Revealed: The poison in your food FSSAI has approved

In January this year, the FSSAI, Indian's food regulator, gave batch-approval to around 8,000 food additives - without conducting proper tests, according to sources in the agency.

It isn't hard to believe. Because had tests been done on these additives the FSSAI would have found that several of compounds, which a frighteningly large number of people are perhaps consuming now, are quite deadly.

The approved additives include many that have been banned in most other countries because of a vast number of complications they have been found to cause - body rashes, rhinitis, nasal congestion, allergies, hyperactivity, kidney tumors, chromosomal damage, abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion, increased incidence of tumors, thyroid complications, even cancer.

It cannot be emphasised enough: this could be possibly one of the biggest food-related scandals in the country yet. More frightening, in fact, than the recent scandal about carcinogenic chemicals found in bread. According to a report published earlier this month, 84% of bread samples collected from Delhi were found to contain the harmful additives bromate and potassium iodate.

This, however, appears to be a mere oversight compared to what that FSSAI has just done by bulk approving thousands of additives without conducting thorough tests.

"It is quite unscientific to release an approved list of additives without their health impact assessment. In the light of recent revelations there should an official inquiry into the health impact of these additives," said Dr Gopal Krishna, Director, ToxicsWatch. "And pending the inquiry report, there should be a stay on this list to protect public health."

TOXIC TRAIL

On 23 December 2015, the FSSAI put out a list of food additives it was considering to approve on its website for public consultation.

Shockingly, in case of several of the additives listed, the FSSAI does not prescribe the upper usage limit. It only mentions "Good Manufacturing Practice" against those additives. GMP means that "the quantity of the additive added to food shall be limited to the lowest possible level necessary to accomplish its desired effect". As a GMP, the regulator also asks the food processor to reduce the extent of these additives used as much as "reasonably possible".

In other words, the regulator has delegated the responsibility of mixing potentially dangerous chemicals into our food stuff to the food processor, hoping they won't overdo it.

On 14 January, the FSSAI approved the list of additives. In an internal letter, a senior official directs that "the enforcement official in your state/UT be instructed to implement the said standards for food additives in various food categories".

The next day, Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal told reporters that now that the approval process had been relaxed, food products containing the ingredients just approved by the FSSAI may not require any approval. This, she said, "will lead to more innovation and product launches and promote traditional food".

The minister added that with these new regulations in place, "the industry's concerns regarding product approvals will be addressed to a large extent. And I am optimistic that in the coming months, there will be an increase of 25 per cent FDI in the food processing sector".

What the minister didn't say was that many of the additives approved by the FSSAI are harmful. Here are 10 of these chemicals, and this is by no means an exhaustive list.

1. ACESULFAME POTASSIUM

It's an artificial sweetener, 100 times sweeter than natural sugar. It contains the carcinogen methylene chloride, long-term exposure to which can cause headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, liver and kidney diseases, visual disturbances, and cancer.

2. ASPARTAME

Another common artificial sweetener, said to be 200 times sweeter than sugar. Tests have shown Aspartame to cause tumours in rats. It's generally proscribed for consumption by children. Claims have made about its links with Alzheimer's, birth defects, diabetes, Gulf War syndrome, attention deficit disorders, Parkinson's, lupus, multiple sclerosis and seizures.

3. NEOTAME

A sweetener like aspertame and acesulfame potassium, only more toxic than either as studies have revealed. Long-term exposure can cause cancer.

4. MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE

The excess presence of this chemical in Maggie noodles had caused a furore some months ago, and FSSAI's own officers had described it as harmful. Yet it has been included in the latest list of additives.

Research has linked MSG to burning sensation of the mouth, head and neck; weakness of the arms or legs, body rashes, headaches, upset stomach. While American and European regulators have not banned this chemical, they have, as a precaution, limited its use to less than 10 times what is permitted in India.

5. SULFITES

Sulfites are a group of chemical agents added as preservatives to ready-made meals like pizza as well as to beer and wine to prevent bacterial growth. The term 'sulfites' includes sulfur dioxide and the salts formed from sulfurous acid such as sodium sulfite or potassium metabisulfite.

Studies have shown sulfites to cause minor irritations. Asthmatics have been found to be under particular threat to the effect of sulfites; they can get severe reactions from it.

6. FOOD DYES

Brilliant Blue is known to cause chromosomal damage. It is banned in France and Finland.

Alura Red has been found to cause chromosomal damage, lymphomas (group of blood cell tumors that develop from lymphatic cells) and hyper-activity.

Fast Green is known to cause bladder tumours. It's banned in several European countries.

Sunset Yellow is linked to chromosomal damage, hyper-activity, asthma, eczema, allergies, thyroid tumours. It's banned in Norway and Sweden.

7. AZODICARBONAMIDE

This is generally used by break makers as a dough conditioner. A WHO report on this chemical had this to say: "Repeated oral exposures resulted in the appearance of pyelonephritis with casts and crystalline deposits in renal tubuli in several species. However, the dose levels required to induce these effects were high (>200 mg/kg body weight per day in studies of up to 1 year's duration)."

Studies have shown the chemical to irritate the gluten which is linked to a number of gastrointestinal, immunological and neurological diseases. It can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, hormonal imbalance, and disrupt the immune system. It's banned in several European countries.

8. BHA AND BHT

Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are oxidants which form cancer-causing reactive compounds in the body.

These chemicals are used as preservatives in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, vegetable oils, frozen sausages, enriched rice, lard, shortening, candy, jello. They are used to keep food from changing colour and flavour, or from turning rancid. Studies have shown these to effect the neurological system and have linked it to cancer as well.

9. TERTIARY BUTYLHYDROQUINONE

It's an aromatic organic compound. Studies on lab animals have shown it to produce precursors to stomach tumors, and cause damage to DNA.

10. ASCORBIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM BENZOATE

These chemicals are potentially dangerous individually - known to cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach cramps, headaches - but in combination, they may form benzene, a known carcinogen.

A few other compounds that we identified from FSSAI's list of approved additives as potentially dangerous are benzoyl peroxide, stannous chloride and beta-cyclodextrin.

Catch reached out to FSSAI's chairperson for comment, only to be told to contact the CEO. The CEO's office asked for a detailed set of questions, which we have sent. We will add their response here as and when it comes.

Government approves standards for food ingredients: Minister

The government has finalised as many as 12,000 standards for food additives and ingredients in line with global safety standards for food companies, union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said here on Thursday.

The move will help food companies as they will not be required to seek product approval from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for minor changes and alterations if they comply with these declared standards.

"Earlier, only standards pertaining to 375 ingredients were harmonised with international standards; now about 8,000 ingredient standards have been harmonised. Soon this number will be about 12,000 ingredients," Badal said.

The minister was answering questions on the challenges faced by the food processing industry vis-a-vis product approvals by the FSSAI, which functions under the Health Ministry.

"Earlier, the companies faced immense problems. If some minor ingredients used to be sprinkled on cakes or to make sweet buttermilk salty, the approval process took months. Now things will be much easier," she said.

The new FSSAI standards are in harmony with the global food standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.

On recent health scares vis-a-vis instant noodles and bread, Food Processing Ministry's Joint Secretary Anuradha Prasad said the ministry is working closely with the FSSAI and has no major issues with the body as such.

She said she attends FSSAI meetings as ministry representative.

To another question, she said a notification for removing potassium bromate from the list of permissible additives will be issued soon.

Govt asks dept canteens to obtain FSSAI licences

Citing rules, Personnel Ministry said all canteens are required to comply with statutory framework to ensure safety of food

Over 1,350 canteens working in various central government departments have been asked to take food safety licences from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Citing rules, the Personnel Ministry said all departmental canteens are required to comply with statutory framework for manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of food so as to ensure its safety.

"All departmental canteens, tiffin rooms, etc, housed in various offices of central government, are accordingly required to obtain licences to be able to continue to manufacture and sell food," it said.

