Feb 5, 2018
HC lifts stay on ban on use of animal-origin material to make silver leaf
Delhi High Court has lifted its stay on the AAP government's decision to prohibit use of animal-origin material in the manufacture of silver leaf, known as 'chandi ka warq'.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has lifted its stay on the AAP government's decision to prohibit use of animal-origin material in the manufacture of silver leaf, known as 'chandi ka warq', used as a decoration on sweets.
A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar, however, permitted the traditional manufacturers of silver leaf to dispose of their existing stock of the sweet decorative which is also used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicines.
The Delhi government had issued a circular banning use of the material made by the traditional process on the basis of a central notification to that effect.
The court passed the order after the petitioners, who were in the business of making 'chandi ka warq' by the traditional process, said they would move a representation before the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to show that their method was hygienic and without any risk of contamination.
The FSSAI, by a notification of July 15, 2016, had banned the use of the silver leaf manufactured by the traditional method, which involved use of intestine of a cow or buffalo, saying it was unhygienic and there was a risk of infection and contamination of the silver leaf.
The traditional method of manufacture involves hammering silver into a thin shape while it is placed inside the intestine of a cow or buffalo.
The FSSAI had also told the court that there was a new method of manufacturing 'chandi ka warq' that involved beating sheets of black specially treated paper and polyester sheets coated with food-grade calcium powder.
The petitioners had, on the other hand, contended that their method was not unhygienic as the animal skin was dried and processed to make it hygienic.
While asking the petitioners to make a representation before the FSSAI, the bench expressed hope that the authority would take a decision and communicate it within three months of receiving the representation.
Officials Donate Vehicles To A NGO Working To Collect Waste Food And Feed The Needy By Aparna Mundhra
Most of us crave for varied cuisines for our meals and avoid having the same old Indian food, but have you ever pondered what the homeless poor crave for? There are crores of people who start their day with a thought that what will they feed their kids today. And then we have dustbins filled with food, mingled amongst the garbage and other waste. Children lean over those bins in a hope if that food could satiate their hunger
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An initiative was taken by food safety officials, including Tamil Nadu food safety commissioner P Amudha donated two vehicles to No Food Waste, an NGO out of their own salary, contributing towards the management of food waste in Chennai on Friday.
‘No Food Waste’ is an organization set up by three youngsters in Coimbatore, extending their services in Chennai as a mission to save maximum food throughout the country, recovering surplus food from wedding, parties, functions and donating them to needy. Till date, they have saved 148 tons of food, feeding on an average 700 needy daily. Vehicles are donated in order to collect the food from different locations in the city and distribute in slums, hospitals and to the needy.
“We will provide guidance in storing and testing the quality of food,” said a food safety official to Times Of India.
The state of Tamil Nadu has also taken various steps in the recreation of food wastes. State Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar on Friday launched a mobile food laboratory that could visit various localities on a single call and check the quality of food and its adulteration. Moreover, the food safety department has decided to train 50 teachers in corporation schools of Chennai on safe food practices and simple techniques to check adulteration at home.
As per a report of 2016 by Hindustan times, around 67 million tons of food is wasted in India every year, which has a value of around Rs 92,000 crore. And it’s enough to feed all of Bihar for a year. This figure is enough to make all of us think again before wasting even a portion of food. For some, it may be another edible stuff, but for many, it is surely their life.
Feb 3, 2018
Officials donate two vehicles to NGO for collecting excess food in Chennai
The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded
CHENNAI: In an effort to check wastage of food, state foodsafety officials have contributed a part of their salaries towards buying two vehicles that will collect excess food and contribute to the needy in Chennai. The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded its service to Chennai.
Tamil Nadu food safety commissioner P Amudha, who also contributed to the cause, donated the vehicles on Friday.
No Food Waste was started by three youngsters in Coimbatore who run a volunteer-staffed hotline for wedding, banquet and school organisers who wish to donate their excess food to those in need in slums, government hospitals and the homeless. Till date, the organistion has catered to 45,1039 people and saved 1.34 lakh kg of food.
Food safety officials said although the service would be run fully by the NGO, the state would provide technical support. "We will provide guidance in storing and testing the quality of food," said a food safety official.
Mobile lab to check quality of food
State health minister C Vijaya Baskar on Friday launched a mobile food lab which will visit various localities on call and test food for adulteration and quality.
Teachers in 50 corporation schools to be trained in food safety
The food safety department will train teachers in 50 corporation schools in Chennai on safe food practices and simple ways to check for adulteration at home
Banners for food business operators
The food safety department has come up with three banners - for restaurants, retailers, and fruit and vegetable vendors --- on ways to prepare and cook food hygienically.
Call and get food tested at doorstep
CHENNAI: Chicken 65 with too much colour, carbonated drinks that are high on sugar, milk adulterated with water—residents can clear doubts about the quality of their food at their door step now.
The food safety department on Friday launched a mobile food lab which will go to various localities in the city and the outskirts to test the quality of food. The van, equipped with various testing facilities, was flagged off by health minister C Vijayabaskar on Friday.
Food safety officials said the department had tied up with various associations working for residents' welfare, traders and pushcart vendors. "The purpose of the van will be dual: The quality of the food will be tested and food business operators will be educated on how to maintain safe standards," said a food safety official. The van's schedule will be published in the department's website in the beginning of each month.
"If there are blank dates, associations can call or email us," said the official, adding that they had already got requests from around 10 associations, including traders in the wholesale market in Koyambedu. The van will shuttle between Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. The department will be adding one more vehicle to its fleet in March.
The service will also help the department keep track on facilities that follow unsafe practices. In Chennai, since 2011, of the 969 food samples lifted, 209 were found to be substandard, and 120 unsafe — those found containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances.
Those who want to avail the facility can write to commrfssaitn@gmail.com or WhatsApp or call 9444042322.
