DINAMANI NEWS

Ghulam Nabi Azad assures traders to defer Food Safety and Standards Act

A delegation of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) meets Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday at his residence at New Delhi. 

New Delhi, January 16, 2014: A delegation of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) met Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday at his residence at New Delhi and while presenting a detailed memorandum on The Food Safety and Standards Act requested him to defer the Act for at least one year and constitute a Joint Committee of Senior Government Officials and Leaders of Trading Community to make an in depth study of the Act and to recommend the Government necessary amendments required to be made in the Act to make it simple and enabling easy compliance.

The CAIT delegation was led by its Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal and was comprised of prominent trade leaders from different States including A.M.Vikram Raja and K. Mohan from Tamilnadu, Ramesh Khanna from New Delhi, Mahesh Bakhai from Maharashtra, etc. K. V. Thangabalu, Member of Parliament also accompanied the delegation.

Azad while realising the fact that not only the small traders but even other sections of society which are connected with the issue are facing lot of harassment and corruption at the hands of the Inspectors of Government Departments in different States who are victimising the traders on pretext of certain provisions of the Act which are impracticable, has assured the delegation that he will defer the Act and will constitute a Joint Committee of Senior Officials and Trade Leaders to have a re-look at the said Act and suggest the amendments necessary to make it a law which can be comply easily. He also said that the Government wants a law to ensure good quality food available in the Country which may not prove to be hazardous for the health of people but at the same time it is not the intention of the Government to put traders or any other section into difficulties.

Prior to it the delegation presented an exhaustive memorandum to Azad detailing the provisions of the Act which are much detrimental to Indian Food business and other allied sectors. The delegation also apprised him that in spite of clear instructions of the Government to go lenient on the Act, the Inspectors in various States are extorting huge money from the traders on one pretext or the other. The traders are subject to lot of harassment, corruption and victimisation at the hands of Inspectors. In fact, there is more Inspector Rule prevailing in the Country which needs to have a check else the trade will be distorted to a great extent.

Food Safety Act will increase corruption, say grain merchants

The central government’s one of the most ambitious schemes to ensure availability of quality food products through Food Safety and Standard Rules 2011 is facing stiff resistance from the grain merchants. The traders will be launching an agitation from Friday. 

Indore grain merchants’ association claimed that the step will only increase corruption. As per the rules, 6 months imprisonment and penalty up to Rs 5 lakh on finding any merchant farming, selling or having the stock of substandard grains.

As per the rules, any merchant found cultivating, selling or having stock of substandard grains will get 6 months imprisonment and will have to pay a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh. 

“The rules state that no action will be taken against the farmers, who cultivate the crops of substandard quality. Besides, many times, the quality of crops gets affected due to use of fertilisers, weather and other reasons. However, if the traders/merchants purchase the same crops, they will be punished,” said Indore Grain Merchants’ Association president, Nandkishore Agrawal.

He said that keeping a check on the weather that often has adverse effects on the crops is not pragmatic.

He claimed that if the government wants to implement the rules without any changes then it should first provide such amenities and infrastructure that can help us in following such rules.

The president said that if they will not buy grains from the farmers to avoid action, the farmers will have to suffer huge loss. It will also lead to scarcity of the food grains in the market. 

The Merchants Association also raised objection on making it compulsorily to have the license for trade from February 4.

“We had launched a series of protests against these rules in 2012 and had only withdrawn the same on the CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s assurance,” he said. He added that as the government has decided to impose the rules from February 4, we will launch an agitation from Jan 17 by submitting a memorandum to the Mandi secretary and district collector seeking appropriate action.

The merchants will burn an effigy of the Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 at the Mandi compound on the next day and will stop buying the foodgrains of substandard quality from Jan 20, if no action is taken in this regard, added the president.

Ganja peddlers switch to selling gutka

CHENNAI: Many smugglers who used to deal with ganja have shifted to gutka and pan masala after its ban because of the lower risk and better returns. 

Inspections conducted by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drugs Administration has found that nearly half the number of shops in the city are selling banned tobacco products at inflated prices ever since the ban on sale of gutka and pan masala products was implemented in May 2013. 

Between June and December 2013, food administration officials conducted raids at 1,410 shops and found 686 shops with stocks of banned pan masala products. The department had seized 65 tonnes of banned products worth 2.24 crore from these shops in the same period. 

Food administration official said poor enforcement against banned chewable tobacco manufacturing units in other states is behind the gradual rise in smuggling. This has prompted some ganja peddlers to switch to these pan masala items. 

A senior food administration official said that a majority of these racketeers are based in the neighbouring states, and they smuggle in the goods using transport and parcel firms. "They have also started supplying these banned chewing products to retail shops in smaller quantities after a series of seizures of large quantities," the official said. 

In November last year, food administration officials seized 32.5 tonnes of banned tobacco products worth 1 crore from a transport firm in Royapuram. It had also instructed transport and parcel firms to stop transporting gutka and pan masala consignments from other states. 

Another official said poor coordination of the department with Southern railway, transport department, police and corporation has led to an increase in the illegal trade. "It's difficult to check each bag and consignment at railway stations and bus depots. Action happens often on specific tip-offs," he said. 

Ashok Modi, a resident of Sowcarpet said sale of these products is rampant in areas like Mint Street and Broadway. "The wholesalers earn huge profit after the ban, since they sell at a higher price and they don't have to pay tax. The banned stuff is easily available in our area," he said. 

Health experts said chewable tobacco is a major cause of mouth cancer, which constitutes the largest number of cancer cases among men in Tamil Nadu. A regular consumer says ban on tobacco products has not made any difference other than the increase in the price because of black marketing. "It's available everywhere in the city. But they are selling pan masala and chewing tobacco separately after the ban. It gives us the same taste and the kick of gutka," he said.

Foods that keep you young

Here are a few natural food items that can help you remain young and healthy 

Looking young is the foremost priority of most people these days. Not just women, even men are wary of ageing. Instead of using the number of anti-ageing creams that have flooded the markets, one can go the natural way and opt for fruits and vegetables to help fight all age-related problems. Here are a few superfoods that can help control ageing and make you look younger - 

1. Avocado - Apart from being high in Vitamin E, avocados are rich in antioxidants which help protect the skin. Avocados help in regenerating skin cells which makes your skin look fresh, giving a more youthful complexion. 

2. Kidney beans - These pulses are full of fibre and potassium which help reduce the cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of any heart disease. But their major health benefit is that they are packed with proteins. 

3. Dark chocolate - Any chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa is full of proteins and Vitamin B. Regular small bites into this chocolate will help burn fat and improve your skin and hair. 

4. Broccoli - Broccolis are a great source of fibre and Vitamin C which not only help control weight, but also help to fight heart diseases. 

5. Blueberries - Blueberries are rich in Vitamin C, which help in easy circulation of blood. Blueberries also contain certain minerals which help control the anti-ageing process. High in potassium, these berries help fight puffiness.

Hotels upset over hygiene raids

Kochi: The special ‘Operation Hot Water’ drive launched by the Ernakulam district panchayat and the health department against eateries and other food outlets has angered the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) which feels they are overstepping their duties.

Noting that with the enforcement of the Food Safety Act, the role of civic authorities has been restricted to checking sanitary and hygienic conditions of eateries, KHRA state general secretary , Jose Mohan warned the association would strongly protest the closure of hotels by the civic authorities and the health department.

“They have no legal right to inspect the quality of food served take samples or seize stale food. They can only check the general hygiene of eateries. Going by the provisions of the Food Safety Act, only a qualified food analyst can collect food samples,” he said.

District panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappally , however justified the drive, saying that Operation Hot Water was essential to curb the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. “Though the Food Safety Authority alone has the right to check the quality of food served, civic bodies can inspect the sanitation in eateries.

We planned the drive after water-borne diseases were reported from Pindimana and Pallarimangalam panchayats. Commercial ice used in the welcome drink served during a function in these areas had led to several cases of typhoid,” he added, regretting that many eateries that did not care for hygiene were affecting the health of the people who frequented them.

“ During the raid we found many hotels and bars e functioning in very poor hygiene conditions,” he said. District food safety officer, Ajith Kumar, when contacted by Deccan Chronicle, said only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had the right to cancel licences of eateries, and even so it acted with caution in the matter.

“Although the authority has the right to serve closure notice, such an extreme step is taken only in rare situations when a hotel is causing serious public health problems. Usually, we serve notices to eateries asking them to rectify things,” he explained.

Operation Hot Water Gathering Steam

The inspections on hotels and restaurants in the district as part of the ‘Operation Hot Water’ continued on Thursday. According to the District Medical Officer, inspections were conducted on 315 hotels in the district out of which two hotels were closed down. Another 100 hotels were served with notices.

The drive was launched on Wednesday and on day one, the authorities have inspected 548 hotels and closed down 12 facilities citing unhygienic conditions.The Operation Hot Water Mission was launched jointly by the Ernakulam District Panchayat and the Health Department. The major aim of the drive was to prevent epidemic outbreak and maintaining hygiene in eateries and food outlets in the district. The drive will be carried out till January 25.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) came out against the inspections. They said though the association is not against ‘Operation Hot Water’ drive, they will protest against the closing down of hotels.

“As per the Food Safety Act, only a food analyst can check the quality of the foods and collect food samples from hotels. All that the Health Department can do is check the hygienic conditions of the outlets. Here they are inspecting the quality of the food and are serving closure notices without proper quality check,” he added.

However, the representatives of local bodies said though the Food Safety Act has imposed certain restrictions on the role of local bodies, but still the power to check only hygienic conditions in eateries are vested with them.

“The Operation Hot Water was launched to prevent the outbreak of water borne diseases and other epidemics during the summer. Such cases were reported at Pindimana and Pallarimangalam panchayats in the district. Not only hotels we are also conducting inspections on ice factories and bakeries,” said district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappally.

The decision to launch the Operation Hot Water Drive was taken at a review meeting attended by Eldhose Kunnappilly, district medical officer Dr Haseena Mohammed, local body representatives and the heads of various departments concerned.

315 eateries raided on day 2 of sanitation drive

Health officials inspect the kitchen of a hotel in Kochi on Thursday. 

Raids on eateries in the district, codenamed “Operation Hot Water”, continued for the second day on Thursday. Of the 315 outlets raided, two were closed down (one each in Vengoor panchayat and Malippuram panchayat) and 100 of them were issued notices. Raids were conducted by a team of health officials as part of the sanitation drive to check the spread of communicable diseases.

The decision to conduct a 10-day raid was taken at a review meeting conducted by the District Panchayat, District Health authorities, people’s representatives and heads of various departments in the district.

On Wednesday, 548 places were raided. Twelve of the outlets were asked to close down while notices were served on 225 outlets. There were 71 inspection teams on the first day, while on the second day, there were 43 teams that went around the district.

On a drive to check water-borne diseases in the coming months, the Health teams inspected various wayside stalls selling watermelons, sugarcane juice, sip-ups, non-branded aerated drinks, and ice creams. Raids were also meant to check ice meant for preserving fish being used in other food items.

Action was taken against hotels, hostels, bars, toddy shops and petrol pumps that did not provide sanitised toilet facilities.

The raids were supervised by District Medical Officer Hasina Mohammed and district rural officer P.N. Srinivasan. Eldose Kunnapillil, District Panchayat President, in a statement, said that the raids would be intensified in the coming days.

NHC Foods to benefit from FSSAI ban on unpackaged and unbranded spices

NHC Foods could benefit from the implementation of a ban by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the sale of unbranded and unpackaged powdered spices and condiments. 

It also called for the adherence to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. 

The end consumer can now be assured of an unadulterated product, and would also be aware of the details of the product he is consuming.

Prices of white arecanut recover

Farmers, wholesale, and retail traders played a pivotal role in deciding the areca nut market.

After witnessing a downward trend last month believed to be due to reports over the Union government’s move to ban areca nut, prices of white areca nut (called chali) have recovered now.

The prices of ‘hale adike’ (old stocks of 2012-13 season harvested between November and March) which were hovering around Rs. 195 per kg till December 10 last month began to drop to reach Rs. 180 a kg in about ten days.

It was after December 10 that media began reporting about a letter (of September 6, 2013) written by an official of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India “…requesting to examine the scientific evidences on the harmful effects of areca nut with a view to initiating necessary action to classify areca nut as an injurious substance and accordingly prohibit its use as ingredient in any food product.” 

Following this there were debates and protests over the move to ban areca nut.

Ramesh Kainthaje, a member of G. V. Joshi committee on production cost of areca nut, a farmer and a close observer of areca nut market, said that following the reports there was panic flooding of areca nut to markets by farmers which pushed the prices down by Rs. 15 per kg. Prices began to go up after State ministers stated that it would not be banned and the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad (on December 27) stating that the move had been put on hold. Prices began to recover from the last week of December after farmers began to hold the produce, he said.

Price on Wednesday stood at Rs. 195-197 per kg, Mr. Kainthaje said.

He said when compared to the prices prevailing during the same period last year, the prices are up by Rs. 15 this year. 

Last January, the price of ‘hale adike’ was hovering around Rs. 185 per kg, he said.

Concurring with this M. Suresh Bhandary, managing director, the Central Areca nut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd. (Campco), said farmers, wholesale, and retail traders played a pivotal role in deciding areca nut market. 

The reports did shook farmers this time who released old stocks held by them. Farmers were apprehensive that like gutkha, the government indeed might ban areca nut.

Sridhar G Bhide, former president, Mangalore Agriculturists’ Sahakari Sangha and presently its director, said traders were behind the fluctuation in price. They made use of the advantage of the reports and brought the prices down. Traders played a pivotal role in it, he said.

At clinical trials, rice bran oil found most effective in reducing LDL

The Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, conducted a clinical trial on humans to prove the health benefits of rice bran oil (RBO), and found that the consumption of a physically-refined version of the same substantially reduced LDL and total cholesterol (owing to the fact that it contained Oryzanol) and triglyceride levels.

The inclusion criteria was based on screening LDL levels (an LDL level higher than 130 was considered as cut-off for inclusion). The subjects were aged between 25 and 65, and were healthy, based on the clinical and lab examinations. In this study, a total of 136 subjects was randomised into three groups (the others being olive oil and groundnut oil).

The RBO group 46 subjects, the olive oil group had 47 and groundnut oil group had 43. Of these, 43 subjects in the RBO group, 40 in the groundnut oil group and 33 in the olive oil group completed the study. No other intervention, besides the replacement of cooking oil, was done during the study period.

The sample size being relatively small, the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, the individuals who were allotted the other oils also witnessed a reduction in LDL levels. However, the percentage decrease in the cholesterol level was found to be the highest in the rice bran oil group.

RBO was also the most effective in lipid profile management, and its fat composition was the most ideally-balanced. All the participants were advised to indulge in their routine activities and dietary patterns. The study duration was twelve weeks, with evaluations done at four-week intervals.

