Govt mum as food safety dept starves for facilities

If we find alien objects that are not expected to be present in our Biriyani, we immediately call the food inspector to complain. We, who crave for immediate action, do not however spend a moment to think whether the official has time to comply with our demands. It would surprise many that officials dealing in food safety do not have vehicles to travel or even a good place to sit and work. This is the situation for some while many state officials have no work to justify the salaries they receive from the government.
In spite of the severe restrictions, the officials have collected samples from 6000 places, took legal proceedings against 700 people and curbed the activities of many who were habitual criminals with respect to food safety in the past 1.5 years. Why is the government turning a blind eye to the department which should be protecting the health of the citizen?
The Food Safety Department previously functioned as the Food Health Authority under the Health Department until 2009. It was transformed into a separate department with 14 District Food Inspectors, 60 Circle Food Inspectors, three Regional Vigilance Squads and three analytical laboratories. Later, 22 food inspectors were transferred to the department from municipalities.
When a person died in Thiruvananthapuram following food poisoning, the government became aware of the shortage of staff in the department and decided to create 57 new Food Safety Officer positions. However, none has been appointed yet. After 1986, not even a single person has been appointed anew for food safety in the state. Out of the 155 positions, 80 continue to be vacant!
The food safety officer has one peon and a clerk as subordinates, which is in fact too less for a position that has to cover a lot of area to check food samples. In addition to its current role, the department has been piled with new responsibilities such as licensing and associated procedures, which includes site visits. Acute shortage of staff is taxing employees who are finding it hard to cope. Currently, one person has to manage sampling of food items, sealing it, checking shops and then going to the court for follow up procedures. Out of the 140 circles, only 60 have a peon and a clerk. Recommendations by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms officials and requests submitted by the Commissioner are all waiting at the Finance Department for approval.
The headquarters of the department in the state capital is a modified officer's quarters. One of the four rooms is reserved for the Commissioner and another one is kept free for the Joint Commissioner. Other employees are packed in whichever ways they can in the remaining space. There are not even enough toilets for the employees.
While the Commissioner has been asked to hire taxis for official trips, officials in the 140 circles and 14 districts have only four vehicles. Worse, only half of the circles have offices.
The workload however is quite high. Officials become busier when people venture out to eat. Therefore during festival days, the already taxed officials have to deal with a huge workload.
While a toll-free number was provided to people to contact officials for registering complaints, there was none to attend the phone and finally someone was hired to attend the calls during office hours. However, none seems to hear the complaints of the department.

எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை பிரெட் பாக்கெட்டில் உயிருடன் எலி

நாட்டின் முதன்மை மருத்துவ நிறுவமனமான எய்ம்ஸில் சீல் வைக்கப்பட்ட பிரெட் பாக்கெட்டிலிருந்து உயிருடன் ஒரு எலி வெளியே குதித்தது பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

 நோயாளிகளுக்கு அளிக்கப்படும் ரொட்டி பாக்கெட்டில் உயிருடன் எலி இருந்ததையடுத்து அனைவரும் அதிர்ச்சி அடைந்தனர்.
இதனையடுத்து ரொட்டி சப்ளை செய்த பான் நியூட்ரியெண்ட்ஸ் நிறுவனத்துக்கு 3 ஆண்டுகள் தடை விதித்து உத்தரவிட்டது எய்ம்ஸ் நிர்வாகம்.
இது குறித்து எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனையின் மூத்த அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறும்போது, “நார்-சத்து அதிகமுள்ள பான் நியூட்ரியண்ட்ஸ் நிறுவனத்தின் சீல் வைக்கப்பட்ட ரொட்டி பாக்கெட்டிலிருந்து உயிருடன் எலி ஒன்று வெளியே வந்தது. இதனையடுத்து பான் நிறுவனத்துக்கு 3 ஆண்டுகள் தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது” என்றார்.
இந்நிறுவனம், பிரெட், பிஸ்கட்கள், கேக் மற்றும் சில உணவுப்பண்டங்களை தயாரித்து இந்தியா மற்றும் அயல்நாட்டு சந்தைகளில் விற்று வருகிறது.
தற்போது வெளிச்சத்துக்கு வந்துள்ள இந்த சம்பவம் ஜூலை மாதம் நடந்துள்ளது. இது குறித்து எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை பான் நிறுவனத்துக்கு அனுப்பிய நோட்டீஸின் நகல் தி இந்து (ஆங்கிலம்) வசம் கிடைத்தது, அதில், “29.7.2015 அன்று பான் நிறுவனம் உற்பத்தி செய்த சீல் வைத்த பிரெட் பாக்கெட்டைத் திறந்த போது அதிலிருந்து உயிருடன் எலி ஒன்று வெளியே வந்தது. இதனையடுத்து 9.9.2015 அன்று விளக்கம் கேட்டு அனுப்பப்பட்ட நோட்டீஸுக்கு நிறுவனம் அளித்த பதில் திருப்திகரமாக இல்லை” என்று கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இது குறித்து நிறுவனத்தை தொடர்பு கொள்ள மேற்கொண்ட முயற்சி பலனளிக்கவில்லை.

AIIMS bars breadmaker for 3 years after live rodent found inside sealed packet

According to doctors, consumption of rodent-infected food could normally lead to allergy, fever, diarrhea, and even cause blood infection and meningitis.
Imagine you've opened the sealed packet containing your favourite brown bread and a rat jumps out. Too bizarre to be true? That is just what happened at country's premiere All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where thousands of patients get admitted for treatment daily. A live rat was found inside the sealed packet of Brown-Hi Fibre bread manufactured by M/s Bonn Nutrients. The medical institute has now banned the bread maker for three years.
Bonn Nutrients produces a variety of food products including breads, biscuits, cakes and cookies that are not only sold in India but in international market as well. Mail Today tried to contact the bread division manager of the company, but there was no response to our query sent via e-mail.
The Bonn sliced bread is served to patients admitted in various wards of the hospital, including patients who have undergone surgery and those suffering from severe infections. According to doctors, consumption of rodent-infected food could normally lead to allergy, fever, diarrhea, and even cause blood infection and meningitis.
AIIMS Medical Superintendent (MS) denied having any information about the incident. However, a senior doctor claimed the incident indeed took place and the bread packet with the rat inside it was noticed by alert AIIMS staff.
On September 24, the medical institute issued a notice in which it mentioned the incident and barred Bonn Nutrients from supplying any orders for a period of three years. Mail Today has a copy of the notice served to the manufacturer.
"A live rat was found on 29.07.2015 in the sealed packet of Brown-Hi Fibre Bread Slice manufactured by M/s Bonn Nutrients Pvt. Ltd and the company has failed to submit satisfactory reply to the showcause notice dated 09.09.2015," the notice says.
Bonn Nutrients is the latest food company to be in soup. With the recent controversy regarding the presence of lead in Nestle's Maggi, there is heightened concern over the safety of processed food in India. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has been on a testing spree since then.
"The company has also failed in keeping 'Good Manufacturing Practice'. The quality wing of the company has failed in detecting such incident before the supplies are packed in cartons," says the notice issued by AIIMS.
Food experts say that a government hospital needs to maintain proper hygiene level in and around its campus. The quality of food products in India has been under the scanner for some time now. A recent data on the United States Food and Drugs Association (FDA) website shows that it has rejected more snack imports from India than any other country in the first five months of 2015.
According to the US FDA website, Indian products were found to contain high levels of pesticides, mould and the bacteria salmonella, a report in the Wall Street Journal said. The report mentions that more than half of all snacks that were tested and then restricted from being sold in the US this year were from India, which also leads the number of snack rejects across the world.
Among the rejected are Haldiram's products. The FDA said on its website that it rejected Haldiram products because it found pesticides in them. In one case, the FDA referred to a product from Gujarat as consisting "in whole or part a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance."
Recently, close to 700 cadets of Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy were rushed to the local military hospital after reportedly falling sick due to food poisoning. Sources said cadets started vomiting soon after having lunch in the mess.

Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan to strengthen food safety in the country

With a mission to provide safe and hygienic food for all, CII along with its National partners Cargill, VOICE and NASVI have jointly launched a National Campaign, Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan. The idea is to engage all stakeholders to catalyze sensitization and capacity building on food safety among consumers, street food vendors and the industry to deliver safe food of global standards and boost domestic trade and export.
The objectives of Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan will be to enhance Consumer Awareness on Food Safety aspects like Labels, Storage conditions and related hygienic practices. Widespread awareness would be strengthened among Street Food Vendors, Schools and Colleges. Food Service Providers including Railways, Food Storage Locations, Midday Meal schemes, Street Food Vendors, Mass Caterings would be sensitized on how to produce and serve Safe Food. Countrywide, Best Practices Sharing Summits, Workshops, Training Programs, Short Term Professional Courses with Partners of international repute and Food Safety Award Programs for the industry and street food vendors would be organized to enhance Capacity Building on Food Safety Benchmarks.
In phase one, the target is to adopt 100 food streets across the country, build awareness on food safety among 10000 consumers and build capacity on Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices by training employees of 300 SMEs towards food safety.
CII is organizing Food Safety Advocacy and Capacity Building programs across Delhi, North East, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jamshedpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Siliguri & others. The industry programs will aim at upgrading supply chain participants across the food industry to international standards of Food Safety. Some of the programs completed include the 2 day Master Class on Improving Performance and Process Improvement through Food Safety and Quality in Chennai and the Food Safety and Standards Regulations Training for Food Business Operators in Kolkata which received encouraging response from the participants; More workshops on topics like Good Agricultural, Good Manufacturing and Good Hygiene Practices for Food Processing in partnership with Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the North East are on the anvil starting mid October 2015.
Cargill India, the National Industry Partner for the Surakshit Khadya AbhiyanTM is committed to sharing international science based food safety practices in manufacturing, regulatory affairs, hygiene protocols, Global Food safety Initiative (GFSI) with other industries and encourage them to adopt these, thereby, helping improve the food safety ecosystem in the country.
The role of VOICE (Voluntary Organization in Interest of Consumer Education), an organization working for consumer awareness, education and empowerment besides setting standards and policies with government bodies, would include imparting Consumer awareness, education and empowerment besides setting standards and policies with government bodies while also help engaging consumers in various Food Safety Advocacy; Platforms including Walkathons and disseminate Food Safety information.
NASVI (National Association of Street Vendors of India) , an organization working for the protection of the livelihood rights of thousands of street vendors across the country, will promote safe Food at the National level through its Street Food Festival in Delhi, sensitize Street Food Vendors on hygienic practices in clusters and market meetings, sensitize peer leaders in markets and engage children of street food vendors to become volunteers of safe food.

