Over 500 kg banned tobacco products seized in Erode

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seized 534 kg banned tobacco products at Perundurai in Erode on Monday. 

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department raided a provision shop and the shopkeeper’s house at Anand Nagar in Perundurai and seized 540 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 5 lakh here on Monday.

Based on a tip-off, District Collector C. Kathiravan directed District Designated Officer T. Kalaivani to inspect the shop. The team raided the shop on Perundurai-Chennimalai Road and found 40 kg banned tobacco products stocked for sale. Inquiries with the shopkeeper revealed that he was in possession of more products in his house in the same area. The team inspected the house and found 500 kg products in bags.

Ms. Kalaivani told The Hindu that the seized products had nicotine content. Samples would be sent for laboratory tests, based which action would be initiated, she said.

As per the provisions of Section 32 of The Food Safety and Standards Act, the shopkeeper’s license was cancelled. She said that around 4,600 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 46 lakh were seized from traders in the past two years and 40 cases were registered. Cases are in trial at the courts, she added.

Traders warned

Collector C. Kathiravan in a press release said that shops would be inspected to check sale of banned tobacco products and warned of action against those selling such products. He said that public can send complaints related to sale of banned food items or tobacco items on WhatsApp number 94440-42322 and or dial 0424-2223545. Complaints can be lodged in person at the Office of the Food Safety Department functioning on the premises of District Headquarters and Hospital, he said.

Gujarat govt to ban sale of junk food in and around schools

The Gujarat government is in the process of banning sale of junk food in schools as well as in the 50-meter area around them to encourage consumption of healthy food among children.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended a ban on sale of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in schools and the state government is in the process of framing draft rules for the same.

To promote healthy food eating habits among children, a ban has to be imposed on sale of food with high fat, sugar and salt in school canteens as well as in the 50-meter area around schools.

"That means junk food items cannot be sold in and around schools of the state, Commissioner of Food Safety and Food and Drug Control Administration H G Koshia said.

Advertisements of junk food will also not be allowed in and around schools, he said, adding that FSSAI, India's regulator for the food industry, has recommended a ban on sale of junk food in schools.

The step has been taken to promote eating of healthy food from childhood so that the problems like obesity and diseases caused by consumption of junk food can be controlled, Koshia said.

The draft rules will be circulated among stake-holders like schools, food business operators and others and their opinion will be sought before implementing the ban, officials said.

The FSSAI has formed draft regulations titled 'Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019'.

Implementing FSSAI ban on junk food around schools will be a challenge

While the prevention of sale of junk foods near schools can help curb the unhealthy snacking tendencies among school children, ensuring a control over the urge to consume junk food at home will require greater awareness drives where the government will have to focus on healthy eating.

Irony is perhaps what describes the DNA of India appropriately. On the one hand the country scores very poorly on the Global Hunger Index, and on the other it is increasingly witnessing a veritable ‘nutrition transition’ every day, with enhanced consumption of junk food, especially among school children.

Defined as those food items that are high in fats, sugar, and salt (HFSS), junk foods inherently contain no nutritionally redeemable qualities with little or zero minerals, proteins or vitamins. The etymology of the term ‘junk food’ takes us to Michael Jacobson, co-founder of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, who in 1972 was the one who first used the term ‘Junk Food’ and continues to advocate for healthy food. He was also behind the terming of Fettuccine Alfredo as a dish that was “heart attack on a plate!”

Lifestyle changes and growing commercialisation have ensured that junk food have found an increased acceptance among children, and this has prompted a Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) draft regulation banning the sale of junk food in and around school premises from December. This is a welcome move.

While many believe that the fast food and junk food culture is predominant only in urban centres, according to a recent study conducted by a team from the Department of Human Nutrition, AIIMS, in Himachal Pradesh, even rural areas are catching up fast. Similar studies in Baroda, Lucknow and Delhi also pin pointed the increased in-take of packaged junk foods, such as chocolates, soft drinks and bakery products. The results of these are for all to see: increased incidences of childhood obesity, which brings in its wake other medical problems such as respiratory illnesses and lifestyle diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc).

According to a study, there are 135 million obese people in India; and, if corrective measures are not undertaken, children would form a large part of this. Figures from the World Obesity Federation cite that India will have around 27 million obese children by 2030. An interesting study, published in the online journal Obesity, by a research team in New York, outlines accessibility and proximity to junk food outlets as one of the reasons for growing incidence of obesity, especially in children.

The FSSAI regulation was drafted towards the end of ensuring healthy, safe and wholesome food for school children, with the core idea of drawing clear guidelines on what food is healthy for children and what is not. The draft regulation states that “foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar cannot be sold to school children in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus.”

Further the draft states that the regulation aims to “encourage school authorities to promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition.” Under its ‘Eat Right’ project, the FSSAI plans to ban all such HFSS foods, in school canteens, hostel-mess and kitchens within a 50-metre radius of schools. The FSSAI also has plans afoot to limit the amount of trans fat content in vegetable oils and vegetable fats to 2 per cent from 5 per cent, and has set its sight on making India trans-fat-free by 2022. These are all laudable aspirations!

The FSSAI’s decision is welcome because schools can serve as a right platform to create awareness to inculcate the habit of healthy eating. While the fast food culture has set roots firmly in urban centres, schools would be the appropriate place to check this trend and cater to a fitting demographic profile.

The challenge will be in enforcing such a regulation. A befitting example would be the lackadaisical implementation of the rule which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of a school. A cursory check of schools around us will unfortunately show that this rule is not enforced in all its strictness.

While the prevention of sale of junk foods near schools can help curb the unhealthy snacking tendencies among school children, ensuring a control over the urge to consume junk food at home will require greater awareness drives where the government will have to focus on healthy eating. Thus, snacking at home also requires strict supervision by parents ensuring that children eat nutritious, unprocessed food, and also engage in outdoor and physical activities.

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Forbidden fruits: Why artificial ripening can give you a raw deal

Naturally Ripened Fruits Have Shorter Shelf Life: Vendors

Last Wednesday, officials of the food safety department seized 10 tonnes of banana ripened using ethylene solution from the Koyambedu wholesale fruit market. But this was not a one-off case. In the past year, food safety officials have raided shops and seized several tonnes fruits from across the city.

