`குழந்தைகள், கர்ப்பிணிகள், பாலூட்டும் தாய்மார்கள் குடிக்கக் கூடாது’ - குளிர்பானத் தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனமே குறிப்பிடும் எச்சரிக்கை!

கடந்த வாரம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் நடந்த ஒரு நிகழ்வு… கருமையான குளிர்பானத்துக்குள்ளிருக்கும் உட்பொருள்களைப் பற்றித் தெரிந்துகொள்வதற்காக குளிர்பானம் ஒன்றை வாங்கினேன். 250 மி.லி கொள்ளளவு கொண்ட அதன் விலை இருபத்தைந்து ரூபாய். அதே கடையில் ஐந்து வயது மதிக்கத்தக்க சிறுவன், அதே குளிர்பானத்தின் பெயரை உரிமையுடன் சொல்லி, தனது தந்தையிடம் கேட்டான். தந்தையும் எந்தவித மறுப்புமின்றி வாங்கிக் கொடுத்தார். சிறுவன், தான் விரும்பிய பொருள் கிடைத்த மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் சில்லென்ற குளிர்பானத்தைப் பருகினான். சிறுவன் நடந்துகொண்டே குளிர்பானத்தைப் பருகப் பருக, நான் அந்தப் பாட்டிலில் அச்சிடப்பட்டிருந்த வாசகங்களைப் படித்தேன்.

சிறியதாக அச்சிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் உட்பொருள்கள்...

`குளிர்பானத்தின் பெயர் (கூடுதல் சக்தியுடன் என்ற அடைமொழியுடன்)… அதிகளவு கஃபைன் (Caffeine) கொண்டது… குழந்தைகள், பாலூட்டும் தாய்மார்கள், கர்ப்பிணிகள் குடிக்கக் கூடாது… கஃபைன் அலர்ஜி உள்ளவர்கள் குடிக்கக் கூடாது… ஒரு நாளைக்கு 500 மிலி-க்கு அதிகமாகப் பருகக் கூடாது’ என்றெல்லாம் லென்ஸ் வைத்துப் பார்க்கும் அளவுக்கு, மிகச் சிறிய எழுத்துகள் பாட்டிலில் அச்சிடப்பட்டிருந்தன. ஒரு நுகர்வுப் பொருளில் இருக்கும் உட்பொருள்களைப் படித்துப் பார்த்து வாங்கும் விழிப்புஉணர்வு, மக்களிடம் இல்லை. அப்படியிருக்கும்போது, இவ்வளவு எச்சரிக்கைக் குறிப்புகள் கொண்ட ஒரு குளிர்பானத்தை, விதவிதமான மனிதர்கள் வந்துபோகும் ரயில் நிலையத்தில் விற்கும் நியாயமற்ற சமுதாயத்தில்தான் நாம் வாழ்கிறோம். அதே குளிர்பானம் பேருந்து நிலையங்கள், வணிக வளாகங்கள், மளிகைக்கடைகள்... என அனைத்து இடங்களிலும் சர்வ சாதாரணமாகக் கிடைத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது என்பதுதான் வேதனை!

கஃபைன் மட்டுமா?

கர்ப்பிணிகள்… பாலூட்டும் தாய்மார்கள்… குழந்தைகள் குடிக்கக் கூடாத அளவுக்கு அதிலுள்ள பொருள் கஃபைன் மட்டும்தானா... அல்லது வேறு ஏதாவது இருக்கிறதா? நமக்குத் தெரிய வாய்ப்பில்லை. செயற்கைக் குளிர்பான நிறுவனத்துக்கே வெளிச்சம். வயது வித்தியாசமின்றி, அந்த நிறுவனமே அறிவுறுத்தும் எச்சரிக்கையை மீறி, அவர்களின் குளிர்பானம் அனைவராலும் குடிக்கப்படுவதுதான் நிதர்சனம். நான் பார்த்தது ஒரு சிறுவன். இன்னும் எத்தனையோ சிறுவர்களின் பிஞ்சு உறுப்புகள், அந்தக் குளிர்பானத்தை, அதிலுள்ள சாப்பிடக் கூடாத உட்பொருள்களை கிரகித்துக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கின்றன.

பாதிக்கப்படுவது யார்?

விஷயம் என்ன தெரியுமா? குளிர்பானங்களை வியாபாரம் செய்யும் கடைக்காரர்களுக்குமேகூட அதிலிருக்கும் பாதகங்களைப் பற்றித் தெரிந்திருக்க வாய்ப்பில்லை. காரணம், அவ்வளவு சிறிய எழுத்துகளில் எச்சரிக்கைவிடுத்திருக்கிறார்கள். விஷயம் தெரிந்தால், அறம் சார்ந்த விற்பன்னர்கள் உறுதியாக விற்பனை செய்ய மாட்டார்கள். `குழந்தைகள் குடிப்பதற்கு உகந்ததல்ல’ என்று அச்சிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் குளிர்பானத்தின் தீவிரம் புரியாமல் பருகும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு ஏதாவது பாதிப்பு ஏற்பட்டு, நுகர்வோர் நீதிமன்றத்துக்குச் சென்றாலும் வழக்கு நிற்காது. தாங்கள் சிறியதாக அச்சிட்ட எழுத்துகளை, பெரியதாக நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஒப்படைப்பார் அந்தப் பன்னாட்டுக் குளிர்பான நிறுவனத்துக்காக வாதாடும் வழக்கறிஞர். கடைசியில் பாதிக்கப்படுவது ஒன்றும் அறியாத அப்பாவி மக்கள்தாம்.

இளைஞர்களின் உற்சாக பானம்!

கஃபைன் கலந்த குளிர்பானம் குறித்த எனது அனுபவங்களை சென்னையிலிருக்கும் பன்னாட்டு நிறுவனத்தில் பணிபுரியும் நண்பரிடம் பேசிக்கொண்டிருந்தேன். அப்போது அவர் அதிர்ச்சியான தகவல் ஒன்றைப் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டார். குளிர்பானத்தில் நிறைய ’கஃபைன்’ இருப்பதாக விளம்பரப்படுத்தப்படுவதால், இரவுநேரப் பணியில் நீண்ட நேரம் கண்விழித்து வேலை செய்யவேண்டிய இளைஞர்களின் உற்சாக பானமாக அது உருவெடுத்திருக்கிறதாம். `ஒரு நாளைக்கு 500 மி.லி-க்கு மேல் குடிக்கக் கூடாது’ என்று எச்சரிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் நிலையில், குறைந்தது ஒரு லிட்டர் வரை ஒரே இரவில் பல இளைஞர்கள் பருகுகிறார்களாம். இப்படியே தினமும் தொடர்ந்தால், கஃபைனின் அளவு அதிகரித்து, மிகப் பெரிய பாதிப்புகளை உண்டாக்கும்.

கஃபைன் ஏற்படுத்தும் பாதிப்புகள்...

உறங்காமல் இருப்பதற்காக அளவுக்கு மீறி காபி குடிப்பதே பாதிப்புகளை ஏற்படுத்தும் என்ற நிலையில், தனியாக கஃபைன் சேர்க்கப்பட்ட பானத்தை அருந்தினால், விரைவில் மிகப் பெரிய பாதிப்புகள் ஏற்படும். அந்தக் குளிர்பானத்தில் இருக்கும் கஃபைனின் அளவு, ஏறக்குறைய 40 மி.கி / 250 மி.லி. அதிக அளவிளான கஃபைன் (High caffeine) என்றும் அதில் அச்சிடப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. நான் குறிப்பிட்டிருப்பது அதிகளவில் கஃபைன் கலக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு பன்னாட்டுக் குளிர்பானத்தைப் பற்றி. அது மட்டுமில்லாமல், கஃபைன் கலக்கப்பட்ட எத்தனையோ பன்னாட்டு குளிர்பானங்கள் பொதுமக்களைக் கவரும் வகையில் வெவ்வேறு ரூபங்களில் வலம்வருகின்றன.

அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக கஃபைன் நமது ரத்தத்தில் கலக்கும்போது, ஒழுங்கற்ற இதயத்துடிப்பு, மூச்சுவிடுவதில் சிரமம், மயக்கம், தலைவலி, தூக்கமின்மை, மனஅழுத்தம்... எனப் பல்வேறு பாதிப்புகளை உண்டாக்கும். `கஃபைனால் தூண்டப்பட்ட மனப்பதற்றம்’ (Caffeine induced anxiety disorder) என்ற நோய்ப் பிரிவு, மனநோய்கள் சார்ந்த வகைப்பட்டியலில் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கிறது. அதிகளவு கஃபைன் கலந்த குளிர்பானத்தை ஒருவர் குடித்து, அதனால் பாதிப்புகள் ஏற்படுமானால் அதற்கென்ன மருத்துவம் தெரியுமா? விஷத்தை குடித்தவர்களுக்குக் கொடுக்கப்படும் மருத்துவம்தான் அவர்களுக்கும்!

குளிர்பானங்களில் சேர்க்கப்படும் கஃபைனால் ஏற்படும் பாதிப்புகள் ஒருபுறமிருக்க, அளவுக்கு மீறிய செயற்கைச் சர்க்கரைகளால் உடல் பருமன், சர்க்கரைநோய் என பாதிப்புகள் மறுபுறம் உருவெடுக்கும். `புகைப்பிடித்தால் புற்றுநோய் உண்டாகும்’ என்று சிகரெட் அட்டையில் எழுதப்பட்டிருப்பதைப்போல, `செயற்கை பானங்களை அருந்தினால் தொற்றா நோய்களின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரிக்கும்’ என்று அவரவர் மனங்களில் எழுதிவைத்துக்கொண்டு அவற்றை தவிர்த்தால் ஆரோக்கியத்துக்கு நல்லது.

ஒரு நாளைக்கு ஒருவர் ¼ லிட்டர் தண்ணீர் குடிக்கிறார் என்றால், அவரது இரைப்பை ¼ லிட்டர் அளவு விரிவடையும். அதுவே வாயு நிரப்பப்பட்ட ¼ லிட்டர் குளிர்பானத்தைப் பருகினால், இரைப்பையானது ½ லிட்டர் வரை விரிவடையும். இதன் காரணமாக உணவுக்குழாயை நோக்கி, இரைப்பையின் அமிலம் கலந்த கூழ்மங்கள் எதுக்களிக்கும். தொடர்ந்து இப்படி நிகழும்போது, உணவுக்குழாயின் திசுக்கள் பாதிப்படைந்து, தாங்க முடியாத நெஞ்செரிச்சல், வலி ஏற்படும். இப்படி உணவுக்குழாயின் திசுக்கள் பாதிப்படைவதை ‘பாரட்ஸ் ஈஸோபேகஸ்’ (Barrett’s oesophagus) என மருத்துவ உலகம் அழைக்கிறது. அடுத்தகட்டமாக உணவுக்குழாயில் புற்றுநோய் வருவதற்கான வாய்ப்புகளும் இருக்கின்றன. வாயு நிரப்பப்பட்ட குளிர்பானங்கள் அதிகமாக விற்பனையாகும் ஆஸ்திரேலியா, இங்கிலாந்து போன்ற நாடுகளில் உணவுக்குழாய் புற்றுநோயாளர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகம்.

பதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட பழச்சாறுகள்...

வேனிற்காலத்தை மனதில் வைத்து, செயற்கைக் குளிர்பானங்கள் சார்ந்த விளம்பரங்கள் அதிகளவில் தொலைக்காட்சிகளில் ஒளிபரப்பாகத் தொடங்கிவிட்டன... உங்கள் அபிமான நட்சத்திரங்களின் வாய்மொழியுடன்! செயற்கைக் குளிர்பானங்கள் மட்டுமல்லாமல், `பழச்சாறுகள் மட்டுமே’ என்று விளம்பரப்படுத்தப்படும் குளிர்பானங்களும் வேண்டாம். நேரடியாக மாம்பழத்தின் சுவையை அனுபவிப்பதற்கும், அட்டையில் அடைக்கப்பட்ட மாம்பழச் சாற்றைச் சுவைப்பதற்கும் வித்தியாசங்கள் நிறைய இருக்கின்றன. ஒரு முழு மாம்பழத்தின் மூலம் நமக்குக் கிடைக்கும் இயற்கைச் சர்க்கரைக்கும், 200 மி.லி பதப்படுத்தபட்ட பழச்சாறு கொடுக்கும் சர்க்கரையின் அளவிலும் தரத்திலும் மிகுந்த வேறுபாடுகள் உள்ளன. 2014-ம் ஆண்டு, செயற்கைக் குளிர்பானங்களில் குறிப்பிட்ட அளவு பழச்சாறுகளைக் கலந்து சந்தையில்விடலாமா என்ற பேச்சு அடிபட்டது. அப்போது பல்வேறு உணவியல் ஆர்வலர்கள் அதற்கு எதிராகக் குரல் கொடுத்தார்கள். அதற்கு அவர்கள் முன்வைத்த காரணம்… `செயற்கைக் குளிர்பானங்கள் என்றாலும் சரி, பதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட பழச்சாறுகள் என்றாலும் சரி, இரண்டிலுமே சர்க்கரையின் அளவு அதிகம்’ என்பதுதான். அது தவிர்த்து அவை கெடாமல் இருப்பதற்காகச் சேர்க்கப்படும் பதப்படுத்திகள் சார்ந்தும் அவர்கள் தங்கள் எதிர்ப்பைப் பதிவுசெய்திருந்தார்கள்.

`பன்னாட்டுக் குளிர்பானங்களில் பூச்சிக்கொல்லி மருந்துகள் சேர்க்கப்படுகின்றன… பயன்படுத்தாதீர்கள்’ என்ற செய்தி அவ்வப்போது வெளிவருவதுண்டு. கிட்டத்தட்ட பதினைந்து ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்னர், ஆந்திராவில் இருக்கும் குண்டூர் பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்த விவசாயிகள், தாங்கள் விளைவித்த நெற்பயிர்கள் பூச்சிகளால் பாதிப்படையாமலிருக்க, ஒரு பன்னாட்டுக் குளிர்பானத்தை சமஅளவு பூச்சிமருந்துடன் கலந்து பயன்படுத்தியிருக்கிறார்கள். அதுதொடக பல வழக்குகளும் ஆய்வுகளும் நடைபெற்றது வேறு கதை.

கஃபைன் சார்ந்தோ, சர்க்கரை சார்ந்தோ அல்லது அதில் சேர்க்கப்படும் வாயுக்கள் காரணமாகவோ பிரச்னைகள் ஏற்படலாம். விபரீதங்களைத் தவிர்க்க சிறந்த வழி, செயற்கைக் குளிர்பானங்களை வெறுத்து ஒதுக்குவது மட்டும்தான். பானங்களுக்கா நம்மிடம் பஞ்சம்? ஒவ்வோரு பருவ காலத்துக்கும் வகை வகையாக இயற்கை பானங்களைப் பயன்படுத்தியவர்கள் நாம். மீண்டும் அவற்றை மீட்டெடுப்பது, நம் கையில்தான் இருக்கிறது.

How much plastic is there in your packaged water?