Campaign on food safety in schools soon
Teachers will be trained this month
The ‘Safe and Nutritious Food at School’ campaign is set to be launched in the State at 50 Corporation schools, a press release from the State Health Department said.
This month, teachers will be given training on inculcating safe eating habits in students.
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar inaugurated mobile food testing labs that will inspect food stalls.
A display board with dos and don’ts on food safety for stalls was put up and and an awareness CD was released.
An NGO based in Coimbatore, No Food Waste, that picks up excess food from weddings, school canteens and other events, was given two vehicles to help in its work.
Food Safety Commissioner P. Amudha participated in the event.
Soon, a mobile app to feed the hungry in city
Chennai: After Amma canteens, the state will soon roll out one more initiative to feed the poor – a mobile app that will bridge the gap between wastage and necessity of food.
The state food safety department, along with Coimbatorebased organisation No Food Waste, is undertaking trial runs of the app which will geo-tag hunger spots in cities based on crowdsourced information. Food business operators, including caterers, retailers and pushcart and vegetable vendors, can use their food safety registration or licence numbers to be a part of the initiative.
State food safety commissioner P Amudha said the department would tie up with No Food Waste, which, since its launch in 2014, has helped save nearly 1.34 lakh kilograms of food that would have otherwise been wasted. “They have the technical knowhow and we maintain a record of licenced food providers – both necessary for the app,” said Amudha.
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, mandates a licence for any food business with an annual turnover of more than 2 lakh. Those with a lower turnover register with the state food safety department. According to ennumeration carried out by the government in 2017, there are 5.43 lakh food business operators in the state, with Chennai having the highest at 32,002. Of these, nearly 50% are licensed.
Padmanaban Gopalan, a cofounder of No Food Waste, said although the organisation runs an app, the new one will help them overcome a few shortcomings. “Authentication has been a problem for us,” said Padmanaban. “We test if the procured food is stale, but we don’t know if the kitchens are following safe food practices. This is where the government’s network will help us,” he said. Every business operator will have a personal dashboard to check how much food they have saved.
Padmanaban said the new app, will enable the public to alert the state if they come across hungry families. “People can also pre-register their wedding feasts. Our volunteers will collect the excess food,” said Padmanaban.
No Food Waste made its foray into Chennai on Friday. State food safety officials took a salary cut to contribute towards buying two vehicles for the organisation. The vans will operate in Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, T-Nagar and Saidapet.
Prominent restaurants challaned for unhygienic conditions
JAMMU, Feb 2: A Food Safety team led by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Jammu challaned various restaurants for unhygienic conditions.
The Food Safety team inspected many eating points and challaned them for unhygienic conditions of cooking, processing and washing area of food at Rameshwar Chowk Jammu. During inspection, two eating points were found using residential area for commercial use and later were briefed about the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). They were advised to keep the cooking area neat and clean and maintain personal hygiene so that people who eat food and eatables get well nourished and hygienic food.
Dr Parvesh Kumar apprised them that their area is just near to hospital and most of the customers are those who are attendants of the patients and they should get hygienic food.
The team also inspected 360 Restaurant at KC Theatre and was challaned for unhygienic conditions. The team found expired raw material and seized it. The restaurant staff has been advised to maintain all the norms as per FSSA and two weeks time was served to them to maintain the norms.
The team also inspected kitchens and food handlers of Ashoka Hotel and Hari Niwas and advised them to maintain personal hygiene.
“Medical certificates especially test for screening of typhoid, Hepatitis-A and urine should be conducted on routine basis and keep record for water testing and pesticide control to minimize infectious”, Dr Parvesh Kumar asked the food handlers of Ashoka Hotel and Hari Niwas.
Meanwhile, a team comprising of Food Safety Officers under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Dr Parvesh Kumar inspected the prominent food establishments and restaurants including Choudhary Canteen, Fitness Cook, Jammu Eatery, Moti Mahal Deluxe, BK Foods and Hospitality, Shree Ji Foods, Imperial Foods, Bombay Special Pav Bhaji, 11 Burger Lab, Dominos Pizza, etc at Bhau Plaza. During inspection, three food establishments and restaurants were challaned and improvement notices were served to others.
With no food testing laboratories common masses exposed to poisonous food in JK
Jammu, Feb 2: The state government has blatantly admitted about the non-existence of the food testing laboratories exposing the common masses to the fatal dangers of the sub-standard food items.
The authorities are being castigated time and again that the absence of food testing laboratories in Jammu and Kashmir is putting peoples' health in danger at large. Snall measures are taken by the government to put lid over the crises. The government exhibited its non-serious approach over the non- existence of the food testing laboratories when it was recently asked in the state legislature's upper house about whether there are any food testing labs existent in the state. In its answer, the government blatantly said a big No. The icing on the cake was that it didn't divulge any further details over the reasons thereof.
Official sources divulged to Early Times that the two labs that were earlier established in Jammu and Srinagar have no qualified food microbiologist. And furthermore, no measures have been taken for the recruitment against these posts.
The High Court in July last year took serious note of pathetic conditions of the laboratories and had directed the Commissioner Secretary Health to be present before the court along with his compliance report. He is presently officiating as Food Commissioner in absence of full-fledged Food Commissioner.
The division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey made FSSAI as party respondent to the PIL and its visiting report has been taken on record. "Various deficiencies need to be addressed immediately. One of the major concerns is that there is no FSC. We direct Commissioner/ Secretary health to file his compliance report indicating as to what steps have been taken for appointment of FSC on next date", HC directed.
Court on previous hearing had directed Food Safety Standards Authority of India to send a qualified person here to visit the laboratories to find out the functioning of these laboratories.
The direction to FSSAI came after the court was informed by Controller Food Safety, that the charge of Food Safety Commissioner (FSC) is with the Commissioner Secretary Health Department and the proposal for appointment of FSC was sent to government but no response till date.