Kuttu atta under food dept scanner

MEERUT: With the Navratra festival commencing on Tuesday, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) is already on its toes to ensure that adulterated buckwheat (kuttu atta) and other food items are not being sold in the market.
A five-member team has been formed to conduct surprise inspections to check sale of adulterated food items at shops in rural and urban areas. The anti-adulteration drive will continue till the fasts end.
Giving details, chief food safety officer JP Singh, said, "A five-member team of the food department is conducting regular checks by sending suspicious food items to the laboratory for testing. If any sub-standard or unsafe food item is found, action will be taken as per rules."
"We are focusing mainly on kuttu atta, sabudana, milk products and cooking oil to check adulteration. Almost every year, people fall ill after consuming these products. We want to make sure that no such cases are reported this time," added Singh.
He further said samples of the sub-standard food items will be sent to the food testing laboratory in Lucknow to avert any manipulation at the city-based lab. "However, in case things are too suspicious and evident, the food item can be sent to the local laboratory and an immediate report will be sought," he added.
The food safety officer said sample reports from the city-based lab could be procured in 48 hours and action can be taken thereafter.
"The food items are preserved and sent to Lucknow through courier. We'll get the results within 20 days of the courier," added Singh.
He said people could also file complaints related to food adulteration with the department on the condition of anonymity.
Even as sampling of food items is being done, FSDA authorities are also ensuring that shopkeepers were not selling expired food items.
"People generally fall ill after they consume expired kuttu atta. This can cause stomach infection. We are ensuring that such items are not being sold in markets across the city," said Singh.

Less no of labs may hamper govt's drive against food adulteration

JAIPUR: The government has revoked the ban on mawa (condensed milk) and is now depending on strict monitoring and testing of food, specially before the festive season. However, this may seem too far-fetched as the government may find it difficult to implement the same.
As a matter of fact, all, except six food testing laboratories that the government had in different districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be closed due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the food sample reports within 15 days of its collection is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets, ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) located in Jaipur," said Dr BR Meena, health director (state).
He added that the existing six operational laboratories in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add to the burden of the existing six laboratories.
Jaipur: While the government has revoked a ban on mawa and is depending on strict monitoring and testing of food specially before the festive season for ensuring that people are not exposed to adulterated mawa but in reality that may be difficult.
As a matter of fact all, except six, food testing laboratories that the government had in various districts are functional now. The rest had to shut down due to shortage of equipment and man power.
At one point of time there were 13 food testing laboratories in the state. But, in 2014, seven of them had to be shut down due to shortage of public analysts. While a lot of focus is laid on food adulteration these days, the closure of food laboratories could affect the fight against food adulteration.
Now, the task for the health department to issue the reports of food samples within 15 days of collection of the samples is also difficult. Health minister Rajendra Rathore had directed the health department officials to issue the reports within 15 days of collection of samples when he had revoked the ban.
However, the health department claimed that they would issue the reports on time as they have sufficient laboratories. "We have sufficient number of laboratories in the state for testing samples of food items including mawa and sweets ahead of festive season. If we find any difficulties, we can get the samples tested in two laboratories approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) situated in Jaipur," Dr BR Meena, health director (state) said.
He said that the existing six operational laboratories are situated in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Alwar are in full swing. The six laboratories have sufficient equipment and manpower.
The laboratories which were closed down in 2014 were situated in Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ganganagar and Sikar. Now, the samples collected in these districts will be sent to the six existing laboratories, which will add up some burden on the existing six laboratories.
Now, the health department has started collecting samples as they have kicked off the campaign against adulteration.

NHRC issues notices over presence of pesticides in food items beyond permissible limit

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report, based on the findings of the Union Agriculture Ministry, that there has been an almost two-fold increase in the number of samples containing pesticides above the permitted Maximum Residue Level (MRL) in vegetables, fruits, meat and spices in the last six years, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Chairperson, Food and Safety Standard Authority of India; Secretary, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries, In-Charge of Food and Agriculture of all States.

The NHRC has asked all these authorities to reply to the notice in eight weeks. The NHRC member Justice D. Murugesan, Member also asked them to inform, within eight weeks, about the action taken to minimize the residue level in vegetables, foods, meat and spices.
According to a press release by the NHRC, Justice Murugesan observed, "It is to be emphasized that any food article, which is hazardous and injurious to public health, is a potential danger to the Fundamental Right to Life. The enjoyment of life and attainment, including right to life and human dignity encompasses, within its ambit availability of articles of food, without insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues etc."
According to the report, it is well-known that vegetables sold in major cities contain pesticides. The report said that the situation was even more alarming in Delhi and Mumbai.
Out of 629 samples analyzed by PC Cell Centres, Delhi 223 samples reportedly contained residue out of which 20 samples contained it above the MRL.

Jipmer to hold public session on safe food for healthy living

PUDUCHERRY: Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) will hold a public health education session on 'Safe food for healthy living' from 3pm to 5pm on October 13 at the seminar hall of the super speciality block on the institute's premises.
A team of doctors from the departments of preventive and social medicine, medicine and food safety in the institute will participate will enlighten the general public on food hygiene, buying and consuming safe food items and common food adulterants.

DINAMALAR NEWS

தனியார் நிறுவன தயிரில் மிதந்த கரப்பான் பூச்சி உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரிடம் புகார்

சேலம், அக்.13:
சேலத் தில் மளிகை கடை யில் வாங் கிய தயி ரில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி மிதந் தது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் விசா ரித்து வரு கின் ற னர்.
சேலம் திரு ந கர் பகு தியை சேர்ந் த வர் பவுல் ஞான ராஜ். இவர் நேற்று வீட்ட ருகே உள்ள மளிகை கடை யில், தலா ரூ.10 வீதம், 100 மில்லி லிட்டர் கொண்ட 2 தயிர் கப்பை வாங் கி னார். வீட்டிற்கு வந் த தும் அதில் ஒரு கப்பை, பவுல் ஞா ன ராஜ் பிரித் தார். அதில், கரப் பான் பூச்சி ஒன்று இறந்து மிதந்து கொண் டி ருந் தது.
இத னால் அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந்த பவுல் ஞா ன ராஜ், 2 கப் பை யும் எடுத் துக் கொண்டு சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் பு துறை அலு வ ல கத் துக்கு வந் தார். பின் னர் அவர் கரப் பான் பூச்சி விழுந்த தயிர் கப் உள் பட 2 கப் பை யும், பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ரா தா வி டம் கொடுத்து புகார் செய் தார்.
தயிர் கப் பில் கிடந்த கரப் பான் பூச்சி.
இத னால் அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந்த பவுல் ஞா ன ராஜ், 2 கப் பை யும் எடுத் துக் கொண்டு சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் பு துறை அலு வ ல கத் துக்கு வந் தார். பின் னர் அவர் கரப் பான் பூச்சி விழுந்த தயிர் கப் உள் பட 2 கப் பை யும், பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ரா தா வி டம் கொடுத்து புகார் செய் தார்.
இது குறித்து டாக் டர் அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், ‘‘ கோவை மாவட்டம் பொள் ளாச் சி யில் உள்ள ஒரு நிறு வ னத் தில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டது. இம் மா தம் 9ம் தேதி தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளது. இதனை உடை யாப் பட்டி யில் உள்ள உணவு பகுப் பாய்வு கூடத் திற்கு சோத னைக்கு அனுப்ப உள் ளோம்.இது தொடர் பாக விளக் கம் கேட்டு அந்த நிறு வ னத் துக்கு நோட்டீஸ் அனுப் பப் ப டும்,’’ என் றார்.

DINAMANI NEWS

கடையில் வாங்கிய தயிரில் கிடந்த கரப்பான் பூச்சி சேலத்தில் பரபரப்பு தயிர் பாக் கெட்டில் கிடக் கும் கரப் பான் பூச்சி . உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரிடம் புகார்

சேலம், அக். 12-

சேலத் தில் மளிகை கடை யில் வாங் கிய தயி ரில் கரப் பான் பூச்சி மிதந் தது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் விசா ரித்து வரு கின் ற னர்.

