Food Importers meet FSSAI Chairman with concerns, assured of early resolution

Food Importers meet FSSAI Chairman with concerns, assured of early resolution

A delegation led by Amit Lohani, Founder and Director of the Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), the apex body representing food importers across India, met Ashish Bahuguna, the newly appointed Chairman of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, on September 1. "We presented him with various concerns of the trade and the ambiguity faced by FIFI members and sought his suggestions to the issues raised by us," informed Lohani about the purpose of the meeting. 

As a forum for international foods importers, FIFI has been working very closely with FSSAI since its inception to evolve better understanding of food laws and create healthy trade environment for compliance. Over the years, imported products have also encouraged the Indian food industry to develop and manufacture food products matching international standards.

The major concerns voiced by the FIFI delegation at the meeting with the FSSAI chairman were chiefly about the issues related to FFAI norms. Members of the delegation comprising V.N. Dalmia of Dalmia Continental, Rajneesh Bhasin of Borges International, Rakesh Banga of Farmland Foods and Uday Chugh of Vriddhi Specialty flagged off trade concerns related to: 

Clarity on Food Code and CODEX: FIFI members expressed the view that the trade feels that since Product Approval is no longer part of the process after being struck off by the Supreme Court recently, the norms and guidelines of the Indian Food Code should now be followed. With more than 4,000 categorizations of products, the IFC norms are extensive enough to cover in its ambit almost all the products imported in India. Members impressed upon Bahuguna to follow the IFC norms for import clearances. "This would come as a massive relief from the current ambiguity in trade after the PA clause was struck off by the Supreme Court," was the collective view of the delegation. 

According to the press note issued by FIFI on the outcome of the meeting, Bahuguna assured the delegation of resolving this issue and put in place guidelines for a more transparent process to facilitate trade. Members felt that he was very positive on the early resolution of the ambiguity on the matter. 

Labeling concerns: FIFI members highlighted their concerns on getting the NOC from FSSAI. "Due to minor errors / deficiencies in labeling, sampling is not done and the consignment languishes awaiting clearance and NOC from FSSAI," pointed out the delegation. 

The suggestion put forward was that any minor deficiency should be viewed sympathetically and the importer should be given the permission to re-label the product. It was put forward that keeping in view the approved granted by the High courts in several such cases, the order of destruction or re-export should only be used for products which fail the basic safety aspects for human consumption. 

In his reply, Bahuguna is reported to have stated that there are a few judgments in favour of relabeling but there has also been one judgment favouring the FSSAI’s point of view. "We are trying to understand the legal ramifications on the subject," is what Bahuguna told the delegation. 

FBO Licence: Members expressed their anguish over delay and red tape in obtaining the licence. "The whole process of granting licence smacks of the abuses rampant in the days of License Raaj. Officers ask for favours and minor mistakes are blown out of proportion," pointed out the delegation. 

It was therefore suggested that the primary domain of FSSAI should be FBO registration and not licensing, which encourages corruption. The focus should be on traceability of the FBO and the safety of food article sold by him. Annual renewal of licence should be discontinued and a one-time registration process should be initiated. 

The delegation, in its release, said that it was happy to note that the Chairman absolutely and unequivocally supported our concern. "He assured us that this would be resolved and that there is no reason why documents are required during the renewal of licences. 

SOP of Import: It was pointed out by the delegation that custom duty before the withdrawal of samples at certain ports is at the discretion of officers. The minimum time taken for withdrawal of samples is two days, which sometime exceeds to more than five days. After the withdrawal of samples, getting the receipt of the test results takes an average of 10-12 days from the date of sampling. Even the process of sample withdrawn in Delhi is different than that in Mumbai, resulting in delay in clearance. It was pointed that whereas officers in Mumbai do not ask for the delivery order (received from shipping line post customs clearance) for sample withdrawal, delivery order is asked for in Delhi. 

It was suggested that the FSSAI should maintain process parity at all ports. The total time frame for withdrawal of samples till the delivery of test results should not exceed five days. In the case of any delay, the importer should be allowed to take the shipment out on an indemnity bond. It was also brought to light that the cost of delay causes loss to the consumers to the tune of Rs 15,000 daily on account of demurrages and detentions, which is borne by foreign shipping lines. 

The delegation was assured that FSSAI was aware of this concern and was in the process of issuing clarity on SOP of import clearances so as to bring more parity at different ports. 

Other issues related to the timeframe for sampling, testing, etc, and on having a negative ingredients list were also raised. The meeting, according to members of the delegation, was fruitful and productive and raised expectations of a quick resolution of all the major concerns articulated by FIFI. "This was one of the most positive meetings we have had in FSSAI since VN Gaur’s time. The Chairman listened and clarified on all our concerns and gave positive feedback on issues raised by us," said Lohani.

Nirapara brand of powdered spices banned

The Commissioner of Food Safety has banned the manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution of the Nirapara brand of chilly, turmeric, and coriander powder, manufactured by KKR Food Products, Kalady, under relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act of India, to protect the interest of consumers.

The decision was taken by the authorities as the spices powders sold under the Nirapara brand were found containing added starch. Food Safety Commissioner T.V. Anupama directed the manufacturer to recall all banned products from the market and file a compliance report with the Commissioner.

Food safety officials, as part of their routine food inspection and sampling work, had collected random samples of Nirapara brand of spices powders from different parts of the State on different dates. The samples analysed at the State Analysis Lab had found that the samples contained added starch.

Following an appeal from the manufacturer, the samples were reanalysed at a referral lab but the results were the same. At least 30 cases of the same nature are pending before adjudicators in different districts in the State.

The officials decided to push ahead with the ban of the products as despite notices sent under Section 46 (4) of the FSS Act, adjudications filed and fines imposed, the manufacturer has continued to sell adulterated spices powder, an official statement here said. All Assistant Commissioners of Food Safety have been directed to inspect godowns of distributors and retail outlets and seize the products for the effective implementation of the ban.

Products found to contain added starch

Food safety officers told to inspect godowns

Steps to ensure hassle free darshan

All necessary arrangements are being made for devotees to have hassle free darshan during the first phase of the samprokshanam at the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on September 9, Collector K.S.Palanisamy has said.

The samprokshanam of 43 sannidhis and 11 gopurams of the temple would be performed after renovation during the first phase.

The samprokshanam of the main sannidhis would be held later.

Speaking at a consultative meeting to discuss the arrangements to be made for the first phase of the samprokshanam, Mr.Palanisamy said no VIP pass or vehicle pass would be issued for the event.

He instructed the officials to deploy adequate number of sanitary workers to maintain cleanliness in Srirangam and provide adequate basic amenities such as water supply and toilets.

All roadside shops obstructing free flow of traffic should be removed.

The Tangedco should ensure uninterrupted power supply.

All temporary structures such as pandals should be certified for stability by the Public Works Department. Food safety officials should conduct checks to ensure quality of food distributed in hotels in the town.

Those organising annadhanams should obtain permission from the Food Safety officials, he said.

He instructed the temple authorities to install adequate number of surveillance cameras.

Government planning a treat for restaurant industry

The industry seems upbeat, at least with the reassurances by the government since the result on ground will take some time to materialize.

NEW DELHI: The AAP government has decided to address the long-pending demands of the restaurant industry in Delhi by offering them an environment conducive to ease of doing business. This includes a simplified licensing process and planning tourism hubs with focus on hospitality and dining.

The industry seems upbeat, at least with the reassurances by the government since the result on ground will take some time to materialize. A three-member committee headed by finance secretary SN Sahai is looking at various aspects of ease of doing business and is expected to submit a report on the licensing structure to the chief minister in the coming days.

Government sources said that at present a restaurant requires 15-16 licences, some of which may not even be relevant and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has been asked to revert with details on each. "Talks are on with departments. The committee is working on a report and will submit it to the CM soon," said a source.

The association has met several people in the government, from the tourism minister to senior bureaucrats and says that there is definite interest in simplifying the system. "We discussed setting up of 15 tourist hubs with the tourism department. These will give huge leverage to dining and, hence, promote the industry as well. The tourism minister has also asked the municipal corporations and NDMC to allow use of open spaces for serving food," said Riyaaz Amlani, president, NRAI.

