Dec 6, 2015
Every Fifth Food Sample Found Adulterated and Misbranded: Report
One out of every five samples of food items tested by public food safety labs in the country has been found "adulterated and misbranded", with maximum in Uttar Pradesh followed by Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
Over Rs 10.93 crore penalty has been imposed in 2,795 cases, while culprits have been convicted in 1,402 cases so far this year, according to the testing report of public laboratories released by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
As per the report compiled by the state governments, food safety labs received 83,265 samples, of which 74,010 were tested till November 24 of 2015.
Out of the tested samples, the labs found 14,599 samples were "adulterated and misbranded", the data showed.
A maximum 4,119 samples were found adulterated and misbranded in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab (1,458), Madhya Pradesh (1,412), Gujarat (1,243), Maharashtra (1,162) and Tamil Nadu (1,047).
The penalty of Rs 10.93 crore has been imposed in 2,795 cases, and maximum fine of Rs 5.98 crore was imposed for cases reported in Uttar Pradesh.
As many as 2,676 criminal cases and 7,860 civil suits were registered, of which convictions were reported in 1,402 cases, the report added.
Issues related to quality of food and FSSAI came into the limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAI's advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
The government is also mulling Rs 1,750-crore proposal to strengthen central food regulator FSSAI as well as state bodies.
Over Rs 10.93 crore penalty has been imposed in 2,795 cases, while culprits have been convicted in 1,402 cases so far this year, according to the testing report of public laboratories released by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
As per the report compiled by the state governments, food safety labs received 83,265 samples, of which 74,010 were tested till November 24 of 2015.
Out of the tested samples, the labs found 14,599 samples were "adulterated and misbranded", the data showed.
A maximum 4,119 samples were found adulterated and misbranded in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab (1,458), Madhya Pradesh (1,412), Gujarat (1,243), Maharashtra (1,162) and Tamil Nadu (1,047).
The penalty of Rs 10.93 crore has been imposed in 2,795 cases, and maximum fine of Rs 5.98 crore was imposed for cases reported in Uttar Pradesh.
As many as 2,676 criminal cases and 7,860 civil suits were registered, of which convictions were reported in 1,402 cases, the report added.
Issues related to quality of food and FSSAI came into the limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAI's advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
The government is also mulling Rs 1,750-crore proposal to strengthen central food regulator FSSAI as well as state bodies.
Every 5th food sample found adulterated and misbranded: Report
Over Rs 10.93 crore penalty has been imposed in 2,795 cases, while culprits have been convicted in 1,402 cases so far this year, according to the testing report of public laboratories
New Delhi, Dec 6: One out of every five samples of food items tested by public food safety labs in the country has been found “adulterated and misbranded”, with maximum in Uttar Pradesh followed by Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
Over Rs 10.93 crore penalty has been imposed in 2,795 cases, while culprits have been convicted in 1,402 cases so far this year, according to the testing report of public laboratories released by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).As per the report compiled by the state governments, food safety labs received 83,265 samples, of which 74,010 were tested till November 24 of 2015.
Out of the tested samples, the labs found 14,599 samples were “adulterated and misbranded”, the data showed.A maximum 4,119 samples were found adulteraed and misbranded in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab (1,458), Madhya Pradesh (1,412), Gujarat (1,243), Maharashtra (1,162) and Tamil Nadu (1,047).The penalty of Rs 10.93 crore has been imposed in 2,795 cases, and maximum fine of Rs 5.98 crore was imposed for cases reported in Uttar Pradesh.
New Delhi, Dec 6: One out of every five samples of food items tested by public food safety labs in the country has been found “adulterated and misbranded”, with maximum in Uttar Pradesh followed by Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
Over Rs 10.93 crore penalty has been imposed in 2,795 cases, while culprits have been convicted in 1,402 cases so far this year, according to the testing report of public laboratories released by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).As per the report compiled by the state governments, food safety labs received 83,265 samples, of which 74,010 were tested till November 24 of 2015.
Out of the tested samples, the labs found 14,599 samples were “adulterated and misbranded”, the data showed.A maximum 4,119 samples were found adulteraed and misbranded in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Punjab (1,458), Madhya Pradesh (1,412), Gujarat (1,243), Maharashtra (1,162) and Tamil Nadu (1,047).The penalty of Rs 10.93 crore has been imposed in 2,795 cases, and maximum fine of Rs 5.98 crore was imposed for cases reported in Uttar Pradesh.
As many as 2,676 criminal cases and 7,860 civil suits were registered, of which convictions were reported in 1,402 cases, the report added.Issues related to quality of food and FSSAI came into the limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAI’s advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe. The government is also mulling Rs 1,750-crore proposal to strengthen central food regulator FSSAI as well as state bodies.
Dec 5, 2015
Sale of colour powder banned in food stalls
Thiruvananthapuram: The food safety commission has banned the sale of colour powders, used by Ayyappa devotees for 'petta thullal,' at shops selling food products. This has been done to avoid food poisoning.
"There are chances of the powder getting mixed with food items. The ban is as per Section 30 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act," said food safety commissioner T V Anupama in a statement issued after a meeting convened to review the steps taken at Sabarimala.
The department has also banned sale of cut pineapples for three months in Erumeli.
"Most vendors lacked the mandatory health cards and food safety registrations," she said.
The department has also urged the Erumeli gramapanchayat to suspend the licence of hotels which are found discharging waste water into the Veliyathodu, a major water body in Erumeli.
"There are chances of the powder getting mixed with food items. The ban is as per Section 30 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act," said food safety commissioner T V Anupama in a statement issued after a meeting convened to review the steps taken at Sabarimala.
The department has also banned sale of cut pineapples for three months in Erumeli.
"Most vendors lacked the mandatory health cards and food safety registrations," she said.
The department has also urged the Erumeli gramapanchayat to suspend the licence of hotels which are found discharging waste water into the Veliyathodu, a major water body in Erumeli.
Worms allegedly found in Ramdev’s noodles
Jind, Dec 4 (UNI) Yog Guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Atta noodles have again found itself in the soup, when a resident of Narwana, Haryana today alleged that some worms were found in the Ramdev backed noodles.
Coming close on the heels of Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI) controversy, when its Chairman Ashish Bahuguna had said, "They have got no permission from authorities to sell noodles".
Vinod Kumar said he had bought Ramdev Maggi from Savdeshi Kendra last evening, and alleged that when he cooked it today he found some worms in it.
Coming close on the heels of Food Safety and Regulatory Authority of India (FSSAI) controversy, when its Chairman Ashish Bahuguna had said, "They have got no permission from authorities to sell noodles".
Vinod Kumar said he had bought Ramdev Maggi from Savdeshi Kendra last evening, and alleged that when he cooked it today he found some worms in it.
Resurrection
Maggi noodles returns to shop shelves. But getting its mojo back could be a long haul.
Lijiye, mooh Maggi kijiye." With these words, a variation of the traditional Indian exhortation to partake of sweets on auspicious occasions, Suresh Narayanan, Managing Director, Nestle India, welcomed guests at the re-launch of Maggi noodles on Dhanteras day, November 9. Commercial sale began three days later, on November 12, with Maggi noodles hitting a limited number of outlets in 100 cities and towns across the country. The same day, in a tie-up with Nestle India, e-commerce giant Snapdeal held a flash sale of the product that settled any doubts about whether its enforced absence from shop shelves for over five months had impacted its popularity. Within five minutes, 60,000 Maggi noodles 'kits' - each kit containing 12 packets - were sold out. Snapdeal held a second flash sale on November 16 - which was just as successful.
Nestle's troubles, however, are not yet entirely over. Maggi noodles disappeared from the market following a nationwide ban on it imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on June 5. The ban came after a number of laboratories to which Maggi noodles samples were sent for testing found unduly high levels of lead in them - in one case 17.2 parts per million (ppm) against the permissible level of 2.5 ppm - as well as the presence of monosodium glutamate, even though the packaging claimed there was none. Nestle challenged the ban in the Bombay High Court, which, on August 5, ruled decisively in its favour, maintaining that the FSSAI had been unable to substantiate its charges against the product and that its order was "arbitrary, unjust and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution". It permitted Nestle to restart selling once old as well as fresh Maggi noodles samples had been tested by laboratories certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Nestle accordingly submitted such samples of all the nine variants of Maggi noodles and all of them passed the safety tests. But the FSSAI has now approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order on several counts, but primarily maintaining that Maggi noodles samples chosen at random by an independent body should have been tested in laboratories, and not those provided by Nestle. "It was like asking a person under suspicion for a crime to provide evidence against himself," says an FSSAI official. But, with Supreme Court hearings yet to start, Nestle has not deviated from its roll-out plans.
The instant noodles market in India amounted to Rs 5,300 crore in 2014, according to Euromonitor, with Maggi, the market leader, having 63 per cent market share. Its temporary disappearance was thus bound to have major repercussions. Nestle India, to whose revenue Maggi contributed around 26 per cent, certainly suffered, recording a net loss of 3.29 per cent or Rs 64.4 crore in its April to June quarter (its first ever loss in 15 years) and a shrunken profit of Rs 124.2 crore in the July to September quarter, down by over 60 per cent from the same quarter a year ago when it was Rs 311.29 crore. It had to destroy around 300,000 tonnes of noodles following the ban, taking a hit of around Rs 320 crore.
But the entire instant food and beverages industry also suffered, since it was quality concerns that sparked the ban. According to a recent report by IMRB Kantar Worldpanel, the overall food and beverages segment in India grew only four per cent in the July to September quarter, compared to nine per cent in the same quarter a year ago, while ready-to-eat foods fell by nine per cent in the same quarter, against a five per cent growth a year ago. "The Maggi controversy has had collateral negative impact across the entire fast moving foods industry," says N. Chandramouli, CEO of brands research company Trust Research Advisory (TRA).
Not surprisingly, a number of rivals have sought to fill the vacuum created by Maggi's disappearance with extensive advertising campaigns to push their own products. Following the Maggi controversy, the FSSAI directed other noodles makers as well to get samples tested all over again. ITC, which makes the second biggest instant noodles brand Sunfeast Yippee!, got 800 samples examined at NABL and FSSAI approved laboratories in India, as well as at international ones in Italy, Singapore and Japan, and having received a clean chit, marketed the results widely. "The noodles category had been impacted, and we felt it imperative to clear the air of confusion and reinstate consumer trust," says V.L. Rajesh, who heads the foods business at ITC. "We thus embarked on communicating in an open and transparent manner with a reassurance campaign."
Indo-Nissin Foods' Top Ramen brand initially went the Maggi way and withdrew from the market, after a couple of its samples were also found to possess high levels of lead, and approval was held back by the FSSAI. But it was re-launched in September, accompanied by full-page print ads proclaiming: "Two things are synonymous with us - noodles and trust." Hindustan Unilever, which produces the Knorr brand of noodles, has tied up with online retailers to improve sales. Most curious, however, is the case of Patanjali noodles, a new product launched by the Baba Ramdev backed Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. While the manufacturer claims these atta noodles are much healthier than the maida ones made by rivals and flaunts an FSSAI clearance licence number on its packaging, the FSSAI has maintained that the product was never submitted for testing and, hence, its sale is illegal. Ashish Bahuguna, Chairperson, FSSAI, has directed his officers to take appropriate action.
As we re-launch, I would like to reiterate that the reason consumers choose Nestle is quality.
Suresh Narayanan
MD, Nestle India Meanwhile, Nestle India has taken a number of steps towards damage control. Even before the favourable High Court verdict, it replaced its then MD in India, Etienne Bennet, with Suresh Narayanan, the first Indian to hold the position in 16 years. Nestle spokespersons insist that Narayanan's choice has nothing to do with his nationality - and indeed he has an impressive record of growing Nestle's business in Singapore, despite the 2008 global financial crisis, and thereafter in Egypt, despite the political upheaval there - but that can hardly be taken at face value. With his extensive Indian experience - Narayanan joined Nestle in India and was moved overseas for the first time only in 2003 - he was able to reach out much more easily to stakeholders and reassure them. "The love for our traditional Maggi Masala Noodles has been immense," he told Business Today. "I respect that and am determined to deliver on that."
To keep a tighter check on quality in future, Nestle also seems to have decided to manufacture all its Maggi noodles in house. In end-September, it terminated a 12-year-old contract with its sole third party producer, Kolkata-based SAJ Food Products. Production of Maggi noodles has begun at three of its five facilities - Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa). Simultaneously, a high-powered advertising campaign to announce the return of Maggi noodles is being turned on. Even while the product was off the shelves, Nestle kept Maggi alive in customers' memories with a number of ads bearing twee taglines: 'We miss you too' and 'Kab wapas aaogey' (When will you return). The thrust in the new ads will be: "Your Maggi is safe, has always been". While Publicis India, which handled the Maggi account for Nestle, will continue to do so, McCann Erickson India, headed by the high profile Prasoon Joshi, has also been roped in.
Apart from the Supreme Court worry, Nestle has also to deal with the fact that, apart from the FSSAI, seven state governments - Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura - had separately banned Maggi noodles, and these bans are still in force. It is due to this that two Maggi production units, at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand and Tahliwal in Himachal Pradesh, have yet to restart functioning. The company also faces a class action suit for Rs 640 crore filed against it by the Ministry for Consumer Affairs in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, charging it with unfair trade practices, false labelling and putting out misleading ads.
The response to Maggi noodles' return is no doubt heartening for Nestle. Yet, the TRA's 2015 report on India's Most Attractive Brands, based on research across 16 cities between June and August - when Maggi noodles had disappeared from shop shelves - shows Maggi's overall attractiveness ranking having fallen from 44th in 2013 to100th in 2015, a 56-rank drop. In the fast moving foods category, Maggi was in first place in 2013, but is now second, yielding to MTR Foods. "My feeling is that Maggi may not be able to stem this fall simply with some clever advertising," says Chandramouli.
Abheek Singhi, Partner at Boston Consulting Group, feels the packaged fast foods industry was in any case slowing down in keeping with falling consumer demand all over. "Players are trying to create excitement through innovations and usage occasions, and specifically in the food category, trying to provide reassurance about safety - not only functionally, but also at an emotional level," he says. But will it work? "Anyone who thinks Maggi will emerge without much damage is living in a fool's paradise," says Chandramouli.
Suresh Narayanan, MD, Nestle India.
"OUR PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL ALWAYS BE, SAFE FOR CONSUMERS"
On August 1, at the height of the Maggi crisis, Suresh Narayanan, head of Nestle's Philippines operations, was shifted to India to take charge. Edited excerpts from an interview:
Q. What are your re-launch plans for Maggi noodles?
A. Rebuilding consumer trust and reassuring them of the quality and safety of our products will be the focus. The impact of the Maggi noodles issue is not restricted to Nestle only. It has had a much larger impact bringing the entire supply-chain mechanism to a standstill. I need to look at that.
For Nestle, quality is trust. Our products have been and will always be safe for consumers. As we re-launch, I would like to reiterate that the reason consumers choose Nestle is quality. I would also like to emphasise Nestle's bonds of consumer relationship and friendship extending to millions of Indian consumers over 100 years. I am completely committed to the idea and the dream of 'Make in India'.
Q. What are your marketing and advertising plans to revive the sale of Maggi?A. Nurturing a relationship over long years requires you to stay true to values through thick and thin, and never take things for granted. I am proud that Nestle has lived up to the world's best quality standards and will continue to make sure that only the best of our products reach our consumers every day. This is the message that I wish to drive through our marketing and advertising campaigns.
