Patanjali products get clean chit in Himachal

The Health Safety and Regulation Directorate gave a clean chit to the food products manufactured by yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth but found “misbranding” in certain products being sold after it detected a variation in sugar quantity .

After adulteration was reported in the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, the health department swung into action and directed its health safety wing to pick up some samples.

Ramdev had launched whole wheat atta noodles, claiming that the noodles were healthier than those being produced by other manufacturers in the country.

Patanjali’s atta noodles were being sold in the market for Rs 10 per packet whereas atta noodles of other companies are sold at Rs 25. However, the noodles were mired in controversy as the Ayurveda company had not sought the mandatory permissions from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

28 samples picked

Food safety officers in Mandi, Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur and Una picked samples of food products randomly. As many as 18 products were sent for examination to the central forensic laboratory, Kandaghat.

The products sent for testing included Soanpapdi, Nutty Delite biscuit, unpolished rajmah, atta noodles, cow’s ghee, moongdal namkeen, kachi ghani mustard oil, sabzi masala, biscuits, malka masoor dal, barley dalia, doodh biscuits , jeera bites, haldi powder, multi grain daliya and iodised salt.

“ We lifted at least 28 samples for testing,” Dr Rameshwar Sharma said. The samples were also collected from different shops in Mandi and Shimla.

Clean chit with rider

After the samples were tested , the laboratory at Kandaghat did not find any contamination or adulteration in the products. But it found misbranding in some products, including atta biscuits. Sharma said the health department will issue a notice to Patanjali Ayurveda for the misbranding of products. Patajanli has more than 500 sale outlets scattered in different parts of the state, along with 21 yoga clinics in different areas.

Fruit drinks marketed at children 'unacceptably high in sugar'

Fruit drinks marketed at children 'unacceptably high in sugar'

Fruit drinks marketed at children are "unacceptably high" in sugar, a new study has warned.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Queen Mary, University of London, analysed 203 products aimed at children which were sold in seven major supermarkets. They found that 42 per cent of products contained at least 19g of sugar.

A further 64 per cent of branded and supermarket own-brand products contained at least 8g of sugar.

On average, the drinks contained 7g of sugar per 100ml, rising to 10.7g among '100% fruit juice' products.

Under the traffic-light system for marking the contents of food and drink, researchers found that 117 of the drinks would be class as red, or high, in sugar.

Overall, smoothies were found to contain the highest amounts of sugars and juice drinks the lowest.

The study comes after Chancellor George Osborne announced a new sugar levy on the soft drinks industry in the 2016 Budget, which does not include juice or milk-based drinks.

The team behind the paper stressed that drinks with high sugar content should not be regarded as part of the Five a Day of fruits and vegetables that children and adults should eat.

Instead, they said that children should consume fruit in its whole form, rather than in juice.

"Parents should dilute fruit juice with water, opt for unsweetened juices and only give them during meals. Portions should be limited to 150ml a day," they advised.

The study authors also placed pressure on manufacturers to stop adding "unnecessary sugars and calories" into fruit-based drinks in order to combat the childhood obesity crisis.

"Otherwise, it will be essential for the Government to introduce legislation to regulate the free sugars content of these products," they said.

The researchers went on that it was "cruical" for Public Health England (PHE) to push ahead with plans to reconsider fruit juice and smoothies as part of the Five a Day campaign.

Current guidelines state a 150ml glass of pure fruit juice at meal times is an equivalent to one of a Five a Day.

Responding to the study, Dr Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at PHE, acknowledged that juice and smoothies are high in sugar, but said they can provide fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Commenting on the study, Dr Gunter Kuhnle, food scientist at the University of Reading, added: "These drinks, fruit juices, fruit drinks and smoothies are often seen as a 'healthy' alternative and their sugar content is ignored.

"This study shows that the average sugar content in fruit juices is similar to that in cola drinks; and the content in smoothies is even higher, by almost three sugar cubes per 300ml serving."

டீ கடை பெஞ்ச் - கம்பெனிக்கு 'சீல்' வைத்த 'கட்டிங்' அதிகாரி

'சென்னை அண்ணாநகர் ஏரியாவுல, டீ துாள் தயாரிக்கிற கம்பெனி இருக்கு... அங்க, டீ துாள்ல சாயம் அதிகமாக கலக்குறதா, மாநகராட்சிக்கு புகார் வந்திருக்கு... வழக்கமா இப்படி புகார்கள் வந்தா, அதை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறைக்கு அனுப்பிடுவாவ வே...

''ஆனா, டீ துாள் கம்பெனி மேல வந்த புகாரை வச்சிக்கிட்டு, சுகாதார துறை பெண் அதிகாரி, 'கட்டிங்' கேட்டிருக்காங்க... அவங்க கேட்ட தொகை கிடைக்காததால, நள்ளிரவுல

அந்த கம்பெனியில, 'ரெய்டு' நடத்தி, 'சீல்' வச்சிட்டாங்க...''அங்க இருந்து,

டன் கணக்குல டீ துாளை பறிமுதல் செஞ்சு, அம்மா உணவகத்துல வச்சிருக்காங்க...'' என்ற அண்ணாச்சி, ''நேத்து, 'டிவி'யில, 'சரஸ்வதி சபதம்' படம் போட்டாங்களே பார்த்தீயளா...?'' எனக் கேட்க, நண்பர்கள் பேச்சு, சினிமா பக்கம் திரும்பியது.

DINAMALAR NEWS

ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகம் அருகில் சாலை யோ ரம் கொட்டி கிடந்த நிவாரண பொருட்கள்

கட லூர், மார்ச் 28:

கடந்த ஆண்டு டிசம் பர் மாதத் தில் வர லாறு காணாத மழை, வெள் ளம் கட லூர் மாவட் டத்தை கலங் க டித் தது. பல் லா யி ரக் க ணக் கான வீடு கள் உடைந் தன. இதை ய டுத்து தமி ழ கத் தின் பல் வேறு பகு தி க ளி லி ருந் தும் இந் தி யா வின் பல் வேறு மாநி லங் க ளி லி ருந் தும் நிவா ரண பொருட் கள் கட லூர் மாவட் டங் க ளுக்கு கொண்டு வந்து விநி யோ கிக் கப் பட் டன.

இந் நி லை யில், நிவா ரண பொருட் களை மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ ல கத் தில் ஒப் ப டைக் கு மாறு ஆட் சி யர் சுரேஷ் கு மார் உத் த ர விட் டார். அதன் படி கட லூர் மாவட் டத் திற்கு நூற் றுக் கணக் கான நிவா ரண வாக னங் களை போலீ சார் மறித்து மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ ல கத் திற்கு கொண்டு சென் ற னர். அங்கு நிவா ரண பொருட் கள் இறக்கி வைக் கப் பட் டன. வெள் ளத் தால் பாதிக் கப் பட்ட ஏரா ள மான கிராம மக் கள் தங் க ளுக்கு நிவா ர ணப் பொ ருட் கள் எது வும் வழங் கப் ப ட வில்லை எனக் கூறி மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ ல கத் திற்கு படை யெ டுத் த னர். ஆனால், மாவட்ட நிர் வா கம் அந்த நிவா ரண பொருட் களை அதி முக நிர் வா கி க ளுக்கு அனுப்பி வைத் த தாக புகார் எழுந் தது. பாதிக் கப் பட்ட மக் க ளுக்கு வழங் கா மல் ஆளுங் கட் சிக் கா ரர் க ளுக்கு நிவா ரண பொருட் களை விநி யோ கிப் ப தாக அனைத்து பொது நல இயக் கங் க ளும் குற் றம் சாட் டின.

இந் நி லை யில், மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ ல கத் தில் மறைத்து வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த நிவா ரண பொருட் களை தேர் தல் நாள் அறி விக் கப் பட்ட அன் றைய இரவு வாக னங் க ளில் ஏற் றிச் சென் ற தா க வும் புகார் எழுந் தது.

