Bose, district designated officer, Food Cell, said.

EMAT would be available for testing in Kilakarai (covering Thirupullani block) on Tuesday and Paramakudi (covering Bogalur and Nainarkoil blocks) on Wednesday.

On September 1, the machine would be available in Kamudhi for the benefit of people in Mudukulathur and Kadaladi blocks, and on September 4 in Rameswaram. On September 6, EMAT would be available in RS Mangalam before it would be taken to other districts, he said.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Aug 29, 2017

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DINAKARAN NEWS

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Midday Meal Authority asks FSDA to inspect food being served in schools

Meerut: In an attempt to check adulteration in food being served as midday meal to government school students, the Midday Meal (MDM) Authority has instructed the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) to inspect cooked meals in schools and take samples of the same to ensure that children are not served substandard food.

While FSDA is supposed to carry out these checks routinely, the fresh set instructions have been issued as some of the districts were found to be not complying with the set guidelines.

“FSDA has been instructed to take samples of cooked food prepared as midday meals to check its quality and submit a report to the task force formed for this purpose and also to the respective basic shiksha adhikaris,” read the order issued by Abdul Samad, director, Midday Meal Authority.

It should be noted that the state’s annual work plan submitted to the Centre also includes a report on the quality of midday meals prepared in government schools.

“All food safety officers are instructed to take samples of cooked meals from schools. These samples should be taken in a way that in one month at least 10 schools are covered. The report should be presented before the basic shiksha adhikari and the task force set up for this purpose,” read the order issued by Samad.

The letter further stated that food samples should be checked for adulterants and biological contamination.

Virendra Kumar, divisional midday meal coordinator, said, “The main problem with FSDA officials in Meerut is that though they take samples of food prepared in midday meals, their reports are delayed. For instance, the report of a sample of food that was taken in December has not arrived even till date.”

Tobacco sellers now use kids to sell banned gutkha

Police have deployed decoys to check illegal sale

Gone are the days when someone could buy a packet of gutkha or a packet of ‘maava’ (powedered tobbaco) easily. With police raids intensifying, regular stockists are now afraid to sell the banned substances in their shops. The sellers have now roped in school drop outs to sell the addictive substance for a higher price in some pockets of the city, say police sources.

So far this year since January 1, over 1.85 lakh gutkha packets worth nearly ₹70 lakh have been seized. Over 2,300 persons have been arrested in this regard. Out of this nearly 1.60 lakh gutkha packets were seized from June 19 to August 27, said a police source.

Apart from this, over 9,000 kg of ganja have been seized from the beginning of this year from people selling the banned tobacco products. “The sale through shops has completely stopped. But there are reports of individuals selling them in the black market,” sources add.

According to food safety officers, a packet of gutkha now costs around ₹40, while it was priced much lower earlier. They feel this indicates that the supply of gutkha has definitely reduced compared to the demand. “Now, the shop keepers purchase the banned tobacco products from Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border for normal price and then bring them in small quantity into the city,” said a food safety officer.

The gutkha is then put in smaller packets and then given to school dropouts in their locality. They stand near the shops and sell it to regular customers for a higher price. “The shop keeper earns up to ₹3,000 per day this way. Out of this, he gives a small percentage to the boys,” he added.

The police have now deployed decoys to check this illegal sale. “This is reported mostly in areas where there are migrant labourers. We have ensured that tobbaco is not sold near educational institutions,” explained a police officer. Food safety officers said that complaints of gutkha sale can be sent to their Whatsapp number 9444042322 or to the police control room 100.

More FBOs booked for sale of banned tobacco products

Port Blair, 28 Aug 2017

Continuing its crackdown on illegal sale of tobacco, a team of Food Safety Officials led by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman on Monday conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Ograbraj, Chouldari, Port Mout, Haddo, Austinabad, Nayagaon, Bathu Basti and Haddo wherein a large quantities of contraband products were seized from nine Food Business Operators (FBOs). All the nine FBOs premises were closed and sealed. The contraband items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 24 premises have been sealed for the violation.

The Commissioner Food Safety has warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection find any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses. The general public has been requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.

High Court seeks updated info on accreditation of Food Testing Laboratories

Directs Govt To Appoint Full-Time Food Safety Commissioner Under FSS Act

The High Court on Monday directed the state government to inform it by September 23 about the accreditation of food testing labs with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar sought an updated status report on the authentication and accreditation of the two food testing labs - Public Health Lab Dalgate Srinagar and Public Health Lab Patoli Jammu.

The directions came after the court was informed that trainings have been started before applying for the accreditation under NABL and Dr Lalitha R Gowda, chief scientist (Retd), Central Food Technological Research Institute, has been engaged for consultation on authentication of food labs.

On July 18 this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had told the High Court that the two food testing labs in the state are not accredited with NABL, which is otherwise mandatory.

