FDA to launch drive against food caterers without licences

NASHIK: After food caterers across the city responded poorly to acquire licences to carry out their businesses, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to launch an inspection drive against them after Diwali. As part of the drive, legal action will be taken against food caterers, who have not taken licences from the FDA.
As per the new Food Safety and Standard Act, acquiring licence is mandatory for food caterers with a turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh. However, those having a turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh need not get a licence, but are required to get themselves registered.
The food businesses, which have been included under the act with effect from August 5, 2011, include pan stalls, fruit/vegetable vendors, those selling food items on hand carts, grocery shops, bakeries, food makers, professionals in packaging foods, caterers, inns, dhabas, tea stalls, onion/potato traders, meat shops and other such businesses.
Speaking to TOI, Chandrakant Pawar, joint commissioner (food), Nashik division of FDA, said, "Our major objective is to register all food businesses and issue them licences. Accordingly, we are also focusing on food caterers and have already appealed them to get licences from us. We have not yet received good response for the past six months from food caterers. Only 15 of the total 300 food caterers across the city, who serve food at weddings and other social and household functions, have taken licences so far. We conducted a meeting with food caterers and appealed them to get licences six month ago."
"We are planning to take legal action against food caterers, who are serving food without licences, once Diwali is over. We will raid wedding halls, lawns and social functions where food is being served by caterers. Food items will be seized if they are served by the caterers without licences," he added.

Foods that help you sleep better

(Foods that help you sleep…)

Sleep deficiency is one of the most common problems faced by people of all ages these days. Popping pills is dangerous, so why not try something natural and healthy? Go from being a nocturnal creature to a sound sleeper by making some small changes in your diet
Bananas
Bananas contain potassium, which relax the muscles. Vitamin B6, which bananas are loaded with, increases your body's melatonin levels, thereby helping treat chronic insomnia
CherryDrinking cherry juice in the morning aids in sleeping as it contains large amounts of melatonin, which helps regulate the body's sleep and energy cycles. Grape is another fruit that has high levels of melatonin.
Cereal
Snacking on a bowl of low-sugar, whole-grain cereal is a good idea. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods up the amounts of tryptophan in the bloodstream, which in turn helps you sleep.
Almonds
Almonds, which are high in magnesium, promote sleep and relax the muscles. They also supply proteins that help maintain a stable blood sugar level while one is asleep, and promote sleep by switching from an alert adrenaline cycle to the rest-and-digest cycle.
Sweet potatoes
High in potassium and complex proteins, sweet potatoes relax muscles and induce sleep. Consuming them on a daily basis has shown to lead to better sleep.
Warm milk
A good ol' glass of warm milk actually does work wonders. Research has found that combining milk with a carbohydrate-rich food like oatmeal, granola or toast makes it much more effective. It's also high in calcium and other minerals, known to have a relaxing effect.
Honey
Glucose, which is found aplenty in honey, tells your brain to shut off orexin, which is a chemical that is known to trigger alertness. But, don't overdo it; just one tablespoon of honey is enough for a good night's sleep. Dark chocolate
Ditch milk chocolate and nibble on some dark chocolate instead, as it contains serotonin, which relaxes your body and mind, and induces sleep.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India collects suspected spurious food samples

LUCKNOW: A bitter fact for people with sweet tooth. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has collected more than 35 suspected spurious food samples in past five days from sweetshops, restaurants, general stores and khoya-mandi in the city.
Besides sweets, even dry fruits are under FSSAI's scanner this Diwali. Officials claim the majority of food adulteration complaints were related to khoya (condensed milk) and dry fruits.
"This time, there is a spurt in complaints pertaining to sale of infested and rotten dry fruits in various shops. Of the collected, around 7-8 were of dry fruits, suspected to be of inferior quality", said JP Singh, designated officer in FSSAI Lucknow.
The authority had started a massive drive 10 days before Diwali to keep a check on spurious sweets, khoya, gram flour, lentils, fruits, species etc. The officials raided most of the sweet-shops, restaurants, general stores, food-mandis, khoya-mandi and milk factories in the city.
Normally, FSSAI collects around 30 samples in a month, majority of which are based on individual complaints. But this year, more than 35 spurious samples were collected in five days over doubt on their quality. Since the consumption of sweets, snacks and food products increases during feativals, chances of traders selling spurious material also goes up. Out of the sweet samples collected, most were detected to be containing non-edible colours which are hazardous for health. A few packed products were reported to be violating packaging norms like complete labeling of ingredients, expiry and manufacturing date, nutritional value, company's name, manufacturing address etc.
Officials confirmed that the report of collected samples will come after two weeks after being verified by the laboratory, only then they can take some against the violators.
Meanwhile, the report of samples collected in September revealed that out of 33 samples sent, 18 were found to be spurious. Singh cautions, "This is a serious a matter, I ask people to be extra careful while purchasing sweets and food from outside. They should take care of hygiene around shops and be vigilant about food they are buying."
FSSAI had also raided few very famous super markets in the city this year over complaints about infested dry fruits and adulteration in packed products like besan etc. The authority said while presence of insects and stones are easily detectable in lentils, it is difficult to trace adulteration in grounded form.
"We have noticed that many samples of besan have been found to be mixed with pea flour which is cheaper in both price and quality. Shopkeepers mix it to earn profit margin", said Singh.
A very frequent adulteration complaint is regarding khoya. Officials say that while most samples of khoya were mixed with starch in the form of arrowroot, others were found to be too stale to consume. Some lentils were also noticed to be infested with worms.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI launched two major drives - one around Dussehra and Durga Puja and another during Dhanteras and Diwali to keep a check on rampant adulteration cases.

Adulteration threat and homemade sweets on Diwali

LUCKNOW: This Diwali, many housewives in the city are preparing sweets at home for the festival due to fear of adulteration in sweets available in markets.

"Around this time of the year, the worst quality of khoya is available in the market. In the past few months, the price of milk and other raw materials has increased which implies that adulterated sweets are flooding the market," said Nirmala Mishra, a housewife. She added, "After a gap of at least 10 years, I am making for the festival sweets at home. These are at least pure and of better quality besides being cheaper than the ones available in market."

The adulteration in sweets can be assessed from the fact that a litre of milk costing Rs 44-50 produces nearly 150-180 gram of khoya. It means that a kilogram of khoya would cost over Rs 280 but in the city markets, Khoya is available for Rs 240-260. As market price is less than the cost of production, it implies additives have been put into the khoya.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) receives about 8-10 complaints every month regarding food adulteration from residents of Lucknow. They are able to collect more than 30 samples every month; however around festivals the drive becomes more intensive and vigilant as the adulteration cases are on rise during this season. In October, FSSAI has sent about 25 samples to the laboratory till date for examination.

Homemaker Sarita Jaiswal, who is busy in preparing different varieties of sweets, said, "I had to recall the recipes of sweets my mother used to make during Diwali. Even the ghee used in my sweets is homemade." Another housewife, Sunita Goel said, "The sweets prepared at home have no match with the ones flooded in market. I have used good quantity of dry fruits, etc, but have gone easy on sugar."

HUNGER GAMES: That tricky glass of milk

It either runs a high risk of being adulterated or is presumably authentic but expensive

While an increasing number of friends claim to be suddenly “lactose intolerant” these days, there are ironically that many more options for milk.

In the small town in Madhya Pradesh where I grew up, there were two main domestic suppliers of milk. You bought from one or the other; there was no third option. This was before the era of tetra packs.

My childhood memories include going to the tabela at the crack of dawn, the vast, dusty grounds thick with the smell of cows, pollen and dung. People would queue up with their cans or any other utensils. A dairy employee would milk the cow and it would be poured into the customers’ can still frothing and warm, with an odd piece of hay floating on top.

Things have changed a bit by 2013. We get terta packs bought from the grocer (at Rs.55-60 a litre) that last upto six months when unopened or supplies in plastic packets that get dropped off at the doorstep (Rs.32-40) every morning, which go bad if they remain outside the refrigerator for more than three hours. There still are the milkmen who come home with their aluminium cans, but the numbers are fewer in big cities.

While an increasing number of friends and acquaintances claim to be suddenly “lactose intolerant” these days, there are ironically that many more options for milk (which, as a product, seems to have an equal number of fans and haters).

Just recently, we got a flyer for a home supply of milk in Mumbai from the Organic Garden, the chain of stores that supplies organic groceries. Priced at Rs.45 and starting early October, this will tie up with the local milk vendor for home deliveries.

This flyer was followed by an email a few days later from another farm that supplies “unadulterated, fresh milk”. Sarda Farms in Nashik has been delivering this milk in that city for a year now and have decided to spread their wings to Mumbai. Their deliveries will start next month to select locations but their website (saradafarms.com) already has elaborate details.

