FSSAI wants excise inspectors to hold dual charge

New Delhi, Apr 13 : According to a recently received information excise inspectors will soon hold dual charge of both: excise and food inspection aiming to reduce ‘inspector raj’, .

For the first time in history, the regulator, FSSAI, has asked state chief secretaries to boost excise commissioners to also hold powers of food inspectors. In the begining the move will apply to ‘alcoholic drinks’, in which cases of spurious liquor and adulteration have swelled.

On April 8, Pawan Agarwal, CEO of the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), wrote to states to delegate powers of a food safety officer to excise commissioners ‘at their option’, decreasing the number of inspection trips by officials.

Confirming the development, Agarwal told HT, “This is not only going to reduce inspector raj at the ground level but will also help us keep a close watch on retail outlets.”

The step will also bring synergies in the functioning of both departments and avoid duplication of work, he said. “The notification of excise inspectors as food safety officers would be contingent on their possessing the educational qualifications,” Agarwal’s letter said. “They would continue to work as excise inspectors for their work to implement the excise policy and be responsible to the office of excise commissioner of state.

Welcoming the move, Deepak Roy, chairman, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, said, “This is a welcome move. We will now have to deal with only one group of officials, which is always better.”

A food safety officer inspects licensed units frequently to verify that licence conditions are being complied with, and to procure samples to be sent for analysis.An excise inspector keeps a check on the stocks maintained by the seller/shopkeeper and whether they are paying due taxes.

According to NSSO’s 2011-12 consumption data, the average urban Indian, meanwhile, drinks 96 ml per week or 5 litres in a year, country liquor being most popular.

Things you should know for efficient Food Storage

Food Storage is an important aspect everywhere – be it home, restaurant or an industry. Bad storage practices would lead to loss of our food items, along with wastage of time and storage space. Also, we can’t turn away our customers for lack of stock. It’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place!

But do not worry. We provide you some simple tips that should be kept in mind for both households and industrial storage areas , so that you can achieve super-efficient food storage (along with happy guests and customers!)

Rotate the stock

The most effective use of dry food storage is to rotate. That is, date all foods and food containers and make the “use by” and “sell by” dates of the foods and the shelf life in general more visible easily. We do not want to let old stock to continue well past its expiry date and eat up our space, do we?

Keep a check on Temperature

Storage rooms should be cool, dry and well ventilated. The cooler, the better. By cool storage the respiratory activity and the degradation of enzymes is reduced thus also reducing internal water loss and inhibiting the growth of decay producing organisms. In the case of fruits and root crops, it slows the production of ethylene, a naturally occurring ripening agent – which means fruits would last longer!

For maintaining optimal temperature, adequate ventilation should be provided (some air exchange rate is absolutely essential). In addition, the storage room should not have steam and water pipes, water heaters, transformers, refrigeration condensing units, steam generators or other heat producing equipment.

Control Humidity

Ideally, storage areas should have a humidity level of 15% or less. De-humidification is essential, unless you’re planning storage in a desert or dry area! A second option is to use moisture impervious packaging. However, there is no reason not to use both.

Whenever possible, stored foods should be kept in their original packages since most packaging is designed for the food it contains. For instance, the cardboard box will help cushion jars and other glass containers from breakage. If no such packaging is provided, the best alternative is air tight containers (for regular items like turmeric powder(haldi),chilli powder and various masala)

Be ‘sun-proof’

Direct sunlight should be avoided since it promotes oxidation and the subsequent loss of the food’s nutritional value and quality. Also, fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K are particularly sensitive to light degradation. Instead, storage rooms can rely on artificial illumination. Sun isn’t always friendly to food.

Beware the risks of food storage

Storing dry foods at least six inches off the floor and at least 18 inches away from outer walls reduces the chances of condensation due to temperature differences between the container and the wall.

One common mistake is also made when look-alike condiments (like Salt and Sugar) are stored together. We all know what would happen when our beloved Biryani seems sweet suddenly!

Keep the animals away

The food storage rooms should also not be a sanctuary for insects, rodents and birds .This can be done by having the doors and windows sealed and insect-proofed, kept closed whenever possible.

Size matters

Finally, we come to size of the storage room ! With growing population and demand, the food needs have skyrocketed, so has the need for more food storage. We don’t want a stink of unused food items in the inventory, but hey! That doesn’t mean we should not be prepared for any sudden surge in guests (or customers)!

So you see? Food Storage ain’t all that tough. Some simple things to keep in mind, and you’re ready to have a nice,efficient storage facility!

Is the street food you’re eating safe enough?

Let’s face it – we all know street food is unhygienic. But they’re irresistible – the mere thought of delicious pani puris, aloo tikkis, and the steamed momos make our mouth water. What’s more, they’re way cheaper!

But now, we urge you to be careful. No, we are not telling you to avoid the street food (that’s unthinkable!) – but instead we ask you to take a look around and observe before having the vada pav.

“Contamination is the greatest challenge for food safety in India”

-Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)

Why? Because a new study conducted by Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa (IHM) tested samples from popular street food joints across Delhi , showed that E.Coli is commonly found in street food. This diarrhea-causing bacteria thrives happily in high temperature, while we gobble down our next pani puri , blissfully unaware of the micro-organism’s existence in our morsel.

Don’t get us wrong, we love street food as much as you. But we just wonder, what would happen if someone were to test the street food in front of you?

So this summer, we bring you some tips that you need to keep in mind, so that the next time you eat street food, you don’t fall ill –

Check the vendor serving you : Don’t stare at him unblinkingly, but rather look at how he’s keeping his hands and stall clean. We can’t know how many times he exchanged currency notes (from the deepest pockets!) and became a carrier of bacteria.

Ensure your plate is clean: It’s not just the food that could be the main culprit for your inflamed intestines – it could be the vessels too. If you see some dirt or oil sticking to your plate, get it replaced, or if that’s not possible, use a wipe or a napkin.

Don’t just look at the food: Although you’re in a hurry when eating street food, and have your eyes fixed on the delicious looking aloo tikki, take your eyes off the food for some time and see how the food is being cooked. The surroundings, ingredients, garnishing, and the oil pan – are they all looking fine? Additionally, avoid asking for raw onions as garnishing unless it’s cut fresh in front of you.

Cut out the cut fruits: Scorching sun overhead, tempting watermelons cut neatly in a stall nearby. A tough choice, really. Unfortunately, they are most prone to bacteria and dirt in and around, and should be avoided.

The juicy matter: We love to ask for “ice-ke-saath” fruit juice in this scorching heat , but we never ask where the ice is coming from. Often times, we make sure that the fruit is cut fresh, but don’t notice the dirt around the mixer/juicer. And also, the water in the tub for washing the mugs should not look like it has washed hundreds of mugs in one go!

Thus, eating street food without being careful is like having lots of bad microbes living in our body uninvited. The Food Safety Month 2016 aims to convey the same message – about healthy eating and storage practices.

DINAMALAR NEWS

காலாவதியான பொருட்கள் விற்பனை கம்பத்தில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறையினர் சோதனை

கம் பம், ஏப். 13:

கம் பத் தில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னம் மற் றும் இனிப்பு வகை கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக வந்த தக வலை தொடர்ந்து உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி னர் சோதனை நடத் தி னர். இந்த சோதனை கண் து டைப் புக் காக செய் யப் பட் ட தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை யி னர் மீது பொது மக் கள் குற் றம் சாட்டி உள் ள னர்.

உணவு வகை க ளில் செயற் கைச் சாயம், அயோ டின் இல் லாத உப்பு, பல முறை பயன் ப டுத் தப் பட்ட சமை யல் எண்ணை, பழைய இறைச்சி இவை களை ஓட் டல் க ளில் சமை ய லுக்கு பயன் ப டுத் தக் கூடாது. காலா வ தி யான தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் கள், குளிர் பா னங் கள் போன் ற வற்றை பொது மக் க ளுக்கு விற் பனை செய் யக் கூ டாது என உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை கடைக் கா ரர் களை எச் ச ரிக்கை செய் துள் ளது. ஆனால் பல கடைக் கா ரர் கள் இதனை பின் பற் று வது இல்லை. தற் போது கோடை வெயி லின் உக் கி ரம் வாட்டி வதைப் ப தால் ஏற் ப டும் தாகத்தை தணிக்க தண் ணீர் பாட் டிலோ, குளிர் பா னமோ வாங்கி பரு கு கின் ற னர். ஆனால், கம் பம் பகு தி யில் கம் பம் மெட்டு ரோடு, மெயின் ரோடு, பஸ் டாண்டு, அர ச ம ரம் பகு தி க ளி லுள்ள பல கடை க ளில் பொது மக் கள் தாகத்தை தணிக்க வாங்கி குடிக் கும் தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் க ளும், குளிர் பா னங் க ளும் காலா வ தி யா ன தாக உள் ள தாக கடந்த சில தினங் க ளுக்கு முன் தின க ரன் நாளி த ழில் செய்தி வெளி யா னது.