It is in compliance of court directions CEO FSSAI deputed a two member team to visit both the laboratories at Jammu and one at Srinagar and submit the report as to whether the laboratories fulfill the requirement for testing of samples as required under the FSA, 2006.
However, there has still been no action taken to establish the food testing labs by the Department of Consumer Distribution.
Distribution of nutritional and Hygienic food to people
Distribution of nutritional and Hygienic food to people
The Government is implementing the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), which provides for coverage of 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive foodgrains at highly subsidized prices of Rs.1/2/3 per kg for coarse grains/wheat/rice respectively. The Act is being implemented in all the States/UTs and 80.72 crore persons are covered for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains. The Act also has provision for nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers and children upto 14 years of age.
Further, for safe and healthy food, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has developed science-based standards for various categories of food products under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 in order to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food in the country.
FSSAI has also operationalized draft regulations on fortification of food articles that include standards for fortification of food staples - oil, milk, double fortified salt, wheat flour and rice, and also introduced +F Logo for fortified foods. To ensure that the most vulnerable sections of the society receive appropriate and timely nutrition, the use of fortified wheat flour, oil and double fortified salt have been mandated under Mid-Day-Meal and Integrated Child Development Schemes.
To promote awareness among consumers on Nutrition, mandatory labeling requirements for pre-packaged foods, including list of ingredients, nutritional information, energy value in Kilo calorie etc. is prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011.
FSSAI has also undertaken Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) initiative to promote awareness towards consumption of safe and nutritious food.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary today in Rajya Sabha.
Feb 2, 2018
Bombay HC asks state to explain adulteration mechanism
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining what mechanism they have set up to check adulteration in fruits and vegetables in the state. The court also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is responsible for checking the kind of food being served in the city.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.W. Sambre was hearing a PIL filed after the death of 20 farmers in Yavatmal, while using hazardous pesticides for their crops.
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Further, the PIL sought the state to take steps to ensure Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) rules are adhered to and safe food reaches common people for consumption.
In the last hearing, the court directed the state government to inform the court what action it has taken to curb the practice of using banned chemicals and overdose of pesticides in vegetables and fruits, which are harmful for public health.
Government pleader Poornima Kantharia informed the court that 215 FDA officers are working throughout the state to curb adulteration and 40 officers are deployed in Mumbai.
The court then asked Kantaria if there are any portable kits to check adulteration in the eatable items at ground level.
FSSAI Permits The Use Of Fortification Logo On Oil Labels
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive that permits the use of the fortification logo or stamp on the product labels meant for edible vegetable oil. The move has been take so that the Food Business Operators (FBOs) can clear the packaging material stock and they are permitted to do so till June 2018.
OIL STOCK CLEARING
The report further says that the FSSAI had received options for the fortification logos as mentioned in the directive. “The reference on the same was drawn from the directive issued in November 2017 with regards to the scaling up of edible oil fortification,” said the notification by the FSSAI.
“Permitting the use of stickers with the fortification logo on the product label would help manufacturers and marketers of edible oil, especially the smaller players,” said Umesh Verma, spokesperson from the Puri Oil Mills Limited to FnB News. In general, manufacturers and marketers stock the inventories for a few months. The smaller organisations might have raised concerns about exhausting their stocks in hand. In that case, it is justified for the time being.”
Feb 1, 2018
1,099 clusters to provide pesticide-free vegetables
Minister for Agriculture V.S. Anil Kumar informed the Assembly on Wednesday that 1,099 clusters would be formed in the Agriculture Department to make available pesticide-free organic vegetables and fruits. In addition to the 118 eco-shops functioning in the State, another 317 would be set up by the department.
Pointing out that the use of pesticides was a major concern for the government, the Minister said 1,251 tonnes of pesticides were used in the State in 2015. Incidence of cancer was high in Kuttanad coming under three districts and the department had decided to go for good agriculture practices at a cost of ₹200 lakh.
The Agriculture Department had strengthened its Enforcement Wing and the Food Safety Commissionerate functioning under the Health Department had been asked to take steps to check fruits and vegetables that reach markets in the State from adjoining States.
Punjab bans sale of toxic pesticides; CSE urges similar necessary action by the Centre
Calls for Central government to follow suit in the interest of public health
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, and are still used in India along with several other class I pesticides. Credit: Agnimirg Basu/CSE
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the government of Punjab yesterday issued directions to discontinue the sale of 20 pesticides (insecticides), harmful to health of humans and environment with immediate effect. It also directed not to issue any fresh licenses for these pesticides.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed this move and urged similar necessary action by the Centre. Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of the New Delhi-based think tank said, “We are pleased to know about this much-needed step. If a state like Punjab, highly dependent on pesticides, acts in the interest of public health, it is incumbent on the Central government to take necessary steps to eliminate sale of highly toxic pesticides in the entire country.”
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, which are considered class I pesticides by the World Health Organization, and are further categorised into extremely hazardous (class Ia) and highly hazardous (class Ib) to human health. Many of these are banned in several countries. For example, Phosphamidon is banned in 49 countries, Phorate in 37, Triazophos in 40 and Monocrotophos is banned in 60 countries.
But India still allows use of these five along with several other class I pesticides. Based on a 2015 review by the Anupam Verma committee, the agriculture ministry through an order of December 2016 planned to ban only three out of these five and that too, starting from 2021.
“We must address the issue of class I pesticides. These account for about 30 per cent of the total insecticide use in our country. The government action in this regard has been largely inadequate so far,” points out Amit Khurana, senior programme manager, Food Safety and Toxins team, CSE.
In the wake of ill-effects of pesticides and deaths related to it in our country, CSE has been advocating for a ban on class I pesticides and a pesticide management bill which fills gaps in laws and strengthens enforcement.