They do raw, pasteurized and skimmed milk, each costing Rs.80 a litre. The farm has, according to its website, besides an ultra-modern plant, bottled packaging, a Dutch farm manager, Holstein cows, “special hay beds for the cows to ensure they are comfortable while sleeping or resting” and “a designated ruminating area pre-defined to help the cows ruminate in leisure”.

About two years ago, Parag Milk Foods launched its brand Pride of Cows in South Mumbai. At Rs.75 a litre and served in PET bottles, this milk that came from a Holstein Freisian breed of cows at Bhagyalaxmi Dairy Farm near Pune was said to be untouched by humans. Their Facebook page gives out a list of celebrity clients. The Hindu Business Line reported then that some South Mumbai families or customers were selected for deliveries following a survey done by the company. Their European farm manager was quoted in the article saying that every cow went through an electronic health check every time it was milked to ensure it is at its peak health at that time.

According to a study by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reported in 2012, 65% of the milk tested from Maharashtra did not meet the prescribed norms or was adulterated. So where does that leave an average consumer?

Pay Rs.34-40 a litre for milk that may be adulterated or Rs.75-80 for something that presumably is not? There’s no easy answer, but there is, obviously, a price to pay for anything that’s “authentic”.

This weekly series, which appears on Tuesdays, looks at what’s new with food and drink, and how we are interacting with it.

NAKEERAN NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

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Shakti, Modern, Mughal Darbar face closure for selling ‘unhygenic’ products

The action was taken following complaints by consumers and some NGOs that these outlets were selling low quality and unhygienic food to people in the city.

SRINAGAR — The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has served notices to four popular food joints in summer capital Srinagar for poor sanitation and selling unhygienic products.
The notices have been issued to Shakti Sweets, Modern Sweets and Hollywood Bakery, all located on Residency Road in Srinagar, and Mughal Darbar outlet of Karan Nagar. Dr Shafqat Khan, the health officer of the corporation directed the owners of these joints to improve their sanitary conditions within seven days failing which action might be taken against them which includes sealing of their premises.
“If these food establishments don’t abide by the law, action will be taken against them under Food Safety Standard Act 2006 which involved a fine of one lakh rupees or imprisonment including sealing of their premises,” he told Srinagar based KNS news agency.
The action was taken following complaints by consumers and some NGOs that these outlets were selling low quality and unhygienic food to people in the city. The public health wing of SMC is conducting a food safety audit in the city based on cleanliness and hygiene in food establishments, pest and rodent control, uniform and other related for workers, and medical and health fitness of the employees working in the food joints.
“We are inspecting hygienic condition of the premises and educating the food operators regarding the Food Safety Act. Whenever we have pointed out problems, owners of eateries have assured us that they will take corrective steps. But this time, we have served notices to these food joints and if they fail to comply with our directions within a week, they may face closure of their establishments,” Dr Khan told.

Notice issued to four top food joints

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has served notices to four popular food joints in the city for poor sanitation in and round their premises and the hygiene of their workers who serve the food.
Sources in the corporation said that taking an exception to the poor sanitation and hygiene in and round the food establishments in the city, Dr Shafqat Khan, the health officer of the corporation shot notices directing the owners of these food joints to improve their sanitary conditions within seven days or else action under the relevant provision of Food Safety Standard Act 2006 action shall be initiated against them.
Dr Khan when asked about the possible action in case of non compliance of corporation’s warning, said: “If these food establishments don’t abide by the law, action will be taken against them which means a fine of Rs. 1.00 lac or imprisonment including sealing of their premises.”
He said so far notices have been issued to Shakti Sweets (Residency Road Srinagar), Mughal Darbar Karanagar, Modern Sweets (Residency Road) and Hollywood Bakery (Residency Road).
It may be mentioned that workers at the food premises who come under direct contact with food have to demonstrate “fitness for work” certificate following concern shown by the many NGOs and government agencies that people are getting low quality and unhygienic food in the city.
Dr Khan said serving notices is a part of the already ongoing food safety audit which the public health wing of the SMC is conducting in the city. This programme, he informed is based on main four points which include cleanliness and hygiene in food establishments, pest and rodent control, uniform and other related for workers and medical and health fitness of the employees working in the food joints.
“We are inspecting hygienic condition of the premises but educating the food operators regarding the Food Safety Act is also necessary. Whenever we have pointed out the problems, owners of eateries have been assuring us that they will take steps. But this time, we have served notices to these food joints and if they fail to comply with our directions within a week, they may face closure of their establishments,” Dr Khan said.
He said it had been decided to ban the issuance or renewal of the licenses without production of the fitness certificate to ensure that these food sellers, regardless of the safety precautions they take at work, undergo mandatory medical examination.

4 food joints served notices for poor hygiene; may face closure

Srinagar, Nov 1 (KNS): The Public Health Wing of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has served notices to four popular food establishments in the city for poor sanitation in and round their premises and the hygiene of their workers who serve the food.
Sources in the corporation said that taking a strong exception to the poor sanitation and hygiene in and round the food establishments in the city, Dr Shafqat Khan, the health officer of the corporation shot notices directing the owners of these food joints to improve their sanitary conditions within seven days or else action under the relevant provision of Food Safety Standard Act 2006 shall be initiated against them.
Talking to Kashmir News Service, Dr Khan when asked about the possible action in case of non compliance of Corporation’s warning, said: “If these food establishments don’t abide by the law, the action will be taken against them which means a fine of Rs. 1.00 lac or imprisonment including sealing of their premises.”
He informed KNS, that sofar notices have been issued to Shakti Sweets (Residency Road Srinagar), Mughal Darbar Karanagar, Modern Sweets (Residency Road) and Hollywood Bakery (Residency Road).
It may be mentioned that workers at the food premises who come under direct contact with food have to demonstrate “fitness for work” certificate following concern shown by the many NGOs and government agencies that people are getting low quality and unhygienic food in the city.
Dr Khan told KNS that serving notices is a part of the already ongoing food safety audit which the public health wing of the SMC is conducting in the city. This programme, he informed is based on main four points which include cleanliness and hygiene in food establishments, pest and rodent control, uniform and other related for workers and medical and health fitness of the employees working in the food joints.
“We are inspecting hygienic condition of the premises but educating the food operators regarding the Food Safety Act is also necessary. Whenever we have pointed out the problems, owners of eateries have been assuring us that they will take steps. But this time, we have served notices to these food joints and if they fail to comply with our directions within a week, they may face closure of their establishments,” Dr Khan told KNS.
He said it had been decided to ban the issuance or renewal of the licenses without production of the fitness certificate to ensure that these food sellers, regardless of the safety precautions they take at work, undergo mandatory medical examination.

Avoid fat in food to make Deepavali healthy

Amoga Laxmi Sukka/ Hyderabad: Cutting down on excess fats, preservatives and food color is the key for safe and healthy Deepavali, the nutrition experts say. They caution that many of the mouth-watering sweets available in the market during Deepavali may be adulterated and of substandard quality. “The bulk demand of sweets during festivals is one of the reasons for adulteration that can cause serious health hazards”, said Sujatha Stephen, the chief nutritionist at Global Hospitals.

"Silver and gold foils in sweets may look sparkling to the eyes but definitely not to the healthy body"

 

The unhygienic conditions in kitchens and usage of same oil repeatedly can lead to radical change in metabolism. “The ghee can be adulterated with mashed sweet potatoe or vanaspati which is generally not good for elderly people. The saturated fat in it may increase cholesterol levels causing ill health”, she said.The shelf-life of sweets can range between a few hours to a day, beyond the permissible limits it gives rise to fungus due to moisture and people do not notice as it is mixes with sweet color. Extreme care and precautions must be taken while preparing sweets and preserving it at right temperatures in sweet shops. The moisture levels present in the sweet box can change the nutritive and healthy values of it, the Nutritionist said.
Silver and gold foils in sweets may look pleasant and sparkling to the eyes but definitely not to your healthy body. According to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, silver foil with a purity of 99.9% can be used in edible form. Aluminum foil is whitish grey in color and is readily soluble in concentrated hydrochloric acid while silver foil is not. Knowing this simple thing can avert unhealthy impact on body.
“The foils used in sweets within permissible limits directed by Food Standard Authority of India will be safe for consumption. The quality of foil differs a lot and it is not known if it is of standard or cheap quality that can affect primarily the children”, she cautioned.
Tests conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have confirmed that the silver foil used for coating sweets is increasingly being adulterated with aluminium. Aluminium is a hazardous metal and accumulates in body tissues, especially in the bones. It can also enter the brain. During pregnancy it can cause damage to the placenta and foetus. People with disturbed metabolism cannot digest and give rise to gastro disturbances and bladder stones.
Given the skyrocketing prices of sugar, khoya and permissive colors, most of the small and middle range sweet shops are compromising on the quality of sweets. Balaji S, vendor of a sweet shop said that cost of colors that was Rs 150 per packet last year has increased to Rs 200.
The shops that are not licensed tend to use cheap colors to make sweets look colorful which is carcinogenic in nature and can affect brain, Stephen warned. For preserving sweets, manufacturers use formalin, a chemical used for preservation of corpses.
Consuming formalin-mixed products can even damage kidneys and liver. It can cause asthma attacks and cancer. Pregnant women are most vulnerable to this chemical and if consumed during pregnancy there are chances of delivering a physically challenged baby. Sweets made from fruit extracts and dry fruits pack is more nutritious and healthier than sweets. Dark chocolates are the perfect option as anything based with cocoa and dry fruit are bounced with micro minerals and energy, the Nutritionist said.