“But that is only a small amount of what is being sold,” said Chennai’s designated food safety official Dr A Ramakrishnan. The sector is unorganised and there aren’t many food inspectors doing checks. In most cases, there are no quick tests that can confirm artificial ripening. “We look for chemicals in the store or go by the vendor's confession,” he said.

Food analysts said they have seen fruits such as melons injected with sugar solution to make them sweeter. Red dyes are injected in guavas.

Since naturally ripened fruits have a shorter shelf life, most suppliers ripen them artificially. “They are picked and transported when raw. Else they become too soft and perish. Some fruits are ripened in rice-bins or under paddy straws. But this can take time and most fruits don’t ripen uniformly. So we use artificial methods,” said S Srinivasan, president of Chennai Fruits Commission Agents Association.

In artificial ripening, the process is controlled to achieve desired characteristics and make the fruit fit for sale. It is considered safe and is permitted by authorities provided safe ripening agents are used. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has permitted the use of ethylene gas to ripen some fruits. “Officials say we can pass on the cost to the customer. But we don’t have enough chambers available and we can’t keep the fruit waiting,” said K Gnanasekar, one of the fruit vendors. “That’s when many vendors pick the masala packets,” he said.

‘Masala’ is the nickname given to calcium carbide – a carcinogenic chemical used in making explosives. It generates acetylene gas. FSSAI has banned the use of this chemical to artificially ripen fruits. But vendors pack them in small bundles and leave them in between mangoes, bananas and sapodillas. In February, officials destroyed more than 2000kg of sapodillas and seized 9.5kg of calcium carbide. By May, when the mango season was at its peak, officials seized 4500kg of mangoes from Ashok Nagar and Koyambedu.

Nutritionists say fruits and vegetable provide dietary fibre, folate and vitamins A and C, minerals and antioxidants. But the presence of chemicals renders them useless, almost. “It is important to buy fruits that are seasonal,” said diabetologist Dr V Mohan.

Off-season fruits and vegetables that are not locally available are often kept in cold storage and adulterated. “Chemicals added to fruits to increase shelf life can cause allergies, stomach disorders, kidney diseases and cancer,” said S Radha, a senior nutritionist. “It’s important to pick the right fruit. A fruit that is too sweet and less in flavour may be unsafe,” she said.

CRACKDOWN: Food safety department officials raid a shop selling bananas at Koyambedu wholesale market

Govt-run hostels being renovated, but boarders voice concerns on food quality

Chennai:

Hostels run by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department in the city are getting a facelift, but poor quality food continues to remain an issue for inmates.

These hostels are home to hundreds of students hailing from different parts of Tamil Nadu who are pursuing courses in higher education in various educational institutions at Chennai.

A visit by TOI to various hostels on Sunday found students criticising the food being served for its ‘bland taste’ and the quality of water supplied at the facilities. TOI found that the number of occupants per room exceeds its designated strength —six per room.

“The living conditions are far better after the ongoing renovation work. However, there is no improvement in the quality of food served to us,” Sharma, a second year undergraduate and an inmate of the MC Raja College Boys Hostel in Saidapet said. His peers at the hostel voiced their concern over yellow coloured 'idlis' being served to them, apart from unhygienic drinking water. Inmates of Government College Boys Hostel at Nandanam and Kodambakkam also had similar complaints about food quality.

The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is running 22 hostels in the city, out of which 10 are for women students. According to official sources, about 2,800 inmates are staying in these hostels. “In a bid to keep outsiders away, we have already installed bio-metric scanner at MC Raja College Boys Hostel. There is a proposal to extend it to other hostels,” a department official said. Former inmates, who have completed their education are being evicted from these hostels, the official said.

Sources further said that the hostels are getting renovated at a budget of ₹15 crore. The renovation process at these hostels is in various stages of completion. “We will take steps to improve the quality of rice being served to inmates. A lot of care is being taken to supply clean drinking water... it is subjected to reverse osmosis before being distributed to these hostels,” an official said.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN: The kitchen and the entrace of the MC Raja Govt Hostel in Saidapet in Chennai. Hostel inmates have complained of poor quality of food and water being served

Pesticide restrictions may benefit tea sector

Tea, having chemicals like Ethion, Tetradifon and Triazophos, are denied entry into the US as well.

The move stems from the government’s concerns over the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides and the Pesticides Management Bill would seek to regulate the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up a regulatory authority.

At a time when the demand for organic agri products, including tea, is heading northward worldwide, the Centre seems to well set to bring in and pass two long pending bills — the Pesticides Management Bill, that will replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Seeds Management Bill. The move stems from the government’s concerns over the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides and the Pesticides Management Bill would seek to regulate the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up a regulatory authority.

In less than a year ago, India lost nearly 26 per cent of its tea business to the US with the US revising its permissible pesticides’ list, and a major portion of Indian orthodox tea, meant for the US exports, getting disqualified for a US entry. Going by the Tea Board of India statistics, Indian tea exports to the US declined by 33 per cent — from 11.68 mkg to 7.84 million kg (mkg), while income from exports to the US during the period was down 26 per cent — from $48.40 mn to $35.97 mn. Mind you that Indian orthodox teas, under normal circumstances, fetch one of its best prices in the US which usually hover around $ 4.60 a kilo. It is more than 50 per cent higher than what a kilo of the average Indian tea sells for every year.

It is not just the US, but the European Commission also defines MRL as the highest level of a pesticide residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed when pesticides are applied correctly. While 34 different varieties of chemicals, used in pesticides and for treating the tea leaves are permitted, chemicals like DDT and Lindane are banned in the US. The licence permitting Endosulfan has also expired and is not likely to be renewed. Tea, having chemicals like Ethion, Tetradifon and Triazophos, are denied entry into the US as well.