Food businesses in Ganderbal fined Rs 4.68 lakh for violating FSSA
The court of Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Adjudicating Officer Syed ShahnawazBukhari under the Food Safety Act on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 4.68 lakh on various food business operator’s for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 in Ganderbal.
The ADC warned all the businesspersons involved with food business to desist from such practices in future and directed the concerned authorities to conduct market checking on daily basis to check maintenance of hygiene and the quality food is made available to the general public.
“We have imposed fine to various business operators for violating Food Safety Standard Act,” the ADC told Greater Kashmir, adding that the fine was imposed while deciding several cases lodged before the said court in last few months. He said that “I have directed the concerned department to ensure the routine market checking in the district, so that the quality food is made available to the general public.
GOA: MAHARASHTRA AND GOA FIRMS FINED FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING ‘MISBRANDED’ MUSTARD OIL IN GOA
Margao (Goa):The District Magistrate cum Adjudicating Officer, South Goa District, Margao has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each, on the firm M/s Payal Enterprises, Thane, Maharashtra and its three partners Manilal Lalji Nandu, Hiten Javerilal Gala and Dimple Ketan Nandu of M/s Payal Enterprises; besides Rs 10,000/ each, on 11 other local food vendors M/s G K Enterprises, Thana in Cortalim, M/s Raj Rajeshwar Agencies at Sao Pedro, Old – Goa; and Super Centre at Silvanagar in Ponda for manufacturing, storing and selling food article “A-1 Raja Mustard Oil”, which was declared and reported to be “misbranded food” under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules/Regulations.
The action against the firms was taken based on a report from the Food and Drugs Administration confirming their guilt. The FDA sleuths in a raid at these establishments had found the misbranded oil was manufactured and sold to customers despite it being declared unfit for.consumption.
Tobacco products seized
KAKCHING | Jan 31 : Kakching Police in a drive on January 29 at Kakching market seized tobacco products. Kakching Police OC S.Nandababu Sharmana said the banned tobacco items were seized during a drive against health hazardous intoxicants conducted search operation in and around Kakching bazar.
The seized items will be handed over to Food Safety and Standards Section, Thoubal to destroy them said the police officer. He also appealed the people to support the police in fighting against use and sale of banned tobacco items, mostly chewing- tobaccos and tobacco pan masalas.
In another police move a team of Pallel police led by OC MS Heisnamna also seized banned tobacco items from Pallel Bazar.
Jan 31, 2018
Jan 30, 2018
Rotten chicken for sale
APMPDC Chairman P Prakash Naidu and APFC member Dr Swarna Geetha and other food safety officials during a raid on a chicken shop in Podili on Sunday
- Officers shocked when they found rotten chicken in deep freezers
- Officials at Podili ask the officers to accept bribe
Podili: Andhra Pradesh Meat and Poultry Development Corporation Chairman P Chandra Dandu Prakash Naidu and Andhra Pradesh Food Commission member Dr Swarna Geetha and other food safety officials raided chicken shops at the Church Centre in Podili on Sunday only to get shocked to find rotten chicken in deep freezers being sold to customers.
The team found rotten chicken with feathers stored in the freezers for two to three weeks in the shops in large quantities and the shop owners are selling them to the customers after bringing the meat to room temperature. The officials seized the shops and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the owners.
Dr Geetha said, “I am shocked to see the smelly chicken stored in the freezers for a long time. Any one eats that meat, they will definitely end up in a hospital. It is the responsibility of the shop owners to provide quality chicken for the price the customers are paying. We are also shocked with response of the officials at Podili. The tahsildar sent the VRO and the panchayat secretary blames us for not informing them about their arrival to their place.
He reportedly asked them to leave the place after taking a bribe from the shop owners. “The officials and the shop owners are playing with the lives of the public and we are going to initiate action against them after discussing the case in the monthly meeting of food commission.”
RSS affiliate trains guns at FSSAI for baby food import, alleges violation
RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch has accused Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for collaborating with multinational companies to import food for the infants, which is not permitted under the law.
The Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, and amended in 2003, seeks to protect breastfeeding and bars promotional activities by baby food manufacturers.
The SJM, which works on economic issues and pitches for indigenous production, has raised concerns over allowing the import of infant foods by FSSAI under its ‘Diet 4 Life’ programme for infants suffering from Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM).
“There is a concerted effort by the FSSAI to subvert this definition and exempt certain ‘Foods for Special Medical Purposes’ from the provisions… of the Act in collusion with four major baby food corporations Nestle, Abbot, Danone, Mead Johnson. These companies have come in under the guise of an NGO called Infant and young child nutrition council,”Ashwani Mahajn, SJM’s national co-convenor, said.
FSSAI has refuted the allegation, and argued that IEM is a life-threatening condition that affects thousands of infants. “Without these foods, children would not be able to survive,” FSSAI replied.
On its decision to allow imports, FSSAI said the manufacturing capacity of the only Indian company making these product is well below the required demand.
However, this assertion is challenged by Dr Arun Gupta, central coordinator, breastfeeding promotion network. He said there is no data on the number of infants suffering from IEM.
Jan 29, 2018
Seafood industry wants common certification to replace
Seafood industry stakeholders today voiced the need for a common standard certification to reduce the cost of acquiring multiple ones which is the current requirement.They were speaking during the technical session of the 21stedition of the biennial India International Seafood Show, organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI)."Certificationensures quality, credibility and brand awareness, which in turn can bring several positive outcomes such as improved client relationship and rise in prices for the company," said Chandrajith, Director, Wimpey Laboratories, Kuwait, during the session.He listed various certifications required like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), a standard approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards, the ISO 9001: 2015, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and others.Chandrajith added that certifications such as ISO 9001: 2008, which were no longer valid, needed to be removed from the products and related materials.Yoshiyuki Shige, Senior Executive and Managing Director, Japan Fisheries Association, spoke about the importance of eco-labelling in a separate session."Marine eco-labels are marks attached to fishery products to indicate that they have been caught by a method that gives consideration to the sustainability of the ecosystem and resources.