Sweet shop vigil

A shop sells varieties of sweets in Ranchi on Friday

Creamy khoya or mawa may contain starch, mashed paper, urea, soda or even chalk powder. Kaju katli may have no cashews. Beaten silver varq or foil may have aluminium.
Sweets, the soul of festive sentiment, may be adulterated, National Consumer Helpline and state food and civil supplies department have warned.
And if you suspect the store from where you buy sweets is compromising on purity, don’t sit quiet with a bitter taste in your mouth.
National Consumer Helpline will register your complaints via phone on toll-free number 1800-11-4000 or SMSes with your name and city sent to 8800939717. You can also email your complaint to Raj Kumar Choudhary, deputy secretary of state food and civil supplies at food.secy@gmail.com.
“On Thursday, we alerted deputy commissioners of all districts and senior officials. A flying squad, which I personally head, will also check the validity of complaints and nab offenders,” Choudhary said.
Across all districts, deputy commissioners, subdivisional officers and district supply officers are on their toes to conduct food safety audits. Samples of adulterated sweets will be tested at Food Testing Laboratory, Namkum.
“If a complaint comes, we will depute the DC, food supply inspector and a team to raid the shop, seal it and collect samples of the alleged spurious edibles. The food inspector will send samples to the Namkum lab. If found adulterated, an FIR will be lodged at the respective thana and offending shop owners arrested. I’ll take personal interest in all cases,” Choudhary stressed.
He added health department officials and civil surgeons were also keeping close tabs on sweet shops.
According to Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, a person who sells adulterated food “not in compliance with the provisions of this Act or quality demanded by the purchaser”, can be penalised with a fine upto Rs 5 lakh” and “imprisonment of three months to life”.
“We won’t take chances with people’s health during Diwali,” said Ranchi DC Vinay Kumar Choubey.
Consumers have also become more aware. “I’m purchasing dry fruits and sugar-free sweets. We are also avoiding sweets with foil. All that glitters may not be silver,” said Tejawasi Singh, an Ashok Nagar based homemaker.
Sweet shop owners, however, are claiming to use pure khoya, mawa and milk.

JMC conducts checks against adulteration

Jammu, November 1
Continuing its drive against the menace of adulteration in view of forthcoming festival season, an extensive tour of the Food Safety Officers, under the supervision of Dr Vinod Sharma, Health Officer, JMC, was initiated today. Various sweet shops were inspected at places like Pacca Danga, Canal Road, Trikuta Nagar areas etc. Five samples of milk products and sweetmeat items were lifted from the shops within the limits of JMC and sent to Food Analysts, Public Health Laboratories, for ascertaining their standards of purity. 

Officials said the drive would continue and the shopkeepers dealing with food items were strictly warned and directed to ensure supply of good quality of food to the general public, especially milk and milk products, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Any work done outside the Act would be dealt with strictly under the law. The last date of applying for licensing under the new Act had been extended up to February 4, 2014, by the Government of India, they added.

Source of rancid meat yet to be found

Investigation into the source of 1000 kg of rancid meat seized from an abandoned shed in West Kochi is yet to gather pace.

A court here had denied bail to Kochukoya, the person arrested in the case.

Neither the police nor the Food Safety Inspectors in the district have a clue on the network of supply of the rancid meat that had been finding its way into various hotels and bakeries as minced meat at a throwaway price. It is believed that the meat came from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The police told The Hindu that there were rumours that a person from Andhra Pradesh connected to the rotten meat supply will soon be surrendering before the court here.

A Food Safety inspector in the district told the Hindu that they had a strategy in place for inspection soon in a special drive.

The Bakers Association of Kerala (BAKE) has sought strict intervention by the Food Safety Commissioner in the case. The association had announced prize money of Rs. one lakh to anyone who would provide information in the case. The government had also announced a reward in the case, he said.

Open FDA office in Navi Mumbai, traders demand

NAVI MUMBAI: Tired of having to commute to Thane's Wagle Estate office of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to register their business, apply for licences or renew documents under the food safety rules , traders dealing in food and drug items are demanding an FDA office in the city.
Navi Mumbai has been a major contributor in terms of revenue collection due to the revenue generated by the APMC market. But FDA has failed to tap its major resource, feel traders, owing to absence of an office in the city. Currently, four FDA assistant commissioners (three of them from food and one from drug) are discharging their duties without a proper office address and 10 more food safety officers are struggling to find space in the city from where they could operate.
"An FDA office in a city having thousands of traders is the need of the hour. I have written to all concerned ministers and bureaucrats for setting up a separate FDA office in Navi Mumbai, but yet to receive a reply," said Manohar Totlani, a trader from APMC. "Without an FDA office here, we often skip the renewal dates and that invites a penalty and other charges," said another trader, Keshav Shetty.
Currently, Navi Mumbai is an important city in terms of volume of business, considering the presence of APMC, which supplies a number of staples to Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. Out of 10 FDA zones in Thane district, Navi Mumbai has three zones while its neighbouring Thane has only one.
While Thane is headed by an assistant commissioner, Navi Mumbai is covered by three for food related issues. One assistant commissioner has been assigned to the drugs wing.
All 14 officers are now being accommodated in the chaotic Thane office.
"The FDA wing is pursuing NMMC for allotment ofa 10,000 feet area in Vashi or Turbhe at a central location. Mayor Sagar Naik has assured to provide us with an appropriate place. We hope the ordeal of the 14 officers, who have to be in the city for work but go back daily to Thane to report, is resolved shortly. This will benefit the traders too," said S K Shere, joint commissioner , Konkan Division. When asked civic sources said "We have offered them a 4,000 square feet area in APMC for the time being."

Dispute over labelling norms: Imported chocolates rotting in warehouses across India this Diwali

 

Over 200 tonnes of imported gourmet chocolates from around the world, including brands such as Godiva, Guylian, Lindt and Mars, are rotting in dusty warehouses across Indian ports and airports.MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Over 200 tonnes of imported gourmet chocolates from around the world, including brands such as Godiva, Guylian, Lindt and Mars, are rotting in dusty warehouses across Indian ports and airports.
The reason? A seemingly arcane dispute between an arm of India's health ministry and food importers on whether it is sufficient to affix a sticker on imported food consignments to comply with Indiaspecific labelling products — such as brown and green dots to separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian items as well as nutritional information, source and product origin.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) — the regulatory agency under the health ministry that supervises import of food items to ensure quality — has blocked several consignments of packaged food, citing tougher labelling requirements arising from a new law, the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011. The nub of the problem is FSSAI's insistence that pasting of stickers is not allowed. Instead, it wants details printed on the product pack before they are shipped to India.
Till now, "stickering" was the prevalent trade practice, resulting in the stand-off. Chocolates are not the only items failing to make it past Indian Customs. Shipments of artisinal cheese from France, crisps from the US, spicy Thai condiments and Italian pasta sauces have also been held up. While FSSAI argues its zerotolerance policy is based on law of the land, manufacturers and importers call these actions arbitrary and illegal.
Officials Refute Charges
They are challenging the authority's interpretation of the law. The EU mission in Delhi as well as the embassies of Belgium and Switzerland have been approached by some of the affected companies.
"It's not about one or two categories, FSSAI's interpretation of the regulations is hampering all kinds of food imports. These are perishable goods and many are even getting reexported. This has crippled trade. Close to 30 food importers are shutting shop. More will follow or switch to other items," said Amit Lohani, convenor, Forum of Indian Food Importers, an industry body. Lohani's colleagues add that till date government officials have blocked over 1,100 containers.
Most are lying abandoned or are likely to be shipped back to their country of origin. The new norms have also ensured that packaged food and beverage imports into India have come down by half in recent months, unable to comply with FSSAI's diktat.
Says a leading importer of chocolates from South Asia and Europe, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, "The move (by FSSAI) is economically unviable. There was no grace period given to importers to implement the new labelling norms. This has just happened a few weeks before Diwali and is a matter of huge concern for industry."