இந் நி லை யில் நேற்று மாவட்ட ஆட் சி யர் அலு வ ல கம் அரு கில் சாலை யோ ரம் அத் தி யா வ சிய மளிகை பொருட் கள் கொட் டப் பட்டு கிடந் தன. பதுக்கி வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த அப் பொ ருட் கள் காலா வ தி யா கிய நிலை யில் அவற்றை என்ன செய் வது என்று தெரி யா மல் சாலை யோ ரம் வீசி யி ருக் க லாம் என அப் ப குதி மக் கள் கருத்து தெரி வித் துள் ள னர். பாதிக் கப் பட்ட மக் க ளுக்கு பலர் நல்ல மன து டன் கொடுத்த உத விப் பொ ருட் களை அவர் க ளுக்கு வழங் கா மல் அப் பொ ருட் களை பறித்து, இப் போது சாலை யோ ரத் தில் வீசி எறிந் தி ருப் பது மனித தன் மை யற்ற செயல். இது குறித்து உரிய விசா ரணை நடத்தி உண் மையை வெளியே கொண்டு வர வேண் டு மென பொது ந ல அ மைப் பு களின் நிர் வா கி கள் கோரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ள னர்.

தேவாரத்தில் காலாவதியான உணவுப் பொருட்கள் விற்பனை கனஜோர்

தேவா ரம், மார்ச் 27:

தேவா ரத் தில் காலா வ தி யான உண வுப் பொருட் க ளின் விற் பனை கன ஜோ ராக நடக் கி றது. நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டிய அதி கா ரி களோ கண் டு கொள் வ தில்லை என சமூக ஆர் வ லர் கள் குற் றம் சாட் டு கின் ற னர்.

தேவா ரம் மற் றும் அத னைச் சுற் றி யுள்ள தம் மி நா யக் கன் பட்டி, தே.மீனாட் சி பு ரம், லட் சு மி நா யக் கன் பட்டி, டி.சிந் த லைச் சேரி கிரா மங் க ளைச் சேர்ந் தோர் தங் க ளுக்கு தேவை யான பொருட் களை வாங்க தினந் தோ றும் தேவா ரம் வந்து செல் கின் ற னர். இங் குள்ள பல ச ரக்கு கடை கள் மற் றும் பெட் டிக் க டை க ளில், காலா வ தி யான உண வுப் பொருட் கள் அதி க ள வில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக கூறப் ப டு கி றது.

குறிப் பாக பெட் டிக் க டை க ளில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட பான் ப ராக், குட்கா, புகை யிலை, காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், பல ச ரக்கு கடை க ளில் எண் ணெய், டால்டா, மசால் பொடி என காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை அதி க ள வில் விற் பனை செய் கின் ற னர். இத னைத் தடுக்க வேண் டிய உண வுத் தர பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி களோ எந்த நட வ டிக் கை யும் எடுப் ப தில்லை. உள் ளூர் பேரூ ராட்சி சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி க ளும் கண் டு கொள் வ தில்லை. காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை பயன் ப டுத் து வ தன் மூலம் பொது மக் க ளுக்கு சுகா தா ரக் கேடு ஏற் ப டும் அபா யம் உள் ளது. எனவே, தேவா ரம் நக ரில் உண வுத் தர பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் அடிக் கடி சோதனை நடத்தி தர மான பொருட் க ளின் விற் ப னைக்கு நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும்’ என கோரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ள னர்.

பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில், ‘தேவா ரத் தில் காலா வ தி யான பொருட் க ளின் விற் பனை அதி க ரித்து வரு கி றது. அதி க மான அள வில் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை, குளிர் பா னங் கள், உண வுப் பொ ருட் க ளின் விற் பனை அதி க மாக நடக் கி றது. ஒதுக் குப் பு ற மான ஊராக இருப் ப தால், யாரும் கண் டு கொள் வ தில்லை. காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை விற் போர் மீது அதி கா ரி கள் உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும்’ என் ற னர்.

CURB ON USE OF BULLS’ GUTS IN CHANDI KA VARK SOON

The country’s top food regulator is finalising a move to end the widely used practice of manufacturing silver leaf — popularly called ‘chandi ka vark’ — by hammering thin sheets of silver in middle of booklets made of intestines of bull/ox.

The Food and Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a ban on usage of animal parts at any stage of manufacture of the ‘chandi ka vark’, used on paan, sweets and fruits etc. ‘Vark’ is also used in syrups like in Kesar (saffron) syrup and in some Ayurvedic medicines.

The FSSAI has also proposed the norms regarding thickness, weight and purity of the silver leaf. And manufacturers will have to adhere to the labeling standards like any other food products.

“To regulate the industry which has so far been dominated by the unorganised sector, the food regulator has made it clear that under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, relating to other food and ingredients, ‘no material of animal origin shall be used at any stage of manufacture of the silver leaf,” said sources in the Authority.

The regulation also proposes that “silver leaf shall be in the form of sheet of uniform thickness, free from creases and folds and that its weight should be upto 2.8 gm/Sq meter while the silver content shall be of minimum 999/1000 purity.

The regulator has already received suggestions from the stakeholders and it will soon finalise the guidelines, said the sources.

When enforced, the standards would do away with the widely used method of preparing the silver leaves, wherein the intestines of cattle/ox, obtained from slaughterhouses, are used for making it. “It is unhygienic too,” sources said.

“The ‘chandi ka vark’ is made by hammering thin sheets of silver in middle of booklets made of a bull’s intestines. After slaughtering a bull, its intestines are removed immediately and sold to the manufacturers of foils.

“The foil manufacturer removes blood and stool from the intestines, and cuts them into pieces. Then he puts one piece of intestine over another, making a booklet out of it. At his home, or in the factory, he puts one silver (or gold) sheet in-between each such booklet and hammers it hard until those metal sheets turn into thin wafers,” explained a manufacturer, on condition of anonymity.

“Old intestines are of no use. Even a one-day-old intestine cannot be used as it stiffens within a few hours,” he said even as he pointed out that sometimes, because of the hammering, some tissues of the intestine mix with the foils.

However, now with growing awareness and a sizable market of vegetarians, some players in the industry have already started claiming of providing ‘100 per cent vegetarian’ silver leaves which are “hygienically” produced.

Terming the FSSAI initiative as a progressive and long-needed one, Shubh Choukesy, Director of Shree Jaannathiji Sterling Products Pvt Ltd, which is in ‘chandi ka vark’ business, claimed that they adopt a purely vegetarian process with the help of fully automatic and computerised machines with new technology.

“Instead of intestines, we use hygienic polyster. Same technology is applied for making gold leaves which is also used for decorating food items like cakes. We adhere good manufacturing practices as those complied in the EU.”

He said the new proposed standards will curb adulteration as some unscrupulous players are selling health hazardous aluminum leaves too in the name of silver foil.

Bottled water under scanner

With demand on the rise, bottled drinking water is under the scanner. Food Safety officials in the district told The Hindu that they had collected samples of the packaged water for analysis, and results were awaited.

Water should meet the safety standards, with no trace of E. coli bacteria.

The pH value of water is another concern. The acceptable deviation from the neutral value of 7 is up to 6.5.

“The manufacturers are expected to use regulators to control the pH value,” said a Food Safety official. Meetings with the association of bottled water manufacturers were held recently to apprise them of norms and guidelines.

Regulator defers decision on importing genetically modified animal feed

The environment ministry has received several requests from companies seeking permission to import genetically modified feed for animals

The debate on whether or not to allow commercialization of genetically modified food crops is far from settled in India. 

New Delhi: The environment ministry has received several requests from companies seeking permission to import genetically modified (GM) feed for animals, even though the debate on whether or not to allow commercialization of GM food crops is far from settled in India.

However, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the central government’s regulator for giving clearances for field trials of GM crops and import/export of GM seeds, has deferred a decision on these requests in the absence of an expert view on the matter.

According to the minutes of the GEAC’s December 2015 meeting accessed by Mint, four such proposals were received by the committee.

For instance, Suguna Foods sought permission from the GEAC for “import of GM Soybean meal from China, Brazil, Argentina, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, USA for producing of poultry and animal feed”.

“The purpose of import is as an ingredient in the animal feed for self usage for producing poultry and animal feeds. The Member Secretary, GEAC informed that comments of the experts on the proposal are still awaited,” said the minutes.

Another such proposal was from Godrej Agrovet Ltd, which sought “permission for import of processed food—Dried Distillers Grains with Soluble (DDGS)—corn from USA and market in India”.

Most ethanol plants in the US are dry-grind facilities that use starch from corn to produce ethanol. The remainder of the corn kernel is used to produce a variety of wet and dry distillers grains co-products including DDGS, which is considered an excellent low-cost alternative feed ingredient.

But the GEAC was not convinced.

“Besides the comments from experts, comments of department of animal husbandry and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) may be obtained regarding the export/import of GM feed. Comments from other experts may be followed-up. Decision on the proposal was deferred,” the GM regulator noted.