This is done with an aim to promote customer understanding of resource management," he explained.Shige further noted that the purpose of the label was to support conservation efforts of fish producers by promoting their products."Their efforts are essential to ensure sustainable fisheries into the future," he said.The three day long event was inaugurated yesterday by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and has delegates from several countries participating.
Foodgrammers go live at street food festival in Delhi
Spicy affair: Visitors dig into street food from Rajasthan at the fest
With food stalls lined up on one side of the JLN Stadium and organic food items on the other side, Delhiites were spoiled for choice at a three-day food festival organised by the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI). From Haridwar, Jaipur and Jodhpur to different cities of UP - the vendors had brought the best for the street food lovers from across the country. The highlight of the festival was the 'prasad' stalls from temples that made a debut at the festival. Also, this year, NASVI collaborated with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to ensure proper hygiene.
From jalebis to khatta, meetha gola - the fest was a treat for everyone
Traditional dishes from all over the country
The stalls offered traditional delicacies of places like Amritsar, Udaipur, and Lucknow. Zareen Ahmad, a visitor, said, "I took so many rounds and still couldn't decide what to eat. I really loved a few dishes like kachauri and different sweet dishes."
Mrinal Sharma, a college student, told us, "I tried my best not to miss any item. It was a huge dilemma to decide whether I should try a new dish or just relish all my favourite cuisines."
Foodgrammer at work: Many customers also went live with stall owners on Insta and FB
Prasad makes a debut at the fest
The visitors who didn't know about prasad arrangements were quite amazed to see the stalls. Prasad from temples like ISKON Delhi, Swaminarayan Mandir, Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai and more, were also available at the fest. Pawan Singh, a visitor, told us, "I was surprised to find 'Somnath Temple ke pede' at the food festival. In fact, I visited the festival on two days just to have the prasad."
Talking about the response, the vendors and organisers said that like every year, even this time they got a good response. Also, the social media-savvy visitors didn't miss any chance to click pictures and make videos at the stalls. RP Bajpayee, a street food vendor from UP, told us, "Our delivery service got delayed because too many customers wanted to go live with us on Facebook and Instagram. They kept requesting us to arrange their platter in a certain way. It was fun."
A stall from Haridwar at the event
Jan 28, 2018
Telangana Govt proposes new for meat sellers
Hyderabad Jan 27: To ensure the safety of meat consumers in the State, a new set of regulations has been prepared by the Telangana chapter of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Regulations are as possible.
#Meat shops should not be within the 50-meter radius of any place of worship
# The height of meat shops should be at least 3 meters each #Meat shops should be placed at a proper distance from vegetable and other food markets
# the floor of the meat shops should be made of impervious concrete material for easy cleaning
# There should be potable water supply in the shops, and only fresh potable water should be used for cleaning meat during the process of slaughter and cutting
#Butchers should possess valid medical certificates and should not indulge in any kind of gutkha, paan or tobacco consumption.
# proper ventilation windows and exhaust fans must be set up in all meat shops.
# stainless steel utensils are used for slaughter of animals and cutting of meat
Assistant Food Controller P Chandrashekhar told that "new rules were framed after we found that there was a violation of food safety guidelines was currently rampant across the State, and that the governing body had formulated a new set of guidelines to help food inspectors monitor meat shops better."
FSSAI advises safety commissioners to focus on compliance with new norms
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked safety commissioners to take cognizance of the new standards framed for various food products. The Food-safety czar has advised them to go easy on cases involving old norms and to withdraw or not pursue cases of violation of old norms and standards, unless companies are still not compliant with the new or revised standards.
The FSSAI, said that during the last few years a large number of new standards have been framed or amended/revised for several food products based on scientific evidence to ensure appropriate food safety levels and also to ensure apt level of protection of human life and health.
The order of the FSSAI further stated that, the field machinery tasked with the responsibility of ensuring food safety may have lodged cases against food business operators for violation of the old standards even though the impugned products may now be in conformity with the new/revised standards and that the engaging of state machinery in pursuing such cases not only diverts the scarce resources of the government but also burdens the judicial system.
Also, the Food-safety Authority further stated in its order, that the government wants the field machinery to be focused on genuine cases of unsafe food products and that the burden of litigation needs to be reduced, and hence, accordingly, the commissioners have been advised to withdraw, or at least not pursue, cases for violation of old norms and standards unless the products in question are still not in conformity with the new/revised standards.
Jan 25, 2018
New low-cost tool developed for bacteria detection in food, water
Washington D.C. [U.S.A.], Jan. 24 (ANI): A team of scientists has reportedly developed a new low-cost method for detecting bacteria in food or water samples.
A team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst along with food scientist, Lili He, developed the tool which could be of use to cooks for fresh fruits and vegetables, once available commercially.
An analytical chemist and expert in detection methods for food contamination, Lili said, "People around the world cook their vegetables before eating, but here in the U.S. more and more people like to eat these foods raw. This gave us the idea that a quick test that can be done at home would be a good idea."
Insisting on the importance of microbial contamination research, she added, "It has been a problem for a long time, but it is now the number one concern for food safety in the US".
Lili, along with Lynne McLandsborough, a food researcher, reported on their two-step method - one chemical, one optical - in two papers this year.
They designed a reliable and sensitive bacteria-detecting chip that can test whether food or liquid samples carry a bacterial load. The chip, used with a light microscope for optical detection, relied on what Lili called a "capture molecule," 3-mercaptophenylboronic acid (3-MBPA) that attracts and binds to any bacteria.
According to the accompanying report, the chemical detection method, "surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy" or SERS, relied on silver nano-particles. The techniques are now in the patenting process.