Food safety officials seize products of leading store in Gobichettipalayam

ERODE: A leading departmental store in Gobichettipalyam was inspected and its warehouse sealed on Friday morning after health department officials found products which had expired and lacked manufacturing labels and addresses. Products worth Rs10lakhs were seized from the warehouse and samples sent for inspection.
The issue came to light after Gobichettipalyam sub-collector Chandrasekaran received a complaint that Kannan Departmental Store on Erode Main road in Gobichettipalyam was selling food products which had expired. He inspected the shop on Thursday night. Finding products without labels he informed health officials who visited the shop and later held a detailed inspection over 12 hours ending on Friday morning. "The inspection was carried out after receiving a written complaint that products sold were past the expiry date. After finding some expired products, officials from the department of health and food safety were informed," he said. Seven officials inspected the shop and found items which were expired and lacked manufacturing labels. While the outdated items were destroyed the others were seized and samples sent for inspection to laboratories. Based on the results further action will be taken.
S Kannan, Food Safety Officer of Gobichettipalayam area said that they seized products worth more than Rs 10 lakh which were later destroyed. Food products ranging from chocolates to grocery items were found without the mandatory labels and details. The inspection which started at 8.30 pm lasted till 9am the following day. Many products including chocolates were found to be without labels.
Officials said that samples of the products including chocolates and dates and other food products were sent for inspection to the government run laboratory. If the results indicated to be positive, legal action would be taken.

Department store raided

The Food Safety Department officials raided a department store at Gobichettipalayam and confiscated rice and grocery items worth Rs. 10 lakh kept for sale beyond the expiration date. The raid was carried out at Kannan Departmental Stores following complaints from the public to the district administration, official sources said.

The scrutiny of expiry date labels on the products was carried out for several hours from Thursday night.

The godown of the department store was sealed on Friday morning.

FESTIVE SEASON INSPECTION

Principal Director and Additional Food Safety Commissioner, Dr. Neiphi Kire has directed designated Chief Medical Officers and Food Safety Officer of the districts, to conduct inspection of hotels, restaurants, bakeries, canteens, tea stalls and other public eating places includingstreet food vendors under its respective jurisdiction to ensure safety of food at all levels. 

In a release, Dr. Kire said that the inspection should be conducted in consultation with the district administration and town council and that the exercise should be completed by November 15 and action taken report to be submitted on or before November 20. 

The order has been issued in view of the festive seasons, the forth coming Hornbill festival and the 50th celebration of state hood, to ensure safety.

Gutkha worth Rs 72,000 seized

THANE: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thane seized gutkha worth Rs 72,000 along Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on Friday.
The officials also conducted a raid on sweet shops in Kalyan and seized huge stocks of adulterated sweets.
A special team of officials from Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Thane, cracked on banned guthka handler in the wee hours of Friday along Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway near Ghodbundar area. FDA squad confiscated guthka worth Rs 72, 000 from a transporter while the tempo loaded with sachets of Goa rocket guthka meant for distribution in Thane city and adjoining areas. Based on the first information report lodged by FDA officers, local police from Valiv outpost arrested the accused Altaf Navaj Pathan.
The team was led by FDA assistant commissioner Pradip Raut which had food safety officers Prashant Deshmukh and Venkatesh Vedpatha. "Acting on a tip off we took position along the highway where the tempo was to be halted to deal with the distributor. We spent all the night from 10pm to 5am to nab the accused, waiting at the designated spot. It was the usual modus operandi by the handler to enter the city in the early hours. These banned products come from neighbouring Gujarat," Raut told ToI.
Thane FDA also conducted another raid on sweet marts in Kalyan area and seized huge stock of unsafe sweets. In the festive move to keep tab on adulteration of sweets, food safety officer B S Vasave conducted raid in Kalyan area and confiscated suspected special barfi worth Rs 60, 000 from two traders after finding it unsafe for consumption. "We took 22 samples from these two shops which found to be mixed, leading to health hazard. We seized the special barfi amounting to the tune of Rs 60, 000," said S K Shere, joint commissioner of FDA, Thane.

Post food adulteration complaint on FB

Chennai: Welcoming the young and tech-savvy to rep­ort on food ad­u­l­te­ra­tion, food safety officials have asked them to post their com­pl­a­ints on Facebook. City food safety officials wi­ll take complaints fr­om consumers on adulterated sweets and snacks sold duri­ng the Deepavali festival in this manner.
Customers can also take a photo of the it­em and post it on Fa­ce­book. Speaking to DC, S. Lak­shmi Naraya­n­an, designated officer, Food Safety and Stan­d­ards Authority of In­dia (FSSAI), said, “We conducted raids and lifted samples of food items and sweets from various hotels and sweet meat shops in the last few weeks to ensure safe consumption for Chen­n­a­iites during Deepavali.
In case of food adulteration and substandard quality of food items being sold during the festival, people can let us know through our Facebook page.” He added that for many, Facebook would be an easy tool with which to reach officials.
It may be recalled that Anshul Mishra, former Madurai collector, opened a Face­book page and used it as a speedy grievance red­r­essal mechan­i­sm. He rec­e­ived more than 3,000 complaints on the page and solved 80 per cent of them as quickly as possible.
Similarly, the Food Sa­fety department is ho­ping receive responses from the public on unsafe and unhygienic food items through the Face­book page. “We would track the sale of unsafe food and bring the uns­cr­upulous traders to book with the help of consumers,” he said.
Fa­ce­book link of FS­SAI: ht­tps://www.facebook.com/fssai . Apart from online complaints, consumers can send the­ir petitions directly to: The Desi­gna­ted Officer, Food Safety and Stan­dards Authority of India, No.33, Jones Road, Sai­dapet, Chennai - 600 006. 044-23813095

Juice shops served closure notice

The mobile Vigilance squad of the Food Safety wing on Thursday issued closure notice to three fruit juice–ice cream parlours in Saphalyam complex at Palayam for serious violations of hygiene and food safety standards .
Three other juice-ice cream parlours in the same location were also issued notice to strictly maintain hygiene standards.
The inspection was carried out by Food Safety officials following a spate of complaints regarding the juice parlours in Saphalyam complex, on a directive from the Commissioner of Food Safety, a statement issued by the Food Safety wing said. Officials also collected samples of the ice being used in these shops and sent it for bacterial quality testing.

FSOs conducting nationwide raid on shops adulterating paneer and khoya

Diwali has always been a testing time for the food safety regulators in the country in view of the rampant adulteration of vital mithai ingredients in the country. This year it was no different, except the fact that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took some proactive action by asking the state food safety commissioners to conduct a drive to check adulteration in cottage cheese (paneer) and khoya, which are used to make sweets and savouries such as kaju roll, kaju barfi, kalakand, paneer cutlet, paneer chilli and shahi paneer, without which the festivities are incomplete.

Food safety officers (FSOs) in various states, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala, were deployed to collect samples of foods containing the aforementioned ingredients from various shops – both big and small – suspected to be involved in adulteration. Bihar collected 50 samples, Maharashtra collected 30, Gujarat collected 25 and Kerala collected 20.
Bihar
Aashish Kumar Singh, designated officer, headquarters, food and safety wing, Bihar, informed, “About a month ago, we started collecting samples of khoya and paneer from top hotels and sweetmeat shops which were involved in adulteration. The cottage cheese used by these hotels were found to contain corn starch in place of milk extract.”
“Till date, we have collected 50 samples. These have been sent to the laboratory for testing. Fines would be imposed on them under Section 51 of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, upon the receipt of the results of the tests. Tests are being conducted across the country to ensure that consumers do not purchase adulterated sweets, as the consumption of these could lead to food poisoning,” he said.
Singh added, “The culprits would be fined as per the offence. The fines would range between Rs 2 lakh and 10 lakh, depending upon the extent of adulteration in samples. Curbing adulteration in paneer and khoya is very easy, and can, in fact, be done by the consumer itself. In order to check whether the paneer is adulterated, all one has to do is put a drop or two of iodine solution on the raw paneer. If its colour changes to blue-black, it is adulterated and contains starch.”
“When we start collecting samples, the shop-owners become wary and stop selling adulterated items immediately, because they know that if they are caught selling the same, a first information report (FIR) would be lodged against them and they would be imprisoned. Many were booked last year after lab tests revealed that the eatables they were selling were adulterated,” informed Singh.
Maharashtra
Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner, food, Greater Mumbai division, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said, “In order to check adulteration across Maharashtra, and particularly in Mumbai, we have deployed many FSOs and also four assistant commissioners so that checks can be conducted in big and small establishments that selling adulterated food items during the festive season. During the drive, which commenced a couple of months ago, we collected around 30 samples and sent them for testing. We are sure that this year there will be very few shop-owners involved in adulteration, because the preventive actions are very strict.”
Gujarat
H G Koshia, food commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, said, “This year, it will be very difficult for the shopkeepers to indulge in adulteration because of the stringent rules laid by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Since the commencement of the drive in Gujarat a month-a-half ago, we have been conducting regular checks on the food business operators (FBOs) in the state, and we will try to ensure that no one is involved in adulteration. We have collected around 25 samples so far. Strict action will be taken against those found to be indulging in this malpractice.”
Kerala
“Our food safety officers have collected around 20 samples and have sent them for testing. We started the drive about a month ago, because it takes the lab 15 days to declare the test results. Moreover, we wanted to ensure that not many shops – big or small – are involved in adulteration,” said K Anil Kumar, joint commissioner, food, Kerala Food and Drug Administration.