இந் நி லை யில், தேனி மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் சுகுணா தலை மை யில் நக ராட்சி உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் நேற்று கம் பம் வாரச் சந் தை யில் சோதனை நடத் தி னர். காலா வ தி யான இனிப்பு மற் றும் பிஸ் கட் வகை களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

பின் னர் கம் பம் பஸ் டாண்டு பகு தி யில் உள்ள ஒரு சில கடை க ளில் மட் டும் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், தண் ணீர் பாட் டில் கள் உள் ளதா என்று சோதனை நடத் தி னர். காலா வ தி யான பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் த வர் க ளுக்கு விளக் கம் கேட்டு நோட் டீஸ் கொடுத் துள் ள னர்.

பொது மக் கள் கூறு கை யில், ‘வரு டத் தில் ஏதோ ஒரு முறை இவர் கள் சந் தை யில் சோதனை செய்து சாயம் பூசப் பட்ட இனிப்பு, காலா வ தி யான பிஸ் கட், இனிப்பு வகை களை பறி மு தல் செய் கின் ற னர். மற்ற நாட் க ளில் இதே பொருட் கள் தான் சந் தை யில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு கி றது. காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள் நகர் முழு வ தும் விற் றுக் கொண் டி ருக் கும் வேளை யில் இவர் கள் பஸ் டாண்ட் பகு யில் மட் டும் சோதனை நடத்தி திரும் பி யது ஏதோ கண் து டைப் புக் காக சோதனை நடத் தி யது போல் உள் ள து’ என் ற னர்.

கந் தக கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட 400 கிலோ மாம் ப ழம் பறி மு தல்

பொள் ளாச்சி,ஏப். 13:

பொள் ளாச்சி மார்க் கெட் டில், கந் தக கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட 400கிலோ மாம் ப ழங் களை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

பொள் ளாச்சி காந்தி மார்க் கெட் டுக்கு தமி ழ கத் தின் பல் வேறு பகு தி க ளில் இருந் தும், கேரள மாநி லத் தில் இருந் தும் பல வகை யான மாம் ப ழங் கள் விற் ப னைக் காக கொண்டு வரப் ப டு கின் றன.

மாம் ப ழங் க ளில் பெரு ம ளவு பழுக் காத நிலை யில் காயாக இருப் ப தால், மாம் ப ழத்தை எளி தில் பழுக்க வைக்க பெரும் பா லான வியா பா ரி கள் கந் தக கற் களை பயன் ப டுத் து வ தாக தொடர்ந்து புகார் கள் வந்து கொண் டி ருக் கின் றன.

இது போன்று செயற்கை முறை யில் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் களை சாப் பி டு ப வர் க ளுக்கு பல் வேறு உடல் உபா தை கள் ஏற் ப டும். இது தொடர் பாக உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரி க ளுக்கு தொடர்ந்து புகார் வந்த வண் ணம் உள் ளன. இதை ய டுத்து நேற்று, உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கோவிந் த ராஜ், சுப் பு ராஜ், செல் வ பாண் டி யன், செந் தில் கு மார் ஆகி யோர், காந்தி மார்க் கெட் டில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் கள் கந் தக கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டு கி றதா என்று ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

பொள் ளாச்சி காந்தி மார்க் கெட் டில், கந் தக கல் மூலம் பழுக் க வைக் கப் பட்ட மாம் ப ழங் களை நேற்று உணவு பொருள் கலப் பட தடுப்பு பிரிவு அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

இது போன்று செயற்கை முறை யில் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் களை சாப் பி டு ப வர் க ளுக்கு பல் வேறு உடல் உபா தை கள் ஏற் ப டும். இது தொடர் பாக உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அதி கா ரி க ளுக்கு தொடர்ந்து புகார் வந்த வண் ணம் உள் ளன. இதை ய டுத்து நேற்று, உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கோவிந் த ராஜ், சுப் பு ராஜ், செல் வ பாண் டி யன், செந் தில் கு மார் ஆகி யோர், காந்தி மார்க் கெட் டில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் மாம் ப ழங் கள் கந் தக கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் ப டு கி றதா என்று ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

அப் போது, அங் குள்ள ஒரு க டை யி லி ருந்து கந் தக கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைக் கப் பட்ட சுமார் 400 கிலோ மாம் ப ழங் களை, சரக்கு ஆட்டோ மூலம் வெளி யி டத் துக்கு கொண்டு செல்ல தயா ரா கி னர். இதை ய றிந்த, உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள், அதனை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர். பின் அவை களை நக ராட்சி குப்பை கிடங் கில் கொட் டி னர். இது போன்ற செயல் மேலும் தொடர்ந் தால், சம் பந் த பட்ட வியா பா ரி கள் மீது நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என்று அதி கா ரி கள் எச் ச ரிக்கை விடுத் த னர்.

Fixation on product approval has to go: FSSAI chief

In case of proprietary food products, if ingredients are the same, there should not be any need for product approvals every time, says FSSAI CEO Agarwal

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the regulatory body for food and beverage products, imposed a nationwide ban on Maggi instant noodles, a popular snack sold by Nestle India Ltd, on 5 June 2015 after some samples were found to contain excess lead and traces of monosodium glutamate.

In September, a month after the Bombay high court overturned the ban, its chief executive officer (CEO) Yudhvir Singh Malik shifted to Niti Aayog as additional secretary. In December, Pawan Kumar Agarwal took charge as CEO of FSSAI.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, 54 awan Kumar Agarwal, an Indian Administrative Services officer of the West Bengal cadre of the 1985 batch, was joint secretary in the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship before joining the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in December as its chief executive officer. He has been principal secretary of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, and has worked in the departments of urban development and education in the West Bengal government.

In an interview, Agarwal spoke about the need for new regulations and standards, changes in product approval processes, a push towards self-compliance by food firms and better surveillance by FSSAI. Edited excerpts:

Until the Maggi noodles issue cropped up, FSSAI was seen as a toothless regulator. Has it changed?

Even in developed nations, the entire space of food safety has been highly fragmented. Things started consolidating only in the mid-1990s and it took another decade to make it happen. The idea is to build public confidence that the food people get in the marketplace is safe. Confidence is the key word here. And for that, it is important that this body is trusted by both food businesses and also by citizens and consumers.

Fortunately, there are international standards available. Food today is no more entirely produced and consumed within the nation. There’s a lot of import that happens. For a simple thing like pizza there are over 30 ingredients from 66 countries that are required.

The standards we have here will have to be globally benchmarked. We cannot have different national and international standards as it will create problems in import and export. The focus of the authority is on creating standards. Not surprisingly, setting standards is not an activity that is visible to people outside. That’s the reason why FSSAI had limited visibility in the first few years. It is only enforcement that makes FSSAI visible.

What are your plans to ensure food safety?

We have to change the very culture of food manufacturing, the way food is served and that culture change can be brought about by working with the food businesses... You guide food businesses on what is right for them to do and see that they implement it. They do it because it is the right thing for them. And that’s precisely the way the developed countries work.

So a lot of our focus will be on training, dissemination of what are ideal manufacturing practices, hygienic practices, hazard analysis and control and critical control points in a food processing unit. Ensuring that food is produced and processed safely and served hygienically are the focus areas of the work of FSSAI.

In this, my concern is not so much with big businesses. Many of the big food businesses will do it in their self-interest. They have their reputation at stake. My concern is the overall culture of food hygiene in this country is not so good. To improve that, we need to bring behavioural changes in society. And work with small and medium businesses to improve standards...

After the Maggi noodles controversy, companies raised questions regarding the product approval process followed by FSSAI. Is there a need to change that?

I am new here and am also trying to understand what’s happening internationally in this particular space. These kinds of specific product approvals are unique to our nation. But that happened because we did not have standards for food categories. If we have standards, we would not need it.

We are working on formulating those guidelines. Once guidelines are in place, food producers would not require product approvals for every product.

In case of proprietary food products, if ingredients are the same, there should not be any requirement for product approvals every time. The fixation about product approval has to go. Our responsibility regarding product approval has to shrink. And then this authority will have greater resources to devote to some of these issues.