Before issuing directions, the court today heard at length senior advocate and Amicus curie Bashir Ahmad Bashir and also additional advocate general Muhammad Iqbal Dar.

Observing that though the charge of commissioner food safety is held by Pawan Kotwal, commissioner secretary Health and Medical Education, the court underscored that there should be, indispensably in place, a full time commissioner food safety under Food Safety and Standards Act.

This, the court said, after it was informed that the finance department has already cleared the proposal for creation of commissioner food safety post and full time commissioner would be appointed very soon.

The court also sought status report on appointment of food safety officers by September end, after it was apprised that state Services Selection Board has already conducted examination of the candidates who have applied for the post and the final selection list will be out by September 30.

Counsel, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Mehmood Pracha, today submitted before the court that till the equipments are placed in food testing laboratories, the food officers can be directed to check the labels of packaged food articles under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

“Till the functioning of labs and after the requisite equipments are installed, the food safety officers can check packaged food products and verify as to whether the labels are in accordance with Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Regulations) Act 2011.”

In case of any deviation, court said, appropriate action under the Act as also regulation be taken and sought status report by next hearing.

While the court was informed that Ashok Kumar Koul has been appointed as presiding officer for the food tribunal Jammu, it directed that support staff should be made available for the functioning of the tribunal in Srinagar also.

The court was also informed that the latest equipments have been installed in the food testing laboratory at Dalgate here and for complete installation it will take two to three days.

The court termed the status report filed by M I Dar as satisfactory.

Aug 28, 2017

'ஈ' மொய்க்கும் தின்பண்டங்களால் 'தீங்கு' உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை ஆய்வு அவசியம்

விருதுநகர்;விருதுநகர் மாவட்டத்தில் பள்ளிகள் அருகே சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் தின்பண்டங்கள் அதிகமாக விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்த தின்பண்டங்களை சாப்பிடுவதால் மாணவர்களை நோய் தாக்கும் அபாயம் உள்ளது.

பள்ளி செல்லும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு பெற்றோர் காசு கொடுப்பதும், இடைவேளை நேரத்தில், பள்ளி முடிந்ததும் அருகே உள்ள கடைகளில் விற்கும் தின்பண்டங்களை வாங்கி சாப்பிடுவது வழக்கம். முன்பு பள்ளி அருகே உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில் நெல்லிக்காய், கொய்யா, மாங்காய், நாவல் பழம், இலந்தை பழம், பனங்கிழங்கு, பனியாரம், ஆரஞ்சு, கடலை மிட்டாய் என ஏதாவது ஒரு சத்தான தின்பண்டங்களை மாணவர்கள் வாங்கி சாப்பிடுவர். தரமானதாக, சுவையாக இருந்ததால் மாணவர்கள் போட்டி போட்டு வாங்கி சாப்பிட்டு உடல்நலத்தோடு இருந்தனர்.

லாபம் ஒன்றே குறிக்கோள்இன்று லாப நோக்கை மட்டும் கொண்ட வியாபாரிகளால், கிராமங்களில் உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில், அதிலும் அரசுப்பள்ளிகள் அருகே உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில் தான் தரமற்ற சாக்லெட்டுகள், மிக்ஸர், சிப்ஸ், பாக்கெட்டுகளில் அடைக்கப்பட்ட ஜூஸ், வறுக்கப்பட்ட பொருட்கள், செயற்கை முறையில் கலரூட்டப்பட்ட, பேக் செய்யப்பட்ட தின்பண்டங்கள் விற்கப்படுகிறது.

சில கடைக்காரர்கள் காலாவதியான மிட்டாய் மற்றும் தின்பண்டங்களை காசாக்கும் நோக்கில் மனிதாபிமானமற்ற நிலையில் பள்ளி அருகே விற்று காசாக்குகின்றனர். மாணவர்கள் தங்கள் பிறந்தநாளுக்கு சாக்லெட் மற்றும் இனிப்புகள் வழங்குகின்றனர்.

இவ்வாறு வழங்கப்படும் இனிப்புகளில் செயற்கையாக கலரூட்டப்பட்டவை தான் இருக்கின்றன.

போலிகள்

கிராமப்புறங்களில் உள்ள கடைகளில் பிரபல நிறுவனங்களின் பெயரை வித்தியாசம் தெரியாமல் மாற்றி, அதே பெயரில் பேக் செய்து போலி தின்பண்டங்கள் விற்பனை செய்வதும் சில ஆண்டுகளாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. இவ்வாறு போலியாக விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் தின்பண்டங்களுக்கும், நல்ல தின்பண்டங்களுக்கும் வித்தியாசம் தெரியாத குழந்தைகள் போலியை சாப்பிடுகின்றனர்.

இதுபோன்ற போலி மற்றும் சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை சாப்பிடும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு வாந்தி, வயிற்றுப்போக்கு, மயக்கம், வயிறு சம்பந்தப்பட்ட பல்வேறு நோய்கள் தாக்குகிறது.