It is the responsibility of respective managing committees to register or obtain licence under provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The concerned officers may please get in touch with FSSAI for implementation of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, the ministry said in a recent order issued to all central government departments.

As per FSS Act, no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence.

Currently, 1,352 registered canteens and tiffin rooms are functioning in various offices of the central government, all over India.

Patanjali comes under FSSAI scanner again, this time over its ‘crude’ oil claims

FSSAI has asked its central licensing authority to issue a show cause notice to Patanjali over complaints about misleading advertisement of mustard oil product.KOLKATA | MUMBAI: Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved has come under the Indian food regulator's scanner yet again, this time over its edible oil brand advertisement, which is alleged to be misleading. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed its Central Licensing Authority to issue a show cause notice to the company. 

The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), a body of edible oil producers, filed a complaint against Patanjali in April claiming its advertisement for Kacchi Ghani Oil is misleading and derogatory.Patanjali claimed that the company uses the 'Kacchi Ghani' process to make the oil while the edible refined oil and mustard oil of most other brands are made using the neurotoxin hexagon solvent extraction method. 

It also claimed that many companies, in their pursuit for profit, mix cheap palm oil with mustard oil, which can be harmful to health. The print ad stated, that according to NCBI, an US institute, hexagon solvent, which is a petroleum by-product, is carcinogenic. 

SEA had initially written to Patanjali Ayurved, requesting it to withdraw what it said was misleading statement in the ad. But after Patanjali failed to respond, it approached FSSAI as well as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) for action. 

"It is obligatory to refine all solvent extracted oils to make it fit for human consumption. So, it is very clear that hexane is not a harmful solvent and even during the refining process, traces, if any, gets removed completely from the oil and, hence, oil obtained from the refining process is completely safe for use," said BV Mehta, executive director, SEA. 

Mehta also said there is no evidence that exposure to hexane increases the risk of cancer in people. 

When contacted, Acharya Bal-krishna, MD, Patanjali Ayurved, told ET, "If a show cause notice comes to us, we will respond to it. The fact that hexagon solvent is a petroleum byproduct which is carcinogenic in nature is a well-known fact. We have merely pointed it out in the interest of our consumers. If you go on the internet you will find many reports that scientifically proves it." 

This is not the first instance where the Rs 5,000-crore Patanjali Ayurved has got into trouble with the regulators over its claims. In the past, it has been pulled up for selling noodles and pasta without licence. 

But Patanjali's marketing revolves around comparing their ayurvedic, or natural, brands, against similar products that use chemicals. 

Abhneesh Roy of Edelweiss Financial reckons that this is a very common strategy among FMCG companies. 

"Patanjali is very small right now and if you want to grow fast, you have to be disruptive, else how will the customer notice you?" he said. 

Edible oil is still a highly commoditised category in India with large regional brands controlling the bulk of the market.

Buying ice cream? Check wrapper for its mfg date

Patna: Ice cream is a must for many during summers. However, the state health department's food safety wing has cautioned people to carefully look for details on the wrapper before having the ice cream. 

The warning followed a raid by food safety officials on the Golden Dairy Pvt Limited in Pataliputra industrial area on Tuesday. The officials stumbled on wrappers that did not mention the manufacturing date. 

At least 5,000 and odd pieces of Golden ice cream, including bricks and bars, had the manufacturing month and year, but not the date, on their wrappers.

While directing the manufacturers to mention the date on wrappers, the team collected samples of some raw materials, including sugar and emulsifying agents. "We have sent the samples for tests to a Kolkata lab," an official said. 

The food 'cops' also raided Buddha Heritage Hotel in Pataliputra Colony and collected samples of sweet corn and refined oil for lab tests. "We also collected samples of bread as the hotel manufactures breads for consumption by its guests," the official said and added these samples would also be sent for lab tests to check the presence of potassium bromate and potassium iodate.

A Centre for Science and Environment study recently said the presence of these chemicals in breads could cause cancer. The team found the drain in the hotel's kitchen "extremely dirty". The litchi squash kept in the hotel had expired 10 days back, the official said.

50 per cent of milk samples fail quality test in Kashmir

Srinagar: About 50 per cent of milk samples taken from across Kashmir Valley during the recently-concluded drive have been found substandard after tests.

About 25 samples were lifted by the Food Safety Wing of the Drug and Food Control Organisation during the special anti-adulteration drive carried out in April. Of them, 12 milk samples have been found lacking in standards set under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011.

The report received by the wing from the laboratory late last week has mentioned that the samples do not “conform to the standards prescribed for cow milk under Regulation No. 2.1.1 of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 in respect of Milk Fat and Milk Solid Not Fat.”

“Hence declared as substandard,” the report read.

In a standard milk sample, the quantity of Milk Fat has to be 3.5 per cent or more whereas for Milk Solids Not Fat, it has to be at least 8.5 per cent.

In most of the samples tested, the quantity was found to be nearly half of the prescribed limit.

One of the samples lifted from the milk sold under trade name ‘Niamat Toned Milk’ was found misbranded.

“The misleading information…is of Toned Milk containing Skimmed Milk Powder, whereas mentioned on the label as 100 per cent pure Cow Milk, that is in contravention of regulations…,” a separate report read.

“Moreover, the sample does not carry the complete address of manufacturer on the label of the package as required under regulations 2.2.2 (6) of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011. Hence, declared as misbranded.”

However, none of the milk samples were found containing detergent, neutralisers, sodium chloride, or cellulose-like materials, which make milk unsafe for human consumption.

“We have drawn 25 samples from different manufacturers and transporting vehicles entering the city in the month of April. Out of them, many were found to be of a poor quality, as they lacked in standards of fat and SNF. The quality may be diluted by mixing sufficient amount of water in the milk, and the practice is not permissible under the law,” assistant commissioner Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir, told Kashmir Reader.

He said the dealers and producers whose samples have failed the quality test have been issued a notice and warned against indulging in the malpractices in future.

“The dealers and suppliers have been given a time of 30 days. If they fail to adhere to good trading practices, they will be fined,” Mir said.

Sale of bread, bun hit

Bakeries in State do not resort to malpractices: BAKE

With debates raging on the high levels of carcinogenic substances in bread, bun and other baked products of top brands, the Bakers Association of Kerala (BAKE) held a seminar here on Wednesday on the impact of the issue on small-scale industry owners here. Officials of the Food Safety Commission took part in the seminar.

Dismissing the issue as an attempt to malign the name of corporate food chains, P.M. Shankaran, State president, BAKE, said the issue had badly hit the sales of bread and bun in bakeries in the State.

According to a report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), bread samples of virtually all top brands in Delhi tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as ‘hazardous’ to public health.

“There should be clarity on the issue as it has caused apprehensions in the mind of consumers in spite of bakeries in the State not resorting to such malpractices,” he added. Potassium bromate and iodate are usually used in bakeries to give baked products a fluffy texture. FSSAI has approved permissible use of these chemicals in all kinds of bread and bun.

“Potassium bromate or iodate cannot be banned as these are not considered fatal poisons. The presence of these in final products will be negligible if used according to the prescribed amounts,” said Gopakumar, Food Safety Research officer.

“It depends on the conscience of the marketers to use or not to use the substances in large amounts, viewing immediate profits,” he added. The members also raised questions on the safety of imported raw materials used in making breads and buns.

While assuring the owners of the quality of imported materials, K. Anil Kumar, Joint Commissioner, Food Safety, emphasized the need for storing them under proper hygienic conditions.

“It is the duty of shop owners to demand quality services from wholesale marketers for the price you pay. Proper godowns and hygienic storage mediums are essential for ensuring the life of raw materials. Any kind of malpractice should be immediately brought to the attention of the district food safety officers,” he added.