Environmentalists, too, are against allowing GM food as animal feed.

“This is an issue of grave concern for us. Animals are part of our food chain and if GM feed is allowed in poultry industry, it could have adverse results. GM cotton seed that goes to animal feed has already started showing negative consequences in our cattle (like low pregnancy rates),” said Rajinder Chaudhary of the Coalition for GM-Free India, an organization of activists against GM crops.

Any ill-effects caused by GM cotton seed in animal feed are yet to be verified.

“The real question is whether there is really a need for GM products. If only there is a real need, then only GM food products should be explored,” said Chaudhary, who is a retired professor of economics.

The issue of field trials of GM crops and their commercialization, especially food crops like brinjal and mustard, has been a contentious one in India.

Recently, controversy erupted when the GEAC was hearing an application for commercialization of GM mustard.

Mint reported on 6 February that after a lot of opposition from environmentalists, environment minister Prakash Javadekar assured that the government would not impose GM mustard on consumers and that a final decision will be taken only after due deliberation.

Since coming to power in May 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has been trying unsuccessfully to build consensus around the issue.

In its 2014 election manifesto, the BJP had said that genetically modified crops will not be allowed without proper scientific investigation.

But organizations opposing GM crops include the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, affiliated to the ideological parent of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The strong opposition to GM crops could hamper the government’s push for investment and growth in biotechnology.

FSSAI to start drive to ensure proper display of licence numbers on products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will start a drive to check whether FBOs are properly displaying the licence numbers on their products or not. “An enforcement drive would begin soon,” informed Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, while addressing a convention of All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) held here recently during the Aahar fair. 

According to FSSAI, there are some 35 lakh licensee FBOs (Food Business Operators) in the country as of now. And there has been a great deal of need to check whether they were properly displaying the number on the products, for which the last date for compliance was December 31.

Agarwal stated, “35 lakh licensees are within our ecosystem. Enforcement system is huge and much of litigation is not around testing but out of all sampling 90% of the rejection is based on labelling. We will have an enforcement drive to check whether the numbers are printed on packed food properly.”

The drive will ensure that those numbers are displayed on the pack properly, as this number will be helpful to the consumer to reach enforcement if they find anything wrong, according to him.

Meanwhile, with regard to surveillance, the CEO stated that there was a need for risk-based assessment through robust lab infrastructure and use of technology. The CEO pointed out that the FSSAI was working towards a concrete roadmap for accredited labs.

“Lab testing has lots of weaknesses at both Central and state levels, we’re working on it and a concrete roadmap is there to make the labs accredited with NABL. The whole process of accreditation is also being fast-tracked,” he said. 

However, surveillance activity was non-existent for some time due to lack of manpower strength. And therefore a greater need for technology-based surveillance activity for risk assessment was desired by the apex food regulator. Together with strengthening lab system and use of risk-based assessment, the enforcement will be transparent and effective, according to the CEO.

The CEO told the FBOs, “The samples (of food products) should be tested twice a year. Many of you perhaps are aware of that. The aim is risk-based assessment, lab accreditation and samples getting tested by FBOs themselves. If there is a chronic defaulter who is not following the norms, only than the enforcement machinery comes into picture.”

Further, the FSSAI CEO, with regard to regulations and standards, stated that the FSSAI was aiming at pragmatic and easy to understand regulation. “We consider ourselves as part of the ecosystem which is responsible for feeding our population. This is a joint responsibility for all of us and we have to work closely and therefore we need to be interacting on day to day basis. We have regular interaction within FSSAI on how to make standards at par with the global benchmarks and fast. Standards is an evolving process, we get feedback and we review it, it takes time and process itself for standard formation is conservative. The decision is taken by the experts in the scientific panel, they make recommendations which than placed before the stakeholders and it then goes to government for legal vetting. Make full use of consultative process," he told the FBOs.

Govt set to make laser printed labels mandatory

The government has already notified changes in the rules from January 1

The government plans to make laser printing of labels on bottles compulsory to prevent production of counterfeit products. Currently, the wrapper of any product is vulnerable to misuse by those who want to produce a duplicate or a fake product, said consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan. He said his ministry wanted laser printing to be made mandatory by making necessary amendments in the packaged commodities rules. The legal metrology division has been asked to work out those rules, he added.

The government has already notified changes in the rules from January 1, asking manufacturers to display all information necessary for consumers in 40 per cent of the total area of the label.

Paswan also said that the government would make sure that the main information on the labels like price, date of manufacturing and expiry and weight would have decent font size. “What is the point if a consumer is unable to read the information because of very small-sized letters,” Paswan said.

With summer approaching, the minister also expressed concern over fake water bottles. He said states should enforce the labelling rule strictly as packaged water must bear the ISI mark.

Around 28 per cent samples of packaged drinking and mineral water and about 23 per cent milk samples tested during 2014-15 were found not to be conforming to the prescribed standards, health minister J P Nadda had said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha earlier this month.

“Some instances of sale of mineral water or packaged drinking water not conforming to the standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006, and unlicensed packaged water, have come to the notice of FSSAI,” he had said.

Out of 2977 and 806 samples tested during 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively, 577 and 226 were found to be not conforming to the standards prescribed under FSSAI.

DINAMALAR NEWS

Artificial ripening of mangos rampant in Belagavi

Mango merchants in the city are reportedly resorting to artificial ripening of mangoes using chemicals such as calcium carbide in a bid to make quick profits.

Ravindra Hakate, Deputy Director of Horticulture, has said that it is in violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

“It can cause health-related problems, including respiratory problems and cancer. The buyers need not be in a hurry to relish the fruit and look out for naturally ripened mangoes which are yet to arrive in the local markets,” Mr. Hakate said.

Mangoes, which are artificially ripened, contain traces of arsenic and phosphorous hydride and has carcinogenic properties. Since this chemical is cheap and easily available, the traders use it indiscriminately for faster ripening and quick returns. However, artificial ripening is not restricted to mangoes alone.

The fruit merchants in the city procure mangoes from Ratnagiri, Sindugurg and Raigad in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra. The Ratnagiri Alhonso, locally known as ‘hapus’, is the most sought after variety for its rich flavour and sweetness. Due to growing demand in the markets abroad, the prices of Ratnagiri Alphonso are on higher side in domestic markets, often unaffordable to the middle class, let along the common man.

The prevailing retail prices for a box consisting between 20 to 24 pieces is in between Rs.1,500 to Rs.1,800 for best quality.

In sharp contrast to the otherwise early arrivals from Ratnagiri, growers in Belagavi district are confronting off-year impact reflecting in delayed flowering and fruit formation.

The traditional mango fields in Sulga, Belgundi and adjoining villages between Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary are yet to see flowering of mango trees.

According to Mr. Hakate, the flowering in this part of the State normally start during December and early January.

However, there was delay in certain areas and the flowering if yet to begin. It might start next week and the fruits could start arriving into markets from May first week, which would also bring down the price of the mangoes in local markets.

He said the area under mango cultivation this year was around 5,131 hectares in the Belagavi district. As there was no rainfall and strong winds, a good harvest was expected this year, he added.

Be aware of fruits you eat

Crackdown on eateries over food colour

FSSAI of India plans to swoop down on FBOs, who have been adding colour to food indiscriminately, endangering the health of consumers.

Rajahmundry: The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to swoop down on food business operators (FBOs) -- hoteliers, restaurateurs and those who run roadside eateries and food joints -- who have been adding colour to food indiscriminately, endangering the health of consumers in East Godavari district. Artificial food colours, like lemon yellow, sunset yellow, metanil yellow, brilliant blue, indigo carmine, orange and others are being added to biryani and curries to make them look enticing.

Gazetted food inspector B.V.S.R.K. Prasad said, “There is a misconception among a section of FBOs that they can use food colour in preparation of food and sweets to make them more tasty and impressive. But in fact, only confectioneries are permitted to use such colours in preparation of sweets.”

They recently received a complaint from a Kakinada resident who said that the chicken lollipops served at a food joint located near Bhanugudi Centre had an excessive amount of food colour and sought action against the owner.

By the time the authorities rushed there, the chicken lollipops were over, but they did find that the chicken biryani was emitting a foul smell and have sent samples of it to the state food laboratory in Hyderabad for analysis. They will proceed against the owner once the analysis report is in hand.