தீபாவளியை யொட்டி பலகாரம் விற்பனை செய்பவர்கள் உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும்-கலெக்டர் எச்சரிக்கை

தூத்துக்குடி, நவ.1:
தீபாவளி யை யொட்டி பலகாரங்கள் விற்பனை செய்பவர்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத் துறை யில் பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும் என்று கலெக்டர் ரவிகுமார் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
இது குறித்து அவர் வெளியிட்டுள்ள செய்திக் குறிப்பு:
தீபாவளி பண்டிகையையொட்டி இனிப்பு மற்றும் கார பண்டங்களுக்கு சீட்டு நடத்துபவர்கள் உள்பட அனைத்து தயாரிப்பாளர் கள் மற்றும் விற்பனையாளர்களும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையில் பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற்று பொதுமக்களுக்கு வினியோகம் செய்வது கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.
இனிப்பு மற்றும் பேக்கரி பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பவர் கள் தரமான மூலப்பொருட் களை கொண்டு சுகாதார மான முறையில் தயாரித்து பாதுகாப்பான உணவு பொருட்களை மக்களுக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும். உணவு தயாரிப்பில் கலப்படமான பொருட்களையோ, அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட அளவுக்கு அதிகமான நிறமிகளையோ உபயோகிக்கக் கூடாது. பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட உணவு பொருட்களுக்கு விவரச்சீட்டு அச்சிடும் போது, அதில் தயாரிப்பாளரின் முழு முகவரி, உணவு பொருளின் பெயர், தயாரிப்பு அல்லது பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட தேதி, காலாவதியாகும் காலம், சைவ மற்றும் அசைவ குறியீடு ஆகியவை அவசியம் குறிப்பிட வேண்டும். உணவு பொருட்களை ஈக்கள், பூச்சிகள் மற்றும் கிருமி தொற்று இல்லாத சுகாதாரமான சூழலில் பொதுமக்களுக்கு விற்பனை செய்ய வேண்டும்.
பண்டிகை காலத்தில் மட்டும் பலகாரங்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் உள்பட அனைத்து தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் மற்றும் விற்பனையாளர்களும் உடனடியாக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு இந்திய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரங்கள் சட்டம் 2006ன் கீழ் தங்கள் வணிகத்தை பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.
பொதுமக்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறுவனங்களில் இருந்து மட்டும் பலகாரங்கள் வாங்குமாறும், பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட பொருட்களில் விவரச்சீட்டு இருந்தால் மட்டுமே வாங்கி உபயோகிக்கலாம். இது தொடர்பான புகார்கள் ஏதும் இருந்தால் தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாகத்துறை நியமன அலுவலருக்கு தகவல் தெரிவிக்கலாம்.  இவ்வாறு குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

New Zealand, China sign food safety agreement

Wellington, Nov 1 (IANS) The food safety regulatory agencies of China and New Zealand Friday signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in food safety and quality.

The Food Safety Cooperation Arrangement between New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) was signed in Wellington by CFDA vice minister Liu Peizhi and MPI deputy director general Carol Barnao, reported Xinhua.

The agreement will see the establishment of a Joint Food Safety Commission, which would allow MPI and the CFDA to meet annually to help build a better understanding of how each other's food safety systems worked.

New Zealand Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye said the agreement would encourage cooperation and the sharing of knowledge in the fields of food safety, risk management, food standards and regulations.

"The agreement shows commitment and a willingness between New Zealand and China to work together on food safety programs," Kaye said in a statement.

The agreement would further build on the strong relationship between the two countries, particularly in the agricultural and food sectors.

The agreement comes in a year which has seen New Zealand food exports to China hammered by MPI export certification bungles and dairy contamination scares, including the false alarm over Fonterra's botulis.

FDA takes steps to strengthen spice safety

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- In response to recent outbreaks from Salmonella-contaminated spices, U.S. health officials completed a draft risk profile on pathogens and filth in spices.
"The study's findings suggest the presence of pathogens, such as Salmonella, and filth in spices is a systemic challenge. Failures identified in the farm-to-table food safety system potentially leading to adulteration of consumed spice generally arose from poor/inconsistent application of appropriate preventive controls," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.
"The study identified 14 spice/seasoning-associated outbreaks worldwide that occurred from 1973 to 2010, resulting in less than 2,000 reported human illnesses and 128 hospitalizations worldwide."
The relatively small number of outbreaks identified may be attributable in part to the application of preventive controls by the spice and food manufacturing industries, including pathogen reduction treatments, and cooking during food preparation, the FDA said.
People's tendency to eat small amounts of spices with meals generally lowers the probability of illness from contaminated spices relative to similarly contaminated foods consumed in larger amounts.
It is also possible that illnesses caused by contaminated spices are underreported, particularly because of challenges related to attribution for minor ingredients in multi-ingredient foods.
The risk profile identifies the most commonly occurring microbial hazards and filth in spices and quantifies, where possible, the prevalence and levels of these adulterants at different points along the supply chain. It also identifies potential sources of contamination throughout the farm-to-table food safety continuum and evaluates the efficacy of current mitigation and control options designed to reduce the public health risk posed by consumption of contaminated spices in the United States.
The FDA has a number of regulatory standards and programs in place that help prevent contaminated spice from reaching consumers and these are described in the risk profile, the statement said.
In addition, the agency is taking steps to further strengthen spice safety. The FDA has increased inspections of spice manufacturing facilities in recent years and has begun to implement some of the options presented in the risk profile.
For example, the agency's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is working with several partners to develop a training center focused on supply chain management for spices and botanical ingredients. As part of this program, FDA experts have provided food safety training in India, a leading country of origin for U.S. spice importation, the statement said.
The report concluded with a list of knowledge gaps and the research needed to fill them. The FDA seeks comments on this draft document, which can be submitted via the Federal Register.
More information on the proposed rules can be obtained at: www.fda.gov/fsma.

Commoners continue to serve as guinea pigs for VIP food testing

While other countries have adopted advanced and practical techniques for on-the-spot testing of food to be served to the VIPs, in India, the age-old practice of 'lesser mortals' sampling the food continues and it is expected to remain in vogue for years to come as the revised food safety legislation is silent on the issue. Same tradition is followed even if the VIP is country's President or Prime Minister.

Whenever a VIP comes calling, government officers, be it executive magistrates or doctors, are made guinea pigs to sample the catered food. They are required to certify that the food is fit for consumption. If the food has been prepared in a house, the owner has to sign the list of items he or she plans to serve. An hour or so ahead of the VIP visit, a team of the health department arrives at the venue to complete these formalities and to collect samples, which are hardly sent to the state testing laboratory. A layman can also test the food but for more reliability, the officials are chosen as food tasters.

The whole exercise serves little purpose. Even if the food is unhealthy, it is difficult to make it out in the short time that falls between testing and consumption. The samples are preserved for 72 hours and if it does not create any health problem to consumers, it is destroyed, else the samples are sent to the laboratory, the need for which hardly arises.

"It is an old tradition, which we cannot change on our own. Whenever the tour programme of a VIP is intimated to us, it is obligatory for us to make arrangements for food testing," said a senior medical officer.

"Since no VIP has ever fallen ill after consuming food, our government has never given the matter a thought," remarked another senior officer. Senior medical officer Dr Sardul Singh said the government must provide testing kits for instant examination of food.

Director, ESI, HPS Bali, who is in-charge of the food administration, said the directorate had recently written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to intimate the state about the latest norms as regards sampling of food for the VIPs. "The current practice of food sampling is fair enough. We take care of the kitchen environment also make sure that the cook concerned maintains personal hygiene and is in good health. This is what matters the most," he said.

He confirmed that there had not been an instance when the food meant for VIPs had to be examined at the laboratory.