சேலம் திரு ந கர் பகு தியை சேர்ந் த வர் பவுல் ஞான ராஜ். இவர் இன்று காலை அங் குள்ள ஒரு மளிகை கடை யில், தலா ரூ.10 வீதம், 100 மில்லி லிட்டர் கொண்ட 2 தயிர் டப் பாக் களை வாங் கி யுள் ளார். வீட்டிற்கு வந் த தும் அதில் ஒரு டப் பாவை, பவுல் ஞா ன ராஜ் பிரித்து பார்த் தார். அதில், கரப் பான் பூச்சி ஒன்று இறந்து மிதந்து கொண் டி ருந் தது. இத னால் அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந்த பவுல் ஞா ன ராஜ், 2 டப் பாக் க ளை யும் சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ரா தா வி டம் கொடுத்து புகார் செய் தார்.

இது குறித்து டாக் டர் அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், ‘‘இந்த தயிர் கோவை மாவட்டம் பொள் ளாச் சி யில் உள்ள ஒரு நிறு வ னத் தில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டது. இம் மா தம் 9ம் தேதி தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டுள் ளது. இதனை உடை யாப் பட்டி யில் உள்ள உணவு பகுப் பாய்வு கூடத் திற்கு சோத னைக்கு அனுப்ப உள் ளோம்.

இது தொடர் பாக விளக் கம் கேட்டு அந்த நிறு வ னத் துக்கு நோட்டீஸ் அனுப் பப் ப டும்,’’ என் றார்.

தரமற்ற ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தியால் விலை வீழ்ச்சி ; இயற்கை முறை உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் சங்கம் புகார்

ஆத்துார் : ''ரசாயனம் கலந்த தரமற்ற ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்ததால், ஜவ்வரிசி நுகர்வோர் எண்ணிக்கை குறைந்ததோடு, விலை வீழ்ச்சியும் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது,'' என, தமிழக இயற்கை முறை ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் சங்க தலைவர் முத்துலிங்கம் கூறினார்.

இது குறித்து நிருபர்களிடம் அவர் கூறியதாவது:கடந்த, 1940 முதல், 2000 ஆண்டு வரை, ஜவ்வரிசியில், கலப்படம் இல்லை. மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு தோல் உரிக்காமல் அரவை செய்ததால், ஜவ்வரிசியை வெண்மையாக்க ரசாயன கலவை, மக்காச்சோள மாவு, சாக்பீஸ் மாவு கலந்ததால், ஜவ்வரிசி தரம் குறைந்து, இவற்றை விற்பனை செய்ய முடியாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டது.2015-16ல், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு அரவை பருவம் துவங்கிய நிலையில், மூன்று லட்சம் மூட்டை ஜவ்வரிசி விற்பனையாகாமல் தேங்கி கிடக்கிறது. ரசாயனம் கலந்த தரமற்ற ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்ததால், 15 ஆண்டுகளில் நுகர்வோர் எண்ணிக்கை குறைந்து விட்டது. உற்பத்தியாகும் ஜவ்வரிசி விற்க முடியாமல் விலை வீழ்ச்சி ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு மாவில் இருந்து, இயற்கையான ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்வதற்காக, இச்சங்கம் துவங்கப்பட்டது. சில இடங்களில், தரமற்ற ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்து வந்ததால், விவசாயிகள் முன்னேற்ற சங்க செயலாளர் சந்திரசேகர், ஜூலை மாதம், சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தார்.வழக்கை விசாரித்த நீதிமன்றம், 'மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு தோல் முற்றிலும் நீக்கி, ரசாயனம் கலப்பு இல்லாமல் இயற்கை முறையில், ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்ய வேண்டும்' என்றது. மேலும் கலப்படத்துக்கு வழி செய்யும் ஈர மாவு விற்பனையை முற்றிலும் தடை செய்து, செப்டம்பர், 7ம் தேதி, உத்தரவிட்டது.

இயற்கை முறை உற்பத்தியாளர்களால், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு விலை வீழ்ச்சியடைந்ததாகவும், சேலம் சேகோ சர்வ் முன், உண்ணா விரதம் இருப்பதாக, ஆத்துார் ஜவ்வரிசி, ஸ்டார்ச் உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் சங்கம் பொய்யான தகவலை தெரிவித்துள்ளது. மரவள்ளி அரவை துவங்க உள்ளதால், மரவள்ளி தோல் உரித்து, கலப்படம் இல்லாமல், இயற்கை முறையில் ஜவ்வரிசி உற்பத்தி செய்து, பல கோடி நுகர்வோர், விவசாயிகளை பாதுகாக்க, மரவள்ளி கிழங்கிற்கு உரிய விலை வழங்க, தமிழக அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

Assam govt. withdraws ban on Niyor packaged water

The Assam government through an order has withdrawn the ban on manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of Niyor Packaged Drinking Water in the State.

After careful perusal of all relevant records pertaining to the ban on Niyor Packaged Drinking Water and subsequent improvement of quality of the product as per analysis report of the Food Analyst, Assam, the prohibition notification has been withdrawn recently, a government release said here on Friday.

As per the analysis report issued by the Food Analyst, Assam, the sample was declared unsafe under Section 3 (1) (zz) of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, as it contained fluoride higher than the maximum permissible limit of 1.0 mg/L as laid down in Regulation 2.10.8 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011, the release said.

Subsequently, the Commissioner of Food Safety, Assam, had issued a prohibition notification on July 27 last against M/s Blue Bell Enterprise, Kajolichoki, of Chanrapur under Kamrup (Metropolitan) District and prohibited its manufacture, storage, distribution and sale in Assam initially for a period of 30 days.

Thereafter, the Designated Officer, Kamrup (Metropolitan), served improvement notice to M/s Blue Bell Enterprise, Kajolichoki, the release said.

After necessary steps were taken, the sample of Niyor Packaged Drinking Water was drawn and sent for further analysis to the Food Analyst who was of the opinion that the sample of Niyor Packaged Drinking Water conformed to the prescribed standards, it added. 

DINAMALAR NEWS

100 food streets to be adopted during first phase of Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan

The campaign, planned by CII and its partners, including consumer organisation VOICE, and National Association of Street Vendors of India, was rolled out in July.

NEW DELHI: As many as 100 food streets across the country will be adopted during the first phase of the Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan, an initiative to develop a culture of food safety in the country. 

The campaign, planned by CII and its partners, including consumer organisation VOICE, and National Association of Street Vendors of India ( NASVI), was rolled out in July this year. 

"In phase one, the target is to adopt 100 food streets across the country, generate awareness on food safety among 10,000 consumers and build capacity on good hygiene and manufacturing practices by training employees of 300 SMEs towards food safety," CII said. 

Under the campaign, nation-wide sensitisation sessions on cleaning, hygiene and sanitation for safe food, walkathons and media dissemination programmes for consumers and street food industries will be organised across the country. 

CII is also organising Food Safety Advocacy and Capacity Building programmes across Delhi, the North-East, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jamshedpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Siliguri, among others. 

The industry programmes are designed to upgrade supply chain participation across the food industry to international standards. 

More workshops on good agricultural, manufacturing and hygiene practices in the North-East, in partnership with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, are also on the anvil, starting mid-October. 

The broader objective is to enhance consumer awareness on food safety aspects like labels, storage conditions and related hygienic practices. Street food vendors, schools and colleges are also part of the programme. 

Food service providers, including the Railways, street vendors and mass caterings, will be sensitised on how to produce and serve safe food.

Haryana info panel slaps '25,000 fine on two food safety officers

Chandigarh, Oct. 10 -- The Haryana information commission on Friday slapped '12,500 each on two state public information officers (SPIOs)-cum-food safety officers for delay of over a year in providing information to a Gurgaon based applicant.

Information commissioner Hemant Atri, who fined Om Kumar, the then SPIO-cum food safety officer, Bhiwani as well as Shyam Lal, who was also SPIOcum food safety officer, Bhiwani, during different periods, also observed in his order that the two officials had been found to be arrogant, careless, high-headed with no respect for the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Appellant Mehar Dass had moved an application for information pertaining to samples of milk and milk products taken by the food safety officer.

Food checks in festival time

NASHIK: Ten food safety officers of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Nashik division have been deployed in various parts of the district, mainly on the roads leading to the Saptashringi Garh to keep a check on the food quality served at the joints during Navaratra.

They would collect samples from food vendors to ensure that there was no health problems among people having food at hotels, restaurants and eateries festival between October 13 and 22.

Joint commissioner of FDA (Nashik division) Y K Bendkule said, "We have started the drive to check eateries across all the routes leading to Saptashringi Garh. Our 10 officials will be collecting food samples from different hotels and restaurants and places of bhandaras where food is donated as Prashad. Strict action will be taken against those not adhering to the norms laid under the Prevention of the Food Adulteration Act."

Saptashringi Garh, being one of the most important temples in Maharashtra, is visited by lakhs of people from across the state and the neighbouring ones.

Bendkule said, "Thousands of food stalls will be put up on all the roads leading to the Saptashringi Garh. The devotees will also halt at places such as Malegaon, Chandwad, and Dindori en route to the Saptashringi Garh to have breakfast and meals."

He added, "In this backdrop, it is all the more important to keep a check on the quality of food provided at such places. The 10 food inspectors will continuously keep a check on the food quality. If they are suspicious about the quality of food in certain cases, the sample of the food will be collected and sent for further investigation."