The FSSAI officials had earlier carried out inspections at hotels and sweet shops in Vijayawada and found excessive use of food colour in mysore pak and other sweets and have booked cases against the owners under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

75% vendors display food without covering; food exposed to dust: Analysis

CSIR-CFTRI and the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR) have reported that 75% of the street vendors displayed food without covering, which is a major area of safety concern. Further, majority of food vendors are found too close to thoroughfare, which exposes food to dust and particulate matter. 

Street foods account for a significant proportion of daily urban food consumption for millions of consumers in urban areas, representing the least expensive and most accessible means of obtaining a meal outside home. However, these street foods often do not meet proper hygienic standards and may lead to food-borne illnesses. 

The main objective of the present study was to assess the adherence to food hygiene practices and FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India) guidelines by street food vendors in Mysuru city. Also effect of design, construction and maintenance of street food cart and their effect on food quality was assessed. 

Vendors and consumers were selected randomly for nine zones in the city. In each zone, 22 vendors and 22 consumers were interviewed with a questionnaire in Kannada. Overall, it included 200 vendors and 200 customers, which accounted for 14% of number of street vendors. 

The survey was conducted by AcSIR doctoral students of CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore: Anusha Jahagirdar, Darshan Narayan and Kamireddy Kiran. Besides the study was also supported by Deepa, Srilakshmi and Prajwal. 

The key findings of the survey revealed that major serving from the carts included chats such as pani puri, south Indian food like dosa and idli and Chinese items like gobi manchurian. The survey highlighted that only 6% of food was cooked at home, 62% partially at home and the rest at the vending site.

The preference is found more for vegetarian dishes at the vending cart. The street vendors expressed that cart used by them is inadequate as it involves lot of physical labour. CSIR-CFTRI and AcSIR found that this area needed a lot of attention. 

Around 52% of the vendors used water from the supply of municipal corporation and 15% from mineral water. The remaining 33% was sourced from borewell supply. The customers expressed preference for mineral water and usage of eco-friendly plates. 

The consumers expressed that the proposed food zones by city corporation could address these issues for evolving a better and hygienic surroundings for street vendors. Further increase in awareness regarding hygienic practices and FSSAI rules was sought by street vendors, noted CSIR-CFTRI and AcSIR. 

The period of survey was between February 15 and March 3, 2016. Earlier this week, CSIR-CFTRI organised a half-day workshop on ‘Ensuring Safe Street Food’ in India’s Cleanest City. Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, director, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, said that the task on hand was to impart scientific knowledge and expertise to ensure access to clean, safe, nutritious and affordable street food in the city. There was need for creating awareness and disseminating basic and essential knowledge to street vendors, making them responsible foodhandlers.

Food business licence process, registration goes online in Pune

Food business operators (FBO) in Pune city will no longer have to visit the Food and Drugs Administration's office located in the congested bylanes of Guruwar Peth to register their business or apply for its licence.

PUNE: Food business operators (FBO) in Pune city will no longer have to visit the Food and Drugs Administration's office located in the congested bylanes of Guruwar Peth to register their business or apply for its licence.

The state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has launched an online facility, wherein those in the business of manufacture, sale, distribution or transport of any kind of food material across the state can simply log on to the designated website, furnish details and submit the fee on another designated portal to register get a licence for their business or renew their existing licence. The online facility was launched in the state on November 22.

Food business operators with an annual turnover of above Rs 12 crore must possess a licence and those who earn less than Rs 12 crore a year must get a registration certificate, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

"Earlier, food business operators in Pune had to come to our office in Guruwar Peth. Now, they can simply log on to www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in and sign up to avail of the online facility benefit to get their licence or to register," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division

Elaborating, Kekare said, "Once food business operators furnish their business related details after signing up on the website, they will get a username and password. Then the operator can fill up the form for seeking registration/licence and upload scanned copies of required documents on the website. After that they will have to log on to www.mahakosh.gov.in to submit the licence /registration fees either through internet banking or by simply using their debit or credit card number. After that, the operator needs to upload the online fee receipt on www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in and the work is done."

The Mahakosh website has been operational since April 1. "We have earned a revenue of Rs 1.58 lakh through the online submission of fees charged for seeking new registration/licence or towards their renewal. But, even though the facility for submitting the fee online has been there for the last eight months, all the documents and form filling exercise to seek licence/registration has been manual. From November 22, even that has gone online. Now, there is no need for operators to come to the FDA office for their work," said Dilip Sangat, assistant commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.

As per Section 31 (1) and Section 32 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, it is mandatory for food business operators to obtain either a licence or a registration from the FDA. Operating food businesses without the mandatory licence or registration is punishable under section 63 of the act.

"Food business operators who have to renew their licence or registration by November 31 should file an application before it, failing which they will have to bear a fine of Rs 100 per day," said Sangat.

Since the enforcement of the new Food Safety and Standards Act in August 2011, FDA officials have allotted licences to 29,880 food business operators and registered 91,121 food business operators in Pune division, which includes Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur and Sangli.

Every business establishment that offers food services, including hotels, restaurants, fast food joints, hawkers, pan shops, tea stalls, vegetable and fruit vendors, meat shops, ration and grocery shops are inspected by the food safety officials (FSO) for licence or registration.

To avail online license/registration facility

* Food business operators (FBO) should have a valid personal email ID and a mobile number, which is active

* The name of the FBO should be spelt correctly in the application as it appears in the licence

* On successful submission of application, the system will generate a unique reference Id for the application for further processes like filing fees online

District Licence Registration

* Pune 15,291 24,449

* Satara 3,096 15,756

* Kolhapur 4,056 20,041

* Solapur 3,690 14,943

* Sangli 3,747 16,931

(Source: Food and Drugs Administration, Pune)

தனி யார் குளிர் பான நிறு வனத்தில் சோதனை தயா ரிப் பு களை நிறுத்த உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் உத் த ரவு ஆத்தூரில் பரபரப்பு

ஆத் தூர், மார்ச் 25:

ஆத் தூ ரில், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய்த புகா ரின் பே ரில், தனி யார் குளிர் பான நிறு வ னத் தில் அதி ரடி சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர், தயா ரிப் பு களை நிறுத் து மாறு உத் த ர விட் டார்.

சேலம் மாவட் டம் ஆத் தூர் நக ராட்சி 9வது வார்டு பகு தி யில் உள்ள மாரி முத்து ரோட் டில் தனி யார் குளிர் பான தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வ னம் செயல் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இந்த நிறு வ னத் தில் ஆரஞ்சு, பன் னீர், கோக், சோடா உள் ளிட்ட குளிர் பா னங் கள் தயா ரிக் கப் பட்டு கண் ணாடி பாட் டில் கள் மற் றும் பெட் பாட் டில் க ளில் அடைத்து உள் ளூர், வெளி யூர் க ளுக்கு பண் டல், பண் ட லாக சப்ளை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இந் நி லை யில், நேற்று முன் தி னம் வட சென் னி மலை கோயி லில் நடை பெற்ற தேரோட்ட விழா வின் போது போடப் பட் டி ருந்த தற் கா லிக கடை க ளில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பான பாட் டில் கள் விற் பனை செய் வது கண் ட றி யப் பட் டது. இது கு றித்த புகா ரின் பே ரில், உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் கள் விரைந்து சென்று சுமார் 200 குளிர் பான பாட் டில் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

விசா ர ணை யில் அதி கா ரி க ளால் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட குளிர் பான பாட் டில் கள் ஆத் தூர் மாரி முத்து ரோட் டில் இயங்கி வரும் தனி யார் நிறு வ னத் தில் தயா ரிக் கப் பட் டது தெரிய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து, நேற்று மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கோவிந் த ராஜ், சுந் த ர ராஜ், புஷ் ப ராஜ், முனு சாமி உள் ளிட்ட குழு வி னர் அந்த நிறு வ னத் தில் அதி ரடி சோத னை யில் ஈடு பட் ட னர். அப் போது, விற் ப னைக் காக பேக் செய் யப் பட் டி ருந்த குளிர் பா னங் க ளில் தயா ரிப்பு மற் றும் காலா வதி தேதி கள் குறிப் பி டப் ப ட வில்லை. மேலும், தயா ரிப்பு கூடம் மற் றும் தயா ரிப் புக்கு பயன் ப டுத் தப் ப டும் ரசா யன பொருட் க ளும் எந்த விகி தத் தில் கலக் கப் ப டு கி றது என் கிற விப ர மும் இல்லை.