2 quintals sweetmeats destroyed, teams get cracking on adulteration

About 2 quintals of adulterated bakery products and sweetmeats were destroyed on Thursday in Chandigarh.

The teams constituted by the UT Administration to check adulteration in food items continued its drive against the sale of adulterated and unhygienic food items in Khajeri and Burail on Thursday. An official of the UT Health Department said that during raids at Khajeri and Burail, nearly 2 quintal of bakery products and sweetmeats which were found to be prepared under unhygienic conditions and exposed to dust and flies were destroyed under the supervision of designated officer by the Food Safety officers.

Also, samples of food items were taken from Sector 30 shops for testing against adulteration. Earlier, the teams had destroyed 600 kg of sweetmeats and have seized 33 number of samples on suspicion of adulteration till now in Chandigarh. The UT Administration had initiated an intensive drive on October 14 to check adulteration in food items in Chandigarh.

The higher authorities have already issued warning to shopkeepers and vendors to refrain from such activities. If any shopkeeper or vendor is found selling adulterated food, strict action will be taken against them under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and under Section 2 of  the epidemic diseases Act  1897 (Central Act No.III of 1897).

Dr Sunil Kumar Bhalla, UT Director Health Services again on Thursday issued advisory to all manufacturers to prepare sweetmeats in hygienic conditions and with quality material as per the standards laid down in the Food Act.

JMC launches drive against food adulteration, 7 outlets sealed

Jammu: In a crackdown on sale of adulterated food items in Jammu city during the festive season, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today sealed seven sweet shops in the city.
JMC sealed three sweet shops- Jai Vaishno Paitha Fruit Products & Sweets, Jai Vaishno Shakti Paitha House and New Jai Maa Shakti Paitha Food Products at Maheshi Gate for selling adulterated sweets in the city, a spokesperson said.
Two outlets in Tallab Tilloo and Mohinder Nagar were also sealed for not maintaining minimum food standard and quality parameters, he said.
The team also checked the quality of sweets being prepared at Pradhan outlet at New Plot and seized 12 tins of material, spokesperson said, adding that Patisa manufacturing unit of Bhola Singh at New Plot was also sealed and materials prepared in 175 boxes were confiscated.
The special drive was conducted by the team led by Kiran Wattal, Municipal Commissioner in the city today. Shopkeepers dealing with food items are strictly warned and directed to ensure supply of good quality of food to the general public, especially sweets and milk products as per the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006, the JMC spokesperson said.

Are campaigns against food adulteration pure eyewash?

Despite crackdowns — be it during festivals or otherwise — adulteration business continues to be ‘healthy’.

Like every year, tonnes of sweets, bakery, dairy products, and processed foods are being sold in the state capital this Diwali too. But how much of this is actually of good quality and safe for consumption is anybody’s guess.

Though the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) department carried out its routine sample collection exercise jointly with the district administration, many feel that these drives are mere formalities, so it appears from past records.

Food samples are collected and sent for quality check in the Public Analyst Lab (PAL) in Varanasi.

Strange it may seem, the laboratory reports come only after the adulterated items are already consumed during festivals. While few fail the purity test, cases are registered in even fewer incidents.

The FDA’s role does not end with sample reports.

In case the lab report finds any violation, a notice is sent to the shopkeeper or the manufacturer who can apply for fresh test of the sample by a referral lab, which is in Kolkata.

It is this report, which is considered final.

“After we issue a notice, the manufacturer takes his time to apply for a fresh test in the referral lab, which further takes months to furnish a final report. By the time the report comes, it is almost next year and we start a fresh drive,” an FDA official said, terming the raids a mere “eyewash”.

More than the eyewash theory, it seems that the procedure of implementing the food safety guidelines is too prolonged to be effective.

JP Singh, chief food safety inspector, however, has a different take on the matter.

“The drives at least create fear among the offenders. They would think twice before adulterating food stuff,” he said. But what ultimately matters is how much aware is a consumer, he added.

Stick to rules, sweet makers told

The district administration has issued a set of guidelines to manufacturers and retailers of sweets and snacks in view of the festival season.
According to an administration release, all manufacturers and retailers of edibles for the festival season have to register with the Department of Food Safety. They have to ensure that all edibles are made with standardised ingredients. Manufacturers have been warned against excess colouration or adulteration in any form, and ensure hygienic preparation of the food item. All packaged food items shall bear the address of the manufacturer, name of the food item, date of manufacture/packaging, type of food (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), and period of best use. According to the release, manufacturers are advised to contact the Department of Food Safety and get licence under the Food Safety and Standards rules 2006.
Consumers can convey any grievance or complaint to the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Food Safety division, Government Hospital premises, Nagapattinam (ph: 04365-247060).

FSSAI NOTIFICATION

ஒரு வாரத்தில் உடல் எடையை குறைக்கும் மருந்துக்கு ரூ. 1120; தூத்துக்குடி உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை சோதனையில் அம்பலம் மருந்துகள் அறைக்கு சீல் வைத்து அதிரடி, சேம்பிள் எடுத்து சோதனை எடையை குறைக்க விஐபிக்கள் சென்ற அதிர்ச்சி தகவலால் பரபரப்பு