Bakeries in State do not resort to malpractices, says BAKE

உயிருக்கு எமனாகும் பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டில் 'சிரப்'... ஒரு பகீர் ரிப்போர்ட்!

மருத்துவத்துறைதான் மானிட வர்க்கம் இன்று தழைக்க மறுக்கமுடியாத காரணம். விதவிதமான நோய்களும் வகைவகையான மருந்துகளும் இந்த நூற்றாண்டில் பெருகியிருக்கிற சூழலில், மனித வர்க்கத்தின் ஒரே நம்பிக்கை மருத்துவத்துறைதான். 

குழந்தைகள் முதல் பெரியவர்கள் வரை யாராக இருந்தாலும் உடல் நலம் கெட்டால் உடனடியாக மருத்துவரிடம் சென்று நிற்கிறோம். அவர் எழுதிக் கொடுக்கும் மருந்தை வாங்கி சாப்பிடுகிறோம். குழந்தைகளுக்கு பெரும்பாலும் எழுதித்தரப்படுபவை பாட்டிலில் விற்கப்படும் 'சிரப்'புகள். முன்பெல்லாம் கண்ணாடி பாட்டில்களில் வந்த இந்த சிரப்புகள், இப்போதெல்லாம் பாதுகாப்பு காரணங்களுக்காக பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டில்களில் அடைக்கப்பட்டுதான் கடைகளுக்கு விற்பனைக்கு வருகின்றன. 

இப்போது இதுதான் சர்ச்சைக்குள்ளாகியிருக்கிறது. அதாவது 'பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டிலில் உள்ள மருந்தில் உள்ள வேதிப்பொருள், பிளாஸ்டிக்குடன் வினைபுரிந்து நச்சுப் பொருளாக மாறுகிறது அல்லது விஷமாகிறது' என அதிர்ச்சி தருகிறது மத்திய சுகாதாரத் துறை. மத்திய அரசு கேட்டுக் கொண்டதன்பேரில் 'ஆல் இந்தியா இன்ஸ்டிடியூட் ஆஃப் ஹைஜின் அண்ட் பப்ளிக் ஹெல்த்' நடத்திய ஆய்வில்தான் இந்த அதிர்ச்சி தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது. 

மருத்துவத்துறையில் பிரபலமாக விளங்கும் இருமல் மருந்து தயாரிக்கும் நிறுவனங்களான பெனட்ரில் மற்றும் அலெக்ஸ் இந்த சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கியுள்ளன. அதாவது இந்நிறுவனங்களின் இருமல் மருந்துகளில் தாது மற்றும் குரோமியம், கேட்மியம் போன்றவை அதிகமாக கலந்திருக்கிறது. இந்த மருந்துகளை அறை வெப்பநிலையில் வைக்கும் போது, மருந்தில் இருக்கும் தாது பொருட்கள் மற்றும் குரோமியம், கேட்மியத்துடன் பிளாஸ்டிக் வினை புரிந்து மருந்தில் நச்சு தன்மையை உருவாக்குகிறது.

பிரபலமான ஐந்து நிறுவனங்களின் மருந்துகளில் இது போன்ற பிரச்னை இருப்பதாக 'ஆல் இந்தியா இன்ஸ்டிடியூட் ஆஃப் ஹைஜின் அண்ட் பப்ளிக் ஹெல்த்' அமைப்பு தெரிவித்துள்ளது. அதாவது Pfizer's Mucaine Gel, Hemfer Syrup, Alex cough Syrup, Benadryl cough Syrup, PolybionMerck Multivitamin Syrup ஆகிய ஐந்து மருத்துகளில் பிரச்னை உள்ளது. பெனட்ரில் 'ஜான்சன் அண்டு ஜான்சன்' நிறுவனத்தின் தயாரிப்பு ஆகும். அலெக்ஸ் இருமல் மருந்தை 'க்ளென் மார்க்' நிறுவனம் இந்தியாவில் விற்பனை செய்து வருகிறது. மேற்கூறியுள்ள மல்டி வைட்டமின் சிரப்பை ஜெர்மன் நிறுவனம் தயாரிக்கிறது. 

இது குறித்து சம்பந்தப்பட்ட மருந்து தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்களிடம் கேட்டால், விதவிதமான பதிலை தெரிவிக்கின்றனர். 

“மருந்து பொருட்களை மட்டும்தான் நாங்கள் தயாரிக்கிறோம். மருந்துகளை அடைக்க பயன்படுத்தப்படும் பாட்டில்களை வெளியில் இருந்துதான் வாங்குகிறோம். எஃப் டி ஏ (Food and Drug Administration) பரிசோதனை செய்து அனுமதித்த பொருட்கள் மூலம் மருந்து பாட்டில்களை தயாரிக்கும் நிறுவனத்திடம் இருந்துதான் பாட்டில்களை வாங்குகிறோம்” என்கிறது ஆல்கெம் லேப்ஸ் நிறுவனம். இப்படி ஒவ்வொரு நிறுவனமும் ஒவ்வொரு விதமான பதில்களை தெரிவித்துள்ளன.

இந்த ஐந்து மருந்துகளை தயாரிக்கும் நிறுவனங்கள், இந்தியாவில் அதிகமான சந்தை மதிப்பை வைத்துள்ளன. அதாவது பெனட்ரில் ரூ.50 கோடிக்கும், அலெக்ஸ் ரூ. 35 கோடிக்கும் கடந்த வருடம் மருந்துகளை இந்தியாவில் விற்பனை செய்துள்ளது. மேலும் ஃபைசர் நிறுவனத்தின் ஜெல் மட்டும் 50 சதவிகித சந்தை மதிப்பை வைத்துள்ளது. இதன் ஒரு ஆண்டு விற்பனை ரூ.100 கோடியாக உள்ளது. 

மத்திய சுகாதாரத் துறை அமைச்சகம், மருந்துகளை அடைப்பதற்கு பயன்படுத்தப்படும் பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டில்களின் அளவை குறைக்குமாறு கேட்டுக்கொண்டுள்ளது.

அதாவது குழந்தைகளின் மருந்துகள், முதியோருக்கான மருந்துகள், கருவுற்றிருக்கும் பெண்கள் பயன்படுத்தும் மருந்துகள், மாதவிடாய் பிரச்னை காரணமாக சாப்பிடும் மருந்துகள் உள்ளிட்ட மருந்துகளை அடைப்பதற்கு பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டில்களை பயன்படுத்துவதை குறைக்குமாறு அறிவுறுத்தி உள்ளது. மேலும் பிளாஸ்டிக் பாட்டில் பயன்பாட்டில் பாதுகாப்பான அளவைக் கேட்டு ஆய்வு மையத்திற்கு சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பியுள்ளது.

மத்திய அரசு, ஆய்வு மையத்திடம் பாதுகாப்பான அளவை கேட்பதை விட, பிளாஸ்டிக் பயன்பாட்டை அறவே தவிர்க்கவோ அல்லது குறைப்பதற்கான வழிமுறைகளையோ தேட வேண்டும். அதுதான் சரியான முடிவாக இருக்க முடியும். 

உயிர் கொடுக்கும் மருத்துவத்துறை உயிரெடுக்கும் துறையாக மாறிவிடக்கூடாது!

FSSAI recasts CAC with eye on stakeholders - FBOs, consumers, regulators

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reconstituted the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) that has a role to advice the apex food regulator on a variety of issues pertaining to safety in food and business. In this committee, the chief executive officer of FSSAI has been named the chairperson while two members each have been chosen from the industry, agriculture, research and consumer rights fields. 

The names that will be representing the industry on the committee include Nirupama Sharma from PHD Chambers and D V Malhan from All India Food Processors’ Association. 

Pertaining to the formation of the committee, a gazette notification has been issued recently by FSSAI. According to officials from FSSAI, the term of the committee is six years but those who have been named as its members will be part of the committee for a fixed period of three years. After three years, there will be a review of the committee and same members might continue or new members would be inducted into the committee. Previously the committee was formed in 2009. 