Packaged water can be a lifeline for many of the 2.1 billion people worldwide with unsafe drinking water 

A new research by Orb Media a non-profit journalism organisation based in Washington, D.C., shows that a single bottle can hold dozens or possibly even thousands of microscopic plastic particles.

The mercury sprints past 30°C most days on Brazil’s world-famous Copacabana Beach.

Marcio Silva has trudged uncounted miles there, selling relief in the form of cold bottled water.

“I drink water because water is life, water is health, water is everything,” said Silva (51). “I drink it and sell it to others. I don’t want to sell something bad to people.”

Bottled water is marketed as the very essence of purity. It's the fastest-growing beverage market in the world, valued at US$147 billion per year.

But new research by Orb Media, a non-profit journalism organisation based in Washington, D.C., shows that a single bottle can hold dozens or possibly even thousands of microscopic plastic particles.

Tests on more than 250 bottles from 11 brands reveal contamination with plastic including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Water mark

Orb Media conducts tests on more than 250 bottles from 11 brands

The study reveals contamination with plastic, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Two leading brands confirm their products contained microplastic, but said Orb's study significantly overstates the amount

Tests conducted for Orb at the State University of New York reveal a global average of 10.4 plastic particles a litre

Samples came from 19 locations in nine countries on five continents. Some bottles had effectively zero plastic. One contained more than 10,000 particles a litre. Plastic found in 93% of the samples

When contacted by reporters, two leading brands confirmed their products contained micro-plastic, but they said Orb’s study significantly overstates the amount.

For plastic particles in the 100 micron, or 0.10 millimetre size range, tests conducted for Orb at the State University of New York revealed a global average of 10.4 plastic particles per litre. These particles were confirmed as plastic using an industry standard infra-red microscope.

The tests also showed a much greater number of even smaller particles that researchers said are also likely plastic. The global average for these particles was 314.6 per litre.

Samples came from 19 locations in nine countries on five continents. Some bottles had effectively zero plastic. One contained more than 10,000 particles per litre.

We found plastic in 93 per cent of the samples.

“This is shocking,” said Erik Solheim, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. “Please name one human being on the entire planet who wants plastic in his or her bottle.”

Peggy Apter certainly doesn’t. “It's disheartening,” said Apter, a real estate investor in Carmel, Indiana, who drinks only bottled water. “What's the world come to? Why can't we have just clean, pure water?”

Packaged water can be a lifeline for many of the 2.1 billion people worldwide with unsafe drinking water. Some 4,000 children die every day from water-borne diseases, according to the United Nations.

Yet many who do have safe tap water still choose bottled because they think it's cleaner, find it more convenient or prefer the taste. Bottled water output will soon hit 300 billion litres a year.

Scientists and governments are increasingly concerned about micro-plastic pollution. Recent studies have found micro-plastic — particles smaller than 5 millimetres — in the oceans, soil, air, lakes, and rivers.

But plastic’s final frontier may be the human body.

Microplastics in bottled water

Last year, Orb Media revealed microscopic plastic in global tap water samples.

Today's study is “a very illuminative example of how intimate our contact with plastic is,” said Martin Wagner, a toxicologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Micro-plastics are “probably in our tissues,” said Jane Muncke, managing director at the Food Packaging Forum, a Swiss research organization. “I’m sure they’re in mine.”

What this means for human health is unknown.

“Based on current knowledge, which is very fragmentary and incomplete, there is little health concern,” Wagner said. “The human body is well-adapted to dealing with non-digestible particles.”

As much as 90 percent of micro-plastic that is consumed might be excreted, a 2016 European Union report on plastic in seafood said.

Of the other ten percent, some plastic under 150 microns (0.15 millimetres) could enter the gut's lymphatic system, or pass from the bloodstream to the kidneys or liver, according the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Today’s bottled water study found plastic within that range.

But assumptions about how plastic behaves in the gut come from scientific models, not laboratory studies, Muncke said.

“We don't even know all the chemicals in plastics,” Muncke said. “There's so many unknowns here.”

Bottled water manufacturers emphasised their products met all government requirements.

Gerolsteiner, a German bottler, said its tests “have come up with a significantly lower quantity of micro-particles per litre,” than found in Orb’s study.

Nestle tested six bottles from three locations after an inquiry from Orb Media. Those tests, said Nestle Head of Quality Frederic de Bruyne, showed between zero and five plastic particles per liter.

None of the other bottlers agreed to make public results of their tests for plastic contamination.

“We stand by the safety of our bottled water products,” the American Beverage Association said in a statement.

Anca Paduraru, a food safety spokeswoman for the European Commission, said that while micro-plastic is not directly regulated in bottled water, “legislation makes clear there must be no contaminants.” The U.S. doesn’t have specific rules for micro-plastic in food and beverages.

Some consumers were shocked by Orb's discovery. Others were confident plastic wouldn't harm them.

“I feel cheated,” said Arnold Kokonya (23), a graphic design student in Nairobi, Kenya. “But then, at the same time, I feel safe.”

“Actually, I'm surprised,” said Norma Navarrete (36), a soprano who sips bottled water before performing with the Tijuana Opera in Mexico. “I mean, you drink it every day.”

The study was supervised by Professor Sherri Mason, a leading micro-plastic researcher at the State University of New York in Fredonia. Mason also managed Orb's 2017 tap water study.

To test bottled water, Mason's team first infused each bottle with a dye called Nile Red, an emerging method used by scientists for the rapid detection of micro-plastic. The water was then filtered to 1.5 microns, or 0.0015 millimetres — smaller than a human red blood cell.

Under a microscope, in the blue glare of a crime-scene investigation light, and viewed through orange goggles, the dyed plastic particles on each filter glow like tiny embers.

Mason analysed bigger particles, about 100 microns (0.10 millimetres), by Fourier-Transform Infra-red spectroscopy, which beams infra-red light into an object to read its molecular signature.

Polypropylene, used in bottle caps, made up 54 percent of those larger particles. Nylon was 16 percent. PET, used in bottles, was six percent. The majority of samples came in plastic bottles. Water in glass bottles also held micro-plastic.

Fluorescing particles that were too small to be analysed by FTIR should be called “probable micro-plastic,” said Andrew Mayes, senior lecturer in chemistry at the University of East Anglia, because “some of it might be another, unknown, substance to which Nile Red stain is adhering.” Mayes developed the Nile Red method for identifying micro-plastic.

De Bruyne, of Nestle, noted that Mason’s tests did not include a step in which biological substances are removed from the sample. Therefore, he said, some of the fluorescing particles could be false positives — natural material that the Nile Red had also stained. He didn’t specify what that material would be.

Mason noted that the so-called “digestion step” is used on debris-filled samples from the ocean or the seashore, and wasn’t needed for bottled water. “Certainly they are not suggesting that pure, filtered, pristine water is likely to have wood, algae, or chitin [prawn shells] in it?” she said.

To count the particles, we used an app that recorded the number of fluorescing objects in photographs of lab filters.

“This is pretty substantial,” Mayes said. “I've looked in some detail at the finer points of the way the work was done, and I'm satisfied that it has been applied carefully and appropriately, in a way that I would have done it in my lab.”

A recent paper in the journal Water Research reported finding micro-plastic in German mineral water. “I'm sure that this [plastic] is from the bottle itself,” lead author Darena Schymanski said.

Orb's studies of tap water and bottled water used different methods. But there is room to compare them.

For micro-plastic around 100 microns, about the width of a hair, bottled water samples had nearly twice the particles per liter (10.4) as tap water (4.45).

So what's best, bottled or tap?