Over the past few months, the optical detection method was adapted for possible home use. With the smartphone microscope adapter that is widely available online for about $30, it could be used to detect contamination in food items.
It would require samples of water, juice or mashed vegetable leaf to place the chemical-based chip in for detection. Lili reported that a summer high school student had developed a simple app for smart phones that can visually detect bacteria in samples containing the chip.
Lili called it just a "beginning of the work" and is hoping to get appropriate funding to continue this practical application.
The study is published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's journal, Analytical Methods and an online issue of Food Microbiology.
Maharashtra food adulteration cases: Special hearings to be held in February
In a special drive, the lower courts of the state will in February take up as many as 5,265 pending cases pertaining to sub-standard food, adulteration and false food labelling, to dispose of backlog. The cases have been filed by food safety officers under The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, before it was replaced in 2006 by the Food Safety and Standards Act. Several cases date back 20 years or more, officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.
“Some cases are older than 20 years but because of delay in hearings, these are not getting disposed of. We approached the Bombay High Court to clear the backlog,” said Pallavi Darade, the FDA Commissioner. Maharashtra is the third state in the country to conduct such a drive to clear cases under the now non-existent Prevention of Adulteration Act after Gujarat and Kerala.
The cases, officials said, may attract a fine of Rs 2 to Rs 10 lakh from offenders with most related to adulteration of food products or pertaining to raids conducted by food safety officers.
Following the FDA’s request, the High Court had issued a notification to sessions, metropolitan, and magistrates’ court across Maharashtra to take up all cases related to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The Maharashtra FDA has also started a state-wide drive to register food business units, ranging from street food stall hawkers to caterers or home-based dabba services. “Any one with a turnover of beyond Rs 12 lakh per month has to get a licence from the FDA,” said S Salunkhe, the Joint Commissioner, FDA.
Currently, the state has nine lakh food business units registered with it with 2 lakh licence holders who have a turnover above Rs 12 lakhs each. In case of street hawkers or fruit vendors, the FDA officers are conducting a special drive to reach out and register them.
In the past one week, the FDA has collected 742 milk samples from various dairy outlets to test them for dulteration. The drive was ordered after a series of complaints regarding milk adulteration reached the FDA commissioner. “Laboratory results are awaited. Our officers also inspected 127 vehicles near highways and toll nakas that transport milk,” commissioner Darade said.
Ban on sale of food items at shops selling tobacco
Ban on areca nut extended; vehicles carrying illegal products to face action
Mumbai: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra on Wednesday banned the sale of tobaccoand food items on the same premises. The move follows an advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on September 22, 2017, which said tobacco shopkeepers should stop selling non-tobacco FMCG items like toffee, candy, chips, biscuits, and soft drinks.
“We are the first state to implement the advisory. We drafted a notification, which was approved by the State government. The notification comes into immediate effect,” Pallavi Darade, Commissioner, Maharashtra FDA, said.
The FDA has also extended the ban on ‘scented supari’ (areca nut) by six months. The ban was to come to an end on January 31. In last July, the State had lifted the ban for a few days, but had come in for criticism from health experts.
The food regulator plans to crack down on vehicles transporting banned products. “While products such as gutkha are not manufactured in the state, we have noticed that they are being transported, especially in border areas,” Dr. Darade said. The FDA will work with other State agencies to ensure that licence of drivers and registration of such vehicles are revoked.
The FDA has decided to conduct a drive to dispose of as many cases as possible under the repealed Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1956. Since 2011, the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, has been in force.
“We are utilising a lot of resources and hope to resolve the 5,265 cases. The FDA is fighting these cases in lower courts across Maharashtra,” Dr. Darade said.
The Bombay High Court has asked all lower courts to hear matters under the old Act in February. Most of the cases are in the Mumbai–Thane belt and were registered between 1995 and 2011. “Some of the cases are nearly 20 years old,” the FDA chief said.
Milk adulteration
The FDA conducted an inspection drive at milk centres between 10 p.m. on January 20 and 6 a.m. on January 21. The FDA collected 742 milk samples from across the state and have sent them for tests. In Mumbai, 127 milk tankers were checked at five entry points. Of these, two tankers carrying 2,700 litres of milk were not found to be up to the requisite standards and were sent back, and eight samples were sent for further tests.
Mobile food safety checks on the anvil
Food safety checks can now be performed on the go in the State, thanks to an equipped-vehicle Telangana has been provided by the Food Safety Standards of India. The vehicle, a van with equipment to test food for consumption, arrived at the Institute of Preventive Medicine here on Tuesday.
It will tour the State and also be part of campaigns to raise awareness about food safety. “The van will go around the State once a week. It will have a food inspector and a technician. It will supplement the existing testing facility in the city,” IPM Director K. Shankar said.
Jan 24, 2018
Your Breakfast Cereal: Does it Serve its Purpose?
Your breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After a night-long fasting, a wholesome breakfast will help pep you up for the day-long activities that will follow. A proper breakfast will set the tone for the day and will also get the metabolism going so that there is a smooth transition of the body from the inactive to the active state. Skipping breakfast is strongly discouraged as this will result in too much snacking that can have detrimental effects on health.
Your Breakfast Cereal – How Does It Look & Taste?
Breakfast cereals usually consist of processed grains and prepared with milk and sugar to make it more appetizing and palatable. Sometimes yogurt and fruits are also added to enhance the taste and nutritional content. The cereals come in a variety of attractive shapes and sizes. Machine processing can make them flaky, shredded or puffy in appearance. Sometimes, they receive a chocolate coating or sugar frosting prior to drying and packaging.
What are the Varieties of Breakfast Cereals Available?