According to D V Malhan, the CAC’s objective is to strengthen the dialogue among various stakeholders that include FBOs, consumers and those that are belonging to the regulatory framework.“We would try to help the FSSAI in understanding the way Indian FBOs work, particularly in the smaller and medium sector, so that before taking any decision, the regulator should be able to analyse the ground reality,” he said, while pointing towards the recent controversy on the usage of potassium bromate in bread manufacturing.

The committee includes two representatives from the field of agriculture - Ajay Jakhar from Bharat Krishak Samaj, and Dr T P Rajendran, and two from the consumers’ side including Bejon Kumar Mishra, consumer rights activist, and George Cheriyan. 

According to Ajay Jakhar, food safety starts right from the farmland and there is a serious challenge in preharvest timings. “Spurious pesticide poses a serious challenge to food safety and the farmers are needed to be given advice about the best agriculture practices. Use of pesticides in farmland and antibiotics for animal husbandry should be monitored carefully, which ultimately comes in the food chain. Certainly the FSSAI wanted the farming community to be part of the whole ecosystem of food safety,” stated Jakhar.

Meanwhile, Dr Deepa Bhajekar and Dr S S Marwaha will be representing the research bodies and food labs while all the food safety commissioners in the state will be part of the CAC. Besides, the chairman of the scientific committee would also be part of the CAC.

According to sources in FSSAI, the members have been chosen in order to give every stakeholder a seat while ensuring that the food safety ecosystem is covered completely.

பிரபல பிராண்டுகளில் போலியாக தயாரிப்பு கோவில்பட்டியில் கலப்பட எண்ணெய் ஆலைக்கு சீல் 1,380 லிட்டர் பறிமுதல்

கோவில் பட்டி, ஜூன் 2:

கோவில் பட் டி யில் பிர பல நிறு வ னங் க ளின் பிராண் டு க ளில் போலி யாக கலப் பட தேங் காய் எண் ணெய், நல் லெண் ணெய், சமை யல் எண் ணெய் தயா ரித்து வந்த ஆலைக்கு உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் சீல் வைத் த னர். அங் கி ருந்து 1,380 லிட் டர் கலப் பட எண் ணெய் பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட் டது.

தூத் துக் குடி மாவட் டம் கோவில் பட்டி, கழு கு மலை, எட் ட ய பு ரம், கயத் தாறு, கடம் பூர் மற் றும் சுற் றுப் ப குதி கிரா மங் க ளில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் கலப் பட சமை யல் எண் ணெய் மற் றும் தேங் காய் எண் ணெய் பாக் கெட் டு கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக உணவு பாது காப்பு மற் றும் மருந்து துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் தங்க விக் னே சுக்கு ரக சிய தக வல் கிடைத் தது.

அவ ரது உத் த ர வின் பே ரில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் கோவில் பட்டி பகு தி க ளில் உள்ள கடை க ளில் விற் கப் ப டும் சமை யல் எண் ணெய், தேங் காய் எண் ணெய் பாக் கெட் டு களை சோதனை செய் த னர். இதில் பிர பல நிறு வ னங் க ளின் பெய ரில் போலி பிராண் டு க ளில் கலப் பட எண் ணெய் விற் கப் ப டு வது தெரி ய வந் தது.

இது கு றித்து அதி கா ரி கள் நடத் திய விசா ர ணை யில், கோவில் பட்டி மெயின் ரோடு கரு வாட் டு பேட் டை யில் உள்ள ஆலையில் நவீன இயந் தி ரம் மூலம் கலப் பட எண் ணெய் பாக் கெட் டு களை தயா ரித் தது கண்டு பிடிக் கப் பட் டது.

இதை ய டுத்து நேற்று உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை மாவட்ட நிய மன அலு வ லர் தங் க விக் னேஷ் தலை மை யில் உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் மாரிச் சாமி, பொன் ராஜ், சிவ பா லன் கொண்ட குழு வி னர் சந் தைப் பேட்டை தெரு வில் உள்ள ஆலைக்கு சென்று சோதனை நடத் தி னர்.

அங்கு கோவில் பட்டி பழ னி யாண் ட வர் கோயில் தெரு வைச் சேர்ந்த கார்த் தி கே யன்(45) என் ப வர் அருப் புக் கோட்டை, சிவ காசி, விரு து ந கர் போன்ற இடங் க ளில் இருந்து நல் லெண் ணெய், கடலை எண் ணெய், தேங் காய் எண் ணையை மொத் த மாக வாங்கி வந்து பெரிய டிரம் மில் ஊற்றி அதில் தரம் குறைந்த எண் ணையை கலப் ப டம் செய்து மெஷின் மூலம் பிர பல நிறு வ னங் க ளின் பெய ரில் போலி யாக பாக் கெட் டில் அடைத்து விற் றது வந் தது தெரிய வந் தது.

ஆலையில் இருந்த கலப் பட சமை யல் எண் ணெய், தேங் காய் எண் ணெய் 1,380 லிட் டரை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து ஆலைக்கு சீல் வைத் த னர். மேலும் பிடி பட்ட கலப் பட எண் ணெய் பாக் கெட் டு க ளில் இருந்து மாதிரி எடுத்து சோத னை யி டு வ தற் காக ஆய் வுக் கூடத் திற்கு அனுப் பி னர்.

இது கு றித்து தங் க விக் னேஷ் கூறு கை யில், ‘கலப் பட எண் ணெய் பயன் ப டுத் தும் போது ரத்த கொதிப்பு, மார டைப்பு, அடிக் கடி நெஞ் சு வலி, நுரை யீ ரல் பாதிப்பு போன்ற பல் வேறு நோய் கள் ஏற் ப டும். இத னால் கடை க ளுக்கு சென்று சமை யல் எண் ணெய் மற் றும் தேங் காய் எண் ணெய் களை வாங் கும் போது அவை தர மா னது தானா? என பொது மக் கள் விசா ரித்து வாங்க வேண் டும். இதே போல கலப் பட எண் ணெய் தயா ரிப்பு நிறு வ னங் கள் எங் கா வது செயல் ப டு வது தெரி ய வந் தால் உட ன டி யாக உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் க ளுக்கு தக வல் தெரி விக் க லாம்’ என் றார்.

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கார்பைடு கற்கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்த 4 டன் மாம்பழங்கள் அதிரடி பறிமுதல் அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை

 

காஞ் சி பு ரம், ஜூன் 2:

காஞ் சி பு ரம் மற் றும் சுற் றுப்புற பகு தி க ளில் கார் பைடு கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்து குடோ னில் பதுக்கி விற் பனை செய்த 4 டன் மாம் ப ழங் களை உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் அதி ர டி யாக பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

காஞ் சி பு ரம் மற் றும் சுற் றி யுள்ள பகு தி க ளில் கார் பைடு கற் கள் மூலம் மாம் ப ழங் கள் பழுக்க வைத்து குடோன் க ளில் பதுக்கி விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டு வ தாக மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ ல ருக்கு தக வல் கிடைத் தது.

அதன் படி உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் ராம கி ருஷ் ணன் தலை மை யில் ராம கி ருஷ் ணன், பால சுப் பி ர மணி, வேலன், செந் தில் உள் ளிட்ட அதி கா ரி கள் காஞ் சி பு ரம், மார்க் கெட் எதி ரில், ரயில்வே ரோடு ஆகிய பகு தி க ளில் ஆய்வு மேற் கொண் ட னர்.

அப் போது, 4 டன் மாம் ப ழங் கள் கார் பைடு கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்து விற் பனை செய் யப் பட் டது தெரி ய வந் தது. இதை ய டுத்து காஞ் சி பு ரம் நக ராட் சி யில் இருந்து லாரி கள் வர வ ழைக் கப் பட்டு உணவு பாது காப்பு அதி கா ரி கள் மாம் ப ழங் களை பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.