“If your tap water is of high quality, that's always better,” said Scott Belcher, professor of toxicology at North Carolina State University. “If you have contaminated and unsafe drinking water, bottled water may be your only alternative.”

Echoing other consumers we interviewed, Apter said, “it's the government's responsibility to educate people to know what they're drinking and eating.”

Odisha gets first mobile food testing laboratory

BHUBANESWAR: The State got its first Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) on Wednesday. Referred to as food safety on wheels, the van will be used to conduct tests for common adulterants in all products.Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena flagged off the van on the premises of Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) here on Wednesday.Introduced by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2016-17, the one-of-its-kind mobile food testing laboratory, which costs around `36 lakh is equipped with gadgets like milk analyser, hot air oven, hot plate, mixer grinder, digital weighing scale and air conditioner besides test equipment. 

“The mobile laboratory will help spot testing of adulteration in common food items, including milk products, prepared food and non-permitted colours. Testing of common adulteration can instill confidence in the local population while strengthening the hand of enforcement machinery,” Jena said.The van that comes up with a LCD set and mike will not only examine the food samples, but also create awareness among people at large congregations and schools about food adulteration. It will educate consumers in various aspects of food safety and common hygienic practices. People can also ask queries to the officials present in the van.

While FSSAI will provide `5 lakh per year for next three years for operation of the van, the State Government will bear the maintenance and transport expenses. A lab technician, lab assistant, helper and driver have been deployed on the van.“The mobile van would be regularly monitored to ensure that the services were being provided satisfactorily,” the Health Minister added. Among others, Health Secretary Dr Pramod Meherda, Director of National Health Mission Shalini Pandit and Food Safety Commissioner Archana Patnaik were present.

Food Safety Dept to challenge ‘lesser penalties’ imposed in food adulteration cases

Srinagar, Mar 14: Unsatisfied over imposing “lesser penalties”, the Food Safety Department would challenge the orders of additional deputy commissioners before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Kashmir (FSAT) in substandard food cases.

An official of the Food Safety Department said that they were not satisfied with the “meagre” amount imposed as fine by ADCs in substandard food cases in the Valley.

The ADCs are adjudicating officers to decide on the fine in food adulterated cases.

The official said that restaurants, traditional bakers, milk vendors, butchers, and various others, who sell eatable items, have been found for violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. During various inspections, the official said that it was also found that “synthetic colours” were being used in many popular food items.

“But ADC, who are adjudicating officers, have imposed lesser fine against gravity of the cases,” the official said.

The official said that Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 was not being executed “properly” in the state.

The Act came into force across the country in August 2011. The Act was also to ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.

Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Srinagar, Hilal Mir said that they were framing a list of cases, which would be challenged before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Kashmir (FSAT).

“There are already few cases in High Court that will be referred to FSAT. A list is also being compiled where we will challenge the ADC orders in sub-standard food cases,” Mir said.

The FSAT was made operational in 2017. Principal District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon has been appointed its Presiding Officer.

Akhoon said the FSAT will hear the appeals against the orders of adjudicating officers.

“Anyone can challenge the orders of the ADC, who are adjudicating officers, in imposing penalty in sub-standard cases. The Food Safety Department is compiling list of cases for challenging the orders of adjudicating cases where meager amount has been imposed against the gravity of the case,” he said.

Giving an example in one of the cases, he said, “Fine was imposed against an outside company for selling adulterated milk. The said outside challenged the order. We decided the case and imposed Rs 5 lakh fine, more than penalty imposed by adjudicating officer keeping into consideration its gravity,” he said.

Check essence of all problems in biryani

Letter related to Disposal of cases pending under PFA Act and other orders repealed by FSS Act, 2006. (Uploaded on: 14.03.2018)

Get Food Facts Right: FAQs on Wheat Flour and other Wheat Products. (Uploaded on: 13.03.2018)

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Buying 'mineral' water? There's a 30% chance it will be contaminated

Junior consumer affairs minister reveals 224 of 743 bottles tested by FSSAI contained impurities; action against 131 manufacturers taken

In what would come as a jarring statistic for the billion-dollar packaged water industry, three out of ten units of so-called mineral water sold across India have been found to be contaminated. This was stated by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution C R Chaudhary while replying to a question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.Chaudhary stated that the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had undertaken an exercise to test 743 samples in 2016-17. Out of these samples, almost a third, or 224 samples of packaged water were found to be not conforming to safety standards set in India.After finding such large samples to be contaminated, FSSAI launched cases against 131 manufacturers of these packaged water bottles. In the end, 33 were convicted and penalties were imposed on 40.

The minister did not elaborate on the nature of the penalties.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is the regulator for ensuring food quality, states “No person shall manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale packaged drinking water and mineral water except under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification mark”.

According to FSSAI guidelines, packaged water is deemed safe if, after being procured from sources, it is disinfected to a level where it does not adversely affect health. It can be disinfected by means of chemical agents or physical methods such as distillation, which will reduce the number of micro-organisms to a level scientifically acceptable for food safety.

Manufacturers were not just guilty of producing contaminated water by not following the prescribed standards, some were even found to be flouting Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) ‘Standard Mark’ guidelines. 

As per the government, the BIS has received 55 complaints in the past three years. Till February 2018, twenty-three complaints about packaged drinking water were established and action taken. Complaints were also received over misuse of BIS mark by the sellers..Chaudhary said that cases of packaged drinking water sold without BIS mark have come to FSSAI's notice and strict action has been advised under the penal provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.

As per the BIS Act of 2016, goods notified by the central government under compulsory BIS Certification when sold without the standard mark, constitute a cognisable offence on the part of the vendor.

The possibility of the presence of several heavy metals beyond permissible limits and also essential minerals missing in the contents came forward, following which discreet raids were conducted.

Following investigation, 192 search-and-seizure operations were conducted at the bottling units during the past three years and in the current year, till February.

When asked if the government is planning to ban the sale of drinking water in plastic pouches, which is hazardous for both health and environment reasons, the minister said strict norms are laid down regarding packaging material.Chaudhary also emphasized that the FSSAI had launched an online safe water web portal where consumers can compare test reports of packaged drinking water including physical, chemical and microbiological information. 

This aims to use this portal as a confidence building exercise emphasising that the consumers have the right to know the quality of the packaged water they are drinking, he added.

3 out of 10 manufacturers of packaged drinking water are flouting safety norms. Not so pure, maybe?

How safe is your bottle of packaged drinking water? 

New Delhi: Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution CR Chaudhary on Tuesday furnished a statement in the Lok Sabha where he said that three out of the ten units of mineral water sold across the country have been found to be contaminated.

This shocking revelation is expected to have a long-lasting effect on India's multi-billion dollar packaged water industry.

While replying to a question in the lower house of parliament, Chaudhary claimed that the discovery was the result of an exercise undertaken by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). As part of the exercise, FSSAI tested 743 samples of packaged water in 2016-2017 and found that 224 or almost a third of the total number of samples failed to meet safety standards that the products are expected to meet.

According to a report by The Business Standard, FSSAI, upon discovering the violation of safety standards, filed cases against 131 manufacturers of packaged drinking water. As a result, 33 were convicted while penalties were slapped on 40 of such manufacturers.

Guidelines issued by FSSAI deem a product to be 'safe packaged drinking water' only if it is disinfected to an extent where it does not adversely affect health once it is acquired from the sources.

However, manufacturers of packaged drinking water were found not only violating norms set by the FSSAI but also flouting Bureau of Indian Standards (ISI) 'standard mark' guidelines.

Representatives of the government have confirmed the same by saying that the bureau received acted on 23 complaints about packaged drinking water till February 2018.

