Medical stores in TN under pressure to take fresh licence from FSSA to sell food supplements

With the implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, the medical stores in Tamil Nadu have got into a quandary as the act mandates every trader who sells packed food items to obtain food licence from the State Food Commissionerate. Food items come under dietary supplements such as Bournvita, Farex, Amul, Complan, Boost etc are being sold through medical shops, and from now on, separate licence is required to sell these items. All the vitamin and mineral products come under dietary supplements are sold in packaged forms. In Tamil Nadu the FSSA 2006 came into force on August 8, 2011. Perturbed over the stringent norms, the state chemists and druggists association (TNCDA) has approached the Commissioner of FDA requesting him to exempt the drug traders from taking separate licence for selling dietary supplements. As per the act, every trader who has an annual turnover of Rs.12 lakh has to obtain food licence and those whose turnover is less than Rs.12 lakh has to register with the Commissionerate, said G Selvaraju, the drugs control director. The traders complain that they have to produce another set of documents to get the licence for the sale of food items. They have already submitted the documents with the drugs control directorate for getting their drug licence. In their meeting with the commissioner, the traders urged him to issue separate food licence based on the documents already submitted by drug traders. But the government has not accepted their demands as FSSA demands separate set of documents to issue licence. M Arul Kumar, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association and V P Elango, president of Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Distributors Association told Pharmabiz that they would submit separate memorandums to the Commissioner and to the health secretary seeking exemption from submitting additional documents for availing food licence. According to M S Rajendran, former director of Tamil Nadu drugs control administration, a pharmacy shop which gets drug licence should have minimum 110 squire feet work space. For getting an additional licence for sale of packed food, the medical shops have to mark additional work space.

Indian state charges Red Bull over caffeine content; court battle looms

Austrian energy drink leader Red Bull Gmbh has run into rough weather in India with a state level food regulator, which claims to have confiscated 1.6 million cans of the drink over caffeine content.
A spokesperson of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (MFDA), said it had seized the product because caffeine content in the energy drink was between 250ppm (parts per million) and 300ppm. According to the laws framed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the maximum permissible caffeine content in carbonated beverages is 145ppm, but it also exempts energy drinks as they are classed as food items, not carbonated beverages.
As per court documents accessed by FoodNavigator-Asia, the Madras High Court previously ruled that as the FSSAI has not formulated new standards for energy drinks, Red Bull, which is a proprietary food, did not need to conform to the standards for carbonated drinks. Local regulators acting 'rogue' “Unfortunately for Red Bull, the local regulators are not heeding to the line of the court or following the hierarchical order. The ball is in the FSSAI’s court now. Once it issues standards, energy drink makers would have a line to toe,” an industry observer said.
He said he expects Red Bull to take on the MFDA legally, citing the Madras High Court Order, that in its interpretation forbids regulators treating energy drinks as carbonated drinks. However, it does not look as if MFDA is ready to buy that argument. Talking to local media, MFDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade said: “Manufacturers claim it’s an energy drink and not a carbonated drink. But when you open a Red Bull can, there's fizz and it contains carbon dioxide. We are preparing for legal battle.”
Red Bull baulks at seizure
Red Bull issued a statement to FoodNavigator-Asia, saying it fully complies with the local laws and regulations of more than 164 countries, including India. “A 250ml can of Red Bull contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee [80 mg or 320ppm]. The Indian health authorities have repeatedly confirmed that Red Bull Energy Drink conforms to Indian laws and regulations,” it
said.
“We are surprised by the recent approach of FDA Maharashtra, as it appears to be in conflict with that of the Indian national authorities,” the statement said.
Gap analysis
Two years ago, the state of Tamil Nadu also seized cans of Red Bull, as it was violating the caffeine content standards for carbonated beverages.
Red Bull went to court at that time. In its original form, the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006 had stated that all drinks containing caffeine should follow the rules applicable to carbonated beverages.