இது கு றித்து உணவு பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் ராம கி ருஷ் ணன் கூறு கை யில், ‘‘கார் பைடு கற் கள் மூலம் பழுக்க வைத்த மாம் ப ழங் களை சாப் பி டும் மக் க ளுக்கு வயிற் றுப் போக்கு, நரம்பு பாதிப்பு, வாந்தி உள் ளிட்ட பல் வேறு பாதிப் ப கள் ஏற் ப டும். மாம் ப ழம் முழு வ து மாக ஒரே நிற மாக உள் ள தா? அழுத் தும் போது சில பகு தி யில் கல் போன்று இல் லா மல் இருக் கி ற தா? என் பதை பார்த்து வாங் க வேண் டும் ’’ என் றார்.

FSSAI, mend your ways

Apropos the editorial, “Dangerous bottled water” the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Nothing can justify the FSSAI’s mindless reaction to the detection of potassium bromate in several samples of bread by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It sought to ban the use of the chemical as an additive in bread and other bakery products, but defended its earlier move to permit limited amounts of the same in packaged drinking water. How can it adopt double standards and take such a selective stand on the matter?

One wonders why the CSE had to carry out the FSSAI’s job. Is the latter responsible only for fixing quality standards for food products? Shouldn’t it also carry out frequent random checks to ensure that food safety standards are adhered to by their producers throughout the country? What about making FSSAI officials accountable?

The FSSAI should learn from its dubious past and not take ill-conceived and/or hasty steps on the matter of health and food safety.

Go organic, follow nature!

We are being willy-nilly ushered into a permissive culture that allows free play to whatever is expedient and appeals to the senses. ‘Restraint’ is anathema and ‘discipline’ a dirty word. We avoid displeasing others, especially the youth, by hiding our deep concerns that may be unpalatable to them, perhaps in the vain hope that may never come true. 

With focus on comfort and permissiveness, somewhere we have lost track of how nature wants us to live. The air conditioned homes, work places, educational institutions, transports etc, tend to disable people from staying attuned to, relishing, even withstanding, sheer nature. So is their polished and formal language sans spontaneity; you have often to sieve or decode the wording to know the intent.

The mechanical lifestyle espo-used mindlessly in eating, clothing, behaviour, upkeep of body, fitness and treatment of diseases, has distanced us from the immense benefits abundantly and freely accruable from nature. We forget that it provides remedy and succour for all ailments. “All that the man needs for health and healing has been provided in nature, the challen-ge of science is to find it,” said early Swiss doctor Paracelsus.

Take food items. The obvious choices are what eyes prefer and the tongue demands rather than how much and what stuff the body requires, irrespective of its nutritional worth. So the market offers wide array of attractive ready-to-eat tasty options, and with end, compromises with nutritional aspect of ingredients. Recent confirmation by the Centre for Science and Environment that breads and pizzas sold in the Delhi market (axiomatically in all cities) contain traces of toxic potassium bromate is only the tip of the iceberg. 

Hazardous chemical

In 2013, five samples from breads also showed presence of this hazardous chemical, the issue is still in appeal stage. Last year again, another organisation, Environmental Working Group, detected this chemical in 86 breads, egg rolls and meatballs. It was only after current furore that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sw-ung to action and banned it. So far, under the relevant Act, potassium bromate could be added with its mention on packing. 

Food scientists stipulate levels up to 20 particles per billion (ppb) concentration of potassium bromate (or 1 part per 5 crore) to be safe in baked food items provided baking continues for long or at higher temperature after which bromate converts into bromide which is not hazardous. 

How many commercial bakers shall do that is anybody’s guess. Due to its controversial health implications, especially after Japanese studies found potassium bromate causing cancers in kidneys and other body parts of rats, this food additive has already been banned for human consumption in many regions including European Union, Brazil and Canada. 

Consider this fact against the recent public pronouncement from a health purveyor no less than director AIIMS, New Delhi on consumption of bread containing this chemical: “On single day, one takes just a piece of bread or two, and not the entire pack.” Doesn’t it sound like the tagline of the food industry’s clarification?

Even before processing, raw crops like corn, wheat, rice, oats, soybean, barley and peanuts are subjected to severe chemical fumigation for enhancing shelf life of end products and prolonged sales according to the Cornucopia Institute. Popularly used unsafe chemicals include chlorpyrifos methyl, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and sulfuryl fluoride that have potential to cause complications in neur-ological, respiratory and reprod-uctive systems, kidney disorder, lung damage, cancers, respiratory paralysis, even death.

In contrast to consuming refrigerated foods for days or weeks, India has the enviable healthy tradition of preparing each meal afresh from local, seasonal, raw materials with no risks as in questionable genetically modified crops. Not only are the nutrients degenerated in packaged foods over time but the addition of synthetic-based preservatives and flavours tends to disrupt the endocrine system of consumers, weakens immunity and can pave way for cancers as various studies have repeatedly shown.

Nature therapy is premised on the belief, as author Robert Peale said, “The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system” or precept of Canadian physician William Osler: “One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.” 

Non-dependence on modern medicine and diagnostics is something powerful pharmaceutical mafias with capacity to influence the global health regulators shall not tolerate; for they thrive on creating and perpetuating threats from cancers and existing or newly erupting epidemics every now and then. The sustainable option is, going organic or following nature.

ORDER - Enforcement activities on Traders in Mandis

ORDER - Registration of FBO's using the platform of Common Service Centre

 

FSSAI asks licensing wing to issue notice to Patanjali for misleading ads

Food regulator FSSAI has asked its central licensing authority to issue a show cause notice to Patanjali Ayurved over complaints about misleading advertisement of mustard oil product.

The development has come after edible oil industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) filed complaints with FSSAI and advertising industry watchdog ASCI against Patanjali Ayurved for alleged misleading advertisements for mustard oil and sought action against the yoga guru Ramdev-promoted firm.

FSSAI in an order asked its Central Licensing Authority, Northern Region, to issue a show cause notice to Patanjali Ayurved for "violations of FSS Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder and submit action taken report thereon to this office at the earliest".

The copy of the order was made public SEA today. Sources in FSSAI said that the authority has sought a response from Patanjali over the issue. There was no immediate response to queries sent to Patanjali in this regard.

"Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has also taken serious note of misleading statements made in advertisement of Kacchi Ghani oil and hauls up Patanjali for misleading advertisement," SEA said in a statement.

The advertisement is unnecessarily misleading the consumer and also derogatory and denigrating to the oil industry, SEA had said, adding that the vegetable oil industry was a responsible industry and such unfounded communications negate the image of the industry.

Also, ASCI has rapped Patanjali Ayurved for "false and misleading" claims in its various advertisements. "The advertisement's claims 'Other than Kacchi Ghani process most of the other edible refined oils and mustard oil are made using neurotoxin Hexagon solvent extraction process. To make profits at the cost of consumers' health many companies mix cheap palm oil in mustard oil", were not substantiated and the claims were misleading," ACSI said last week.

Patanjali, on the other hand, had insisted that its commercial was based on facts, findings and research. They did not intend to mislead anyone.

Despite ban, gutka sale rampant in dist

Aurangabad: Despite the sale or possession of gutka prohibited across the state, the banned material continues to be sold on a large scale Aurangabad district. 

According to the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), gutka is being sold at an exorbitant price at as many as 7,000-8,000 illegal kiosks in the city, which has been brought to the notice of FDA officials. 

A health official from DTCC, established under the National Tobacco Control Programme at the district civil hospital, said a large number of local vendors as well as paan kiosks can be seen flouting the rules openly. Gutka shops have also been set up at many public places such as bus stands, railway stations and government offices, he said. 