However, food and beverage regulators have also prodded a possible presence of multiple heavy metals beyond permissible levels in packaged drinking water manufactured by such companies which have also been accused of selling their product without a BIS mark which constituted a cognizable offense on the part of the vendor.

Products manufactured by such companies also lack essential minerals, said Chaudhary.

During raids conducted in the wake of such violations of both FSSAI and ISI norms, 192 search-and-seizure drives were launched at bottling units across the country. The drive lasted three years, concluding in February of the current year.

With the intention of empowering the consumer and introducing transparency in the packaged drinking water industry, the FSSAI has launched an online portal where consumers can compare test reports of packaged drinking water including physical, chemical and microbiological information, added Chaudhary.

Enforce law that prevents sale of tobacco to minors: Council to CM

A letter in this regard was sent to the Chief Minister on March 10, where activists had urged him to not succumb to pressures from tobacco lobbyists.

On September 21, 2017, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had suggested measures to protect children from exposure to tobacco products, by introducing an authorisation mechanism. 

THE ACTION Council Against Tobacco (ACT) has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavisto issue a circular in the interest of public health, directing all health inspectors, directors of panchayat and urban affairs, and secretaries of local bodies, to strictly monitor and ensure that shops selling tobacco products have the mandatory licence. A letter in this regard was sent to the Chief Minister on March 10, where activists had urged him to not succumb to pressures from tobacco lobbyists.

On September 21, 2017, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had suggested measures to protect children from exposure to tobacco products, by introducing an authorisation mechanism. The ministry had asked municipal bodies and local authorities to authorise sale of tobacco at shops on the condition that they would have to be exclusive tobacco shops and cannot sell anything else such as “toffees, candies, chips, biscuits, soft drinks.”

“We have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that these guidelines are followed and these shops that exclusively sell tobacco products should not sell goods like toffees, candies, cakes and chips,” said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, head and neck surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital and secretary of ACT.

“Use of tobacco is a prominent risk factor for 6 to 8 leading causes of death and almost 40 per cent of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), including cancer, cardio-vascular diseases and lung disorders. Almost 13 lakh people die every year in India due to tobacco use. It is the duty of the state to protect children and improve public health under Article 39 and 47 of the Constitution of India. Yet, tobacco shops are mushrooming and the harmful product is freely available to our future generations,” Chaturvedi stated in the letter.

“…several outlets in Mumbai and other cities are still trading in tobacco products, in violation of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulations of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 and Rules, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)Act, 2015 and the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations, Legal Metrology Act thereby causing danger to our kids,” the letter read.

Milk adulteration may soon invite life imprisonment

The state government is considering to make adulteration of milk a non-bailable offence and increase the jail term to a minimum of three years, which can go up to life imprisonment.

Milk adulteration is an offence under section 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. At present, it is bailable, and the jail term, upon conviction, is between six months to one year.

"Even though it is a central act, the Union government has allowed us to make changes at the state level. We are working to bring a legally sound and strict law in the next few months," said food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat in both houses of legislature on Tuesday.

He said three states-Gujarat, Bihar and Orrisa-have amended the law to increase the jail term. "People are not afraid of the current law. We have felt the need for more stringent punishment to ensure an adulteration-free state," Bapat said.

The issue of milk adulteration was raised by NCP's Kiran Pawaskar in the legislative council. He said the number of cases was on the rise and "under the current law if a person is caught in the morning, he is out on bail within a couple of hours". In the assembly, the issue was raised by BJP's Ameet Satam through a calling attention notice.

"In several countries, including the UK and the US, if a restaurant is found to be violating FDA norms, it is sealed in 24 hours. The state government should also take such strict steps," said Pawaskar.

Bapat replied that the government was in the process of preparing the draft of the amendment. "We will bring it for the cabinet's approval in the next few months."

Do dry pantries need food safety license ?

TechnoparkToday.com >> In a bizarre turn of events, food safety officials barged into an IT company to inspect their dry pantry (a dining area for employees with a coffee vending machine and drinking water dispenser). The officials not only closed down the pantry demanding a food safety license, but also engaged in a war of words with employees.

This happened despite Technopark authorities given permission to food safety officials only to inspect eateries in Technopark. Thoughtline, a Technology company operating in Ganga building of Technopark Phase III was the scene of the entire drama. It was by Friday evening that food safety officials came to inspect the IT company which is functioning in the SEZ campus.

The employees questioned whether they have a permission to enter the SEZ campus, but the food safety officials insisted on conducting an inspection. They even called police to intervene in the baseless issue.

“It is unfortunate that such incidents are happening at a time when Kerala IT is doing its best to bring major IT companies to the state. It is nothing but officers’ highhandedness and ego. We are running IT companies, not eateries. Such dry pantries are set to ensure that employees get a comfortable area for dining” managing director of a Technopark company said to TechnoparkToday.com.

Employees and management of most of the companies where shocked by the unauthorized entry of food safety officials into an IT company and disrupting its normal functioning. The food safety officials also defamed the name of the company by circulating its name among the eateries which were closed after their audit.

Sources said that the company has escalated the matter to higher officials in the department of IT. It is expected that government will take a strong action to ensure that such issues are not repeated.

Meanwhile, food safety officials temporarily closed down 5 eateries in Technopark citing unhygienic conditions. A total of 93 eateries were inspected and among them, 30 were slapped a fine of Rs. 1.94 lakhs. Tasty Six at Bhavani building, Arabic Paradise near main gate, Gafoor Ka Dosth, Sabardast Fusion, and Table Cafe at Thejaswini building were among the eateries which were temporarily closed down.

Food safety officers organise awareness camp

JAMMU: A team for food safety officers under the overall supervision of Dr. Parvesh Kumar, Commissioner Food Safety Municipal Limit Jammu organised an awareness camp at KC 360 Restaurant to impart hygienic training on food standards of restaurant. Awareness with regard to keep premises hygienic, non using of newspapers, colour, additives, ajinomoto, preparing personal hygiene etc was imparted.

They were asked to maintain hygiene at all levels right from purchasing to serving to customers and were taught the ways of storing, cooking and serving food to customers including water purifiers, pest control, usage of dustbin, etc.

TAMIL MURASU NEWS

கூல்ட்ரிங்க்ஸ் கடைகளில் விற்கப்படும் 'ஃப்ரூட் மிக்சர்' குடிக்கத்தகுந்த பானம்தானா?

கோடைக்காலம் தொடங்கிவிட்டது. இவ்வளவு நாள் சாந்தமாக இருந்த சூரியன் உக்கிரம் காட்டத் தொடங்கிவிட்டது. இளநீர் கடைகள், ஜூஸ் கடைகளில் கூட்டம் மொய்க்கிறது. புதிது புதிதாகத் தள்ளுவண்டிகளில் ஜூஸ் கடைகள் முளைக்கத் தொடங்கியுள்ளன. கூல்ட்ரிங்க்ஸ் கடைகளும் ஆங்காங்கே தோன்றுகின்றன. பல கூல்ட்ரிங்க்ஸ் கடைகளில், செக்கச்சிவப்பு வண்ணத்தில் 'ஃப்ரூட் மிக்சர்' என்ற பானத்தை விற்பனை செய்கிறார்கள். பெரும்பாலானோரின் விருப்பத்துக்குரிய பானமாக அது மாறியிருக்கிறது. 

வாழைப்பழத்தைக் கொண்டு செய்யப்படும் இந்த ஃப்ரூட் மிக்சரில் உடலுக்குக் கெடுதல் செய்யும் பல பொருள்கள் சேர்க்கப்படுவதாகப் புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது. 

இதுகுறித்து விரிவாகப் பேசினார் சித்த மருத்துவர் செந்தில் கருணாகரன். 