The food inspectors would also attempt to spread messages among people that consuming unhygienic food kept in the open or at road-side eateries could be dangerous and that people should purchase food products only from licenced shops.

NHRC alarmed over pesticide levels in food samples

According to a Union Agriculture Ministry report, harmful chemicals are present in alarmingly high doses in food items across the country, with the highest number of failed samples being that of vegetables.

There has been an almost two-fold increase in the number of vegetables, fruits, meat and spices samples containing pesticides above the permitted level in the last six years, suggests a report by the Union Ministry of Agriculture.

The report has caught attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, while pointing out that any food article injurious to public health is a potential danger to the fundamental Right to life.

Citing Supreme Court’s rulings, NHRC member Justice D. Murugesan said over the weekend that the right to food was a fundamental Right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

“The enjoyment of life and attainment, including right to life and human dignity, encompasses within its ambit availability of articles of food without insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues, etc.”

The NHRC has now issued notices to the chairperson of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and secretaries in charge of food and agriculture in all States.

All of them have been asked to inform, within eight weeks, about the action taken to minimise residue level in vegetables, foods, meat and spices.

Justice Murugesan said that though it was the paramount duty of the State and its authorities to achieve an appropriate level for protection of human life and health, a fundamental right, reports of rampant use of pesticides continued to pour in.

According to the reports, harmful chemicals are present in alarmingly high doses in food items across the country, with the highest number of failed samples being that of vegetables.

The situation is reportedly said to be more alarming in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Of the 629 samples analysed in the national Capital, 223 reportedly contained residues while 20 of them had levels above the permitted residue level.

Among the 1,149 samples collected in Mumbai and Kolkata, 352 contained residue, while 22 reported levels above the permitted.

ரூ.30 ஆயிரம் மதிப்பிலான கலப்பட டீத்தூள் பறிமுதல்

ஓசூர், அக்.10:

ஓசூ ரில். ரூ.30 ஆயி ரம் மதிப் பி லான கலப் பட டீத் தூள் பறி மு தல் செய்து அழிக் கப் பட்டது.

கிருஷ் ண கிரி மாவட்ட கலெக் டர் ராஜேஷ் உத் த ர வின் பே ரில், மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் கலை வாணி தலை மை யில் வட்டார உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் துள சி ரா மன், சுவா மி நா தன், சிவச் சந் தி ரன், இளங் கோ வன், லிங் க வேல், சுந் த ர மூர்த்தி, ஸ்டா லின், ராஜ ரத் தி னம் கொண்ட குழு வி னர் ஓசூர் நக ராட்சி மற் றும் பாக லூர் கடை களில் நேற்று திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

இதில், பெங் க ளூ ரில் இருந்து இறக் கு மதி செய் யப் பட்ட டீத் தூள் களில் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பட்டி ருந் தது தெரிய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து, ரூ.30 ஆயி ரம் மதிப் பி லான கலப் பட டீத் தூள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட்டது. மேலும், ரூ.35 ஆயி ரம் மதிப் பில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் க ளான கைப் பற் றப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட்டது. இது தொ டர் பாக சம் பந் தப் பட்ட கடை களுக்கு எச் ச ரிக்கை நோட்டீஸ் வழங் கப் பட்டது.

ஓசூர் நக ரில் ரூ.30 ஆயி ரம் மதிப் பி லான கலப் பட டீத் தூள் மற் றும் புகை யிலை பொருட் களை உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கைப் பற்றி அழித் த னர்.

வேலூர் அரசு மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் 92 நர்சிங் மாணவிகளுக்கு திடீர் வாந்தி மயக்கம் விடுதி உணவு சாப்பிட்டதால் பாதிப்பு

வேலூர், அக்.10:

வேலூர் அரசு மருத் துக் கல் லூரி விடு தி யில் இரவு உணவு சாப் பிட்ட 92 நர் சிங் மாண வி களுக்கு திடீர் வாந்தி, மயக் கம் ஏற் பட்டு மருத் து வ ம னை யில் அனு ம திக் கப் பட்ட சம் ப வம் அங்கு பர ப ரப்பை ஏற் ப டுத் தி யுள் ளது.

வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி நர் சிங் கல் லூ ரி யில் டிப் ளமோ இன் நர் சிங் பட்டய படிப் பில் 240 பேர் அங் குள்ள விடு தி யில் தங்கி படித்து வரு கின் ற னர். கடந்த சில நாட் க ளாக வேலூர் மாந க ராட்சி பகு தி யில் வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி நர் சிங் கல் லூரி மாண வி கள் டெங்கு விழிப் பு ணர்வு மற் றும் தடுப்பு நட வ டிக் கை யில் ஈடு பட்டு வரு கின் ற னர். இதற் காக காலை யில் சென்று மாலை யில் அவர் கள் கல் லூரி விடு திக்கு திரும் பு கின் ற னர்.

இந் நி லை யில் நேற்று முன் தி னம் வேலூர் சல வன் பேட்டை மற் றும் சுற் றுப் புற பகு தி களில் வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி மாண வி கள் 50க்கும் மேற் பட்டோர் டெங்கு விழிப் பு ணர்வு மற் றும் தடுப் புப் ப ணி யில் ஈடு பட்ட னர். அவர் களுக்கு பக லில் தக் காளி சாதம் பொட்ட லம் வழங் கப் பட்டது. பணி முடிந்த நிலை யில் மாண வி கள் அனை வ ரும் மாலை 6 மணி ய ள வில் விடு திக்கு திரும் பி னர். அப் போது இரவு உண வாக ரசம் சாதம் வழங் கப் பட்டது. நேற்று அதி காலை 2 மணி ய ள வில் மாண வி கள் அனை வ ருக் கும் திடீ ரென தலை சுற் றல், வாந்தி மற் றும் வயிற் றுப் போக்கு ஏற் பட்டது.

தக வல் அறிந்த டீன் செல் வ ரா ஜன், கண் கா ணிப் பா ளர் சவுந் த ர ரா ஜன் மற் றும் டாக் டர் கள் விரைந்து சென்று மாண வி களை உட ன டி யாக அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி மருத் து வ மனை அவ சர சிகிச்சை பிரி வில் அனு ம தித்து உரிய சிகிச்சை அளிக்க உத் த ர விட்ட னர். இதை ய டுத்து 92 மாண வி களும் அவ சர சிகிச்சை பிரி வில் அனு ம திக் கப் பட்டு சிகிச்சை அளிக் கப் பட்டது. இவர் களில் 42 பேர் சிகிச்சை முடிந்து விடு திக்கு திரும் பி னர். 50 பேர் தொடர் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வரு கின் ற னர்.

இதற் கி டை யில் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் செந் தில் கு மார் வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி விடு தியில் சாப் பிட்ட உண வின் மாதி ரி களை எடுத்து சோத னைக் காக சென்னை கிண்டி ஆய் வ கத் துக்கு அனுப்பி வைத் தார். இந் நி லை யில், தக வல் அறிந்து அணைக் கட்டு எம் எல்ஏ கலை ய ரசு வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி மருத் து வ ம னைக்கு விரைந்து வந்து சிகிச்சை பெற்று வரும் மாண வி களை சந் தித்து விவ ரம் கேட்ட றிந் த து டன், அவர் களுக்கு அளிக் கப் ப டும் சிகிச்சை விவ ரங் க ளை யும் கேட்ட றிந் தார். தொடர்ந்து விடுதி சமை யல் அறை, விடுதி தண் ணீர் தொட்டி, கழி வ றை கள் என அனைத் தை யும் ஆய்வு செய் தார். அப் போது தண் ணீர் தொட்டி திறந்து இருந் தது கண்டு அதை உட ன டி யாக மூட உத் த ர விட்டார். பின் னர் அவர் கூறி ய தா வது:

டெங்கு தடுப் புப் ப ணிக் காக சென் ற போது மாண வி கள் அங்கு தக் காளி சாதம் சாப் பிட்டுள் ள னர். இர வில் விடு தி யில் வழங் கிய உணவை சாப் பிட்டுள் ள னர். நள் ளி ர வில் 12 மணி தொடங்கி 2 மணிக் குள் மாண வி களுக்கு அடுத் த டுத்து வாந்தி, மயக் கம், வயிற் றுப் போக்கு, தலை வலி ஏற் பட்டு, இங்கு அனு ம திக் கப் பட்டு சிகிச்சை பெற்று வரு கின் ற னர். 42 பேர் சிகிச்சை முடிந்து திரும்பி விட்ட னர்.

அவர் களும் விரை வில் டிஸ் சார்ஜ் செய் யப் ப டு வார் கள். கவ லைப் பட ஒன் றும் இல்லை. நான் ஆய்வு செய் த தில் தண் ணீர் தொட்டி மட்டும் திறந்து இருந் தது. அவற்றை மூட உத் த ர விட்டுள் ளேன். வரும் 15ம் தேதி அப் துல் க லாம் பிறந்த நாள் அன்று வேலூர் ரோட்டரி சங் கங் கள், கிரீ னரி பவுண் டே ஷன் ஆகி ய வற் று டன் இணைந்து வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி மருத் து வ மனை வளா கத் தில் ஒருங் கி ணைந்த துப் பு ரவு பணி நடை பெ று கி றது.

இவ் வாறு அவர் கூறி னார்.