Cooking oil replacement was for the entire period, and no other oil was permitted during the study. In the RBO group, the reduction in LDL was observed as early as the fourth week, and the dropout rate was the highest in the olive oil and groundnut oil groups.

“Individuals consuming the three oils were not included in the study,” said Dr Debasish Hota, professor and head, department of pharmacology and chairman and professor-in-charge, examination cell, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, stated in an e-mail interaction.

“The results of this evaluations should be interpreted with these points in the background. Lifestyle modifications form an important component of management programmes for patients with increased cholesterol levels, and dietary modification is an integral part. As per recent guidelines targeting a ‘cholesterol goal’ is not recommended, and drug treatment is based on the overall risk profile of the patient,” said Dr Hota.

FDA skips checking Metrowater, Tasmac

CHENNAI: Complaints about some Tasmac shops selling spurious liquor and piped water being contaminated have been around for a long time. However, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has not taken any samples from either Metrowater or Tasmac, both government establishments. 

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into effect on August 5, 2011, sets standards for various consumable products, including water and alcohol, and provides for checks on parameters such as substance or quality demanded, extraneous but harmless matter, misbranded items and unsafe for consumption. 

FDA officials said no checks had been conducted on Metrowater and liquor samples. "There are some practical difficulties in collecting samples from government departments like Metrowater and Tasmac. We do collect packaged drinking water samples," an official said. FDA figures show just 21 packaged water samples were collected between April and November 2013. Seven were found unsafe and 10 substandard. 

The city corporation has stopped quality checks on piped water. "Earlier we used to conduct checks. But FDA has to conduct it after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 came into effect," said a corporation official. 

Sources said leaky pipelines, overflowing sewage, open defecation and corroded pipelines had led to severe water contamination. "The sewage and muck seep into pipes and pose severe health threats to residents," said N Muraleedharan, who stays near Karnataka Sangha School on Habibullah Road in T Nagar. Metrowater officials say they have an internal monitoring system to check the quality of drinking water. 

Many tipplers say complaints against spurious liquor are rarely attended to. "There are several instances where cheaper Indian varieties have been sold in imported liquor bottles. But nobody seems to conduct any checks," said a regular customer at a Tasmac outlet in Royapettah. Tasmac officials say they take action based on complaints received on the phone numbers 18004252015 and 28542303. Sources said there was a huge racket in the supply of fake liquor, labels, bottle caps and security stickers to Tasmac outlets where liquor is sold after 10pm when they close. 

In contrast, the mechanism to ensure safe water and alcohol seems to be better in other states. Kerala food safety commissioner Biju Prabhakar said they have collected several water and liquor samples and taken action against violators. "Anything consumable comes under the Food Safety Act. But it all depends on how the officials enforce it. The safety of the public should be the top priority," he said. 

Arrangements for Thai Poosam

Authorities have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of ‘Thai Poosam’ festivities here on Friday as large number of people are expected to gather at Sathya Gnana Sabhai here for ‘Jyothi darshan’.

These include better crowd and traffic management, streamlining the process of mass feeding, and avoiding thefts at the venue. Authorities have also put up three giant screens on the sprawling ground to help people watch the event. Authorities have streamlined the mass feeding being organised by devotees. to ensure quality during mass feeding, a food safety officer would be posted at the venue and all vehicles purveying free food would be lined up in a row.

Groups of people who reach Vadalur by bullock carts and tractor-trailers from Vriddhachalam should park the vehicles at government girls’ higher secondary school and the SIDCO grounds.

Buses plying on Cuddalore-Kumbakonam and Chennai-Kumbakonam routes should not halt at the Vadalur cross-roads but only at a temporary bus stand planned to be set up at the venue.

Food safety officer to ensure quality of free food to be distributed

FOOD SAFETY ACT 120 eateries registered

Ludhiana, January 15

The District Health Department today registered as many as 120 eateries during a camp organised at Shringar Theatre. Disclosing this, District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar said, "Tomorrow we will hold a camp at Sherpur. We appeal to all the eateries to get registered or get a licence issued under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006." Dr Kumar said he has instructed all senior medical officers in the peripheral areas to register the eateries. The last date for registration or issuing licence to these eateries is February 4. 

கடற்கரையில் உள்ள உணவு பொருள் கடைகளில் அதிகாரிகள் சோதனை

சென்னை, ஜன.16: 

மெரினா கடற்கரை மற்றும் எலியட்ஸ் கடற்கரையில் உள்ள கடைகளில் விற்கப்படும் பொருட்கள் சுகாதாரமற்று இருப்பதாக புகார் வந்தது. இதையடுத்து கடற்கரையில் உள்ள 500க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சிறிய மற்றும் பெரிய கடைகளில் 10க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் தலைமையிலான குழுவினர் அதிரடி ஆய்வு நடத்தினர். 

இதில் மீன், ஃபாஸ்ட் புட் கடைகள், சிறு உணவு பொருட்கள் விற்கும் கடைகள் , ஐஸ் கிரீம், குளிர் பானங்கள், குடிநீர், உணவு தயாரித்த எண்ணெய் ஆகிய மாதிரிகளை எடுத்து சென்றனர். தரமற்ற பொருட்களை விற்கும் கடைக்காரர்கள் மேல் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என கூறிய அதிகாரிகள் பொதுமக்கள் தரமான உணவுகளை வாங்கி உண்ண வேண்டும் என்று கேட்டு கொண்டனர். 

இதுகுறித்து அதிகாரிகள் கூறுகையில், கடைக்காரர்கள் ஒரு தடவை பயன்படுத்திய எண்ணெயை மீண்டும் பயன்படுத்த கூடாது இதனால் அந்த எண்ணெயை மீண்டும் பயன்படுத்தும்போது ரசாயன மாற்றம் ஏற்பட்டு புற்று நோய் வரக்காரணம் ஆகிவிடும். ஆகவே சுகாதாரமான முறையில் உணவு பண்டங்களை தயாரித்து விற்பனை செய்யவேண்டும். சுகாதாரமான தண்ணீரை பருக வேண்டும். கடற்கரை மணலில் தோண்டி விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் குடிநீர் மலிவாக கிடைக்கிறதே என்பதற்காக பொதுமக்கள் அதை அருந்த வேண்டாம். அதில் கிருமிகள் இருக்கலாம், அது உடல் நலத்தை பாதிக்கும் என தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

Toxic metals in beauty products

NEW DELHI: Your make-up may be leaving you with a touch of toxic heavy metals, with potential health implications over long-term use. A study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claims to have found high levels of mercury in several well-known national and international brands of skin-whitening creams and chromium in several brands of lipsticks.

High levels of mercury are associated with kidney damage, skin discoloration and scarring, while chromium is a carcinogen.

Despite use of mercury being banned in cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 44% of the 32 fairness creams that CSE tested reportedly contained mercury. It found chromium in 50% of 30 lipstick samples tested; and nickel in 43%. All the samples were purchased from a market in Delhi and tested at CSE's pollution monitoring lab. The samples also included some popular herbal products.

CSE compared the heavy metals found in the cosmetics with their acceptable daily intake (ADI) - the maximum amount of toxin that a person can be exposed to over a lifetime without any appreciable health risk. The results showed that whitening creams can contribute up to 71% of the ADI for mercury, depending on the product and the amount of cream used. Given that mercury is also ingested via food, water and air, chances are that a person using a mercury-laced cream may exceed the acceptable daily intake.

Lipstick users could be worse off. Among the brands that tested positive for nickel and chromium, that worst could expose a heavy user to over 15 times the safety limit for chromium, according to the study.