But FSSAI does not test product samples before giving approvals.

Product approvals are given based on claims firms make. They have to be responsible. They can either test it themselves or give it to us. If they give us a product for testing, obviously they give products that are tested by them before hand. So, our getting involved in testing does not add any value at all. Because we are not sampling and they won’t give a sample that will fail our tests. Once it comes to the market, we can pick up samples and test to see if they follow safety norms or not.

Do you think the Maggi issue sent a wrong message to multinationals, especially, the ones looking at India as a potential market?

Unfair for me to comment on this.

You spoke of focus on inspection and surveillance. Would it require huge manpower?

The whole mindset of large manpower for regulatory compliance has to go. Standards have to be unambiguous and clear. They should be articulated and conveyed to the food businesses so that they follow those. Our priority is to simplify regulations and standards so that they can be easily understood by the smallest of food businesses. Once that happens, the expectation is they themselves will follow these. To monitor and maintain food safety, we would like our citizens to be more vigilant. We want citizens to be our inspectors. They give us feedback and we align our enforcement based on that. This is how we would like to move forward as we work in this authority and try to ensure food safety, get confidence of the public and the government.

You have proposed to bring e-commerce firms engaged in food business under FSSAI licence regime. Why is it necessary?

Globally, there is no difference between online and offline. Food is food. As a food regulator, I have to ensure food is safe across the value chain, from harvest to the dining table. E-commerce firms have emerged as important players in taking the food to your plates. There’s no reason why they should be outside the ambit of food safety regulations. Some of them have opted for FSSAI licence. Of course, the clarity on what is expected of them as part of the licence is still to be defined. We had one meeting with them. We have asked them for suggestions. We’ll also look at international experiences in this particular space and then put together the final rules.

By when?

Hopefully by end of this year, or even sooner.

How is FSSAI ensuring safety in imported foods?

In case of imported products, there is an opportunity of scrutiny at entry. Currently, we are having 100% sampling of all food products that come in. This, in fact, is becoming a bottleneck. That causes delay. Therefore, we are trying to simplify that. We are trying to do inspections more on risk-based approach rather than doing 100% sampling of imported foods.

There is no regulation on advertisements of food products. Or on packaging. Do these things fall under the purview of FSSAI?

We are working on bringing regulations on responsible advertising of food products. We also need regulations on packaging. We have on labelling. But on packaging, we have a gap. A regulation on responsible advertising will come soon that cuts across food items. We are working with the Advertising Standards Council of India on this. Packaging is a serious issue. Migration of toxins can take place because of packaging. We are working with the Indian Institute of Packaging on this.

PIL AGAINST FOOD ADULTERATION: HC takes suggestions by Amicus Curie on record, directs govt to file response

A division bench of Justice MuzaffarHussain Attar and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal however asked senior Additional Advocate General N ABigh to file response to the suggestions of the Amicus.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday took on record suggestions made by senior counsel and Amicus Curie, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, on curbing of the menace of food adulteration. 

A division bench of Justice MuzaffarHussain Attar and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal however asked senior Additional Advocate General N ABigh to file response to the suggestions of the Amicus. 

After taking suo-moto cognizance of news reports in Greater Kashmir on food adulteration and rising cancer incidence in the Valley last month, the High Court treated the reports as a Public Interest Litigation and initiated its own proceedings against the government. 

The Amicus Curie suggested that Chief Secretary of the State, Commissioner/Secretary Health & Medical Education Department, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Government of India, Director Health Services Kashmir and Jammu, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Kashmir and Jammu, Drug Controller of the State, all Deputy Commissioners of the State and all recognized Food Testing Laboratories in the State be arrayed as respondents in the PIL.

Underscoring that the Food Safety & Standards Act is applicable to entire India and the State of J&K, the Amicus suggested that in terms of the provisions of the Act, it must have scientific committee or panel of advisory committees at central level; and to execute the provision of law under sections 29, 30, 36, 37 & 38 of the Act, each State must have a Commissioner Food, State Food Safety Officers, designated Officers appointed by the Food Commissioner.

“The powers of the Food Safety Officer have been provided under section 38 of the said Act, while as recognition and accreditation of laboratories, research institutions and referral Food Laboratories is provided under section 43. Food Analyst and functions of the Food Analysts and sampling of food items is provided under Sections 45, 46 and 47 of the Act.”

The Amicus suggested that information regarding relevant State functionaries under the Act is required to be furnished by the respondents which include name of the Food Commissioner of the State and his date of appointment, names of the State Food Safety Officers, names of Designated Officers appointed by the Food Commissioner, name and composition of Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, names of Adjudicating Officers of the Tribunal.

The Amicus suggested that the official respondents are also required to furnish the details about district-wise population, district-wise number of recognized scientific food-testing laboratories established by the State along with requisite machinery and equipment; district-wise number of Food Safety Analysts along with their qualifications and district-wise staff-strength of food-testing laboratories.

HC issues notice to Govt on food adulteration

Suo moto cognizance on media reports

Srinagar, Apr 12: The State High Court today sought response from the Government on food adulteration causing life threatening diseases in the State.

The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice J R Kotwal sought response from the Government about food adulteration in the State as the suo moto proceedings have been taken by the High Court after media reports asserting that consumption of adulterated food items in the Valley leads to carcinoma that is on rise in Kashmir. Court today sought response from the Government on the issue by next date of hearing.

The court has appointed Senior Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bashir, as Amicus Curie in the PIL and he was asked to file his suggestions so as to curb the menace of food adulteration. Court took the suggestions of amicus on record and those suggestions will be considered by the court on next date of hearing.

The suggestions include that Chief Secretary of the State, Commissioner /Secretary H&ME Department, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Government of India, Director Health Services of both divisions of the State, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of both divisions, Drug Controller of the State, All Deputy Commissioner of the State and All recognized Food Testing Laboratories in the State should be made as respondent in the PIL.

Amicus curie in his suggestions said that the PIL involved security and protection of precious lives of lakhs of people who are consuming different food items which are allegedly contaminated and carcinogenic causing terminal diseases.

It is further stated in the suggestions on which court will deliberate on next date of hearing that situation is aggravated by lack of scientific facilities for checking and testing the contaminated food items like food testing laboratories, equipments, man power(both technical & non-technical) as also the supervisory staff.

Advocate Bashir submitted that the Food Safety and Standards Act is applicable to whole country and the State of J&K so it must have scientific committee or panel of advisory committees at Central level and to execute the provision of laws of the Act.

The court it may be mentioned here took serious note of media reports with regard to poor eatables and infrastructure, manpower and mechanism to check the safety of the foods.

It was reported in various press reports that food testing laboratory in the Valley lacks equipment, infrastructure and manpower to check the adulterated consumption of food in Valley. It is said that the adulterated food is leading to multiple diseases among people, including cancer whose rate had doubled in the Valley during the past less than a decade.

The lone food testing laboratory (FTL) of the Valley situated in Srinagar is said to be having ancient and outdated equipments while old methods are put into practice to test samples of foods. There is no mechanism to check the safety standards of food items like oils and dairy products consumed by general masses.

Tanker water supply in Kochi comes under the scanner

Over 20 samples sent for chemical analysis to Kakkanad lab

With the consumption of water supplied through tanker lorries touching new heights, the district Food Safety officials have collected over 20 water samples to ensure quality.

The samples collected from tankers on their way to supply points have been given to the Regional Analytical Laboratory at Kakkanad for bacteriological and chemical analysis.

Concerns aplenty

The move comes in the wake of apprehensions expressed over the quality of water supplied through tankers.

“The tests are likely to reveal whether the samples contain harmful metals. The results are expected in a day or two.

Substandard

“If the water is found substandard then the parties concerned would be asked to take remedial measures before tapping that source again. We will continue the exercise throughout the summer,” Shibu K.V., Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Ernakulam, told The Hindu .

Certification

Tankers are authorised to collect water only from sources certified by the Food Safety Department.

However, certification is granted on the online submission of ID proof and photograph of the owner of thesource, and does not involves inspection of the quality of the water.

Food Safety officials said they certified wells and admitted that the natural contamination of water specific to the source was to be expected.

To overcome the problem, the Department convenes meetings of residents’ associations from time to time and urges them to properly chlorinate the water before use.

In a few instances, tankers licensed by the Food Safety Department for transporting drinking water were found to be collecting water from ponds.

However, it emerged that the water was meant for construction purposes.

“We have told operators in no uncertain terms that tankers meant for drinking water supply should by no means be used for supplying water for construction purposes.

The vehicles would be seized if it is repeated,” Mr. Shibu said.