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தமிழ்நாட்டில் பன்றிக் காய்ச்சலால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளோர் குறித்துத் தகவல்கள் வரத் தொடங்கியுள்ளன. காங்கேயம் பகுதியில் 70 வயது விவசாயி இந்த நோய்க்கு பலியான செய்தியும், சென்னையில் மேலும் 2 பேர் இந்த நோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதும் உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. இந்நோயால் மேலும் 12 பேர் (சென்னையில் 5 பேரும் கோவையில் 7 பேரும்) பாதிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதும் உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.மக்களிடையே பீதியை ஏற்படுத்தும் அளவுக்கு ஏதும் நடந்துவிடவில்லை என்றாலும், இந்த நோய் மெல்ல மெல்லப் பரவிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது என்பதை உணர்ந்த தமிழக அரசு, தமிழ்நாட்டில் உள்ள அரசு தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் தனி வார்டுகளை அமைத்துள்ளது. "டாமிபுளு' மாத்திரைகளை அனைத்து மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கும் கொண்டுசேர்க்கும் நடவடிக்கைகளிலும் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளது.தமிழக சுகாதாரத் துறை அமைச்சர் மற்றும் அரசு செயலர்கள் தலைமையிலான ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டம், இந்த நோய் பரவாமல் தடுக்கும் நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொள்ள முடியுமே தவிர, களத்தில் இறங்கி இதைச் செயலாக்கும் பொறுப்பு அரசு மருத்துவமனை மருத்துவர்களைச் சேர்ந்தது. தனி வார்டுகளை அமைப்பதும், டாமிபுளு மாத்திரைகளைக் கையிருப்பில் வைத்திருப்பதும் அரசின் நடவடிக்கையாக இருந்தாலும், இந்த நோய் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் வந்துவிட்டது என்பது உறுதியாகும்வரை, ஒரு மருத்துவர் 24 மணி நேரமும் இத்தகைய தனி வார்டுகளில் இருக்கும்படி செய்வது அவசியம்.இன்றைய காலகட்டத்தில், காய்ச்சல் என்றவுடன் தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகளுக்குச் செல்வோர் எண்ணிக்கைதான் அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது. காய்ச்சல் தீவிரமடையும் முன்பாக அது பன்றிக்காய்ச்சல்தான் என்பதை உறுதி செய்து, அரசுத் தலைமை மருத்துவமனைக்குப் பரிந்துரைக்கும் நிலையில் தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகள் உள்ளன. ÷தமிழகத்தில் சென்றமுறை இதே சூழ்நிலை உருவான நேரத்தில், பன்றிக் காய்ச்சலுக்கு சிகிச்சை அளிக்கவென தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகள் சிலவற்றுக்கு அங்கீகாரம் அளிக்கப்பட்டது. கோவையில் அவ்வாறு அங்கீகாரம் பெற்ற தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகளின் பிரதிநிதிகள் ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டமும் நடத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதேபோன்று மாவட்ட அளவில் அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகளையும் அழைத்துப் பேசி, தடுப்பு நடவடிக்கையில் ஈடுபடச் செய்யவேண்டும்.ஒரு நோயாளி தனியார் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்றாலும் பன்றிக் காய்ச்சலை உறுதிப்படுத்தும் சோதனைகள் கிங் இன்ஸ்டிடியூட்டில் செய்யப்படும் நிலைதான் இன்றளவும் உள்ளது. இச்சோதனை முடிவுகள் உடனுக்குடன், போர்க்கால அடிப்படையில் தொடர்புடைய மருத்துவமனைக்குத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுவதை அரசு உறுதி செய்வதும் அவசியம்.நோய் பரவுவது கட்டுப்படவில்லை என்றால், அடுத்த கட்டமாகத் தடுப்பு ஊசி போடுவதற்கு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று சுகாதாரத் துறை இயக்குநர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். நோய் பரவத் தொடங்கியதும் அதைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தும் நடவடிக்கைகளைத் தீவிரப்படுத்துவது மட்டும் சுகாதாரத் துறையின் வேலை அல்ல; நோய் ஏற்படாமல் தடுக்கும் நடவடிக்கைகளும் அந்தத் துறையைச் சார்ந்ததுதான்.பன்றிக் காய்ச்சல், பறவைக் காய்ச்சல், மஞ்சள் காமாலை, டெங்கு காய்ச்சல், சிக்குன்குன்யா என எல்லா நோய்களும் பொதுஇடங்களில் நிலவும் சுகாதாரக் கேட்டினால்தான் அதிகம் பரவுகின்றன. இதில் குடிநீர், சுகாதாரமற்ற உணவுகள் முக்கிய காரணிகளாக இருக்கின்றன. இவற்றைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தாமல், நோய் பரவுதலை மட்டுமே கட்டுப்படுத்தவும் சிகிச்சைக்கான ஏற்பாடுகளைச் செய்வதும் எந்தவித பயனையும் தராது.÷பிளாஸ்டிக் உறைகளிலும், பாட்டில்களிலும் விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் குடிநீர் ஒரு மிகப்பெரிய வணிகமாகி விட்டிருக்கும் நிலைமை. மக்கள் தங்கள் வசதிக்கு ஏற்ப, குறைந்தபட்சம் ரூ.2 விலை கொடுத்து தண்ணீர் பாக்கெட் வாங்கிக் குடிக்கிறார்கள். ஆனால் அது தரமாக இருக்கின்றதா என்பதை அடிக்கடி சோதனையிட்டு உறுதிப்படுத்த வேண்டியது சுகாதாரத் துறையின் கடமை. சுகாதாரம் குறித்து மக்களுக்குத்தான் விழிப்புணர்வு வேண்டும் என்று பிரச்னையை திசை திருப்பிவிட முடியாது. ரயிலில் பயணம் செய்யும் பயணிகள் எல்லாரும் குடிப்பதற்குப் பணம் கொடுத்து குடிநீர் பாட்டில் வாங்குகிறார்கள். கையைக் கழுவ மட்டும்தான் ரயில்பெட்டிக் குழாயில் வரும் நீரைப் பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள். ஆனால், எத்தனைப் பயணிகளுக்குத் தெரியும், அதே குழாய் தண்ணீரைத்தான் கெட்டிச் சட்னியைக் கரைக்கவும் பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள் என்பதும், தயிர்வடைக்காக வடைகளை ஊறப்போடும் தண்ணீர், ரயில்பெட்டியின் மேற்கூரையில் உள்ள அதே தண்ணீர்தான் என்பதும்! ரயில் பான்டிரி நிலைமையே இதுவென்றால், தெருவோர தள்ளுவண்டிக் கடைகளைப் பற்றி என்ன சொல்வது?மாநகராட்சிகளிலும் நகராட்சிகளிலும் சுகாதாரத் துறை என்று ஒன்று இயங்குகிறதே தவிர, அதற்கு எந்தவித அதிகாரமும் இல்லாமல் பல் பிடுங்கப்பட்ட பாம்பாக மாற்றப்பட்டுவிட்ட நிலைமை ஏற்பட்டிருக்கிறது. சுகாதாரத் துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு உணவகங்களைச் சோதனையிட முடியுமே தவிர, முறையாக செயல்படாவிட்டால் அபராதம் விதிக்கவோ, உரிமத்தை ரத்து செய்யவோ அதிகாரம் இல்லை என்கிற அவலநிலை. உணவக அதிபர்களின் நன்மைக்காக செயல்படும் உள்ளாட்சி நிர்வாக அதிகாரிகளும் அரசியல்வாதிகளுமாக சுகாதாரத் துறையை ஒப்புக்குச் சப்பாணியாக்கி வைத்திருப்பதைப் பற்றி யாருமே கவலைப்படுவதாக இல்லை.தெருவோரக் கடைகள் காளான்களாக பெரிய, சிறிய நகரங்களில் நாளும் பொழுதும் அதிகரித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. தரமற்ற, எந்தவித சுகாதார முறைகளையும் பின்பற்றாத இந்தத் தெருவோரக் கடைகள் மாமிச உணவுகளையும் தயாரிப்பதால் தொற்று நோய்கள் பரவுவதற்கான ஊற்றுக் கண்களாக செயல்படுகின்றன என்பது எல்லோருக்குமே தெரியும். ஆனால், இவற்றைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தவோ, முறைப்படுத்தவோ எந்தவித முயற்சிகளும் எடுப்பதில்லை என்கிற அவலம். காரணம், காவல் துறையினருக்கும் ஆளும் கட்சியினருக்கும் நிரந்தர "மாமூல்' வருமானத்துக்கு அவை உதவுகின்றன என்பதுதான்.நோய் தீவிரமாகப் பரவும்போது அதைத் தடுப்பதில் தீவிரம் காட்டும் சுகாதாரத் துறை, நோய் தோன்றக் காரணமாக இருக்கும் விவகாரத்தில் கண்மூடி இருக்கக் கூடாது. நோய் வந்தபின் சிகிச்சை அளிப்பதைக் காட்டிலும் நோய் வராமலே தடுப்பதுதான் செலவையும் வலியையும் பதற்றத்தையும் தவிர்க்கும்.

FSA launches its Olympic Games ‘food safety squad’

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recruited an elite ‘food safety squad’ – 10 top food safety inspectors from around the country – who will be based in Olympic venue cities and lead extra inspections and training ahead of the Games.

The move is part of the FSA's Play It Safe campaign to ensure all food sold, cooked and eaten during the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 is safe and raise awareness of food safety among businesses and visitors.

Representing hundreds of environmental health officers across the UK who will also be carrying out additional hygiene and safety inspections on food businesses in preparation for the Games, the 'food safety squad' will be working in towns and cities that are hosting Olympic or Paralympic events, or Live sites (venues with big screens where events will be shown live).

The focus of the campaign is on areas that are likely to experience a big influx of visitors, and on the expected increased number of outlets selling food during the Games period.

Food businesses that do not make the grade on inspections will be given one-to-one training to ensure they are aware of, and follow, food hygiene regulations. Tough enforcement action will follow where public health is put at risk.

Sarah Appleby, head of enforcement and local authority delivery at the Food Standards Agency said: "London 2012 is about celebrating everything that the UK has to offer and food is an important part of this.

"We have so much fantastic food to showcase to Games visitors, and we want food business owners to ensure that everything they sell is the best it can be. It will be an exceptionally busy time for a lot of these businesses, and the FSA is providing extra support and advice to make sure they are well prepared to meet the challenge."

Ben Milligan, an environmental health officer from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, said: "From my regular conversations with food businesses around East London I know the Games are seen as a real opportunity in terms of business and profits.

"At the same time, having to serve more people than normal can create situations that don't arise under normal circumstances, such as the need to produce and store lots of food in advance.

"I'm pleased to be part of the Food Safety Squad and am looking forward to working with my colleagues to provide the support these businesses need during the Olympic Games."

MP becomes 1st state to ban Gutka products containing tobacco

With increasing number of mouth cancer cases in the country, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to ban all Gutka products which contain tobacco or nicotine under a new law governing food safety standards.

The Madhya Pradesh food secretary has issued instructions to all District Collectors and Food Safety officials to ensure that the sale and manufacture of all Ghutka products in their areas is not allowed and all such material containing tobacco and nicotine be confiscated. The ban came into effect from April 1.
The state food secretary has also called for initiating action under the rules against all those indulging in sale and manufacture of Gutka products containing Tobacco and Nicotine.
Madhya Pradesh is the first state to ban Gutka under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on sales) Regulation 2011 notified by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Goa was the first state to ban Gutka under Public Health Act earlier.
The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notification effective August 5, 2011, called as Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on sales) Regulation 2011, wherein Rules 2.3.4 states that no food article shall contain tobacco or nicotine in the products.
Under the Food Security and Standard Assessment Act, the food and drug administration can impose a penalty of Rs 25,000 on any person found selling Gutka.
India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer globally, with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of a year. Gutka sold in small pouches across the country has become a very serious health hazard and its easy availability and low prices make it popular among youth and women.
Its flavoured taste, easy availability and low price as well as the attractive marketing ploy by companies also attracts children.