CSE researchers said only 14 of the companies making such products responded. Most of them said there was a "trace" presence and that the product was safe for long-term use. CSE researchers, however, argue that these toxins are avoidable altogether. "The fact that our lab did not find mercury in 56% of the products tested suggests that the industry has the capacity and wherewithal to clean up their act," said CSE director general Sunita Narain.

The CSE study said the worst defaulters in case of mercury concentration in fairness creams were Aroma Magic Fair lotion, a product of Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd, followed by Procter and Gamble's Olay Natural White and Pond's White Beauty of Hindustan Unilever.

When contacted, Hindustan Unilever told TOI, "We do not add mercury in our cosmetic products. Like all Unilever cosmetic products, all Pond's products (including Pond's White Beauty) are safe - with no added mercury and manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices and in line with BIS and US FDA limits on trace metals. All our products are approved by the FDA...and they comply fully to the guidelines in India...on all aspects including contaminants and heavy metals."

Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd and Procter and Gamble did not respond to TOI's queries.

In case of lipsticks, Hearts and Tarts (080V) shade of ColorBar had the highest concentration of chromium while LancomeLabsolu Nu-204 of L'Oreal India had the highest concentration of nickel. Lancome told TOI, "Our highest priority is the safety of our consumers. We do not use heavy metals as ingredients in our products and comply fully with Indian and International cosmetic regulations." ColorBar did not comment.

However, the products named above are not the only defaulters; many other brands tested by CSE were found to be containing these metals.

Shocking to the average user as it might be, scientists are taking a guarded view of the findings because cosmetics have always had trace amounts of heavy metals.

"Skin whitening agents are a wrong thing to use in any case. They are proven to damage the skin in the long run," said Alok Dhawan, Nanomaterial Toxicology Group of CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research. "It's a risk versus benefit scenario. If the findings of this report are true, it's good for customers to be aware. However, the effects completely depend on the length of usage and the amount used. Cosmetic companies are also evolving. They don't use ammonia, for instance, any more in hair colours. Long-term use of cosmetics with mercury will lead to health implications."

Mercury, Dhawan added, can not just cause damage to skin but to the environment when washed.

Keep nicotine-based chewing gum away from our children!

The Indian Tobacco Company Ltd. has launched a huge advertising campaign to promote Kwiknic, a nicotine based chewing gum which is supposed to help cigarette smokers and tobacco chewers with de-addiction. However, we fear the marketing, advertising and easy availability of the chewing gum may lead to usage of these products by our children. 

The adverse effects of these gums on children are well documented. Nicotine gum could be abused by children leading to nicotine addiction and all the consequences of nicotine abuse. As it does not emit the offensive cigarette smell, parents, teachers, trainers and coaches may not be able to detect that the child is using the gum. 

Kwiknic is freely available in several flavours at almost every large and little shop selling groceries and confectionaries in Bangalore, at Rs 30 for a pack of 6 and Rs 50 for a pack of 10 chewing gums. The literature inside the packet warns of the adverse effects on children. However, there are no statutory warnings and pictures on these chewing gum packs unlike on cigarette packs. 

Chewing gum is classified as 'Food' under the Food Safety Act, 2006. Further, Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibits sale of any food product containing nicotine or tobacco. Thus, this chewing gum cannot be sold in the food bazaars and other outlets as is the case now. 

We urge the Food Safety Commissioner, Karnataka, to: 

a) Restrict the sale and distribution of nicotine gums to people over 18 years of age through medical stores and pharmacies against a prescription. 

b) Ban large scale advertising of these products. 

c) Not allow sale of nicotine chewing gums within and around school premises as in the case of cigarettes and alcohol. 

d) Ensure that Statutory warnings and pictures (as in the case of cigarettes) are prominently displayed on nicotine gum packs. 

e) Ensure that nicotine gums are of a colour which differentiates them from other chewing gums, so that a parent can easily spot if a child is using nicotine gum. We therefore suggest that all nicotine gum products be ‘black’ or a ‘deep grey' in colour. 

As concerned parents we appeal for prompt and decisive action at the earliest, so that our children are not lured into experimenting with nicotine based chewing gums to the detriment of their health.

Government can prosecute offenders, rules HC

KOCHI: The government has the right to prosecute manufacturers and dealers of dietary supplements if they violate provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and no other option is available as per law to prove innocence other than facing prosecution, the Kerala high court held.

A division bench comprising Justices Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and P Ubaid gave the ruling after considering a batch of petitions questioning prosecutions initiated by drugs inspectors alleging violation of provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 (DC Act).

The petitions filed by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of dietary supplements said their articles are essentially food items and not drugs as defined in the Act. Some of them also argued that they are operating after obtaining statutory licences of different states under the provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.

Petitions were filed in the high court after drugs inspectors issued orders prohibiting sale of dietary supplements. Some of the manufacturers and dealers also alleged that drugs inspectors were issuing them oral instructions and directions not to sell dietary supplements.

After considering the petitions, the bench led by Justice Radhakrishnan held, "We do not see any other provisions in the DC Act which enable any other mode to provide a different platform for the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, supplier, etc. to demonstrate his innocence or to have a consideration as to whether a substance that is being sold by him is drug as per the DC Act and the rules and notifications thereunder, or not."

The court further held that the government and the drugs inspectors are duty-bound to ensure that the rights of citizens are appropriately protected by taking due action in strict conformity with the provisions of the Act, its rules, and notifications. They would have no choice but to go for prosecution if a case is made out regarding commission of offence in terms of the Act, rules, or notifications, the court said.

A division bench comprising of justices Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and P Ubaid gave the ruling after considering a batch of petitions questioning prosecutions initiated by drugs inspectors alleging violation of provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 (DC Act).

The petitions filed by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of dietary supplements said their articles are essential food and not drugs as defined in the Act. Some of them also argued that they are operating after obtaining statutory licences of different states under the provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.

Petitions were filed to the high court after drugs inspectors issued orders prohibiting sale of dietary supplements. Some of the manufacturers and dealers also alleged that drugs inspectors are issuing oral instructions and directions to them not to sell dietary supplements.

After considering the petitions, the bench led by justice Radhakrishnan held, "We do not see any other provisions in the DC Act which enables any other mode to provide a different platform for the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, supplier, etc to demonstrate his innocence or to have a consideration as to whether a substance that is being sold by him is drug as per the DC Act and the rules and notifications thereunder, or not."

The court held further that the government and the drugs inspectors are duty bound to ensure that the rights of citizens are appropriately protected by taking due action in strict conformity with the provisions of the Act, its rules, and notifications. They would have no choice but to go for prosecution if a case is made out regarding commission of offence in terms of the Act, rules, or notifications, the court said.

பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்! மாட்டுப்பொங்கல்

Food for thought

Regulating food standards is no easy business, but something that needs to be taken seriously by the authorities concerned

When India attained independence in 1947, the need then was to provide food for the new nation and punish those who tried to benefit by dealing in adulterated food. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1955 (PFA), as the name suggests, was framed with such an intent. Over time, the need changed from policing the food industry to ensuring that that safe food was available to people. The Food Safety and Standards, Act, 2006 (FSSA) replaced the PFA.

One oft quoted example is that the PFA treated a person who adulterated milk with gutter water and one who used distilled water equally. The FSSA, thankfully, makes a distinction between such situations and provides for stringent punishment, including imprisonment, when the food sold is unsafe but contemplates a fine where there is some other violation.

The FSSA has also created the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as the regulatory authority at the national level, tasked with ensuring ‘safe and wholesome food’ through ‘science based standards’ for food.