The official said this was brought to the notice of FDA officials on many occasions, but to no avail. "In fact, we identified three prime locations - Cidco bus stand, Kalda Corner and near Deepali Hotel in Cidco - where the sale of gutka was rampant about three months ago. But no action has been initiated till date," the official added. 

"The ban on gutka and other chewable tobacco products imposed by the government in the state appears to be only on paper. The sale continues unabated due to apathy of the officials tasked with enforcing the ban," said social activist Anna Vaidya. 

"With clinical studies proving that chewable tobacco products were highly carcinogenic and were the prime contributors of oral cancers, most of the states in the country had banned them. The Maharashtra government then followed suit by imposing a ban on the manufacture, transportation, distribution and sale of gutka and other similar products in the state," he said. 

"However, failure on part of the authorities from the departments of food safety, labour, commercial tax, medical and health as well as police and municipal corporations in enforcing the ban has led to violation by sellers and consumers," he added. 

However, officials of the food safety department, the prime monitoring and ban-enforcement agency, claimed that they regularly conduct raids and file cases, but the gutka business is still thriving in the Aurangabad division. 

"We have seized gutka worth over Rs 1.5 between April 2015 and March 2016 in Aurangabad district, while 40 cases of illegal gutka sale are being tried in different courts. Moreover, altogether 28 licences of illegal paan kiosks have also been cancelled," said Anand Pardhi, FDA (food) assistant joint commissioner, Aurangabad division. 

Pardhi said only 30% of staff is making efforts to curb the illegal business. "As part of our duty, we conduct raids on illegal stock holders of foodgrains and other commodities. On similar lines, we are also identifying the stocks of banned tobacco products," he said."We recently raided a paan shop at Sajapur village in Aurangabad taluka engaged in the sale of gutka and paan masala. We confiscated goods worth Rs 33,240," Pardhi added.

In the meantime, experts at the Government Cancer Hospital (GCH) in Aurangabad said despite the Maharashtra government extending the ban on the sale and manufacture of processed or packaged tobacco products, around 30-40% of the total cancer cases are oral cancer cases of which 90% are due to chewing tobacco. 

Recent reports of the GCH clearly indicate that nearly 30% of all the cancer cases fall in the category of oral cancer. Moreover, the presence of high-risk groups, especially tobacco chewers and smokers besides others comprising people using tobacco in other forms such as betel quid, is enough cause concerns.

"Of the 100 cancer patients turning up at the surgical oncology department, nearly 30 are diagnosed with oral cancer. Nearly 25% of the remaining patients are diagnosed with cervical cancer, while another 20% belong to the breast cancer category," said Arvind Gaikwad, officer on special duty at GCH."The heavy presence of high-risk groups, especially those involved in indigenous form of smoking as well as chewing tobacco, increases the threat and burden of oral cancer in the region," the officer added.

FSSAI extends last date of registration for food companies

Food safety regulator FSSAI has extended the deadline for food companies to get a license to run their businesses by another three months, to August 4. 

"It has been decided that the time-line mentioned in..Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, be last time extended for another three months up to August 4, 2016," the food regulator said in a notification. 

This is the eighth time that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline. The last date to get the licence had lapsed on May 4. 

The decision has been taken after the Union Health Ministry considered representations from various stakeholders, including food companies and industry associations, it added. 

As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence. 

There are about 3 crore food business operators in the country out of which 37 lakh are registered with the food regulator.

Toxins in Benadryl, other drugs due to plastic bottling: Govt study

DINAMALAR NEWS

 

Strict enforcement of gutka ban sought

Activists say chewable tobacco is still available in the vicinity of schools and minors have access to it

The enforcement of the ban on the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of pan masala and gutka containing tobacco and nicotine, seems to be an uphill battle. In 2015-16, the Food Safety Department seized a total of 62,175 kg of banned products across the State. However, activists said the products continue to be available.

Madan Kumar, president, Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry, Tamil Nadu, said chewing tobacco continues to be very much available in the market. “What is distressing is that it is even available in the vicinity of schools, and minors have access to it.”

A survey by Children Against Tobacco, a student movement of 22 schools in Chennai , both government and private, found that in every school, there was a violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of an educational institution, said a note from S. Cyril Alexander, State convener, Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control.

“Sale of gutka is continuing with packets being sold at a 100 per cent increase in the price. There is no fear because there is no proper enforcement. Action should be taken at the primary level and agents and company officials should be penalised. If it is coming in from other States, there have to be checks at entry-level points. Right now, the government is seizing and destroying the products, but where is the penalty,” asked E. Vidhubala, head, Resource Centre for Tobacco Control, Cancer Institute, Adyar.

The gutka and pan masala ban came into effect in June 2013. It is extended yearly and was extended this year too on May 23. However, a total of only 14 civil cases and two criminal cases have been filed. Nine cases have ended in conviction. Penalties imposed have come to Rs. 2,37,500. A senior official of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department said that it was mainly wholesalers who had been charged. “The fine is not a major amount, but the seizures are huge,” he pointed out. Food safety officials said that the court process is long and difficult. Mostly, the banned items are tested for tobacco/nicotine, and then destroyed. “Over the last two years, the number of banned products entering the State has reduced,” an official said.

Another official said that methods to bring in and sell the products too kept changing.

Dangerous bottled water

Food safety authority's puzzling regulations

Strange are the ways of the country's food quality regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). After the inept handling of the controversies involving a ban on Nestle India's Maggi noodles and the issue of product approvals, it is now displaying similar inconsistencies on the presence of potentially hazardous potassium bromate in bakery products and drinking water. Reacting to the detection of bromate in many samples of bread by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the FSSAI hastened - and rightly so - to indicate that it would ban the use of this chemical as an additive in breads and other bakery products. But, at the same time, it sought to defend its earlier proposition to permit limited amounts of bromate in packaged drinking water. It, obviously, disregarded the fact that bottled drinking water is consumed in substantial quantities and that the presence of even a small amount of this toxin can be potentially highly hazardous.

The FSSAI has since sought to mitigate the damage by saying this proposal was meant only to seek stakeholders' feedback and that it might revisit it now. But its credibility has been dented further. The FSSAI could not have been unaware of the findings of a 1999 study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer which had revealed that potassium bromate could be a possible human carcinogen. Some other laboratory studies on animals exposed to this toxin have also concluded that ingestion of this chemical resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of cancer of kidneys, thyroid and other organs.

Interestingly, the FSSAI's other explanation is that the proposal to allow bromate (up to 10 microgram per litre of drinking water) was based on "ground realities" that this contaminant might, in any case, be found in water in some cases. This contention, too, seems untenable, especially because similar arguments can be offered to justify the presence of various other kinds of contaminants in commonly consumed Indian foods. It is true that when ozone is used as a reagent to disinfect water, some amount of bromate tends to develop. But ozone is no longer the only disinfecting agent available now. Commercial houses which process and package water for discerning and quality-conscious consumers can surely afford to use less hazardous, even if more expensive, methods to decontaminate water.

The World Health Organization's stipulation on the quality of drinking water is quite clear - toxic contaminants should ideally not be present in it at all. The Codex Alimentarius, which has laid down globally accepted food quality standards - many of which are followed by the FSSAI - is also unambiguous on this issue. It states: "All treatment of water intended for bottling should be carried out under controlled conditions to avoid any type of contamination, including the formation of toxic products (particularly bromates)." This is a proviso that merits attention of all stakeholders, particularly the FSSAI.

FSOS COLLECT BREAD SAMPLES, REPORTS AWAITED

Following the revelation over the presence of carcinogenic compounds in packaged bread food safety officers (FSOs) across the state have been instructed to collect the bread samples at earliest from their respective areas for evaluating the chemical contents present in the bread which is consumed in maximum households as one of the most preferred edible items.