மாணவர்கள் பாதிப்பு

ஆரம்பப்பள்ளிகளில் படிக்கும் மாணவர்கள் பள்ளி வளாகத்தை விட்டு வெளியே செல்லக் கூடாது, பள்ளி அருகே சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை விற்பனை செய்யக் கூடாது என சட்டம் கூறுகிறது. இதை பள்ளிகள் மற்றும் கடைக்காரர்கள் உட்பட யாரும் கடைபிடிப்பதில்லை. இதனால் மாணவர்கள் அதிகம் பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றனர் என பொதுமக்களும், சமூக ஆர்வலர்களும் கூறுகின்றனர்.

அவித்த உணவு

மணிகண்டன், சைல்டு லைன், “அரசுப் பள்ளிகள் அருகே ஈ மொய்க்கும் தின்பண்டங்களை விற்கும் கடைகள் பல உள்ளன. இதை பள்ளி ஆய்வுக்கு வரும் அதிகாரிகள் முதல் பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்கள் வரை யாரும் கண்டுகொள்வதில்லை. இதற்கு ஒரே தீர்வு, இயற்கை விவசாயத்தில் விளைந்த சத்தான பழங்கள், திணை வகைகள், பயறு வகைகள் மற்றும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு தேவையான அவித்த உணவுகளான பனியாரம், புட்டு போன்றவற்றை கடைகளில் விற்க அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். மேலும் மாணவர்களின் உடல்நிலையை சீரழிக்கும் சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை விற்கும் பெட்டிகடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையினர் ஆய்வு செய்து கட்டுப்படுத்த வேண்டும்” என்றார்.

DINAKARAN NEWS

Adulterated ghee seized

Amid growing concerns over adulteration of food items in the city, the Ibrahimpatnam police on Sunday seized a huge quantity of adulterated ghee, that was made in the city, at Ibrahimpatnam.

According to the police, a trader in Autonagar of the city was allegedly making adulterated ghee by mixing cooking oil in a small quantity of original ghee. The trader was on his way to deliver an order of 5,800 litres of ghee at Jaggaiahpeta of the district and was transporting the adulterated ghee in a transport van from his unit.

When the van reached Ibrahimpatnam, the police found the unpacked ghee in unhygienic condition and seized the product. Samples were sent to food safety authorities.

Tobacco products seized

Officials of Food Safety and Drug Administration department seized one tonne of banned tobacco products from a house situated along Palladam - Manickapuram Road on Sunday evening.

K. Tamilselvan, the Food Safety Designated Officer, told The Hindu that the tobacco products were kept in the house which was used as a makeshift godown. “We have sent the samples of the items seized to government-recognised laboratories to officially ascertain that the materials were tobacco products,” he said.

Once the report was received, criminal prosecution would be initiated against the house owner, he added.

Surprise raid by Food Safety officials, huge contraband products recovered

Port Blair,, Aug 27: Continuing the strict action against illegal sale of tobacco on 25/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Haddo, Fisheries Jetty, Phoneix Bay, and Mohanpura market wherein large quantities of contraband products were seized from 10(five) Food Business Operators (FBOs).

The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Smti. Hemawati, R/o Garacharma, Smti Hazara Bibi, R/o Phoniex Bay, Shri. Ali Baba, R/o Phoniex Bay, Shri. Velu, R/o Dignabad, Shri. Nathan, R/o Phoneix Bay Jetty, Shri. V. Naga Babu, R/o Haddo, Shri. Chinnamma, R/o Haddo, Smti Mundrika Sahu, R/o Haddo, Smti. P. Venkata Laxmi, R/o Haddo and Smti. Uma Devi, R/o Aberdeen Bazaar. All the contraband items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 15 premises have been sealed for the violation.

The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.

Aug 27, 2017

Labelling of GM foods likely to be mandatory

The recommendation was made to the ministry by a scientific panel on GM organisms in food that was formed as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act

The Department of Health and Family Welfare is moving towards a regime to make the labelling of GM foods mandatory and declaring the threshold level of the genetically engineered ingredient on GM products, its Secretary informed the parliamentary panel on climate, forest, science and technology. The recommendation was made to the ministry by a scientific panel on GM organisms in food that was formed as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act.

The panel also informed that the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is collecting evidence on the impact of GM food on humans and that ICMR is soon going to provide leads to the Health ministry. DNA was the first to report in June that, in the absence of any regulatory mechanism, FSSAI was working on a labelling regime to monitor and make consumers aware of GM products in market.

“Any product which has 5 per cent or more of the genetically engineered ingredient shall be labelled. This has gone to their panel and to the authority which will take a view on this and we hope to get a decision on the labelling aspect very soon,” secretary of the Department of Health said.