Q. Are you looking at innovative options for Maggi and your other brands?
A. The mandate currently is to bring back Maggi noodles to all our consumers. While I will be looking into innovative options, it is a fact that the love for our traditional Maggi Masala Noodles has been immense, and I respect that affinity which our consumers have. I am determined to deliver on that.
(The author is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
Lijiye, mooh Maggi kijiye." With these words, a variation of the traditional Indian exhortation to partake of sweets on auspicious occasions, Suresh Narayanan, Managing Director, Nestle India, welcomed guests at the re-launch of Maggi noodles on Dhanteras day, November 9. Commercial sale began three days later, on November 12, with Maggi noodles hitting a limited number of outlets in 100 cities and towns across the country. The same day, in a tie-up with Nestle India, e-commerce giant Snapdeal held a flash sale of the product that settled any doubts about whether its enforced absence from shop shelves for over five months had impacted its popularity. Within five minutes, 60,000 Maggi noodles 'kits' - each kit containing 12 packets - were sold out. Snapdeal held a second flash sale on November 16 - which was just as successful.
Nestle's troubles, however, are not yet entirely over. Maggi noodles disappeared from the market following a nationwide ban on it imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on June 5. The ban came after a number of laboratories to which Maggi noodles samples were sent for testing found unduly high levels of lead in them - in one case 17.2 parts per million (ppm) against the permissible level of 2.5 ppm - as well as the presence of monosodium glutamate, even though the packaging claimed there was none. Nestle challenged the ban in the Bombay High Court, which, on August 5, ruled decisively in its favour, maintaining that the FSSAI had been unable to substantiate its charges against the product and that its order was "arbitrary, unjust and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution". It permitted Nestle to restart selling once old as well as fresh Maggi noodles samples had been tested by laboratories certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Nestle accordingly submitted such samples of all the nine variants of Maggi noodles and all of them passed the safety tests. But the FSSAI has now approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order on several counts, but primarily maintaining that Maggi noodles samples chosen at random by an independent body should have been tested in laboratories, and not those provided by Nestle. "It was like asking a person under suspicion for a crime to provide evidence against himself," says an FSSAI official. But, with Supreme Court hearings yet to start, Nestle has not deviated from its roll-out plans.
The instant noodles market in India amounted to Rs 5,300 crore in 2014, according to Euromonitor, with Maggi, the market leader, having 63 per cent market share. Its temporary disappearance was thus bound to have major repercussions. Nestle India, to whose revenue Maggi contributed around 26 per cent, certainly suffered, recording a net loss of 3.29 per cent or Rs 64.4 crore in its April to June quarter (its first ever loss in 15 years) and a shrunken profit of Rs 124.2 crore in the July to September quarter, down by over 60 per cent from the same quarter a year ago when it was Rs 311.29 crore. It had to destroy around 300,000 tonnes of noodles following the ban, taking a hit of around Rs 320 crore.
But the entire instant food and beverages industry also suffered, since it was quality concerns that sparked the ban. According to a recent report by IMRB Kantar Worldpanel, the overall food and beverages segment in India grew only four per cent in the July to September quarter, compared to nine per cent in the same quarter a year ago, while ready-to-eat foods fell by nine per cent in the same quarter, against a five per cent growth a year ago. "The Maggi controversy has had collateral negative impact across the entire fast moving foods industry," says N. Chandramouli, CEO of brands research company Trust Research Advisory (TRA).
Not surprisingly, a number of rivals have sought to fill the vacuum created by Maggi's disappearance with extensive advertising campaigns to push their own products. Following the Maggi controversy, the FSSAI directed other noodles makers as well to get samples tested all over again. ITC, which makes the second biggest instant noodles brand Sunfeast Yippee!, got 800 samples examined at NABL and FSSAI approved laboratories in India, as well as at international ones in Italy, Singapore and Japan, and having received a clean chit, marketed the results widely. "The noodles category had been impacted, and we felt it imperative to clear the air of confusion and reinstate consumer trust," says V.L. Rajesh, who heads the foods business at ITC. "We thus embarked on communicating in an open and transparent manner with a reassurance campaign."
Indo-Nissin Foods' Top Ramen brand initially went the Maggi way and withdrew from the market, after a couple of its samples were also found to possess high levels of lead, and approval was held back by the FSSAI. But it was re-launched in September, accompanied by full-page print ads proclaiming: "Two things are synonymous with us - noodles and trust." Hindustan Unilever, which produces the Knorr brand of noodles, has tied up with online retailers to improve sales. Most curious, however, is the case of Patanjali noodles, a new product launched by the Baba Ramdev backed Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. While the manufacturer claims these atta noodles are much healthier than the maida ones made by rivals and flaunts an FSSAI clearance licence number on its packaging, the FSSAI has maintained that the product was never submitted for testing and, hence, its sale is illegal. Ashish Bahuguna, Chairperson, FSSAI, has directed his officers to take appropriate action.
As we re-launch, I would like to reiterate that the reason consumers choose Nestle is quality.
Suresh Narayanan
MD, Nestle India Meanwhile, Nestle India has taken a number of steps towards damage control. Even before the favourable High Court verdict, it replaced its then MD in India, Etienne Bennet, with Suresh Narayanan, the first Indian to hold the position in 16 years. Nestle spokespersons insist that Narayanan's choice has nothing to do with his nationality - and indeed he has an impressive record of growing Nestle's business in Singapore, despite the 2008 global financial crisis, and thereafter in Egypt, despite the political upheaval there - but that can hardly be taken at face value. With his extensive Indian experience - Narayanan joined Nestle in India and was moved overseas for the first time only in 2003 - he was able to reach out much more easily to stakeholders and reassure them. "The love for our traditional Maggi Masala Noodles has been immense," he told Business Today. "I respect that and am determined to deliver on that."
To keep a tighter check on quality in future, Nestle also seems to have decided to manufacture all its Maggi noodles in house. In end-September, it terminated a 12-year-old contract with its sole third party producer, Kolkata-based SAJ Food Products. Production of Maggi noodles has begun at three of its five facilities - Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa). Simultaneously, a high-powered advertising campaign to announce the return of Maggi noodles is being turned on. Even while the product was off the shelves, Nestle kept Maggi alive in customers' memories with a number of ads bearing twee taglines: 'We miss you too' and 'Kab wapas aaogey' (When will you return). The thrust in the new ads will be: "Your Maggi is safe, has always been". While Publicis India, which handled the Maggi account for Nestle, will continue to do so, McCann Erickson India, headed by the high profile Prasoon Joshi, has also been roped in.
Apart from the Supreme Court worry, Nestle has also to deal with the fact that, apart from the FSSAI, seven state governments - Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura - had separately banned Maggi noodles, and these bans are still in force. It is due to this that two Maggi production units, at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand and Tahliwal in Himachal Pradesh, have yet to restart functioning. The company also faces a class action suit for Rs 640 crore filed against it by the Ministry for Consumer Affairs in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, charging it with unfair trade practices, false labelling and putting out misleading ads.
The response to Maggi noodles' return is no doubt heartening for Nestle. Yet, the TRA's 2015 report on India's Most Attractive Brands, based on research across 16 cities between June and August - when Maggi noodles had disappeared from shop shelves - shows Maggi's overall attractiveness ranking having fallen from 44th in 2013 to100th in 2015, a 56-rank drop. In the fast moving foods category, Maggi was in first place in 2013, but is now second, yielding to MTR Foods. "My feeling is that Maggi may not be able to stem this fall simply with some clever advertising," says Chandramouli.
Abheek Singhi, Partner at Boston Consulting Group, feels the packaged fast foods industry was in any case slowing down in keeping with falling consumer demand all over. "Players are trying to create excitement through innovations and usage occasions, and specifically in the food category, trying to provide reassurance about safety - not only functionally, but also at an emotional level," he says. But will it work? "Anyone who thinks Maggi will emerge without much damage is living in a fool's paradise," says Chandramouli.
Suresh Narayanan, MD, Nestle India.
"OUR PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL ALWAYS BE, SAFE FOR CONSUMERS"
On August 1, at the height of the Maggi crisis, Suresh Narayanan, head of Nestle's Philippines operations, was shifted to India to take charge. Edited excerpts from an interview:
Q. What are your re-launch plans for Maggi noodles?
A. Rebuilding consumer trust and reassuring them of the quality and safety of our products will be the focus. The impact of the Maggi noodles issue is not restricted to Nestle only. It has had a much larger impact bringing the entire supply-chain mechanism to a standstill. I need to look at that.
For Nestle, quality is trust. Our products have been and will always be safe for consumers. As we re-launch, I would like to reiterate that the reason consumers choose Nestle is quality. I would also like to emphasise Nestle's bonds of consumer relationship and friendship extending to millions of Indian consumers over 100 years. I am completely committed to the idea and the dream of 'Make in India'.
Q. What are your marketing and advertising plans to revive the sale of Maggi?A. Nurturing a relationship over long years requires you to stay true to values through thick and thin, and never take things for granted. I am proud that Nestle has lived up to the world's best quality standards and will continue to make sure that only the best of our products reach our consumers every day. This is the message that I wish to drive through our marketing and advertising campaigns.
Q. Are you looking at innovative options for Maggi and your other brands?
A. The mandate currently is to bring back Maggi noodles to all our consumers. While I will be looking into innovative options, it is a fact that the love for our traditional Maggi Masala Noodles has been immense, and I respect that affinity which our consumers have. I am determined to deliver on that.
(The author is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai)
Aaganwari Center supplied substandard food
Govt imposes fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on Chatisgarh-based Company
Srinagar:
A Chattisgarh based company has been fined for supplying substandard food items to Aanganwari centers in J&K, officials told Rising Kashmir on Friday.
According to Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad a fine of 1.5 lakh has been imposed on M/S Divine Corpse Private Limited for supplying sub-standard nutritional items to various Aanganwari centers of District Srinagar.
The court of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Nazir Ahmad Baba, who is also the Adjudicating Officer has imposed a fine of Rs 3.20 lakh on various food business operators including Rs 1.50 lakh the Chhattisgarh based Company for the malpractice.
“The seized goods from the company include sugar, salt and Moongi. The huge quantity of substandard food material will be destroyed scientifically in presence of a constituted committee,” Ahmad said.
He said the department has started a drive against adulteration particularly in milk. “The suppliers and milkmen have been warned to desist from malpractices, otherwise strict action under Food Safety & Standards Act shall be initiated against them,” Assistant Commissioner said.
Srinagar:
A Chattisgarh based company has been fined for supplying substandard food items to Aanganwari centers in J&K, officials told Rising Kashmir on Friday.
According to Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad a fine of 1.5 lakh has been imposed on M/S Divine Corpse Private Limited for supplying sub-standard nutritional items to various Aanganwari centers of District Srinagar.
The court of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Nazir Ahmad Baba, who is also the Adjudicating Officer has imposed a fine of Rs 3.20 lakh on various food business operators including Rs 1.50 lakh the Chhattisgarh based Company for the malpractice.
“The seized goods from the company include sugar, salt and Moongi. The huge quantity of substandard food material will be destroyed scientifically in presence of a constituted committee,” Ahmad said.
He said the department has started a drive against adulteration particularly in milk. “The suppliers and milkmen have been warned to desist from malpractices, otherwise strict action under Food Safety & Standards Act shall be initiated against them,” Assistant Commissioner said.
Company fined for supplying sub-standard food items
Restaurants, milk suppliers under scanner
The Food and Drug Control Organisation has slapped fine on a food company for supplying sub-standard edibles to Anganwari centres.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir has imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on a Chhattisgarh-based company having its branch office in Srinagar for supplying sub-standard and inferior nutritional items to Anganwari centres.
The company had allegedly supplied inferior sugar, moong, salt and other food items which were destroyed scientifically in presence of a committee, a spokesman of the organisation said in a handout.
The Assistant Commissioner, he said, also fined many restaurants across the city for violating Food Safety and Standards Act. “Any establishment found violating any provision of the Food Safety Act will be dealt with strictly,” the spokesman quoted Mir as having said, adding, “Milk suppliers too are under scanner.
The Food and Drug Control Organisation has slapped fine on a food company for supplying sub-standard edibles to Anganwari centres.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir has imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on a Chhattisgarh-based company having its branch office in Srinagar for supplying sub-standard and inferior nutritional items to Anganwari centres.
The company had allegedly supplied inferior sugar, moong, salt and other food items which were destroyed scientifically in presence of a committee, a spokesman of the organisation said in a handout.
The Assistant Commissioner, he said, also fined many restaurants across the city for violating Food Safety and Standards Act. “Any establishment found violating any provision of the Food Safety Act will be dealt with strictly,” the spokesman quoted Mir as having said, adding, “Milk suppliers too are under scanner.
After liquor, cakes, biscuits and chocolates under FDA scanner
Pune: After liquor, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have now decided to get products like cakes, biscuits and chocolates tested for quality according to the guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city.
FDA, which is the supreme food safety regulatory body, would initiate quality checks across bakeries in Pune district for three days starting from December 21.
“We would visit bakeries and shops where cakes and biscuits are made and will check for the quality of raw materials used. We would also get samples tested to ascertain that there is no adulteration,” said a senior official from FDA.
FDA officials said that apart from checking the quality of raw materials, the conditions in which cakes and biscuits are made and the hygiene of people involved in making these items will also be checked thoroughly.
“During Christmas, a variety of cakes and biscuits are seen in the market. We would be checking those already made and ready to be sold along with raw materials in almost all bakeries on December 21, 22 and 23. This has been conveyed to all officials who would carry out area wise checks,” added the officials.
The officials said that apart from bakeries, they would also visit various restaurants and hotels in the city before the New Year to ensure the quality of food products sold and the hygiene maintained by the hotels.
“For celebrating the New Year on December 31, many Puneites are seen visiting restaurants and hotels. To ensure that no adulteration takes place in hotels and quality is not compromised, we would be conducting tests of food products in hotels as well,” said the officials.
FDA, which is the supreme food safety regulatory body, would initiate quality checks across bakeries in Pune district for three days starting from December 21.
“We would visit bakeries and shops where cakes and biscuits are made and will check for the quality of raw materials used. We would also get samples tested to ascertain that there is no adulteration,” said a senior official from FDA.
FDA officials said that apart from checking the quality of raw materials, the conditions in which cakes and biscuits are made and the hygiene of people involved in making these items will also be checked thoroughly.
“During Christmas, a variety of cakes and biscuits are seen in the market. We would be checking those already made and ready to be sold along with raw materials in almost all bakeries on December 21, 22 and 23. This has been conveyed to all officials who would carry out area wise checks,” added the officials.
The officials said that apart from bakeries, they would also visit various restaurants and hotels in the city before the New Year to ensure the quality of food products sold and the hygiene maintained by the hotels.
“For celebrating the New Year on December 31, many Puneites are seen visiting restaurants and hotels. To ensure that no adulteration takes place in hotels and quality is not compromised, we would be conducting tests of food products in hotels as well,” said the officials.