“We have ordered all the food safety officers (FSOs) to collect the bread samples from grocery shops and retail stores. However, the department has yet not received any official notification from the nodal agency, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) for conducting any inspection regarding the issue, the department is doing it on its level. Moreover, the department has yet not received any report from the labs. Actions will be taken after getting the final reports,” informed, Director, Food Safety, Ramesh Kumar Dubey.

18 of 29 bread samples pass FDA test

Panaji: All 18 samples of bread including the local pao, sliced bread (brown and white) and pizza bread tested at the food and drugs laboratory at Bambolim by the Food and drugs administration (FDA) were found to be in compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/ Regulation, 2011.

Of the 18 samples tested, 14 samples (including sliced bread, pizza bread and local pao) did not show any presence of potassium bromate. Four bread samples (pre-packaged bread, including three sliced bread brands and one pizza bread) tested positive for potassium bromate, but these were reported to be below 25 parts per million as against the permissible limit of 50 parts per million as stipulated under Food Safety and Standards Act. FDA also found that the labels of these four products mentioned potassium bromate in the list of ingredients of the product. Potassium bromate is used as a flour improver and when combined with dough, it acts to strengthen and allow the dough to rise higher.

If there is ban or prohibition on the use of potassium bromate and is notified by FSSAI, the additive will not be permitted to be used.

The food safety officers of the FDA had drawn 29 samples of bread sold in the state, including pao, sliced bread, pizza bread, cakes, hotdog bread and bun bread among others. The results of 11 samples are awaited from the laboratory. These 11 samples include four cakes brands, four slice bread brands, one each of pizza bread, bun bread and local pao. The results are expected by Thursday, June 2.

FDA has instructed customers to check the labels of food products for the list of ingredients added in bread food articles to ascertain the presence of potassium bromate.

Bread samples test positive to potassium bromate

A study by the state food and drug administration has revealed the presence of potassium bromate, a cancer causing chemical, in at least four bread samples in Goa.

Contrary to the claims by manufacturers that no Goan bread contains potassium bromate, an analysis of 18 samples drawn by the FDA and released on Tuesday shows four samples testing positive to the harmful chemical.

Of the four that tested positive, three are sliced bread and one is pizza bread. More breads testing positive cannot be ruled out as report on 11 samples is to be released and expected by June 2.

FDA director Salim Veljee said that all the four samples contained potassium bromate below 25 parts per million as against the permissible limit of 50 parts per million as stipulated under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules / Regulation.

The manufacturers “indicated or disclosed in the list of ingredients on the label that potassium bromate was added”.

Potassium bromate is used as a flour treatment agent to give a blooming effect. It is used for the bread which is to be consumed over a period of “more than a day”, he said.

Last week, a report of the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment said the use of potassium bromate as an additive in food products may lead to cancer. As a result, food safety officers in Bambolim had taken samples of 29 breads. It included local pao, sliced bread (brown and white), pizza bread, certain cakes and other bread variations like hotdog bread, bun bread, etc.

While the laboratory report of 18 samples came in on Tuesday evening, the report of 11 samples (including four cakes, four sliced breads, one pizza bread, one bun bread and one local pao) is expected shortly.

At present there is no ban or prohibition on addition of potassium bromate in bread but once the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notifies or issues a ban on addition of the chemical it cannot be added as an additive, said Veljee.

He said that as a matter of precaution consumers should check the labels for the list of ingredients added in bread which is prepackaged like sliced bread, pizza bread to ascertain the presence or addition of potassium bromate.

The CSE study discovered the presence of potassium bromate in 38 samples of popular bread brands in the national capital. The CSE also found the presence of potassium iodate, a thyroid inducer.

The presence of iodate in bread can be attributed to salt, said Veljee.

Damodar Naik, manufacturing franchisee of Monginis, said the entire bread controversy seems to be kicked up by somebody who wants to enter the bread market.

Naik said that news of cancer causing chemicals needs to be trashed as the chemical is being used by manufacturers within permissible limits, and as laid down by the FSSAI.

How pure is the honey you consume?

If you have no idea, the tests conducted at the regional analytical laboratory in Kakkanad showed that the product available in the market had colouring agents and additives. The presence of four colouring additives -tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmozine and ponceau 4R -were found in the sample that were collected by food safety officials from different shops in the city. 

"The tests were conducted following complaints regarding the widespread use of colouring additives in honey. The adulteration was found in ATK Food Product with its address in Manickamanga lam in Kalady . But we believe that the address is wrong. They might add colouring additives to sugar solution and sell it as cheruthen," said Shibu K V, assistant commissioner of food safety in Ernakulam.

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation 2011, adding colouring additives to honey is prohibited. The rule states that `No person shall use the word honey or any word, mark, illustration or device on label of any food that resembles honey'. Shibu said food safety officials have been directed to collect samples of all brands of honey and test it in a laboratory.

"We have reported the details of the result with the Food Safety Commission that can issue a ban on the product statewide," he said. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India allows synthetic colours up to 100 PPM (parts per million) in a single of combination of products such as bread, chocolates and biscuits.

Food dept finds additives, colouring agents in honey

Kochi: How pure is the honey you consume? If you have no idea, the tests conducted at the regional analytical laboratory in Kakkanad showed that the product available in the market had colouring agents and additives. The presence of four colouring additives - tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmozine and ponceau 4R - were found in the sample that were collected by food safety officials from different shops in the city.

"The tests were conducted following complaints regarding the widespread use of colouring additives in honey. The adulteration was found in ATK Food Product with its address in Manickamangalam in Kalady. But we believe that the address is wrong. They might add colouring additives to sugar solution and sell it as cheruthen," said Shibu K V, assistant commissioner of food safety in Ernakulam. 

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation 2011, adding colouring additives to honey is prohibited. The rule states that 'No person shall use the word honey or any word, mark, illustration or device on label of any food that resembles honey'. Shibu said food safety officials have been directed to collect samples of all brands of honey and test it in a laboratory.

"We have reported the details of the result with the Food Safety Commission that can issue a ban on the product state-wide," he said. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India allows synthetic colours up to 100 PPM (parts per million) in a single of combination of products such as bread, chocolates and biscuits.

Indian bread manufacturers budge after CSE warning, remove potassium bromate from their products

Last week, a new study released by the Centre for Science and Environment had claimed that many well known brands of packaged breads, including the ones used in burgers and pizzas contained high levels of potassium bromate, a known carcinogen.

Union health minister JP Nadda while asking the people not to panic had directed India's food regulator, (FSSAI) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to look into CSE's claims.

In Focus

CSE's Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) had tested 38 samples of branded varieties of bread including pavs, buns, pizza breads and the bread used in burgers at popular food outlets in Delhi. And the report that came out was shocking.

Chandra Bhushan, CSE's deputy director general and head of CSE lab said, "We found 84 per cent samples with potassium bromate. We re-confirmed the presence of potassium bromate/iodate in a few samples through an external third-party laboratory. We checked labels and talked to industry and scientists. Our study confirms the widespread use of potassium bromate/iodate as well as bromate/iodate residues in the final product."

After the report of CSE emerged, the food regulator FSSAI decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permitted additives, while examining the evidence against potassium iodate before banning its use.

The CSE report also said, "High levels of potassium bromate/iodate were found in sandwich bread, pav, buns and white bread. Products of Perfect Bread, Harvest Gold and Britannia were those with higher levels."

The official statement of CSE had also said that only one brand – Perfect Bread, had indicated on its product labels that they used potassium bromate.

Another revelation by the CSE report was that five most popular food outlets – KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Subway and McDonald's were using bread containing potassium bromate.

Although most of the Indian bread manufacturers have denied the use of potassium bromate in their products, the truth has finally come out in the open. While buying bread in my locality today morning in DLF Phase IV, Gurugram (Gurgaon), I came across samples of packaged bread of Harvest Gold. The packaging of the bread read: "bromate-free".