The changes introduced in the past six months include making the licence renewal process online, in turn reducing human interface which, sources claim, has resulted in a definite reduction in corruption. The government has allowed setting up of microbreweries, though Kumar says there are still lose ends to tie up. There is a definite agenda for restaurant-based tourism hubs while a special committee is looking at the licensing process.

"This is for the first time that so many steps are being taken and we are glad. The result will take a while to show but at least there is movement towards ease of doing business. Not only will this encourage the industry but also increase government revenue," said Prakul Kumar, secretary general of NRAI.

Restaurateurs say that multiplicity of agencies, especially for granting licences, is a major point of corruption other than leading to harassment. "While the Centre and previous governments have been talking about ease of doing business, nothing much has changed on ground. Counting all the licensing, permissions and registrations, there are 15-odd types of clearances we require leading to inspector raaj," said Kumar.

"Several issues are local like dealing with civic agencies. An example is the health licence given by the corporation. When there is Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, why do we need this additional licence?" said Kumar.

FSDA finds stale pethas being sold to visitors

Agra: Tourists have two things on their wish list when they visit the city: see the Taj Mahal and buy petha sweets. But reputation of Agra pethas has taken a severe beating as Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officials found nearly 300kg of the product sold in local shops across the city to be stale. 

During the first phase of crackdown, FSDA found that some shops, besides selling stale sweets to unsuspecting tourists, were using aluminum instead of silver foil (warak) on their product. Consumption of aluminium poses health hazards. 

The FSDA has collected seven samples from various shops in the last two months. They have sent them to the divisional food analysis lab at Lucknow and Varanasi. 

The food quality watchdog started investigating the quality of pethas in the city after a leading sweetmeat chain in the city complained of various shops mushrooming in the city by misappropriating their brand name. They said people had opened fake outlets and were selling substandard sweets to unsuspecting tourists. As per law, misbranding can draw a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. 

FSDA officials raided various shops in Agra Cantonment, Tajgang, Sadar and Balugang. They said they would begin another phase of crackdown on petha shops shortly. They said they will begin their second pase of crackdown shortly to uphold the quality of sweets.

Patanjali noodles riding on Ramdev’s marketing

Mumbai, 4 September

At the launch of Patanjali Ayurved’s atta

noodles on Thursday, Baba Ramdev, yoga guru and co- founder of the company, was not only seen having the noodles himself but urging others to do so. Though a yoga guru having instant noodles might seem at odds, it points to the savvy marketer that Ramdev is.

Apart from plugging into the need for ahealthy noodles option in the absence of Maggi, Ramdev has done everything a smart brand ambassador would. This isn’t the only instance when the 49- year- old yoga guru has weaved his magic on promotion and branding. In the 18 years since he co- founded his ayurvedic company along with scholar Balakrishna, he has virtually carried the Patanjali brand on his shoulders.

A recent CLSA report says the unlisted Patanjali Ayurved, which, at the end of 2014- 15 had revenue of about ₹ 2,500 crore, spends practically nothing on advertising and sales promotion. By comparison, the average advertising and sales promotion costs for fast- moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are nothing less than 12- 15 per cent of sales.

Experts say Ramdev embodies what Patanjali is all about. “ The difference between him and regular brand ambassadors is he lives the brand. There is no gap between what he espouses and what Patanjali wishes to communicate. While personality- led brands aren’t uncommon in advertising — the late Steve Jobs personified what Apple stood for and Richard Branson lends his charisma and charm to Virgin — I don’t think there are any examples of it in ayurveda,” says Kiran Khalap, co- founder, Chlorophyll Brand and Communications Consultancy.

In many respects, Ramdev is also among the busiest FMCG brand ambassadors.

He promotes Patanjali products during his yoga sessions and discourses, weaving it cleverly into his narrative and ensuring his followers also become users of his products.

According to NChandramouli, chief executive of TRA, publishers of the annual Brand Trust Report ( which measures the level of trust in a product or personality), Patanjali Ayurved broke into the list for the first time this year, featuring among the seven most trusted ayurveda brands in the country.

“Baba Ramdev was the only spiritual leader to figure in our top 21 personality list, at number 16 this year. This is the first time in the four years since we launched the report that a spiritual leader has featured on our personality list, otherwise dominated by Bollywood and cricket players,” Chandramouli says.

With ad agency DDB Mudra now working with Patanjali Ayurved to promote some of its products, Ramdev’s aura might only be enhanced. Madhukar Kamath, group chief executive and managing director of DDB Mudra, says the scale of Ramdev’s business attracted his agency to Patanjali.

“They have a great product, a modern manufacturing process, a wide distribution network and a large number of loyal followers, who are also users of the brand. What more would you want from an FMCG company?” Kamath asks.

With Patanjali growing (it has plans to enter almost every FMCG category and increase its reach from 177,000 outlets to two million), Ramdev is unlikely to get any respite from his endorsement duties.

கலப்பட பால் விற்பனை சிக்கினால் ரூ5 லட்சம் அபராதம்

கோவை, செப்.5:

கோவை மாவட்டத் தில் கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட கறவை மாட்டு பால் விற் பனை அதி க ரித் துள் ளது. இப் படி விற் பனை செய் யும் வியா பா ரி கள் சிக் கி னால் ரூ5 லட் சம் வரை அபா ர தம் விதிக் கப் ப டும் என உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ள னர்.

கோவை பீள மேடு, சவு ரி பா ளை யம், நல் லாம் பா ளை யம், தொண் டா முத் தூர், கிணத் துக் க டவு, மதுக் கரை உள் பட மாவட்டம் முழு வ தும் கறவை மாட்டு பால் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இந்த பாலில் கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை சேர்த்து பால் வியா பா ரி கள் விற் பனை செய் வ தாக கண் ட றி யப் பட்டுள் ளது. கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பால் லிட்டர் ரூ10க்கு விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது. இந்த பத்து ரூபாய்க்கு விற் பனை செய் யும் பாலை வாங்கி கறக் கும் பாலு டன் சேர்த்து பால் வியா பா ரி கள் விற் கின் ற னர். இத னால், பாலில் கொழுப்பு சத்து குறைந்து காணப் ப டும்.

தமி ழ கத் தில் பொது வாக கறவை மாட்டு பாலில் 4.5 சத வீ தம் கொழுப் பும், 8.5 சத வீ தம் எஸ் என் எப் (சாயில்ட் நாட் பேட்) இருக்க வேண் டும். ஆனால், கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை மாட்டு பாலில் கலந்து விற் பனை செய் யும் போது அதில் கொழுப்பு சக்தி மிக வும் குறைந்து காணப் ப டும்.இத னால், இயல் பாக குடிக் கும் கலப்பட பால் 

பாலின் சக்தி கிடைக் கா மல் போகும். தற் போது மாவட்டம் முழு வ தும் இப் படி கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை கறக் கும் பாலில் கலந்து விற் பனை செய்து வரு கின் ற னர். இந்த பாலை ஆய்வு கூடத் தில் வைத்து சோதனை செய் தால் மட்டுமே கண் ட றிய முடி யும். பொது மக் க ளால் எளி தாக கண் ட றிய முடி யாத நிலை யுள் ளது.

இத னால்,பால் வி யா பா ரி கள் தற் போ து இந்த புதிய யுத் தியை பயன் ப டுத்தி பாலில் கலப் ப டம் செய்து தர மற்ற பாலை விற் பனை செய்து வரு கின் ற னர். இதனை தடுக்க மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் திட்ட மிட்டுள் ள னர். பால் தொடர் பாக அனைத்து இடங் களி லும் ஆய்வு செய் ய வும் முடிவு செய் துள் ள னர்.

இது குறித்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அதி காரி கதி ர வன் கூறு கை யில் “மாவட்டத் தில் பர வ லான இடங் களில் கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை கறந்த பாலில் கலப் ப டம் செய்து விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வது தெரி ய வந் துள் ளது.

கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை கலந்து விற் பனை செய் வது என் பது தர மற்ற பாலை விற் பனை செய் வது என கரு தப் ப டும். இந்த நட வ டிக் கை யில் ஈடு ப டு ப வர் கள் சிக் கி னால் ரூ5 லட் சம் வரை அபா ர தம் விதிக் கப் ப டும். இது தொடர் பாக மாவட்டத் தில் தொடர் ஆய்வு செய்ய திட்ட மிட்டுள் ளோம்” என் றார்.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMANI NEWS

Nestle can send fewer samples: Bombay HC

MUMBAI: In a further relief for Nestle India, the Bombay HC on Friday clarified that five samples each from among the available nine Maggi variants can be sent for lead testing to three laboratories. So the company need not send five samples each from 750 stored cases of these variants as mentioned in an order last month, while lifting the nationwide ban on sale of the two-minute popular snack. 

There are nine approved variants of Maggi of which six are available for the tests, lawyers said later. Hence the samples to be sent for testing now would be 30 each to three labs. The HC said the tests can be done within six weeks starting September 5.

A bench of Justices V M Kanade and B P Colabawalla made this modification to its order. The move came after senior counsel Iqbal Chagla, appearing for Nestle India, pointed out that the court's intention was for samples from each or available variants to be tested and not from each stored case of the not destroyed noodles. The latter would have result in a huge number of samples. 

"There are 592 batches in the 750 cases, which would result in 2,960 samples, and for three labs it would mean 8,880 samples to be sent." The company had moved the court after spotting few "typographical errors" in dates and numbers mentioned in the order passed on August 13 when the bench had set aside the June 5, 2015, ban imposed on Maggi sale by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as being without following principles of natural justice. 

The HC, after hearing Chagla and Mahmood Pracha (counsel for the FSSAI CEO), accepted the clarifications sought by Nestle to the typos and to the provisions of the food safety under which the tests were to be done. The HC had, while allowing Nestle's plea against the ban, however, "in public interest" directed that Maggi samples be sent to three certified laboratories for lead testing and, when found to be within limits, manufacturing could resume. The FSSAI had banned Maggi after 30 samples out of 70-odd were found to have high lead content. 

Among the "typographical errors" were that the company had issued its press release about withdrawing products on June 5, not June 4 as recorded, and that nine variants have approvals, not eight, and that Maggi Masala Oats is the tenth variant which is pending approval. 

The HC judgment, which had come as a victory for Nestle, however allowed the company to begin manufacturing of its popular instant snack only after three labs certify within six weeks that lead content in Maggi is within permissible limits. And the company may sell even the newly manufactured products of all other variants once they are tested and found to contain lead within permissible limits. 

The HC in its order had clearly held that FSSAI had "no unfettered discretion to decide what standards have to be maintained by manufacturers of proprietary foods" and "could not impose a ban on the grounds that the lead found in the product of the petitioner was beyond what was represented in its application for product approval, though it was below the maximum permissible limits laid down under the regulations".

Bombay high court reduces number of Maggi noodles samples for test

Nestlé India now has to test 45 samples within the next six weeks before it can get the go-ahead to resume sales

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday admitted Nestlé India Ltd’s plea to reduce the number of samples to be tested to 45 across three accredited laboratories. According to the court’s earlier order, 3,750 samples had to be tested.

“By an order passed today, the court was pleased to allow Nestlé India’s application praying for bringing out certain factual corrections in the judgement dated 13 August 2015 and for seeking clarity on certain aspects of sampling for tests to be conducted in accordance with the directions of the court. The court has allowed that five samples of each variant be sent to the three accredited laboratories for testing,” Rajesh Batra, counsel for Nestlé, said.

On 28 August, Nestlé had moved the court to allow it to send five random samples of each of the nine variants to three accredited laboratories, instead of sending five samples for each of the 750 batches of all nine variants, as directed by the court in its 13 August order.

The 13 August ruling, which was in Nestlé’s favour, had set aside the 5 June ban by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the sale and manufacture of Maggi noodles in India.

However, it had directed Nestlé to test 3,750 samples. Based on the test results, the company would be allowed to resume manufacture and sale of Maggi noodles, the court had said.

Following the hearing on Friday, the company now has to test 45 samples within the next six weeks before it can get the go-ahead to resume sales. The sampling procedure will be decided by the food safety officer, the court said.

Meanwhile, with the country’s largest noodles brand off the shelves, yoga guru Ramdev has launched his own brand of atta noodles from his consumer packaged foods company, the Patanjali Group. These noodles are a healthy alternative to Maggi noodles, Ramdev claimed.

Also, ITC Ltd, maker of Yipee noodles, has launched a fresh campaign for its noodles, which talks about the safe and hygienic environment and quality standards the company uses in manufacturing the product.

Nestle has also launched three commercials on its official YouTube channel Meri Maggi as it looks at keeping the brand alive in the minds of its consumers. Bringing Maggi noodles back to retail shelves was a priority, Nestlé India managing director Suresh Narayanan said in August in an interview to television channel CNBC TV18.

The mess that is food regulation

Safety norms should be implemented with a firm but even hand, as in the US. The Maggi episode smacks of arbitrariness

September 3, 2015: 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has produced a volcanic blast in the Indian food processing industry.

In the process, it is not just Maggi or Nestle which has been singed; the law and the regulator, the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 (FSSA), and the FSSAI, have been scathed as well. This is especially after the Bombay High Court’s order questioning the lab test results and violation of the principles of natural justice by it, during the process. Both, consumer safety and investment climate are at stake; we need a convergent approach.

In the minds of consumers, while the credibility of the unorganised packaged and non-packaged food products was always in doubt the controversy has eroded their faith in one of the most trusted brands. The entire episode does not bode well for the development of India’s nascent food processing industry.

The industry in India

India is one of the largest producers of food products in the world, while the level of food processing is less than 10 per cent of the agri-produce. Some ₹44,000 crore worth agri-produce is wasted annually. Food processing has multiplier effects on our economy, being one of the largest employment creators. It provides a boost to farm incomes, reduces massive agri-produce wastage, enables value creation through the manufacture of packaged foods, drives investment in cold chain and storage houses, manages supply-side food inflation, attracts domestic and foreign investment, and contributes to exports, amongst others. The sector is especially significant for small and medium enterprises and creating non-farm jobs in rural areas. Due to this immense potential, it is a priority area in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

For long, the Maggi debate has run along the lines of ‘for or against’ Maggi or FSSAI. Another set of commentators has raised the question of balancing consumer interests with the development of the food industry. However, it is wrong to assume that stringent food safety standards and their implementation runs counter to the development of the food processing industry.

The US for example, is a leading country in the food processing sector, with the world’s most credible and stringent food regulatory regime. Indeed, strong, credible, well-defined, transparent, predictable food safety and regulatory standards and their non-arbitrary, swift, regular implementation, is an imperative for the expansion of our food processing industry. An effective food regulatory regime creates a high level of national and international consumer confidence in processed food products.

The why-me syndrome

While the jury is still out on the Maggi issue, the entire episode raises a few pertinent issues. Why was only Maggi handpicked for the tests? The irregularities in the Indian food industry in the form of adulteration, lack of quality check, misleading labelling, sale of defective food products and other unfair trade practices that go on, are not exceptions but the norm.

Such singling out of one brand gives rise to sense of being victimised, opens the floodgates for political manipulation and corruption, and sets out the wrong precedent where not the rule of law but arbitrariness seems to follow. Such uncertainty also scares away existing and prospective investors from the food processing sector. The effect is already visible as companies withdraw their products from the market and put new launches on hold. Now, the FSSAI has launched an investigation into some other products, yet a uniform, non-arbitrary, across the board application of the law is still wanting. Before that, a reasonable period could be granted to the food industry to pull up its socks.

Further, if such glaring irregularities did exist, these did not occur overnight. How were they allowed to continue for such a long time? This reflects laxity on the part of Central as well as State food regulators, which are not undertaking regular inspections and testing of products. A lack of proper coordination between the two has also been pointed out. The varying results from different labs under the FSSAI bring the credibility of its tests under the cloud. The Bombay High Court order also underscores this fact.