Poor hygiene, lack of tabs on street food to blame for infections: Docs
Every Monday and Tuesday, Dr Prasad SM has children walking into his clinic with symptoms of diarrhoea. Most often, it's the roadside pani puri and masala puri that are the culprits. The kids gorge on street food during the weekend, catching infections. "Absence of regulations and checks on quality of water being used in roadside eateries is a major shortcoming in the public health monitoring system. Have you seen any BBMP health inspector checking hygiene standards," asked Dr Prasad, who heads the paediatric department at the Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College Hospital.
The first report of the World Health Organization on food-borne diseases released on Thursday reveals the impact of contaminated food on health. In terms of numbers, WHO's southeast Asia region is one of the worst affected -it sees a whopping 150 million cases and 1,75,000 deaths a year. It is second only to the African region when it comes to the incidence of foodborne diseases, says the report.
Dr Lawrence Peter, HoD and consultant gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospitals, said a majority of foodborne infection cases are due to poor water supply. "Our government is not interested in providing safe water, which should be a priority . If I see 60 patients a day in the outpatient unit, an average of 10 are suffering from food and water-borne infections," he said.
The doctor pointed out that the fault lies in handling food. "Cooking food in a hygienic manner is not enough. How you serve matters a lot and that's where the hygiene is missing. Wearing plastic gloves is not enough," Dr Peter added.
BBMP has only 68 health inspectors, who have to monitor the entire city, said Dr Upednra Bhojani, researcher with Public Health Institute, an NGO. "Food safety remains as a concern. There are stringent rules and guidelines not being implemented effectively. Lack of manpower could be one of the reasons," he added.
The first report of the World Health Organization on food-borne diseases released on Thursday reveals the impact of contaminated food on health. In terms of numbers, WHO's southeast Asia region is one of the worst affected -it sees a whopping 150 million cases and 1,75,000 deaths a year. It is second only to the African region when it comes to the incidence of foodborne diseases, says the report.
Dr Lawrence Peter, HoD and consultant gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospitals, said a majority of foodborne infection cases are due to poor water supply. "Our government is not interested in providing safe water, which should be a priority . If I see 60 patients a day in the outpatient unit, an average of 10 are suffering from food and water-borne infections," he said.
The doctor pointed out that the fault lies in handling food. "Cooking food in a hygienic manner is not enough. How you serve matters a lot and that's where the hygiene is missing. Wearing plastic gloves is not enough," Dr Peter added.
BBMP has only 68 health inspectors, who have to monitor the entire city, said Dr Upednra Bhojani, researcher with Public Health Institute, an NGO. "Food safety remains as a concern. There are stringent rules and guidelines not being implemented effectively. Lack of manpower could be one of the reasons," he added.
10 ஆயிரம் கிலோ கலப்பட டீ தூள் பறிமுதல்
நாக மலை, டிச.5:மதுரை அருகே பத் தா யி ரம் கிலோ கலப் பட டீ தூளை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து கம் பெ னிக்கு சீல் வைத் த னர்.
மது ரை யைச் சேர்ந் த வர் ஜெக தீ சன். இவர் நாக ம லைப் பு துக் கோட்டை அரு கே யுள்ள சம் பக் குடி கிரா மத் தில் கடந்த ஓராண் டாக டீ தூள் கம் பெனி நடத்தி வரு கி றார். வெளி யூர் க ளில் இருந்து டீ தூளை வாங்கி அதை தரம் பிரித்து பல பெயர் க ளில் பாக் கெட் போட்டு விற் பனை செய்து வரு கி றார். டீ தூள் பாக் கெட் க ளில் மதுரை, கோய முத் தூர் என ஊர் பெயர் சேர்த்து விற் பனை செய் வ தாக உணவு கலப் ப டப் பிரி வுக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது. நேற்று பிற் ப கல் 3 மணி ய ள வில் மாவட்ட உண வுப் பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந் தி யல் அலு வ லர் சுகு மாரி, மாவட்ட வழங் கல் அலு வ லர் ஜீவா, உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் வேல் மு ரு கன், சண் மு கம், கணேஷ் உள் ளிட் டோர் ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.
அங் கி ருந்த 10 ஆயி ரம் கிலோ டீ தூளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பட் டது தெரிய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து டீ தூள் மற் றும் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பயன் ப டுத் திய கலர் பொடி களை பறி மு தல் செய்து கம் பெ னிக்கு அதி கா ரி கள் சீல் வைத் த னர்.
இது குறித்து அதி கா ரி கள் கூறு கை யில், “பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட கலப் பட டீ தூளை சோத னைக்கு அனுப்பி உள் ளோம். அதன் முடிவு கிடைத் த வு டன் சம் பந் தப் பட்ட நபர் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்” என் ற னர்.
மது ரை யைச் சேர்ந் த வர் ஜெக தீ சன். இவர் நாக ம லைப் பு துக் கோட்டை அரு கே யுள்ள சம் பக் குடி கிரா மத் தில் கடந்த ஓராண் டாக டீ தூள் கம் பெனி நடத்தி வரு கி றார். வெளி யூர் க ளில் இருந்து டீ தூளை வாங்கி அதை தரம் பிரித்து பல பெயர் க ளில் பாக் கெட் போட்டு விற் பனை செய்து வரு கி றார். டீ தூள் பாக் கெட் க ளில் மதுரை, கோய முத் தூர் என ஊர் பெயர் சேர்த்து விற் பனை செய் வ தாக உணவு கலப் ப டப் பிரி வுக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது. நேற்று பிற் ப கல் 3 மணி ய ள வில் மாவட்ட உண வுப் பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந் தி யல் அலு வ லர் சுகு மாரி, மாவட்ட வழங் கல் அலு வ லர் ஜீவா, உண வுப் பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் வேல் மு ரு கன், சண் மு கம், கணேஷ் உள் ளிட் டோர் ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.
அங் கி ருந்த 10 ஆயி ரம் கிலோ டீ தூளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பட் டது தெரிய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து டீ தூள் மற் றும் கலப் ப டம் செய் யப் பயன் ப டுத் திய கலர் பொடி களை பறி மு தல் செய்து கம் பெ னிக்கு அதி கா ரி கள் சீல் வைத் த னர்.
இது குறித்து அதி கா ரி கள் கூறு கை யில், “பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட கலப் பட டீ தூளை சோத னைக்கு அனுப்பி உள் ளோம். அதன் முடிவு கிடைத் த வு டன் சம் பந் தப் பட்ட நபர் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்” என் ற னர்.
Chipotle E. coli case in Illinois as company raises food safety standards
Chipotle may not be able to use as much local food as it tightens food safety standards
The number of E. coli-related illnesses linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill grew to 52 on Friday, including one in Illinois, as the company said it will raise its food safety standards.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Wednesday, illnesses had been reported by seven more people, including one in Illinois and others in Maryland and Pennsylvania. That brings the number of cases to 52 in nine states. Twenty people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported, the agency said.
Divya Mohan Little, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said the office was notified of an E. coli case involving someone who ate at Chipotle, and the department was working to determine whether E. coli was contracted at the restaurant.
"For now, (the department) is treating this case as an isolated incident and is not releasing information about the location of the individual," Mohan Little said in an email.
The Denver-based restaurant chain with more than 1,900 locations said Friday that it has brought on Seattle-based IEH Laboratories to help it find ways to improve food safety practices throughout its operations, from farms to restaurants. It still doesn't know what ingredient may be linked to the outbreak.
Specifically, Chipotle says it will:
•Implement DNA testing on all its ingredients before they are shipped to restaurants.
•Test ingredients that are near the end of their shelf life to ensure the quality is maintained while they are being stored.
•Improve training to ensure all employees are fully versed on the company's food handling and safety procedures.
But in striving for higher food safety standards, Chipotle said it may not be able to use as much locally sourced produce.
"We believe that there will be some local suppliers who are not able (or willing) to meet these new standards," Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said Thursday, before the safety initiative was announced.
Last month, the company removed language on its website about buying locally and replaced it with a note about supplier relationships. Arnold said that was in part due to the fact that the local program had gone out of season (it runs from June to October for most of the U.S.) and because of the upcoming changes to its food safety procedures. Arnold said the company is preparing for some local produce suppliers not to return next spring.
The planned tightening of food safety standards and possible changes in local sourcing were first reported by Bloomberg News.
Chipotle temporarily closed 43 locations in Washington and Oregon at the end of October after health officials discovered most of the people sickened in an E. coli outbreak had eaten at local restaurants. They were reopened in early November.
Washington and Oregon have the biggest concentration of confirmed cases of E. coli, but illnesses were also previously reported in California, New York, Ohio and Minnesota.
Late last month, the company said it is deep-cleaning restaurants linked to the outbreak, has thrown out food and surveyed employees for possible illness. No Chipotle employees have been ill, it said.
Dec 4, 2015
NHRC notice to FSSAI over reports on pesticides in food items
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to food regulator FSSAI over reports of pesticides being found in food items more than the prescribed limit, Health Minister J P Nadda today said.
"NHRC has taken suo-moto cognisance of a news report published in the Times of India on October 5 titled 'Pesticides-soaked food samples double in 6 years'.
"In its notice, NHRC directed Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to submit its within eight weeks from the date of receipt of notice," the Union Minister said in a reply to Lok Sabha.
Maximum Residual Levels of pesticides in fruits and vegetables and other food products have been fixed under the Food Safety and Standards (Contamination, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011.
"Presence of pesticides residues beyond these levels in food products including food, vegetables and meat is treated as a violation of the said regulations, which attracts penal action under the Act," he said.
"NHRC has taken suo-moto cognisance of a news report published in the Times of India on October 5 titled 'Pesticides-soaked food samples double in 6 years'.
"In its notice, NHRC directed Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to submit its within eight weeks from the date of receipt of notice," the Union Minister said in a reply to Lok Sabha.
Maximum Residual Levels of pesticides in fruits and vegetables and other food products have been fixed under the Food Safety and Standards (Contamination, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011.
"Presence of pesticides residues beyond these levels in food products including food, vegetables and meat is treated as a violation of the said regulations, which attracts penal action under the Act," he said.
Health risk of eating french fries is severe!
Health risk of eating french fries is severe!
French fry lovers, beware! A chemical in your favourite snacks - more commonly associated with heavy industry than crispy fried potatoes - may put you at severe health risk in the long run.
French fries contain acrylamide, a chemical that poses a risk for several types of cancer in rodents.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers the chemical a "probable human carcinogen".
Led by researcher Yi Wang from the University of Idaho, the team assessed more than 140 potato varieties.
The goal was to identify potatoes that make great French fries and form less acrylamide.
Researchers planted 149 potato breeds in five potato-growing regions across the US.
Upon harvesting, they sent some of the raw potatoes to labs.
There, the potatoes were stored in conditions similar to commercial potatoes.
After storage, the labs tested the potatoes for their levels of reducing sugars and asparagine - an amino acid that is a known precursor of acrylamide.
Researchers then fried some of the potatoes and observed how much acrylamide the potatoes formed.
The team found that it is fairly achievable to identify potato breeds that produce less acrylamide, especially when compared with the industry standard potato breeds.
"The real challenge is to find the varieties that not only have those characteristics, but also yield finished products with desirable processing quality that meet the stringent standards of the food industry," Wang explained.
According to him, the team hopes to identify genes that are related to lower acrylamide in certain fried potatoes.
The study shows a strong relationship between the genetics of a raw potato and its potential to form acrylamide.
If researchers are able to identify the specific genes, they may be able to eliminate them in the future. Scientists first began paying attention to the unwanted chemical's presence in food more than a decade ago.
Trace amounts of acrylamide are present in many foods cooked at high temperatures.
Relatively high levels are found in fried potatoes, including French fries and potato chips.
The research was published in the journal Crop Science.
Make food safety a public health priority: WHO
MUMBAI: WHO's first ever report on the estimated burden of foodborne disease shows that over 150 million people fall sick and 175000 die every year after consuming contaminated food in the south-east Asia region. Three in ten under-5 children suffer from diarrhoea, which continues to be a major killer.
The report has underlined the urgent need to make food safety a public health priority. "South-east Asia accounts for more than half of the global infections and deaths due to typhoid fever or hepatitis A. Foodborne diseases account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease here. Diarrhoeal diseases are the leading cause of foodborne disease burden in the Region," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for south-east Asia.
She added that food contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals are the main causes of foodborne diseases. Consumption of unsafe food causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as an immediate effect, and has more serious long-term implications such as cancer, failure of kidney and liver and brain and neural disorders. "Foodborne diseases are most dangerous to the young children, pregnant women and older people. In addition to the serious health impact, foodborne diseases present a major cost to economies," she said.
The risk of foodborne diseases is the highest in the low and middle income settings where hygiene, safe water for preparing food, and adequate food production and storage conditions remain a challenge. Khetrapal said that all food operators and consumers should understand the roles they must play to protect their health and that of the wider community.
The report has underlined the urgent need to make food safety a public health priority. "South-east Asia accounts for more than half of the global infections and deaths due to typhoid fever or hepatitis A. Foodborne diseases account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease here. Diarrhoeal diseases are the leading cause of foodborne disease burden in the Region," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for south-east Asia.
She added that food contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals are the main causes of foodborne diseases. Consumption of unsafe food causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as an immediate effect, and has more serious long-term implications such as cancer, failure of kidney and liver and brain and neural disorders. "Foodborne diseases are most dangerous to the young children, pregnant women and older people. In addition to the serious health impact, foodborne diseases present a major cost to economies," she said.
The risk of foodborne diseases is the highest in the low and middle income settings where hygiene, safe water for preparing food, and adequate food production and storage conditions remain a challenge. Khetrapal said that all food operators and consumers should understand the roles they must play to protect their health and that of the wider community.
National Meet on Nutrition, Food Safety on December 4 in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister V S Sivakumar will inaugurate the 9th National Conference on Student’s Medical Research here on December 4. The conference will focus on “Nutrition and Food Safety - Opportunities and Challenges”.
Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and the Department of Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, will jointly organise the two-day conference. On the first day, Dr C R Soman oration and distribution of ‘Dr C R Soman Best PG Thesis Award’ for the best theses submitted to KUHS in 2014 will be presented.
Health Secretary K Elangovan, KUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr M K C Nair, DME Dr Ramla Beevi, DHS Dr Ramesh R, Human Nutrition Unit, AIIMS, professor Dr Umesh Kapil, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Deputy Director Dr Sudarshan Rao, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College principal Dr Thomas Mathew and Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram, head Dr Sarah Varghese will be present.
Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra Health University Dr Arun V Jamkar will deliver the first KUHS Oration on December 5. This will be followed by scientific sessions (free papers) where young doctors from across the country will present their research works.
Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and the Department of Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, will jointly organise the two-day conference. On the first day, Dr C R Soman oration and distribution of ‘Dr C R Soman Best PG Thesis Award’ for the best theses submitted to KUHS in 2014 will be presented.
Health Secretary K Elangovan, KUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr M K C Nair, DME Dr Ramla Beevi, DHS Dr Ramesh R, Human Nutrition Unit, AIIMS, professor Dr Umesh Kapil, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Deputy Director Dr Sudarshan Rao, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College principal Dr Thomas Mathew and Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram, head Dr Sarah Varghese will be present.
Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra Health University Dr Arun V Jamkar will deliver the first KUHS Oration on December 5. This will be followed by scientific sessions (free papers) where young doctors from across the country will present their research works.