Coincidently, just two days back I had bought the same brand of bread, `Harvest Gold' which had turned hard and stiff by the same evening. So, while buying bread today I complained to the shopkeeper about the bad quality of bread. The shopkeeper showed me the bromate free indication on the packaging and told me that since bromate had been removed, bread which used to stay in edible condition for at least 4-days, now turns stiff the same evening. He advised me to finish the bread the same day in the future.

"Some players were already not putting potassium bromate in their breads. Other members of the association, who were using it, have stopped doing so. We do not directly purchase potassium bromate, it is the bread improving agents that may come with potassium bromate, and members are working on changing that now," said Ramesh Mago, President of All India Bread Manufacturers Association and MD of Kitty Industries.

According to him in the next 7-10 days, even smaller players will switch to potassium bromate-free bread improving agents.

Mago said, "As an association, our members have also taken a decision to put in clear labelling to clear the confusion in the consumer's mind."

Another interesting fact is that ideally the bread should develop fungus and molds after 2-days. If this is not happening to your bread, then it means that it has an overdose of preservatives and a potentially dangerous cocktail of chemical additives.

Have you ever thought why the fresh roti you make everyday, is consumed the same day and never the next day. Even a roti would develop molds and fungus if kept for more than a day, because it does not contain preservatives or chemicals.

Becoming inquisitive after what the shopkeeper told me, I decided to do some research on what role does potassium bromate/iodate play in the manufacturing of bread, and what I came across was both interesting as well as shocking.

What is potassium bromate and what role does it play in commercially made bread?

Potassium bromate is a powerful oxidising agent that chemically ages flour, much faster than it would happen naturally by relying on air in the atmosphere. A wheat protein, gluten is the glue which binds the bread dough to itself. But for two gluten molecules to bind with each other, a molecular bridge needs to be formed, which happens only by oxidation.

Historically, bakers used to reply on the natural process of oxidation by aging the flour after milling it and exposing it to air for weeks. Then slowly the flour was mixed into the dough and the oxygen would work to building the bridges between two gluten molecules.

But now, due to demands of high production and shortage of time, chemicals like potassium bromate are used for completing the process requiring weeks in just one hour flat. Potassium bormate bleaches flour, enhances the elasticity of dough and also makes the dough rise, which ensures that the end product if fluffy, soft and of an unnatural milky white colour.

What are the potential risks involved in using potassium bromate?

The potential risks of potassium bromide came to light in 1982, after researchers in Japan concluded in studies conducted that potassium bromate causes cancer in the thyroids, kidneys and other parts of rats and mice.

Today potassium bromate is banned in the European Union, China, Brazil and Canada along with many other countries. In the United States, potassium bromate has not been banned and has been in use since 1914, when it was first introduced in the baking industry.

Ideally, if baked at high temperatures, potassium bromate gets converted into potassium bromide, which is not harmful. But then, who is monitoring at what temperature your bread is being baked? And if high levels of potassium bromate are added in the first place, the end product is bound to have more than required levels of potassium bromate.

In a nutshell, potassium bromite is a harmful additive, which must be avoided at any cost. Indian bread makers seem to be heading in the right direction by removing the chemical from their products. But consumers are still advised to pay more attention to the packaged product labeling and check the ingredients list before buying the product.

Last date to apply for the food licenses extended

Chandigarh, May, 31, 2016 The Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the date to obtain license/registration in compliance to the FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 for the period of the three months till 04 August , 2016 after the matter was taken by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Earlier the last date was fixed for 4 May 2016. 

Harish Garg national secretary and president of the Chandigarh chapter CAIT has informed that the decision was taken after the CAIT took the demand with the FASSI vigorously. Food Authority has now given a new date till 04 August 2016. This is the seventh time that the authority has given the extension to get the license/registration.

“There were plenty of requests from various stakeholders including the individuals, Food Business Operators, various associations and trade bodies to prolong the time line by further one year but the Food Authority has extended the deadline further up to 4 August , 2016.” Said Garg 

Food Business operators will get relief by the move of the Apex Regulator and they alleged that it was apparent as currently only a very small portion of the Food Business Community have applied for the license under the FSS Act, 2006. A large portion of the FBOs who are in the suburban areas do not even know that they need to apply for the license under the FSS Act, 2006.

Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 clearly states that no food business activity shall be carried out without a valid license or registration. The penalty for carrying out a food business without a license is up to Rs. 5 lakhs along with an imprisonment which may extend up to 6 months. Similarly if someone carrying out a food business without a registration shall be liable for a fine which may go upto Rs. 2 lakhs.

For new Food Business Operators FBOs, they have to first apply for license/registration under the FSS Act, 2006 and get the food authority’s nod and only then should commence their food operation

Unsafe bread

Dear Editor,

This refers to your editorial “Bread Politics” (ST- May 26). It is surprising that commonly consumed bread manufactured by leading Indian companies were found to contain potassium bromate and potassium iodate, both cancer-causing chemicals. First it was pesticides in colas, then lead in instant noodles, and now potassium bromate in breads. 

In 1999, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified potassium bromate as possibly carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans. Many countries have banned the use of potassium bromate and potassium iodate in bread and the report shows that food safety awareness in India is still abysmally poor. 

Potassium bromate is a powerful oxidising agent, use of which makes bread fluffy, soft and gives it a good finish.It is nice that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is going to notify the removal of the chemicals from the list of additives based on a recommendation of its scientific panel. 

Most of the packaged food available in India has some amount of harmful ingredients due to relaxed or no regulation from GoI. Govt must take this seriously and test the samples in an independent laboratory. Bread is used by kids and recovering patients in delicate condition as it is soft to eat.

Vinod C. Dixit

Food safety suffers, 12 posts of FSO lying vacant

Faridabad, May 30

The maintenance of food safety standards is suffering due to a shortage of staff in the state. In all, 12 of the 21 districts do not have a regular Food and Safety Officer (FSO).

“The unavailability of officials in the department has not only stalled the job of granting licences to food processing units in the state, but also hit the collection of samples of spurious food items. We cannot ensure compliance with the food safety norms,” claimed a source in the department.

The FSO’s posted in some districts have also been given the additional charge of neighbouring districts, but their unavailability at the headquarters poses problems in the functioning of the office,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

The Faridabad FSO also has to look after Palwal and Sonepat districts, and the FSO of Rewari has been given the charge of Gurgaon, Mewat and Narnaul (Mahendragarh). Similarly, the Jind FSO has been assigned Rohtak and Jhajjar, while the one posted in Kurukshetra has to look after neighbouring Kaithal district also. The officials stationed at Ambala, Sirsa and Panchkula have been assigned the work for Karnal, Panipat, Fatehabad and Yamunanagar, respectively.

Rajiv Rattan, Commissioner, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), said the vacancies were likely to be filled soon as the department had sought 17 new posts.

FSSAI to roll out new food safety categorisation for restaurants

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to also introduce internal Food Hygiene Supervisor (FHS) to every restaurant, reports Shweta Kothari of CNBC-TV18.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is on the prowl. 

After cracking its whip on all breadmakers after the discovery of potassium bromate in bread, the food regulator will now roll out new food safety categorisation for restaurants and hotels. 

FSSAI is expected to revise Safety & Standards Regulation, 2011 where all food business operators will be categorised under either of the three: basic, advance and global. 

The likes of ITC and Taj Group will also be asked to follow global standards. 

It is also expected that that under the revised regulation, every restaurant will have to appoint an internal Food Hygiene Supervisor (FHS). 

Besides, companies are still coping with FSSAI dropping potassium bromate from the list of approved ingredients to be used in making bread and voluntary withdrawal of old stock. 

They have already seen a 15-20 percent drop in bread sales. 

Bread makers are now switching to alternatives like higher quantities of ascorbic acid, glucose oxidase and emulsifiers, which will cost them an additional amount of 5-10 paise on 400 grams.

FSSAI order on extension of timeline for obtaining License & Registration last time upto 4.8.2016