The majority of the water sources certified by the Food Safety Department are along the banks of the river Periyar, sources said.

Though the quality of the water could not be fully guaranteed, the supply from the outskirts could not be stopped abruptly since that would turn the city dry in no time, it is pointed out.

Mr. Shibu said random checks were conducted frequently to ensure that the tankers used for distributing water were in good condition.

Officials destroy 580 bottles of expired soft drinks in Salem

Stringent measures:Expired bottles of soft drinks seized by officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Salem on Tuesday. 

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seized 580 bottles of expired soft drinks from a distributor in Nilavarapatti and destroyed it on Tuesday.

The bottles with manufacturing date in August 2015 with four months validity was noticed by a customer, while the distributor was unloading the bottles from a vehicle to the shop.

He immediately alerted the District Designated Officer T. Anuradha, who asked the food safety inspector to seize the products.

Enquiries revealed that the products were manufactured in Bengaluru and the stockist in Dharmapuri distributes it to many districts.

Notice was served on the distributor and the products were destroyed.

Ms. Anuradha asked the consumers to be careful while purchasing products.

“Packages without information on manufacturing or expiry date should not be purchased. Consumers can inform the District Designated Officer at 9443520332,” she added.

On Monday, officials seized and destroyed 27 packs of expired pineapple milk drink from an Aavin booth functioning on the court premises.

Food regulator wants excise inspectors to check food quality too

With an aim to reduce inspector raj, excise inspectors will soon hold dual charge of both: excise and food inspection.

In a first of its kind decision, the regulator, FSSAI, has asked state chief secretaries to empower excise commissioners to also hold powers of food inspectors. Initially the move will apply to 'alcoholic drinks', in which cases of adulteration and spurious liquor have swelled.

Pawan Agarwal, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, on April 8 wrote to states to delegate powers of a food safety officer to excise commissioners 'at their option', reducing the number of inspection trips by officials.

Confirming the development, Agarwal told HT, "This is not only going to reduce inspector raj at the ground level but will also help us keep a close watch on retail outlets."

The step will also bring synergies in the functioning of both departments and avoid duplication of work, he said. "The notification of excise inspectors as food safety officers would be contingent on their possessing the educational qualifications," Agarwal's letter said. "They would continue to work as excise inspectors for their work to implement the excise policy and be responsible to the office of excise commissioner of state.

Welcoming the move, Deepak Roy, chairman, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, said, "This is a welcome move. We will now have to deal with only one group of officials, which is always better."

A food safety officer inspects licensed units frequently to verify that licence conditions are being complied with, and to procure samples to be sent for analysis.An excise inspector keeps a check on the stocks maintained by the seller/shopkeeper and whether they are paying due taxes.

According to NSSO's 2011-12 consumption data, the average urban Indian, meanwhile, drinks 96 ml per week or 5 litres in a year, country liquor being most popular.

தரையில் கொட்டி அழித்த அதிகாரிகள் காலாவதியான 580 குளிர்பான பாட்டில்கள் பறிமுதல்

சேலம், ஏப்.13:

சேலம் அருகே முன் னணி நிறு வ னத் தின் காலா வ தி யான 580 குளிர் பான பாட் டில் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. அதனை சப்ளை செய்த ஏஜெண் டுக்கு உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நோட் டீஸ் வழங் கி னர்.

சேலத்தை அடுத் துள்ள பன ம ரத் துப் பட்டி, நில வா ரப் பட்டி பகு தி க ளில் முன் னணி நிறு வ னத் தின் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ரா தா வுக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது. இதன் பே ரில் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா தலை மை யில், உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் ஆறுச் சாமி, இளங் கோ வன் மற் றும் பணி யா ளர் கள் பன ம ரத் துப் பட்டி, நில வா ரப் பட்டி பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள குளிர் பான கடை கள் மற் றும் மளிகை கடை க ளில் சோத னை யிட் ட னர்.

இதில், கடந்த ஆகஸ்ட், செப் டம் பர் மாதங் க ளில் உற் பத்தி செய் யப் பட்ட காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வது கண் ட றி யப் பட் டது. அவற்றை பறி மு தல் செய்த அதி கா ரி கள், குளிர் பா னங் களை சப்ளை செய்த ஏஜெண்ட் குறித் தும் விசா ரித் த னர். அதில், பன ம ரத் துப் பட் டியை சேர்ந்த மோகன் என் ப வர் ஒரு மினி ெடம் போ வில் குளிர் பானங் களை சப்ளை செய் தது கண் ட றி யப் பட் டது. அவ ரை யும் நில வா ரப் பட்டி பகு தி யில் மினி டெம் போ வு டன் அதி கா ரி கள் மடக்கி பிடித் த னர். அவ ரி டம் இருந்த காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் க ளும் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது. மொத் த மாக 380 மி.லி., மற் றும் 500 மி.லி., கொள் ள ளவு கொண்ட 580 குளிர் பான பாட் டில் கள் பறி மு த லா னது.

பின் னர் ஏஜெண்ட் மோக னி டம் அதி கா ரி கள் விசா ரணை நடத் தி னர். அதில், தர் ம பு ரி யில் உள்ள ஒரு ஏஜெண்ட், குளிர் பா னங் களை மொத் த மாக சப்ளை செய் வது தெரி ய வந் தது. தொடர்ந்து அவ ருக் கும், ஏஜெண்ட் மோக னுக் கும் நோட் டீஸ் வழங் கப் பட் ட து டன், தீவிர விசா ரணை நடத் தப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. இத னி டையே பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட 580 பாட் டில் குளிர் பா னங் க ளும் நேற்று, தரை யில் ஊற்றி அழிக் கப் பட் டன.

இது பற்றி உணவு பாது காப்பு மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், “இது கோடை காலம் என் ப தால், குளிர் பா னங் களை மக் கள் அதி க ளவு பரு கு கின் ற னர். இப் படி பரு கும் போது, அதன் தயா ரிப்பு தேதியை பார்த்து, பருக வேண் டும். காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா ன மாக இருந் தால், உட ன டி யாக எங் க ளுக்கு தக வல் கொடுக் க லாம். குளிர் பா னங் கள், தயா ரிக் கப் பட்ட 3 மாதங் கள் வரை பயன் ப டுத் த லாம். அதன் பின் அது காலா வ தி யா ன தா கும். ஆகவே இதை பொது மக் கள் கருத் தில் கொண்டு செயல் பட வேண் டும். இக் கு ளிர் பான சோத னையை தொடர்ந்து மேற் கொள் ள வுள் ளோம். தற் போது பிடி பட் ட வர் கள் மீது உரிய வழக் கினை பதிவு செய்து நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் க வுள் ளோம்,’’ என் றார்.

Rajasthan HC: Frame food safety officers service rules within three months

Jaipur, Apr 12: Rajasthan High Court today directed the State government to frame the service rules for the food safety officers within three months.
The division bench of Justices KS Ahluwalia and Dinesh Chandra Somani order came during the hearing of a suo motu and other petitions on adulterated milk problem in the state.
The court found the qualifications of the present food safety officers below par. AAG Dharam Veer Tholia who appeared for the government informed the court that at present Multipurpose Workers(MPWs) Lab technicians and Ophthalmic assistants are employed in the department after imparting them special training food safety. However this has not satisfied the court.
The HC said the appointments to be made according to the Food Safety Act and directed the government frame rules as per the Act.

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தஞ்சை நகர் பகுதி கடைகளில் ரூ.2 லட்சம் கலப்பட, காலாவதி பொருட்கள் கைப்பற்றி அழிப்பு

தஞ்சை, ஏப்.12:

தஞ்சை நக ரில் தெற்கு வீதி, கீழ வீதி, மேல வீதி, வடக் கு வீதி, தெற் க லங் கம், கீழ வா சல் ஆகிய பகு தி க ளில் சுமார் 100க்கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை க ளில் சோதனை நடை பெற் றது. உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் ரமேஷ் பாபு, ஆய் வா ளர் கள் ராஜ் கு கு மார், சந் தி ர மோ கன், மகேஷ், கோபா ல கி ருஷ் ணன், வடி வேல், மகா தே வன், ராம நா தன், ரெங் க நா தன் உள் ளிட் டோர் அதி ரடி சோதனை மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

இதில் காலா வ தி யான குளிர் பா னங் கள், தடை செய் யப் பட்ட பான் ப ராக் உள் ளிட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள் மற் றும் கலப் பட பொருட் கள் கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட் டது. எண் ணெய், பிரட், பிஸ் கட், பிர பல கம் பெ னி க ளின் கூல்ட் ரிங்ஸ் என ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள பொருட் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டன. பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் அனைத் தும் மாந க ராட்சி வாக னம் மூலம் எடுத்து சென்று அழிக் கப் பட் டது.