ரூ.10 லட்சம் உணவு பொருட்கள் அனுப்பி வைப்பு
சென் னை யில் ஏற் பட் டுள்ள தொடர் மழை யின் கார ண மாக மக் கள் கடு மை யாக பாதிக் கப் பட் டுள் ள னர். வீடு க ளுக் குள் தண் ணீர் புகுந் துள் ள தால் சாப் பாட் டுக்கே வழி யில் லாத நிலைக்கு தள் ளப் பட் டுள் ள னர். இதை ய டுத்து பாதிக் கப் பட் டுள்ள மக் க ளுக்கு தமி ழ கம் முழு வ தும் இருந்து பொது மக் கள் உணவு பொருட் களை சேக ரித்து வழங்கி வரு கின் ற னர்.
அதன் படி சேலம் வணி க வ ரித் து றை யும், சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் து றை யும் இணைந்து வியா பா ரி க ளி டம் இருந்து உணவு பொருட் களை சேக ரித் த னர். பிரட், கட லை மிட் டாய், ரஸ்க், பால் பவு டர், பிஸ் கட், தண் ணீர் பாக் கெட் என ரூ.10 லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள பொருட் களை சேக ரித்து சென் னைக்கு அனுப்பி வைக் கப் பட் டது. இந் நி கழ்ச் சி யில் சேலம் வணி க வ ரித் துறை இணை ஆணை யர் கள் ஞான கு மார், ரவி, உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா, வணி க வ ரித் துறை அலு வ லர் பத் மா வதி, அனைத்து வணி கர் கள் சங்க பொதுச் செ ய லா ளர் ஜெய சீ லன், மற் றும் அதி கா ரி கள் கலந்து கொண் ட னர்.
அதன் படி சேலம் வணி க வ ரித் து றை யும், சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் புத் து றை யும் இணைந்து வியா பா ரி க ளி டம் இருந்து உணவு பொருட் களை சேக ரித் த னர். பிரட், கட லை மிட் டாய், ரஸ்க், பால் பவு டர், பிஸ் கட், தண் ணீர் பாக் கெட் என ரூ.10 லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள பொருட் களை சேக ரித்து சென் னைக்கு அனுப்பி வைக் கப் பட் டது. இந் நி கழ்ச் சி யில் சேலம் வணி க வ ரித் துறை இணை ஆணை யர் கள் ஞான கு மார், ரவி, உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா, வணி க வ ரித் துறை அலு வ லர் பத் மா வதி, அனைத்து வணி கர் கள் சங்க பொதுச் செ ய லா ளர் ஜெய சீ லன், மற் றும் அதி கா ரி கள் கலந்து கொண் ட னர்.
வணிகவரி அலுவலகத்திலிருந்து சென்னைக்கு நிவாரண பொருட்கள்
சேலம்: சேலம் வணிகவரித்துறை அலுவலகத்திலிருந்து, 10 லட்ச ரூபாய் மதிப்பிலான உணவு பொருட்கள், சென்னைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டன. சில நாட்களாக பெய்து வரும் கனமழையால், சென்னை தனித்தீவாக தத்தளித்து வருகிறது. இங்குள்ள மக்களின் நிவாரணத்துக்காக, வணிகவரித்துறை மற்றும் உணவு பாதுகாப்புதுறை சார்பில், நிவாரண உதவிகள் வழங்க ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டன. பல்வேறு உணவு நிறுவனங்களிலிருந்து வழங்கப்பட்ட, பிரட், பேக்கரி உணவுகள், பெட்ஷீட் உள்ளிட்ட, 10 லட்ச ரூபாய் மதிப்பிலான உணவு மற்றும் நிவாரண பொருட்கள் சேகரிக்கப்பட்டு, நேற்று காலை கண்டெய்னர் லாரியில், சென்னைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டது.
வணிகவரித்துறை இணை கமிஷனர் ஞானக்குமார், ரவி, துணைக்கமிஷனர் பத்மாவதி, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் அனுராதா ஆகியோர் தலைமையில், இதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டன.
இதே போல், இன்று காலை, 10 மணிக்கு, சேலம் அஸ்தம்பட்டி வணிக வரித்துறை அலுவலகத்திலிருந்து நிவாரண பொருட்களை ஏற்றிக்கொண்டு, வாகனம் சென்னை செல்ல உள்ளது எனவும், உணவு பொருட்கள் வழங்க விருப்பமுள்ள வணிகர்கள் மற்றும் பொதுமக்கள், இவ்வலுவலகத்துக்கு கொண்டு சேர்த்திடவும் கேட்டுக்கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.
Dec 3, 2015
4.20 lakh people die annually from contaminated food globally
Around 4,20,000 people die each year from eating contaminated food globally with children under the age of five accounting for nearly one third of those deaths, the WHO said today in its first-ever estimate of the impact of foodborne diseases.
The UN health agency in the report released today said that as many as 600 million people -- almost 1 in 10 people -- globally fall sick every year after consuming contaminated food.
Children under the age of five account for 40 per cent of the 600 million cases of foodborne diseases worldwide annuallyand 30 per cent of the 4,20,000 deaths, even though they constitute only nine per cent of the total population, the World Health Organisation said.
Besides killing nearly half a million people every year, foodborne diseases caused byvarious types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals are taking a significant toll on the quality of life of those who survive, the report said.
Each year, the global population as a whole loses a full 33 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), or healthy years of life, it said.
Young children bear the disproportionate burden of the silent malady and diarrhoeal diseases are responsible for more than half of the global burden of foodborne diseases.
Around 550 million people, including 220 million children, fall ill from diarrhoeal diseases caused by norovirus, Campylobacter, E coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella.
Of the 220 million children, 96,000 children under the age of five die every year and lose 13 million Disability Adjusted Life Years which makes for 40 per cent of the total DALYs.
"We have been combatting an invisible enemy, an invisible ghost," said Dr Kazuaki Miyagishima, director of WHO's Department of Food Safety, at a news briefing, referring to a lack of data up until now in understanding food borne diseases.
"The data we are publishing is only a very conservative estimate, we are sure that the real figure is bigger," Dr Miyagishima said.
The research conducted by 150 scientists across the world for eight years is based on analysis of data up to 2010, but the picture has not changed much since 2010, the WHO said.
The research team analysed 31 different agents contaminating food and two viruses, 12 bacteria, 14 parasites and three chemicals.
While foodborne diseases is a public health concern globally, Africa and South East Asia are the hardest hit and have the highest death rates.
In terms of absolute numbers more people fall sick and die in South East Asia than any other WHO region with more than 150 millioncases and 1,75,000 deaths recorded every year.
(REOPENS FGN 30)
Around 60 million children fall sick of which 50,000 die each year from food borne diseases in South East Asia.
The UN health agency in the report released today said that as many as 600 million people -- almost 1 in 10 people -- globally fall sick every year after consuming contaminated food.
Children under the age of five account for 40 per cent of the 600 million cases of foodborne diseases worldwide annuallyand 30 per cent of the 4,20,000 deaths, even though they constitute only nine per cent of the total population, the World Health Organisation said.
Besides killing nearly half a million people every year, foodborne diseases caused byvarious types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals are taking a significant toll on the quality of life of those who survive, the report said.
Each year, the global population as a whole loses a full 33 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), or healthy years of life, it said.
Young children bear the disproportionate burden of the silent malady and diarrhoeal diseases are responsible for more than half of the global burden of foodborne diseases.
Around 550 million people, including 220 million children, fall ill from diarrhoeal diseases caused by norovirus, Campylobacter, E coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella.
Of the 220 million children, 96,000 children under the age of five die every year and lose 13 million Disability Adjusted Life Years which makes for 40 per cent of the total DALYs.
"We have been combatting an invisible enemy, an invisible ghost," said Dr Kazuaki Miyagishima, director of WHO's Department of Food Safety, at a news briefing, referring to a lack of data up until now in understanding food borne diseases.
"The data we are publishing is only a very conservative estimate, we are sure that the real figure is bigger," Dr Miyagishima said.
The research conducted by 150 scientists across the world for eight years is based on analysis of data up to 2010, but the picture has not changed much since 2010, the WHO said.
The research team analysed 31 different agents contaminating food and two viruses, 12 bacteria, 14 parasites and three chemicals.
While foodborne diseases is a public health concern globally, Africa and South East Asia are the hardest hit and have the highest death rates.
In terms of absolute numbers more people fall sick and die in South East Asia than any other WHO region with more than 150 millioncases and 1,75,000 deaths recorded every year.
(REOPENS FGN 30)
Around 60 million children fall sick of which 50,000 die each year from food borne diseases in South East Asia.
Food borne diseases can cause temporary symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting and also more longer-term illnesses including cancer, kidney or liver failure, brain disorders, epilepsy and arthritis, the scientists said.
In an increasingly globalised world, food borne diseases can quickly spread along the food chain and across borders and a country where food safety is weak, becomes the weakest chain in the whole food production system, Dr Miyagishima said.
In countries where street vendors are in sizeable numbers this can become a problem.
"More than one ministry or department is involved in food safety, creating gaps and vacuums," Dr Miyagishima said, so it is essential to have a "coalition" of governmental agencies to ensure an effective food safety system.
The report called on governments to improve inspections along the food chain and also invest in training of food producers, suppliers and the public.
In an increasingly globalised world, food borne diseases can quickly spread along the food chain and across borders and a country where food safety is weak, becomes the weakest chain in the whole food production system, Dr Miyagishima said.
In countries where street vendors are in sizeable numbers this can become a problem.
"More than one ministry or department is involved in food safety, creating gaps and vacuums," Dr Miyagishima said, so it is essential to have a "coalition" of governmental agencies to ensure an effective food safety system.
The report called on governments to improve inspections along the food chain and also invest in training of food producers, suppliers and the public.
Govt to relax approval system for food products: Badal
The government is taking steps to ease product approval system of food regulator FSSAI and working on a new mechanism where manufacturers may not need approval for their products if ingredients are cleared.
Addressing a Ficci conference, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said this sector is facing several challenges like "inconsistent and restrictive regulatory environment" and poor post-harvest infrastructure.
"The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) comes under the Health Ministry. They are taking necessary steps to ensure this regulatory body eases the way the product approval is done," Badal told reporters on the sidelines.
Some 11,500 ingredients have been put on the website for the public opinion, she said, adding that the deadline for public comments is December 13.
"So, instead of product approval now, there will be ingredients which are approved and you can go ahead with your innovation and production of the products. This is to harmonise with international standards," she stressed.
FSSAI has been in the spotlight after it imposed ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked FSSAI's advisory which asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
FSSAI has faced criticism from the industry for its product approval system.
Badal said the food processing sector is "today held back by several constraints" which is inconsistent and restrictive regulatory environment, poor post-harvest infrastructure leading to high levels of wastage and insufficient soft infrastructure like R&D capabilities and skilled manpower.
Stating that food quality and safety play a vital role in building consumers confidence towards processed food category, she emphasised on the need for regulators, policymakers, consumers, growers and industry to come together.
Addressing a Ficci conference, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said this sector is facing several challenges like "inconsistent and restrictive regulatory environment" and poor post-harvest infrastructure.
"The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) comes under the Health Ministry. They are taking necessary steps to ensure this regulatory body eases the way the product approval is done," Badal told reporters on the sidelines.
Some 11,500 ingredients have been put on the website for the public opinion, she said, adding that the deadline for public comments is December 13.
"So, instead of product approval now, there will be ingredients which are approved and you can go ahead with your innovation and production of the products. This is to harmonise with international standards," she stressed.
FSSAI has been in the spotlight after it imposed ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked FSSAI's advisory which asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
FSSAI has faced criticism from the industry for its product approval system.
Badal said the food processing sector is "today held back by several constraints" which is inconsistent and restrictive regulatory environment, poor post-harvest infrastructure leading to high levels of wastage and insufficient soft infrastructure like R&D capabilities and skilled manpower.
Stating that food quality and safety play a vital role in building consumers confidence towards processed food category, she emphasised on the need for regulators, policymakers, consumers, growers and industry to come together.
Food safety regulator must follow global practices
Adventurism by the regulator is in the interest of neither the industry nor consumers
The indication by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that it would reintroduce the system of pre-launch product approvals by issuing new regulations has dealt a blow to the food processing sector. This issue was deemed to have been settled after the Supreme Court upheld a Bombay High Court verdict that the system of product approvals introduced by the FSSAI through advisories was arbitrary and illegal. However, the uncertainty and confusion over this issue resurfaced with the FSSAI declaring that even while respecting the court's decree over its advisories, it will come up with new regulations to revive the approval procedure. This has turned prospective investors - both domestic and foreign - wary of committing resources in this sector. For the first time in several years, the festival season hardly saw the launch of any fresh food product, variant of an existing product or a new health food or food supplement despite over 700 such products being in the pipeline. The industry bodies are once again knocking at the doors of the government to get the FSSAI's intended move quashed.
India's food regulation law, the FSSAI Act of 2006, in fact does not require a new product to be formally approved by the regulator if its ingredients are as per the law - the generally accepted global practice. The industry maintains that the regulator cannot bring back the product approval system unless the law is amended. Even the food processing ministry feels that some of the recent actions of the FSSAI, including those against Nestle India's Maggi noodles, created a "fear psychosis" in the industry, killing innovation. There have been allegations of harassment of companies by FSSAI officials on trivial grounds. Objections are often raised to the quality of the products without getting them tested at recognised laboratories. Thus, the basic objective of the FSSAI Act of putting in place a transparent and scientific system of food safety seems to have been belied.
This does not bode well for a sector that, after a prolonged period of infancy, had begun to grow at over eight per cent a year. Food processing not only adds value to, and prolongs the shelf life of, farm produce, but it helps reduce the huge wastage of perishable products like fruits and vegetables, estimated at anywhere between 20 and 40 per cent. The FSSAI has already finalised 12,000 standards for food ingredients and additives, which are in harmony with the globally recognised Codex norms. It should also follow the global convention of allowing the industry to self-certify compliance with these standards. Such a system would end the need for cumbersome product-by-product approval, which takes years to complete. The FSSAI could monitor adherence to these standards by getting randomly selected samples tested in a non-controversial manner at accredited laboratories. The ultimate objective, after all, is to ensure that consumers get food products and health supplements that are good in quality, safe to consume, and varied in nature. Adventurism by the regulator is in the interest of neither the industry nor consumers.
The indication by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that it would reintroduce the system of pre-launch product approvals by issuing new regulations has dealt a blow to the food processing sector. This issue was deemed to have been settled after the Supreme Court upheld a Bombay High Court verdict that the system of product approvals introduced by the FSSAI through advisories was arbitrary and illegal. However, the uncertainty and confusion over this issue resurfaced with the FSSAI declaring that even while respecting the court's decree over its advisories, it will come up with new regulations to revive the approval procedure. This has turned prospective investors - both domestic and foreign - wary of committing resources in this sector. For the first time in several years, the festival season hardly saw the launch of any fresh food product, variant of an existing product or a new health food or food supplement despite over 700 such products being in the pipeline. The industry bodies are once again knocking at the doors of the government to get the FSSAI's intended move quashed.
India's food regulation law, the FSSAI Act of 2006, in fact does not require a new product to be formally approved by the regulator if its ingredients are as per the law - the generally accepted global practice. The industry maintains that the regulator cannot bring back the product approval system unless the law is amended. Even the food processing ministry feels that some of the recent actions of the FSSAI, including those against Nestle India's Maggi noodles, created a "fear psychosis" in the industry, killing innovation. There have been allegations of harassment of companies by FSSAI officials on trivial grounds. Objections are often raised to the quality of the products without getting them tested at recognised laboratories. Thus, the basic objective of the FSSAI Act of putting in place a transparent and scientific system of food safety seems to have been belied.