The Tlabs chain of research laboratories, operated by the Tea Research Association (TRA) has been strictly monitoring tea quality and pesticides residue level under the Foods Safety Standards Authority of India (Fssai). The TRA-operated Tlabs chain has also got Fssai accreditation to do that. These Tlabs operate on both ends to investigate quality of tea according to pesticides parameters in one lab and quality parameters in the other lab. Various quality parameters being monitored by Fssai include pesticide residues, presence of heavy metals, iron fillings and toxic substances.

Tlabs also has collaboration with various industry bodies across the world that deal with tea including Tea & Herbal Infusions Europe, UK, the Iran Tea Association. Significantly, both the UK and Iran are large importers of Indian tea. Indian tea exporters are currently worried over increasingly erratic payments from Iran owing to the banking sanctions imposed by the United States. However, these worries and anxieties notwithstanding, India exported 41 mn kg of tea to Iran in the first eight months of 2019, up from 18 mn kg exported in the first eight months of 2018.

Modern Dairy products inspected for quality by FDA

The FDA officials seized a total of 561 kilogrammes of spurious curd, malai, paneer, and fresh cream collectively worth Rs 1,23,691 on Friday

FDA officials said the food items sold at Modern Dairy violated the norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and is a serious threat to the public.

In a surprise raid conducted on Friday, the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) Pune seized paneer (cottage cheese), curd and cream from Modern Dairy shop located in Camp area, to inspect for quality.

The FDA officials seized a total of 561 kilogrammes of curd, malai, paneer, and fresh cream collectively worth Rs 1,23,691 on Friday.

According to Food And Drug Administration officials, the products would be inspected for hygiene.

Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA, Pune, said they received a tip-off on which the action was taken

Earlier this month, FDA conducted surprise checks at 100 eateries, creameries, milk establishments across the city. Most of the cases were attributed to unhygienic preparations, usage of acids and other colouring methods.

The officials said that any violations of norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a serious threat to the public.

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When food safety checks throw up unpalatable truths

24% of total statutory samples taken by Food Safety Department in district over past six months found to be unsafe, substandard or misbranded

Of the total statutory samples taken by the Food Safety Department in Ernakulam over the past six months, 24% was found to be either unsafe or substandard, or misbranded.

The findings revealed the growing need for better enforcement of rules by authorities and improved vigil among consumers to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food in the district.

Rectification notices

Interestingly, about 41% of the food outlets inspected since April 1 were issued rectification notices after the Department officials found violations of the provisions prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Of the 1,681 establishments inspected, 681 were issued notices. Sixty-three of the 260 samples taken for examination were found to be unsafe or substandard for consumption or misbranded.

The Department had slapped a penalty of ₹8.08 lakh on food business operators in the district while the fine imposed by the Revenue Divisional Officer (Adjudicating officer) was ₹4.2 lakh. It had initiated prosecution measures against 36 operators since April. The use of synthetic colours in various food items was found in the samples taken for examination during routine inspection.

Synthetic colour

“The addition of synthetic food colour in prepared food was noticed in the inspections conducted by the food safety officers across the 14 Assembly constituencies in Ernakulam. The department has asked the food business operators to avoid the use of synthetic colour and monosodium glutamate (MSG),” said Jacob Thomas, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Ernakulam.

Even though the FSSAI has listed out the permitted colours, most food business operators fail to comply with it, fearing that consumers may not buy food items for lack of visual appearance. Many cooks appointed by the operators remain ignorant of the guidelines issued by the food safety authority and often use non-permitted colours or mix permitted and non-permitted colours, according to the officials.

“Take the case of sugar-based confections such as kesari or laddoo that come out in various colours. We have certain sensory traits that look out for particular colour and smell in various foods. The colour chosen has an impact on our perception of the food,” said V.N. Sivasankara Pillai, former director of the School of Environmental Studies at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).

Urging consumers to take time out and read the names of ingredients mentioned on packed food items, Mr. Pillai said there would at least be five synthetic chemicals added in preserved foods. “While chemicals are used in such cases, materials like cassava starch and dyes are used to enhance the colour of turmeric powder sold in the market. Care should be taken while giving such adulterated products, especially to children,” he said.

Food poisoning

Stating that at least three to four children visited him a week with symptoms of food contamination, S. Sachidananda Kamath, former president of the Indian Academy of Peadiatricians, said it could have been caused either by the consumption of sweets or from food consumed from eateries.

“Food poisoning occurs owing to various factors like use of contaminated water, poor quality of oil, etc. The lack of proper hygiene in storage of meat and vegetables may also trigger the problem. The main symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps and abdominal pain,” he said.

Urging parents to ensure that children ate food only from eateries that maintained proper hygiene and health standards, Dr. Kamath said care should be taken to use only clean and dry plates and cutlery. “The management of the eateries must also ensure that the staff always wash their hands. The overall hygiene of the employees must be given top priority,” he said.

On why the Corporation’s Health wing was not publishing the list of food business operators that violated food safety standards, Health Standing Committee chairperson Pratibha Ansari said the civic body was yet to take such an initiative. “But our health inspectors continue to make routine inspections to ensure the prescribed standards,” she said.

Creating awareness

Responding to food safety concerns, G. Jayapal, General Secretary of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the FSSAI had given its nod for the use of permitted colours in food items at prescribed limits. “However, we have requested our members not to use synthetic colours or additives. It’s a misconception that use of such materials will enhance the taste of dishes served to customers. The lack of skilled workers may often result in the use of colours. We have now launched a major programme to create awareness and educate stakeholders,” he said.

Mr. Jayapal said the association had launched a training programme for workers employed in hotels and restaurants across the State. “Each class will have 40 persons. Experts will train them on how to abide by the rules and regulations prescribed by the FSSAI. A certificate will be issued to each participant after successful completion of the programme, which will also test their knowledge levels on various aspects related to food safety,” he said.

Misbranding

Food safety officials pointed out that misbranding of food items remained another major concern. Inspections found that such products lacked details regarding ingredients, batch number, lot number, date of manufacturing and date of expiry.