தூத்துக்குடி: ஒரு வாரம் சர்பத் போன்ற பொருளை  சாப்பிட்டால் உடல் எடை குறைந்து விடும் என்று கூறி எந்தவித லைசென்ஸ் இல்லாமல் வீட்டில் கிளினிக் நடத்தி வந்ததை உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் கண்டு பிடித்து அதனை சீல் வைத்தனர். இந்த கிளினிக்கிற்கு அதிகாரிகள், வி.ஐ.பிக்கள் வந்து அதனை குடித்து சென்றுள்ள விபரம் தெரியவந்துள்ளது அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கிறது.
தூத்துக்குடி சிவன் கோயில் அருகில், அண்ணாநகர் 11வது தெருவில் உள்ள வீட்டில் ஹெர்பா லைப் என்கிற பவுடருடன் சில மருந்துகளை சேர்த்து சர்பத் போன்று தயாரித்து உடல் எடையை குறைப்பதற்காகவும், ஆரோக்கியமாக இருப்பதற்காகவும் வழங்கி வருவதாக உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு தகவல் வந்தது. இது சம்பந்தமாக டாக்டர் மற்றும் பொதுமக்கள்  சார்பிலும் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு புகார் சென்றதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.
இந்நிலையில் நேற்று முன்தினம் சிவன் கோயில் தெரு அருகே உள்ள இதுபோன்ற இடத்திற்கு உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் சென்ற போது இந்த தகவலை முன் கூட்டியே தெரிந்து கொண்டே அந்த நபர் கடையை பூட்டி விட்டு சென்று விட்டதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.
இந் நிலையில் நேற்று உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அதிகாரி டாக்டர் ஜெகதீஸ் சந்திரபோஸ் தலைமையில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் சிவபாலன், சந்திரமோகன், ராமகிருஷ்ணன், சண்முகசுந்தரம், டைட்டஸ் பெர்ணாண்டோ, நீதிமோகன் ஆகியோர் கொண்ட குழுவினர்  சாதாரணமாக புகாருக்குரிய வீட்டிற்கு உடல் எடையை குறைக்க டிரீட்மென்டிற்கு செல்வது போல் சென்றனர். நியமன அதிகாரி ஜெகதீஸ்சந்திரபோஸ் மற்றும் இரண்டு அலுவலர்கள் மட்டும் முதலில் வீட்டிற்குள் சென்றனர். மற்றவர்கள் வெளியில் நின்றுள்ளனர்.
உடல் எடையை குறைக்க வேண்டும் என்று ஜெகதீஸ் சந்திரபோஸ் அங்கிருந்த நபரிடம் கூற அவர்கள் ஒரு டம்ளரில் இருந்த சர்பத் போன்ற பொருளை குடிக்க  வேண்டும். ஒரு வாரத்திற்கு தொடர்ந்து குடிக்க வேண்டும். மூன்றாவது நாளிலே ரிசல்ட் தெரியும். ஒரு வாரத்திற்கு மொத்தம் 1120 ரூபாய் கட்டணம் செலுத்த வேண்டும் என்று கூறியுள்ளனர்.
இதனை தொடர்ந்து ஜெகதீஸ்சந்திரபோஸ் சர்பத் போன்ற பொருளில் என்ன சேர்க்கிறீர்கள். இது என்ன வகையான மருந்து என்று கேட்கவும் ஹெர்பா லைப் என்னும் பவுடரில் சில மருந்துகளை
சேர்த்து தயாரித்துள்ளது. ஹெர்பா லைப்பில் என்ன மருந்துகள் சேர்ந்துள்ளது என்கிற விபரம் அதில் எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது என்று காண்பித்துள்ளார்.
நீங்களே சர்பத் போன்ற பொருளை தயாரித்து உடல் ஆரோக்கியம், எப்போதும் சோர்வு இல்லாமல் இருக்கவும், எடையை குறைக்கவும், தொப்பையை அகற்றவும் இதனை குடித்தால் குணமாகிவிடும் என்று கூறுகிறீர்கள். இதனை எப்படி நம்ப முடியும். இதுபோன்று விற்பனை செய்வதற்கு லைசென்ஸ் எதுவும் பெற்றுள்ளீர்களா, அரசின் அனுமதி எதுவும் இருக்கிறதா, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டத்தின் கீழ் உரிமம் எதுவும் பெற்றுள்ளீர்களா என்று கேட்கவும் சம்பந்தப்பட்டவருக்கு சந்தேகம் ஏற்பட்டதாக கூறப்படுகிறது.
இது போன்று நீங்கள் கொடுக்க கூடிய சர்பத் போன்ற பொருள் என்ன  வேலை செய்யும் என்பதை சொல்லுங்கள் என்று கூறவும் குமாரால் சொல்ல முடியாமல் திருதிருவென விழித்தார்.
அண்ணாநகர் 11வது தெருவில் இந்த கிளினிக் போன்று நடத்தி வரும் ஜான் ஜேக்கப், மெர்சிராணி ஆகியோரிடமும் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் துருவி, துருவி விசாரணை மேற்கொண்டனர். அவர்கள் இதனை நாங்கள் நடத்துவதற்கு எங்களுக்கு கம்பெனி அனுமதி கொடுத்திருப்பதாக ஆங்கிலத்தில் பிரேம் செய்யப்பட்ட போட்டோவை காண்பித்தனர். அதனை பார்த்த உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையினர் அதில் உள்ள முதல் பாராவை படித்து அதில் என்ன எழுதியுள்ளது என்று சொல்லுங்கள் என்று கூறினர். ஆனால் அதற்கு அவர்கள் சொல்ல முடியாமல் விழித்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது.
இந்த கிளினிக்கிற்கு போலீஸ் இன்ஸ்பெக்டர்கள், அரசு அதிகாரிகள், வி.ஐ.பிக்கள் என்று மக்கள் மிக அதிகமாக வந்து சென்றுள்ளது தெரியவந்தது. அண்ணாநகர் 11வது தெருவில் கடந்த சுமார் 6 மாதமாக இவை செயல்பட்டு வருவதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. எந்தவித லைசென்ஸ் இல்லாமல் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டத்தை மீறி மக்களுக்கு பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தும் வகையில் செயல்பட்டதாக கூறி அந்த கிளிளின்கை சீல் வைக்க முதலில் அதிகாரிகள் முடிவு செய்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது.
ஆனால் வீடோடு சேர்ந்து இருந்ததால் அந்த மருந்துகளை சேம்பிள் எடுத்த அதிகாரிகள் மருந்துகள் முழுவதையும் வீட்டின் ஒரு அறையில் போட்டு சீல் வைத்தனர். சுமார் ஒன்றரை மணி நேரத்திற்கு மேலாக நடந்த இந்த ஆய்வு, வாக்குவாதம் போன்ற பிரச்னையால் அந்த பகுதியில் கடும் பரபரப்பு ஏற்பட்டது.
மருந்து மாதிரி நெல்லையில் உள்ள உணவு பகுப்பாய்வு மையத்திற்கு ஆய்வுக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டன. ஆய்வு அறிக்கை வந்தவுடன் அந்த அறிக்கையின் பேரில் இதில் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என்று உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்தன. ஆய்வு அறிக்கை ஒரு வாரத்தில் வந்துவிடும் என்றும் அந்த வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்தன.
இது சம்பந்தமாக உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அதிகாரி டாக்டர் ஜெகதீஸ்சந்திரபோஸ் கூறியதாவது;
தூத்துக்குடி அண்ணாநகரில் உடல் எடையை குறைப்பதாக கூறி போலியாக மருந்து வழங்கி வருவதாக டாக்டர் மற்றும் சிலரிடம் இருந்து புகார் வந்ததை தொடர்ந்து அண்ணாநகர் 11வது தெருவில் உள்ள கிளினிக் போன்று நடத்தி வரும் வீட்டில் சோதனை செய்தோம். ஹெர்பா லைப் என்னும் பவுடருடன் சிலவற்றை  சேர்த்து மிக்சியில் அரைத்து சர்பத் போன்றவற்றை மக்களுக்கு கொடுத்து வந்தனர்.
அவர்கள் என்னென்ன பொருட்கள் போட்டுள்ளனர் என்று தெரியவில்லை. அது சம்பந்தமாக விசாரணை செய்ததில் அவர்களால் ஒன்றும் சொல்ல முடியவில்லை. இதனால் இது போலியான சர்பத் போன்ற பொருளாகத்தான் இருக்கும். வாங்கிங் செல்வதும், அளவுக்கு சாப்பிடுதல், உடற்பயிற்சி போன்றவற்றின் மூலம் தான் உடல் எடையை குறைக்க முடியும். இதுபோன்ற சர்பத் போன்ற போலி பொருட்கள் மூலம் எந்த காலத்திலும் உடல் எடை குறையாது. சாப்பிடும் போது ஆரோக்கியமாக இருப்பது போன்ற தோற்றம் ஏற்படும். ஆனால் உடலில் பல்வேறு நோய்களை இதனை சாப்பிடும் போது உண்டாக்கி விடும். இதன் மூலம் உயிர் இழப்பு கூட ஏற்படும். இதுபோன்ற சில இடங்களில் மக்களை ஏமாற்றி உடல் எடையை குறைப்பதாக கூறி கொடுக்கப்பட்ட மருந்துகள் மூலம் சில ஆண்டுகளில் உயிர்இழப்பு ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.
இதனால் மக்கள் மத்தியில் விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்பட வேண்டும். யார் எதனை சொன்னாலும் நம்பி வீணாக பணத்தை கொடுத்து நோயை உருவாக்கும் பொருட்களை வாங்கி சாப்பிட கூடாது. தூத்துக்குடியில் பிடிபட்டவற்றை சோதனைக்கு அனுப்பியுள்ளோம். ஆய்வு அறிக்கை வந்தவுடன் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். அதுவரை கிளினிக் போன்று நடத்த கூடாது. அவர்கள் வைத்திருந்த மருந்துகள் அனைத்தும் ஒரு அறையில் வைக்கப்பட்டு சீல் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இவ்வாறு மாவட்ட நியமன அதிகாரி தெரிவித்தார்.

எச்சரிக்கையை மீறிய தனியார் குடிநீர் சுத்திகரிப்பு நிறுவனத்திற்கு அதிகாரிகள் சீல்

கிருஷ்ணகிரி, அக்.31:
கிருஷ்ணகிரியில் தனியார் குடிநீர் சுத்திகரிப்பு நிறுவனத்திற்கு அதிகாரிகள் சீல் வைத்தனர்.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி சார்பதிவாளர் அலுவலகம் அருகில் தனியார் மினரல் குடிநீர் சுத்திகரிப்பு நிறுவனம் செயல்பட்டு வந்தது. இந் நிறுவனம் ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ புதுப்பித்தலுக்காக விண்ணப்பித்ததன் காரணத்தினால், கட்டட பணி மற்றும் பகுப்பாய்வு கூடம் ஏற்படுத்தும் பொருட்டும், இயந்திரங்கள் பழுது அடையாமல் இருக்க அரை மணி நேரம் முதல் ஒரு மணி நேரம் வரை இயந்திரங்களை இயக்கி கொள்ள அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. இதனால் பெறப்படும் தண்ணீரை விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது என்று எச்சரிக்கை விடப்பட்டிருந்தது.
இந்நிலையில் அந்த நிறுவனத்தில் கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்ட தமிழ்நாடு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து கட்டுப்பாட்டுத்துறை மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் கலைவாணி தலைமையில் வட்டார உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் ராஜசேகர், சேகர் ஆகியோர் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். இந்த ஆய்வின் போது, அங்கு பெறப்படும் தண்ணீரை விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது கண்டறியப்பட்டது. மேலும் விற்பனைக்காக வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த 20 லிட்டர் கேன் மற்றும் தண்ணீர் பாக்கெட் மூட்டைகள் இருந்ததையும் கண்டுபிடித்தனர். இதையடுத்து அந்த நிறுவனத்திற்கு சீல் வைக்கப்பட்டது. இந்த சம்பவம் அப்பகுதியில் பெரும் பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. 