This does not bode well for a sector that, after a prolonged period of infancy, had begun to grow at over eight per cent a year. Food processing not only adds value to, and prolongs the shelf life of, farm produce, but it helps reduce the huge wastage of perishable products like fruits and vegetables, estimated at anywhere between 20 and 40 per cent. The FSSAI has already finalised 12,000 standards for food ingredients and additives, which are in harmony with the globally recognised Codex norms. It should also follow the global convention of allowing the industry to self-certify compliance with these standards. Such a system would end the need for cumbersome product-by-product approval, which takes years to complete. The FSSAI could monitor adherence to these standards by getting randomly selected samples tested in a non-controversial manner at accredited laboratories. The ultimate objective, after all, is to ensure that consumers get food products and health supplements that are good in quality, safe to consume, and varied in nature. Adventurism by the regulator is in the interest of neither the industry nor consumers.
How safe is the milk you consume?
How many of you know what food is being fed to the animals that give you milk? There are no pastures left in this country and cows/buffalos graze on the roadsides and on dirty human-trodden grass.
Last month a municipal gaushala in Patiala fed its cows the normal green fodder. 39 died within a few hours. A mob gathered and the gaushala workers who had no hand in getting the feed which was supplied by a commissioned contractor fled. The issue was taken up by communal elements and they took over the gaushala on the excuse that they could look after the cows better. Two days later 27 more died. Only then did the local administration start looking at the source of the contractor’s feed. Till today neither he nor his suppliers have been arrested.
In September scientists at the government Central Food Toxicology Research detected cancer-causing fungal toxins exceeding safety limits in samples of ultra-high-temperature processed milk- milk considered to be extremely sterile and pure. This is a problem that has been highlighted by scientists for the last ten years without having any action taken.
The poisonous compound is called aflatoxin M1 and it was found in 20 per cent of the samples of UHT (Ultra High Temperature processed) milk they examined. Earlier studies in India over the past decade have identified aflatoxins in raw and pasteurised milk but this is the first report of aflatoxins in UHT milk.
UHT milk is usually sold in tetrapacks as a shelf-stable product that needs no refrigeration until opened. Scientists at the CFTRI selected 45 samples of UHT milk from brands sold across the country. They found aflatoxin M1 levels exceeding limits imposed by India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) in 10 out of the 45 samples of UHT milk, in six out of 45 samples of raw milk and in three out of seven samples of pasteurised milk. The raw and pasteurised milk was collected from milk suppliers across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Their findings have appeared in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology.
High levels of aflatoxins in livestock feed such as maize residue and peanut cake seem to be the reason for the toxins in milk. This is not the first time that warnings have been given to the livestock sector. In north-west India in 1974, thousands of cattle died after eating mouldy maize with extremely high aflatoxin levels (ranging from 6250 to 15,600 mg/kg). More than forty years later, the dairy industry in India _ that relies on milk supplies from livestock _ does not test samples for aflatoxin before they pool the milk for industry-level processing. Since the late 1990s, reports of aflatoxins in milk have emerged from Thrissur in Kerala and Anand in Gujarat. Biochemists at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow had detected very high aflatoxin levels in samples of infant milk food, milk-based weaning cereals and liquid milk in 2004.
Aflatoxin-producing members of Aspergillus are common and widespread in nature. They can colonize and contaminate grain before harvest or during storage. Host crops, which include maize, sorghum, and groundnuts, are particularly susceptible to infection by Aspergillus following prolonged exposure to a high-humidity environment, or damage from stressful conditions such as drought. Humidity, moisture, and poor storage conditions contribute to the growth of fungi and aflatoxins in livestock feed. Researchers have reported high values “up to 3,300 micrograms per kg” of the fungal toxin aflatoxin B1 in livestock feed. Aflatoxin B1 is metabolised by animals and converted into aflatoxin M1, which is secreted in milk. Aflatoxins are also sometimes found in eggs and meat when animals are fed contaminated grains.
Since studies show that these aflatoxins are resistant to heat treatment, the object should be to reduce their intake. But while most developed countries have set maximum permissible limits for aflatoxin levels in livestock feed, no such mandatory limits exist for livestock fodder in India. The limit for aflatoxins in milk set by the European Commission is “0.05 microgram per kg.” 90 per cent of our milk is higher than this. In 2006 FSSAI imposed 0.5 microgram per kg limit on milk in India - 10 times higher than the EC limit. Even that is lower than what is currently found. Recent studies conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in South India revealed that aflatoxin levels were as high as 40 times the permissible limit. In a study published in the journal Food Control, researchers found that over 90% of the milk samples used in the study contained aflatoxin M1 levels. In these studies, contamination of milk was found to be high in both rural and urban areas, across a cross section of the population. Children were found to be most susceptible to the adverse health effects of these toxins.
At least 14 different types of aflatoxin are produced in nature. Aflatoxin B1 is considered the most toxic and is produced by fungi called Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These are among the most potent of carcinogens that cause more than 90,000 cases of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer each year. Consumption of aflatoxins can also lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, liver damage, convulsions, kidney, liver and heart disease, and in extreme cases, coma and death. Long-term aflatoxin poisoning in cattle leads to decrease in growth rate, lowered milk production and immune suppression. Some experiments have also shown high incidence of hepatitis B infection where dietary exposure to aflatoxins was prevalent.
Aflatoxins are strongly associated with stunting and immune suppression in children. In a 2015 study published by the Mitigating Aflatoxin Consumption for Improving Child Growth, researchers established a relationship between aflatoxin exposure and linear child growth. The study focused on children in the last trimester of gestation to age two (the primary period of growth faltering), and studied 1829 pregnant women who were enrolled from 2013 to 2014. Initial data collection found aflatoxin in the blood of all participants. The researchers reduced aflatoxin exposure by 50% in all participants and found that the reduction led to improved growth in the children tested.
Feed refusal, reduced growth rate, and decreased feed efficiency are the predominant signs of chronic aflatoxin poisoning in animals. In addition, listlessness, weight loss, rough hair coat, and mild diarrhoea may be seen. Anaemia along with bruises and subcutaneous haemorrhages are also frequent symptoms of aflatoxicosis. Increased susceptibility to other diseases, increased abortions and rectal prolapse are also signs. But in our country where vets are like hair on a near balding head, who is interpreting these symptoms?
How many of you know what food is being fed to the animals that give you milk? There are no pastures left in this country and cows/buffalos graze on the roadsides and on dirty human-trodden grass. All green fodder grown for animals is grown with pesticides. Remember that if UHT milk, which means milk that has been pasteurized at very high temperatures, cannot remove the fungus, it is better not to drink the stuff at all.
Last month a municipal gaushala in Patiala fed its cows the normal green fodder. 39 died within a few hours. A mob gathered and the gaushala workers who had no hand in getting the feed which was supplied by a commissioned contractor fled. The issue was taken up by communal elements and they took over the gaushala on the excuse that they could look after the cows better. Two days later 27 more died. Only then did the local administration start looking at the source of the contractor’s feed. Till today neither he nor his suppliers have been arrested.
In September scientists at the government Central Food Toxicology Research detected cancer-causing fungal toxins exceeding safety limits in samples of ultra-high-temperature processed milk- milk considered to be extremely sterile and pure. This is a problem that has been highlighted by scientists for the last ten years without having any action taken.
The poisonous compound is called aflatoxin M1 and it was found in 20 per cent of the samples of UHT (Ultra High Temperature processed) milk they examined. Earlier studies in India over the past decade have identified aflatoxins in raw and pasteurised milk but this is the first report of aflatoxins in UHT milk.
UHT milk is usually sold in tetrapacks as a shelf-stable product that needs no refrigeration until opened. Scientists at the CFTRI selected 45 samples of UHT milk from brands sold across the country. They found aflatoxin M1 levels exceeding limits imposed by India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) in 10 out of the 45 samples of UHT milk, in six out of 45 samples of raw milk and in three out of seven samples of pasteurised milk. The raw and pasteurised milk was collected from milk suppliers across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Their findings have appeared in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology.
High levels of aflatoxins in livestock feed such as maize residue and peanut cake seem to be the reason for the toxins in milk. This is not the first time that warnings have been given to the livestock sector. In north-west India in 1974, thousands of cattle died after eating mouldy maize with extremely high aflatoxin levels (ranging from 6250 to 15,600 mg/kg). More than forty years later, the dairy industry in India _ that relies on milk supplies from livestock _ does not test samples for aflatoxin before they pool the milk for industry-level processing. Since the late 1990s, reports of aflatoxins in milk have emerged from Thrissur in Kerala and Anand in Gujarat. Biochemists at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow had detected very high aflatoxin levels in samples of infant milk food, milk-based weaning cereals and liquid milk in 2004.
Aflatoxin-producing members of Aspergillus are common and widespread in nature. They can colonize and contaminate grain before harvest or during storage. Host crops, which include maize, sorghum, and groundnuts, are particularly susceptible to infection by Aspergillus following prolonged exposure to a high-humidity environment, or damage from stressful conditions such as drought. Humidity, moisture, and poor storage conditions contribute to the growth of fungi and aflatoxins in livestock feed. Researchers have reported high values “up to 3,300 micrograms per kg” of the fungal toxin aflatoxin B1 in livestock feed. Aflatoxin B1 is metabolised by animals and converted into aflatoxin M1, which is secreted in milk. Aflatoxins are also sometimes found in eggs and meat when animals are fed contaminated grains.
Since studies show that these aflatoxins are resistant to heat treatment, the object should be to reduce their intake. But while most developed countries have set maximum permissible limits for aflatoxin levels in livestock feed, no such mandatory limits exist for livestock fodder in India. The limit for aflatoxins in milk set by the European Commission is “0.05 microgram per kg.” 90 per cent of our milk is higher than this. In 2006 FSSAI imposed 0.5 microgram per kg limit on milk in India - 10 times higher than the EC limit. Even that is lower than what is currently found. Recent studies conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in South India revealed that aflatoxin levels were as high as 40 times the permissible limit. In a study published in the journal Food Control, researchers found that over 90% of the milk samples used in the study contained aflatoxin M1 levels. In these studies, contamination of milk was found to be high in both rural and urban areas, across a cross section of the population. Children were found to be most susceptible to the adverse health effects of these toxins.
At least 14 different types of aflatoxin are produced in nature. Aflatoxin B1 is considered the most toxic and is produced by fungi called Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These are among the most potent of carcinogens that cause more than 90,000 cases of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer each year. Consumption of aflatoxins can also lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, liver damage, convulsions, kidney, liver and heart disease, and in extreme cases, coma and death. Long-term aflatoxin poisoning in cattle leads to decrease in growth rate, lowered milk production and immune suppression. Some experiments have also shown high incidence of hepatitis B infection where dietary exposure to aflatoxins was prevalent.
Aflatoxins are strongly associated with stunting and immune suppression in children. In a 2015 study published by the Mitigating Aflatoxin Consumption for Improving Child Growth, researchers established a relationship between aflatoxin exposure and linear child growth. The study focused on children in the last trimester of gestation to age two (the primary period of growth faltering), and studied 1829 pregnant women who were enrolled from 2013 to 2014. Initial data collection found aflatoxin in the blood of all participants. The researchers reduced aflatoxin exposure by 50% in all participants and found that the reduction led to improved growth in the children tested.
Feed refusal, reduced growth rate, and decreased feed efficiency are the predominant signs of chronic aflatoxin poisoning in animals. In addition, listlessness, weight loss, rough hair coat, and mild diarrhoea may be seen. Anaemia along with bruises and subcutaneous haemorrhages are also frequent symptoms of aflatoxicosis. Increased susceptibility to other diseases, increased abortions and rectal prolapse are also signs. But in our country where vets are like hair on a near balding head, who is interpreting these symptoms?
How many of you know what food is being fed to the animals that give you milk? There are no pastures left in this country and cows/buffalos graze on the roadsides and on dirty human-trodden grass. All green fodder grown for animals is grown with pesticides. Remember that if UHT milk, which means milk that has been pasteurized at very high temperatures, cannot remove the fungus, it is better not to drink the stuff at all.
By next year, FSSR review, Product Approval will be in place, health secy
New Delhi
Union health secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma has said that the process of reviewing the Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011, is currently underway and it is likely to complete by next year. He disclosed this information while addressing the 10th National Food Safety and Quality Summit, a food safety, quality and competitiveness event for food and beverage industry, held here recently.
Sharma, however, did not explain the specific amendments proposed in the FSS Regulations but assured the food industry that there would be a paradigm shift in FSSAI’s approach after one year and there would be a streamlined Product Approval system in place based on scientifically approved Codex harmonised standards.
“There is a difference of opinion in interpretation of laws and regulations amongst the various ministries particularly with respect to the Product Approval. The process of reviewing the Act is on and we’ll be able to put more clarified set of rules and regulations by next year like done in case of nutraceuticals recently by FSSAI,” Sharma noted at the event organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
He added that FSSAI could broaden the food safety concept and scientific approach towards its implementation through ideas such as self regulation but its implementation had been far from smooth. There were few provisions which require amendments and greater clarity, as interpretation has been different.
It is pertinent to mention here that after the comprehensive review, the government got recommendations for review of FSSR 2011, which is presently under consideration.
He further pointed out that the government was laying emphasis on standard setting, which could have been done by this time. But given the sheer number of standards that were needed to be harmonised, both horizontal and vertical, it was taking time.
“The standards were one aspect perhaps could not get enough time or attention of FSSAI because of their involvement with the Product Approval business. The time in last four years could have been better utilised for having standards in place and 90% of the product wouldn’t have required the approval.”
“Greater emphasis on standards is needed but it is easier said than done and it is taking time. A whole process of consultation and scientific assessment is required which is time consuming. Further the number of scientific panels is also limited thereby restricting the output. In the last one year there has been quick progress like setting up of standards for nutraceuticals on which draft is done, some comments have come, FSSAI is examining and the standards would be notified sooner,” he stated.
He informed that 12,000 additive standards were draft notified and further some 9-10,000 horizontal standards would be released soon. The FSSAI is also working towards vertical standards. Codex standards and safety studies during the Product Approval procedure have produced huge data which would help in setting up the standards. And, there are number of standards which are at final stages.
“And I am sure that within a year’s time after setting up of standards, most of Product Approval procedure would get streamlined. The Product Approval can’t be done away with completely because there will be products and ingredients which may not have standards. Some kind of system needed to be devised where approval can be given," he said.
With regard to the Rs 1,950 crore revamp plan by the health ministry for FSSAI and state food authorities infrastructure, Sharma said that the ministry was actively looking into the matter and pushing hard to make it possible soon.
Present on the occasion were J P Meena, joint secretary, MoFPI; V Prakash, eminent scientist, CSIR; and Piruz Khambatta, chairman, Rasna.
Union health secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma has said that the process of reviewing the Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011, is currently underway and it is likely to complete by next year. He disclosed this information while addressing the 10th National Food Safety and Quality Summit, a food safety, quality and competitiveness event for food and beverage industry, held here recently.