Nowadays, there is a vast choice of breakfast cereals in the market, including many leading brands. Some of these are given below:
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes / Crunchy Nut Cereal
Quaker Oats
Sante Crunchy Fruit Whole Grain Oat Flakes
Bagrry’s Crunchy Muesli
Vitalia Wheat Flakes
24 Mantra Organic Ragi Flakes
General Mills French Toast Crunch / Cheerios
Patanjali Dalia
What Nutrients Does Your Breakfast Cereal Contain?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that a 100 g serving of a breakfast cereal can provide up to a fifth of the daily calorie intake (~2000 calories). The nutrient content of breakfast cereals is briefly discussed below:
Carbohydrates: Carbs contributes 22% of the daily intake. Sugar accounts for the majority of the calories in cereals.
Fats: Total fats contributes 10% of the daily intake. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are comparatively much higher than saturated fats. Moreover, most cereals are cholesterol-free, making them a healthy choice.
Proteins: These account for ~26% of the daily protein needs.
Dietary Fiber: Cereals are packed with dietary fibers and accounts for ~40% of the daily needs.
Vitamins & Minerals: Cereals are high in iron and magnesium, moderate in calcium and vitamin B6, and low in sodium and potassium. Vitamins A, C, D, and B12 are absent altogether.
What are the FSSAI Regulations for Breakfast Cereals?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex body on food safety and standards in India, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 has made the following recommendations with reference to breakfast cereals:
Dietary Fiber in the form of dextrin-soluble fiber can be used at the level of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Oligofructose must not exceed 10% of the product in compliance with labeling declaration as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.
Trehalose can be added between 0.5% to 10% of the product in compliance with labeling declaration as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.
Besides the above recommendations, the FSSAI has also fixed the upper limits of the under-mentioned components in breakfast cereals, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011:
Food Additive Recommended Maximum Level
ASCORBYL ESTERS 200 mg/kg
Acesulfame potassium 1,200 mg/kg
Allura red AC 100 mg/kg
Aspartame 1000 mg/kg
Curcumin GMP
Paprika oleoresin GMP
Brilliant blue FCF 100 mg/kg
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) 200 mg/kg
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) 100 mg/kg
CAROTENOIDS 200 mg/kg
Caramel-III (ammonia caramel) 50,000 mg/kg
Caramel-IV (sulfite ammonia caramel) 2,500 mg/kg
β-Carotenes, vegetable 400 mg/kg
Grape skin extract 200 mg/kg
IRON OXIDES 75 mg/kg
Neotame 160 mg/kg
Propyl gallate 200 mg/kg
PHOSPHATES 2,200 mg/kg
RIBOFLAVINS 300 mg/kg
SACCHARINS 100 mg/kg
Steviol glycosides 350 mg/kg
Sucralose 1,000 mg/kg
Sunset yellow FCF 100 mg/kg
Do Breakfast Cereals Serve their Purpose?
Some breakfast cereals are high in sugar and refined carbs. Sugar is an unhealthy component of our modern diet. Processed foods are the major source of sugar, of which breakfast cereals are a major contributor. High sugar is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and even cancer.
Most breakfast cereals are processed foods. Artificial processing by sugar-frosting or chocolate-coating leads to excessive consumption of sugar over and above the recommended dietary allowance. Many young children are becoming overweight or even obese due to the problem of over-eating, especially among the economically upwardly mobile classes in India.
Therefore, from the above discussion, we can safely say that whole grain breakfast cereals are a healthy option. These are far healthier than artificially processed ones. These cereals are usually packed with dietary fibers, but without the sugar, thereby ensuring a nutritious breakfast for you and your entire family.
How Can We Help?
Arbro Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. has NABL accredited and FSSAI approved laboratories with state-of-the-art instruments as well as highly trained technicians. Components of food samples, including breakfast cereals, are regularly tested with utmost precision. If you would like to use our testing services, please feel free to contact us through the contact form or call us now on +91-11-45754575. We will be happy to provide you a proposal for estimation of the chemical composition of your food samples, including breakfast cereals.
References
Indian Council of Medical Research: Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians: A Report of the Expert Group of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 2009. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
FSSAI Compendium of Food Additives Regulations: Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
Are Weight Loss Pills Making Indians Sick?
Just because a product is available doesn't mean that it is safe.
I used to be an overweight child. In fact, I spent most of my school life being overweight. Thankfully, I'm no longer overweight (a little underweight, actually). However, back when I was in school, I honestly thought that if I took weight loss supplements, I could get rid of the excess weight quickly. After doing my research recently, however, I am profoundly thankful not to have done anything like that.
In 2013, the Times of India published an article about an Indian student in the UK, who died after reportedly abusing weight loss pills. The report stated that the supplement in question contained 2,4-dinitrophenol, which is a banned substance. Even the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) published an article cautioning people against taking weight loss supplements without medical approval and supervision. The article noted that the FDA has found hundreds of products that are marketed as dietary supplements but actually contain hidden active ingredients (components that make a medicine effective against a specific illness) that could be prescription drugs, unsafe or banned ingredients, or compounds that have not been adequately studied in humans. The article also pointed out that dietary supplements don't need FDA approval, and that just because a product is available doesn't mean that it is safe.
Until there are mandatory comprehensive testing and approval processes and systems, taking any sort of weight loss supplement is a risk, and should be avoided as far as possible.
An article, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cautioned that manufacturers of weight loss supplements rarely carry out studies to test whether their products are even effective. Even if they do conduct studies, the sample sizes are small and the subjects take the supplements only for a few weeks or months.
The problems associated with weight loss supplements in India are naturally similar to the problems faced in the US. On 15th November 2017, the Times of India published another article on weight loss supplements, focusing on Garcinia Cambogia Extracts (GCE). Garcinia Cambogia is a plant grown in Indonesia and Karnataka. Extracts from the fruit are popularly used in weight loss supplements. The TOI article quoted Dr. Raman Goel, a senior bariatric surgeon, who said that supplements containing GCE have been found to have little or no weight loss benefits. He added that these products aren't even approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
There is, however, some law in place to regulate the ingredients that manufacturers can use in supplements. The Food Safety & Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2016, provides a list of approved ingredients for nutraceuticals, the types of food categories in which they can be used, and their permissible limits. The FSSAI is also working on new standards for product approval.