இது தொ டர் பாக தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வன உரி மை யா ளர் மகா லிங் கத் தி டம் விசா ரிப் ப தற் காக முயன் ற போது அவர் இல் லா த தால், மேலா ளர் சுரேஷ் என் ப வ ரி டம் விளக் கம் கேட் ட றிந் த னர். அப் போது, முறை யான ஆவ ணங் க ளு டன் வரும் 28ம் தேதி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல கத் தில் நேரில் ஆஜ ரா கு மா றும், அது வ ரை யி லும் தயா ரிப்பு மற் றும் விற் பனை சரக் கு களை வெளி யில் அனுப் பது உள் ளிட்ட அனைத்து பணி க ளை யும் நிறுத்தி வைக் கு மா றும் உரி மை யா ள ருக்கு உத் த ர வி டப் பட் டது.

இது கு றித்து உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், தற் போது வெயி லின் தாக் கம் அதி க மாக இருக் கும் நிலை யில் போலி யான தயா ரிப்பு மற் றும் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள் விற் ப னைக்கு வரு வ தற் கான வாய்ப் பு கள் அதி கம் உள் ள தால் பொது மக் கள் விழிப் பு டன் இருந்து குளிர் பான பாட் டில் க ளில் தேதி கள் குறிப் பிட் டுள் ளதை பார்த்து வாங் கிட வேண் டும். மேலும், காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் வது தெரிய வந் தால், உட ன டி யாக மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி ன ருக்கு தக வல் தெரி விக்க வேண் டும் என கேட் டுக் கொண் டார்.

சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் உற்பத்தி: குளிர்பான தொழிற்சாலைக்கு 'நோட்டீஸ்'

ஆத்தூர்: ஆத்தூரில், குளிர்பானத்தை சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் உற்பத்தி செய்த தொழிற்சாலையின், உற்பத்தி தற்காலிகமாக நிறுத்தப்பட்டது. அதன் உரிமையாளருக்கு, 'நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கப்பட்டது.

ஆத்தூர் மற்றும் சுற்றுவட்டார கடைகளில், காலாவதியான குளிர்பானம் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாக, சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதாவுக்கு புகார் சென்றது. இதையடுத்து, அவரது தலைமையில், உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள், நேற்று, ஆத்தூரில் உள்ள கடைகளில், திடீர் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். அப்போது, உற்பத்தி தேதி போன்ற, விபரம் இல்லாத குளிர்பானம் இருந்தது கண்டறிப்பட்டது. தொடர்ந்து, 'லவ் ஸ்பாட்' எனும், குளிர்பான உற்பத்தி தொழிற்சாலையில், அலுவலர்கள் ஆய்வு செய்தனர். அப்போது, அங்கிருந்த பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டிலில், தேதி, முகவரி இல்லாமலும், சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் உற்பத்தி செய்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. மேலும், சில பாட்டில்களில், தவறான எண் பதிவு செய்திருந்ததால், 'உரிய விளக்கம் அளிக்கும் வரை, குளிர்பானம் உற்பத்தி செய்ய கூடாது' என, உரிமையாளர் மகாலிங்கத்துக்கு, மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் 'நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கினார்.

இதுகுறித்து, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா கூறியதாவது: ஆத்தூர் 'லவ் ஸ்பாட்' குளிர்பான தொழிற்சாலையில், சுகாதாரமற்ற முறையில் குளிர்பானம் உற்பத்தி செய்கின்றனர். பணியாளர்கள், கையுறை, தலைக்கவசம் அணியவில்லை. கெமிக்கல் பொருட்கள் அதிகளவு பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. கழிவுநீர் முறையாக அப்புறப்படுத்தாமல் உள்ளதால், உரிமையாளருக்கு, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணய சட்டத்தில், 'நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. குளிர்பான உற்பத்தியும் தற்காலிகமாக நிறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

பழநியில் தரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் விற்பனை அமோகம்

பழநி, மார்ச் 25:

தயா ரிப்பு தேதி இல் லாத தின் பண் டங் களை விற் பனை செய் தால் கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என்று உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் மோக ன ரங் கம் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் துள் ளார்.

பழநி கோயி லில் நடை பெ றும் முக் கிய திரு வி ழாக் க ளில் ஒன்று பங் குனி உத் தி ரம். இத் தி ரு விழா கடந்த 17ம் துவங் கி யது. பங் குனி உத் திர தேரோட் டம் முடிந்த பின் னும், ஆயி ரக் க ணக் கான பக் தர் கள் பாத யாத் தி ரை யாக வந்த வண் ணம் உள் ள னர்.

இவ் வாறு வரும் பக் தர் க ளி டம் விற் பனை செய் வ தற் காக அடி வார பகு தி க ளில் ஏரா ள மான இடங் க ளில் தற் கா லிக சாலை யோர கடை கள் அமைக் கப் பட்டு உள் ளது. இங்கு விளை யாட்டு பொருட் கள், சிப்ஸ், கற் கண்டு, பேரீட்சை, அல்வா போ ன்ற பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன. சில கடை க ளில் கலப் பட மற் றும் தர மற்ற தின் பண் டங் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கின் றன.

இது பற்றி உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் மோக ன ரங் கம் கூறி ய தா வது, பக் தர் க ளுக்கு தர மான, பாது காப் பான, கலப் ப ட மில் லாத, காலா வ தி யா காத உணவு பொருட் க ளையே விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டும். உண வுப் பொ ருட் களை கையாள் வோ ருக்கு தொற் று நோய் எது மில் லை என உடல் ந லத் தகுதி சான்று கட் டா யம் பெற் றி ருத் தல் வேண் டும்.

உண வுப் பொருட் களை தயா ரிக்க பாது காக் கப் பட்ட குடி நீ ரையே பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டும். அனு ம திக் கப் பட்ட இயற்கை அல் லது செயற்கை நிறங் களை சரி யான அள வில் மட் டுமே பயன் ப டுத்த வேண் டும். காலா வ தி யான எண் ணெய் கள் மற் றும் அனு ம திக் கப் ப டாத செயற்கை நிறங் களை பயன் ப டுத்த கூடாது. உண வுப் பொருட் களை தயா ரிக்க பயன் ப டும் நெய், வனஸ் பதி மற் றும் எண் ணெய் வகை களை வாடிக் கை யா ளர் கள் அறி யும் வகை யில் அறி விப்பு பல கை யில் தெரி யப் ப டுத்த வேண் டும்.

விற் ப னைக் கான உணவு பொரு ட் களை மூடிய நிலை யில், ஈக் கள், பூச் சி கள் மற் றும் தூசி கள் விழா த வாறு முறை யாக கண் ணாடி பெட் டி யி னுள் வைத்து விற் பனை செய்ய வேண் டும்.

தயா ரிப்பு தேதி, நிகர எடை, காலா வதி தேதி மற் றும் உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் கலந் துள்ள கல வை கள் விப ரங் கள் குறிப் புச் சீட்டு வைத் தி ருக்க வேண் டும். எச் ச ரிக்கை ஏதா வது இருந் தால் அது கு றித்த விப ரங் களை குறிப் பிட வேண் டும்.

உண வுப் பொருட் களை சாக் க டை யின் மேல் வைத்து பொது மக் க ளுக்கு விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது. மின ரல் ஆயில் போன்ற எண் ணெய் களை பேரிட் சை யில் தடவி விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது.

நகர்ப் ப கு தி யில் உண வுத் தொ ழில் செய் வ தற்கு உண வுப் பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந்து நிர் வாக துறை யி ன ரி டம் பதிவு அல் லது உரி மம் பெறு வது அவ சி யம். இந்த விதி மு றை களை பின் பற் றாத கடைக் கா ரர் கள் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும். இவ் வாறு அவர் கூறி னார்.