KUNGUMAM 2.4.2012

India Attacks US Fast-Food Brands in New Study

On top of more bad press this week, fast-food and junk food brands are taking new heat, this time from healthy eating avocates in India.
A new report from Indian NGO, the Centre for Science and Environment, claims in its newest study that U.S. brands of fast food mislead the public by not printing the "real information" on ingredient and nutrition labels. After testing 16 brands of popular foods, the group claimed that Indian-packaged foods are missing key ingredients found on U.S. food labels. Among the brands tested: Maggi and Top Ramen noodles, McDonald's, KFC, and Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia.
While the report found fault with the brands' nutritional value — i.e., one packet of ramen contained nearly 60 percent of the recommended daily intake for sodium — the study's biggest claims were the mislabeling. While Top Ramen and Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia claim zero trans fats on the label, the CSE study found 0.7 grams and 2.5 grams of of trans fats per 100 grams.
Now, as the latest survey says nearly one in eight Indians are obese, the CSE is recommending governmental action to reduce the "junk" in junk food — salt, trans fats, and sugars — and force companies to provide nutritional information. However, said deputy program manager at the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) Savvy Soumya Mishra to the Times of India, a governmental slap on the wrist may not be enough to change Indians' dietary habits and recommended a ban in schools.
The accused offenders, Pepsi, KFC, Nestlé and McDonald's, have denied they are misleading the public with labels, Forbes reported.

MP becomes 1st state to ban Gutka products containing tobacco

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) With increasing number of mouth cancer cases in the country, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to ban all Gutka products which contain tobacco or nicotine under a new law governing food safety standards. The Madhya Pradesh Food Secretary has issued instructions to all District Collectors and Food Safety officials to ensure that the sale and manufacture of all Ghutka products in their areas is not allowed and all such material containing tobacco and nicotine be confiscated. The ban came into effect from April 1.
The State Food Secretary has also called for initiating action under the rules against all those indulging in sale and manufacture of Gutka products containing Tobacco and Nicotine. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to ban Gutka under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on sales) Regulation 2011 notified by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Goa was the first state to ban Gutka under Public Health Act earlier. The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notification effective August 5, 2011, called as Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition & Restrictions on sales) Regulation 2011, wherein Rules 2.3.4 states that no food article shall contain tobacco or nicotine in the products.
Under the Food Security and Standard Assessment Act, the food and drug administration can impose a penalty of Rs 25,000 on any person found selling Gutka. India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer globally, with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of a year. Gutka sold in small pouches across the country has become a very serious health hazard and its easy availability and low prices make it popular among youth and women. Its flavoured taste, easy availability and low price as well as the attractive marketing ploy by companies also attracts children.

Indians should stop excessive consumption of junk food, says diet experts

According to the diet experts, the habit of consuming junk food among Indian is increasing day by day and have warned that this could lead to severe health conditions.
Deputy Programme Manager at the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) Savvy Soumya Mishra said that just blaming the international chains of fast food to spoil the pattern of diet in India is not enough.
She said that fast food has penetrated to the rural markets also in different forms such as potato chips and soft-drinks and wished that some remedial measures should be taken regarding this.
"Potato chips and similar snacks are available even in remote villages, where you may not find a school or a ration shop. These things have more reach. There will be soft-drink bottles in places that may not have even clean drinking water. McDonald's and Pizza Hut may not have reached there, but chips and soft drinks have, what a pity!" Mishra said.
She also laid emphasis on the importance of reducing children's reach to such trans-fat-laden junk food and suggested that such eatable items should be banned in schools.
"Imposing a ban is the government's decision, but junk food must be banned in schools because it is difficult to restrain children. You can ban it in school and introduce fruits and fruit juices. There are also many things prepared at home. We grew up eating a lot of other things, traditional food. We did not grow on chips and packaged snacks like Kurkure," added Mishra.
The extent of junk food is now not only limited to food items like buggers and pizzas, said Dr. K K Aggarwal , a Delhi-based cardiologist.
He added that the conventional Indian snacks are also a big threat as they are prepared using vegetable fat.
"We shouldn't get carried away and just ban burgers. Everything that just tastes good is bad for health, because such things will either be made with 'ghee' (clarified butter), which is very unlikely, or with trans fats sourced from vegetables. So, whatever contains trans fats is unhealthy, regardless of whether it is commercial or not," said Dr. Aggarwal.
However, the reaction of the common people towards junk foods was seem to be mixed.
"Young people these days prefer fast food. But as the report has said, one should avoid that food. As far as traditional recipes are concerned, we should go for that," said Suresh, a resident of the city.
In contrast to that, another opinion regarding this suggested that junk food has now became a necessity to the changed nature of people's daily lives, and they come in different varieties of which some of them are healthier than the rest.
"These days, people need their food quick. Many families have both parents working, so burgers and chips are very good alternatives for those who are in a rush. But these things come in many varieties. Now we have potato chips, which are baked. One can eat well, it is also a little costly, but we can't say these things are useless," said Arpit, a Delhi based resident.
Moreover, the regulating body for food safety in India, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proclaims the products free of trans fats if the content of trans fats is less than 0.2 grams per serving.
However, as per a recent report presented by the Centre for Science and Environment, many brands are claiming their products to be trans fat free even though the content is much higher.
Excessive and regular consumption of trans fat consumption enhances the possibility of coronary heart disease and hence recommended by the health experts to consume them only in traces.

TN Chamber intensifies protest agaist FSSA; wants the Act to be repealed

The food industry is perturbed over the licensing stipulation under the Food Safety and Standards Rules 2011. This mandates all those engaged in food-related trade and industry, including grocery dealers and hotels and restaurants, with an annual turnover above Rs 12 lakh, to obtain the state or central licences. Non-compliance of the rule calls for punishment up to six months and fine up to Rs 5 lakh.

According to the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce, no other Act entails such an "appalling and abnormal" punishment for pursuing business sans licence.

"Our delegates recently met Ghulam Nabi Azad, union minister for health and family welfare, and M Chandramouly, chairman, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to discuss the need for abolishing the licensing procedure as it would only resurrect the dreaded Inspector Raj. Instead they asked for retaining the registration procedure alone," said a press statement of the Chamber.

The statement further noted that the union finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, during the post-Budget discussions in the Rajya Sabha, had categorically assured that under no circumstances the concept of Inpector Raj would be revived in any department.

"The FSSAI has extended the time limit for obtaining the licence for the year 2012-13 up to August 4 and we hope that before this deadline our demand will be considered and the requirement for securing a licence under the new Act will be withdrawn," the Chamber said.

The Chamber had already requested the health minister and the FSSAI chief to defer initiation of action against the industry members for three years in order to create an awareness among food business operators and the food safety officers about the requirements of the Act.

With four months left for the expiry of the time-span given for obtaining licences, complaints against a few food safety officers for harassing small food business establishments and indulging in corrupt practices have already started surfacing.

15 food cell officers to monitor quality

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:B.Maheswari, District Collector, addressing traders at an awareness meeting on food safety Act in Pudukottai on Saturday.

Collector convenes meeting with traders to explain provisions of ‘Food safety and standards Act 2006'

Fifteen food cell officers will monitor the quality of food and packed food products being sold in the district, said B.Maheswari, District Collector, on Saturday.

Addressing traders at a meeting to explain them the provisions of ‘Food safety and standards Act 2006,' she said that the new Act replaces eight food-related laws.

Retail traders

Under the Act which came into force on August 5 last year, she said every retail trader dealing with food and food products such as bakers, pavement vendors, mutton stalls should possess an identity card with photographs to be issued by the district administration shortly.

She clarified that the provisions of the Act aimed at ensuring quality in delivery and sought the cooperation of the traders in its implementation.

K.Nagarajan, District Revenue Officer and V.Arumugam, District Designated Officer for Food Safety, were present.

Separate department to handle food safety and drug administration

A separate department for Food Safety and Drug Administration for issuing licences and registering dealers in edible goods has been created under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as mandated under the Food Safety and Standards Act that came into force on August 5, 2011.

According to an administration release, the State government had made a preliminary allocation of Rs.50 crore in the budget for the new department. Under the Act, the State government has appointed a Food Commissioner at the State level, and designated food safety officers at district and block level. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidates all existing food laws and has repealed eight food-related laws. With the coming into force of Food Safety and Standards Act, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954; The Fruit Products Order, 1955; The Meat Food Products Order, 1973; The Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947; The Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order, 1988; The Solvent Extracted Oil, De-oiled Meal, and Edible Flour (Control) Order,1967; The Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992; Essential Commodities Act, 1955 relating to food along with the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939; stands repealed since August 5, 2011.

Under the earlier Act - petty shop owners, grocers, petty vendors, tea stalls, bakeries, butchers and those dealing in raw meat, eateries, dealers and retailers in milk and dairy products, road-side eateries and vendors, fish vendors, retailers, canteens in school, colleges, and movie halls, wedding halls, hostel mess, and private caterers among others were required to have their activities registered with the local bodies or other entities concerned. With the coming into force of the new Act, all registrations, licensing, and renewal shall be solely handled by the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration.