Until there are mandatory comprehensive testing and approval processes and systems, taking any sort of weight loss supplement is a risk, and should be avoided as far as possible. However, if you feel that you really need to take something, then it should be done only after taking medical advice, and under medical supervision. Honestly, I think that the best way to lose weight and get fit is through a proper diet and exercise regimen. It may take time, but it is safer and far more sustainable!
Many banned substances on shelves!
Using health supplements ?
There are many advantages in starting fitness training at a young age.It will help develop a positive impression of fitness training and develop the ability to cope with the changes experienced in adolescence, improve body image and maintain good health and lifelong healthy habits.
Understanding your body and correct nutritional values are essential to anyone's everyday living the younger you start understanding the importance of personal fitness, the longer you can prolong your life and sense of overall health.
Bodybuilding can be detrimental to teen's health if they practice it incorrectly or if they adopt common bodybuilding dietary and supplement practices wrongly, there is a way to use and safely use supplements which a lot of us do not know about .
Teens tend to focus on what our so called GURU's in Gym teach us. They target the young mind and give them the dream of an aesthetic and great looking body.
The teens are intimidated by this thought and they tend to opt for shortcuts.
It takes years of hard work, eating properly and discipline to develop a world class physique.
So for any beginner or a new bee it's quite impossible to look that way. None of the international physiques like Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, and Sadik achieved their mass and class overnight, instead they gradually built their strength and endurance to look that way.
So never opt for a shortcut but rather focus on hard work and discipline combined with right nutrition and supplementation.
CREATINE as a supplement-
It is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vegetables and meat. It's main role is to supply body withy ATP {adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of cell} .this is typically done by supplying ADP (adenosine di-phosphate) with an additional phosphate group.
SO What does Creatine do?
It supplies body with energy; this is done by recycling ADP with phosphate group which in turn leads to the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
The end product of all the metabolism in our body is energy i.e.. ATP
In Human body creatine manufacture usually occur in liver and kidneys .On an average it is produced at an average of 1gm/day in young adults( if nutrition is proper). Though it helps boost the energy of our body it also have some side effects like asthmatic breathing ,renal problems ,dehydration , diaheria but however these side effects are debatable and can also occur due to series of problems in family or improper nutrition or improper supplement usage.
Creatine as a supplement-
Creatine supplements are usually used by athletes, bodybuilders, power lifters, wrestlers and others who wish to gain muscle and strength.
Creatine supplement boost the natural reserves of creatine in our body.it is usually stored in muscles and is utilized during high intensity workouts to provide you with energy. It can be utilized by body as a quick source of energy.
There are several ways to use creatine some would suggest a direct use, some would suggest a loading phase and others will suggest to use it post workout or may be pre workout.
What I personally advice is to use 5-6 Gms per days for 4-6 weeks and then getting of the creatine for 6-8 weeks.
Creatine does not give quick results, but the results are more likely long term where you first saturate the muscle with creatine levels to assist with energy.
Now, how does CREATINE Works?
Simple, it helps you to work harder. Creatine is no magic formula, it cannot deliver you results without hard work and right nutrition, so all it does is it makes you work harder and for longer time. When u lift heavy and for longer duration you end up being stronger and better. This is how creatine works.
CREATINE MONOHYDERATE and its ban by FSSAI-
Presently in India there are no fixed standards prescribed for the manufacture of creatine monohydrate under FSSA, 2006 (Food Safety and Standards).
On 21 December 2017, through letter FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) ordered all their food safety commissioners in all the states and UTs, that creatine monohydrate being sold with or without license to be removed from all the e-commerce platforms.
Notices have been sent to various e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Home Shop 18, Flipkart ,Snapdeal) to remove Creatine Monohydrate from their forums.
So according to the new rule ordered by FSSAI selling and storing creatine monohydrate is an offence. FSSAI has also requested its officers to keep a check on the orders given but the irony is despite the ban companies are selling creatine
As far no substantial actions have been taken.
Retailers, e- commerce platforms and selling and consumers are buying it. It is due to lack of awareness that the major population does not know about this ban.
My take on it would be if FSSAI has banned a product then effective actions should be taken.
Those selling the product should be fined and as consumers we should be more aware and should stay away from a product that has been banned.
Temple prasadam to soon have expiry date
Prasadam distributed in temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) will soon have the shelf life printed on the containers to comply with the norms of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
HR&CE officials said the panchamirtham sold at the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani would be the first of the prasadams to have an expiry date.
“We have sent the panchamirtham to the food safety authority for determination of its shelf life. After they issue a licence, we will start printing the date of expiry on the tins marketed at the counters of the temple,” a senior HR&CE official told TOI.
The food safety department will also test the prasadams of other temples to prescribe expiry dates.
Food handlers who prepare the holy prasadam have been trained to follow the norms of the food safety authority with respect to a host of parameters. Recently, 300 food handlers from 20 major temples across Tamil Nadu participated in a workshop on implementation of food safety and hygiene in places of worship under Project BHOG in New Delhi. The project is one of the safe and nutritious food initiatives launched by FSSAI a year ago.
The HR&CE department administers 36,565 temples in the state. While prasadam is sold across the counter in several temples, others provide it free of cost for devotees. Some popular temple prasadams include dosai at the Kallalagar temple at Madurai, idli at the Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kancheepuram and puttu at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.
R Jaya, commissioner of HR&CE, told TOI that the FSSAI licence for panchamirtham was expected within 10 days. “Apart from this, steps are being taken to sell prasadams in eco-friendly containers,” she added.
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