The food industry has, in fact, highlighted that labs are substandard, their equipment is not upgraded, there is lack of modernisation, there are issues relating to corruption, a staff crunch and a lack of proper training facilities.

Coherence and credibility

The requirement of product approval requirement for ‘proprietary products’ — launched in 2013 and a major area of grievance for the sector because of the long delays it caused — has now been scrapped by the FSSAI, after the recent Supreme Court order against it. While greater clarity is needed on the procedure that will now be followed, this brings India closer to the global practice where companies do not require approval from regulators to launch a product, while also paving the way for adopting the international practice of registration of food processing enterprises and setting up a random inspection system.

The present uncertainty should be expediently removed, while continuously streamlining food safety standards to make them more comprehensive, coherent and up-to-date to innovations in the industry.

The food industry must be given a reasonable time to adapt and the implementation should be regular, non-arbitrary and credible internationally. This is the path to achieving the twin objectives of food safety and development of the food processing industry.

The writer is the secretary-general of CUTS International. This article has inputs from Sonal Shukla

Ramdev launches 'Atta noodles'

Yoga guru Ramdev on Thursday launched his Patanjali group's new brand of noodles made out of wheat named 'Atta Noodles'.

At the launch of the noodles in this Hindu holy city in Uttarakhand, Ramdev said the noodles "will not have any maida (flour) and they will provide a healthy alternative to Maggi for children."

The yoga guru said the noodles were completely safe and healthy for consumption, and he was promoting swadeshi products because they were natural and caused no harm.

The Patanjali group produces and markets various ayurvedic products.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had clamped a nationwide ban on June 5 on sale, production and stocking of Maggi, a popular snack in the country. It has been alleged that Maggi contained more-than-permissible levels of lead and high quantities of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

We have been made guilty without due process: Nestle India's MD

At a time when the Bombay high court ruled that the popular Maggi noodles, which stands banned in India for suspected high lead content, be re-tested before it can go on sale again, Nestlé India managing director Suresh Narayanan, who took over on August 1, tells HT about challenges ahead. Excerpts:

How will you describe the last one month?

It has been exciting and extremely challenging. But it has also been very humbling for me.

Do you suspect your competitors of foul play?

It is not for me to speculate on these issues. Honestly, such kind of speculation doesn’t help. The commitment to India remains strong and continues to be strong.

Do you think that in some manner a bit of the inspector raj is creeping back?

Nestlé is all for transparent standards. The issue we took up in Bombay High Court was not on standards. A difficult testing process needs a certain kind of infra­structure. The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calib­ration Laboratories (NABL) has certified only a few laboratories to do this test. You haven’t done the testing in these labs to establish what lead content is there in Maggi.

And then you come up with some numbers, which have also got a wide range. We have done 2,700 tests on the brand Maggi after the controversy. About 1,100 of these have been done in overseas laboratories and accredited NABL laboratories.

We as a company are disappointed. We have been pronounced guilty without the due process having been completed. All I am saying is, treat me fairly.

Assuming fresh test results and the courts are in your favour, will you sue the government?

At this stage, such thoughts haven’t entered my mind. The first thought is to get Maggi back. We want to work with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as a professional body, and all stakeholders in a transparent manner to take business forward.

How would you respond to the view about a witch-hunt?

This company has never told me to do anything even remotely unethical. And the company stand is very clear. May be there was speculation in the outside world. Nobody has approached us. Even assuming that, hypothetically, it had happened, our ethical standards are very clear. It is non-negotiable.

There has been absolutely no attempt by anyone (from the government) to capitalise on this issue in any way that is inappropriate.

For the first time in 17 years, you have posted quarterly losses. How do you plan to turn things around?

I don’t have a magic wand. I am realist to the core. I know it is a long, tough journey up to build back this brand. Clearly, there are other parts of the portfolio that need to be rebuilt, because Maggi is 30% of our business... still a significant proportion... we have to build that back as well.

Over the next couple of years, I would really like to reduce it to about around 25% and raise the rest of the portfolio. And then hopefully accelerate to a more evolved balance as we move forward.

When can we expect Maggi to be back?

The whole process of testing will now start. My hope is that by the end of the year I can bring back the beloved Maggi brand to consumers.

But once you bring back the brand, how do you restore the brand’s shattered trust?

There are three angles to bringing back Maggi. One is that we have to reactivate the whole supply chain, value chain and logistics for this product. Five factories have been closed down, there are suppliers who are not supplying and there are distributers who are not distributing. There are distribution centres that have been very badly affected.

Second is in terms of the whole relaunch package, which has been worked on feverishly by our team. And the third piece is on communication and activation to build back trust in the brand.

What about other products?

There has been an impact because these products are going through a similar outlet channel, the grocery segment. But I am hoping that once we are able to build back Maggi, things will improve.

DINAMALAR NEWS

தயாரிப்பு தேதி, காலாவதி தேதி இல்லாமல் சீனா, ஜப்பான் மிட்டாய் விற்றால் கடும் நடவடிக்கை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரி எச்சரிக்கை

நாகர் கோ வில், செப். 4:

குமரி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அதி காரி சாலோ டீ சன் தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் வின் சென்ட் கிளாட் சன், முரு கே சன், சிறில் ராஜ், சிதம் ப ர தா ணு பிள்ளை ஆகி யோர் தக் கலை, திரு வட்டார், அழ கி ய மண் ட பம், வேர் கி ளம்பி பகு தி களில் உணவு விடு தி கள், பேக் க ரி களில் சோதனை நடத் தி னர். சோத னை யில் உண வ கங் களில் காலா வ தி யான உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள், குளிர் பா னங் கள் மற் றும் சீனா, ஜப் பான் மிட்டாய் கள், சாக் லேட் கள் தயா ரிப்பு தேதி மற் றும் காலா வதி தேதி இல் லா மல் விற் பனை செய் வது கண் ட றி யப் பட்டு அவை பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு, கடை உரி மை யா ளர் கள் முன் னி லை யில் அழிக் கப் பட்டது.

இது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அதி காரி சாலோ டீ சன் கூறி ய தா வது: பொது மக் களுக்கு இடை யூறு இல் லா ம லும், கலப் ப டம் இல் லா ம லும், சுத் த மா க வும், சுகா தா ர மா க வும் பொருட் கள் விற்க வேண் டும். மேலும் சீனா, ஜப் பான் மீட்டாய் கள், சாக் லேட் கள் தயா ரிப்பு தேதி மற் றும் காலா வதி தேதி இல் லா மல் விற் பனை செய் வது கண் ட றிந் தால் மாநில உணவு பாது காப்பு தர நிர் ணய சட்டத் தின் படி தண் டனை வழங் கப் ப டும். இவ் வாறு அவர் கூறி னார்.

Artificial ripening: HC asks food officials to submit action plan

HYDERABAD: Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice SV Bhatt of the Hyderabad high court made the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the food safety commissioners of AP and Telangana respondents to the case regarding artificial ripening of fruits through calcium carbide. On Wednesday, he directed them to file affidavits within two weeks explaining the steps they will take to ensure availability of chemical-free fruits. Fruit traders use banned calcium carbide to hasten ripening of fruits. 

The bench, which had earlier taken up the matter suo motu as a public interest petition following a report in a vernacular daily, expressed dismay when amicus curiae S Niranjan Reddy explained the ill effects of consuming artificially ripened fruits. The ill effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, burning sensation in the chest, sore throat, shortness of breath and burning sensation in the eyes, along with built up of fluids. 

"Whenever I eat fruits, I feel a burning sensation. I was under the impression that it is due to acidity and I have been consuming related medicines. We generally do not connect this burning sensation to fruits. I never knew that even the burning sensation in eyes is related to the fruits we consume," Justice Bhosale said. The bench had earlier ordered flash raids on fruit markets which resulted in seizure of large quantities of calcium carbide. Fruit samples were collected from markets for chemical analysis. 