New provisions for packaged food labelling soon

HYDERABAD: Labelling of packaged food will be made more stringent as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to introduce more stringent laws in the country. The draft provisions of the new labelling are almost ready and will be circulated soon, said FSSAI officials.

Once the new labelling provisions are introduced, packed food manufacturers will not be able to get away with any claim they make on the products as they have to be substantiated by a research report. The research findings will either have to be published in a respected international journal or should be verifiable by the FSSAI.

"Every claim that is made will have to be backed by research acceptable to FSSAI," officials said. "A meeting was held to discuss the issue three weeks ago. It was decided that international practices be adopted with regard to labelling of packed food items," Dr B Sesikeran, chairman of the labelling and claims/advertisement panel of FSSAI told STOI. Sesikeran is also the director of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Hyderabad.

The FSSAI will set up a reviewing committee, which will verify the claims that are made by the food manufacturer. Only after the FSSAI is satisfied with the claim of the food manufacturer will an approval be given for printing the claim on the packaging of the food item

New act proves sweet for city's halwa makers

KOZHIKODE: Makers of famous 'Kozhikkodan halwa' or sweetmeat have reasons to cheer. With the implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, they are hoping a change in their fortunes.
The demand for sweetmeat had fallen drastically last year after the health authorities raided a few shops based on complaints of unhygienic conditions. But now with the new act that stipulates stringent hygiene measures set to be implemented from August, the sweetmeat makers believe that it will increase their sales.
"The implementation of the act would transform the image of the industry. Improving the hygienic conditions would benefit the industry in the long run," said V V Saleem, owner of the Viva Halwa Products. It will also help the firms stand up to competitions from major players.
According to Dinesh Babu of Sankaran Bakery, hygiene is key to sweetmeat making and the act if enforced well would improve quality.
D Sivakumar, designated officer, Food Safety, Kozhikode, said the act strictly stipulates that locations and surroundings of the manufacturing units should be clean. It also stipulates hygiene of equipment, air quality and ventilations in the units and use of portable water, and maintaining records on raw materials procured. The official said currently most halwa makers use low-quality packaging materials. But the new act directs makers to use food grade plastic for packaging.
"The act can be implemented only step by step and the conditions of manufacturing units will be improved," said Sivakumar. He said that some sweetmeat makers have already secured licence under the new act.
The sweetmeat makers are also planning to market their product through supermarkets with attractive packing across the state.

ADULTERATION & Q SHOP

Why diet experts are worried about Indians and junk food

Diet experts have said Indians are consuming junk foods more often than in the past, and have warned that this poses a major risk to their health.

Deputy Programme Manager at the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) Savvy Soumya Mishra said that merely criticising international fast food chains for spoiling Indian dietary patterns is not enough.

She said that fast food had reached rural markets in the form of potato chips and soft-drinks and wished remedial measures are taken.

"Potato chips and similar snacks are available even in remote villages, where you may not find a school or a ration shop. These things have more reach. There will be soft-drink bottles in places that may not have even clean drinking water. McDonald's and Pizza Hut may not have reached there, but chips and soft drinks have, what a pity!" Mishra said.

She further stressed on the importance of reducing children's access to trans fat-laden junk food, suggesting a ban on such eatables in schools.

"Imposing a ban is the government's decision, but junk food must be banned in schools because it is difficult to restrain children. You can ban it in school and introduce fruits and fruit juices. There are also many things prepared at home. We grew up eating a lot of other things, traditional food. We did not grow on chips and packaged snacks like Kurkure," added Mishra.

Delhi-based cardiologist Dr KK Aggarwal, said the problem of junk food was not just limited to food items like burgers and pizzas.

He said traditional Indian snacks prepared using vegetable fat were also a big threat.

"We shouldn't get carried away and just ban burgers. Everything that just tastes good is bad for health, because such things will either be made with 'ghee' (clarified butter), which is very unlikely, or with trans fats sourced from vegetables. So, whatever contains trans fats is unhealthy, regardless of whether it is commercial or not," observed Dr Aggarwal.

However, the commoners' reaction towards junk seemed to be mixed.

"Young people these days prefer fast food. But as the report has said, one should avoid that food. As far as traditional recipes are concerned, we should go for that," said Suresh, a resident of the city.

The contrary opinion suggested that junk food was a necessity given the changed nature of people's daily lives, and now came in many variants, some of them healthier than the rest.

"These days, people need their food quick. Many families have both parents working, so burgers and chips are very good alternatives for those who are in a rush. But these things come in many varieties. Now we have potato chips, which are baked. One can eat well, it is also a little costly, but we can't say these things are useless," said Arpit, another resident.

The FSSAI pronounces products free of trans fats if they have less than 0.2 grams of trans fats per serving.

A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment had accused many brands of labelling their products transfat-free even though they contained it in large amounts.

Trans fat consumption increases the risk of coronary heart disease, leading to recommendations by health experts that they be consumed only in traces.

Health Benefits of Organic Cereals

Cereals have constituted an integral part of the human diet since the dawn of civilization. The cultivation of cereals played an influential role in history as it helped shape the primitive societies of Egypt and the far East. Even today, cereals are widely consumed throughout the world. Wheat is one of the most popular cereals that is grown and consumed all over Europe and India. Maize is the staple cereal of both Central America and Africa, while rice is most popular in countries such as Japan, India and China. Cereals in the form of rice are widely consumed in these countries as they are a cheap source of carbohydrates.

It is estimated that cereals provide as much as 70 to 80% of the daily energy requirement of people in Asia. Packed with proteins, starch, fats, vitamins, salt and essential minerals, cereals are the ultimate health food as they offer a plethora of health benefits. The high fiber content of cereals acts as mucilage and facilitates healthy bowel movements. A diet rich in cereals has also been found to prevent heart diseases and lower cholesterol in the body. In this article, we shall take a closer look at some key health benefits obtained from the consumption of organic cereals.

Organic cereals prevent colon cancer – Organic cereals such as brown rice have the highest content of dietary fibers. When brown rice gets digested, the fibers that are produced act as a mucilage and help in increasing the stool formation. This in turn triggers off rapid muscular contractions of the intestinal wall and prevents carcinogens from attaching themselves to the intestine, thus staving the formation of malignancies, which lead to colon cancer.

Organic cereals prevent heart diseases – Consuming organic healthy foods such as whole wheat satiate the body’s Vitamin E requirement, which in turn enhances blood circulation in the body. The oxidation of LDL or low-density lipo protein cholesterol clogs the arteries and eventually leads to heart diseases. Including organic whole wheat in your diet would reverse the blockages in the arteries and prevent the onset of various heart diseases.

Organic cereals prevent diabetes – Diabetes is an anomaly that is caused by the presence of excess glucose in the blood. Consuming organic cereals such as whole-wheat flour in the form of breads and croissants regulates the sugar content by releasing glucose at a gradual rate into the blood, thus preventing the onset of diabetes.

Organic cereals contribute to strength and vitality – The juice extracts of organic wheat grass is rich in betacarotene, aminoacids and essential minerals such as magnesium. These nutrients boost strength and vitality in the body and prevent the onset of deficiency diseases such as anemia.

Organic cereals alleviate anxiety and depression – Organic healthy foods such as barley have been found to have a calming effect on the nervous system. This is due to its high content of the amino acid known as L Tryptophan, which helps alleviate depression, anxiety and premenstrual syndrome in women.

Organic cereals have binding properties – Apart from containing high amount of dietary fiber, organic cereals have binding properties and are used as an effective treatment for stomach ailments such as diarrhea and morning sickness in pregnant women.

Organic cereals prevent kidney diseases – Organic healthy foods such as barley have excellent diuretic properties. The water that is extracted after cooking barley is used as an effective treatment to cure or prevent urinary and kidney related diseases.

Organic cereals facilitate weight loss – Organic cereals are the quintessential health food for weight loss aspirants. A diet rich in high fiber cereals such as oats releases glucose very slowly into the body, thus preventing the excess storage of sugar in the form of fat. Due to its high fiber content, oats gives the dieter a feeling of fullness and curbs his appetite.