Complaints about misbranding were found mainly in packets of toor dal, drinking water, cake, rusk, double-toned milk, cashew nut, blended vegetable oil, etc. As per the FSSAI, anyone who either by themselves or through any other person on their behalf manufactures for sale, store or sells or distributes or imports any food article for human consumption, which is misbranded, will be liable to a penalty of up to ₹3 lakh. The adjudicating officer is eligible to issue a direction to a person found guilty of an offence under this section for taking corrective action to rectify mistakes or such articles of food would be destroyed. If a person or a company is selling food articles of substandard quality, the food business operator may be charged an amount up to ₹5 lakh.

It’s official, no more junk food in Karnataka schools

Education Minister Suresh Kumar said the department should follow the FSSAI's notification, under which carbonated drinks, chips, pizzas, samosas etc. will not be sold in and near schools.

BENGALURU: The state government on Thursday issued directions to the principal secretary of the Primary and Secondary Education Department to follow the draft notification issued by the Centre, banning the sale of junk food in and around schools.

In a letter, Education Minister Suresh Kumar said the department should follow the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s draft notification, under which carbonated drinks, chips, processed juice packets, pizzas, samosas, etc, should not be sold in and near schools. “Rules must be framed based on this and implemented strictly all over Karnataka,” Kumar wrote.

Meanwhile, shopkeepers around schools feel their livelihood will be threatened. Schools, however, said they have already been following the rule and do not allow junk food on campus. Jose MJ, principal of Indraprastha Vidyalaya, said, “We don’t encourage junk food at our school, but we have many shops outside the school. We have seen kids munching on fried food, but as it is outside school premises, we have no control. Meanwhile, officials of FSSAI in Karnataka feel that this move will curb drug use.

“There were many incidents where drugs were supplied to students from shops near schools. This will save students from such traps,” said a senior FFSAI official.

State may ban sale of junk food in and around schools

Edu Minister Cites Draft Central Regulations

Bengaluru:

Noodles, pizzas, French fries, burgers, chips, samosas and gulab jamuns will be among a range of junk food items whose sale is likely to be banned within 50 metres of and on the premises of schools across Karnataka.

On Thursday, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar issued a directive to the department’s principal secretary to frame rules for implementation of the junk food ban. Citing the draft Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Healthy Diets for Schoolchildren) Regulations, 2019 issued on October 30 by the Union health and family welfare ministry, Kumar said the ban must be implemented in the state immediately. The minister said it should cover carbonated beverages, processed fruit juice packs and other such junk food.

He directed the education department to implement 10-point draft regulations laid out by the Union government for schools to ensure safe food and healthy diet in their premises. When pointed out they were only draft regulations and yet to be finalised after considering objections from the public, Suresh Kumar told TOI he was yet to go into details of the central notification and draft regulations.

The regulations state a school authority selling or catering school meals by itself on the school campus shall be registered as a ‘Food Business Operator’ from the authority concerned under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. The regulations mention that food business operators manufacturing items shall not advertise or offer free sale of such foods on the institution’s premises or within 50 metres of the campus. They also provide details on what students should eat sparingly, moderately, carefully and adequately.

The Karnataka Associated Management of Private Schools (KAMS) welcomed the move but said it would be difficult to implement. “We understand the minister’s intention. However, the police and health departments have failed in curtailing sale and usage of tobacco products in the vicinity of schools. How will they implement the junk food ban,” wondered D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, KAMS.

SR Umashankar, principal secretary, primary and secondary education, said he was yet to look into the letter.

'Healthy Shelf' for trans-fat-free food

An official said that they had selected five bakeries for the pilot programme, including Azad Bakery, St Michael's Bakery and MRA.

Thiruvananthapuram: Soon, bakeries in the state capital will have a special shelf space dedicated to trans fat-free healthy sweet treats.

Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety (KCFS) is gearing up to launch a 'Healthy Shelf' programme here as part of its effort to cut down trans fat consumption in the state.

Many leading city bakers have come forward to be part of the initiative and agreed to set up special shelves after Christmas.

An official said that they had selected five bakeries for the pilot programme, including Azad Bakery, St Michael's Bakery and MRA.

"We have formed a panel of experts to draw up special healthy recipes to assist the food business operators," he said.

"The healthy shelf will have interesting items made of locally available healthy raw materials. The plan is to introduce products with low salt, low sugar, low-fat treats."

The official said that the filling of the items would be healthy and jaggery would replace sugar and protein-rich items would substitute unhealthy fillings.

"We are also planning to organise a cookery contest at colleges to come up with more recipes," said the official.

To curb the usage of trans fat, the Commissionerate had collected around 104 samples of oil and fat from across the state, out of which almost 29 per cent had trans fat level beyond the permitted 5 per cent.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is targeting to bring down the usage of trans-fatty acid (TFA) content by 2 per cent by 2022.

Many European countries have set the maximum limit for TFA at 2 per cent of the total fat content in oils and fats.

The World Health Organisation has urged governments to eliminate the use of trans fats from global food supplies by 2023.

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ARTIFICIAL RIPENING

After chicken goof up, hotel assures vegetarians it won't happen again

Milk quality can now be assessed in minutes

60l CITIZENS BUT NO FOOD SAFETY OFFICERS

10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas seized

Chennai:

More than 10 tonne of bananas that were ripened using ethylene solutions were seized by food safety officials from six shops at the Koyambedu Wholesale Fruit Market here in the early hours of Wednesday.

Food safety officials said vendors were diluting ethylene with water. The solution was then sprayed over the fruit and kept inside airtight rooms to speed up ripening process.

Designated food safety official A Ramakrishnan said several boxes of chemical packed in 100ml bottles were seized from the shops. “The use of ethylene in gas form is allowed. But direct contact with the fruit leads to harmful chemical contamination,” he said.

The seized fruit would be destroyed in the biomechanisation plant at Koyambedu.

Ethylene – a hormone produced naturally – is permitted for artificial ripening provided the concentration does not exceed 100 ppm (parts per million). In the gas from, under controlled concentration, ethylene, being a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazards to consumers, the guidance note points out.

Experts say these chemicals tend to stay in the body for longer periods and cause health issues such as skin rashes, digestive issues, cardiac and kidney ailments and cancer.