இது குறித்து டாக் டர் ரமேஷ் பாபு கூறும் போது, காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை கடை க ளில் தனி பெட் டி யில் தற் கா லி க மாக வைக்க வேண் டும். பின் னர் உட ன டி யாக அவற்றை அந் தந்த கம் பெ னிக்கே அனுப்ப வேண் டும் அல் லது அங் கி ருந்து அப் பு றப் ப டுத்த வேண் டும். ஆனால் கடை க ளில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் பொருட் க ளி டையே காலா வ தி யான பொருள் க ளை யும் வைத்து விற் பனை செய் வது சட் டப் படி குற் ற மா கும் என் றார்.

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு மளிகை கடைகளில் போதை பொருள் சிக்கியது

கூடு வாஞ் சேரி, ஏப்.12:

நந் தி வ ரம்-கூடு வாஞ் சேரி பேரூ ராட் சி யில் உள்ள மளிகை கடை க ளில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் நேற்று திடீ ரென ஆய்வு செய் த னர். இதில் ரூ.1லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான போதை பொருட் கள் சிக் கி ய தால் பெரும் பர ப ரப்பு ஏற் பட் டது.

சென்னை அடுத்த நந் தி வ ரம்-கூடு வாஞ் சேரி பேரூ ராட் சி யில் 500க்கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை கள் உள் ளன. இந்த மளிகை கடை க ளில் உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் திடீ ரென வந்து நேற்று ஆய்வு செய் த னர்.

உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் ராம கி ருஷ் ணன், கூடு வாஞ் சேரி உணவு பாது காப்பு ஆய் வா ளர் ரவீந் திர நாத் உள் ளிட்ட 5பேர் கொண்ட அதி கா ரி கள் காந் தி ந கர் 3வது தெரு வில் உள்ள மளிகை கடை யில் ஆய்வு செய் த தில் கடைக் குள் மறைத்து வைத் தி ருந்த ரூ.1லட் சம் மதிப் புள்ள ஹான்ஸ், பான் ப ராக், போதை பாக் கு கள் உள் ளிட்ட பொருட் கள் சிக் கி யது.

இதே போல் காம ரா ஜ பு ரம் 1வது தெரு ரேஷன் கடை அரு கில் உள்ள மளிகை ஸ்டோ ரில் ஆய்வு செய் த போது, போதை பொருட் கள் எது வும் விற் ப தில்லை என்று கடை உரி மை யா ளர் உறு தி யாக கூறி னார். இதனை நம் பிய அதி கா ரி க ளும் சிறிது தூரம் சென்று நின் ற னர்.

அப் போது அதே கடை யி லி ருந்து இரு சக் கர வாக னத் தில் மளிகை சாமான் ஏற்றி வந்த ஒரு வரை சந் தே கத் தின் பேரில் அதி கா ரி கள் மடக் கிப் பிடித்து சோதனை செய் த னர். அதில் போதை பொருட் கள் பண் டல் இருந் ததை கண்டு அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந் த னர். உடனே கடை யின் உள்ளே சென்று அதி ர டி யாக ஆய்வு செய் த னர். மேலும் குடோன் இருக் கும் இடத் தை யும் கேட் ட னர். ஆனால் மளிகை கடை கா ரர் முக வரி தர மறுத் து விட் டார். இத னால் கடை உரி மை யா ள ருக் கும், அதி கா ரி க ளுக் கும் இடையே கடும் வாக் கு வா தம் ஏற் பட் டது.

பின் னர் கைப் பற் றப் பட்ட போதை பொருட் களை காரில் ஏற் றிச் சென் ற னர். இது கு றித்து தக வ ல றிந் த தும் கலக் க ம டைந்த மற்ற கடை கா ரர் கள் உஷா ரா கி விட் ட னர்.

காலாவதியான குளிர்பானம் விற்பனை: ஆவின் விற்பனை நிலையம் முற்றுகை

சேலம்: சேலம் நீதிமன்ற வளாகத்தில் உள்ள ஆவின் விற்பனை நிலையத்தில், காலாவதியான குளிர்பானங்களை விற்பனை செய்ததால், வக்கீல்கள் முற்றுகையிட்டனர்.

சேலம் நீதிமன்ற வளாகத்தில், இரு மாதங்களுக்கு முன் ஆவின் விற்பனை நிலையம் அமைக்கப்பட்டது. இங்கு ஆவின் நிறுவனத்தின் குளிர் பானங்கள், நெய், ஸ்வீட் வகைகள், பால் உள்ளிட்டவை விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. வக்கீல்கள் தங்கதுரை, முருகன் இருவரும் இங்கு காலாவதி குளிர்பானங்கள் விற்பதாகவும், அதை குடித்த தங்களுக்கு உடல்நிலை பாதிக்கப்பட்டதாகவும், சேலம் வக்கீல்கள் சங்கத்தில் புகார் அளித்தனர். இதையடுத்து, வக்கீல்கள் சங்க தலைவர் பொன்னுசாமி தலைமையிலான வக்கீல்கள், ஆவின் விற்பனை நிலையத்தை முற்றுகையிட்டனர். அங்கு காலாவதியான குளிர்பானங்கள் விற்பனைக்கு வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் அனுராதாவுக்கு தகவல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. காலாவதியான பொருட்களை பறிமுதல் செய்ததுடன், சோதனைக்காக மாதிரிகளை எடுத்துச்சென்றார்.

இதுகுறித்து வக்கீல்கள் சங்க தலைவர் பொன்னுசாமி கூறியதாவது: இங்கு காலாவதியான குளிர்பானங்களை விற்பனைக்கு வைத்துள்ளனர். கேட்டால், இரு நாட்களுக்கு முன்தான், ஆவின் அலுவலகத்திலிருந்தே வந்தது என கூறுகின்றனர். உடல்நலத்தை கெடுக்கும் ஆவின் விற்பனை மையத்தை மூட வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

நீதிமன்ற வளாகத்தில் காலாவதியான ஜூஸ் விற்பனை ஆவின் பாலகத்தை வக்கீல்கள் முற்றுகை பால் பண்ணையை சோதனையிட கோரிக்கை

சேலம், ஏப்.12:

சேலம் அஸ் தம் பட்டி ஒருங் கி ணைந்த நீதி மன்ற வளா கத் தில் 29 நீதி மன் றங் கள் செயல் பட்டு வரு கி றது. தின மும் ஆயி ர க ணக் கான பொது மக் கள் வந்து செல் கின் ற னர். இங்கு வழக் க றி ஞர் கள் சங் கத் தின் மூலம் 2 கேன் டீ னும், ஒரு டீக் க டை யும் நடத் தப் பட்டு வரு கி றது. ஆனால் பொதுப் ப ணித் துறை மூலம் டெண் டர் விடப் பட்டு தான் கேன் டீன் நடத் தப் பட வேண் டும். அவ் வாறு நடத் தப் ப டு வ தன் மூலம் அர சுக்கு வரு வாய் வரும். ஆனால் வக் கீல் சங் கம் நடத் து வ தால் கேன் டீ னில் கிடைக் கும் வாடகை பணம் சங் கத் திற்கே செல் கி றது.

இதை ய டுத்து, நீதி மன்ற வளா கத் தில் பொதுப் ப ணித் துறை மூலம் ஆவின் பால கம் கொண்டு வரப் பட் டது. இதில் ஆவின் தயா ரிப்பு பொருட் க ளான நெய், ஜூஸ் வகை கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ து டன், தயிர் சாத மும் விற் பனை செய் கி றார் கள். தின மும் ரூ.4 ஆயி ரத் திற்கு விற் பனை ஆகி றது. இந் நி லை யில், நேற்று பகல் 2 வழக் க றி ஞர் கள் ‘பைனாப் பிள் மில்க் ஜூஸ்’ வாங்கி குடித் த னர். சிறிது நேரத் தில் அவர் க ளின் வயிறு கலக் கு வது போல இருந் தது. இத னால், அதிர்ச் சி ய டைந்த அவர் கள் வாங்கி குடித்த ஜூஸ் அட் டை பெட் டியை பார்த் த போது, அது காலா வா தி யாகி ஒரு மாதம் ஆகி யி ருந் தது தெரி ய வந் தது.