Organic cereals prevent breast cancer – Eating an organic diet that is rich in whole-wheat products can prevent the onset of breast cancer. Whole wheat contains phytosterols, which are plant based steroids that emulate the hormone estrogen. These steroids affix themselves to the estrogen receptors in the breast tissue and block the absorption of excess estrogen that can trigger off cancer in the cells.

Organic cereals are a rich source of protein – One of the most rewarding advantages of consuming a variety of organic cereals is the intake of different types of essential proteins in the body. This is due to the fact that every variety of cereal contains its own form of protein. The types of proteins that are most commonly present in cereals include albumins, prolamines, glutelins, globulins and gliadins.

Including organic cereals in your diet is a cost effective way to satiate your body’s essential nutritional requirements. Replete with a mixed bag of proteins, vitamins and other immunity building nutrients, organic cereals are the complete food that contributes to optimal health and vitality in the long run.

What is nanotechnology?

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is technology that operates on the nanoscale, about one billionth of a metre. If a living cell were a large city, then a nanometre would be about the size of a car. Nanotechnology is the art of engineering down at this hard-to-fathom scale.
The idea started in 1959 when famous physicist Richard Feynman suggested we could manipulate individual atoms and use them to build tiny machines. However, the term "nanotechnology" was not coined until the 1980s and lumps together different and varied ideas. All that unites these different technologies is that they use nano-sized building blocks. While other technologies make machines out of bulk materials – microchips out of silicon, wires out of copper, cars out of steel – nanotechnology makes machines out of large, complex molecules. Because nanotechnology works at such an extreme and unexplored scale, it opens up a world of new possibilities. Many nanomaterials possess special properties, such as great strength or high ability to conduct electricity.
Scientists working in the field of nanotechnology often look to nature to provide ideas for "smart" ways to solve complex problems. For example, spider silk and lotus leaves have both been studied in order to replicate their special properties, ie their tensile strength or ability to repel water, in engineered materials.

Why should I care about nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is not just one technology, it is a whole new toolkit. It has the potential to change almost everything, from unimaginably small computer chips to tiny machines that find and fix damaged arteries inside our bodies. Nanotechnology could make our energy cleaner, our lives longer, and all of our existing technologies better.
This is not just a distant, science fiction-like dream – nanomaterials are already present in more than 1,000 consumer products, from cosmetics to cars. However, because nanotechnology works on such a new scale, it can be difficult to assess its dangers.
Everyday examples
Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for answering some of our most difficult questions. Scientists say we cannot afford to ignore the new medical, agricultural and environmental technologies it could provide as we search for solutions to an expanding global population.
Potential risks
Consumers will face different risks than the workers who manufacture these products, as they are the ones exposed to high doses. Various agencies are involved in making sure protection measures are adequate for both groups.

Where is nanotechnology used?

Nanotechnology is used in every sector you can think of, from the cars we drive to the clothes we wear. It is easy to see why ultra-lightweight materials with special electrical properties are useful, in electronics and computing for example, but nanomaterials are also present in scratch-resistant car bumpers, self-cleaning glass and anti-odour socks. Nanotech materials are being added to health and fitness products, from anti-ageing creams to skis. Silver is a powerful anti-microbial agent and more than 300 products use nanoscale silver to make anti-bacterial surfaces, clothing and even condoms.
Nanotechnology can also address environmental concerns. Nanotech catalytic converters and water filters remove environmental pollutants from our exhaust fumes and waste water. Wind turbines with nanomaterials are more efficient and cheaper, nanocrystal solar panels are just around the corner. Nanotechnology is already providing fresh solutions wherever it is applied.
Everyday example
The first use of nanomedicine was approved back in 1995 to treat cancer; since then researchers have continued to find new ways for nanotechnology to combat diseases.
Potential risks
Nanosilver, if over-used in consumer products that have a short lifespan, might cause harm to the environment.

How could it be used in the future?

Today, many of our products are improved by nanomaterials. In the future, however, nanotechnology aims to use these nanomaterials to construct tiny nano-engineered machines, computers and medicines.
In energy research, we may see a shift from using nanomaterials to improve existing technologies to using nanotechnology to develop entirely new ways of harnessing energy and, in the future, cars might be powered cleanly by hydrogen, stored safely in a solid form thanks to nanotechnology.
One day, nanotechnology may allow us to build any kind of structure we want from atomic building blocks to construct powerful computers, capable of processing as much information as a DNA molecule.
Everyday example
Researchers are already developing nanomedicines that target the proteins that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and nanoparticles that bind to tumour cells and treat them with antibodies. The big step will be using them to treat human diseases.
Potential risks
As with the adoption of all technologies, it is important to understand the motivation for doing so (eg money, public benefit) and its impacts, particularly risks.

Should nanoproducts be labelled?

In November 2009, the European Union passed a law that will soon force manufacturers of cosmetics to state on the label if their products contain nanoparticles. Will more products follow? The issue of labelling has divided campaigners and politicians, just as it has with whether foods should be labelled as containing genetically modified ingredients.
Supporters of labels on nanotech say they will encourage consumer choice. Opponents say they will be meaningless without extra information on whether the nano-ingredients pose any risk. Without context, such labels could be misinterpreted as warnings, they say.
Everyday examples
Lipsticks and face creams that contain nanoparticles will soon be labelled as such. Perhaps "nano-free" could then start to appear on products too?
Potential risks
Labels might be a shortcut for industry to appear "transparent" without really informing the public.

Is the use of nanomaterials in food safe?

The food industry has been slow to exploit nanotechnology, perhaps because of public attitudes towards "non-natural" foods. But there are numerous ways the technology could be used, from stronger plastic films to keep sandwiches fresh for longer, to adding flavours to foods.
In most cases, the development of such techniques has proceeded faster than the safety checks that are needed to make sure they are safe – could nanoparticles escape from plastic wrapping to enter a ham baguette? Would that packaging need to be disposed of differently and could it be recycled?
The European Food Standards Authority is keeping a close watch on developments.
Everyday examples
Nanoparticles could indicate the presence of harmful ­bacteria in foods.
Potential risks
The safety of nanomaterials used in food and food packaging must be fully assessed to avoid unwanted side effects.

What is the real added value of nanotech?

Nanotechnology is such a broad term that it is difficult to generalise about the value it could bring. There will be clear social value, in the form of cleaner energy and improved medicines; and individual value in that nanotechnology used in sporting equipment, for example, would improve an individual's performance. On the other hand, having hundreds of products that are anti-bacterial most likely will not bring many additional benefits to society.
Value, to a certain extent, is in the eye of the user of the technology. A patient who can benefit from one type of tiny particle injected into their bloodstream to test for heart disease and so avoid surgery, for example, would probably see more added value than an average tennis player who started playing with a racket made and improved by using nanomaterials. A mis-hit still goes into the net after all, nanotech racket or not.
Everyday examples
Nanotechnology is being used as a marketing tag to sell everything from socks and t-shirts to sports equipment. The true benefit comes from the way it is used by the consumer.

Do nanoproducts require special disposal?

One of the concerns over the widespread use of nanotechnology is that tiny particles could escape from where they are intended to be used and end up polluting the wider environment.
This is not a problem confined to nanotechnology of course, and a number of chemicals that we know to be toxic are used in everyday products such as light bulbs and batteries. Consumers are asked to dispose of these products carefully, but there is no way to be sure that they will do so. And some escapes are impossible to prevent – for example, much of the mercury in the atmosphere comes from the cremation of dead people with dental fillings.
The effects of nanoparticles on the wider environment are largely unknown, so perhaps a cautious approach is the best one?
Everyday examples
Factories and research laboratories could release nanoparticles in their waste streams. Many international bodies are looking at ways in which accidental release of nanoparticles can be monitored and prevented.