டெங்கு விழிப் பு ணர்வு பணிக்கு சென்ற வேலூர் அரசு மருத் து வக் கல் லூரி நர் சிங் பள்ளி மாண வி கள் வாந்தி, வயிற் றுப் போக் கால் பாதிக் கப் பட்ட சம் ப வம் பெரும் பர ப ரப்பை ஏற் ப டுத் தி யுள் ளது. நேற்று இரவு கலெக்டர் நந்தகோபால் மாணவிகளை சென்று நேரில் பார்த்து சிகிச்சை குறித்து கேட்டு அறிந்தார்.

Toxic Food is Violation of Rights: National Human Rights Commission

NEW DELHI: Alarmed over the increase in the quantit­y of pesticides found in fruits and vegetables, the Nation­al Human Rights Commission, taking cognisance of several reports, on Friday issued a notice to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Union Agriculture Ministry’s findings show that in the past six years there has been a two-fold increase in the number of samples of vegetables, fruits, meat and spices containing pesticides.

The NHRC has also issu­ed notices to the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries and secretaries in charge of the food and supplies departments in all state governments.

Terming it a case of human rights violation, Justice D Murugesan has sought a respon­se within eight weeks about action taken to minimise pesticide residue in food.

Pointing out the hazardous effects of pesticides on the lives of people, Murugesan said, “It is to be emphasised that any food article that is hazardous and injurious to public health is a potential danger to the Fundamental Right to Life. The enjoyment of life, including right to life and human dignity, encompasses within its ambit, availability of articles of food without insecticide or pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, antibiotics resid­ues, solvent residues etc.

“Though it is the sole duty of the state to achieve an appropriate level for protection of human life and health — a fundament­al right, reports of rampant use of pesticides continue to pour in,” he said.

Kashmir consumers worried over adulterated food products

We regularly keep collecting food samples: DFCO

Srinagar: Consumers of different food companies in the Valley are worried as they fear that contaminated and adulterated food items are being supplied to them and they blame the authorities for not regularly checking the dangerous misuse.

Over the years, Kashmir has seen a fledgling growth of some food companies which manufacture milk, cheese, turmeric and other spices. Although their growth has been welcomed by the people, the consumers believe that their food products are contaminated and adulterated.

Tasaduq Hussain, who consumes milk of a local manufacturer, said that his wife always complains that the milk is contaminated.

“Every morning I have to hear complaints from my wife that the milk I purchase from the market is not of pure and standard quality. I have changed brands but the complaints are same for every brand,” said Hussain, a resident of Hyderpora.

Like Hussain, scores of other consumers fear that the same adulteration. But the complaints of these consumers are not baseless.

In 2013, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India had found that that 83 per cent of milk produced and consumed in Jammu and Kashmir is contaminated with components like salt, detergents and several other harmful substances.

FSSAI had said that the milk had not only weak nutritious value but has several other side effects for human health as well.

Health experts said that the consumption of contaminated food products by the people could lead to gastroenteritis, food poisoning, endocrinology and several other chronic diseases.

“The consumption of adulterated food products can even cause cancer,” said doctors.

People and the experts unanimously said the responsibility for this lied on the government which had given a “free” hand to the companies for adulteration.

They said that Drugs and Food Control Organization, and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation were not serious in controlling and checking the quality of food products being supplied to them.

Officials said that they regularly check the food companies’ products irrespective of receiving complaints from people.

“We regularly keep collecting food samples from the market to check their quality and standard. As per the Food Safety Act, those people are fined whose products are found adulterated,” said Deputy Drugs and Food Controller, Nazir Ahmad Wani.

Sub-Standard Refined Soyabean Oil Destroyed

JAMMU, OCTOBER 09: On 22-03-2014, a sample of Refined Soyabean Oil ( Golden Brand) bearing batch no. 06 was lifted from the store of ICDS Project, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu by Ashwani Kumar, Food Safety Officer, Jammu Municipal Corp. under the supervision of Health Officer (then Designated Officer) JMC Dr. Mohd. Saleem Khan. 

81 (Eighty one) tins of Refined Soyabean Oil ( Golden Brand) bearing batch No. 06 were seized and kept in the safe custody of Health Officer (then Designated Officer) JMC. The sample was sent to the Food Analyst, Jammu for its complete analysis. The Food Analyst after analysis reported the sample of Refined Soyabean Oil (Golden Brand) as Substandard. 

After all codal formalities prosecution was launched in the Court of Adjudicating Officer District Jammu against:

1. I/c Store, ICDS project, II-C, IInd Extn. Gandhi Nagar, Jammu

2. M/s Chenab Agro Chem. Ltd. Works, SICOP Industrial Estate Kathua (J&K) for being the manufacturer of Refined Soyabean Oil (Golden Brand).

On 28-07-2015, the Designated Court after hearing, convicted the accused persons under Sec.26/51 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 by imposing a fine of Rs.50,000/- (Rs. Fifty Thousand ). Further directions were issued to the concerned Food Safety Officer Jammu Municipal Corp. and Health Officer (then Designated Officer) JMC that the seized material i.e. 81 (Eighty one) tins of Refined Soyabean Oil (Golden Brand) bearing batch No. 06 found Substandard and also not safe for consumers be destroyed.

In compliance to the order dt. 11-09-2015 Health Officer (then Designated Officer) JMC and the concerned Food Safety Officer JMC, destroyed the seized product mentioned above on 09-10-2015 in presence of Tehsildar North Dr. Javed Iqbal, Executive Magistrate 1st class Jammu deputed by Court in presence of local media. The Municipal Commissioner Mandeep Kaur, IAS remained present during the destruction of the seized material and appreciated the work done by the Officers of JMC.

It is pertinent to mention here that Jammu Municipal Corp. in its previous major drives on certain occasions also destroyed 4503 Ltrs. Of Double Toned Milk “ Go Brand”, quintals of sweets, milk, milk products and other food articles being prepared under unhygienic conditions largely in the public interest and for safety of general public. 

DINATHANTHI NEWS

சத்துணவு முட்டை கள்ளச்சந்தையில் விற்பனையா? சரக்கு ஆட்டோவுடன் பறிமுதல்

சேலம், அக்.9:
நாமக் கல் மாவட்டம் திருச் செங் கோட்டில் இருந்து சேலம் ஒன் றிய அலு வ ல கம் மூலம் சத் து ணவு திட்டத் திற் காக வாரத் திற்கு 80 ஆயி ரம் முட்டை கள் விநி யோ கிக் கப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இந்த முட்டை கள் சேலம் ஒன் றி யத் திற் குட் பட்ட 128 பள் ளி கள் மற் றும் அங் கன் வாடி மையங் களுக்கு சரக்கு ஆட்டோ மூலம் அனுப்பி வைக் கப் ப டு கி றது. இந் நி லை யில் ேநற்று செவ் வாய் பேட்டைச் சேர்ந்த டிரை வர் செல் வ கு மார், சேலம் ஒன் றிய அலு வ ல கத் தில் இருந்து சரக்கு ஆட்டோ வில் 40 ஆயி ரம் முட்டை களை ஏற் றிக் கொண்டு பள் ளி களுக்கு விநி யோ கம் செய் தார். வழி யில் 5 ரோடு அருகே 4 அட்டை பெட்டி முட்டை களை வேறு வாக னத் தில் வந்த ஒரு வ ரி டம் கொடுத் துள் ளார். இத னைக் கண்டு சந் தே க ம டைந்த மக் கள், சத் து ணவு முட்டை வெளி ஆட் களுக்கு விற் பனை செய் வ தாக சேலம் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி காரி டாக் டர் அனு ரா தா வுக்கு புகார் தெரி வித் த னர். இதன் பே ரில், அவர் விரைந்து வந்து சரக்கு ஆட்டோ வு டன் முட்டை களை பறி மு தல் செய்து, நாட்டாண்மை கழக கட்டி டத் திற்கு கொண்டு வந் தார். மேலும, செல் வ கு மா ரி டம் அதி கா ரி கள் விசா ரணை நடத்தி வரு கின் ற னர். இது கு றித்து அவர் கூறு கை யில்,‘‘ சேலம் ஒன் றிய அலு வ ல கத் தில் இருந்து நேற்று காலை 40 ஆயி ரம் முட்டை களை ஏற் றிக் கொண்டு பள் ளி களுக்கு விநி யோ கம் செய் தேன். வாய்க் கால் பட்ட றை யில் உள்ள ஒரு பள் ளிக் கான முட்டையை கொடுப் ப தற் காக சென் றால், அதிக நேரம் பிடிக் கும் என் ப தால், கால வி ர யத்தை கருத் தில் கொண்டு அப் ப கு திக்கு சென்ற ஒரு வாக னத் தில் 4 அட்டை முட்டை களை ஒப் ப டைத்து, அப் பள் ளிக்கு விநிே யா க கு மாறு கூறி னேன். அப் போது அங் கி ருந்த ஒரு வர் நான் வெளி ஆட் களுக்கு சத் து ணவு முட்டை களை சப்ளை செய் வ தாக நினைத்து உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரிக்கு தக வல் தெரி வித் துள் ளார்,’’ என் றார்.