Nearly 40 vehicles, each carrying around eight tonne of raw bananas, come into the market every day, according to S Srinivasan, president of Chennai Fruits Commission Agents Association. “Raw bananas are transported to prevent damage during transport,” he said.

Tamil Nadu's Aavin ghee no more 'Agmark' as Centre cracks whip on 66 brands

AS many as 66 brands of 33 companies, including Aavin and Hatsun, have been refrained from using the ‘Agmark’ quality certification mark, while selling their food products in the State.

CHENNAI: As many as 66 brands of 33 companies, including Aavin and Hatsun, have been refrained from using the ‘Agmark’ quality certification mark, while selling their food products in the State.

In a notification issued last week, the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, warned of legal action against any of these companies using Agmark on their products. Aavin and Hatsun have been barred from using the trademark for their ‘ghee’ as the ‘Agmark’ validity certificate, which is issued once in every five years, expired on March 31.

Refute notification

However, both of them refuted the Centre’s notification saying they have valid certificates to use the trademark. Similarly, as many as 37 ‘rice’ brands of 17 companies located in Chennai, Erode, Kallakuruchi, Salem, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruppur districts have also been directed not to use the ‘Agmark’ brand.

The ‘Agmark’ certificate is being issued by DMI for 225 agricultural products across the country for foodgrains and allied products, vegetable oils, fats, edible nuts, spices and condiments as mark of quality. While the certificate for food products is issued for trade and export purpose, based on the companies’ request, the quality certificate is mandatory for selling blended edible vegetable oils and fat. 

Official sources said the 'Agmark' certification issued for 35 firms for selling rice, ghee, pulses, gingelly oil, ground spices and honey has expired and two of them had applied for renewal. "The remaining firms should not use 'Agmark' on their products," sources said.

Responding to the notification, the Hatsun agro products said the 'Agmark' certificate for ghee is valid till March 2020. "We produce ghee at two plants in Palacode and Koramapuram in Salem district for which we have valid certificate," an official spokesperson said. The company also sent a copy of certificate to Express.

The Aavin also claimed that the trademark certificate was renewed for its plant located at Ammapalayam village in Tiruvannamalai district last year and was valid till 2023. However, Aavin has not issued any counter against the Centre's announcement.

'Agmark' is different from FSSAI certificate. The latter, a safety licence issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is mandatory for selling a food product. The 'Agmark' trademark is a quality certificate for agricultural products and only certifies that the product meets certain criteria regarding its quality.'Agmark' is not mandatory to sell a food product.

‘Two firms applied for renewal’

Official sources said the ‘Agmark’ certification issued for 35 firms expired and two of them had applied for renewal. “The remaining firms should not use ‘Agmark’ on their products,” sources said.

‘OUR Certificates still valid’

Responding to the notification, the Hatsun agro products said the ‘Agmark’ certificate for ghee is valid till March 2020 and Aavin said its certificate is valid till 2023

Food Safety Dept. seizes 10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas in Chennai’s Koyambedu market

Food Safety Department officials during a raid at a shop in Koyambedu wholesale fruit market in Chennai on Wednesday.

A plant growth hormone was found to be directly sprayed on the fruits to speed up the ripening process, says Designated Officer A. Ramakrishnan

The Food Safety Department on Wednesday seized a total of 10 tonnes of artificially ripened bananas from three shops and godowns in the Koyambedu wholesale fruit market. The bananas, worth ₹10 lakh, were destroyed in the bio methanisation plant inside the market complex.

Designated Officer A. Ramakrishnan said that a plant growth hormone was found to be directly sprayed on the fruits to speed up the ripening process. “Direct spraying is not permitted under the Food Safety Standards Act. Hence, the shops were issued notices under Sections 55, 57 and 50 of the Act. It usually takes three-four days for the fruit to ripen naturally but when you spray this, it will take just anywhere between 12-24 hours to become fully ripe. But this also reduces the shelf life of the fruit,” he said.

The early morning raids were conducted by 10 food safety officers at 34 shops after watching these establishments for 10 days.

Samples of artificially ripened bananas were sent to the Food Analytical Lab for further analysis, he said.

Though awareness programmes were being conducted among traders in the market, of late some were found to violate rules. “We started getting information regarding artificial ripening, which is why we conducted the raids,” Dr. Ramakrishnan said.

Meanwhile, fruit shops running without valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Licence/Registration were served notices.

Banned tobacco products seized in Coimbatore

Food Safety Officers inspect 52 shops and godowns

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized banned tobacco products of 320 kg in a special drive conducted here in the city on Wednesday.

Food Safety Officers inspected 52 shops and godowns at Rangai Gowder Street, Thomas Street, Vysial Street, Ukkadam vegetable market, Raja Street and Oppanakkara Street. Banned tobacco products were found at three shops and four godowns.

While FSSAI licence issued to four persons were suspended, notices were served on eight shops. Officials also lifted four samples of banned tobacco products to be examined in a Government laboratory.

Food safety check: Hotels, restaurants, canteens directed to have open kitchens

In the case of complaints of any kitchen compromising on hygiene standards, the violator will have to pay fine upto Rs 1 lakh.

The officials have been told to visit eateries, including hotels, restaurants, canteens, and check the sign boards restricting access outside the kitchen and have them removed on priority and ensure that the kitchen area is clean.

The Gujarat government has directed restaurants, hotels and canteens to have open kitchens so that people can watch what they are eating. In an order issued Thursday, Hemant Koshiya, Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) commissioner said the notification shall be applicable for all restaurants, hotels and canteens selling cooked food in Gujarat.

They will have to remove the “no admission” or “no admission without permission” signs within two weeks and have transparent partitions for kitchens. In the case of complaints of any kitchen compromising on hygiene standards, the violator will have to pay fine upto Rs 1 lakh.

“We are empowering people and citizens and reducing our (FDCA and food safety officers’) burden. Every kitchen should comply with cleanliness and hygiene standards and if they are doing so, this notification should not be a problem. We are giving two weeks’ time for all… Within this time, if feasible (infrastructurally and otherwise) the wall or barrier to kitchen can be removed and replaced by glass partitions. If not feasible, then such signboards restricting entry to the kitchen must be removed,” the order said.