Time to crack whip on manufacturers

The noose is tightening on the junk food industry globally.
Treating foods high in fat, salt and sugar in the same way as tobacco and alcohol may sound like an extreme solution to fight the adverse health effects of junk food, but that direction is where the world is heading.
In California, the iconic Happy Meal of McDonald's doesn't come with a free toy anymore. This is because the law prohibits dishing out freebies to kids with unhealthy food.
Instead, the food chain offers apple slices, reduced portion of French fries and a choice of beverage, including fat-free chocolate milk in place of the default cola.
A desperate food industry is taking pre-emptive action to prevent more such regulations in other parts of the US and the rest of the world.
All its efforts are now focused on two key strategies. First is the so-called voluntary action, such as restricting advertising aimed at children and to position food products as 'healthy'. The second strategy is more sinister - somehow shift the blame of the obesity epidemic on growing physical inactivity.
On both counts, the industry response is half-hearted. For instance, the India Pledge announced by seven food and beverages companies in July 2010 to implement "company specific voluntary measures on food and beverage advertising to children" by December 2010.
The companies pledged not to advertise "food and beverage products to children under the age of 12 on TV, print or the Internet".
The devil lies in the details. "Advertising to children under 12 years" was defined as "advertising to media audiences where at least half are children under the age of 12".
Nobody knows how to determine audiences where 50 percent viewers are below 12.
The Pledge, in practice, leaves the door wide open for both advertising and promotion to children like before. Kids continue to be targeted both in commercials as well as direct marketing.
A related issue is that of food labelling which can be a means to enabling consumers to make healthy choices while purchasing food products.
While nutritional labelling on product packs has been made mandatory in India, manufacturers are allowed to make health-related claims in advertising since there are no codes or restrictions on advertising of junk foods on TV or in print.
In every television commercial of a processed food product - be it noodles, pasta, pickle, cookies, cheese, cooking oil - the imagery and the message are designed to portray that it is a "healthier substitute" for home made and traditional food.
Product placement in TV serials and movies is an extensively used advertising tool by these companies. Junk food makers are also free to market products in schools.
In a clever move designed to add the "health" tagline to their brands, food companies are aggressively hiring the organisations of health professionals to endorse their products.
Some of these are existing associations of doctors, while others are floated by food companies solely for endorsements and "education campaigns".
Two years ago, PepsiCo crossed all ethical boundaries in the endorsement game by signing up with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) - a professional body of Indian doctors - to put its seal of approval on its some of its non-carbonated sugary drinks.
It is high time that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) woke up and initiated pro-active action on food labelling and standards.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/time-to-crack-whip-on-manufacturers/1/182438.html

Junk food - a recipe for disaster

The younger generation is hooked to junk food thus leaving them vulnerable to heart diseases.

Here's more evidence fresh out of the oven to signal that wolfing down junk food such as burgers, pizzas, fried chicken, potato chips, aloo bhujia and instant noodles, and washing it down with canloads of carbonated drinks is a recipe for disaster.
For all its mouthwatering and finger-licking lure, such stuff was found to contain high levels of harmful trans fat, salt and sugar by a non-governmental science and environmental group. These, scientists have asserted in repeated warnings, are sure-shot ingredients for obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Dr Anoop Misra from the Fortis Group of Hospitals said: "High levels of salt ring alarm bells since 7 per cent of schoolchildren in Delhi have been found to be suffering from hypertension. Consumption of junk food may be contributing to hypertension, increasing the risk of the early onset of heart disease and stroke."
Furthermore, claims made by the corporate giants that dish out the fast food items were discovered to be false by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the group which had highlighted the issue of pesticides in water and soft drinks some years ago. The results of the latest study were declared on Friday.
CSE researchers tested 16 major brands of popular food products. These included Maggi and Top Ramen noodles, McDonald's items, KFC's fried chicken, Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia, Nirula's burgers, besides Pepsi and Coca Cola. The team tested the products for fats, salt and carbohydrates.
Junk food is known to be bad for health since it is low in nutrition and high in salt, sugar and fat - especially trans fat and empty calories. Companies tend to sell their products either claiming that they are healthy or by not disclosing crucial nutritional information.
"All the food that is sold to us through persuasive and glamorous advertisement, all the food that our film and cricket stars tell us to eat, gave damning results. The bottom line: eat at your own risk," CSE deputy director general Chandra Bhushan said.
The industry, for its part, maintained that it adhered to the current Indian regulations and was serving "safe" food to the people. "We use palm oil because trans fats are so low in it as to be virtually undetectable. Therefore, these results are most unusual. We will certainly be examining them," Rajesh Kumar Maini, general manager, corporate communications, McDonald's India (north & east), said.
A PepsiCo India spokesperson was also sceptical: "Trans fat is produced during the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. We have never used hydrogenated vegetable oils to manufacture our products. So none of them contain trans fats."
However, the tests conducted by CSE showed that fried potato chips had 33 per cent fats. Unlike in a balanced diet, where a maximum of 30 per cent of calories should come from fats, in chips, 50-60 per cent of calories are delivered by fats. A packet of Maggi noodles has around 3 gm of salt, whereas the recommended salt intake is 6 gm daily. Maggi was found to have a lot of empty calories, with 70 per cent of it being just carbohydrates.
The spokesperson for Nestle, which makes Maggi, said: "A good food product is one with a combination of taste and nutrition. Maggi is a source of protein and calcium, and contains fibre. The level of trans fat in it is well within the international recommendation."
The study also found that French fries were full of fat. So, when you gorge on a large serving of 220 gm, you end up exceeding the safe limit for trans fats. Burgers, too, were also found to be high in fat - 35 per cent calories in a vegetarian burger and 47 per cent calories in non-vegetarian burgers come from fats.
Bhushan said a single serving of 300 millilitres of carbonated drink had enough sugar (over 40 gm) to take you well past your daily sugar quota of 20 gm. "Forget your cup of tea, (in terms of sugar limits) you cannot even eat fruits (after guzzling such a soft drink)," he said. Pizzas were found to be relatively safe as they had low levels of salt and fats. But, those packed with cheese were in the danger zone.
The salt level in a college meal, comprising instant noodles, 50 gm of aloo bhujia and 300 ml of carbonated drink, was detected to be so high that it met 75 per cent of the daily recommended value. "Tests also reveal a dirty truth of misinformation, wrong labelling and obfuscation indulged in by companies. Many foods come with a claim that they have 'zero' trans fat; some don't even bother to mention how much trans fats they have," Bhushan said.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) considers a product trans fat free if it contains less than 0.2 gm of trans fats per serving.
For instance, Haldiram Aloo Bhujia, Top Ramen instant noodles, Lay's American Style Cream and Onion, and Bingo Oye pudina chips claim to be trans fat free. But the study found that a packet of Top Ramen noodles had 0.6 gm of trans fat, while its presence in 100 gm of Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia was 2.5 gm.
CSE said consumers were misinformed or not informed several times. Till February this year, Frito Lay's products claimed to be smart snacks because they used healthy oil. The labels then clearly mentioned the products were trans fat free. "But from March onwards, the product ceased to be trans fat free. This was, however, never mentioned in the advertising blitz," CSE director general Sunita Narain said, adding that Lays' American Style chips had 0.9 gm of trans fats in 100 gm of product.
"There is no law to restrict sugar, salt or trans fat. However, the law requires correct labelling. These companies are mislabelling. The food safety authority should take action," Narain said.

Big food brands hide harmful effects, claims Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment

NEW DELHI: Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Science and Environment, has alleged that leading food manufacturers are guilty of "large scale misbranding and misinformation" by claiming that their food contained zero trans-fats even though tests showed that they have heavy doses of it.

Most popular "junk foods contain very high levels of trans-fats, salts and sugar - which inevitably lead to severe ill health and diseases like obesity and diabetes," the CSE said on Friday. It released the results of laboratory tests carried out on 16 major food brands that the young particularly like, such as Maggi and Top Ramen noodles, MacDonald's foods, KFC's fried chicken and Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia. These findings were disputed by the manufacturers.

Trans-fats clog arteries when they get deposited on the walls of the arteries making the passage narrower, while large amounts of salt leads to increase in blood pressure making the heart work overtime. CSE noted that the kind of food under test has enough trans-fats, salt and sugar to lead to an early onset of diseases in the young. It accused the companies of not disclosing the real contents of their products.

CSE's lab tested samples of popular foods such as potato chips, snacks like aloo bhujia, noodles, soft drinks, burgers, French fries and fried chicken. Their results showed that having just one serving of these foods "completely overturned one's daily diet chart." The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribe benchmarks of how much salt, sugar, carbohydrates and fats every individual can have on a daily basis to stay healthy.

Citing an example, CSE said, "The NIN benchmark for maximum salt for one person is 6 gram, while the WHO puts it at 5 gram. The normal 80-gram packet of Maggi noodles that many of us gobble up almost on a daily basis has over 3.5 gram of salt - enough to take care of over 60 per cent of our daily salt intake."