DINAMANI NEWS

கேரளா கடத்திய ரூ.10 லட்சம் போதை பாக்கு புகை யிலை பாக் கெட் பறி மு தல்

பாலக் காடு,அக்.9:
கோவை யில் இருந்து கேர ளா விற்கு சொகுசு காரில் கடத் திய ரூ.10 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான போதை பாக்கு மற் றும் புகை யிலை பாக் கெட் களை கலால் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
கேரள- தமி ழக எல் லைப் ப கு தி யான வாளை யார் சோத னைச் சா வ டி யில் நேற்று முன் தி னம் மாலை கலால் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் வாக ன த ணிக்கை மேற் கொண் டி ருந் த னர். அப் போது கோவை யி லி ருந்து கேரளா நோக்கி வந்த சொகுசு கார் ஒன்றை மறித்து சோத னை யிட்ட போது காரின் பின் ப கு தி யில் 10 மூட்டை களில் போதை பாக்கு, புகை யிலை பாக் கெட் பதுக்கி வைக் கப் பட்டி ருந் தது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டது.
இது தொடர் பாக காரில் வந்த பாலக் காடு மாவட்டம் கல் ல டிக் கோட்டை சேர்ந்த சீனாசி(25),ஜிஹாப்(24) ஆகிய இரு வரை கைது செய் த னர். விசா ர ணை யில் கோவை யில் இருந்து எர் ணா கு ளத் திற்கு கடத்தி சென்று அங்கு பணி யாற் றும் தொழி லா ளர் கள் மற் றும் கல் லூரி மாண வர் களுக்கு சப்ளை செய்ய முயன் ற தாக தெரி வித் த னர். இரு வ ரை யும் கைது செய் த தோடு கார் மற் றும் புகை யிலை போதை பாக் கு க ளை யும் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
கடத் தல் சம் ப வம் குறித்து கலால் துறை இன்ஸ் பெக் டர் சஞ் சீவ் கு மார் கூறு கை யில்,‘ கடந்த 2 மாதங் களில் கோவை யில் இருந்து ரூ.50 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான போதை பாக்கு,புகை யிலை பாக் கெட் கேர ளா விற் குள் கடத்தி வரப் பட்ட போது பிடி பட்டுள் ளன. இது தொடர் பாக 5 வழக்கு பதி யப் பட்டு 12 பேர் கைது செய் யப் பட்டுள் ள னர்’, என் றார்.

Creating awareness about food cooked in reused oil

How many times have people suffered from abdominal pain, loose motion and bloating sensation after consuming fried items sold at roadside eateries?
The chances are that the fried food items might have been cooked in reused oil.
Rajkumar Wadhwa, gastroenterologist, said that cooking oil turns toxic when it is cooled and reheated.
Food items fried in reused oil are not safe for human consumption, often leading to complaints of abdominal pain, loose stools and bloating sensation, he said.
Srikanth Kashyap, president of Arivu Samsthe, a voluntary organisation, said that he came across several people in the city complaining of an upset stomach after eating fried food items.
As most of them had eaten the fried food stuff from roadside eateries or hotels as cooking oil is reused rampantly, Arivu Samsthe approached the Designated Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) in Mysuru to take necessary steps as a large number of tourists will be visiting the City during Dasara.
On Thursday, volunteers of Arivu Samsthe, along with Food Safety Officer of Mysuru, M.S. Lokesha, went around the city creating awareness among roadside eateries and hotels against reusing cooking oil.
The office of the FSSA in Mysuru had also noticed that coriander leaves, chillies, curry leaves and other vegetables used by the eateries were not cleaned properly.
“Many have pesticide residues that should be cleaned with salt water,” Mr. Lokesha said.
As part of an awareness campaign on Thursday, fruit sellers were also warned against selling apples having a coat of wax and fruits ripened artificially using banned chemicals like calcium carbide.
The officials of the FSSA have been authorised to levy a penalty up to Rs 1 lakh against traders under the Food Safety Standards Act 2006, he added.

Rajasthan bans mawa until further orders to keep a check on adulteration

Rajasthan government has banned mawa and all its products to keep a check on possible adulteration during the coming festive season.

It was informed by chief food safety commissioner B R Meena to the Jaipur High Court, which was hearing a petition seeking court intervention on adulterated mawa in the state. In fact, the problem prevails across the country during festive seasons.
The state government has banned mawa and mawa products in Rajasthan by an order dated October 7, Meena told the court.
According to the notice issued by Rajasthan government, the government had banned mawa on the directions issued by the High Court until further order. The state food safety commissioner told the High Court that the ban would be imposed seriously and subsequently the orders in this regard would be issued to all the relevant local authorities.
The single-judge bench of the High Court called the commissioner to take stock of the situation as to what action and precautions were being taken during Diwali.
Meanwhile, no such move has been reported from other parts of the country. UPFDA assistant commissioner Vijay Bahadur stated that there was no such move in the state of Uttar Pradesh. However the state food safety department would ensure that spurious food products were not sold in the state during the festive season.

HC grants respite to Amway, dismisses PIL against its products

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court granted respite to FMCG major Amway Enterprises on Thursday by dismissing a PIL demanding the ban of its products.
A division bench comprising Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Prasanna Varale stated that prima facie the studies didn't find any product unfit for the consumption. The court however asked Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to take action as per laws if Amway's products were found to be unfit for consumption in future.
The PIL filed was by social workers — Sachin Khobragde and Jammu Anand — through their counsel Nihalsingh Rathod. Citing provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the petitioners prayed for directives to FSSAI to recall all Amway products which are being sold without valid license/approval/NOC, and investigations from an independent body into entire episode. They also demanded conducting audit of FSSAI.
During last hearing, the court directed FSSAI to go ahead with its action of recalling its seven products after those were found unfit for consumption in their scientific studies.
FSSAI had filed an affidavit stating that as many as 37 products of chain marketing major were put under scanner of which seven were found to contain more than permissible quantities of minerals and vitamins, as per studies conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute for Nutrition (NIN). All these products were found without mandatory licenses/no-objection certificates (NOC)/product approvals from the food authority.
Out of 37 products were under the scanner, seven including — Nutrilite Natural B tablets, Calcium Magnesium D, Nutrilite Iron Folic tablets, Nutrilite Bio C, Positrim Vanilla, and Nutrilite Kids Drink in mixed fruit flavour had been rejected by the food authority. NOC's of Nutrilite Salmon Omega 3, Nutrilite CH Balance and Nutrilite Fiber were expired, still they were being sold.
The petitioners had claimed that despite being directed by FSSAI to recall them, the company is still selling them openly in the market.

Maggi Ban: Nestle Questions Jurisdiction of Consumer Commission to Try Suit

NEW DELHI: Nestle India Limited today questioned the jurisdiction of the apex consumer commission to try a Rs. 640 crore suit filed by the Centre against it for alleged unfair trade practices pertaining to its popular noodles brand, Maggi, saying the Bombay High Court has already dismissed a similar plea.
The company told the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that there was nothing new in the government's suit as all the contentions were dismissed by the High Court in its August 13 order, which had set aside the countrywide ban on its Maggi noodles.
The counsel appearing for the firm said that Department of Consumer Affairs in its present suit has not relied upon any new evidence than what was proposed before the High Court.
Citing Bombay High Court order, the company sought to recall an earlier NCDRC order by which it had admitted the government's present suit against the noodles manufacturer.
In its petition, Department of Consumer Affairs has alleged that Nestle India had "indulged in unfair trade practices by false labelling of Maggi Noodles in as much as it states 'No added MSG' prominently on packet, despite presence of MSG."
It also sought a direction to the company to recall all "defective" and "hazardous goods" with respect to Maggi noodles with Tastemaker in all its variants and Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker, and sought a direction to it for issuance of corrective advertisement to neutralise the effect of the misleading advertisements.
"This commission be pleased to direct the opponent company to remove 'No added MSG' from the packets and labels of all the variants of Maggi noodles.... This commission be pleased to direct the opponent company to ensure strict compliance with labelling regulations for its entire range of products," the department's complaint, filed before the commission, said.
Nestle India also raised doubts on the samples collected by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and claimed that these might have been tampered with.
The commission's bench, headed by Justice VK Jain, fixed the matter for October 15 for further hearing.

Maggi ban: Nestle questions NCDRC’s jurisdiction to try suit

Nestle India Limited today questioned the jurisdiction of the apex consumer court to try the Centre's Rs 640 crore suit against it for alleged unfair trade practices pertaining to Maggi noodles, saying the Bombay High Court has already dismissed a similar plea.
Nestle India Limited today questioned the jurisdiction of the apex consumer court to try the Centre’s Rs 640 crore suit against it for alleged unfair trade practices pertaining to Maggi noodles, saying the Bombay High Court has already dismissed a similar plea.
The company told the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that there was nothing new in the government’s suit as all the contentions were dismissed by the High Court in its August 13 order, which had set aside the countrywide ban on its Maggi noodles.
The counsel appearing for the firm said that Department of Consumer Affairs in its present suit has not relied upon any new evidence than what was proposed before the High Court.
The noodle manufacturer also raised doubts on the samples collected by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and claimed that these might have been tampered with.
The commission’s bench, headed by Justice V K Jain, fixed the matter for October 15 for further hearing.
Citing Bombay High Court order, the company sought to recall an earlier NCDRC order by which it had admitted the government’s present suit against the noodles manufacturer.
In its petition, Department of Consumer Affairs has alleged that Nestle India had “indulged in unfair trade practices by false labelling of Maggi Noodles in as much as it states ‘No added MSG’ prominently on packet, despite presence of MSG.”
The department has also alleged that the company sold “defective” goods to the public by selling Maggi noodles with the presence of lead and MSG and indulged in unfair trade practices by offering for sale Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker without risk assessment and product approval.
It also sought a direction to the company to recall all “defective” and “hazardous goods” with respect to Maggi noodles with Tastemaker in all its variants and Maggi Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker, and sought a direction to it for issuance of corrective advertisement to neutralise the effect of the misleading advertisements.
“This commission be pleased to direct the opponent company to remove ‘No added MSG’ from the packets and labels of all the variants of Maggi noodles…. This commission be pleased to direct the opponent company to ensure strict compliance with labelling regulations for its entire range of products,” the department’s complaint, filed before the commission, said.