Reddy also told the bench that all the samples had tested positive for calcium carbide. The bench felt that the pressure on fruit vendors should be maintained and ordered raids on retail vendors too. The bench suggested that senior counsel P Gangaiah Naidu, who was appearing for fruit vendors in Hyderabad wholesale markets, come out with novel ways of resolving the issue after consultations with traders. There is no point in defending them, let them mend their ways and come forward with better ideas to offer safe fruits to people, the bench said. 

The senior counsel charged authorities, who collect crores of rupees from traders, with failing to provide minimum facilities to them. The bench assured him that it would look into this problem too. Undivided AP had formed food safety committees in 2013 with joint collectors as heads.

Expired foreign chocolates destroyed

Officials from the District Food Safety and Drug Administration raided hotels, bakeries in Thuckalay, Thiruvattar, Azhagyamandapam, Verkilambi and surroundings on Wednesday, as per the directions of the Commissioner of Tamilnadu Food Safety and Drug Administration.

They seized expired food items, soft drinks and chocolates manufactured in China and Japan without manufacture and expiry dates. The raid was conducted by the designated officer W. Salodeesan along with the Food Safety officials W. Vincent Clatson, L. Murugesan, T. Ciril Raj and L. Chidambarathanupillai, said a release. The seized food items were destroyed in an isolated place by the officials.

The hotels and bakeries were warned of severe action if they continued to sell foreign chocolates and eatables without manufacture and expiry dates, said Dr. Salodeesan.

Kerala to launch app for food safety law

Will speed up response time of the administration to instances of violation

Thiruvananthapuram, September 2: 

Kerala is tipped to become the first State to enforce food safety laws online with a pilot being scheduled for launch here on Monday.

TV Anupama, Commissioner, Food Safety, told BusinessLine, a computer application has been developed and undergone trials.

Tablet-based app

“We are now looking to develop a tablet-based app so that officers can take on-the-spot assessment and even keep the office of the Commissioner informed in almost real-time.

“Wi-fi connectivity can help them run through the procedures the same day,” Anupama said.

This will help speed up the ‘response time’ of the administration to instances of violation of food safety laws, bring those involved to book, and most importantly, fast track information to the public.”

Tablets distributed

Currently, it takes 4-5 days to get through with procedures ranging from sample collection to lab testing; issue of show-cause notices; punitive action; and appeals.

Anupama said that officers at the district level have already been given tablets. A primary level of training has already been given to them.

The tablet application will decide the success of the online initiative, Anupama said. “We will keep a watch and try to get a feel of the app as we go along.”

Limited capabilities

Currently, use of technology is limited to the laboratory-level testing of samples collected. The new application will take it further upstream to the spot where the sample is sourced.

Those who worked on the application had a tough job assimilating the myriad provisions of the Food Safety Act — more than 100 of them with sub-sections, rules and regulations. State government-owned Sidco was roped in with a mandate to find a one-stop IT solution for both lab testing and enforcement.

Sidco-Invis effort

It was in turn entrusted to the software division of Invis Multimedia, which specialises in digital content generation, software development and multimedia solutions.

The latter is also the IT consultant for the Kerala Tourism Department since 1998.

A five-member software team got on the job with the guidance of Food Safety Joint Commissioners K Anil Kumar, D Sivakumar and D Ashrafudeen, and Research Officer G Gopakumar.

Food safety violators go scot-free: RTI query

HYDERABAD: In what shows utter disregard to food safety laws, the food safety wing of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has not cancelled even a single licence of any food business operator (FBO) in the last one year within city limits during the period June 2, 2014 to July 31, 2015.

The shocking disclosure - ironically coming at a time when the nation is celebrating National Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7 -- was made by the health department of GHMC in response to an RTI query.

When asked how many licences of FBOs it had cancelled in the city during the said period for violating provisions of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, the department admitted in the RTI reply (a copy of which is available with TOI) saying no licence was cancelled under the FSS Act.

"This admission is proof enough that the entire food safety wing is least bothered about the quality of food served by hundreds of hotels, restaurants and fast food chains to thousands of people every day. That not a single licence was cancelled also makes it a strong possibility that it is be an intentional act as the enforcement officials may likely to have some kind of nexus with food safety violators," reasoned Bakka Judson, the RTI activist who filed the application.

In fact, what further deepens the mystery over GHMC's lax attitude over implementation of food safety laws is the fact that they claimed to have collected 226 food samples during the one year period, the food safety wing mentioned in the RTI reply.

The zonal wise break-up of food samples they collected for testing during June 2, 2014 to July 31, 2015 includes 58 from East Zone, 51 from Central Zone, 48 North Zone, 40 West Zone and 29 from South Zone.

What's more, the GHMC's food safety wing claimed that 92 cases pertaining to violations under FSS Act were under trial stage before courts of law but legal experts opined that given the working style of functioning of the department, the chances of getting convictions for the violators in these cases is almost negligible.

"The punitive provisions of FSS Act, 2006 is very clear. Not just levying fines on the defaulters, the authorities can get the food safety violators imprisoned too besides cancelling their business licences," said C Damodar Reddy, high court advocate.

In particular, Damodar Reddy referred to the emergency powers entrusted to the designated food safety officers under section 34 of FSS Act. "Under this section, the food safety officers can bypass the need to approach courts of law to prosecute the defauters if a clear case is made out showing that health risk condition exists with respect to any food business," he added.

Interestingly, it is another story that the civic body is represented by five standing counsels (one for each zone) and 18 standing counsels (one each representing one circle) at high court and lower courts respectively.

"We do not have exact information on what food safety violation cases are pending at what stage and at which courts as they are handled by respective health and sanitation wing. We merely pass on the court summons and notices," said Laxmi Prasanna, superintendent, legal cell, GHMC.

Though attempts to speak to N Ravi Kiran, additional commissioner (health and sanitation), GHMC, for his comments failed, a food safety officer speaking to TOI on condition of anonymity, said: "Our hands are tied as we have to take clearance before conducting any raids. Recently, I was pulled up for collecting food samples for testing from a multi-national fast food chain."

Quote:

This admission is proof enough that the entire food safety wing is least bothered about the quality of food served by hundreds of hotels, restaurants and fast food chains to thousands of people every day. That not a single licence was cancelled also makes it a strong possibility that it is be an intentional act as the enforcement officials may likely to have some kind of nexus with food safety violators

Bakka Judson, RTI activist

Adulteration of Milk Rampant in Hyderabad: Farmers

HYDERABAD: Progressive Dairy Farmers Association of Telangana (PDFAT) has urged the state government to check adulteration of milk and ensure that pure milk is sold to people.

“Adulteration of milk by unscrupulous dairies or milk distributors is quite rampant in Hyderabad and dilution of milk with water is a common practice. Even the milk supplied by reputed brands cannot be regarded as pure and fresh as most of the brands supply milk prepared from milk powder or procured days before,” said K Bal Reddy, general secretary of PDFAT, at a press conference here on Wednesday.

Speaking about the holding of ‘Dairy Show 2015’ here from Saturday, he said.

Consumers were unaware of the milk procurement and processing and were ignorant of adulteration and other processes of milk. Unless the government and enforcing agencies like Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took steps, consumers would not be able to get pure and fresh milk, he said. 

About 22.50 lakh litres of milk is consumed in Hyderabad everyday. One-third of it is supplied by individual dairy farmers and two-thirds by branded dairies. While the milk supplied by milkmen reaches from the dairy to the consumer in about 12 hours, the branded milk takes at least two days to reach the consumer.

We should focus on ‘farm to consumer’ system to ensure that consumers get fresh milk directly from dairy farmers without any processing. This is possible only if dairy farmers are strengthened and given sops on a par with agriculture, said M Jitendar Reddy, president of PDFAT.

PDFA urges to conduct regular checks on all brands of milk to prevent adulteration

Hyderabad, Sept 2 (UNI) Progressive Dairy Farmers Association of Telangana(PDFA) today urged Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to conduct regular checks by collecting milk samples of all brands to prevent adulteration of milk.