The notification dated November 6, was issued under the Food Safety Standard act (FSSAI) section 2006. The notification copy has been sent to all designated officers, including municipal corporations, across the state.

The officials have been told to visit eateries, including hotels, restaurants, canteens, and check the sign boards restricting access outside the kitchen and have them removed on priority and ensure that the kitchen area is clean. The notifications further states that the windows and doors of the kitchen areas should be kept open so that the customers can see the area.

The health department of Surat Municipal Corporation has issued letters to hotels, restaurants, canteens and other eateries in the city, requesting them to remove such sign boards having “no admission without permission” or “admission only with permission”.

Talking to The Indian Express, SMC Deputy Health Commissioner Dr Ashish Naik said, “We have issued letters to hotels, restaurants and canteens in the city, asking them to remove banners or signboards, or inscriptions on the glass windows or doors. Customers can enter the kitchen and check the cleanliness. We have given two days’ time and from coming Monday, we will carry out surprise inspections and if anybody is found to be flouting the instructions, we will take action, including issuing notice and collecting penalty. The owner will face legal action later.”

Southern Gujarat Hotel and Restaurant Association president Arun Shetty said, “We welcome the decision of the state government as it will benefit the customers as well as hotels and restaurants. We have issued letters to all restaurants and hotels in South Gujarat and intimated them to remove sign boards outside the kitchen.”

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Adopt trans-fat-free diet to stay fit, children told

Coimbatore: On the occasion of the World Diabetes Day and the Children’s Day, both of which fall on November 14, a group of children who attended a special programme conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday were taught about the need to stick to a trans-fat-free diet.

Earlier this year, FSSAI had proposed limiting the maximum amount of trans fat content in vegetable oils and vegetable fats to 2% from the earlier limit of 5%. The regulator also plans to make India trans-fat-free by 2022.

Designated food safety officer K Tamilselvan said that FSSAI plans to bring down the compliance to 2% for oils and food items by 2021 and the whole country trans-fat-free by 2022. “Consumption of trans fat causes cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart attack,” he said. “It is for this reason that we constantly approach schools to ensure that junk food and trans fat foods are not allowed inside and are not served in canteens and cafeterias. We also advice small eateries near schools not to serve snacks containing trans fat and instead serve sprouts, sundal and such healthy snacks.”

Addressing the students, Dr Devaprasath, pediatric cardiologist at Sri Ramakrishna Hospitals, explained how cholesterol consumed via food deposits in blood vessels and overtime obstructs blood flow. “This eventually leads to clots that cause stroke and heart attack, often leading to death.”

The fast food culture is the reason for obesity among school children, president of the Citizen’s Voice Club C M Jayaraman told the students. “Children should adopt healthy food habits like consuming more seasonal fruits, sprouts, vegetables, soups, neera and food items with less or no cholesterol. Adoption of a healthy diet by youngsters will bring back traditional eateries,” he added.

Easy availability of intoxicants to school students a growing concern in Coimbatore

'Teachers have caught students taking such products into exam halls'

A growing concern among teachers in Coimbatore city seems to be the easy availability of intoxicants to school students that get them addicted at an early age and end up marring their academics along with their health.

T. Arulanandam, district president of Tamil Nadu High Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers Association, said that the use of a particular intoxicant in which tobacco was mixed with spices and sold in small pouches particularly increased in the past year among students in government, government-aided and Corporation schools. “Both boys and girls use this,” he claimed.

He recalled an incident when he was the chief superintendent officer at a Corporation Girls School during the public examinations where the school authorities found empty packets of the tobacco-based intoxicant inside the toilets. “The usage starts in Class VII or Class VIII,” he said. One of the reasons for its notoriety was its inconspicuousness.

There would be no visible difference in behaviour due to its mild intoxication. Some teachers had caught students taking this intoxicant into exam halls, Mr. Arulanandam said. Another reason was its easy availability around the schools, with petty shops outside schools selling it, he said.

N. Lakshmanan, a clinical psychologist who runs a counselling centre, said students were also addicted to fumes from paint thinners and whiteners, which were not generally perceived as intoxicants.

“While alcohol and cigarettes affect the digestive system and lungs respectively, these intoxicants directly affect the central nervous system,” he said, adding that use of such intoxicants at an early age was diagnosed as ‘conduct disorder’. A characteristic among these victims of addiction was that they came from dysfunctional families where parents were either abusive or alcoholic, Mr. Lakshmanan said. With the addiction beginning in the teenage for many victims, they were generally advised to enrol in de-addiction centres. “Many do not seek professional help till the addiction becomes severe,” he added.

Education, food safety officials to act

When contacted, P. Ayyanan, Chief Education Officer, who took charge on November 8, said that he was aware of the issue during his previous tenure (December 2017 to March 2019) in the city. “During one of the review meetings, when I asked teachers the reason behind the dip in performance of students, they told me about this,” he said.

Mr. Ayyanan added that he would convene a meeting of headmasters of all government and government-aided schools to check the current situation. The issue would be taken to the notice of District Collector K. Rajamani for further action, he said.

As there was only one school counsellor for the entire district for government and government-aided schools at present, Mr. Ayyanan said that more counsellors would be appointed to help students recover from such addictions.

K. Tamilselvan, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Coimbatore, said a special drive would commence in the city soon, where five teams of food safety officials would check for sale of tobacco products near schools. “If any shop is found selling tobacco products to minors, notice will be served on the spot and the licence will be suspended,” he said.

Mr. Tamilselvan also said that teachers could inform the FSSAI on the helpline number 94440 42322 about such sale.

Seminar on trans fats held

Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group, in association with the Citizen’s Voice Club conducted a seminar to create awareness among students on the need to avoid trans fats here on Tuesday.

The seminar was held at R.K. Sree Rangammal Kalvi Nilayam Higher Secondary School. K. Tamilselvan, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India advised students on the need to follow a healthy diet, a release said. S. Devaprasath, paediatric cardiologist at Sri Ramakrishna Hospitals, explained the ill-effects of trans fats to students.