Shops sealed ‘today’ resume business ‘tomorrow’ without any hassles

Food safety officials continue to play with people’s health …
Srinagar, Mar 23: What is the fun of closing down shops selling adulterated foods items when concerned authorities allow them to resume their business very next day?
Now there is reason for this assertion. A team of Food Safety sleuths on Tuesday raided and closed down ‘Iqra Fish Point’ in Bemina, a shop dealing in fish and dressed chicken following some complaints about ‘foul smell’ emanating from the food products. However, the news is that the shop that was closed yesterday was found doing the routine business today!
“Assistant Commissioner Food Safety visited the shop himself but didn’t take any samples,” said locals.
“When we (locals) questioned him about it, he said that his staff is attending a training programme at IMPA, and he himself cannot take samples,” locals alleged.
“No sample was taken from the shop, and it was only after our protests that he closed down the shop,” they said, adding, “and look for yourself, the shop is open today and doing the business as usual.”
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmad Mir told ‘Kashmir Images’, “I have no idea that the shop is open, but I will check and get back to you!”
This is not the first time when shops selling adultered food items were closed down by the authorities and the same authorities then allowed them to run their business as usual.
Following instructions from Divisional Commissioner’s Office here, on February 22 this year, a team of Food Safety sleuths along-with officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department together with Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Hanief Ahmed Balki, conducted marketing checking during which one ‘Naya Darbar’ and ‘Chocolate Box’ were found operating in insanitary conditions. They also found ‘Yamini Biryani Point’ selling expired juices, following which all the three eateries in Karan Nagar area were sealed, sources revealed.
“All these shops were closed down by DFO team, however, very next day all three were seen again doing their business as usual,” said they.
When asked how the shops resumed their business next day, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety said “we didn’t seize any of the shop as nothing adultered was found at these eateries.”
However, Health Officer SMC, Dr Sameena Maqbool, who was part of this marketing checking team told this newspaper that the “SMC also collected fine of Rs 19,700 from these eateries for their unhygienic conditions and Mir was asked by SDM not only to destroy adultered foods but immediately close down these shops, which he did.”
On February 24, market checking was again conducted by team of DFO, SMC along with Tehsildar Srinagar. This time again, three beef shops were closed down at Parimpora Fruit Mandi here. The DFO team not only seized beef from these shops but also closed them down
However, when the reporter visited these the next day at the Fruit Mandi, they too were found doing business as usual.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar when confronted with this query, said, “No such raid was ever conducted.”
But again, Food Safety Officer of SMC refuted Mir saying “the shops were closed in presence of Tehsildar Srinagar and herself by the DFO team after samples of beef collected from there warranted such action.”
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar H. Samoon, said he will take the matter with the concerned authorities and whosoever is found guilty will be punished as per the law.

Rs 3 lac fine imposed on food business operators in Ganderbal

The court of Adjudicating officer under Food safety act [FSA]-2006, The Additional District Magistrate (ADC) Ganderbal , Syed Shahnawaz Bukahri Thursday imposed a penalty of Rs 300000/= on different food business operators which included Jai Beverages, Jammu , for selling/ manufacturing “misbranded and sub standard” food items.
"We have imposed fine of nearly Rs 3 lac on various business operators for violating food safety standard act " the ADC told Rising Kashmir.
He said, “I have directed the concerned department to ensure the routine market checking in the district, so that the quality food is made available to general public.”

Obtain food safety license, FBOs told

Dimapur, March 23

The state government has observed that there are many Food Business Operators (FBOs) within Dimapur district who are manufacturing, storing and selling food articles to consumers without registering or obtaining FSSAI (Food Safety) License under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 which is punishable, and warned that the defaulters will be penalized without further notice in the interest of the consumers.

Chief Medical Officer-cum-Designated Officer, Dimapur Dr.M.A.Wati in a press note also advised the consumers to buy only the food packages having the under mentioned labeled on the food packages specified under FSS (Packaging & labeling) Regulation 2011.

Food packages should have the label with particulars such as proper name of the product; Ingredients; Manufacture date. In case of food with shelf-life of not more than 7 days “use by date” to be mentioned; Best before date; Batch number; Net weight/volume; Veg or non-veg logo; FSSAI logo with Registration or License number; Food additives if added (colours or flavours); Instruction for use/preparation; Nutritional information; and Detail address of the manufacturer/packer.In case of imported food, the packages should carry the name and complete address of the importer. In addition, false or exaggerated words or picture should not be used and the label should be clear, prominent and legible by the consumer under normal condition, Wati said.

Working with authorities to resolve outlet shutdown issue: KFC

US-based fast food restaurant chain KFC today said it is working with authorities to resolve the issue over alleged presence of bacteria in water that led to the shutdown of one of its outlets in Navi Mumbai.

The Konkan Region Food Drugs and Administration (FDA) yesterday shut down a KFC outlet in Nerul in Navi Mumbai on grounds that water from its purifying unit at Nerul was not upto the specified standards.

“As a responsible brand, the health and safety of our customers are well as our employees, is our number one priority. We want to assure our customers that we have regular checks and stringent systems to ensure that we uphold the highest standards across all our restaurants,” a company spokesperson said.

The tests revealed that the level of E.Coli and Coliform Bacteria found in 100 ml of water to be 34 as against 0, a FDA official had said yesterday.

“We are confident that at no point was there any food safety concern at the said restaurant. We have shut down the store as of now and are working with the authorities to resolve this matter,” the spokesperson said.

The company is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, a restaurant firm that also owns the Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in the country.

Nestle offers to set up Food Safety Institutes for FSSAI

While the FSSAI had banned Maggi last year in June on allegations of higher than permissible lead content and flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate, seven countries including the US had cleared its samples.

NEW DELHI: After a bitter fallout with the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) following the ban on its Maggi noodles, Nestle has proposed to collaborate with the national food regulator on the same contentious issue of food safety which had led to the ban.

"We have made an offer to the FSSAI chairman and CEO to set up food safety institutes and disseminating good practises on food safety. They will be coming out with number and structure. Their response to our proposal has been very positive," Nestle chairman Suresh Narayanan said. He added that collaborating with the Indian government on subjects such as food safety is something that Nestle headquarters at Veveyis also keen on.

"If there are more opportunities to work together with the government, we will certainly take them forward," he said.

"We'll be happy to have our people work in any function on food safety with the government. As long as the government sees it as positive intervention, we will play to our strength in areas such as food safety," he said.

While the FSSAI had banned Maggi last year in June on allegations of higher than permissible lead content and flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate, seven countries including the US had cleared its samples. The Bombay High Court overturned the ban in August last year and after clearing multiple tests, Maggi was back on stores last November.

"What happened, has happened. I don't think we are going to be obliterated with the memory of what happened for all times to come," Narayanan said.

FSSAI later moved the Supreme Court against Bombay High Court's order lifting the ban on Maggi. Nestle, on its part, argued in court that FSSAI had acted in an "arbitrary, unreasonable and non-transparent manner".

In JK, no testing of oils, milk in markets

Food Safety Officers spare sellers of adulterated milk on payment of Rs 500 as ‘fine’
Apart from ‘killer foods’, Kashmir markets are flooded with cooking oils laced with dangerous additives and adulterants, and also the milk and milk products containing chemicals such as detergents—the trend that experts say is “creating a health catastrophe.”
According to sources, cooking oils with contamination or adulteration have flooded the Valley markets in absence of any quality checking mechanism in place. The oils, they said, are being tested for “basic things” such as concentration, viscosity and iodine content and are allowed for public consumption “if these parameters are found to be satisfying.”
In reality, according to the sources, no tests are conducted to check the dangerous adulterations of rapeseed oil, BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) and BHT (Butylatedhydroxytoluene) “beyond safe limits and excessive solvent residues”.
“All these chemicals are either proven to be carcinogenic in nature or are strongly suspected to be so. Some even have mutagenic property i.e. it can change gene structure or expression,” an official said. “This is indeed creating a health catastrophe.”
Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir, accepted that oil testing in the state is “not up to the mark.”
“What can we do? We are doing our best within the given resources and manpower,” he said.
In the past, the Food Safety Organization (FSO) has seized and destroyed some oils based on complaints. However, after the “customary warning”, the sale of these dangerous oils was allowed uninterrupted, the sources said.
“Even if we start legal proceedings against the manufacturers of inferior, adulterated oils, how can we prove anything in court when we have no scientific evidence?” said an official of the FSO.
He said food testing and analysis is “not taken seriously” in J&K. “There are no funds to be paid for food items required for testing or other necessary documentation,” the official said. “We are forced to buy biscuits worth Rs 5 to Rs 10 biscuits because we have to pay for samples from our pockets.”
In addition, the FSO, has also been turning a blind eye to reuse of oil by roadside vendors for frying foods.
“Reuse of frying oils produces BaP (benzo[a]pyrene), a chemical linked to various cancers. A 2001 National Cancer Institute, USA, study found levels of benzo[a]pyrene to be significantly higher in foods that were cooked on high heat,” an official said.
Last year, as per the officials of the FSO, 55 percent milk samples tested in Srinagar were found to have adulterations.
“We have no facilities to test for synthetic chemicals such as shampoos, pesticides and heavy metals,” an official said.
Milk testing is limited to quantity of fat and non-fat solids and addition of water, in J&K, he added.
He admitted that adulteration such as “bicarbonates, caustic and flour” apart from water, are very often suspected in milk—both loose and packaged—but nothing is done by the department.
Many Food Safety Officers say their higher officials ask them to levy a ‘token fine’ of Rs 500-1000 on sellers of adulterated milk.
In 2012, a survey by the FSSAI had revealed that 80 per cent of milk sold in Jammu and Kashmir contained adulterants.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in one of its reports, said detergents are a cause of food poisoning and gastro-intestinal complications. Other common additives to milk impair the functioning of various organs of the body, cause heart problems and cancer, it said.
While the FSSAI has been very vocal in calling for strengthening of food safety laws and infrastructure in states, no funds from this GoI-organization have been released to realize this vision. Recently, the Union Minister for Health, JP Nadda disclosed in the RajyaSabha that no funds have been provided for upgradation of State food testing laboratories during 2012-13 to 2015-16.