Talking to newsmen here on the occasion of ‘South India’s largest Dairy Show’ to be held at HITEX, from September 5 to 7, PDFA General Secretary Kandala Bal Reddy said “We need to put pressure on government for effective control of milk trade particularly rampant adulteration with poisonous chemicals for increased profits”.

அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு நடத்த வலியுறுத்தல் தரமான வாட்டர் பாக்கெட்டா?

கரூர், செப்.3:

கோடை வெயில் போல கரூ ரில் சுட்டெ ரிக் கும் வெயில் வாட்டி வதக்கி வரும் நிலை யில், பொது மக் கள் அதி கம் வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத் தும் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட்டு கள் தர மா ன தா? என் பது குறித்து அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய்வு மேற் கொள்ள வேண் டும் என பொது க மக் கள் எதிர் பார்க் கப் ப டு கி றது.

ஏப் ரல், மே மாதங் களில் மட்டுமே அக்னி நட் சத் திர வெயில் வாட்டி வதக் கும். ஆனால், சீதோஷ் ண நிலை மாற் றம் கார ண மாக, தென் மேற்கு பரு வ மழை சீசன் மாத மான ஆகஸ்ட், செப் டம் ப ரி லும் சுட்டெ ரிக் கும் வெயில் வாட்டி வதக்கி வரு கி றது. இத னால் கடை களில் தற் போ தைய நிலை யி லும், குளிர் பா னங் களின் விற் பனை அதி க ரித்த வண் ணம் உள் ளது. மேலும், நடுத் தர பொது மக் கள் அதி கம் வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத் தும் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட்டு களும் கரூ ரில் அனைத்து கடை களி லும் விற் பனை செய் கின் ற னர். இதே போல், கரூ ரில் உள்ள அனைத்து மது பான பர் களி லும் வாட்டர் பாட்டில் கள் தான் அதி க ளவு விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது. கடை களை விட, பார் களில் தான் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட் விற் பனை சக்கை போடு போடு கி றது. இருப் பி னும், அதிக விற் பனை, தேவை கார ண மாக, வாட்டர் பாக் கெட் விற் ப னை யி லும் போலி கள் அதி கம் இருப் ப தாக கூறப் ப டு கி றது.

கடை களில் ரூ.2க்கும், மது பான பார் களில் ரூ.5க்கும் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட்டு கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது.

இது போல, விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரும் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட்டு களில், அவ் வப் போது, தர மற்ற பாக் கெட்டு களும் கலந்து விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தா க வும், இதனை வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத் தும், பொது மக் களும், பார் களுக்கு செல் லும் குடி ம கன் களும் பல் வேறு தொந் த ர வு களுக்கு ஆளாகி வரு வ தாக பர வ லாக கூறப் ப டு கி றது. எனவே, அனைத்து தரப்பு மக் களின் நலன் கருதி, கரூர் நக ராட்சி பகு தி யில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் வாட்டர் பாக் கெட்டு கள் தர மா ன தா? என் பது குறித் தான ஆய் வினை அதி கா ரி கள் மேற் கொள்ள வேண் டும் என அனை வ ரா லும் எதிர் பார்க் கப் ப டு கி றது.

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMANI NEWS

கலப்பட டீத்தூள் பறிமுதல்

அரக் கோ ணம், செப்.3:

அரக் கோ ணம் நக ரில் கலப் பட டீத் தூள் மற் றும் காபித் தூள் கலந்து டீ, காபி விற் ப தா க வந்த புகாரையடுத்து வேலூர் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் செந் தில் கு மார் தலை மை யில் அலு வ லர் கள் பிரபு, தேவ ராஜ் ஆகி யோர் நேற்று பழ னிப் பேட்டை டீக் கடை மற் றும் பெட்டிக் க டை களில் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர். அப் போது கடை களில் இருந்த கலப் பட டீத் தூள் மற் றும் காபித் தூள்,புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் ஆகி ய வற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

FSSAI reduces trans fat limit in cooking oils to 5 per cent, CSE calls it a welcome step

In a development that augurs well for the health of Indians, the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) has reduced permitted trans fats in edible fats and oils in the country from 10 to 5 per cent. Environment NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had been campaigning for this since its study in 2009 found high trans fats content in cooking oils.

Welcoming this move, CSE's Director General Sunita Narain said in a press statement, "The 5 per cent limit is a step in the right direction. Although slowly, we have progressed from having a 10 per cent limit first set a couple of years ago. We should aim to reduce it further to near-zero levels."

FSSAI in its latest notification on the issue has reduced the maximum permitted amount of trans fats to 5 per cent (by weight) in hydrogenated vegetable oils, margarine and fat spreads and interesterified vegetable fat. The new limit will be enforced by August 2016 and will replace the earlier limit of 10 per cent that was set in 2013.

According to a release, CSE in its 2009 study on 30 brands of cooking oils, found trans fats in all vanaspati (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) brands to be 5-12 times higher than the standard of Denmark - two per cent of the total fat content. 

The study intensified the debate on need for trans fat standards. In 2013, after having proposed a draft in 2010, the authority came up with a relaxed limit of 10 per cent. CSE had been advocating for at least a 5 per cent limit since then.

Trans fats are formed on hydrogenation of vegetable oils to make them into vansapati. Globally, consumption of trans fats through cooking medium or ultra-processed junk foods is strongly linked with non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been advising countries to limit its consumption. In a similar attempt, the US in June 2015 recognised the use of partially hydrogenated oils as unsafe and banned its use by food product manufacturers within three years.

90 சதவீதம் காய்கறி வியாபாரிகளுக்கு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு லைசென்ஸ்

கோவை, செப்.2:

கோவை மாவட்டத் தில் 90 சத வீ தம் காய் கறி வியா பா ரி களுக்கு உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் லைசென்ஸ் வழங் கி யுள் ள னர்.

கோவை மாவட்டத் தில் இருந்து காய் கறி, பழம் மற் றும் உணவு பொருட் கள் கேரளா, ஆந் திரா உள் ளிட்ட பல் வேறு மாநி லங் களுக்கு கொண் டு செல் லப் ப டு கி றது.காய் கறி வியா பா ரம் செய் யும் வியா பா ரி கள், உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி களி டம் லைசன்ஸ் பெறு வது கட்டா யம்.ஆண் டுக்கு ஒரு முறை இவற்றை புதுப் பிப் ப தும் கட்டா ய மா கும். அதன் படி, காய் கறி வியா பா ரி கள் விண் ணப் பத்தை ஏற்று, லைசன்ஸ் வழங் கும் பணியை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் மேற் கொண் ட னர். கடந்த ஒரு மாதத் தில் மட்டும் 90 சத வீத காய் கறி விற் ப னை யா ளர் களுக்கு லைசென்ஸ் வழங் கப் பட்டுள் ளது.இது பற்றி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அதி காரி கதி ர வன் கூறி ய தா வது:

கோவை மாவட்டத் தில் கார மடை, ஜடை யம் பா ளை யம், செஞ் சே ரி மலை, கிணத் துக் க டவு, நாச் சிப் பா ளை யம், கோவை எம்.ஜி.ஆர் மார்க் கெட், பொள் ளாச்சி காந்தி மார்க் கெட் ஆகி ய வற் றில் இருந்து தின மும் 400 டன் காய் கறி மற் றும் பழங் கள் கேர ளா விற்கு கொண் டு செல் லப் ப டு கி றது. ஆண் டுக்கு 12 லட் சம் ரூபாய்க்கு குறை வாக வரு வாய் ஈட்டும் சிறு வியா பா ரி கள், ரூ.100 கட்ட ணம் செலுத்தி பதிவு செய் தால் போ தும். அவர் களுக்கு லைசென்ஸ் வழங் கப் ப டும்.