Officials to encourage safe food on school campuses

Madurai: After the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India released draft regulations banning sales and supply of unhealthy food on school campuses, the authorities concerned here are planning a sensitisation on the proposed regulation for schoolteachers and their heads here. 

The draft regulations titled Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and healthy diets for schoolchildren) Regulations, 2019 has proposed to ban sales food contains high salt, sugar and fat on school campuses. The same cannot be displayed or sold in 50 metres radius of campuses. It has proposed mandatory license to sell or supply food items by school management or a food business operator on campus, the officials said. 

The proposed regulation encourages schools to adopt a comprehensive programme for promoting safe food and healthy diets among schoolchildren and to convert school campuses into ‘Eat Right School’, focusing on safe and healthy food, the officials said. 

Dr M Somasundaram, designated officer for food safety, Madurai, told TOI that his team would conduct meeting with teachers and headmasters on Mondays, and shopkeepers and traders on Tuesdays to sensitise them . The teachers will also be sensitised on healthy and locally available food, so that they can promote them among students.

“Teachers will in turn sensitise children by conducting sessions periodically. Teachers have been chosen since it would be a daunting task to each and every students throughout the district. Through the students the teachers can also drive messages to their family members as well,” he said. 

The faculty members will check for unhealthy foods being sold in the vicinity and advise the shopkeepers not to sell them. Food safety officials will take action if they receive complaint from teachers against shopkeepers who fail to adhere to the regulations, Somasundaram said. To reach out to traders, the food safety officials are forming councils involving trader representatives. They are planning to form eight councils in the district and have already formed four in Vadipatti, Alanganallur, Usilampatti and the city.

“The council members will inform fellow people. There is a great difficulty in reaching out to shopkeepers and traders on emerging regulations and good practices. The formation of council would solve the issue,” he said.

Food establishment conducts workshop on FLRS, Foscoris system

Dimapur, Nov. 12 (EMN): A workshop to discuss the food licensing and registration system (FLRS), which is an online system for license and registration certificate, and the Foscoris, which is an online platform to bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling, was conducted on November 7 in the conference hall of the directorate of Health & Family Welfare.

The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) gave updates to the media informing about the programme.

Partha Das Mohapatra, deputy director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Northeast region at Guwahati, addressed the event. Addressing designated officers for food safety at the event, the official expressed enthusiasm at the initiative from state officials to take a big step in introducing the online registration and licensing system in Nagaland.

With the induction of the online system in Nagaland, the whole country will be digitalised with one live portal and there will be a common platform across the country, Mohapatra said. He expressed appreciation to the organisers for conducting the workshop. Likewise, he acknowledged the effort and ‘passion’ shown by the state officials, the update stated.

Dr. Akuo Sorhie, joint director and state programme officer for Food Safety unit addressed the event too. He mentioned that the event was ‘a historic moment for Nagaland state to introduce the much awaited online registration system with which our state will also join the rest of the country into one portal.’

After the workshop, the government servant said, Nagaland will also start with the online registration and licensing process in phases starting from the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur. Till date, the official stated, Nagaland is the only state which has not undertaken this process.

Sendongkaba Jamir, assistant food safety commissioner of the department also spoke at the event. The official expressed optimism for the ‘fruitful workshop.’

According to the updates, the designated officers for Food Safety will be trained in the use of the online food licensing and registration system and Food Safety Compliance matters through regular inspection and sampling.

The training will be conducted by Partha Das Mohapatra, and Kaushik Kalita, IT manager at the FSSAI, north-eastern region at Guwahati in Assam. This will be further implemented in the districts, the updates stated.

The FLRS or Food Licensing and Registration system is an online system launched by the FSSAI to facilitate FBOs in India to apply for license or registration certificates. The system can track their applications during the course of processing. 35 states and union territories have been issuing licenses or registration certificates online, additional resources about the system state.

Further, the FSSAI has launched the Foscoris. It is stated to be nationwide online platform to bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling. The food regulator asked states to adopt the system as it would help eliminate discrepancy and make food safety officers accountable.

The ‘one hundred tenth report on functioning of food safety and standards authority of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, defined the Foscoris to be ‘Food Safety Compliance through Regular Inspection and Sampling.’

According to additional resources, the Foscoris will help verify compliance of food safety and hygiene standards by food businesses in accordance with government norms. It will bring together all key stakeholders such as food businesses, food safety officers, and state food safety commissioners on a nationwide IT platform.

The platform is envisaged to help seamlessly share data related to inspection, sampling and test results by the establishments. The system will help to ease process of sample collection, make it transparent and traceable and control the quality of compliances, it was informed.

Junk food in schools off the menu

Soon, junk food will no longer be sold in schools.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has moved to prohibit the sale of junk food in school canteens against the backdrop of a growing crisis of childhood obesity in the country. By 2030, India is expected to be home to 27 million obese children compared to eleven million at present. By that year, India will surpass the United States as the country home to the second highest number of obese children in the world. 

The FSSAI’s decision is a wise move, given the proliferation of unhealthy foods throughout the country – even in schools. “Recently, we had received a series of complaints, and inspections revealed that many schools were providing foods and drinks high on fat, salt and sugar content,” commented Ranjana Prasad of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights. 

The proposal was called for by the FSSAI, not only banning the sale of junk food in schools but also prohibiting their advertisement within a close radius of the school. “We have proposed to put a curb on advertisements and promotion of food that is not healthy in school premises and fifty metres surroundings,” said FSSAI chief executive officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal. “About three years ago, the High Court had asked us to come out with regulation on healthy diets for school children. We have been struggling to put that regulation together. Because if you have to make a law, it has to be implemented.”

Increased availability of sugary drinks and fast food are leading to rising rates of obesity.

The FSSAI developed draft regulations, which would mandate that “foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar…cannot be sold to school children in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within fifty meters of the school campus.” In addition, the FSSAI would – through the regulation – “encourage school authorities to promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition.” 