" பெரும்பாலும் இந்தப் பானத்தில் வாழைப்பழம்தான் இருக்கும். பெயருக்கு, கொஞ்சம் அன்னாசிப்பழம், திராட்சை, சிறிதளவு ஆப்பிள் சேர்ப்பார்கள். வாழைப்பழத்தைக் கரைத்து பிற பழங்களை சிறு சிறு துண்டுகளாக வெட்டிச் சேர்ப்பார்கள். கூடவே, சில ரசாயனங்கள் சேர்க்கப்படுகிறது. இனிப்புக்கு 'சாக்ரின்' எனப்படும் செயற்கை இனிப்பூட்டி பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள். ஒரு கிலோ சீனி தருகிற இனிப்பை, இந்த இனிப்பூட்டி ஒரு சிட்டிகையிலேயே கொடுத்துவிடும். ஆனால், இது வயிற்றுக்கு மிகவும் கேடு விளைவிக்கும். வாய் வெந்துபோகும். 'சாக்ரீன்' கலந்த பானத்தைக் குடித்த சில நிமிடங்களிலேயே நம் உடலில் இன்சுலின் உற்பத்தியாக ஆரம்பித்துவிடும். தேவையில்லாத நேரத்தில் உற்பத்தியாவதால், தேவைப்படும்போது அதன் உற்பத்தி குறைந்துவிடும். இதனால் சர்க்கரைப் பாதிப்பு ஏற்பட வாய்ப்புள்ளது. சிலர் சுவைக்காக இதனுடன் பாதாம்பால் சேர்ப்பார்கள். இரண்டையும் கலந்து குடிக்கும்போது வயிற்றுக் கோளாறுகள் ஏற்பட வாய்ப்புள்ளன.

இது மட்டுமின்றி, இந்த பானத்தில் வீரியமுள்ள ஒருவகை எசன்ஸ் சேர்க்கிறார்கள். அதுதான் இந்தப் பானத்தின் வாசனைக்குக் காரணம். ஆனால், அதுவும் உடலுக்குக் கேடுவிளைவிக்கக் கூடியது. அதைவிட ஆபத்தானவை செயற்கை நிறமூட்டிகள். நம் உணவுப்பண்டங்களில் சேர்ப்பதற்காகவே ஏறத்தாழ 1000-த்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட செயற்கை நிறமூட்டிகள் உள்ளன. இந்த நிறமூட்டிகளைப் பயன்படுத்திச் செய்யப்பட்ட உணவுகள் செரிமானக்கோளாறை ஏற்படுத்தும். நரம்புக் கோளாறுகள், தோல் சம்பந்தமான பிரச்னைகளும் உண்டாகும். வாந்தி, குமட்டலையும் ஏற்படுத்தும்.மேலும் செயற்கை நிறமூட்டிகள் கலந்த உணவுகள் நம் குடலுக்குள் அப்படியே தங்கிவிடும் . இது குடலின் உட்கிரகிப்புத்தன்மையை குறைத்துவிடும்.

ஒவ்வொரு பழத்திலும் இயற்கையாக சர்க்கரை இருக்கிறது. உதாரணமாக ஆப்பிளில் 'மால்டோஸ்' என்னும் சர்க்கரைப் பொருள் இருக்கிறது. இதனுடன் வெள்ளைச் சர்க்கரையோ, சாக்ரீனோ கலக்கும்போது அதனுடைய உண்மையான பலன் கிடைக்காது. அதேபோல், ஒவ்வொரு பழத்துக்கும் இனிப்பு,புளிப்பு, துவர்ப்பு என தனித்தனிச் சுவை இருக்கிறது. தனித்த சத்துகளையும். உடையது. ஒவ்வொரு பழத்தையும் தனியாகச் சாப்பிட்டால்தான் அதற்குரிய பலன் கிடைக்கும். அனைத்தையும் ஒன்றாகக் கலந்து சாப்பிடும்போது அஜீரணக் கோளாறுதான் உண்டாகும்.

பொதுவாக, இதுபோன்ற பானங்களைத் தவிர்த்து, பழங்களை அப்படியே சாப்பிடுவதுதான் ஆரோக்கியத்துக்கு நல்லது. அப்படிச் சாப்பிட்டால் பழங்களில் உள்ள நார்ச்சத்து முழுமையாகக் கிடைக்கும். அல்லது வீட்டுக்குப் பழங்களை வாங்கிச்சென்று ஜூஸாக்கி, சர்க்கரை சேர்க்காமல் குடிக்கலாம். 

வெள்ளைச் சர்க்கரையை பெரும்பாலும் தவிர்ப்பது நல்லது. பனங்கற்கண்டு, பனை வெல்லம், நாட்டு வெல்லம் பயன்படுத்தலாம், எழுமிச்சம்பழம், புதினா, பனங்கருப்பட்டி கலந்த பானத்தை தாகம் எடுக்கும் தருணங்களில் அருந்தலாம். இளநீர், தாளித்த நீர்மோர் அருந்துவதும் நல்லது. " என்கிறார் அவர்.

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

 

DINAKARAN NEWS

கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில் விடிய, விடிய சோதனை: செயற்கை முறையில் பழுக்க வைத்த 5 டன் பழங்கள் பறிமுதல்

கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில் உணவு பொருள் பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் விடிய, விடிய சோதனை நடத்தினர். அப்போது செயற்கை முறையில் பழுக்க வைத்த 5 டன் பழங்களை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

கோயம்பேடு,

சென்னை கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில், ‘ஈத்தலின்’ என்னும் ரசாயனத்தை தண்ணீரில் கலந்து, அதை வாழைத்தார்கள் மீது ஊற்றி செயற்கை முறையில் வாழை பழங்களை பழுக்க வைத்து விற்கப்படுவதுடன், சென்னையின் சுற்றுப்புற பகுதிகளுக்கும் அனுப்பி வைக்கப்படுவதாக கடந்த சில நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு ‘தினத்தந்தி’யில் படத்துடன் செய்தி வெளியானது.

மேலும் இதுதொடர்பாக பொதுமக்களிடம் இருந்து வீடியோ காட்சிகளுடன் ஏராளமான புகார்களும் வந்தன. இதையடுத்து கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில் உள்ள பழக்கடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு செய்து, செயற்கை முறையில் பழங்களை பழுக்க வைத்தால் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என பழ வியாபாரிகளை எச்சரித்தனர்.

இந்தநிலையில் கோயம்பேடு மார்க்கெட்டில் உள்ள பழக்கடைகளில் நேற்று முன்தினம் இரவு உணவு பொருள் கட்டுப்பாட்டு நியமன அலுவலர் கதிரவன், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் சதாசிவம், மணிமாறன், ஜெபராஜ், ராஜாமுகமது மற்றும் அங்காடி நிர்வாக குழு ஊழியர்கள் 25-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட போலீசாருடன் சென்று சோதனை நடத்தினர். இந்த சோதனை விடிய, விடிய நீடித்தது.

அப்போது ‘ஈத்தலின்’ என்னும் ரசாயனம் மூலம் செயற்கை முறையில் பழுக்க வைக்கப்பட்ட வாழை பழங்கள், கார்பைடு கற்கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்த சப்போட்டா, மாம்பழங்கள் என மொத்தம் 5 டன் பழங்களை பறிமுதல் செய்து அழித்தனர்.

DINAMANI NEWS

MALAI MURASU NEWS

MAALAI MALAR NEWS

Chennai: Fruits worth Rs 2.5 lakh ripened using chemicals, seized

CHENNAI: In a midnight operation that spanned nearly three hours, food safety officials seized fruits worth Rs 2.5 lakh, being ripened using chemicals at Koyambedu market in the wee hours of Sunday. 