ஆண் டுக்கு 12 லட் சம் ரூபாய்க் கும் அதி க மாக வரு வாய் ஈட்டும் வியா பா ரி கள் ரூ.2 ஆயி ரம் கட்ட ணம் செலுத்தி பதிவு செய் த வு டன் லைசென்ஸ் வழங் கப் ப டும். ஆண் டு தோ றும் லைசென்ஸ் புதுப் பிக் கப் பட வேண் டும். கடந்த ஒரு மாதத் தில் மட்டும் 333 வணி கர் கள் பதி வு செய் த னர். இவர் களில் 170 பேர் காய் க றி களை லாரி கள் மூலம் பிற மாநி லங் களுக்கு விற் ப னைக் காக கொண்டு செல் ப வர் கள். மீத முள்ள 163 பேர் காய் கறி விற் ப னை யா ளர் கள். இது, மொத்த அள வில் 90 சத வீ தம் ஆகும். இவ் வாறு கதி ர வன் கூறி னார்.

கோவையில் செயற்கை பால் தயாரிப்பதாக புகார் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு

கோவை, செப்.2:

கோவை ஆவா ரம் பா ளை யம் பகு தி யில் உள்ள விவ சாயி செயற்கை பால் தயா ரித்து விற் பனை செய் வ தாக வந்த புகாரை தொடர்ந்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நேற்று ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.

கோவை ஆவா ரம் பா ளை யம் பிளேக் மாரி யம் மன் கோயில் அருகே விவ சாயி ஒரு வர் 25 கறவை மாடு களை வைத்து கடந்த 6 மாத மாக பால் வியா பா ரம் செய்து வரு கி றார். பசும் பால் லிட்ட ருக்கு ரூ40 என வும், கொழுப்பு நீக் கப் பட்ட பாலை ரூ30 என்ற விலைக் கும் விற் பனை செய்து வரு கி றார். இந் நி லை யில், விவ சாயி விற் பனை செய் யும் பால் செயற்கை முறை யில் தயார் செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி களுக்கு புகார் வந் தது. இந்த புகாரை தொடர்ந்து நேற்று மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அதி காரி கதி ர வன், உணவு பாது காப்பு துறையை சேர்ந்த சந் தி ரன், ஜெரால்ட், ராம கி ருஷ் ணன் மற் றும் ராஜேந் தி ரேன் ஆகி யோர் சம் பவ இடத் திற்கு சென் ற னர். அங்கு விவ சாயி விற் ப னைக் காக வைக் கப் பட்டு இருந்த பாலை ஆய்வு செய் த னர். பால் மிக வும் வெள்ளை நிறத் தில் இருந்த கார ணத் தி னால் மாட்டில் இருந்து மீண் டும் பாலை கறக்க கூறி ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.

பின் னர், விவ சா யி டம் இருந்த பால் மாதி ரியை ஆய் வுக் காக எடுத்து சென் ற னர்.

இது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் கூறு கை யில் “ செயற்கை பால் தயா ரிப் ப தாக அளிக் கப் பட்ட புகா ரின் போில் ஆய்வு செய் துள் ளோம். பின் னர், பால் மாதி ரி களை ஆய் வுக் காக எடுத் துள் ளோம். ஆய்வு முடிவு 14 நாட் களில் தெரி ய வ ரும். இதில், பாலில் கலப் ப டம் அல் லது செயற்கை முைற யில் பால் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளது என முடிவு வந் தால் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்” என் ற னர்.

கிருஷ்ணகிரியில் திடீர் ஆய்வு குளிர்பானங்களில் மிதந்த ஈ, தேனீக்களால் பரபரப்பு அதிகாரிகள் எச்சரிக்கை

கிருஷ் ண கிரி, செப்.2:

கிருஷ் ண கி ரி யில் குளிர் பான தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வ னங் களில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி னர் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். அதில் ஈ மற் றும் தேனீக் கள் மிதந் தது கண் ட றி யப் பட்டு, அதி கா ரி கள் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் த னர்.

கிருஷ் ண கிரி கலெக் டர் ராஜேஷ் உத் த ர வின் பேரில், மாவட்டம் முழு வ தும் திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொள் ளப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. குறிப் பாக உணவு பொருட் கள், குளிர் பா னங் கள் மற் றும் பாக் கெட் உணவு பொருட் கள் மீது அதிக கவ னம் செலுத்தி வரு கின் ற னர். நேற்று உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் கலை வாணி மற் றும் வட்டார உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் ராஜ சே கர், இளங்கோ ஆகி யோர் கொண்ட குழு வி னர், கிருஷ் ண கிரி நக ராட் சிக்கு உட் பட்ட பழை ய பேட்டை பகு தி யில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.

அப் போது குளிர் பா னங் கள் காலா வதி தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் இருந் த தும், குளிர் பா னங் களில் ஈ மற் றும் தேனீக் கள் மிதந்த நிலை யில் இருந் த தும் கண் ட றி யப் பட்டது. இதை ய டுத்து குளிர் பான தயா ரிப் பா ளர் களுக்கு எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுக் கப் பட்டது. மேலும் அந்த நிறு வ னங் களுக்கு 15 நாட் கள் காலக் கெடு வழங்கி, எச் ச ரிக்கை நோட்டீஸ் வழங் கப் பட்ட து டன், காலா வதி தேதி குறிப் பி டா ம லும், சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் செயல் பட்டா லும், அந்த நிறு வ னங் கள் மீது சட்டப் படி கடு மை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ளார்.

DINATHANTHI NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

Ban on ready noodles extended till October 1

PATNA: The state government has extended the ban ordered on all ready to eat noodles on August 1 for another month with effect from September 2. Eleven such brands, in addition to Maggi, are banned in the state.

Food safety wing senior official Muskesh Kashyap said two firms — Hindustan Unilever Ltd (Knorr noodles manufacturer) and ITC Limited Foods Division (Sunfeast Noodles manufacturer) had made a representation to the department, claiming they do not add monosodium glutamate (MSG) additionally. It was naturally found in the ingredients used by them. They also claimed theirs' were instant noodles, not dry ones in which MSG is not allowed at all.

Food safety wing officials are, however, not convinced. "Our contention is that these are dry noodles. In the light of representations by the firms, we wrote to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for further guidelines. We have not received any reply so far. Our next line of action will depend on FSSAI reply," said another official.

Bihar was the first and the only state to ban 11 brands in one go.

Kerala to collaborate with CFTRI to intensify food safety drive

Kerala government will collaborate with the Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) as part of plans to strengthen its food safety initiatives.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government will collaborate with the Mysuru-basedCentral Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) as part of plans to strengthen itsfood safety initiatives.

Health Minister V S Sivakumar said the collaboration would help enhance the capabilities of the state Food Safety Wing under the Department of Health in the areas of food safety analysis and research. 

"A Memorandum of Understanding for the technical collaboration will be signed at a function here on September 17," he said at a high-level meeting of food safety and health department officials here last night. 

CFTRI is one of the 40 national research laboratories in the country set up under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. 

The government was also considering a Rs 56 crore programme to upgrade the facilities of laboratories and other technical units under the Food Safety wing, he said. 

"The government plans the upgradation of basic infrastructure of laboratories, increasing of staff strength and modernisation of the offices of Food Safety wing under the Rs 56 crore project," he said. 

A proposal to create as many as 13 new posts of technical experts including microbiologists and chemical analysts is also under the active consideration of the government, the minister said. 

In the wake of increasing instances of food adulteration, Kerala government recently launched a mass drive to regulate and restrict use of chemicals and other harmful ingredients in food articles sold in the state and check the arrival of pesticide-ridden vegetables from neighbouring states. 

A series of raids had been conducted and several eateries and vegetable shops had been either closed or served notice across the state under the drive. 

Over 1700 food safety raids had been carried out and nine shops had been closed for selling adulterated products during Onam season alone.

9 products banned abroad but widely available in India

After the Porn ban and Maggi ban, there has been widespread retaliation in the public forum with people protesting the ban on the social media. Is this the government who we elected to come into power and threaten us? Be it Congress or BJP, no political party seems to be interested in the interests of the people and banning products without real merit is a very idiotic move.

Where are the Ache Din, we ask that was promised to us. Forget the fact that Narendra Modi said he will bring back all black money stashed in overseas banks. They are busy with a world tour and banning inconsequential things but what about the hundreds of other things that are also banned. But, in this list we will focus on products that are banned abroad but are easily available in India.