 

Lacking testing facilities, FSO ‘ smells’ food, seizes stock
ZEHRU NISSA Srinagar, Mar 22: The Food Safety Organization on Tuesday seized stock of ‘ chicken leg pieces’ being sold by a retailer in Bemina on complaints of ‘ foul smell’ from the meat, officials said.
Assistant Food Commissioner of Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir said “ it was obvious that this meat was stale given its smell.” When Greater Kashmir asked whether there was any other mechanism to check whether meat being sold in Kashmir markets was fresh and stale, Mir said: “ In such` products, smell is an indicator for us. We do not have any other system to check whether a product is stale or fresh.” 

“The absence of microbiology lab and microbiologist in Kashmir’s Food Testing system is an indicator of what we are consuming,” a medico at SMHS Hospital said. As per scientific evidence, Aflatoxins contaminate milk, cheese, corn, nuts, almonds, spices, and a variety of other foods and feeds. Milk, eggs, and meat products are sometimes contaminated because of the animal consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated feed. However, there is no such facility to detect aflatoxins in food in Kashmir, sources said. Aflatoxins have been demonstrated to have potent carcinogenic effect and acute toxicity in humans, a doctor said.

Why This KFC Outlet in Navi Mumbai Has Been Shut Down

The Konkan Region Food Drugs and Administration (FDA) recently shut down the operations at a KFC unit in Nerul in Navi Mumbai on grounds that water from its purifying unit was not up to the specified standards. "The officials of the FDA checked the water being used in the RO Unit of the company at Nerul on March 13 and found that the water was not up to the specified standards," FDA Assistant Commissioner Kishore Gore said.
The tests revealed that the level of E.Coli and Coliform Bacteria found in 100ml of water was 34 as against 0. The company was given a warning and time to improve upon the water quality. However, when the water was tested again the levels remained unchanged. "As the level had not improved the FDA had no option but to shut the unit today," he added.
The unit at Nerul will remain shut till the company complies with the requirements and submits proof of the same. "Consequent to the action on this Nerul unit of the company the other units will also be under inspection by the FDA," Gore said.
In an email to NDTV Food, the spokesperson from KFC has responded to this issue with the following statement, "As a responsible brand, the health and safety of our customers as well as our employees, is our number one priority. We want to assure our customers that we have regular checks and stringent systems to ensure that we uphold the highest standards across all our restaurants. We are confident that at no point was there any food safety concern at the said restaurant. We have shut down the store as of now and are working with the authorities to resolve this matter.”
The fast food restaurant chain is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States, and is the second largest in sales terms after McDonald's, with 18,875 outlets in 118 countries and territories as of December 2013. The company is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, a restaurant company that also owns the Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in India.

Food Business Operators directed to obtain FSSAI (Food Safety) License

Dimapur, March 23 (MExN): The office of Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur today reported that many Food Business Operators (FBOs) within Dimapur District are manufacturing, storing and selling food articles to consumers without registering or obtaining FSSAI (Food Safety) License under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 which is punishable under the said Act.
CMO cum Designated Officer, Dimapur Dr.MA Wati in a press release said that defaulters will be penalized without further warning in the interest of the consumers.
Moreover, consumers are advised to buy only the food packages having the required labeled on the food packages specified under FSS (Packaging & labeling) Regulation 2011. Food packages should have the following label: proper name of the product; Ingredients; Manufacture date. In case of food with shelf-life of not more than 7 days “use by date” to be mentioned; Best before date; Batch number; Net weight/volume; Veg or non-veg logo; FSSAI logo with Registration or License number; Food additives if added (colours or flavours); Instruction for use/preparation; Nutritional information; and Detail address of the manufacturer/packer.
In case of imported food, the packages should carry the name and complete address of the importer. In addition, false or exaggerated words or picture should not be used and the label should be clear, prominent and legible by the consumer under normal condition. “This press release is being issued in the interest of the consumers,” the CMO added.

Holi 2016: 7 tips on how not to fall prey to adulteration of sweets

With Holi, the festival of colours, approaching on Thursday, Thandai and sweets like Gujiya are the first edibles that pop up in one's minds, but it's imperative to remain aware of adulteration that could ruin the celebrations.
With Holi, the festival of colours, approaching on Thursday, Thandai and sweets like Gujiya are the first edibles that pop up in one’s minds, but it’s imperative to remain aware of adulteration that could ruin the celebrations. Suggesting tips and ways to prevent oneself from being a victim of adulterated Thandai, Saurabh Arora, founder of Food Safety Helpline, mentions a few pointers that could be followed to save one’s day:
1. Thandai can be adulterated by essentially using inferior quality ingredients, which include milk, water, sugar, black pepper, artificial colours and flavours.
2. Milk can be adulterated by adding starch, which gives it a thick, rich texture. It can be tested by boiling a diluted sample in a test tube, cooling, and adding a drop of iodine solution. Blue colour indicates starch contamination.
3 It is essential that the water used for preparing Thandai is pure and potable. Any contamination of water will lead to stomach upsets, and therefore ruin the festivities. If in doubt, boil the water and cool it before preparing Thandai.
4. Powdered sugar can be adulterated with chalk powder or white sand, which can cause severe stomach disorders. You can check by adding sugar to water and stirring. Pure sugar will dissolve, while any impurities will remain undissolved.
5. Whole black pepper corns can be contaminated with papaya seeds. A simple way to check is to put the black pepper corns in alcohol. Mature black pepper corns will sink while papaya seeds, if present, will float.
6. Thandai can also be adulterated with non-permitted colours-flavours by flouting the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines. For starters, saffron (kesar) is sometimes included and the declaration on the label is often used by the Food Business Operators (FBO) to mislead the consumers, when actually artificial colours are used instead. Therefore, it is advisable to buy these ingredients from a reliable outlet.
7. If you intend to buy Thandai mix from the market, be sure to buy a reputed brand from a reliable retail outlet. This will save you trouble from buying a spurious product. It is important that you check the date of manufacture and expiry date.

FAQ - PROPRIETARY FOODS

பிராட்வே, கொத்தவால்சாவடி பகுதிகளில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட குட்கா , போலி டீத்தூள் பறிமுதல் குற்றப்பிரிவில் வழக்குப்பதிய பொதுமக்கள் வலியுறுத்தல்

பாரி முனை, மார்ச் 23:

பாரி முனை, கொத் த வால் சா வடி, பிராட்வே ஆகிய பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட குட்கா, பான் ப ராக், ஹான்ஸ் உள் ளிட்ட போதை பொருட் களை பதுக்கி வைத்து விற் பனை செய் வ தா க வும், கலப் பட உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் வ தா க வும் மாவட்ட உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு துறைக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது.