One question that naturally arises is what is ‘food’? Under the FSSA, ‘food’ includes any substance (processed or unprocessed) intended for human consumption, including ‘proprietary and novel’ foods, genetically modified foods and health supplements.

The FSSA consolidates the laws relating to food and has overriding effect over other food related laws. The FSS regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food. It provides for licensing and registration of persons involved in food business; prescribes standards and guidelines for food articles and regulates use of food additives, processing aids, colours and contaminants; prescribes packaging and labelling requirements; imposes food safety responsibilities on the manufacturers to ensure food safety at all stages; prohibits misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices for promoting the sale, supply, use or consumption of food.

Recognising the fact that is impossible to lay down the standards for every substance that humans may consume, the FSSA provided for ‘proprietary food’, which is defined to mean food for which standards have not been specified but which is not unsafe and does not contain any prohibited food or ingredient.

In most countries, there is no concept of standardised food — of food having to meet a particular standard in terms of ingredients used as long as the food does not contain any prohibited ingredients or generally contains ingredients from a list, it is permitted.

These concepts of standardised and proprietary food and the fact that the FSSAI requires every proprietary food to be pre-approved are proving to be one of the biggest challenges faced by food business operators, in particular food importers. What the pre-approval process implies is that if any person wishes to sell any food in India which does not strictly fall under with any of the standardised foods in the FSSA needs to have the food pre-approved by the FSSAI, much in the same manner as the drug controller approved drugs.

There is some debate as to whether the FSSA at all provides for approval of all proprietary food but the FSSAI is following this process nonetheless. While this process of pre-approval may be beneficial for the consumers as it ensures that all foods are thoroughly examined before being introduced in the market, it seriously diminishes the ability of manufacturers to introduce new foods quickly. Under the current process even if a manufacturer wishes to introduce a combination of two approved foods or change the flavouring in some approved food, he will again need to obtain approval from the FSSAI. This is one reason why many food products and variants that are available abroad are not seen on Indian shelves.

The second major challenge faced, again particularly by importers, is the fact many standards laid down under the FSSA are divergent from international standards. The FSSAI needs to address this rather quickly as many foods available abroad become either unavailable in India or need to be greatly modified in order to be sold here.

A third major challenge being faced, perhaps more by the FSSAI than by food business operator, is the requirement of every food business operator to have a licence/ registration. This includes every eatery and restaurant and also every shop selling packaged food. Given the fact that there are millions of such establishments in the country, issuing licences/registrations to everyone will stretch FSSAI’s resources. The deadline for this is February 4, 2014 — and frankly, the FSSAI may have bitten off more than it can chew. It is possibe that either the FSSAI may extend the deadline or most operators may not be able to obtain a licence/registration before the deadline. Notwithstanding these problems, the requirement of a licence/registration is certainly a step in the right direction. We the consumers would be reassured if we knew that the operator had been scrutinised by an authority.

A fourth challenge being faced is in proceedings that are being initiated under the FSSA. The PFA, which had been around for decades, had been subject to hundreds of court proceedings and there was an air of certainty regarding the procedural aspects of proceedings under the PFA. Under the FSSA, however, it will be some time till such certainty is reached. At present, there are examples where similar proceedings in different states are being conducted in entirely divergent manners.

Most of the challenges faced in compliance with the FSSA can be put down as teething troubles, something which would be resolved over time.

(The writer is partner, Associated Law Advisers)

Get licence by Feb 4, health dept warns eatery owners

Ludhiana, January 14

District health officer (DHO) Dr Abnash Kumar has warned owners of all eateries to get their units registered or get the licences issues by February 4 or face action. 

The DHO said: “All eateries, both big and small, are being covered under Food Standard and Safety Act, 2006. Eateries having an annual income of more than Rs 12 lakh need to get the licence while the smaller units with income less than Rs 12 lakh should be registered under the Act. 

The DHO said the health department was holding special camps for the purpose since January 9. Anyone who wants to get his eatery registered could visit to the civil surgeon’s office between 9 am and 5 pm. For more information, the applicant could dial on the control room number 0161-444193. The civil surgeon, Dr Subhash Batta, said a camp would be held at at Shringar Theatre on January 15. The DHO said those who fail to obtain licence or get their units registered till February would be fined Rs 5 lakh or can face imprisoned for six months.

Food commercialism harming school children

New York, Jan 14: Are you alarmed at the increasing presence of junk food and carbonated drinks in school canteens? Blame it on food commercialism.

Schools are desirable marketing areas for food and beverage companies, although many of the products marketed to students are nutritionally poor, says a study.

“Most students in elementary, middle and high schools are exposed to food commercialism - including exclusive beverage contracts and the associated incentives, profits and advertising - at school,” said Yvonne Terry-McElrath of University of Michigan.

Using a survey of school administrators, researchers estimated exposure to school-based commercialism for elementary, middle and high school students in the US from 2007 to 2012.

"The continuing high prevalence of school-based food commercialism calls for enforceable standards on the nutritional content of all foods and beverages available in school canteens,” said the study.

In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is putting in place final guidelines to determine what counts as healthy food in educational institutions.

The guidelines, to be released soon, would categorise food items commonly sold and consumed in schools under segments such as junk food, street food, nutritional food and unhealthy food.

According to food safety activists, the step is important since packaged food and beverage companies have been aggressively targeting kids.

Joint drive to curb dumping of waste

KOZHIKODE: Those who dump waste at public places in the district will not be spared anymore. 

The animal husbandry department with the help of food safety department and police will begin a joint drive to nab those who have been throwing waste from slaughter houses and meat shops at public places. 

The officials will also inspect the meat shops to check the hygiene standard of the shops functioning at various parts in the district. 

A decision in this regard was taken at a district-level monitoring committee meeting held at the collectorate on January 6. 

The officials will take legal actions against those who litter the waste from the meat shops at public places. A committee has been constituted to carry out the inspection. District collector C A Latha is the chairperson of the committee constituted to check the hygienic aspects of the meat shops at various parts of the district. 

The district has a total of 138 licenced slaughter houses and 40 meat shops. But in reality, many meat shops operate illegally without licences from the authorities concerned. The absence of modernized slaughter houses has been forcing owners to slaughter the cattle without conducting pre-post mandatory check-ups. 

K Chandra Prasad, district animal husbandry officer said a committee comprising health inspectors, food safety officials, corporation and local self-government body representatives, and police has been constituted to carry out the inspections in the district. 

"Those who have been selling meat in unhygienic conditions will be asked to take up corrective measures. The department has also asked the respective local self-government bodies to set up rendering plants to convert the waste from the meat shops into value-added products,'' he said.

"The grama panchayats have agreed to set up plants by earmarking fund in the budget for 2014-2015,'' he said. 

"There will be practical difficulty in taking actions against meat shops as no LSG bodies in the district have set up scientific slaughter houses ,'' he said, 

Meanwhile, P Sivadasan, food safety officer said a decision on onsite inspection will be taken after holding a discussion with the departments involved in the process. "The food safety department, with six officials to cater to the needs of the entire district, will first serve notices to meat shops working under unhygienic condition to take up corrective measures. Action will be taken against those who fail to take up remedial measures despite serving notices,'' he said. "A meeting this week will decide on the day of the commencing of the joint drive,'' he said. 

Officials of animal husbandry department with the help of food safety department will inspect meat shops to check their hygiene standard.