In the wake of recent media reports on use of chemicals to ripen fruits at Koyambedu market, around 50 officials, including police and Market Management Committee officials, started the checks around 2 am.

After nearly three hours, officials seized 3.25 tonnes of sapota (chiku), one tonne of mango and 750 kg of banana. A total of 24 shops were found to be using chemicals to artificially ripen fruits and substances such as calcium carbide stones. Chemical sprayers were seized from the shops.

“We will file cases against the vendors in the coming days. Three of them have been identified,” said R Kathiravan, designated officer, Food Safety Department, Chennai.He said despite warnings and creation of awareness by the department on the harmful effects of chemicals on fruits, some continue the practice.

M Thiyagarajan, president, Koyambedu Kaai, Kani, Malar Vyabarigal Sangam, said the vendors resort to artificial ripening of fruits since it makes the fruits saleable quickly. “They do this because of the quick money it gives. We are always appealing to vendors to show concern over the health of consumers,” he said.Doctors have warned people to be cautious while consuming the fruits. 

The doctors said the impact of consuming artificially-ripened fruits varied from people to people. While to some it may cause diarrhoea, for others it may reach extreme forms leading to serious case of dehydration and loss of electrolytes.

Explaining the traditional methods to ripen the fruits, Thiyagarajan said though they took time, they never had a harmful impact on consumers. For mangoes, the fruits were stored in a hay room and left for three to four days. Bananas would be stored in a smoke-filled room. In this process, the bananas would take one or two days to become ripe. “Since these are tedious processes, vendors resort to chemicals to make quick money,” Thiyagarajan said.

Food dept seizes five tonnes of artificially ripened fruit

Chennai: Officials from the state foodsafety department seized nearly five tonnesof artificially ripened fruit from wholesale stores at Koyambedu market during the wee hours of Sunday.

A team comprising of officials from CMDA’s Market Management Committee and the local police assistedthefoodsafety department in raiding the shops based on complaintsfrom the public.

Five tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes, sapotas and ethylene-sprayed bananas packed in boxes and ready for salewere seized, said the designated food safety officer RKathiravan.

Rolls of butter paper with calcium carbide, used to artificially ripen the fruit, were also seized. Officials estimated the total value of the seized products to be more than ₹10lakh.

Since the seized food items (the fruit) were of perishable nature, officials and local sanitary workers destroyedthem.

Calcium carbide is banned under Section 44A of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. There is, nonetheless, widespread use of the chemical by traders to hasten the ripening process.

Doctors say artificial ripening substances that contain traces of phosphorus or arsenic and could damage the kidney and liver, and cause gastric problems and ulcer.

Officialssay artificially ripened mangoes are mostly a bright and uniform yellow, rigid and lack the juiciness or “press” that naturally ripened mangoeshave. The natural rigidity will be missing while cutting these fruit and they will have almost no taste, officials added.

Gutka: TN oppn flags crores, fine’s just ₹55k

Chennai: A paltry ₹55,000 has been collected for illegal manufacturing and sale of gutka — which triggered a huge political controversy in the state, with the opposition alleging kickbacks being paid to several top ministers — in the last one year in Chennai, shows data provided by the state food safety department.

While more than ₹3 crore-worth gutka products were seized from retailers in Chennai, only a few of them have been held guilty by court, shows an RTI reply by the department.

A letter allegedly written by the then Chennai police commissioner, S George, to the principal secretary claiming that health minister C Vijayabaskar and other top cops had received huge sums of money to allow the sale of tobacco products in the state has kicked up a huge furore in the assembly, pushing the government imposed a complete ban on the sale of gutka products.

MONEY SPINNER: Sale of gutka products is banned in TN

Only 5 retailers convicted, no manufacturers nailed by state food safety dept since 2016

From 2016, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration department has lifted 43 samples of chewable tobacco and gutka from retailers across the city. Of these, legal proceedings have been initiated against 26. Only five ended in conviction. Those found guilty were let off with a fine of ₹10,000.

In the same period, 970 cases were registered in police stations across Chennai under various sections of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA). Of this only 245 ended in conviction and ₹50,400 collected as fine, all in the range of around ₹100-₹500.

The outcome of the leniency: “Almost all the vendors we initiate action against are habitual offenders. The fine means nothing. Their profit is much more,” said a senior food safety official.

According to Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, any person who manufactures, sells, stores or distributes food for human consumption which is unsafe – causing non-grievous injury --can be imprisoned for a term of up to a year and be fined a sum of up to ₹3 lakh. If the injury is grievous, the jail sentence may extend to six years and up to ₹5 lakh in fine.

However, when D Kumar, an activist in Coimbatore, filed an RTI to source the actiontaken details, his intention wasn’t to find how many retailers were prosecuted. “They are only the small fish. I wanted to find out how many manufacturers have been nailed. The reply said none,” he said.

Officials said initiating action against the manufacturers is tough as all of them are based outside Tamil Nadu. Food safety commissioner P Amudha recently wrote to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) urging officials to take action in the source states. “Most of the manufacturers are either based out of Delhi or Haryana. Every time we have a seizure here, we intimate FSSAI,” she said. In 2013, Tamil Nadu had joined several other states in banning the manufacture, storage and sale of gutka, paan masala and other carcinogenic chewable forms of tobacco by invoking the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

Despite the ban, the banned products continue to find their way into the state through its porous borders – mostly by rail or road. Last month, the food safety department had received a tip-off on a consignment of gutka arriving at Madurai railway station. “We wrote to the Railway police asking them to intercept the contraband. They were reluctant,” said Amudha, who had to seek FSSAI’s intervention. “It turned out that the officials were not aware of gutka being banned in the state,” she said.

The RTI is not the only document reflecting the rampant sale of tobacco products. A study released by Adyar Cancer Institute in 2017, based on interviews with over a lakh people, found that that more than 90% of smokeless tobacco users in the state have no difficulty in procuring banned gutka products, although they pay double the price to buy it. “The products have just moved from the shelves to beneath the vendors’ clothes,” said R Kathiravan, designated food safety officer, Chennai. Tobacco control advocate Cyril Alexander said, manufacturers and distributors of banned tobacco products often slip through the state’s radar owing to poor coordination between various departments.

Five tonnes of artificially ripened fruits destroyed

24 shops out of 136 in Koyambedu found using chemicals

A total of five tonnes of artificially ripened fruits including a tonne of mangoes were seized from the Koyambedu fruit market and destroyed on Sunday.

A team of officials belonging to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) along with a posse of police conducted raids through Saturday night and Sunday early morning to seize 3.25 tonnes of sapotta and 750 kg of banana.

A total of 136 shops were inspected and 24 were found to be using chemicals to ripen the fruits artificially. The seized fruits, worth ₹2.5 lakh, were disposed at the Koyambedu bio-methanisation plant, sources said.

Based on a tip-off

The raids were conducted based on a tip-off that fruits were being ripened on trucks that were bringing them to the market. “Though we could not catch any truck, we did find the fruits in the shops. A week ago, we conducted an awareness programme about the health risks of artificially ripened fruits,” an official said.

Under the Food Safety Act 2006 and Regulations 2011, the sale of fruits artificially ripened using acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas, is prohibited.

The sapottas and mangoes were ripened using carbide gas emitted by calcium carbide stones.

According to the officials, the bananas were doused in ethylene gas to ripen them.

Don’t give in to tobacco lobby, Tata Hospital doctor tells CM

Letter seeks cancellation of licence if shops are found selling tobacco products

Mumbai: A head and neck surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to succumb to the pressure of the tobacco lobby. Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, an anti-tobacco activist, in his letter, has also appealed to the CM to ban the sale of tobacco to minors and allow its sale only through licensed vendors.