அதன் பே ரில், உணவு பாது காப்பு ஆய் வா ளர் கள் இளங் கோ வன், ஜெப ராஜ், சிவ சங் க ரன் ஆகி யோர் தலை மை யில் அதி கா ரி கள் நேற்று பிராட்வே பஸ் நிலை யம், கொத் த வால் சா வடி, பூக் கடை ஆகிய பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள பல கடை க ளில் அதி ரடி சோதனை நடத் தி னர். அங்கு, தடை செய் யப் பட்ட போதை பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் வதை கண்டு பிடித் த னர். மேற் கண்ட கடை க ளில் இருந்து சுமார் 70 கிலோ குட்கா பொரு ட்களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

இதே போல் பிராட்வே பஸ் நிலை யத் தில் உள்ள டீக் க டை க ளில் சோதனை செய் த போது, போலி டீத் தூள் களை பயன் ப டுத் தி யது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட் டது. அங் கி ருந்து சுமார் 50 கிலோ டீத் தூளை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர். இது பற்றி விசா ரித் த போது, ஏற் க னவே பயன் ப டுத் திய டீத் தூளை கீழே கொட் டா மல் வெயி லில் காய வைத்து, அதில் ரசா ய னத்தை கலந்து, மீண் டும் டீ போட்டு விற் பனை செய் வது தெரிந் தது. இது போன்ற செய லில் ஈடு பட் டால் கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என மேற் கண்ட கடைக் கா ரர் களை அதி கா ரி கள் எச் ச ரித்து சென் ற னர்.

இதை தொடர்ந்து, கைப் பற் றப் பட்ட குட்கா மற் றும் போதை பாக் கு கள், போலி டீத் தூள் ஆகி ய வற்றை, கொடுங் கை யூர் குப்பை கிடங் கில் ராட் சத பள் ளம் தோண் டில், அதில் கொட்டி அழித் த னர்.

இது கு றித்து பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில், ‘போதை பாக் கு களை சிலர் மட் டும் பயன் ப டுத் து கின் ற னர். இதனை பறி மு தல் செய்து எச் ச ரிக் க லாம். அப் படி செய் தால், அவர் கள் மீண் டும் இது போன்ற தவ று களை செய்ய மாட் டார் கள். ஆனால், பயன் ப டுத் திய டீத் தூ ளில் ரசா ய னத்தை கலந்து, விற் பனை செய் கின் ற னர். இது போன்ற டீயை குடிப் ப தால் உடல் நல பாதிப்பு ஏற் ப டு கி றது. குறிப் பாக உடல் உறுப் பு கள் சேத ம டை கி றது.

டாக் டர் கள், டீ அதி கம் குடிக்க கூடாது என கூறு கி றார் கள். ஆனால், தொழி லா ளர் கள் தங் க ளது சோர்வை போக்க டீ மட் டுமே குடிக் கின் ற னர். பாரி முனை பகு தி யில் கூலி தொழி லா ளர் கள் அதி க ள வில் உள் ள னர். இதை பயன் ப டுத்தி கொண்டு, டீக் க டைக் கா ரர் கள் போலி டீத் தூளை பயன் ப டுத் து கின் ற னர்.

பொது மக் க ளுக்கு பாதிப்பு என தெரிந் தும், உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள், அவர் கள் மீது குற் றப் பி ரி வில் வழக் குப் ப திவு செய் யா மல், எச் ச ரித்து செல் வது சரி யான வழி அல்ல. அவர் களை மீண் டும் தவறு செய்ய தூண் டும் வித மாக உள் ளது. ஒரு வ ருக்கு தண் டனை கொடுத் தால் தான், மற் றொ ரு வர் அந்த தவறை செய் யா மாட் டார். இதை அதி கா ரி கள் செய் வார் களா என கேள்வி எழுப் பு கின் ற னர்.

Ensure safety, food processing industry told

The food processing industry in the State should come forward to taking the responsibility for ensuring all processed foods produced and marketed in the State meet the food safety and standards guidelines prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). This kind of voluntary, rigorous, self-regulation from the industry will help the Food Safety Department focus better on encouraging and promoting the third aspect of food safety among the public, namely healthy eating, Commissioner of Food Safety T.V. Anupama has said.

She was addressing representatives of the State’s food processing industry at a seminar on ‘Making Kerala a Safe Food Destination,’ organised by the Kerala wing of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Monday. There can be no compromise on food safety parameters because it is directly linked to health issues, she said. Ms. Anupama said the shift from the old Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act to the new FSSA is a positive move and suggested that all food business operators (FBOs) familiarise themselves with Sections 26, 27, 28 of the FSSA which clearly delineates the responsibilities of FBOs.

“We have so far filed about 900 cases of food adulteration or sale of substandard food in Kerala. But in only less than 40 per cent cases have we been able to detect a deliberate intent to ignore or violate food safety and standards. Almost 60 per cent of the cases could have been avoided if the FBOs were fully aware of the relevant sections of the FSSA and had acted upon it,” Ms. Anupama said.

Raids unearth violation of food safety norms

Rs.51,500 collected as fine from different units in Kollam district

Rampant violation of food safety norms was detected by special squads attached to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety (ACFS) here during inspections carried out across the district for six days from March 14.

ACFS (Kollam) K. Ajith Kumar said here on Monday that Rs.51,500 was collected as penalty from food production units for violation of norms during the period. The raids were carried out on directions from State Food Safety Commissioner T.V. Anupama.

An ice-cream manufacturing unit at Umayanallur, found to be operating in unhygienic conditions, was ordered to be closed. Mr. Ajith Kumar said samples collected from the unit were found to contain health hazardous substances, used as sweeteners. Prosecution procedures had been initiated against the owners for the offence.

Following several complaints about the quality of coconut oil available in the market, all coconut oil extraction units in the district were inspected and samples collected.

Manufacturers of branded coconut oils in the district had been issued orders to register their brands with the office of the ACFS by April 16. Brands that were not registered by then would be banned, Mr. Ajith Kumar said.

Various eateries, including thattukadas, provision stores and cookies and condiments manufacturing units, were also inspected. Notices were served on 36 persons. Instructions were issued to persons concerned to renew the food safety licences 30 days before the expiry date.

Nine bottled drinking water manufacturing units and ice manufacturing plants were also raided and samples collected.

Licences of 9 food outlets suspended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five of the nine food distribution centres whose licences were suspended on Monday, after statewide raids initiated by the commissioner of food safety, are from the city. Raids were conducted in 1,092 centres by special squads last week.

The food safety officials found major violations of Food Safety Act in terms of cleanliness and licence standards in these centres. The licence of Thampy's Bakery in Peroorkada, Rosai Take Away at Kowdiar, Arin Bakery at Udayamperoor, Al-Madeena Restaurant at Sreekariyam, Gangothri Purified Water at Payyannur, a thattukada at Petah, Ganesh Cafeteria at Aristo Junction, Annu Icecream at Karassery and Nelo Icecream at Mukkam were suspended in the raid.

In addition 324 centres were served improvement notices and an amount of Rs 7,00,500 was collected as fine.

"These centres were found functioning in unhygienic conditions and with improper food storage facilities. Some were found storing stale milk which was used to make drinks like Sharjah. Minor violations such as not maintaining personal hygiene and not wearing the cap or apron were also found," said assistant commissioner of food safety A Satheesh Kumar.

Take bad food off shelf on your own: T V Anupama

CCI to promote Kerala as safe-to-eat destination.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Manufacturers should take out their food products voluntarily whenever a quality issue comes to their notice, says food safety commissioner T.V. Anupama. The industry should keep itself updated on the norms.

She was addressing the officials of prominent food product brands including oil, rice and curry powder at an interaction the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised to promote Kerala as a safe-to-eat destination here on Monday.

Paul Francis, the managing partner of KLF Oil Industries, stressed the need to blacklist manufacturers who compromise on the quality of coconut oil, which is prone to adulterants.

“Each time an action is taken, they change the brand name and re-register. So we need to blacklist them,” he said pointing out the similarities in brand names that bring general disrepute to other players. Officials of Saras Spices said the Agmark certification should be strengthened by getting more genuine manufacturers under it.

Curry powder manufacturers stated that they were finding it hard to find pesticide-free raw materials adhering to the standards. Kalady Rice Millers Consortium general manager K. Rajendran, who represented Pavizham rice, pointed out that there should be a control on unbranded food products sold in local markets.

“Caterers who serve them to the public should be bridled," he said.

Ms Anupama answered that majority of those come under her ambit were small-time manufacturers. At least 917 cases of adulteration or quality issues are under consideration now.

Legal and standard training have been given to 20,000-30,000 manufacturers.

The state government is in the process of capacity building for its laboratories. Presently, there are only two Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) accredited laboratories in the state, both located in Kochi.

The state has given a representation to accredit more labs across Kerala, she said. The food processing industry has been one of the fast growing sectors in Kerala that contributes to state’s foreign exchange earnings in a big way, said CII convener Vinod Manjila said.