But much more than salt the real concern was the threat from the trans-fats which were disclosed by the companies, CSE noted. The WHO says that in a balanced diet, a maximum of 1 per cent of total energy should come from trans fats. Therefore, an adult male can have 2.6 gram of trans fats per day, while an adult female can have 2.1 gram and a child (10-12 years) can have 2.3 gram.

But CSE found that Top Ramen Super Noodles (Masala) which claims to have no trans-fats actually contains 0.7 gram of it per 100 gram. Similarly, Haldiram's Aloo Bhujia says it has no trans fats, but the study found 2.5 gram per 100 gram. PepsiCo's Lays (Snack Smart) was sold till February 2012 through huge advertisements to say that these chips are healthy because they have zero trans fats, but every 100 grams of it has 3.7 grams of trans fats.

The companies strongly refuted the allegations in the CSE report. Pepsico said, "All products manufactured by PepsiCo in India are fully compliant with all the regulations, including those on labelling, prescribed by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)." It said that its products under the Lays, Uncle Chips, Kurkure and Cheetos brands are trans-fat free.

Nestle in its response said, "We respect the work being done by organizations like CSE to improve consumers' understanding of healthy and balanced diets. Maggi is intended as a light meal and can safely be consumed as part of diversified balanced diet." McDonald's said, "In India we take a lot of effort to ensure our food is safe for our customers and have stringent quality processes at every stage. At McDonald's stores we use RBD Palmolein oil which is naturally trans-fat free."

CSE's contention is otherwise. Its report says, "A child eating one MacDonald's Happy Meals finishes up 90% of all his daily requirement of trans fats. The packet of Happy Meal makes absolutely no mention of this massive dosage of trans fats." As per FSSAI rules, a product can claim to be trans fats free if it contains less than 0.2 gm of trans fats per serving but CSE found several brands flouting the norm and yet calling themselves trans fat free.

CSE's director general Sunita Narain said, "What makes junk food so unhealthy are the high levels of salt, sugar, fats and carbohydrates in them. Our new study, which looks at the nutritional value of these foods, is to make people aware of what these foods really contain and what they will do to our health."
FOOD FOR WORRY

CSE report says

Maggi Noodles |

Single pack contains 3.5g of salt; daily recommended intake is 6g. Negligible fibres ; 70% just carbohydrates

Top Ramen Super Noodles (Masala) | 0.7g trans fats/100g though company claims zero trans fats

PepsiCo's Lays (Snack Smart) | 3.7g trans fats/ 100g. Earlier sold as zero trans fats chips but claim knocked off later

KFC's Chicken Zinger | 16.9% fats; McAloo | 8.3% fats. 35% calories in veg burger come from fats; 47% in non-veg

WHO says an adult male can have 2.6g of trans fats a day, female 2.1g and a child 2.3g

COMPANIES RESPOND

As per our analysis for many years, trans fats level is well within international recommendation
-Nestle

We go to a lot of effort to ensure our food is safe for customers and have stringent quality checks
- McDonald's

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR & DAILY THANTHI NEWS

Centre confirms rampant adulteration of milk

The Government on Tuesday admitted that the milk Indians drink is highly adulterated. It confirmed that 68.4 per cent samples of milk tested last year did not conform to food safety regulations as per a national survey which was first reported by The Pioneer earlier this year.
“In the National Survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2011 to ascertain the quality of liquid milk throughout the country, 68.4 per cent samples were found not conforming to the norms,” Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a query.
The Pioneer’s report, which appeared in January, was based on the survey and had become a hot topic of discussion among all stakeholders concerned, including consumers and authorities. The findings put a question mark on the important nutritional content in the milk being sold in the country.
Azad also belied the Delhi Government’s claim that milk quality in the city was as per the set standards. The Minister pointed out that as per the survey, out of the 71 samples picked last year, 50 were found to be sub-standard with additions of glucose and skimmed milk powder being detected.
Adulteration was found to be widely prevalent - in rural as well as urban areas - in both packed and loosely-sold milk. The samples were tested in the Government’s laboratories.
The situation was worst in States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Mizoram where all samples collected were found to be adulterated and they did not confirm to the standards.
Goa and Puducherry were the exceptions with all samples being up to standards.
“The snap shot survey was conducted with an aim to identify common adulterants in milk in rural and urban areas in different States besides finding out the non-conforming samples in loose and packed milk throughout the country,” a senior official from the FSSAI had said.

16.3 lakh cans of energy drink seized in FDA raid

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 16.3 lakh cans of the energy drink Red Bull worth Rs6.40 crore from two premises in Thane on Wednesday. A similar raid at a Vikroli–based distributor led to the seizure of 2,008 cans worth Rs 1.90 lakh.
FDA officials said the raid was conducted because the caffeine content in the energy drink was between 250 parts per million (ppm) and 300ppm. According to Indian food safety laws, the caffeine content permitted in carbonated beverages is 145 ppm.

Maharashtra has become the second state after Tamil Nadu to crack down on energy drink Red Bull for exceeding permissible limits on caffeine content.
Caffeine, a mildly addictive stimulant, is commonly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and  energy drinks. Increased caffeine consumption can lead to health problems such as anxiety, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, low heart rate and issues with maternal fertility.
“Caffeine is addictive and it has a long term impact. Youngsters today are increasingly consuming alcohol with Red Bull. Parents should be keeping a check on what their children are drinking,” said Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA.
“Manufacturers claim it’s an energy drink and not a carbonated drink. But when you open a Red Bull can, there's fizz and it contains carbon dioxide. We are preparing for legal battle,” Zagade added.
Though there are no separate standards for caffeine content in energy drinks, the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 has stated that all drinks containing caffeine should follow the rules applicable to carbonated beverages.
At present, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is working on setting new norms for energy drinks. It is trying to create a new category for energy drinks to allow a higher caffeine content.

HC asks state to file compliance report

Srinagar, Mar 28: High Court on Wednesday directed the government to file compliance report on steps taken to implement Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
 The HC directed the Divisional Commissioners Kashmir and Jammu, and Commissioner Food Safety J&K to file compliance report within two weeks, while issuing notice to the government to file reply within same period.
 A division bench comprising Justices Virender Singh and Muzaffar Hussain Attar passed the direction on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub, seeking directions for implementation of Food Safety Standards Act 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Rules 2011.
 The counsel argued the non-implementation of the Act and the Rules by the state is a grave issue and requires to be taken with seriousness.
 He argued that the Food Safety Act 2006 and Food Safety & Standards Rules of 2011 provide that the post of Commissioner Food Safety should be manned by a person of Commissioner Secretary rank, while in J&K an Incharge Drug Controller has been assigned the job, who according to the counsel, lacks the basic eligibility and qualification.
 “The present incumbent is not competent to hold the post and sanction any prosecution” he argued, adding that the respondent “is not in a position to take any action against the person found guilty under the Act and Rules.”
 “Adulterated food items are openly sold and many spices and edibles in the market are unsafe for consumption as the Act and Rules have not been implemented” he argued.

Change to FSSR after consultation with Govt, panels, indicates Chandramouli

K Chandramouli, chairperson, FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India), has indicated the Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Ltd that a change in the August 5-implemented Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011 could be possible after due consultation with the government, scientific committee and scientific panels.

He gave this assurance while speaking to the association representatives at a protest organised by them in Chennai on Wednesday. While the association is keen for an early solution to the issue, the entire consultation and review process for the amendment is likely to take at least 19 months.

Shankar, secretary, Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Ltd, explained over the telephone, "The Act will force small and medium level food business operators out of their business. Hence, we are seeking few changes in the Act, so that it will help small food business operators."

He added, "In the current format, the Act will only help multinational companies. Further, India is a vast country and climatic conditions differ from region to region, so the food and agricultural products will differ. Therefore, there should be changes made to the Act." The association is also seeking a shorter and quicker review process.

The association has written to the authority on the shortcomings of the regulation, thus;

1. Government of India has enacted the FSSA 2006 from August 5, 2011. Though this law has been enacted, the state level authorities who are in charge of implementing this Act, are lacking knowledge and cannot give explanations regarding this Act. Only during the last month, they are attending awareness programmes conducted by various associations. We request you to conduct more awareness programmes both for the authorities as well as trade bodies in this business and then implement the Act. Further we feel that enacting this Act now, will force small and medium level food business operators out of their business and make way for the multinational companies and big Indian players.