Sharma, however, did not explain the specific amendments proposed in the FSS Regulations but assured the food industry that there would be a paradigm shift in FSSAI’s approach after one year and there would be a streamlined Product Approval system in place based on scientifically approved Codex harmonised standards.
“There is a difference of opinion in interpretation of laws and regulations amongst the various ministries particularly with respect to the Product Approval. The process of reviewing the Act is on and we’ll be able to put more clarified set of rules and regulations by next year like done in case of nutraceuticals recently by FSSAI,” Sharma noted at the event organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
He added that FSSAI could broaden the food safety concept and scientific approach towards its implementation through ideas such as self regulation but its implementation had been far from smooth. There were few provisions which require amendments and greater clarity, as interpretation has been different.
It is pertinent to mention here that after the comprehensive review, the government got recommendations for review of FSSR 2011, which is presently under consideration.
He further pointed out that the government was laying emphasis on standard setting, which could have been done by this time. But given the sheer number of standards that were needed to be harmonised, both horizontal and vertical, it was taking time.
“The standards were one aspect perhaps could not get enough time or attention of FSSAI because of their involvement with the Product Approval business. The time in last four years could have been better utilised for having standards in place and 90% of the product wouldn’t have required the approval.”
“Greater emphasis on standards is needed but it is easier said than done and it is taking time. A whole process of consultation and scientific assessment is required which is time consuming. Further the number of scientific panels is also limited thereby restricting the output. In the last one year there has been quick progress like setting up of standards for nutraceuticals on which draft is done, some comments have come, FSSAI is examining and the standards would be notified sooner,” he stated.
He informed that 12,000 additive standards were draft notified and further some 9-10,000 horizontal standards would be released soon. The FSSAI is also working towards vertical standards. Codex standards and safety studies during the Product Approval procedure have produced huge data which would help in setting up the standards. And, there are number of standards which are at final stages.
“And I am sure that within a year’s time after setting up of standards, most of Product Approval procedure would get streamlined. The Product Approval can’t be done away with completely because there will be products and ingredients which may not have standards. Some kind of system needed to be devised where approval can be given," he said.
With regard to the Rs 1,950 crore revamp plan by the health ministry for FSSAI and state food authorities infrastructure, Sharma said that the ministry was actively looking into the matter and pushing hard to make it possible soon.
Present on the occasion were J P Meena, joint secretary, MoFPI; V Prakash, eminent scientist, CSIR; and Piruz Khambatta, chairman, Rasna.
Nirapara ban due to starch: Minister
The Assembly on Wednesday was informed that the government had banned Nirapara brand packaged chilli, turmeric and mustard powders after they were found to contain added starch 20 to 80 per cent above the permissible level.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar told the House during Question Hour that the Food Safety Commissioner had fined the company for violation and finally banned the products because he found that the firm was repeating the same offence.
However, the firm got the ban lifted in the High Court. The court’s Division Bench has admitted the government’s appeal against the ban and given an interim direction to chemically sample the company’s packaged food products. He said NKR Brand Mallipodi was also found to contain starch.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar told the House during Question Hour that the Food Safety Commissioner had fined the company for violation and finally banned the products because he found that the firm was repeating the same offence.
However, the firm got the ban lifted in the High Court. The court’s Division Bench has admitted the government’s appeal against the ban and given an interim direction to chemically sample the company’s packaged food products. He said NKR Brand Mallipodi was also found to contain starch.
மார்த்தாண்டத்தில் சூப்பர் மார்க்கெட்டில் வாங்கிய அரிசியில் வண்டு, புழுக்கள் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் ஆய்வு
மார்த் தாண் டம் அருகே உண் ணா ம லைக் க டையை சேர்ந் த வர் ராபர்ட். இவர் 2 நாட் க ளுக்கு முன் அந்த பகு தி யில் உள்ள ஒரு பிர பல சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டில் 3 கிலோ செங் கல் பட்டு அரிசி வாங் கி யுள் ளார். மறு நாள் சமை யல் செய்ய எடுத்த போது அந்த அரி சி யில் வண் டு கள், புழுக் கள் இருந் துள் ளன. மேலும் வாடை யும் வீசி யுள் ளது. அந்த அரி சியை சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டுக்கு கொண்டு வந்து அதற் கான பணத்தை திருப்பி கேட் டுள் ளார். ஆனால் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் ஊழி யர் கள் பணம் தர முடி யாது. வேண் டு மா னால் வேறு அரிசி வாங்கி செல் லுங் கள் என கூறி யுள் ள னர். இது குறித்து அவர் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறைக்கு தக வல் தெரி வித் தார். இதன் படி உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கிளாட் சன் வந்து அரி சியை ஆய்வு செய் தார்.
அப் போது அவர் வைத் தி ருந்த அரி சி யில் வண்டு, புழுக் கள் இருந் தது உறுதி செய் யப் பட் டது. பின் னர் அந்த அரி சியை தர ஆய் வுக் காக எடுத்து சென் றார். மேலும் கடை யில் இருந்த அரிசி மூடை க ளில் இருந் தும் மாதிரி எடுத்து சென் றார். இது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கூறு கை யில், வண்டு, புழுக் க ளு டன் அரிசி விற் பனை செய் யப் பட் டது உறு தி யா னால் நிர் வா கம் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என கூறி னார். இது குறித்து பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில், உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் சிறு சிறு கடை கள், திரு விழா கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய்து பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் வது, பொது மக் கள் முன் னி லை யில் அவற்றை அழிப் பது போன்ற நட வ டிக் கை கள் எடுக் கின் ற னர். ஆனால் பெரிய கடை கள், சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் அவர் கள் ஆய்வு செய் வ தில்லை. பெரிய கடை க ளி லும் கெட் டுப் போன பொருட் கள், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன. எனவே அங் கும் அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய்வு செய்து நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும் என கூறி னர்.
அப் போது அவர் வைத் தி ருந்த அரி சி யில் வண்டு, புழுக் கள் இருந் தது உறுதி செய் யப் பட் டது. பின் னர் அந்த அரி சியை தர ஆய் வுக் காக எடுத்து சென் றார். மேலும் கடை யில் இருந்த அரிசி மூடை க ளில் இருந் தும் மாதிரி எடுத்து சென் றார். இது குறித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கூறு கை யில், வண்டு, புழுக் க ளு டன் அரிசி விற் பனை செய் யப் பட் டது உறு தி யா னால் நிர் வா கம் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என கூறி னார். இது குறித்து பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில், உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் சிறு சிறு கடை கள், திரு விழா கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய்து பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய் வது, பொது மக் கள் முன் னி லை யில் அவற்றை அழிப் பது போன்ற நட வ டிக் கை கள் எடுக் கின் ற னர். ஆனால் பெரிய கடை கள், சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் அவர் கள் ஆய்வு செய் வ தில்லை. பெரிய கடை க ளி லும் கெட் டுப் போன பொருட் கள், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன. எனவே அங் கும் அதி கா ரி கள் ஆய்வு செய்து நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும் என கூறி னர்.
கலெக்டர் கருணாகரன் உத்தரவு மழைக்கால நோய்கள் தடுக்க ஓட்டல்களுக்கு 11 கட்டளைகள்
நெல்லை, டிச. 3:
நெல்லை மாவட்ட கலெக் டர் கரு ணா க ரன் விடுத் துள்ள செய் திக் கு றிப்பு:
நெல்லை மாவட் டத் தில் வட கி ழக்கு பரு வ மழை தீவி ர மாக பெய் து வ ரு வ தால் மழைக் கா லங் க ளில் தண் ணீர் மூலம் பர வும் வயிற் றுப் போக்கு, டைபாய்டு, மற் றும் தொற்று நோய் கள், டெங்கு காய்ச் சல் போன் றவை பரவ வாய்ப் புள் ளது. எனவே உணவு விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் அனைத் தி லும் முக் கிய நிபந் த னை களை கடை பி டிக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் சுத் த மான சுகா தா ர மான நிலை யில் பரா ம ரிப் ப தோடு தண் ணீர் உள்ள பாத் தி ரங் களை மூடி வைக்க வேண் டும். 3 நாட் க ளுக்கு மேல் தண் ணீரை சேமித்து வைக் கக் கூ டாது.
கடை யின் உள் ளேயோ மொட்டை மாடி போன்ற இடங் க ளிலோ தண் ணீர் தேங் கக் கூ டிய தொட்டி, டயர், டம் ளர், சிரட்டை போன் றவை இருந் தால் அப் பு றப் ப டுத் த வேண் டும். மேல் மாடி யில் தண் ணீர் பா தை யில் அடைப்பு இருந் தால் சரி செய் ய வேண் டும். குடிப் ப தற்கு கொதிக்க வைத்த சுத் த மான தண் ணீ ரையே கொடுக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு பண் டங் கள் பஜ்ஜி, வடை, சமோசா போன் ற வற்றை ஈ, பூச் சி கள் மொய் கா த ப டி யும், ரோட் டி லி ருந்து வரும் தூசி கள் படா த வ கை யி லும் மூடி வைக் க வேண் டும். புரோட்டா, தோசை தயா ரிக்க பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் அடுப் புக் கல் மீது தண் ணீர், தூசி படாத அள விற்கு கண் ணாடி, காட் போர்டு வைத்து மறைக் க வேண் டும். உணவு தயா ரிக்க கலப் ப ட மில் லாத சுத் த மான மூலப் பொ ருட் கள் மற் றும் எண் ணெய் போன் ற வற்றை உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு தயா ரிக் கும் மற் றும் பரி மா றும் பணி யா ளர் கள் தலைக் க வ சம் மற் றும் கையுறை அணி வ தோடு நோய், காய்ச் சல் அறி குறி இருந் தால் குண மா கும் வரை அவ ருக்கு விடுப்பு அளித்து கட் டா யம் மருத் து வப் ப ரி சோ தனை செய் ய வேண் டும்.
கை கழு வு மி டம் மற் றும் சாப் பிட்ட இலை களை போடு மி டம் சுத் த மாக இருப் ப து டன் சோப்பு, ஹேண்ட் வாஷ் லிக் யூட் இருக் க வேண் டும்.
பாலி தீன் கவர் க ளையோ அல் லது பைக ளையோ உணவு பொருட் கள் பார் சல் செய் யவோ உணவு பொருட் களை மூடி வைக் கவோ பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூ டாது.
பள் ளி கள், கல் லூ ரி கள், திரை ய ரங் கு கள், உண வ கங் கள், ஓட் டல் கள் மற் றும் அனைத்து இடங் க ளி லும் கட் டா யம் சுத் தி க ரிக் கப் பட்ட, கொதித்த குடி நீ ரையே உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும்.
பொது மக் க ளும், தண் ணீர் மற்ற பிற உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள் வாங் கும் போது உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறு வ னங் க ளில் மட் டுமே வாங் க வேண் டும். பொட் ட லம் செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் களை விவ ரச் சீட்டு இருந் தால் மட் டுமே வாங்கி உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும். திறந் த வெ ளி யில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற இடத் தில் தயார் செய் யப் ப டும் அல் லது விற் கப் ப டும் உண வுப் பொ ருட் களை வாங்கி உண்ண வேண் டாம்.
இந்த நிபந் த னை களை கடை பி டிக் காத உண வ கம் விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் மீது சட் டப் படி கடு மை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும். கடை க ளில் ஏதே னும் சுகா தார குறை பா டு கள் காணப் பட் டாலோ, உண வு பொ ருட் கள் தொடர் பான புகார் க ளையோ நெல்லை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் மற் றும் அரு கில் உள்ள உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல ரி டம் தெரி விக் க லாம். தொலை பேசி எண் 0462- 2555070 செல் எண் - 9994446674 என்ற எண் ணி லும் புகார் தெரி விக் க லாம். இவ் வாறு அவர் தெரி வித் துள் ளார்.
நெல்லை மாவட்ட கலெக் டர் கரு ணா க ரன் விடுத் துள்ள செய் திக் கு றிப்பு:
நெல்லை மாவட் டத் தில் வட கி ழக்கு பரு வ மழை தீவி ர மாக பெய் து வ ரு வ தால் மழைக் கா லங் க ளில் தண் ணீர் மூலம் பர வும் வயிற் றுப் போக்கு, டைபாய்டு, மற் றும் தொற்று நோய் கள், டெங்கு காய்ச் சல் போன் றவை பரவ வாய்ப் புள் ளது. எனவே உணவு விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் அனைத் தி லும் முக் கிய நிபந் த னை களை கடை பி டிக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் சுத் த மான சுகா தா ர மான நிலை யில் பரா ம ரிப் ப தோடு தண் ணீர் உள்ள பாத் தி ரங் களை மூடி வைக்க வேண் டும். 3 நாட் க ளுக்கு மேல் தண் ணீரை சேமித்து வைக் கக் கூ டாது.
கடை யின் உள் ளேயோ மொட்டை மாடி போன்ற இடங் க ளிலோ தண் ணீர் தேங் கக் கூ டிய தொட்டி, டயர், டம் ளர், சிரட்டை போன் றவை இருந் தால் அப் பு றப் ப டுத் த வேண் டும். மேல் மாடி யில் தண் ணீர் பா தை யில் அடைப்பு இருந் தால் சரி செய் ய வேண் டும். குடிப் ப தற்கு கொதிக்க வைத்த சுத் த மான தண் ணீ ரையே கொடுக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு பண் டங் கள் பஜ்ஜி, வடை, சமோசா போன் ற வற்றை ஈ, பூச் சி கள் மொய் கா த ப டி யும், ரோட் டி லி ருந்து வரும் தூசி கள் படா த வ கை யி லும் மூடி வைக் க வேண் டும். புரோட்டா, தோசை தயா ரிக்க பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் அடுப் புக் கல் மீது தண் ணீர், தூசி படாத அள விற்கு கண் ணாடி, காட் போர்டு வைத்து மறைக் க வேண் டும். உணவு தயா ரிக்க கலப் ப ட மில் லாத சுத் த மான மூலப் பொ ருட் கள் மற் றும் எண் ணெய் போன் ற வற்றை உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும்.
உணவு தயா ரிக் கும் மற் றும் பரி மா றும் பணி யா ளர் கள் தலைக் க வ சம் மற் றும் கையுறை அணி வ தோடு நோய், காய்ச் சல் அறி குறி இருந் தால் குண மா கும் வரை அவ ருக்கு விடுப்பு அளித்து கட் டா யம் மருத் து வப் ப ரி சோ தனை செய் ய வேண் டும்.
கை கழு வு மி டம் மற் றும் சாப் பிட்ட இலை களை போடு மி டம் சுத் த மாக இருப் ப து டன் சோப்பு, ஹேண்ட் வாஷ் லிக் யூட் இருக் க வேண் டும்.
பாலி தீன் கவர் க ளையோ அல் லது பைக ளையோ உணவு பொருட் கள் பார் சல் செய் யவோ உணவு பொருட் களை மூடி வைக் கவோ பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூ டாது.
பள் ளி கள், கல் லூ ரி கள், திரை ய ரங் கு கள், உண வ கங் கள், ஓட் டல் கள் மற் றும் அனைத்து இடங் க ளி லும் கட் டா யம் சுத் தி க ரிக் கப் பட்ட, கொதித்த குடி நீ ரையே உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும்.