Dr. Chaturvedi said tobacco shops are mushrooming and freely available to the future generation. “The public health community was thrilled to know that the Maharashtra government is planning to make sale of gutkha a non-bailable offence. Recently, the government issued a notification banning sale of tobacco at shops selling chocolates and candies. However, I bring to your notice that the tobacco lobby will do everything to subvert this pro-public step. Please do not succumb to their pressure,” Dr. Chaturvedi wrote in his letter sent to Mr. Fadnavis on Saturday.

Early this year, the State had announced that general stores selling chips, biscuits, and chocolates cannot sell tobacco products. Officials from the Food and Drug Administration said such shops are frequented by minors and youngsters, who have easy access to such products.

But the move has definitely not gone down well with tobacco companies. “It has come to our notice that almost all outlets in Mumbai are trading in tobacco products in violation of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulations of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 and Rules, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations, and the Legal Metrology Act, thereby causing danger to our kids,” he said.

The tobacco lobby, Dr. Chaturvedi said, targets kids and youth as their new consumers. “They strategically aim to lure kids into this deadly addiction,” he said, and requested the government to take stringent action like cancellation of licence of shops found selling tobacco products.

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Poultry farming needs safety regulations: HC

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court asked the state government on Friday to increase awareness on use of pesticides and measures for food safety while observing the need for a regulatory mechanism for animal feed.

A bench of Justices Naresh Patil and Anuja Prabhudesai was hearing a PIL that highlighted excessive use of pesticides by farmers and 20 farmer deaths in Vidharbha. The PIL, argued by advocate Shehzad Naqvi, sought orders for a policy to be framed to prevent growth or ripening of fruits with chemicals and to prohibit poultry farmers from using growth harmones or antibiotics.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joint commissioner and other senior officers appeared in court on Friday.

The high court said the state must spread more awareness among farmers by sending pamphlets and other material to gram panchayats on proper use of pesticides and growth of poultry.

After dismissing a communication presented by the state as ‘typically bureaucratic’’, the court sought more information on how inspections can be carried out to find if excessive probiotic feed was being used to fatten chicken and whether antibiotics were being used in violation of rules.

The bench said, “Give public interest awareness ads against food adulteration in theatres. We believe there must be some regulatory law... Abroad there is much research done on growth of food. Put advertisements in theatres on food safety as is done for anti-smoking and other public places.”

An animal husbandry department officer present in court said, “No antibiotics were given to chicken, except when they were sick.’’ But he pointed out that “permitted probiotics were given in feeds”. The state’s contention is that probiotics can be given to poultry; antibiotics are given for three days when sick.

An affidavit by joint commissioner (food), submitted by government lawyer Deepali Patankar, stated there was only one NABL-accredited FDA laboratory in the state but action is taken for food safety.

The bench told the BMC, “Your concern should be what people are eating in the city of Mumbai. Are you vigilant?’’

The bench further said: “What prevents you from checking what food is being given as feed?... We want to know if supervision is falling short.”

The court also wants the FDA to consider proposals to check on labelling of unpacked fruits and vegetables sold in malls. The court said FDA should consider increasing the number of mobile vans to check milk adulteration too, and study proposals to check if meat sold in malls is safe for human consumption.

Temporary closure notice served on six eateries

Food safety authorities conduct suprise raid on Technopark campus

Temporary closure notices were served on six restaurants on the Technopark campus after a surprise raid conducted by a special squad of the Food Safety Department on Friday. The restaurants are Tasty Six in Bhavani building, Arabic Paradise at the Technopark main gate, Gafoor Ka Dosth, Zabardast Fusion and Table Cafe in Tejaswini building and Thoughtline Private Ltd in Ganga building.

Fifteen special squads consisting of food safety officials from Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram conducted inspections at various restaurants on the Technopark campus on Friday morning. Of the 92 hotels and restaurants inspected, notices were served on 63 for improvement of facilities and implementation of extra measures to ensure food safety.

In addition, a total fine amount of ₹1.94 lakh has been imposed on 30 restaurants for violation of various guidelines. Food Safety Commissioner Veena N. Madhavan said stringent inspections would be conducted in the coming days to ensure food safety in the district.

The public can register complaints regarding food safety on the following numbers — 8943346181, 8943346195, 8943346198, 18004251125 (Toll free). The identity of the complainants would be kept confidential.

STATE GETS FIRST MOBILE LAB TO CURB FOOD ADULTERATION

The State on Friday entered into the elite club to own a mobile vehicle (van), allocated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), well-equipped with laboratory devices facilitating on-the-spot testing of food samples at a nominal cost.

Minister, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ramchandra Chandravanshi in the presence of other dignitaries inaugurated the first State of the Art ‘Mobile Lab’ on Friday at RCH Campus, Namkum.

To curb the rising adulteration level, two lab assistants will test food samples as per FSSAI guidelines. The mobile van will be functional for 20 days in a month and besides collecting food samples from hotels, confectionery shops, it will also test the chemical contents for milk and milk products, PH level of drinking water including high content of starch in sweets, confectionery items etc on public request instantly.

State Food Analyst, Chhaturbujh Meena present on the occasion, said, “At present merely 8 to 9 States by far owns a mobile van lab. At present, we have one mobile lab; later on requisition will be made to allot some more mobile labs considering its requirement and success rate. The mobile van is decked with milkoscan machine, sugar testing apparatuses, PH meter sensor etc.”

“For elaborate tests, depending on the significance of the contamination level, officials will send the samples to the State lab in Namkum. According to the rules, two lab technicians, two lab assistants, one attendant and one driver will be appointed for smooth functioning of mobile lab. The mobile lab service at present will be restricted to only urban areas,” added Meena.

No more Aashirvaad Atta Videos, Court issues restraining order

Guwahati, March 9: Following the uploads of the multiple videos claiming the presence of plastic in ‘Aashirvaad Atta’, the Court of City Civil and Sessions Judge in Bengaluru on Friday issued a notice for all online media platforms to stop publishing any irrelevant report regarding the matter.

The company in a press statement released today clarified that a thorough scientific test at NABL accredited laboratory in Mumbai assured that on testing Aashirvaad Atta as well as other popular atta brands recently, has confirmed the presence of gluten in the samples of all these atta in the range of 7 to 12 percent of atta.

The report of the laboratory also confirmed that when atta dough is washed with water, starch and fibre gets removed and a residue is obtained which is gluten and not plastic.

It may also be mentioned that Aashirvaad Atta was the subject of several homemade videos on internet platforms alleging that the atta contained plastic.

Also, the said videos claimed that if the dough made from ‘Aashirvaad atta’ was washed several times it resulted in a gum-like substance, which was alleged to be plastic.

Even the FSSAI regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, require that all atta must contain a minimum of 6% wheat protein.

Meanwhile, the Court has issued summons in the Suit to the said internet/social media platform providers.

Online inspector, food sampling system bring transparency in food safety dept : Brahm Mohindra

Chandigarh, Mar 9 (UNI) To bring transparency in the food safety department, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra here on Friday, launched an online inspection and sampling system to expedite the procedure of food sampling and testing.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mohindra said that it is essential that food safety inspections is be conducted diligently and reports made available to all stakeholders in short span of time with quick response provision.

He also ordered the food safety officials to clear backlog of licenses/ registration by March 31, 2018.

He said that food businesses have a legal and moral obligation to ensure they are not contributing to the statistics of food borne illness and other diseases.

He said that at the same time the food safety team must be equipped well to address to such issues concerning the food security which directly protect the healthy life of State’s population.