Jul 13, 2016
The official logo for the Food Safety Knowledge Assimilation Network (FSKAN)
The official logo for the Food Safety Knowledge Assimilation Network (FSKAN) was unveiled yesterday at a workshop at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. FSKAN is a new initiative by FSSAI to build a network of research organisations that will facilitate exchange of information & expertise, scientific collaborations and joint projects.
20 கிலோ புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்
ஆத்தூர்: ஆத்தூர், நரசிங்கபுரம் பகுதிகளில், புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்து அழிக்கப்பட்டன. ஆத்தூர், நரசிங்கபுரம் பகுதிகளில் உள்ள கடைகளில், நேற்று உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை, மாவட்ட நியமன அலுவலர் டாக்டர் அனுராதா உத்தரவுப்படி, சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர்கள் புஷ்பராஜ், சுந்தர்ராஜ், கோவிந்தராஜ், சந்திரசேகர் அடங்கிய குழுவினர் சோதனையில் ஈடுபட்டனர். மூன்று கடைகளில், 50 பாக்கெட்டுகள் கொண்ட, 20 கிலோ புகையிலை (ஹான்ஸ்) பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டு அழிக்கப்பட்டன. கடை உரிமையாளர்களிடம், புகையிலை பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்யக் கூடாது என, எச்சரிக்கை நோட்டீஸ் வழங்கப்பட்டன.
ஆத்தூர் அரசு ஆண்கள் மற்றும் மகளிர் மேல்நிலைப்பள்ளி அருகில் உள்ள கடைகளில், போதை சாக்லெட் மற்றும் தரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்கின்றனரா என, ஆய்வு செய்தனர். அப்போது, மகளிர் மேல்நிலைப்பள்ளி முன், இரண்டு கடைகளில் தரமற்ற குளிர்பான பாக்கெட், கேக் கழிவுகளை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
அதேபோல், ஆத்தூர் நீதிமன்றம், நரசிங்கபுரம் பஸ் நிறுத்தம் அருகில் உள்ள, டீ கடைகளில், இரண்டு கிலோ போலி டீ தூள்களை பறிமுதல் செய்து, மொத்தம் ஐந்து பேருக்கு, 'நோட்டீஸ்' வழங்கப்பட்டது.
FSSAI proposes double ash content in noodles
Ash content is now allowed up to 1%, the new notification has proposed to increase it to 2% for seasonings or tastemakers
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft notification proposing doubling of permitted ash content in noodles and pasta. Ash content is now allowed up to one per cent. The new notification has proposed to increase it to two per cent for seasonings or tastemakers.
Recently, the presence of excess ash in various noodle samples was reported by the Uttar Pradesh State Food and Drug Authority. District official Sanjay Singh at Barabanki alleged total ash content in samples of prominent noodle brands like Ching's (1.83 per cent), Hindustan Unilever's Knorr Soupy Noodles (1.89 per cent) and Foodles (2.37 per cent) from GSK Healthcare were higher than the permissible limit.
Nestle' Maggi instant noodle came under the state regulator's scanner in March this year as it was found to contain 85 per cent higher ash than the permitted level.
The regulator has also sought comments on various other food and vegetable products such as coconut milk and cream, cocoa bean, betelnut and dried apricot. It has asked for public comments and suggestions on the subjects within next 30 days.
Yipee, Ching’s noodles fail food safety test
DEHRADUN: Sunfeast Yipee and Ching's Secret Noodles have failed the sample test in Uttarakhand, according state's food safety department. The department is sending notices to both ITC and Capital Food Private Limited for "re-analysis" of their noodles at a central food lab for ensuring that MSG in noodles is not added "intentionally".
Authorities at the food safety department said around 10 samples of both noodles were collected from Dehradun city area last year and the test results have come this week. The sample reports have placed these noodles in 'unsafe to eat category" as well as said they are "misbranding" as the samples contain MSG but it is not mentioned anywhere in the packaging.
Confirming that notice will be sent to both companies, food safety commissioner ofUttarakhand Om Prakash said, "When any company's product falls under 'unsafe to eat category' and violates FSSAI norms, we send a notice to such companies. We will send notice once I receive the file on Wednesday and will also direct test of fresh samples."
Reacting, TTC spokesperson Nimmi Sharma said, "ITC has not received any communication in this regard, and, therefore, cannot specifically comment on the matter. However, we would like to clearly state that we do not add MSG to Yippee! Noodles. We would like to clarify that while monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a permitted additive under Indian Food Safety laws, glutamic acid also occurs naturally in ingredients such as tomato powder, soya extracts and cheese. Since some of these ingredients are used in the preparation of our products, traces of glutamate may be naturally present."