பெண் அதிகாரியிடம் தகராறு ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று இல்லாத வாட்டர் கம்பெனிக்கு "சீல்'

கிருஷ்ணகிரி: கிருஷ்ணகிரியில், ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று பெறாமல் இயங்கி வந்த மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனிக்கு சீல் வைக்க சென்ற உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரிடம், உரிமையாளர் தகராறில் ஈடுபட்டார்.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள பல மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனிகள், ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று பெறாமல் செயல்பட்டு வருவதாக வந்த புகாரை தொடர்ந்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையினர் அதிரடியாக வாட்டர் கம்பெனிகளில் ஆய்வு செய்து வருகின்றனர்.
பர்கூர் மற்றும் கிருஷ்ணகிரி சுற்றுவட்டார பகுதிகளில், ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று பெறாமல் இயங்கி வந்த ஒன்பது மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனிகளுக்கு அதிகாரிகள் சீல் வைத்தனர்.
ஒரு மாதத்துக்கு முன், கிருஷ்ணகிரி, சேலம் சாலையில் இயங்கி வந்த பாலாஜி மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனியில் ஆய்வு செய்த போது, ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று இல்லாமல் இயங்கியது தெரிந்தது.
ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று பெற விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளதாக கம்பெனியின் உரிமையாளர் தெரிவித்தார். இதையடுத்து, தரச்சான்று பெறும் வரை மினரல் வாட்டர் தயாரிப்பை நிறுத்தி வைக்க அதிகாரிகள் அறிவுரை வழங்கி சென்றனர்.
இந்நிலையில், ஐ.எஸ்.ஐ., தரச்சான்று பெறமால், பாலாஜி மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனியில் தொடர்ந்து வாட்டர் உற்பத்தி செய்து, விற்பனை செய்வதாக உணவு பாகதுகாப்பு துறைக்கு புகார் வந்தது.
நேற்று மதியம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் டாக்டர் கலைவாணி தலைமையில், அதிகாரிகள் பாலாஜி மினரல் வாட்டர் கம்பெனியில் ஆய்வு செய்தனர்.
அப்போது, அதிகாரிகளின் அறிவுரையை மீறி அங்கு வாட்டர் தயாரிப்பது தெரிந்தது கம்பெனிக்கு சீல் வைக்கும் முயற்சியில் அதிகாரிகள் ஈடுபட்டனர். அங்கு வந்த கம்பெனி உரிமையாளர் செந்தில்குமார், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் கலைமணியை ஒருமையில் பேசி, சீல் வைக்க எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து, தகராறில் ஈடுபட்டார்.
அதிர்ச்சியடைந்த உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அலுவலர்கள், டாக்டர் கலைமணியை அங்கிருந்து பத்திரமாக மீட்டு, அழைத்து சென்றனர். பின் அதிகாரிகள் வாட்டர் கம்பெனிக்கு சீல் வைத்தனர்.

இனிப்பு, காரம் தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலகத்தில் பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும் கலெக்டர் வேண்டுகோள்

நாகை, அக்.31:
நாகை கலெக்டர் முனுசாமி விடுத்துள்ள செய்திக்குறிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:
தற்போது பண்டிகை காலம் தொடங்கி உள்ள நம் நாட்டில் அனைத்து விதமான விற்பனைகளும் சூடு பிடிக்கத் தொடங்கி உள்ளது. முக்கியமாக தீபாவளி போன்ற பண்டி கை காலங்களில் விதவிதமான இனிப்பு பலகாரங் கள், காரங்கள் மற்றும் கேக் போன்ற பேக்கரி உணவு பொருட்களை மக்கள் விரும்பி வாங்கி உண்பது வழக்கம். தீபாவளி பண்டிகையில் இனிப்பு மற்றும் கார பண்டங்களுக்கு சீட்டு நடத்துபவர்கள் உள்பட அனைத்து தயாரிப்பாளர்கள், விற்பனையாளர்களும் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையில் பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற்று பொதுமக்களுக்கு விநியோகம் செய்வது கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஸ்வீட், பேக்கரி பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் தரமான மூலப்பொருட்களை கொண்டு சுகாதாரமான முறையில் தயாரித்து பாதுகாப்பான உணவு பொருட்களை பொதுமக்களுக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும். உணவு தயாரிப்பில் கலப்படமான பொருட்களையோ, அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட அளவிற்கு அதிமான நிறமிகளையோ பயன்படுத்த கூடாது. பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட உணவு பொருட்களுக்கு விவரச்சீட்டு வைக்கும் போது அதில் தயாரிப்பாளரின் முழு முகவரி, உணவு பொருட்களின் பெயர், தயாரிப்பு மற்றும் பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட தேதி, காலாவதியாகும் காலம், சைவ மற்றும் அசைவ குறியீடு ஆகியவற்றை அவசியம் குறிப்பிட வேண்டும்.
உணவு பொருட்களை ஈக்கள், பூச்சிகள், கிருமி தோற்று இல்லாத சுகாதாரமான சூழலில் பொதுமக்களுக்கு விற்பனை செய்ய வேண்டும். பண்டிகை காலத்தில் மட்டும் பலகாரங்கள் தயாரிப்பவர்கள் உட்பட அனைத்து தயாரிப்பாளர்கள், விற்பனையாளர்களும் உடனடியாக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலகத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு இந்திய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தரச்சட்டம் 2006ன்கீழ் தங்களது வணிகத்தை பதிவு செய்து உரிமம் பெற்று கொள்ள வேண்டும்.
பொதுமக்களும் பண்டிகை காலங்களில் பலகாரங்கள் வாங்கும் போது உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறுவனங்களில் மட்டும் வாங்க வேண்டும். பேக்கிங் செய்யப்பட்ட பொருட்களை விவரச்சீட்டு இருந்தால் மட்டுமே வாங்கி பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும். மேலும் இது தொடர்பான புகார்கள் ஏதாவது இருந்தால் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் மருந்து நிர்வாகத் துறையின் நியமன அலுவலரை, நாகை மாவட்ட அரசு தலைமை மருத்துவமனையில் உள்ள உணவு பாதுகாப்பு பிரிவு நியமன அலுவலர் அலுவலகத்தை நேரிடையாக தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம். அல்லது 04365 247060 என்ற தொலைபேசி எண்ணை தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.
இவ்வாறு கலெக்டர் முனுசாமி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

Health drink centre raided

Food safety officers conducted a raid at a health-food drink centre at Anna Nagar here on Wednesday following complaints from consumers of health problems.

A team led by M. Jagadis Chandrabose, District Designated Officer, enquired those involved in promoting the product on the pretext of herbal medicine.

Dr. Chandrabose said that obese men and women were hoodwinked into buying the product, which had no documentary evidence to market. Moreover, the centre was being manned by persons with no knowledge of health and medicine, Dr. Chandrabose said after the investigation.

The team said it never seemed to have maintained standards for consumption. Hence, the officers had collected samples and sent to testing laboratory in Tirunelveli.

Health department raids sweets shops, seizes adulterated food items

Jamshedpur : Beware of the coloured sweets sold in open market. They may contain harmful chemicals that will affect one’s health.
With Diwali round the corner, the district health department has embarked on a special drive to check the quality of sweets sold at various stalls across the city.
Led by district civil surgeon Jagat Bhusan Prasad accompanied by district food safety officer Mahesh Pandey, raid was carried out at two outlets.The team seized four samples sweets manufactured using milk products like khoa at popular sweet brand ‘Misti’ at Kumharpara in Kasidih.
“We have been receiving complaints of food adulteration from these unit and have collected samples which would be sent to food testing laboratory at Ranchi to- day evening,” said Jagat Bhusan Prasad.
He added that samples were being collected mainly to check adulteration and use of non-permitted colours. “Samples will be sent to the laboratory and based on its report action will be taken,” they added.
Use of harmful synthetic colours, including dyes were not permitted. But small manufacturers use the banned items just to give more colour to the sweets so as to make it attractive, offi- cials said.
Most of the sweets manufactured in the district were from the unorganised sector – houses or group of people joining together to make a fast buck.
Actions against the sweet manufacturer, after lab report would be initiated as per Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (revised in 2012) and offenders found indulging in sale of adulterated products found unsafe for health would be liable for hefty fine of anything between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh.
When contacted Misti partner Achintam Kumar refuted charges of adulteration. “We are in business from 18 years and have been selling products without any report of adulteration.
We have faith that the lab report would come out in our favour,” said Achintam. The team after about an hour-long raid at the manufacturing unit of Misti then moved on to a newly opened outlet ‘Puja Misthan and Rasoi’ at Bhalubhasa. Raids would continue till Diwali (November 3) at other sweet outlets in the city.