“அனைவருக்கும் இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்”

Unsafe platter: Eateries refuse to register February 4 Deadline For Food & Drugs Admin To Act

Chennai: The hygiene behind the food we eat remains a concern as a majority of food operators – hotels, restaurants, canteens, hostels, roadside eateries, dairy shops, tea shops, meat shops, juice shops and vegetable and fruit vendors – in the city are yet to enroll with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) even though the February 4 deadline is less than three weeks away. 

The Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 has set new licensing and registration norms for food business units in the country. Though the act was implemented in August 2011, the deadline was extended to February 4 this year. The government said that the act aimed at ensuring food vendors observed better standards of hygiene. 

Eateries with an annual turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh should obtain a licence, and those below this limit should register themselves with the food safety officer, the law says. FDA data shows only 9,256 of more than 23,000 food vendors here have enrolled so far. Of this, 5,423 have got the licence and 3,833 have registered with the department. 

FDA officials have identified 23,769 food operators in the city. They say they would take action against illegal vendors across the city after the deadline. Vendorswho fail to get enrolled with the department may have to shut shops or shell out penalties ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs10 lakh or imprisonment up to six months or both . While the one-year registration would cost vendors Rs100, the licence costs Rs2,000 upwards. A senior official said there would not be any extension of the February 4 deadline. “The food operators can also apply on the website (www.tnhealth.org/FoodSafety_Registration.htm). But there are no provisions for online payment of fees,” the officer said. 

Tamil Nadu Hotels Association secretary R Srinivasan has sought an extension of the deadline. “The government is yet to set up adequate machineries for implementing the rule.The government has not consulted hotel owners before drafting the act.” 

Officials said that quality of raw materials for food preparation, transportation and storage of food items, and location of street food stalls will be checked under the new guidelines. 

National Association of Street Vendors of India secretary V Mageshvaran said the act was not suited for local conditions. 

Marina crackdown 

The Chennai Corporation on Monday seized substandard soft drinks, snacks, oil and water sachets at the Marina beach. A 75-member team inspected 536 food stalls and seized 130 kg of unhygienic meat and fish, 17 bubble tops, 1,200 drinking water sachets, 17 bottles of juices, jam and sauce.

Food safety registration deadline ends on Feb. 4

Prevention of Food Adulteration Act expires; Food Safety and Standards Authority takes over 

SAFETY FIRST:Businesses with a turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh a year need to register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority. Others with a turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh need to obtain a licence.  

 The deadline for those involved in manufacturing, selling or distributing food to obtain licences from the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) of India or register with it ends on February 4 after a grace period of two years.

Food services, including schools serving noon-day meals, need to register with FSSA or face prosecution under the new food safety regime. Headmasters of schools serving noon-day meals would have to apply for the registration, said an FSSA official.

The official said food sellers who continued to stay in business without registration or a licence after the February 4 could face imprisonment up to six months and fine of Rs. two lakh.

College, school and industrial canteens too will have to either register with or obtain licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority to remain in business legally. “The new rules are applicable to anyone involved in food business, including those who operate storage space for import or export purposes,” said the official. Toddy shops and meat sellers too come under the FSSA rules and need either licence or registration.

Though the validity of the old food safety regime under Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act ended in March 2011, food businesses have been given time till February 4 to change over. Under PFA rules, local bodies issued licences and registrations to food businesses.

According to the FSSA official, businesses with a turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh a year need only register with the authority. Others with a turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh a year need to obtain a licence.

The official said that a total of around 5,000 licences had already been issued to food businesses in Ernakulam district. Around 23,000 food businesses have also registered with the FSSA in the district.

Meanwhile, the FSSA official said the authority planned to intensify collection of statutory samples for testing.

Food items and ingredients were tested on a continuous basis to ensure safety, the official said. About 15 per cent of the samples tested over the last one year had been found adulterated, he said. The tested samples included cardamom, pulses, ice used in cool drinks.

Chennai civic body raids food stalls on beaches

Officials said the raids were a preventive measure ahead of the holidays, when over 10 lakh people are expected to flock to beaches across the city.

Samples taken from 536 outlets on Marina, Elliot’s, Palavakkam to test for toxins 

Ahead of Pongal on Monday, the Chennai Corporation began raids on outlets selling food on beaches across the city. This is part of a larger initiative to ensure safety on the beaches during the festive season, when many residents are expected to flock there.

Ten teams have been formed by the Corporation’s public health department to prevent sales of unhygienic food on Marina, Elliot’s and Palavakkam beaches. 

All the food stalls on the beaches are illegal, but the civic body has been unable to regulate them, even after a directive from the Madras High Court. 

A number of samples were collected from 536 food stalls on Monday, for informal testing of shelf life, rusted covers on soft drinks, ‘carcinogenic’ cooking oil, use of colouring agents, and quality. The growth of micro-organisms such as coliform, clostridium, yeast, E. Coli, salmonella and mould will also be tested.

The results of the tests will be used to assess the impact of the sales of such products on beaches. 

“This is a preventive measure. More than 10 lakh people will gather on the beaches during the festival holidays. We also educated people on health and the safety of street food. Traders selling spurious food products were also warned,” said city health officer, P. Kuganantham.

“The dark oil repeatedly used for frying food items is highly carcinogenic. Water collected from the shallow pits of the Marina which is sold, is a health hazard. Visitors to the beach should avoid such products,” he added.

“Earlier, some vendors used to sell spurious products on the beaches. Now, members of the vendors’ association have decided to prevent such practices,” said Meen Umayaal, a vendor on Marina beach.

“Some officials created awareness about food safety recently. We now get regular customers only because we use good quality oil for cooking,” said Velu Mani, a vendor.

The food safety department is also planning to screen stalls selling unhygienic food products and will issue improvement notices to shops that function in unsanitary conditions. 

“We found that a number of packed food products sold by stalls did not have a date of manufacturing. We intend to create awareness about this also,” said a Corporation official.

“People should be careful when they buy food on beaches. They can cause infections, diarrhoea or fever,” said a food analyst.

Emergency medical teams will also be stationed at various points to help visitors at beaches this week.

Ban on gutkha extended

The Commissioner of Food Safety, Andhra Pradesh, has announced that the prohibition of manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutkha and other chewable tobacco products in the State has been further extended for a period of one year from January 10, 2014.

Previous order expired

The Hindu had carried a report “Gutkha is now ‘legal’ in State”, which appeared in these columns on Monday, about the purported delay in extending the ban, the previous order of which expired on January 9, 2014.

Sections

The ban on the tobacco products has been imposed under Section 30 (2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and in the interest of public health, according to the press release from the Commissioner of Food Safety on Monday.

Adulterated AAloo, Nadru Munji Be cautious while taking Kashmiri snacks: SMC

Srinagar, Jan 13 (KNS): The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday cautioned people who take Nadru, Aaloo Munji (Kashmiri snacks) because the corporation has registered cases against a few vendors allegedly using industrial dye and other coloring agents in their preparations. 

Talking to KNS, Dr Shafqat Khan, health officer SMC, said that during a routine inspection of food items in Srinagar City at three places--Hazratbal Naqashband Sahib and Dastigeer Sahib industrial dye (not fit for human use) was found to be used in preparation of Nudru and Alloo Munji local Kashmiri snacks.

According to Dr Khan, the Food items were destroyed on spot and challans was framed against the offenders.

In another case, he told KNS that a trader in Fethakadal Narparisthan was found to selling substandard food colours alongside industrial colours and dyes who has been warned to immediately stop sale within one week of these food colours or face legal action under Food Safety Standard Act 2006.

“General public are cautioned not to use these food products as same are harmful for health and can cause irreversible damage to health,” Dr Khan cautioned. 