Commenting on Ching's Noodles, a senior officer from the company's board, requesting anonymity, said TOI, "We don't have MSG in any of our products. Moreover, naturally occurring MSG has also been approved by FSSAI on March 31, 2016 in its circular."
Both companies refrained from making any comment on the issue of 'misbranding'.
No law against hookah parlour but cops to continue action
Nagpur: The ongoing raids on hookah parlours in city by crime branch will continue though there is no specific law barring use of hookah without tobacco. The crime branch has so far conducted 17 raids in less than a fortnight. Four parlours had to pay the penalty levied by the court for violation of the Bombay Police Rules, 1956, slapped for contravening Supreme court guidelines.
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, and also Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, having no mention of tobacco-free hookahs, police had to resort to Section 33 of the Bombay Police Rules, 1956, to initiate challan action against owners. The owners are expected to appear before a court later that can levy a fine upto Rs 2,000. Police department claimed parlour owners were facing action for not following guidelines laid down by the apex court in maintaining smoking zones where hookah can be smoked.
Maharashtra home department had declared last year to frame a policy guidelines to regulate hookah parlours but is yet to do so. This is despite stormy debates over hookah on the floor of the assembly. Even during 2015 winter session, state government had assured to frame the rules pertaining to hookah parlours within a short time but failed to do so.
A delegation of hookah parlour owners are learnt to have met the city police top brass and DCP, crime, Ranjan Kumar Sharma asking them to discontinue the raids in absence of the licensing provisions. It is learnt the delegation said they were ready to seek permission or licence to operate hookah parlours but were unable to do so due to lack of specific law.
Authorities of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who earlier accompanied police on hookah parlour raids, said they stopped taking any action in absence of any provision of law. A senior FDA official said Food Safety and Transaction Act, 2006, does not specify anything about hookah. "FDA can only act on something that can be consumed or swallowed, not about something that is inhaled," he said. "There is a demand for licence from FDA by the hookah parlour owners but there is no law that provides for it," he said.
FDA has been receiving complaints from public about hookah parlour but has now withdrawn from ruling from courts that negated their authority to take action.Shravan Hardikar, municipal commissioner, too said he would find out if there was any provision in civic laws that could be applied to stop hookah parlours.
City police chief SP Yadav said their action was as per public demand. "There is a pressure of society to take action on hookah parlours though there is no specific laws regulating the business. We are taking action for violation of supreme court guidelines," he said. DCP, crime, Sharma said owners were free to approach the court if they feel wronged. "We have to keep up the raids as public are against the parlours," he said.
Jul 12, 2016
HC direction to Chennai Corpn on slaughter house
The Madras High Court has directed the ChennaiCorporation Commissioner to spell out its stand whether any place can be declared as a slaughter area under the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act-1919, when under the Central Act on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 there are rules framed known as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules 2001.
The First Bench Comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan gave the direction yesterday on a PIL filed by Radha Rajan seeking to direct the authorities to ensure that no camel slaughter takes place in Tamil Nadu.
The court asked the Food Safety and Standard authority ofIndia to file Counter affidavit within two weeks failing which the Joint Secretary of the department shall remain personally present in Court with records.
Stating that certain aspects which need to be addressed by the authorities of the Centre and the state such as whether slaughtering of camel is permitted, whether there are abattoirs in existence where slaughtering of camel can take place after completion of requisite formalities, the mode and manner of transportation of camels and posted the matter for further direction to August 18.
Packaged water: Pepsico, Coca Cola, Bisleri have valid license
Pepsico, Coca Cola and Bisleri have got a clean chit from food safety regulator FSSAI for their packaged water facilities, while crackdown is underway on some smaller players operating without valid manufacturing licences.
The three players -- Pepsico, Coca Cola and Bisleri -- command 60 per cent market share in the packaged drinking water segment.
After examining all relevant documents of these three companies, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) today said that Pepsico, Coca Cola and Bisleri have "valid FSSAI/BIS license/certification".
"It can be safely concluded that the said food and beverage operators (FBOs) comply with relevant provisions of FSS Act, rules and regulations," FSSAI said in a statement.
Last month, FSSAI had asked state authorities to crackdown on mineral water packaging units that are operating without its licence. As many as 75 per cent of the packaging units owned by various firms were said to be operating without an FSSAI licence. These units were operating under a BIS certification.
When contacted, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said, "Their (Pepsico, Coca Cola and Bisleri) names were not in the list of companies not having valid licence. But they figured in the media reports. So, we asked them to submit the details."
These three companies have 60 per cent share in packaged drinking water market in the country, he added.
FSSAI had asked the three companies to submit all the details of various manufacturing/processing units including third party manufacturer and processors after they claimed that they have valid licences by FSSAI and BIS.