இது கு றித்த புகா ரின் பே ரில், சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு நிய மன அலு வ லர் டாக் டர் அனு ராதா விரைந்து வந்து ஆய்வு செய் தார். அவ ரது முன் னி லை யில் காலா வ தி யான ‘பைனாப் பிள் மில்க் ஜூஸ்’ கைப் பற் றப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட் டது. பின் னர் அங் கி ருந்த கேன் டீன், டீக் க டையை அதி காரி அனு ராதா ஆய்வு செய் தார். அங்கு சுகா தா ர மில் லா ம லும், பிளாஸ் டிக் டம் ளர் பயன் ப டுத் தப் பட்டு வந் த தும் தெரி ய வந் தது. உட ன டி யாக அதனை பறி மு தல் செய் தார்.

இது கு றித்து டாக் டர் அனு ராதா கூறு கை யில், ஆவின் பால கத் தில் காலா வ தி யான ஜூஸ் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வந் தது கண் டு பி டிக் கப் பட்டு அழிக் கப் பட் டது. இதன் பாக் கெட் டி லேயே காலா வதி தேதி இருப் பது தெரிந் தும் ஆவின் அதி கா ரி கள் பூத் திற்கு அனுப் பி யுள் ள னர். மேலும், கேன் டீன் நடத்த வேண் டு மா னால் எங் க ளி டம் சான் றி தழ் பெற் றி ருக்க வேண் டும். ஆனால், நீதி மன்ற வளா கத் திற் குள் கேன் டீன் நடத் து வோர் யாரும் அனு மதி பெற வில்லை. காலா வ தி யான ஜூஸ் விற் பனை செய் தது தொடர் பாக ஆவின் உதவி பொது மே லா ள ருக்கு நோட் டீஸ் அனுப் பி யுள் ளேன். 7 நாட் க ளுக் குள் பதில் அளிக் கா விட் டால் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என் றார்.

இது கு றித்து சேலம் வக் கீல் சங்க தலை வர் பொன் னு சாமி கூறு கை யில், ஆவின் என் றால் சுகா தா ரம் என் பார் கள். ஆனால், அவர் கள் காலா வ தி யான ஜூஸ் விற் பனை செய்து உயி ருக்கு ஆபத்தை ஏற் ப டுத் தும் நட வ டிக் கை யில் ஈடு பட் டுள் ள னர். இது பெரும் மோச டி யா கும். எனவே, சேலத் தில் உள்ள ஆவின் பால் பண் ணையை சுகா தா ரத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் சோதனை செய்து காலா வ தி யான பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்ய வேண் டும். இச் செ யல் க ளில் ஈடு பட்ட அதி கா ரி கள் மீது கடும் நட வ டிக்கை எடுக்க வேண் டும். சேலம் நீதி மன்ற வளா கத் திற் குள் இருக் கும் ஆவின் பால கத்தை உட ன டி யாக மூட வேண் டும் என் றார்.

DINATHANTHI NEWS

Expired packaged soft drink destroyed

 

Pineapple milk drink that was sold after expiry date at Aavin booth on court premises were destroyed by officials in Salem on Monday.

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seized and destroyed 27 packs of pineapple milk drink from the Aavin booth functioning on the court premises here on Monday. Based on tipoff, District Designated Officer T. Anuradha and food safety inspectors inspected the booth and found the packs that had manufacturing date of the product as October 31, 2015 with 120 days validity.

Samples taken

The booth was opened two months ago on the premises. All the 27 packs were destroyed and notice was served on the Aavin booth salesman.

Officials also took samples of badam powder, butter milk and standardised milk from the booth that would be sent to Government Food Laboratory in Udayapatti.

Ban on Khyber Milk to continue

Court stays earlier judgment of conviction

Budgam: A local court here Monday stayed the judgment of Chief Judicial Magistrate vis-à-vis Agro Farms Private Limited, however, the ban on the Dairy products of the company will continue.

Pertinently, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Budgam on April 4 this month had held M/S Khyber Agro Farms Pvt Ltd guilty for selling substandard and unsafe milk. The court had imposed a fine of Rs 9 laks on the company and besides it had ordered six months imprisonment to the In-Charge Operations nominated by the said company. 

The court had also declared Food Analyst Kashmir either incapable or dishonest and had ordered for his immediate removal. The court had also directed Commissioner Food and Safety to take all steps in ensuring that the Khyber company are closed or taken off from the market unless the Referral Laboratory Kolkatta declares that the product of the tainted company as safe to consume and products manufactured by it do not harm the nation as is proved by the medical report submitted by the SKIMS.

The District Court here on Monday stayed the operation of the judgment and the order of conviction and sentence was also suspended. The applicant/appellant was admitted to bail subject to his furnishing bail and personal bonds to the tune of Rs fifty thousand each for assuring his/their punctuality at the proceedings of the main appeal and his absence from the commission of any offensive punishable under the Act.

The Court however maintained that, “this order shall be not construed as a clog on the general powers of the Commissioner Food Safety of the State to prohibit in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food either in the whole of the state or in any area or part thereof or to carryout survey of the industrial units engaged in the manufacture of processing of food in the state to find out compliance by such units of the standards notified by the Food Authority for various articles of the food, as the said power is statutory in origin and vests independently with the Commissioner of the Food Safety in terms of provisions of Section 30 of the Act.”

SMC pulls down Khyber signboards

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation Monday removed all the hoardings of convicted Khyber Company about the banned toned milk and curdon roadsides and footpaths. The move comes after the government in compliance with court orders banned the supply and sale of company’s dairy products across Kashmir Valley.

Pertinently, Judicial Magistrate (Sub-Judge) Budgam, Imtiaz Ahmad Lone, had directed the Commissioner Food and Safety to close down the company or ensure that its products are taken off from the market till Referral Laboratory declares them safe from consumption.

According to the Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Bashir Ahmed Khan, Khyber hoardings have been taken off in the interest of general public. “From business point of view, it is a loss for us, but we can’t generate revenue on the cost of human lives and besides we are bound to follow court directions,” Khan said.

Court stays sentence, penalty against Khyber

Principal District and Session Court Budgam issued the order after the M/S Khyber Agro Farms Private Limited challenged the order of Judicial Magistrate Budgam in an appeal.

Principal District and Sessions Court Budgam Monday stayed an order wherein a court had imposed Rs 9 lakh penalty on Khyber Agro Farms and had sentenced its nominee to imprisonment of six months, pending disposal of the main appeal.

Principal District and Session Court Budgam issued the order after the M/S Khyber Agro Farms Private Limited challenged the order of Judicial Magistrate Budgam in an appeal.

Judicial Magistrate Budgam had imposed Rs 9 lakh penalty on the dairy company and sentenced its nominee to imprisonment of six months after laboratory tests found presence of detergent in its toned milk samples.

Judicial Magistrate Budgam, Imtiaz Ahmad Lone, held that M/s Khyber Agro Farms Pvt Ltd, Lethpora Pampore, was found guilty and convicted through its in-charge operation, Muhammad Shafi Ganie of Larson Ganderbal, under sections-- 51 (sub standard), 52 (misbrand) and 59 (unsafe food) of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.

The District and Session Court while staying the order of judicial magistrate, held: “Keeping in view perusal and consideration in the light of the law on the subject as interpreted by the authoritative courts from time to time and while hesitating to comment on the merits of the main appeal, a prima facie ground appears to be made out in the opinion of this court for staying the operation of the impugned judgment and order pending disposal of the main appeal.”

“Accordingly, the operation of the impugned judgment dated 4/4/2016 is stayed and order of conviction and sentence is suspended pending disposal of the main appeal,” the court added.

“The applicant/ appellant is admitted to the bail subject to his furnishing the bail and personal bonds to the tune of Rs 50000 each for assuring his 1) punctuality at the proceedings of the main appeal and 2) his abstance from the commission of any offence punishable under the Act,” the court said.

“This order shall however not be construed as a clog on the general powers of the Commissioner of the Food Safety of the state to prohibit in the interest of the public health, the manufacture, shortage, distribution, or sale of any article or food either in the whole of the state or in any area or part thereof or to carry outside survey of the industrial units engaged in the manufacture or processing of food in the state to find out compliance by such units of the standards notified by the food authority for various articles of the food, as the said power is statutory in origin and vests independently with the Commissioner of the Food Safety in terms of provisions of section 30 of the Act,” the court said.

The court however said: “This order shall not also be construed as a halt on the powers of the commissioner of the food safety of the state or his other subordinate competent officers to initiate disciplinary action against any of its officers/ officials in the backdrop of the impugned judgment if they so desire as the said powers already vests with them under service laws in vogue,” the court said. 