Adulterated ‘Aaloo, Nadru Munji’!

Srinagar, Jan 13: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday cautioned people against taking ‘Nadru and Aaloo Munji’ (Kashmiri snacks) saying that the corporation has registered cases against a few vendors for allegedly using industrial dyes and other coloring agents in their preparations. 

Dr Shafqat Khan, Health Officer SMC, said that during a routine inspection of food items in Srinagar City at three places—Hazratbal, Naqashband Sahib and Dastigeer Sahib areas, industrial dye (not fit for human use) was found to be used in preparation of Nudru and Alloo Munji.

According to Dr Khan, the food items were destroyed on spot and ‘challans’ were framed against the offenders.

In another case, he said that a trader in Fethakadal Narparisthan was found selling substandard food colours alongside industrial dyes, who has been warned to immediately stop sale or face legal action under Food Safety Standard Act 2006.

“General public are cautioned not to use these food products as same are harmful for health and can cause irreversible damage to health,” Dr Khan cautioned.

Govt support eludes Gaya tilkut makers

GAYA: Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday when tilkut will accompany the main course of dahi-chuda (curd and flattened rice) of a vast section of people across the state. However, this Sankranti too has failed to bring much cheer to the nearly 400 families engaged in tilkut making in different localities of Gaya as their long-pending demand for the grant of cottage industry status is yet to be conceded.

If granted the cottage industry status, the makers of famous Gaya tilkut will be entitled to cheap power, subsidized fuel, low-interest bank finance, better marketing options and inclusion in the Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana list.

Incidentally, tilkut, besides Vishnupad temple and Renaissance Cultural centre are regarded Gaya's icons, giving the place a distinct identity.

According to Lalji Prasad, leader of tilkut makers, despite several petitions to the government and assurances given by former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, little has been done to provide state support to tilkut making, gradually making it a less remunerative occupation.

If non-award of cottage industry status was not enough, the nearly 200-year-old tilkut industry of Gaya has been visited by a host of other problems caused by rising input cost and migration of skilled workers. Poaching by confectionary manufacturers of Kolkata, Patna etc, according to insiders, has of late been engineering large-scale migration of skilled workers, thereby putting a question mark over the business's survival at its birthplace. Whether it be Kolkata, Patna or any other part of the country, locally-made tilkut is given the Gaya tag to make it acceptable to tilkut lovers.

A mix of lintel, sugar/gur etc in the right proportions, heated at an optimum temperature in cold but dry weather, skillfully hammered and then moulded into biscuit-like form, the tilkut protocol is extremely sensitive.

The Gaya tilkut makers have to borrow money at market rate, thereby diminishing the profit. Moreover, by bringing tilkut under the ambit of Food Safety Act, the government has made things more difficult for the tilkut makers as it now requires licence and inspection by health officials.

As tilkut comes in the category of 'no milk food item', its export potential is said to be very high. But for export promotion too, the Gaya tilkut makers look to the government for help. Gaya tilkut stands at the New Delhi trade fairs have been doing good business over the years and all that is required is to market it properly both at the national and international levels.

Due to lack of finance, tilkut makers cannot engage in bulk and advance purchase of items like lintel, sugar/jaggery. The wholesalers of these items charge arbitrary prices when the tilkut demand peaks around Makar Sankranti.

Indore: Food grain traders to launch statewide protest tomorrow

Indore: Opposing their inclusion in the Food Safety and Security Act, the food grain traders have announced to launch a series of statewide protest from January 14.

The MP Anaj Evam Dalhan Vyapari Sangh convened a meeting of around 500 food grain traders on Sunday.

Association president Gopaldas Agrawal told said that the act will come into effect in February and under the provisions, the farmers are exempted from penal provisions in case food grains carry impurities but the traders are liable for the same in case of raids or surprise inspections.

Agrawal said that food grain traders simply buy the food grain and mostly the products carry soil, insects etc in raw form. 

We don’t sell it to the consumers, we only sell the product to processors, so how come we should be penalised under the act.

In the meeting it was decided to meet MLAs across the state on January 14 for briefing them about the issue. 

Besides, the district heads would hold press conferences on January 16 in their respective districts. 

The traders would submit memorandums to their district collectors on January 18 while effigies of the act would be set ablaze across the state on January 20, Agrawal affirmed. 

He demanded that the Centre should keep the food grain traders out of the ambit of this act. 

The food grain supplies might be affected if the traders persist with their stir and start buying food grain by assessing the quality of the product, which could fulfill the criteria set by the act.

With no checks in place, this surely is a beefy biz

Kochi: After the state government lifted the ban on the sale of beef imposed after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, hotels in the district have resumed serving beef dishes.

The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA), Ernakulam district committee has announced that hotel owners will ensure the quality and safety of meat they serve. However, in the absence of a strict monitoring system to check abattoirs, meat shops and illegal wayside vendors, the quality of meat can't be ensured and the public has to be careful, warn veterinary and health experts.

Though the state government has partially lifted the restriction on transporting of animals from other places, the corporation has not yet restarted its abattoir at Kaloor. “We are yet to get any instruction from the government on resuming slaughtering of cattle,” said corporation health committee chairman T.K. Ashraf.

Normally, around 150 cattle are slaughtered at the Kaloor abattoir every day. This is the only abattoir in the city with a licence from the corporation. The number will go up to nearly 600 during the festival season.

As unauthorised slaughtering is rampant in many parts of the city, especially in Mattancherry and Cheranalloor, restaurant owners won't be able to ensure the quality of the meat they serve.

But KHRA district president M.P. Shiju said that hotel owners will buy meat from shops licensed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. “If the earlier system of sealing the meat after a veterinarian's certification is made mandatory, people will be able to ensure quality of meat.

Though several illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops are operating without any inspection and medical examination of animals, hotel owners have been strictly warned not to buy meat from them," said the KHRA district president.

Meanwhile, Ashraf of the corporation's health committee said that no case of foot-and-mouth disease affected cattle has been reported in the slaughterhouses functioning in the city. 

அன்னதானம் வழங்க உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரிடம் தகுதிச் சான்று பெற வேண்டும் கலெக்டர் தகவல்

கடலூர், ஜன.13-

வடலூரில் வரும் 17-ந் தேதி தைப்பூச விழா நடைபெறுகிறது.  இதுகுறித்து கடலூர் மாவட்ட கலெக்டர் கிர்லோஷ்குமார் வெளியிட்டுள்ள செய்திக்குறிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:

தைப்பூச விழா அன்னதானம்

அன்னதானம் கொடுக்க விரும்பும் பக்தர்கள் அதற்கான உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரிடம் உணவுக்கான தகுதிச் சான்று பெற்று, அன்னதானம் வழங்க காவல் துறையில் பதிவு செய்து, அதற்காக அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட இடத்தில் மட்டுமே அன்னதானம் வழங்க வேண்டும். அனுமதிக்கப்படாத இடத்திலோ அல்லது உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரியால் தகுதிச் சான்று பெறாத உணவுப்பொருளையோ அன்னதானம் செய்தால் அவர்கள் மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். மேலும் அன்னதானம் வழங்க தொடர்பு கொள்ள வேண்டிய தொலைபேசி எண் 94434 34024. மேலும் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட இடங்களில் மட்டுமே நடைபாதை கடைகள் மற்றும் தள்ளுவண்டி கடைகள் வைக்க வேண்டும். மீறுபவர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். இவ்வாறு மேற்கண்ட செய்திக் குறிப்பில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Gutkha is now ‘legal’ in Andhra Pradesh

Little interest shown on implementing/extending its ban 

Consumption of gutkha is now legal in State. Not just that, even manufacturing and distribution of this chewable tobacco product does not amount to any kind of violation, thanks to the State government’s reluctance in extending a ban on these products.