Out of total 5,842 registered water packaging units, 1,495 units have both BIS and FSSAI licences, while 4,347 units have only BIS certification.
Agarwal said, "We are still in the process of cracking down on those units which do not have valid licence. Those are mostly small companies."
Pepsico sells its packaged water under the brand name Aquafina, Coca-cola sells under the name Kinley, while Bisleri sells packaged water under its own name.
Ludhiana’s Radisson Blu hotel fined Rs 26 lakh over substandard food products
Finding food products at Hotel Radisson Blu on Ferozepur Road here as substandard, the Ludhiana administration has imposed a Rs 26-lakh penalty on its management. The fine has been imposed for violation of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and Rules 2011 after the food samples were not found substandard in the laboratory tests.
Another popular shop, Chaurasia Pan Parlour on Chandigarh Road, has been fined Rs 2 lakh.
Issuing magisterial orders in this regard, additional deputy commissioner Rishipal Singh said samples of jam, noodles, imli (tamarind), curd and chutney from the hotel and those of True Lemon (ready to serve beer) from Chaurasia Pan Parlour had been taken for test.
The laboratory tests found all the samples below the quality standards set under the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and Rules 2011. The owners have been directed to deposit the amount in government treasury immediately.
Rishipal said the violations of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 in any form will not be tolerated.
Clarifying its stand, a spokesperson of Hotel Radisson Blu said most of the samples taken by the health department were of imported packed products. “Nestle curd, Stute Diabetic Jam and How How Rice Noodles (made in Thailand) were among the samples found substandard. Hence, we cannot be held responsible for their quality. We provide globally-acceptable products to our guests,’ he said.
He said they will appeal against the order and present the bills of the products to the authorities for taking up the matter with the companies concerned.
For violation of Food Safety & Standard Act 2006, hotel Radisson Blu fined Rs 26 lakh
He informed that when these samples were checked as per the government process in the laboratory, all these products were below the quality standards under Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and Rules 2011. A checking report from Food Analyst Punjab, Chandigarh, was also issued. Keeping in mind the safety of residents and public interest, Hotel Radisson Blu has been fined Rs 26 lakh and Chaurasia Pan Parlour Rs 2 lakh. This fine has been imposed under section 51 of the act. The violators have been directed to deposit the amount in government treasury immediately.
While giving a clear cut warning to those selling below standard food products, Rishipal Singh said that the violation of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 would not be tolerated at any cost. He said that if any person is caught violating the act, hefty fines would be imposed on them.
Want relief for bad food? Store vomit sample
NEW DELHI:
Did you get an upset tummy after eating from a local restaurant? Then you may be eligible to get up to 35 lakh in compensation under the Food Safety Act.
Not so easily, though.
First, you have to preserve some of the food that you ate and get it tested at the city’s food safety lab at the earliest.
Second, you have to preserve the sample of your vomit or stool and get a physician to certify you have had food poisoning.
If you furnish all the proof, the manufacturer or vendor will, after a prolonged court battle, pay you Rsl lakh in race of any harm, Rs 3 latch for grievous harm and Rs 5 lakh for death, according to section 65 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
“For claiming compensation, the person has to get the same food that he ate, tested. And, the sample has to be tested within 24 hours, otherwise, the manufacturers may contest that the food went bad because the consumer did not keep it under proper refrigeration,” an official from Delhi’s food safety department said.
“It is a very strict Act and a person will have to prove beyond reasonable doubt in the court of law that he/ she got sick because of the food. This means we have to medically examine whether the food poisoning happened due to the same strain of bacteria or virus found in the food,” the official added.
The official agrees that the conditions for compensation are impractical.
“The onus lies with the consumer to collect the proof. Nobody saves half their sand-wich or a little bit of the dal, just in case they fall ill later. And, what if the person gets sick after four days? Then, even if they complain and we find the food to be contaminated, we can only take action against the manufac-turer or vendor. They will not receive any compensation as they will be unable to prove the food they had four days ago was contaminated,” the official said.
It may take a couple of hours to two days for an infection to set in. “If the toxin is already present in the food product because of the action of a bacte-ria, a person will get sick in two or three hours. But, if the person ingests the infection, it will take a little longer. The most com-mon bacteria – staphylococcus takes 6 hours and bacillus cereus takes 12 to 24 hours to start act-ing,” said Dr Srikant Sharma, senior consulting physician at Moolchand hospital.
To date, no ease for compensa-tion has been filed under the Act, whidi came into force in am.’This clause is beneficial in case of mass outbmaks, where several people fall ill and we can register a stronger cases Even then the evidence will mostly be circumstantial,” the food safety department official said.
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