பொது மக் க ளும், தண் ணீர் மற்ற பிற உண வுப் பொ ருட் கள் வாங் கும் போது உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யில் பதிவு பெற்ற நிறு வ னங் க ளில் மட் டுமே வாங் க வேண் டும். பொட் ட லம் செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் களை விவ ரச் சீட்டு இருந் தால் மட் டுமே வாங்கி உப யோ கிக் க வேண் டும். திறந் த வெ ளி யில் சுகா தா ர மற்ற இடத் தில் தயார் செய் யப் ப டும் அல் லது விற் கப் ப டும் உண வுப் பொ ருட் களை வாங்கி உண்ண வேண் டாம்.
இந்த நிபந் த னை களை கடை பி டிக் காத உண வ கம் விற் பனை நிலை யங் கள் மீது சட் டப் படி கடு மை யான நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும். கடை க ளில் ஏதே னும் சுகா தார குறை பா டு கள் காணப் பட் டாலோ, உண வு பொ ருட் கள் தொடர் பான புகார் க ளையோ நெல்லை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் மற் றும் அரு கில் உள்ள உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல ரி டம் தெரி விக் க லாம். தொலை பேசி எண் 0462- 2555070 செல் எண் - 9994446674 என்ற எண் ணி லும் புகார் தெரி விக் க லாம். இவ் வாறு அவர் தெரி வித் துள் ளார்.
ஓட்டல், பேக்கரிகளில் தரமான பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும் உரிமையாளர்களுக்கு வேண்டுகோள்
பெரம் ப லூர், டிச.3:
ஓட் டல், பேக் க ரி க ளில் தர மான பொருட் களை வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டும் என உரி மை யா ளர் க ளுக்கு வேண் டு கோள் விடுக் கப் பட் டது.
பெரம் ப லூர் மாவட்ட ஓட் டல் கள் சங்க சிறப்பு கூட் டம் நேற்று நடந் தது. மாவட்ட தலை வர் வசந் தம் ரவி தலைமை வகித் தார். சங்க கவு ர வத் த லை வர் அஸ் வின்ஸ் கணே சன் முன் னிலை வகித் தார்.
கூட் டத் தில் பனா னா லீப் மனோ க ரன், ஆரி யாஸ் ராம சுப்பு, ஊட்டி செல் லப் பிள்ளை உட் பட பலர் பேசி னர். மாவட்ட மலே ரியா அலு வ லர் சுப் ர ம ணி யன் கலந்து கொண்டு, டெங்கு காய்ச் சல் பர வா மல் தடுக்க மேற் கொள்ள வேண் டிய முன் னெச் ச ரிக்கை நட வ டிக் கை கள் குறித்து பேசி னார். தொடர்ந்து தமிழ் நாடு ஓட் டல் கள் சங்க மாநில தலை வர் வெங் க ட சுப்பு சிறப் பு ரை யாற் றி னார்.
உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் புஷ் ப ராஜ் பேசு கை யில், ஓட் டல் கள், இனிப் ப கம், பேக் கரி, தேனீ ர கம், மெஸ் ஆகி ய வறை தூய் மை யா க வும், சுகா தா ர மா க வும் வைத் தி ருக்க வேண் டும். பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் பொருட் கள் தர மா ன தா? என பரி சோ தனை செய்து வாங்கி பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டும். டீக் க டை க ளில் தயார் செய் யப் ப டும் பல கா ரங் களை ஈ.மெய்க் கா மல் கண் ணாடி கூண் டில் வைத்து பாது காத்து விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டும். பசிக் காக ஓட் டல் களை தேடி வ ரும் பொது மக் க ளுக்கு தர மான உண வினை அளிக்க வேண் டும் என் றார்.
கூட் டத் தில் நிர் வா கி கள் சுந் த ரம், கோபி நாத், அய் யம் பெ ரு மாள், பாலாஜி, அரும் பா வூர் குறிஞ்சி சிவா, மூர்த்தி உட் பட பலர் கலந்து கொண் ட னர். முன் ன தாக மாவட்ட செய லா ளர் முத் துக் கு மார் வர வேற் றார். மாவட்ட பொரு ளா ளர் சிவக் கு மார் நன்றி கூறி னார்.
காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் அழிப்பு வால் பாறை கடை க ளில் அதி ரடி சோதனை
வால் பாறை,டிச.3:
வால் பா றை யில் நேற்று கோவை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் டாக் டா் கதி ர வன் தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லா ் கள், வால் பாறை ஆரம்ப சுகா தார ஆய் வா ளா், நக ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு பணி யா ளா ் கள் அடங் கிய குழு வால் பா றை யில் உள்ள மளிகை கடை, பேக் கரி உள் ளிட்ட கடை க ளில் தரக் கட் டுப் பாட்டு ஆய் வும், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் குறித்த ஆய் வும் மேற் கொண் ட னா்.
இதில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் கள், வனஸ் பதி, பாக் கெட் உணவு பொருட் கள் சிக் கின. மேலும் கலர் பொ டி கள் கலந்து தயா ரிக் கப் பட் டுள்ள வட கங் கள் கடை க ளில் இருந்து பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் நக ராட்சி குப்பை கிடங்கு பகு தி யில் கொட்டி அழிக் கப் பட் டது. இது குறித்து டாக் டா் கதி ர வன் கூறு கை யில் குளிர் பா னம், தண் ணீர் ஆகி ய வற் றிற்கு அதி க பட் ச மாக காலா வதி காலம் 3 மாதங் கள் ஆகும். எனவே நுகர் வோர் கள் இது குறித்து விழிப் பு ணா ்வு அடை ய வேண் டும். காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை கண் டிப் பாக வாங்க கூடாது என் றார்.
வால் பா றை யில் நேற்று கோவை மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் டாக் டா் கதி ர வன் தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லா ் கள், வால் பாறை ஆரம்ப சுகா தார ஆய் வா ளா், நக ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு பணி யா ளா ் கள் அடங் கிய குழு வால் பா றை யில் உள்ள மளிகை கடை, பேக் கரி உள் ளிட்ட கடை க ளில் தரக் கட் டுப் பாட்டு ஆய் வும், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் குறித்த ஆய் வும் மேற் கொண் ட னா்.
இதில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் கள், வனஸ் பதி, பாக் கெட் உணவு பொருட் கள் சிக் கின. மேலும் கலர் பொ டி கள் கலந்து தயா ரிக் கப் பட் டுள்ள வட கங் கள் கடை க ளில் இருந்து பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் நக ராட்சி குப்பை கிடங்கு பகு தி யில் கொட்டி அழிக் கப் பட் டது. இது குறித்து டாக் டா் கதி ர வன் கூறு கை யில் குளிர் பா னம், தண் ணீர் ஆகி ய வற் றிற்கு அதி க பட் ச மாக காலா வதி காலம் 3 மாதங் கள் ஆகும். எனவே நுகர் வோர் கள் இது குறித்து விழிப் பு ணா ்வு அடை ய வேண் டும். காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை கண் டிப் பாக வாங்க கூடாது என் றார்.
உணவு பொருட்களில் கலப்படம் செய்பவர்கள் கொலையாளிக்கு சமம் அமைச்சர் ஆவேசம்
திரு மலை, டிச.2-
உண வுப் பொ ருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் மக் களை கொல் லும் தீவி ர வா தி க ளுக்கு சம மா ன வர் கள் என்று அமைச் சர் கூறி னார்.
ஆந் திர மாநி லம், விஜ ய வா டா வில் கடந்த 2 வாரங் க ளுக்கு முன்பு உணவு தரக் கட் டுப் பாட்டு அதி கா ரி கள், போலீ சார் திடீர் சோதனை மேற் கொண் ட னர். அப் போது பெங் க ளூரை சேர்ந்த தனி யார் நெய் நிறு வ னத் தின் பெய ரில் போலி யாக ஸ்டிக் கர் ஒட்டி கலப் பட நெய் தயா ரித்து விற் றது தெரிய வந் தது. இது தொ டர் பாக அனில், பனி ஆகிய 2 பேர் கைது செய் யப் பட் ட னர்.
இந் நி லை யில், அந்த கலப் பட நெய்யை திரு ம லையை சேர்ந்த பைடப் பல்லி திரு நாத் என் ப வர் தேவஸ் தான விஜி லென்ஸ் அதி கா ரி க ளின் உத வி யு டன் திருப் பதி ஏழு ம லை யான் கோயி லுக்கு வினி யோ கம் செய் த தா க வும், தற் போது தலை ம றை வாக உள்ள அவரை போலீ சார் தேடி வரு வ தா க வும் தக வல் கள் வெளி யா னது.
ஆனால் கோயி லில் நெய் பல் வேறு சோத னை க ளுக்கு பிறகே பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டு கி றது. எனவே போலி நெய் தேவஸ் தா னத் திற்கு வாங் க வில்லை என தேவஸ் தா னம் தெரி வித் தது.
நேற்று திருப் பதி கோயி லில் சுவாமி தரி ச னம் செய்த ஆந் திர மாநில இந்து அற நி லை யத் துறை அமைச் சர் மாணிக் கேல ராவ் கூறி ய தா வது:
ஏற் க னவே திருப் பதி கோயி லுக்கு கொள் மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட நெய், பரி சோ தனை செய்த அன்றே திருப்பி அனுப் பப் பட் டது. உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் தீவி ர வா தி க ளுக்கு சம மா ன வர் கள். கலப் ப டத் தில் ஈடு ப டு ப வர் கள் திடீ ரென தீவி ர வாத தாக் கு த லில் ஊடு ருவி பல பேரை கொலை செய் த வர் க ளுக்கு இணை யா ன வர் கள்.
உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் வ தால், அதை சாப் பி டும் மக் கள் பல் வேறு நோய் க ளால் பாதிக் கப் பட்டு, உயி ரி ழப் பும் ஏற் ப டு கி றது. எனவே கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க சட் டத் தில் மாற் றம் கொண்டு வர வேண் டும். அதற் காக முதல் வர் சந் தி ர பாபு நாயு டு வி டம் பேசி ஆலோ சித்து உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்.திருப் பதி கோயில் மீது போலி யாக சுமத் தும் தக வல் களை பக் தர் கள் யாரும் நம்ப வேண் டாம். இவ் வாறு கூறி னார்
உண வுப் பொ ருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் மக் களை கொல் லும் தீவி ர வா தி க ளுக்கு சம மா ன வர் கள் என்று அமைச் சர் கூறி னார்.
ஆந் திர மாநி லம், விஜ ய வா டா வில் கடந்த 2 வாரங் க ளுக்கு முன்பு உணவு தரக் கட் டுப் பாட்டு அதி கா ரி கள், போலீ சார் திடீர் சோதனை மேற் கொண் ட னர். அப் போது பெங் க ளூரை சேர்ந்த தனி யார் நெய் நிறு வ னத் தின் பெய ரில் போலி யாக ஸ்டிக் கர் ஒட்டி கலப் பட நெய் தயா ரித்து விற் றது தெரிய வந் தது. இது தொ டர் பாக அனில், பனி ஆகிய 2 பேர் கைது செய் யப் பட் ட னர்.
இந் நி லை யில், அந்த கலப் பட நெய்யை திரு ம லையை சேர்ந்த பைடப் பல்லி திரு நாத் என் ப வர் தேவஸ் தான விஜி லென்ஸ் அதி கா ரி க ளின் உத வி யு டன் திருப் பதி ஏழு ம லை யான் கோயி லுக்கு வினி யோ கம் செய் த தா க வும், தற் போது தலை ம றை வாக உள்ள அவரை போலீ சார் தேடி வரு வ தா க வும் தக வல் கள் வெளி யா னது.
ஆனால் கோயி லில் நெய் பல் வேறு சோத னை க ளுக்கு பிறகே பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டு கி றது. எனவே போலி நெய் தேவஸ் தா னத் திற்கு வாங் க வில்லை என தேவஸ் தா னம் தெரி வித் தது.
நேற்று திருப் பதி கோயி லில் சுவாமி தரி ச னம் செய்த ஆந் திர மாநில இந்து அற நி லை யத் துறை அமைச் சர் மாணிக் கேல ராவ் கூறி ய தா வது:
ஏற் க னவே திருப் பதி கோயி லுக்கு கொள் மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட நெய், பரி சோ தனை செய்த அன்றே திருப்பி அனுப் பப் பட் டது. உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் தீவி ர வா தி க ளுக்கு சம மா ன வர் கள். கலப் ப டத் தில் ஈடு ப டு ப வர் கள் திடீ ரென தீவி ர வாத தாக் கு த லில் ஊடு ருவி பல பேரை கொலை செய் த வர் க ளுக்கு இணை யா ன வர் கள்.
உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் கலப் ப டம் செய் வ தால், அதை சாப் பி டும் மக் கள் பல் வேறு நோய் க ளால் பாதிக் கப் பட்டு, உயி ரி ழப் பும் ஏற் ப டு கி றது. எனவே கலப் ப டம் செய் ப வர் கள் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க சட் டத் தில் மாற் றம் கொண்டு வர வேண் டும். அதற் காக முதல் வர் சந் தி ர பாபு நாயு டு வி டம் பேசி ஆலோ சித்து உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும்.திருப் பதி கோயில் மீது போலி யாக சுமத் தும் தக வல் களை பக் தர் கள் யாரும் நம்ப வேண் டாம். இவ் வாறு கூறி னார்
Dec 2, 2015
These greens could be loaded with arsenic - Veggie alert!
50 per cent of basic essentials in Maharashtra are procured from Punjab and Haryana — two states that are in the red on arsenic content in foods
A report tabled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) last month, calling attention to high arsenic content found in vegetables and rice produced in 12 states of the country, has sent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Confederation of Indian Horticulture and All India Vegetable Growers Association aflutter. All three bodies are now pooling their energies to come up with a plan to cap the damage caused to consumers. Alarm bells have gone off closer home as Maharashtra is known to procure 50 per cent of the goods from Punjab and Haryana — the two states that top the suspicious list. The state depends on Punjab for vegetables such as potato, lady's finger and green chilli. Other states on the list are Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.
Following the alarming report, FDA is planning to rope in officials from the agriculture department and conduct awareness workshops and seminars. Avisit to New Delhi has also been planned. President of the Confederation of Indian Horticulture's Maharashtra chapter, Sopan Kanchan, said that a meeting to discuss the issue with Dr Ayyappan, director general of ICAR, has been scheduled for December 18, in the hope of finding remedial measures. "This is rather frightening. The common man's basic food platter seems to be in threat as large amounts of arsenic have been found in the produce from Punjab. We will discuss this with the ICAR officials," said Kanchan. He also added that both the ministry of agriculture and FDA must be watchful of the goods travelling into Maharashtra.
Southern India has been known to receive 400 trucks of potatoes every day between July and October, of which 50 per cent is dropped off in Maharashtra. "Potato is an essential item in every dish and we have been discussing the rise in the use of pesticides by Punjab and Haryana for the last two years. But, the government has not heeded our pleas. Now, with ICAR's recent find, I hope an action plan will be drawn up immediately," said Shriram Gadhave, president of All India Vegetables Growers Association, asserting that the association has been conducting awareness workshops for farmers and market yard associations on the presence of high arsenic contents in certain states. "We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states. But, we did not have proof like ICAR does now," he added.