As per a Government Order issued by the Chief Secretary, the usage or distribution of gutkha was prohibited in the State with effect from January 10, 2013 till a period of one year under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. However, there seems to be no move to extend it. 

“This is a grave issue concerning public health as gutkha and its related products are known to cause cancer and other serious ailments. Gutkha is banned in 23 States in the country, but our State government is taking its own time to extend the ban or implement it,” said former I.F.S. officer and secretary of Forum for Good Governance, M. Padmanabha Reddy. He has written to the Chief Secretary demanding that the ban be extended. Mr. Reddy, who procured information under RTI relating to the implementation of the ban, criticised the administration for being indifferent to the issue.

State issues guidelines for food safety in govt hostels

City has over 20 such hostels, run by Social Justice Department 

The State government has issued an order regarding food safety standards while preparing and serving the food in all hostels and residential schools across the state, run by the State’s Social Justice department. Pune has over 20 such hostels.

The directive was issued by the Social Justice and Special Aide Department on January 7 under the Central Government’s Food Safety Rule.

The Government Resolution (GR) mentions, “All hostel head should check safety standards as mentioned in the order and submit a report to their respective department heads. Department heads should conduct frequent meetings and review the situation.”

The GR also mentions certain sanitary and hygienic requirements to which food business operators should conform. ‘Premises on which food is prepared should have an overall hygienic environment. All new units should be set up well away from environmentally polluted areas. 

There should be adequate space for manufacturing and storage, enough lighting and ventilation, with no flaking paint or plaster,’ the GR says.

‘Floors, ceilings and walls must be maintained — they should be smooth and clean,’ the GR adds.

Besides this, the government also has guidelines on the food preparation area, hand-washing facilities, toilets, personal hygiene, transportation and handling of food, raw materials, cross contamination, stock rotation, thawing of frozen products and others.

Rakesh Vitkar, in-charge of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run Dr Babasheb Ambedkar student hostel claimed, “We have a capacity of 400 students. 

We are already maintaining hygiene while preparing and serving food. However, we will go through the government order and see if anything is lacking. We welcome this move by the government. It will help to guide hostels on maintaining better hygiene.”

►►► We have a capacity of 400 students. We are already maintaining hygiene while preparing and serving food

- Rakesh Vitkar, in-charge at PMC-run Dr Baba Ambedkar hostel

DINAMALAR NEWS

Food Safety Act

The last date for getting license/ registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act is February 4. All food business operators should legalize their food business before February 4, informed Food Standards Enforcement officials.

FDA launches spot registration drive for food stalls, eateries

NASHIK: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nashik division, has started conducting spot registrations of hotels and eateries. Any business found unregistered or without a license after January 16, Thursday, will face punitive action, said officials. The spot registration drive started on Saturday. 

Joint commissioner (food) of the FDA's Nashik division told TOI, "Our goal is to get all food related businesses across the division registered and licenced. Some of the paan and tea stalls, and food caterers have not responded to our call. We have formed special teams in each district that will visit spots to register business. There will also be units at our district offices in the division where the registration and licencing can be done. After Thursday, the owners of unregistered businesses or those without will face six months in jail and will be fined Rs 5 lakh." 

As per the new Food Safety and Standards Act which came into effect from August 5, 2011, a licence is compulsory for business with an annual turnover of over Rs 12 lakh. Business with a turnover less than Rs 12 lakh are required to get a yearly registration for Rs 100 a year, while the annual licence fee is Rs 2,000. 

Food business like paan stalls, fruit or vegetable vendors, handcarts with food items being sold, grocery shops, bakeries, food packaging units, caterers, inns, dhabas, tea stalls, onion-potato traders, meat shops have been included under the act from August 5, 2011. Many of these stalls were not registered in the last registration drive. 

The FDA's Nashik division oversees five districts - Nashik, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon. Till date, around 35,561 businesses have been registered in Nashik division, including 8,346 in Nashik district, 5,193 in Dhule district (which also Nandurbar district), 7,425 in Jalgaon and 14,597 in Ahmednagar districts. Licenses have been issued to 16,137 businesses, including 7,331 units in Nashik, 2,866 in Dhule, 2,409 in Jalgaon and 3,531 in Ahmednagar districts.

High Court Ban on Plastic Packaging Traders seek legal recourse in SC

Una, January 12

Traders of the state, under the banner of Himachal Pradesh Beopar Mandal, yesterday decided to move the apex court against the Himachal Pradesh High Court's decision to ban 25 junk food items sold in plastic packaging in the state from January 26 this year. 

The High Court has also directed the government to ensure that from March 31, foodstuff, including primary and essential food manufactured, transported, sold, packaged and distributed in the state, conforms to the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation of 2011.

The traders have been perturbed as most of the fast-moving packaged edible products of branded and unbranded types come in plastic packing. In view of the orders, such material will not be allowed to enter the state for sale.

The Beopar Mandal today authorised its working-president Sumesh Sharma to lead a delegation of traders to Delhi to meet legal experts. The other members include Inderjit Singh, president of the Shimla unit, Surinder Kumar, general secretary of Manali unit, and Rajinder Sood, member of the Wholesalers' Alliance from Una.

Speaking over telephone, president of the state Beopar Mandal, Madan Lal Khurana said the delegation had left for Delhi today and would take legal advice on January 12. He said the manufacturers were not willing to change the packaging for a small percentage of the clientele in the state, which meant these items would not be on the shelves for sale after January 26.

Khurana said these orders would not only bring financial setback to the traders, but would also affect the consumers.

Expressing hope that the Supreme Court would give relief to the traders of the hill state, he said if need be, their cadre would not hesitate to take to the streets against the orders. He said while the party in power should clarify its stand, even those in the Opposition should speak their minds on the issue.

Traders want food grain out of APMC Act ambit

PUNE: Traders' unions on Sunday demanded exclusion of food grain like wheat, rice, jowar and cereals from the ambit of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act. Traders also sought the adoption of a single-point mechanism to charge cess on commodities in place of the current multiple cess system.

The demands were raised at a state-level meeting of traders conducted at the Poona Merchants' Chamber called to discuss various issues faced by traders. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Walchand Sancheti, president of the Poona Merchants' Chamber, said, "Prices of commodities go up owing to multiple cess system. When other states have already adopted a single-point cess system to restrict double taxation, the state government is persisting with the old system. The government has continued with multiple cess mechanism which is neither beneficial to the farmer nor to the consumer."

Sancheti said the government has already initiated steps to decontrol fruits and vegetables. "We want the government to exclude food grain from the APMC Act. Processed commodities such as rice, edible oil, powders, sugar, tea, flour, besan and dry fruits should be excluded," he said. He added that the traders will soon discuss the memorandum of demands with the government.

Vice-president of the Poona Merchants' Chamber, Praveen Chorbele, said that more than 125 traders from the state had participated in the meeting. He said, "Besides exclusion of food grain from the APMC Act, we will urge the government to introduce some changes in the Food Safety and Standards Act. We want the government to impose a reasonable fine under various provisions."

Meanwhile, traders have demanded abolition of the Local Body Tax (LBT). Chorbele said there has been considerable increase in the VAT. There is no need to impose LBT on commodities if the government has registered significant growth in VAT collection.

We will also urge the government to introduce some changes in the Food Safety and Standards Act. We want the government to impose a reasonable fine under various provisions