2. Present food quality standards are more like American and European standards. These developed countries mainly import agricultural produce from other countries for their need. But India is mainly an agriculture-based country, our agriculture contributes more than 51% of our GDP. We harvest many types of cereals, pulses and grains and are mainly dependent on climatic conditions. Our soil quality, climatic conditions differ throughout the country and fertiliser and pesticide input to the soil has also definitely changed our quality of the agricultural produces.

The quality standards defined for commodities in Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 is almost same as that of old PFA Act, 1954. During this period of say almost 55 years our soil quality, climatic conditions, fertilisers and pesticide input to the soil must have changed. So these facts have to be definitely considered while setting up the quality standards.

3. Unexpected torrential rain can damage the crops during harvest. Qualities like nutritional value, proteins, sugar content, and moisture of the damaged grains may not be exactly matching with the standards of the new Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. We request you to consider these facts, and not describe these qualities as an adulterant, instead allow us to market these products with low quality value as 'substandard' printed on their labels.

4. In FSS Act "Adulterant" means any material which is or could be employed for making food unsafe or substandard, misbranded or containing extraneous matter. "Substandard" and "Misbranded" should be deleted in this definition as it is not in the nature of Adulteration.

5. "Misbranded Food" defined in the Section 3(1) is focussing mainly on misleading or deceptive claims, contents on the package or label etc. which has nothing to do with the food product and its contents. The "Misbranded Food" deviates from adulterated food as both terms altogether connote with distinct meaning and therefore misbranded food product cannot be said to be adulterated and vice versa. Adulteration is a heinous crime and it cannot be equated or treated on par with any infirmity for non-compliance in the printing of label or package called misbranded. Thus, the offence of misbranding has to be dealt with separately with lesser fine otherwise it would be nothing but mere harassment and unreasonable to treat the unequal equally.

6. Government before enforcing the FSSA 2006 should establish quality control food analytical laboratories in every district and fix reasonable charges. Government should also give accreditation to the labs, serving this field and encourage them by giving reasonable subsidies.

7. Since the contents of agricultural produce vary from place to place depending on climatic conditions, nature of soil, pesticide and fertiliser usage, nutrient levels also vary due to different storage conditions and climate. Hence the law should allow declaring "approximate" nutritional values instead of "exact" values.

8. Only single licence system should be enough for a food business operator. When a manufacturer sells his products through mobile van, he is forced to take licence in each and every village the van travels. This is cumbersome procedure and humanly impossible. Hence this has to be changed.

For a food item if no standards are prescribed, it is classified as "proprietary food." The Act insists the manufacturer to get licence for each proprietary food. Licensing procedures should be made simple and one licence will help the manufacturer to concentrate on his growth rather than going to pillar to post for getting licences.

9. If changes are announced regarding labels the law should permit 12 months time to change the labels due to practical difficulties in it.

10. The picture of gulab jamoon or chicken pieces, poori printed on the label should not be treated as "Misbranded."

11. Regarding the "Principal Display Panel" of the label, the unnecessary confusion should be withdrawn. It is enough if the declaration regarding weight, price and nutritional contents should be printed in a legible manner, so that it can be seen easily by the consumer.

12. In conventional foods certain preservatives, colors, flavours etc., need to be added in certain proportions as per GMP without which such products cannot be manufactured.

Example: Appalam (South Indian Pappad) is manufactured with rice flour, urad dhall flour as its main raw materials along with salt, edible oil, sodium bicarbonate asafoetida in small quantities. The Act prohibits sodium bicarbonate and insists on sorbic acid. Sodium bicarbonate is not harmful to health and is allowed to use in other food products such as instant mixes and is commonly used in household kitchens. Appalam manufacturing is a traditional cottage industry and without using this ingredient, manufacture of Appalam is not possible. Hence the conditions stipulated for the manufacture of proprietary food should be removed or allowed to use as per GMP so as to manufacture conventional foods without any problems.

13. The new FSS Act insists food business operators or manufacturers should employ Supervisor with technical qualification, at least a degree in science for their food processing units. To avoid the practical problems, the new rule must be amended as food business operator should employ supervisor with technical qualification when the strength of the workers working in their units crosses above 100 persons.

14. The new Act has the provision that a purchaser can take the samples from a dealer and send it for food analysis. This may be misused by the unscrupulous elements and they may use this to extract money or other undue advantage from the manufacturer. So this should be modified. If there is a strong suspicion of food adulteration about a particular dealer, he should inform the concerned food inspectors and they should only take the samples for analysis.

15. Food samples should be taken in clean, sterilised bottles which jars or should be wooden/plastic, air tight treated container instead of packing it in wrapper/polythene packets, as there is a chance that same unscrupulous officials may tamper the samples by mixing water, salt, chemicals, drug etc., through a syringe so as to penalise the manufacturer for some ulterior motive.

16. Food safety officer may inspect food business operator premises at any time and may take samples. He should not be allowed to seize the books of accounts. He may get xerox copy of the records.

17. The manufacturer should not be punished if the sample lifted after the best before declaration date of the product and the seller is only responsible for the sale of barred goods.

18. In the definition of food business, in Section 3(n) the word "transportation" should be removed as food business operators do not carry out any transportation activities as transportation is carried out only by the transport operators. How can the lorry operators would be able to check up the quality before accepting for transportation.

19. The food safety officer is authorised to take samples of any adulterant found in possession of the food processor even during preprocessing stage. Foodgrains and pulses are transported to the food processors in bulk quantities in lorries and goods wagons. Such lorries and goods wagons also transport base products like cement and coal. The processors should not be penalised for particles of such products found in the sample. Such extraneous matters will automatically removed after cleaning, grading and sorting processes. Hence sample should be taken from the food processors only after these processes are completed and not from the raw material. Similarly water kept for cooking would be boiled before using and hence such water supplied by the local bodies should not be subjected to testing.

20. The requirement for removal of extraneous matters and wastages daily by non-perishable food processors is literally impractical and can be undertaken only in stages. Hence processors should not be penalised for having such wastages in their premises.

21. The FSSR 2011 prescribe various qualifications for food safety officers and they should undergo a specialised training within a period of two years from the commencement of FSS Act. When two years has been given for training of the enforcing officials, it is imperative more time should be given for the innumerable food business operators who are mostly illiterate in the country to be fully acquainted with the provisions and the implications of the new Act Rules and Regulations. Otherwise, they will be subjected to severe hardships.

22. The new FSS Act fines over 100 times when compared to the old PFA Act. Such a hike is unheard of anywhere in the world. There is a clear difference between deficiency to follow an Act and committing willful offences. The law should give opportunity to set right the deficiency as well as to correct the mistakes. Also maximum penalty should be Rs 25,000 instead of proposed Rs 10 lakh.

23. Central Advisory Committee for FSSA should have adequate representation from various food products producers to express their just demands. We propose at least 2/3 members of the committee should be from food industry.

24. The manufacturers are in no way responsible for improper storage by shopkeepers/dealers, places of selling and transportation. So they should not be held responsible for any penal action for improper storage etc. of dealers/shopkeepers. It is impossible for a manufacturer to control proper storage in a place which is not in his control.

25. In case of marginal variations found in analytical results, they should be viewed leniently, since such variations occur from lab to lab and they are not in anyway under the category of adulteration. Natural defects like excess/shortage of contents in the agricultural products as compared to the standards prescribed under the Act will not affect health. For this natural deficiency manufacturers should not be punished.

26. The small and medium food business operators may have to spend their whole investments in setting up their workplace clean, tidy and hygienic as per norms mentioned by FSSA.

27. Under the new law, rules and regulations of packing and labelling are very stringent. E.g., the name of the product should be displayed in English or Hindi. Regional language alone cannot be displayed, If it is the case, it has to be printed along with English or Hindi. All punishments are made severe under the new law for misbranding, minor labelling and packaging errors. Self Help Group (SHG) products traditional food, snacks like Murukku, Pappad, Pickles, Athirasam, Boondi, Sevu, Mixture etc., which are mainly produced and marketed by women will have a tough time in producing and marketing their products due to stringent rules and regulations under the new Act.