Taking a leaf out of Gadhave's book, Uday Vanjari, state joint commissioner of FDA, drove home the point that when Mahesh Zagade was the chief commissioner, many seminars had been conducted on arsenic content in water and vegetables, given the rise in the numbers of lifestyle disorders like cancer and skin diseases, which are related to an inadvertent intake of arsenic. "Now that our suspicions have come true, thanks to the recent report, we will again conduct similar workshops to educate people about the illnesses caused by the intake of food laden with arsenic," said Vanjari.
Said Dr S Ayyappan, "Given the heightened presence of arsenic in states that are known to produce vegetables and whole grain in large quantities, we feel that FDA and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) must also intervene and help to come out with remedial measures." He stressed that a close watch be kept on goods arriving from the blacklisted states.
A senior officer from the state FDA, who did not wish to be named, said, "We would like to urge the officials from the ministry of agriculture to collect samples of materials and vegetables, sought from states that have crossed the permissible limit of arsenic content so that we can take some precautionary steps. Maharashtra's green produce is lush. But we need to know for sure if we must look within to fulfil our daily diet needs."
DOCSPEAK
According to Dr Vijay Ramanan, head of haematology at Ruby Hall Clinic, "Arsenic poisoning can lead to liver damages cardiac illnesses, leukaemia, low platelet count and so on." He said that the medical fraternity was witness to many patients who came with such illnesses that were known to be rooted in high arsenic levels. "Those who consume basmati rice and sea food are normally seen as being susceptible to some of these ailments. This is because to elongate the rice, farmers use pesticides beyond the permissible limit. A long-term intake of arsenic poison can cause various illnesses." Dr Abhijit Lodha, specilatist in toxicology and an infectious diseases expert, said, "We recently had three cases of sudden numbness and paralysis of limbs — all were rooted in the consumption of foods highly laden with arsenic. Arsenic content can lead to illnesses such as convulsions, mental agitation, encephalopathy, cancer, skin disorders, lack of concentration, insomnia, blood disorders among others."
█ We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states, but we did not have proof like ICAR does now
- SHRIRAM GADHAVE, President, All India Vegetables Growers Association
A report tabled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) last month, calling attention to high arsenic content found in vegetables and rice produced in 12 states of the country, has sent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Confederation of Indian Horticulture and All India Vegetable Growers Association aflutter. All three bodies are now pooling their energies to come up with a plan to cap the damage caused to consumers. Alarm bells have gone off closer home as Maharashtra is known to procure 50 per cent of the goods from Punjab and Haryana — the two states that top the suspicious list. The state depends on Punjab for vegetables such as potato, lady's finger and green chilli. Other states on the list are Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.
Following the alarming report, FDA is planning to rope in officials from the agriculture department and conduct awareness workshops and seminars. Avisit to New Delhi has also been planned. President of the Confederation of Indian Horticulture's Maharashtra chapter, Sopan Kanchan, said that a meeting to discuss the issue with Dr Ayyappan, director general of ICAR, has been scheduled for December 18, in the hope of finding remedial measures. "This is rather frightening. The common man's basic food platter seems to be in threat as large amounts of arsenic have been found in the produce from Punjab. We will discuss this with the ICAR officials," said Kanchan. He also added that both the ministry of agriculture and FDA must be watchful of the goods travelling into Maharashtra.
Southern India has been known to receive 400 trucks of potatoes every day between July and October, of which 50 per cent is dropped off in Maharashtra. "Potato is an essential item in every dish and we have been discussing the rise in the use of pesticides by Punjab and Haryana for the last two years. But, the government has not heeded our pleas. Now, with ICAR's recent find, I hope an action plan will be drawn up immediately," said Shriram Gadhave, president of All India Vegetables Growers Association, asserting that the association has been conducting awareness workshops for farmers and market yard associations on the presence of high arsenic contents in certain states. "We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states. But, we did not have proof like ICAR does now," he added.
Taking a leaf out of Gadhave's book, Uday Vanjari, state joint commissioner of FDA, drove home the point that when Mahesh Zagade was the chief commissioner, many seminars had been conducted on arsenic content in water and vegetables, given the rise in the numbers of lifestyle disorders like cancer and skin diseases, which are related to an inadvertent intake of arsenic. "Now that our suspicions have come true, thanks to the recent report, we will again conduct similar workshops to educate people about the illnesses caused by the intake of food laden with arsenic," said Vanjari.
Said Dr S Ayyappan, "Given the heightened presence of arsenic in states that are known to produce vegetables and whole grain in large quantities, we feel that FDA and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) must also intervene and help to come out with remedial measures." He stressed that a close watch be kept on goods arriving from the blacklisted states.
A senior officer from the state FDA, who did not wish to be named, said, "We would like to urge the officials from the ministry of agriculture to collect samples of materials and vegetables, sought from states that have crossed the permissible limit of arsenic content so that we can take some precautionary steps. Maharashtra's green produce is lush. But we need to know for sure if we must look within to fulfil our daily diet needs."
DOCSPEAK
According to Dr Vijay Ramanan, head of haematology at Ruby Hall Clinic, "Arsenic poisoning can lead to liver damages cardiac illnesses, leukaemia, low platelet count and so on." He said that the medical fraternity was witness to many patients who came with such illnesses that were known to be rooted in high arsenic levels. "Those who consume basmati rice and sea food are normally seen as being susceptible to some of these ailments. This is because to elongate the rice, farmers use pesticides beyond the permissible limit. A long-term intake of arsenic poison can cause various illnesses." Dr Abhijit Lodha, specilatist in toxicology and an infectious diseases expert, said, "We recently had three cases of sudden numbness and paralysis of limbs — all were rooted in the consumption of foods highly laden with arsenic. Arsenic content can lead to illnesses such as convulsions, mental agitation, encephalopathy, cancer, skin disorders, lack of concentration, insomnia, blood disorders among others."
█ We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states, but we did not have proof like ICAR does now
- SHRIRAM GADHAVE, President, All India Vegetables Growers Association
Govt mulls Rs 1750cr proposal for FSSAI, state food regulators
New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Faced with criticism from industry over approval system for food products, the government is mulling a Rs 1,750-crore proposal to strengthen central food regulator FSSAI as well as state bodies.
Addressing a CII conference, Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma said there is shortage of manpower and skill at both the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the state food & drug departments. The government is working on strengthening the FSSAI and state FDAs through capacity building that includes setting up of new testing laboratories and upgrading the existing ones, he said, adding that the focus is also on increasing awareness about the importance of food safety. "We have formulated a scheme for that (capacity building) and that scheme was for both food and drug. The drug part has been approved by the Cabinet recently in the month of August and there is a similar proposal for the food which is likely to be approved by the competent authority soon enough," Sharma said. He said the proposal, once approved, would definitely give a strong fillip to the capacity building of the laboratories and other food regulatory set-ups. According to sources, the Health Ministry has moved a proposal for granting Rs 1,750 crore, which includes about over Rs 800 crore for the FSSAI and the remaining amount for the state food regulators. The Secretary said there are about 160 labs for testing of food in the country, out of which 72 are in the government sector and 80 odds are private accredited labs. The ministry has evaluated all the governments labs to find out the deficiencies, Sharma said. Sharma also mentioned that the FSSAI only sets standards for different food products and the implementation is done by the state governments.
The states give licences and they enforce the Act and all the prosecutions, he added.
The FSSAI has come into limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAIs advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
After Maggi ban, industry as well as Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticised the FSSAI.
Badal had said that the FSSAIs decision created "fear psychosis" in the food processing industry.
Food regulator FSSAI, which comes under ambit of Health Ministry, lays down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Addressing a CII conference, Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma said there is shortage of manpower and skill at both the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the state food & drug departments. The government is working on strengthening the FSSAI and state FDAs through capacity building that includes setting up of new testing laboratories and upgrading the existing ones, he said, adding that the focus is also on increasing awareness about the importance of food safety. "We have formulated a scheme for that (capacity building) and that scheme was for both food and drug. The drug part has been approved by the Cabinet recently in the month of August and there is a similar proposal for the food which is likely to be approved by the competent authority soon enough," Sharma said. He said the proposal, once approved, would definitely give a strong fillip to the capacity building of the laboratories and other food regulatory set-ups. According to sources, the Health Ministry has moved a proposal for granting Rs 1,750 crore, which includes about over Rs 800 crore for the FSSAI and the remaining amount for the state food regulators. The Secretary said there are about 160 labs for testing of food in the country, out of which 72 are in the government sector and 80 odds are private accredited labs. The ministry has evaluated all the governments labs to find out the deficiencies, Sharma said. Sharma also mentioned that the FSSAI only sets standards for different food products and the implementation is done by the state governments.
The states give licences and they enforce the Act and all the prosecutions, he added.
The FSSAI has come into limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAIs advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
After Maggi ban, industry as well as Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticised the FSSAI.
Badal had said that the FSSAIs decision created "fear psychosis" in the food processing industry.
Food regulator FSSAI, which comes under ambit of Health Ministry, lays down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
FDA to check quality of liquor too for New Year celebrations
Pune: For the first time on this New Year’s Eve, liquor will be added to the list of consumable products that will get tested for quality according to guidelines that will be laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the supreme food safety regulatory body, is all set to initiate the quality checks starting December 30 and is currently finalising the rules and guidelines before setting quality standards for liquor in the country.
“We are awaiting the guidelines for testing liquor that FSSAI is drafting. They have invited suggestions from the general public seeking opinions and suggestions before implementation by this month-end,” a senior State official from the FDA, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times.
Until now, the State Excise Department was in charge of keeping track of the sale and storage of liquor. Also, the department is the statutory body of the government to provide licences to sell liquor.
However, there was no regulatory body to check the quality of alcohol that was being sold in the market.
This move by FSSAI is also of greater significance as several fatal and critical cases have been reported from all over the country after people reportedly consumed spurious and illicit liquor.
“Now onwards, along with the Excise Department, the state-level Food and Drugs Authorities will be responsible for keeping a check of the quality of liquor, particularly the country-made ones. The many parameters will be the colour of the alcohol, the percentage of alcohol, among the many others,” the official said.
The guidelines to check the quality of liquor will be ready in the third week of this month, added the official.
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the supreme food safety regulatory body, is all set to initiate the quality checks starting December 30 and is currently finalising the rules and guidelines before setting quality standards for liquor in the country.
“We are awaiting the guidelines for testing liquor that FSSAI is drafting. They have invited suggestions from the general public seeking opinions and suggestions before implementation by this month-end,” a senior State official from the FDA, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times.
Until now, the State Excise Department was in charge of keeping track of the sale and storage of liquor. Also, the department is the statutory body of the government to provide licences to sell liquor.
However, there was no regulatory body to check the quality of alcohol that was being sold in the market.
This move by FSSAI is also of greater significance as several fatal and critical cases have been reported from all over the country after people reportedly consumed spurious and illicit liquor.
“Now onwards, along with the Excise Department, the state-level Food and Drugs Authorities will be responsible for keeping a check of the quality of liquor, particularly the country-made ones. The many parameters will be the colour of the alcohol, the percentage of alcohol, among the many others,” the official said.
The guidelines to check the quality of liquor will be ready in the third week of this month, added the official.
அரியலூர் வணிக நிறுவனங்களில் 2 லட்சம் காலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் உணவுத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் அதிரடி
அரி ய லூர், டிச.2:
அரி ய லூ ரி லுள்ள வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப்பு காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை உண வுத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர்.
அரி ய லூர் நக ரில் உள்ள பல் வேறு மளிகை மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் காலா வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு வ தாக கிடைத்த தக வ லின் பேரில் அரி ய லூர் சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் களை மளிகை கடை கள் மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் ஆய்வு செய்து கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்ய உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் என 13 குழுக் க ளாக பிரிந்து ஒரே நேரத் தில் நக ரில் உள்ள நூற் றுக் கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். இதில் உற் பத்தி மற் றும் கால வா தி யா கும் தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் விற் ப னைக்கு வைத் தி ருந்த உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், தடை செய் யப் பட்ட வெளி நாட்டு சாக் லெட் டு கள் மற் றும் தமி ழக அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யின்றி விற் ப னைக் காக வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த வெடி பொருட் கள் உள் ளிட்ட ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான பொருட் களை உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
மேலும் கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் யக் கூடாது என கடை உரி மை யா ளர் க ளுக்கு உத் த ர விட் ட னர். பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை பார் வை யிட்ட சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி அனைத்து பொருட் க ளை யும் அழிக்க உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை நக ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு பணி யா ளர் கள் லாரி க ளில் ஏற் றிச் சென்று அழித் த னர். இந்த ஆய் வில் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் செல் வ ராஜ் மற் றும் வரு வாய்த் துறை, ஊரக வளர்ச் சித் துறை, நக ராட்சி ஊழி யர் கள் என 65 பேர் பணி யில் ஈடு பட் ட னர். அப் போது தடை செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் மற் றும் காலா வதி பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யில் லாத பொருட் கள் ஆகி ய வற்றை வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் விற் பனை செய் வ தற்கு தடை செய் யப் பட் டுள் ளது. இது போன்று தொடர்ந்து ஆய்வு நடத் தப் ப டும் போது பொருட் கள் இருப் பது கண் ட றிந் தால் அவர் கள் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என எச் ச ரிக்கை செய் த னர்.
அரி ய லூ ரி லுள்ள வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப்பு காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை உண வுத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர்.
அரி ய லூர் நக ரில் உள்ள பல் வேறு மளிகை மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் காலா வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு வ தாக கிடைத்த தக வ லின் பேரில் அரி ய லூர் சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் களை மளிகை கடை கள் மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் ஆய்வு செய்து கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்ய உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் என 13 குழுக் க ளாக பிரிந்து ஒரே நேரத் தில் நக ரில் உள்ள நூற் றுக் கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். இதில் உற் பத்தி மற் றும் கால வா தி யா கும் தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் விற் ப னைக்கு வைத் தி ருந்த உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், தடை செய் யப் பட்ட வெளி நாட்டு சாக் லெட் டு கள் மற் றும் தமி ழக அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யின்றி விற் ப னைக் காக வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த வெடி பொருட் கள் உள் ளிட்ட ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான பொருட் களை உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
மேலும் கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் யக் கூடாது என கடை உரி மை யா ளர் க ளுக்கு உத் த ர விட் ட னர். பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை பார் வை யிட்ட சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி அனைத்து பொருட் க ளை யும் அழிக்க உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை நக ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு பணி யா ளர் கள் லாரி க ளில் ஏற் றிச் சென்று அழித் த னர். இந்த ஆய் வில் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் செல் வ ராஜ் மற் றும் வரு வாய்த் துறை, ஊரக வளர்ச் சித் துறை, நக ராட்சி ஊழி யர் கள் என 65 பேர் பணி யில் ஈடு பட் ட னர். அப் போது தடை செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் மற் றும் காலா வதி பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யில் லாத பொருட் கள் ஆகி ய வற்றை வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் விற் பனை செய் வ தற்கு தடை செய் யப் பட் டுள் ளது. இது போன்று தொடர்ந்து ஆய்வு நடத் தப் ப டும் போது பொருட் கள் இருப் பது கண் ட றிந் தால் அவர் கள் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என எச் ச ரிக்கை செய் த னர்.
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