Khyber Agro Farms Private Limited was represented by Advocate Zaffar Shah.

Evaluate safety standards of Khyber as per FS Act: Court

Food adulteration heinous act

SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Principal Sessions Judge Budgam, Mohammad Yousuf Wani, while observing that food adulteration is heinous act and doesn’t admit any laxity, directed the authorities to review and evaluate the safety and standards of food items manufactured and processed by M/S Khyber Agro Farms Pvt Ltd strictly in accordance with Food Safety Act.

Court while taking a dig at food adulteration observed that this heinous act is not only a grave offence but also a ‘religious and moral’ sin and does not admit of any laxity. Referring the Article 21 which enshrines guarantee of right to live with dignity, court said the right to live with human dignity especially and priority includes in it the right to have a healthy living.

Khyber challenged the conviction and sentence order passed by Sub-Judge Budgam, Imtiaz Ahmad Lone, against Khyber for manufacturing sub-standard, mis-branded and un-safe food items, before Principal Sessions Judge Budgam.

The Principal Sessions Judge Budgam while staying the judgment of sub-judge, directed the Food Safety Commissioner that he and other competent authorities under the Act and the rules shall be within their statutory powers to take appropriate action under the Act, if the results of the assessment or analysis so warrant.

“This order shall not also be construed as a halt on the powers of Commissioner of Food Safety of the State or his other subordinate competent officers to initiate disciplinary action against any of its officers or officials in the backdrop of the impugned judgment, if they so desire as the said power already vests with them under service laws in-vogue”, appellate court directed.

The trial court in its recent judgment had directed the Commissioner Food Safety to immediately take all steps in ensuring that the M/S Khyber Agro are closed or taken off from the market unless Referral Laboratory Kolkata declares that the products of the convicted company as safe to consume.

Trial court had also imposed Rs 5 lakhs penalty on the company for Sub-Standard food, Rs 3 lakhs for mis-branded food and Rs 1 lakh for making un-safe food and supplying the adulterated food items to the consumers and marketers and 6 months imprisonment to the In-charge of the company as sentence and conviction.

Appellate court stayed the judgment passed by the Sub-Judge to the extent of sentence (penalty of Rs 9 lakhs) and conviction (imprisonment of 6 months) against the company and set the accused (In charge of company) on bail subject to furnishing of bail and personal bonds of Rs. 50000 with the rider that the accused assures punctuality at the proceedings of the main appeal and assure his ab-stance from the commission of any offences punishable under the Act.

Appellate court also said that main objective of food safety standard bill provide for systematic scientific development of food processing in the State and the establishment of food safety and standard authority of India is also the main objective of the Act which is entrusted with the fixing of food standards and regulating or monitoring the manufacture, import, processing, distribution and sale of food to ensure safe and wholesome food for the people of India.

Court also impressed upon the State to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living and to improve public health as is enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution as also directive principals of the State policy also provide for improving public health.

Court held the major threat to the public health as the food stuffs including milk is sold by pity manufacturers, retailers, hawkers, wandering and roaming vendors as court said these persons escape the surveillance by the authorities under the Act.

“It is expected that the Commissioner of Food Safety and his subordinate competent officers may devote their attention and keep the said persons also under their surveillance”, court said while disposing of the interim application of accused company.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the apex court of the State in 2013 had already imposed Rs 10 crores penalty on Khyber for after its food items were found substandard and adulterated.

It may be also mentioned here that the trial court (Sub-Judge) rapped the officers of Food Safety department for failure of performing their duty which the trial court said has given clean chit in favour of the accused company and in other companies.

Court also held some of the officers of the department as ‘dead wood’ and ‘dishonest’ and advised for removing of such officers from the assignment which has been assigned to them and further court added that action be initiated against such kind of officers.

Trial court while convicting and sentencing the accused company had felt pain to describe as to how society has been and is being subjected to silent injury by permitting convicted company to earn profit at the costs of the lives of the nation only God knows how many people might have died by consuming detergents in the ‘Khyber Toned Milk’.

Maggi clears tests by CFTRI, safe for consumption: Nestle India

FMCG major Nestle today said its popular Maggi has cleared tests conducted by CFTRI under the directive of Supreme Court, reiterating that its instant noodles brand is safe for consumption.

The reports state that lead levels for all samples are within permissible limits.

FMCG major Nestle Monday said its popular Maggi has cleared tests conducted by Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) under the directive of Supreme Court, reiterating that its instant noodles brand is safe for consumption.

“CFTRI has submitted analysis reports on Maggi noodles to the Supreme Court. We have been provided with a copy of the reports. We are happy that all 29 samples tested by CFTRI are clear,” Nestle India said in a statement.

“All 29 samples of Maggi Noodles,( the initial 13 and subsequent 16 samples), were collected by the relevant authorities following due process and then directly submitted to CFTRI,” Nestle India said.

The second batch of 16 samples were tested not only for lead and taste enhacer MSG, but also for other safety parameters like metal contaminants, crop contaminants, toxic substances that are applicable to instant noodles as a proprietary food.

“Every single sample was found compliant,” the company said.

The Supreme Court on December 16 last year, ordered testing of samples of Maggi noodles in Mysore laboratory after the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) had directed that it be done in Chennai.

The apex court had passed the December order after noting that both the Centre and Nestle India had agreed that Mysore was well equipped with all tests and being a referral notified laboratory, and sample should be sent there.

“We strongly re-iterate that Maggi Noodles has always been safe for consumption as demonstrated by tests carried out in independent accredited laboratories,” it said, adding the tests included several other national food authorities including the USA, UK, Singapore and Australia, among others.

Nestle India said CFTRI has clarified that glutamic acid can be due to presence of ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, hydrolyzed plant protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein. It has further stated that there are no analytical methods to distinguish between naturally present glutamic acid and additive MSG.

Nestle India further said the CFTRI has clarified that the additive MSG is allowed to be added to selected food commodities (seasoning for Noodles is one of them) under Good Manufacturing Practices basis proper label declarations as per ‘Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011’.

“We wish to emphasise that health and safety of our consumers is our highest priority and we never compromise on the safety, compliance or quality of our products or services,” the company added.

Govt laboratory test report shows Maggi safe for consumption: Nestle India

The local arm of the Swiss packaged food company said that the reports found lead levels for all samples within permissible limit

In June 2015, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had banned Maggi noodles.

New Delhi: A government laboratory that tested 29 samples of Maggi noodles at the instance of the Supreme Court has reported that the popular snack is safe for consumption, boosting the prospects of the Indian arm of swiss multinational Nestle in a case before the court.

Nestle India said on Monday that the tests conducted by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, a government laboratory found nothing wrong with the product.

The report was submitted to the court on 6 April and released to the company late last week.

The local arm of the Swiss packaged food company said that the reports found lead levels for all samples within permissible limit. Mint has not seen a copy of the report.

On 13 January, the apex court asked the national research lab, approved by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), to clarify if lead levels in the samples of Maggi noodles it tested on 16 December were within prescribed levels.

According to Nestle India’s statement, all 29 samples of Maggi noodles (13 and 16 in two tranches) were collected by the relevant authorities following due process and then directly submitted to CFTRI. “The CFTRI findings and the recent Order dated 31 March 2016, issued by the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI), clarifies that additive MSG can be used under Good Manufacturing Practices in permitted food products and there is no prescribed level,” it added.

The local unit of the Swiss packaged food company was embroiled in a controversy after FSSAI banned the sale of Maggi on 5 June 2015, citing the presence of monosodium glutamate and excess lead. The company could not sell the popular snack for six months in 2015. Nestle India relaunched Maggi noodles in November.

For the year to December (Nestlé India follows a January-December accounting year), net profit fell 52% to Rs.563.27 crore.

In its annual results statement, Nestle India said, “The company faced an unusual situation with Maggi Noodles that impacted its operations during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. The results for the year and for the 4th quarter ended 31 December, 2015 are not fully comparable with the results of the previous corresponding periods.”

Equity analysts remain optimistic about the prospects of Nestle India. “We remain positive on Nestlé from 2-3 years’ perspective, being a strong play on urban revival. But over medium term, the company’s margins and volumes will remain under pressure,” Edelweiss Securities analyst Abneesh Roy said in a note on 15 February.

Maggi clears all safety tests directed by Supreme Court

All tests conducted on 29 samples of the instant noodles failed to find any excess lead or artificial MSG in it

Nearly a year after it got into trouble, Maggi noodlespassed all safety tests directed by the Supreme Court(SC) and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC). All tests conducted on 29 samples of the instant noodles failed to find any excess lead or artificial monosodium glutamate (MSG) in it, Nestle India said on Monday.