1. Honey

Reputed brands like Dabur, Himalaya, Baidyanath among others have been named in a 2010 story by The Hindu stating that the honey they sell is contaminated. There were tests conducted and extremely harmful anti-biotics were found in over 10 samples. Honey continues to be sold by all these brands. The strict food safety regulations disallow Indian made honey to be sold abroad.

2. Chyawanprash

The morning spoonful of Chyawanprash may do more harm than the intended good. The Canadian government banned sale of the health supplement meant for everybody in 2005. The ban was invoked citing that there are high levels of lead and mercury in the product.

3. Drugs

No, not just recreational drugs! Several drugs like D-Cold, Vicks Action 500, Enteroquinol, Analgin, Syspride among others are banned in many countries outside India. Vicks Action 500 was banned for a short period in India as well but sales promptly restarted.

5. Pesticides

Nearly 70 different products that work as pesticides in India are banned abroad. A committee gave guidelines to continue use of most pesticides while some pesticides were recommended to be used moderately.

6. Kinder Surprise, not Kinder Joy

Kinder Joy is not banned in India or abroad but a bigger variant of the tasty treat with a toy is banned in USA. If you are in possession of the toy and treat even in a sealed pack, you are liable for a hefty fine. The toy is a choking hazard according to the USA authorities but Indian authorities don’t mind it.

7. Haldiram’s

The Food and Drug Administration in USA has banned the sale and import of Haldiram’s snacks that have been made in India. The tests conducted on Haldiram’s biscuits, wafers and cookies found high levels of adulterants. They termed the Haldiram’s products as “filthy, putrid or decomposed otherwise unfit” for consumption.

8. Unnamed Snack

Another snack maker who goes nameless manufactured in Gujarat has been banned in USA. The sales continue in India but the same reason as given for banning Haldiram’s products is given for the products of this snack maker as well.

9. Dairy Products

Ghee mainly is banned in USA if the ghee is made in India. It is a common practice to brush chapatis against ghee in India but that opportunity is not easily available to Indians in USA. The FDA has banned the butter oil because the contents are not mentioned on the label of the bottle or jar.

FSSAI issues draft quality norms for flavored milk, ice-cream

The latest draft norms will further amend the existing quality standards prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
NEW DELHI: Food safety regulator FSSAI today came up with draft quality standard norms for various dairy products, including flavored milk, ice-cream, yoghurt, among others.

At present, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has norms for milk, paneer, ghee, butter etc.

The latest draft norms will further amend the existing quality standards prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

The regulator has also sought public comments on the draft regulations.

The draft norms on quality standards of dairy products are related to microbiological requirements such as aerobic plate count, coliform count, staph aureus (Coagulase positive), yeast and mold count and faecal streptococci.

Apart from dairy products, the regulator has also come up with draft quality standard norms for regulating microbes in meat and meat products.

Both quality standards norms will come into force after 60 days of it being published in the official gazette.

FSSAI has already put an upper limit on the presence of insecticides and metal contaminants in milk and milk products.

கரப்பான் பூச்சி விவகாரம் ஆவின் கொள்முதல் நிலையத்தில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு

கோவை, செப்.1:

கோவை யில் விநி யோ கிக் கப் பட்ட ஆவின் பால் பாக் கெட்டில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி மிதந்த விவ கா ரம் தொடர் பாக ஆவின் பால் கொள் மு தல் நிலை யத் தில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நேற்று ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர்.

கோவை ஆவின் பால் நிறு வ னம் மூலம் மரக் கடை பகு தி யில் உள்ள ஒரு மளிகை கடைக்கு விநி யோ கம் செய் யப் பட்ட அரை லிட்டர் பால் பாக் கெட்டில் கடந்த இரண்டு நாட் களுக்கு முன் கரப் பான் பூச்சி மிதந் தது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது. இது தொ டர் பாக பாலை வாங் கி ய வர் ஆவின் நிறு வ னத் தி டம் புகார் அளித் துள் ளார்.

இத னைத் தொ டர்ந்து, பாலில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி எப் படி வந் தது என் பது பற் றி யும், பால் பாக் கெட் குறித் தும் ஆவின் நிறு வன அதி கா ரி கள் விசா ரணை நடத்தி வரு கின் ற னர். இந் நி லை யில், மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள், கோவையை அடுத்த பச் சா பா ளை யத் தில் உள்ள ஆவின் பால் கொள் மு தல் நிலை யத் தில் அ தி ர டி ஆய்வு நடத் தி னர்.

விவ சா யி களி ட மி ருந்து பால் கொள் மு தல் செய் யும் இடம், ஆய் வ கம், பேக் கிங் மற் றும் பினி சிங் என பல இடங் களில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர். எல்லா இடங் களி லும் சுத் தம் மற் றும் சுகா தா ரம் பேணப் ப டு கி றதா என் பதை கண் கா ணித் த னர்.

காலை 10 மணி முதல் மதி யம் 12 மணி வரை சுமார் 2 மணி நேரம் இந்த ஆய்வு நடந் தது. கொள் மு த லில் துவங்கி, பேக் கிங் வரை என் னென்ன விதி மு றை களை கடை பி டிக்க வேண் டும் என் பது பற்றி ஆவின் ஊழி யர் களுக்கு அறி வுரை வழங் கி னர்.

இது கு றித்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி காரி கதி ர வன் கூறு கை யில், “கோவை பச் சாப் பா ளை யம் ஆவின் பால் கொள் மு தல் நிலை யத் தில் ஆய்வு நடத் தி னோம்.

பால் கொள் மு தல் செய் வது முதல் அனைத்து துறை களி லும் ஆய்வு செய் தோம். பின் னர், ஆவின் அதி கா ரி களி டம் பால் சேமிப்பு நிலை யத்தை தூய் மை யாக வைக்க கூறி யுள் ளோம். பால் சேமிப்பு பகு தி யில் தேவை யற்ற பொருட் கள் நிறைய இருந் தது. அவற்றை உட ன டி யாக அப் பு றப் ப டுத்த உத் த ர விட்டோம். எங் க ளது அறி வு ரையை ஏற் ப தாக ஆவின் நிறு வ னம் ஒப் புக் கொண் டுள் ள து” என் றார்.

உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் மேற் கொண் டுள்ள ஆய் வின் அடிப் ப டை யில், கோவை ஆவின் கொள் மு தல் நிலை யத் தில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற முறை யில் பால் பதப் ப டுத் து தல் மற் றும் பேக் கிங் செய் வது தெரி ய வந் துள் ளது. இந்த விவ கா ரத்தை தொடர்ந்து, நுகர் வோ ரி ட மி ருந்து பால் கொள் மு தல் அளவு குறைந் து வி டும் என்ற அச் சம் ஆவின் அதி கா ரி களி டையே எழுந் துள் ளது. இது பற்றி ஆவின் அதி கா ரி கள் கூறு கை யில்,

‘’கரப் பான் பூச்சி விவ கா ரம் தொடர் பாக தொடர்ந்து விசா ரணை நடத்தி வரு கி றோம்.

சுத் த மான முறை யில் பேக் கிங் செய் வ தில் 24 மணி நேர மும் கவ னம் செலுத்தி வரு கி றோம். விசா ரணை அறிக்கை, உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி ட மும், மாவட்ட கலெக் ட ரி ட மும்

வழங் கப் ப டும் என் ற னர்.

ஏற் க னவே இரு முறை நோட்டீஸ்

ஆவின் நிலை யத் தில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற நிலை உள் ளது என ஏற் க னவே கோவை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறைக்கு கடந்த 2012 மற் றும் 2014ம் ஆண் டு களில் இரு முறை புகார் வந் தது. இரு மு றை யும் இத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் விளக் கம் கேட்டு ஆவின் நிறு வ னத் துக்கு நோட்டீஸ் அனுப் பி னர். ஆனால், தற் போது வரை ஆவின் நிறு வ னத் தி ட மி ருந்து எந்த பதி லும் வர வில்லை. தற் போது, மூன் றா வது முறை யாக புகார் எழுந் துள் ளது.