Why Fresh Food Safety Tests on Maggi, Asks Nestle India

NEW DELHI: Nestle India today asked the apex consumer court why fresh food safety tests were being ordered on Maggi noodles when a similar exercise has already been conducted as per the directions of the Bombay High Court.
The matter came up before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which heard it for nearly three hours.
The bench of Justice VK Jain and Justice BC Gupta was hearing a class action suit filed against Nestle India.
The case pertains to high levels of lead found in samples of the company's marquee brand Maggi.
It said the commission would hear the application again on October 15 with regard to fresh tests on Maggi samples.
Nestle, however, took an aggressive stand and said the NCDRC has no jurisdiction to hear the government's class action suit.
"We are waiting for the results of the samples from three government-recommended laboratories as it was ordered by the high court. As such what is the need of parallel tests," Nestle's attorney asked about the suit filed by the consumer affairs ministry for alleged unfair trade practices by Nestle.
Nestle's attorney said sampling should not be done to devalue the larger bench.
In what it says amounts to judicial indiscipline, Nestle argued that the Maggi issue was covered under the Food Safety and Standards Act and that in itself was wide in scope for providing for adjudication of disputes.
The company says there is no room available for the Consumer Protection Act to operate in this matter and the grounds of the government's class action suit have already been covered and dismissed by the Bombay High Court.
Apprehensions about the samples being tampered with cannot be ruled out as they were not recommended either by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials or the consumer directly, the counsel said.
On the issue of monosodium glutamate (MSG), the attorney said MSG was permitted for seasoning in noodles and since the product was not meant for children below 12 months of age, mentioning "No added MSG" on the packet was not mandatory.

Karnataka to Consider Revoking Maggi Ban

Four months after Karnataka banned Maggi noodles, the state government is considering withdrawing the ban as the original reasons for it do not appear to have stood up to scrutiny.

The ban was invoked by the Karnataka government after directions from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to temporarily stop Nestle India from manufacturing or selling its noodles, including variants, in the state as a precautionary measure to ensure public health. 

After preliminary results of tests conducted at a private lab in Karnataka indicated that the levels of lead in the noodles were above the permissible limit, the state health department advised stakeholders to refrain from marketing, distributing and selling the noodles, and also asked the public not to consume it. 

On Wednesday, the state Health Minister, UT Khader, said that the government was contemplating withdrawing the ban as toxins such as lead and monosodium glutamate were found to be within permissible limits in samples tested here. 

Khader told the Times of India there was lack of clarity on why the ban was in place in the state. 

We are thinking of lifting the ban on sale of Maggi, as there’s no clarity on why the ban was imposed in the first place. We followed the Centre’s directive and tested Maggi samples in labs accredited by the National Accreditation of Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Results showed lead content was within permissible limits. We tested the same sample in a lab in Kolkata, where the lead content was found to be 2.6 particles per million (ppm). We don’t know which result to believe now. How can the same sample show different results in different places?

— UT Khader, Karnataka Health Minister

Maggi Clears the Test

An NABL-accredited lab in Nagarbhavi, south Bengaluru had tested samples of Maggi in which the lead content was recorded at 0.05 ppm; the permissible limit is 2.5 ppm.

The Times of India quoted Khader saying, “If the Centre questions our decision, we’ll ask it to provide scientific evidence to continue with it.”

However, the minister added he wasn’t sure if the product will hit the market again.

Food Safety Officers seal NIT cafeteria

A team of Food Safety Officers of Drug and Food Control Organization headed by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, District Srinagar visited NIT Campus Hazratbal Srinagar in connection with inspection

Officials on Wednesday sealed the cafeteria inside the NIT campus at Hazratbal, while it served 10 days notice to two other food outlets to make structural changes in light of the requirements of Food Safety and standards Act.

In a statement here an official spokesman said: “A team of Food Safety Officers of Drug and Food Control Organization headed by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, District Srinagar visited NIT Campus Hazratbal Srinagar in connection with inspecting various food business establishments.

During inspection NIT cafeteria was found in total insanitary condition, rusted and broken utensils were used for preparation and storage of food Items. Synthetic food colours were also being used. Foul smell was emanating from the kitchen. The restaurant was sealed till further orders.”

“In addition two units manufacturing food items were also found in insanitary condition. The drainage had got blocked and foul smell was emanating from it. The tiles of floor and walls were broken. These food outlets have been put on ten days notice to make the structural change in light of the requirements of Food Safety and standards Act otherwise action under law shall be initiated against them,” the spokesman added.

Toxic food

Regulation of pesticide use in farming is too lax

India's food chain continues to suffer from excessive toxicity, brought on by the rampant and unrestrained use of pesticides. Official data were released last week that showed nearly 18.7 per cent of samples tested - samples of commonly consumed foods like vegetables, fruits, milk, pulses, meat and spices - contained pesticide residues in varying degrees. In over 2.6 per cent of the samples, thetoxicity level was higher than the permissible limits. The incidence of toxicity seems to have nearly doubled when compared to similar studies in the past. Nor is the problem confined to big cities, although Delhi and Mumbai are among the worst hit: samples from small urban centres too have failed to pass the safety test.

Earlier studies had shown that even drinking water, beverages and soft drinks were not totally free of hazardous chemicals. Worst of all, traces of banned or unapproved pesticides have been found in commonly consumed foodstuffs. Clearly, regulation has failed to check the circulation of prohibited chemicals and spurious insecticides - substances which can be far more hazardous than the permitted pesticides. Many of these harmful chemicals are feared to be carcinogenic besides being injurious to the central nervous systems and liver. A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) was set up in 2003 to go into the safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juices and other beverages. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) came into being after the report of this JPC. However, many of the useful recommendations of this panel, including one concerning formulation of standards for individual food items - rather than for vegetables, fruits and others collectively as a group - have yet to be fully implemented.

The problem is not that India uses too much pesticide. In fact, India's per-hectare consumption of plant protection chemicals is just a fraction of that in developed countries. Yet the problem of toxicity is far more serious here than elsewhere. The real cause is the improper and indiscriminate use of pesticides by farmers. Most pesticide manufacturers stress the necessary precautions to be observed while using these hazardous chemicals; these include allowing a prescribed time to elapse between spraying pesticide and harvesting the crop. This is necessary to let the pesticide molecules degenerate. But these essential precautions are often ignored by farmers in India. Many of them, especially vegetable growers, dip their produce in chemical solutions just before going to the wholesale markets - which they believe will improve their appearance and assure them better prices. The use of chemicals like calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits like bananas, papayas and mangoes also contaminates them. This can be curbed only by educating India's farmers on the safe use of pesticides. Pesticide marketing also needs to be better regulated. Only registered dealers who have some knowledge of pesticides and their safe use should be allowed to do business. This is important because farmers usually rely on the advice of pesticide sellers when it comes to plant protection issues. The pesticide industry must be pushed to contribute to this effort.

‘Ready to manufacture sago as per Food Safety Department norms’

The Attur Starch and Javvarisi Urparthiyalargal Munnetra Nala Sangam said that its members are ready to manufacture sago and starch as per the Food Safety Department norms and pleaded for State Government’s guidance in this regard.

The recent Madras High Court judgment that sago which failed the tests conducted by the Sagoserve to find out the mixing of chemicals in its production should be handed over to the Food Safety Department and also slapping a ban on the sale of wet starch, has badly hit about 350 sago manufacturing units in the medium and small scale sector in seven districts, S. Doraisamy, president of the Sangam said.

He said that tapioca skin was removed manually till a few years ago.

Later, due to paucity of manpower, the sago units introduced peeling machines for the removal of skin. Sometime, chemicals had to be used for the removal of dirt. This technique of using chemicals had already been done away with by the sago units.

On a petition filed R. Chandrasekaran, secretary of the Kalkurichi Vellalapatti Vivasayigal Munnetra Sangam, the Madras High Court had passed the above order, following which all the 350 and odd sago manufacturing units have suspended production since September 7.

Mr. Doraisamy said that taking advantage of the court order a few major sago manufacturing units alone were involved in the manufacture of sago and starch and are making big profit at the cost of small and medium units.

He said that the small and medium sago units are prepared to manufacture the sago and starch without mixing any chemicals and as per the food safety department norms.

The Government should introduce a chemical-free manufacturing process and the sago units are fully prepared to adopt this technique.

The present situation has not only affected the medium and small sago units, but also the entire tapioca farming community. This is the harvesting period and the continuation of the stalemate will only worsen the situation, he added.

Mr. Doraisamy said that a meeting of the sago unit owners of Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Erode, Tiruchi, Perambalur and Villupuram districts was held at Attur on Monday.

The meeting decided to stage a day long hunger strike agitation in front of the Sagoserve in the city soon to highlight the problems confronting the medium and small sago manufacturing units and demanding the government to ensure their smooth functioning as usual, he said.

கடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையினர் ஆய்வு

பந் த லூர், அக். 8:

பந் த லூர் பஜார் கடை களில் நேற்று திடீர் ஆய்வு நடத் திய அதி கா ரி கள் காலா வதி உண வுப் பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர்.

பந் த லூர் பஜார் பகுதி கடை களில் காலா வ தி யான உண வுப் பொருட் கள் விற் பனை குறித்து மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் மருத் து வர் ரவி தலை மை யி லான உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் கொண்ட குழு வி னர் நேற்று ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர். அப் போது, காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், மிட்டாய், மிக் சர், முறுக்கு, பிஸ் கட் உள் ளிட்ட உண வுப் பொருட் கள் விற் ப னைக் காக வைக் கப் பட்டி ருந் தது கண் ட றி யப் பட்டது.

அவற்றை அதி கா ரி கள் உடைத்து கொட்டி அழித் த னர். மேலும் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் களை கீழே கொட்டி னார் கள். அழு கிய பழங் கள் விற் பனை செய் வதை கண் ட றிந்து அவற்றை அழித் த னர். மளிகை கடை களில் ஆய்வு செய்த உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் அங்கு உள்ள உண வுப் பொ ருட் களில் காலா வ தி யா ன வற்றை வெளியே கொண்டு வந்து அழித் த னர். மேலும் உணவு பொருட் கள் தனி யா க வும், இதர அழகு சாதன பொருட் கள் மற் றும் இர சா ய னம் சார்ந்த பொருட் கள் சோப்பு உள் ளிட்ட பொருட் கள் தனி தனி பகு தி களில் அடுக்கி வைக்க அறி வு றுத் தி னார் கள்.

உணவு பாது காப்பு லைசென்ஸ் கண் டிப் பாக பெற வேண் டும் என் றும் பாது காப் பான முறை யில் உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள் வைத்து விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டும் என் றும் அறி வு றுத் தி னார் கள்.

தொடர்ந்து, ஓட்ல் களில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர், அப் போது, ‘இறைச்சி, மீன் களை வாடிக் கை யா ளர் கள் கேட் கும் போது பொறித்து சூடாக வழங்க வேண் டும் என வும், பல மணி நேரத் திற்கு முன் பாக பொறித்த கறி க ளையோ, மீன் க ளையோ கொடுக்க கூடாது, இவ் வாறு கொடுப் ப தால் நோய் கள் பர வும் அபா யம் உள் ளது. மேலும் சமை ய ல றை கள் சுத் த மாக வைக்க வேண் டும், இறைச்சி கடை களை சுத் த மாக வைக்க வேண் டும் கால் நடை மருத் து வ ரி டம் முத் திரை பெற்றே இறைச் சி கள் விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டும். கடை களின் உள்ளே தண் ணீர் தேங்கி இருக் கும் வகை யில் பாத் தி ரங் க ளையோ, பழைய டயர் க ளையோ வைக்க கூடாது. காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் வ தால் வாந்தி, பேதி, வயிறு சம் பந் த மான பல் வேறு நோய் கள் ஏற் பட வாய்ப்பு உள் ளது. எனவே மேற் கண்ட உண வுப் பொ ருட் க ளை யும் குளிர் பா னங் க ளை யும் மொத்த விற் ப னை யா ளர் களி டம் வாங் கும் போதே தயா ரிப்பு தேதி மற் றும் காலா வதி தேதி தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வ னம் உள் ளிட்ட தக வல் கள் கேட்டு வாங் க வேண் டும். முழு மை யான தக வல் கள் உடைய பில் களை கடை கா ரர் கள் மொத்த விற் ப னை யா ளர் களி டம் இருந்து வாங்கி வைத்து கொள்ள வேண் டும்.

மீன் கள் மற் றும் பழங் கள் விற் ப னைக்கு வைக் கப் பட்டி ருக் கும் போது அவை கொசுக் கள் மற் றும் ஈக் கள் அம ராத வகை யில் வலை போட்டு மூடி வைத்து இருக்க வேண் டும். பழைய அழு கிய பழங் கள் மற் றும் மீன் கள் சாப் பி டு வ தால் பல் வேறு நோய் கள் ஏற் ப டும் வாய்ப்பு உள் ள து’, என அறி வு றுத் தி னர்

Food vendors on Kozhikode beach come under scanner

KOZHIKODE: After conducting a cleaning drive at the beach on the Gandhi Jayanthi with participation from the public, district administration is exploring ways to keep the cleanliness of the area intact.

A large number of students and volunteers of various organizations had taken part in the cleaning drive. Similar attempts were made in the past too, but beach remained dirty after a few days of cleaning.

District administration has sought the opinion of the experts on maintaining the cleanliness of the beach because more sustained efforts are needed to keep the beach beautiful. "Unlike other places in the city, beach needs scientific ways to keep it clean," district collector N Prasanth said.

A major concern for the people who throng the beach on holidays is the quality of the food served at the make-shift eateries that have sprouted along the beach. During the cleaning drive on October 2, officials have come across many eateries that sell unhygienic food sold at these shops. Food safety authorities have banned the sale of crushed ice sold on the beach as it is found out that these items are made in unhygienic conditions and have added chemicals.

Shockingly, many of the food items sold at the beach were preserved for weeks. Officials have asked the vendors to remove the ice boxes immediately and install new refrigerators. The fruits and vegetables found the ice boxes have been destroyed by the squad. The vendors have been asked to keep the outlets clean. The search was conducted by the officials following a direction from the collector.

Food safety officials said that awareness classes were conducted for the street vendors at the beach. Many have been paying scant regard to the directions issued from to time. Officials have warned that strict action will be initiated against offenders and regular raids will be conducted at the eateries on the beach. The collector has also asked the city corporation authorities to take steps to issue license to the vendors on the beach. As there is no licensing system it is very difficult for the authorities to find out the culprit in case of health hazards.

District collector N Prasanth told TOI that students of the IIM-K have been asked to prepare a project report on the sustainable model of the beach cleaning. "The idea is to divide the beach into different segments and entrust each area to some sponsor, which would be a corporate or an institution," said the collector.

State to retest Maggi samples

Confused over varying test results on the presence of lead, aluminium and monosodium glutamate in four samples of Maggi sent to the Central Food Laboratory (CFL), Kolkata, the State Health Department is all set to get the samples retested from a private NABL laboratory outside the State.

Health Minister U.T. Khader told The Hindu on Wednesday that the need for a retest was felt as the reports of same samples tested in private laboratories in the State had shown different results. “We don’t know which lab to believe. Varying reports and absence of clarity in the Food Safety and Standards Act on the permissible levels of these substances are confusing. So we need to get a retest,” he said. The current ban on sale of Maggi in the State that has been imposed following directions from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will continue for the time being. However, a final decision will be taken after the State receives the new report and a clarification from the FSSAI about permissible limits, he said.

Meanwhile, sources in the State Food Safety division said that the CFL, Kolkata — that tested three Maggi samples from the State (two from Bengaluru Rural and one from Gadag) for the presence of toxic substances — ruled that two of the samples are “unsafe” for consumption.

“Of the three samples, the report of just one sample said the product is safe. Of the other two, one sample was found to be mislabelled as although it had traces of MSG, the label did not mention it. The same sample also exhibited the presence of aluminium (0.119 ppm) and hence it was termed as unsafe,” a senior official explained. “The third sample showed the presence of both lead (2.6 ppm) and aluminium (0.24 ppm) and has been termed unsafe. But the laboratory authorities have not explained as to why the sample is unsafe (is it because of lead or aluminium?). So we will write to them seeking a clarification,” the official said.

Aluminium, MSG traces found in Maggi samples

The Central Food Laboratory (CFL), Kolkata, has found traces of aluminium and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Maggi samples from Karnataka.

According to the report submitted by CFL to the State Health department, it found 0.119 ppm of aluminium in the samples tested. The State Health department is however yet to ascertain what the permissible limit for aluminium is from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). In food, aluminium compounds can occur naturally or as part of food additives. CFL has however ruled out the presence of lead in the three samples it has tested so far.

The department received the report on three samples sent from Bengaluru Urban to the lab on June 15, on Tuesday. It is also awaiting results of samples sent from BBMP zone and Bengaluru Rural.

Dr H S Shivakumar, Deputy Director of the department said that once the results on the samples are received, a report would be submitted to FSSAI.

“The presence of aluminium is negligible. But owing to the health scare the product has created countrywide, we cannot take any chances. Also, this is for the first time that aluminium presence has been detected. FSSAI is the only authority that can give the clearance to lift the ban,” he said. 

He also said that Karnataka had not been able to take a stand on the presence of MSG in Maggi, as the Centre has not prescribed the permissible limits for it. Karnataka would submit the CFL results to FSSAI during the Advisory Committee meeting of the Authority on October 13.

The results have come at a time when Karnataka was all set to lift the ban on the product. Health Minister U T Khader said the results from CFL had taken too long, and that he was contemplating lifting the ban on Maggi in the State. 

“We sent the samples to CFL three months ago. We have also destroyed the existing product, withdrawn stocks, and ensured that Maggi has stopped production in Nanjangud. However, despite repeated reminders to CFL, the lab had not sent us the results. This has put us in a spot, as there is no clarity on the matter. We have continued with the ban only paying heed to FSSAI directive,” he said. The Bombay High Court has lifted the ban on Maggi, with a rider.