“Every single sample was found compliant. Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) laboratory has clarified that glutamic acid can be due to presence of ingredients like tomatoes, Cheese, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein etc. It has further stated that there are no analytical methods to distinguish between naturally present glutamic acid and additive MSG”, Nestle India said in a statement.

The apex court in January, ordered laboratory testing of 16 Maggi noodle samples in addition to 13 samples collected by government authorities earlier. A NCDRC bench comprising judge V K Jain and judge B C Gupta ordered retest of Maggi noodles, collected from nine batches, in the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories - accredited CFTRI laboratory in Mysuru.

While, the NCDRC directed tests were conducted to determine presence and level of lead and MSG in Maggi. The tests, ordered by the SC, was to determine level of many safety parameters like metal contaminants, crop contaminants, and other hazardous substances, including lead and MSG.

The latest test reports are in line with the food major’s claims that it does not add MSG in Maggi noodles, Nestle said.

The controversy related to presence of MSG and higher than permissible level of lead in Maggi instant noodles hit Nestle India in May last year. The issue led to a country-wide ban of Nestle’s flagship instant noodles, which contributes Rs 2,500 or 26 per cent of its Rs 9,800 annual sales.

As Maggi noodles remained off the shelves in the country between June and October 2015, Nestle India suffered considerable financial losses. It also posted Rs 64 crore net loss during the July-September last year, first time in 17 years.

While, the beleaguered food major’s sales and profit remained lower than that on a year-on-year basis since. The union government and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are facing questions from various quarters of the society. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the minister of food processing industries expressed concerns as the tussle between Nestle and the government authorities might hurt government’s business friendly image.

“We strongly re-iterate that Maggi noodles has always been safe for consumption as demonstrated by tests carried out in independent accredited laboratories. In addition to the recent CFTRI reports addressing clarification sought by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, and the tests conducted as per orders passed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, over 3,500 tests have been conducted at internal and external accredited labs. These include several other national food authorities including the USA, UK, Singapore and Australia, among others”, it added.

Food regulator admits industry suffered from 'fear psychosis' post Maggi ban

New Delhi: With industry fearing excessive regulation in the wake of Maggi controversy, food regulator FSSAI has said it has taken a number of steps to check any "fear psychosis" among companies.

The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has relaxed the product approval process for proprietary food products and nutraceuticals. It had also last week issued clarification about the standards of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

After the ban on Maggi in June last year, the food industry had complained about 'inspector raj'. Even Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had said that the regulator has created an environment of fear in the industry.

When asked about whether there is any fear psychosis after the Maggi ban incident, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said that it has taken number of steps to ease approval process without compromising on the quality norms of the products in order to address any fear among the industry.

"... The fear psychosis has been curbed up to a large extent with various landmark initiatives taken by the FSSAI in easing the approval of food products and nutraceuticals,? Agarwal told PTI.

"But at the same time, utmost importance has also been given to ensuring quality of the food items," Agarwal said.

Maggi noodles was banned by FSSAI in June last year for allegedly containing lead beyond the permissible limit. It came back into the market in November 2015.

Elaborating on steps taken by the FSSAI, Agarwal said the food products for which standards were not laid down in the Food Safety and Standards Act but have approved ingredients, now may not require any approval.

He also mentioned that the restricted enforcement activity against nutraceuticals and health supplement companies to only testing of products till new standards are notified

To empower the consumers, Agarwal said FSSAI has launched an app through which general public can get information about the standards.

The authority has also started awareness and training programmes for the food business operators about how to implement the food safety standards.

As FSSAI has been streamlining its regulations to ease product approval process, Union Minister Harsimrat Badal had also said that there will more investment and innovation in the food sector. She has been raising industry and quality issues with the food regulator.

Welcoming the latest initiatives by the FSSAI, CII last week had said that the recent notifications by the regulator on proprietary food, and notice on harmonisation of Food Additives with Codex, mark the beginning of a new chapter in developing and promoting India as the global hub for food industry. 

Take action against Khyber: Principal Judge to Commissioner Food Safety

Says Khyber milk was tested unsafe thrice, reserves judgment

Budgam, April 9: A local court here in Budgam on Saturday asked that why didn’t Commissioner Food Safety took action against Khyber as per the Act when its milk was tested unsafe thrice.

According to GNS, Principal District and Sessions Judge Budgam, Mohammad Yusuf Wani reserved the verdict on the petition filed by the M/s Khyber Agro Farms Private Limited, challenging the order of the Sub-Judge Budgam, Imtiaz Ahmad Lone.

Lone in his judgment had said: “The Commissioner Food and Safety shall immediately take all steps in ensuring that the convicted company is closed or products are taken off from the market unless Referral Laboratory Kolkata declares that the products of the convicted company as safe to consume and products manufactured by the convicted company do not harm the nation as is proved by the medical report submitted by the SKIMS.”

Wani while reserving the verdict observed: “If Commissioner Food Safety had powers why didn’t he take action as per the act when the milk products of the company were declared unsafe by referral laboratory thrice.”

Principal District and Sessions Judge Budgam made these observations when the counsel for the Food Safety Department, Advocate Javed Mohammad Hubbi informed the court that Khyber Milk was declared unsafe for human consumption by the referral labs thrice.

He said that two more cases of similar nature are in the court of Municipal Magistrate Srinagar against the company. He told the court that another case against the company is pending before the High Court in which court had issued show cause notice to it for imposing Rs 10 crores as damages for manufacturing adulterated food items.

Senior Advocate of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Zafar Ahmad Shah, argued that the judgment of the Sub-Judge is bad in law and can’t sustain in the eyes of law. He argued that proper procedure was not followed during sampling.

Advocate Hubbi argued that report of the referral laboratory is final and conclusive. He said that it is a social issue and involves lives of lakhs of people and argued that the judgment of the sub-judge has no legal lacunae.

Food Safety Goes For a Toss as Staff Crunch Hits Testing Lab

VISAKHAPATNAM: In what appers to be the lax attitude of the authorities, the traders and middlemen adulterate all food items, including water, milk, edible oils, pulses, ghee, honey and sell them in the market.

As the violators go scot-free, several hotels, restaurants and roadside vendors serve unhygienic food.

Though there is a full-fledged Regional Public Health Laboratory (RPHL) in Visakhapatnam, no single food or water sample is tested. Since the state government did not pass orders to the food inspectors to send the samples to the Visakhapatnam RPHL, the food and safety officials continue to send the samples to Hyderabad.

With over 22 lakh population in the city, at least 10 food inspectors should check for adulteration. The government without recruiting the inspectors, has deployed three sanitary inspectors to the Food and Safety department. With no inspecting staff, the Food and Safety wing collects samples of food items and pulses and sends them to Hyderabad for testing.

There are many complaints on the adulteration of food and other edibles and unhygienic food being served in the city, but there is no check on the violators. The wholesalers of various food items like edible oils, ghee, pulses and others purchase in bulk from Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Palakole and Vijayawada and locally adulterate them.

According to the food and safety norms, the hotels, confectionaries and other vendors selling food items should maintain quality norms. However, as the department was not strengthened, many people have been hospitalised after consuming adulterated food items.

The Visakhapatnam RPHL has three wings to test water, food and diagnosis. However, as the government is not directing the food and safety inspectors to send the samples to the locally set up RPHL, for the past one and a half decades the samples are being sent to the Hyderabad RPHL. At present, the Visakhapatnam RPHL is testing the food items like wheat, sugar and imported and exported items from the Krishnapatnam, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam ports, ignoring the public health. The Vizag RPHL has two senior scientific officers and food analysts, two scientific officers, one junior scientific officer, junior assistant, lab attendant and one lab technician, but the officials are not testing the food items and rendering their services to the importers and exporters to check the quality of their foodgrains.

Adulteration causes serious risk to health and the presence of harmful chemicals in food items and unhygienic conditions lead to acute gastritis and kidney inflammation. Giving the highest priority to the public health, the government should establish an advanced food testing laboratory with modern equipment.

However, the health department did not even issue notification to send the samples to Visakhapatnam lab instead of sending them to Hyderabad, a food inspector lamented. Even after bifurcation, the Health department did not issue any notification, he added.

Assistant food controller B Hanumantha Rao said that after repeated requests to the government, three food inspectors had been deployed to the department.

At least 10 food inspectors, infrastructure and vehicles should be allocated to the department. Due to lack of staff, the department has been facing troubles, he added.