Agarwal referenced a Delhi High Court ruling, imposed in 2015, which said that the availability and consumption of junk food in schools ought to be restricted. The ruling was welcomed at the time by Centre for Science and Environment director-general Sunita Narain, who said “we welcome the Delhi High Court order in the junk food case, in which it has directed strict implementation of the guidelines for making available wholesome, nutritious, safe and hygienic food to school children in India. We would have liked a complete ban on the sale of junk food in schools, but what the Court has ordered is also very significant: restriction is an important step in recognition of the fact that this kind of food is bad for children, and must not be allowed in schools.” The ruling placed the onus on the FSSAI to devise guidelines, which Narain also touted. 

“The guidelines are scientific, comprehensive and well establish the harmful effects of junk foods,” she said. “The essence throughout the document is to not allow the availability of such foods in schools. If well implemented, maintaining the spirit of it, the guidelines will help avoid the looming health crisis in this country. The court has emphasised on time-bound enforcement across the country and has put immense faith in [the] FSSAI. It could prove to be a milestone development towards addressing the growing burden of obesity, diabetes and heart disease—among other noncommunicable diseases—in the Indian context.”

Such guidelines, however, have allegedly been ignored – prompting the new regulations. Foodstuffs prohibited include “deep-fried foods, for example French fries, fried chips, samosa, chole bhature, gulab jamun, sugar sweetened carbonated or noncarbonated beverages, ready-to-eat foods, noodles, pizzas, burgers, confectionary items, sugar and sugar-based products.” This drives a crisis where many Indian youths consume junk food on a regular basis– including 93 percent who consume packaged food at least once a week. This is especially concerning given that packaged food sold in India ranks among the unhealthiest of its kind sold in the world owing to high quantities therein of calories, saturated fat, total sugars, and sodium.

A McDonald’s in Delhi.

“Ours is a fast-evolving, consumer-based and middle-class to upper middle-class society,” commented nephrologist Dr Sanjeev Bagai, cited by News18. “Indians have a very high level of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. 

“The most vulnerable are children and India has 35 percent of its population under the age of eighteen years. For preventive healthcare, we must enforce correct eating habits. No advertising or endorsements of junk or processed food should be allowed in schools or colleges or any public domain. None in sports arenas too. Awareness must be created that junk foods cause short-term and long-term harm in all age groups.” 

As preeminent bariatric surgeon Dr Pradeep Chowbey, chairman of the Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Saket, told Health Issues India last year, “in the last couple of years. we have seen a very significant and alarming rise in such cases of obesity. We are quite worried that we might get even more in the coming future. I think that there is a significant and alarming rise in childhood obesity in the country. After two decades, we have observed more and more patients coming with more cases of obesity to seek advice and operations and other types of management.” To counteract this, bold policy moves such as banning junk food in schools is needed to avert cases of obesity and resultant health complications. 

Heart disease is India’s leading cause of death. By 2025, the country could be home to 134 million diabetics. Hypertension affects around 224 million Indians. This is to say nothing of the other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) obesity is a risk factor for, ranging from multiple types of cancer to strokes. Taking steps to prevent obesity early, such as by prohibiting the availability of junk food in environments where children are exposed, are far from the panacea to end India’s obesity woes but have much potential as a step towards decreasing rates of NCDs.

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Food inspectors may get body cams

Food Inspector inspecting the Paneer at H.N 2576 at Sector 22

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to arm food safety officers with body cameras to address allegations of corruption during food inspections and to also protect inspectors from being manhandled.

“We are exploring the idea of fitting their jackets with a portable mini camera so that chances of fraud are less and also it will act as a deterrent for those manhandling the inspectors while they lift samples. The in-camera inspection will help maintain transparency,” said Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, the country’s top food regulator.

Food safety officers often complain of being manhandled by food vendors during raids; vendors, in turn, allege that inspectors sometimes ask for pay-offs.

“Earlier the episodes used to be very frequent but even now I’d say in about 2-3% cases our food safety officers face violence from the vendors, especially during festive season when the frequency of raids increases. We are always outnumbered during a raid, as one inspector is almost always faced with a huge crowd and at times gets even beaten up. The guilty ones come up with false allegations against the inspectors to save their skin,” said a food inspector in Delhi, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“There are times when we need to revisit the place to collect more samples for legal purposes. It is dreadful; so the camera should act as a deterrent to some extent. Also, we can prove our innocence,” he added.

On average, each of Delhi’s 22 food safety officers picks about 15-20 samples in a month, and put in 12-15 hours of work a day.

In Gujarat, 122 food inspectors have been given the target of picking at least nine samples each in a month.

“Most inspections happen after receiving a tip-off but there is also routine sample collection from manufacturing units, roadside vendors, restaurants, etc. Our team is practically at work 24x7,” a senior official in the Gujarat Food Safety department said on condition of anonymity.

On World Food Day last month, FSSAI launched “eat right” jackets for its field staff, largely food safety officers, to be worn during inspections.

The special jacket has been designed to hold devices such as tablets and smart phones. It also has a QR code and RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag for identification and tracking of the inspector on field.

“These are smartly designed jackets to hold gadgets, including a camera, with an aim to bring transparency to the whole process. There are sometimes allegations of corruption against food inspectors, or against food vendors of misbehaviour with inspectors, so having things recorded should help,” said Agarwal. “Those who have the facility of scanning QR code can also check the authenticity of the inspector. The idea of specially-designed jacket for food safety officers was inspired from Canada, and the police in the US have mounted cameras while on duty. We are looking at the feasibility of having something similar for our field staff,” he added.

Experts hailed the move, saying video recording of the food inspection process was in the interest of all sides.

“Complaints have always been there, against the food business operators as well as against the food inspectors, so camera recording of the inspection is in the interest of both parties. However, ideally, it would be best to outsource the job entirely to a third-party audit agency,” said Pradip Chakraborty, senior advisor, Centre for Public Health & Food Safety.

The apex food regulator has discussed the idea with the food safety commissioners of the states, and there has largely been a positive response.

Delhi is the first to get the smart jackets. “There are about 3,500 inspectors in all, and we will be providing each one of them a pair. Providing cameras, however, will take some time but it surely is on the cards,” said Agarwal.