3 of 12 milk samples tested by FSSAI found to be substandard

Coimbatore: Close to 25% of raw milk samples collected by the district food safety department two weeks ago in the city were found to be substandard. Three of the 12 samples collected were found to be low in milk solid-not-fat (MSNF) content, because they may have been diluted with water, suspect officials. The solid-not-fat contributes to the vitamins and minerals in milk.

Acting on complaints of adulteration in milk, the district food safety department had collected 12 samples of raw milk from local pushcart vendors. "We collected raw milk samples from 12 randomly selected vendors from across the city two weeks ago," said the designated food safety officer, Dr OLS Vijay. "We had sent the samples to the laboratory to check for the presence of harmful adulterants and if they meet the FSSAI (food safety and standards act of India) standards," he added.

The results of the tests, which came on Tuesday, found that three of the 12 samples were found to have low milk solid-not-fat content. "The milk solid-not-fat content was less than the required 8.5% and in some cases it was hardly 4%. This makes it a substandard product," said a senior food safety official.

Milk solid-not-fat, also called serum solids, contains lactose, caseins or phosphoproteins, proteins and minerals content in the milk. "When you reduce the MSNF content, the milk loses these vital benefits and nutrition. We suspect that milk vendors add water to cow's milk," said the official.

Officials suspect that many vendors simply purchase packets of full fat milk from bigger brands, add the same proportion of water and sell them. "They buy full fat milk for Rs40 a litre, add water and sell it for Rs25 to Rs28 per litre," he said. While one of the vendors caught is from Rathinapuri, the other two are also suspected to be from the newly added areas in the city.

Six inspectors for 500,000 Delhi eateries

There are 32 vacancies in the department and the situation has been the same for three years

One food inspector for 83,333 eateries! With just six food inspectors to monitor the 5 lakh-odd street food vendors, dhabas, cafés and high-end eateries in India's food capital, that's the absurd math the Food and Drug Department deals with everyday.

Tasked with ensuring food quality in the teeming city famous for the sheer variety of food on offer, the department carries out surprise inspections and raids and collects samples of food items to check for adulteration, misbranding or substandard ingredients. But it has only six inspectors to do the job.

There are 32 vacancies in the department and the situation has been the same for three years. The department has been writing to the Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board (DSSSB), responsible for all hiring in the Delhi government, to fill the vacancies and rectify the situation but to no avail.

"We have been writing to the selection board to fill these vacant posts for the last three years," said Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner, Department of Food Safety, Delhi government.

DSSSB Chairman AC Verma did not respond to DNA's queries.

"From lifting samples to attend court prosecution cases, we have everything on our plate. One day, I am at Badarpur to collect the sample and other day we have to report to the court for some cases. Collecting samples is a cumbersome process and takes a lot of time. It is extremely difficult to manage. From the last three years, we are hoping that someone will join soon but nothing is happening," a food safety officer told DNA on condition of anonymity.

"The work doubles up during festivals like Holi and Diwali when there are high chances of food adulteration," added another food safety officer.

A food safety officer assists the designated officer in all matters related to field inspections, including lifting of samples, instituting prosecution proceedings in a court of law if necessary and attending the hearings.

A food inspector either randomly visits eateries to collect samples or follows up on complains registered by consumers.

"The work of the entire food department rests on these inspectors. Every year, we aim to collect around 2,000-3,000 food samples for testing. And even with the six people we are managing to do that. But this is hampering the overall work too. We get emails from the consumers complaining about the poor food quality even in popular chains and we have to address them," Darswal explained.

The acute lack of personnel can be seen in other departments too. Of 10 sanctioned posts for chemists (food analysts), seven are occupied by

contractual employees, it is learnt. No permanent hiring has been done on these posts.

According to sources, DSSSB has been going through a roller-coaster ride with its chairman getting changed frequently. The Food Department is not the only one suffering.

Street food fest in Capital

This weekend, Delhiites will be able to sample 300 different regional cuisines from 25 States at the National Street Food Festival that will bring together around 500 vendors from across the country.

The three-day festival starting on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will feature 140 food stalls, including those selling authentic dishes from Jammu and Kashmir as well as traditional cuisine from Guwahati. The eighth edition of the festival, organised by the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), will offer visitors the option of cashless payment. The street vendors would be trained on using e-wallets for transactions on Thursday.

Safety and hygiene

The festival will also have musical performances and interactive sessions with chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and Kunal Kapur. The FSSAI would also sensitise vendors on food safety and hygiene.

Pawan Agarwal, the CEO of FSSAI, said at a press conference here on Wednesday that 20,000 street vendors in Delhi had already been trained under the ‘Clean Street Food’ project, which was launched by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in March 2016.

FSSAI to train street food vendors on hygiene,safety standards

Food regulator FSSAI today said it plans to launch a national campaign to give training to street food vendors for improving their hygiene practices and safety standards.

To promote authentic Indian street food, the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) in partnership with FSSAI is organising a three-day National Street Food Festival to be held at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in the national capital starting December 23.

More than 300 cuisines from 25 states will be offered by 500 street food vendors from across the country. 

"We have already trained 20,000 street vendors of Delhi under the project 'Clean Street Food'. We are planning to roll out this programme nationally to train about 15-20 lakh street vendors across the country," Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said here. 

The FSSAI is seeking support of the state governments as well as corporates to roll out this programme nationally, he added. 

In March, the FSSAI had launched 'Clean Street Food' project with an aim to raise the safety standards of foods sold on streets across the national capital by training 20,000 roadside vendors on aspects of health and hygiene. 

FSSAI partnered with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to train street food vendors. 

Taking about the festival, Agarwal said more than 50,000 people are expected to attend the eighth edition of this festival and digital payment facility would also be available. 

"There will be lot of education, fun and entertainment activities during this street food festival," he said. 

Agarwal said the FSSAI would also showcase the benefits of fortified food during this festival. 

"In its 8th edition now , the National Street Food Festival has succeeded in advocating space for street vendors in Indian cities and also driving home to the vendors the need and benefit of serving hygienic and safe food," said Arbind Singh, National Coordinator, NASVI.

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Water filling points come under safety wing scanner

உணவுபொருள் உரிமம் பெற ஆடிட்டரை அணுகக்கூடாது: அலுவலர் எச்சரிக்கை

சேலம்: சேலம், லீ-பஜார் வர்த்தக சங்க கட்டடத்தில், உணவு பொருள் உரிமம் பெறுவது குறித்த ஆலோசனை கூட்டம், நடந்தது.

உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் அனுராதா பேசியதாவது: நேரடியாக உணவுக்கு பயன்படுத்த முடியாத முழு மஞ்சள், நெல் ஆகியவற்றை தனித்தனியே வர்த்தகம் செய்தால், உரிமத்தில் விலக்கு உண்டு. இரண்டையும் சேர்த்து செய்தாலே உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும். ஆண்டுக்கு, 12 லட்ச ரூபாய்க்கு மேல் வர்த்தகம் செய்தால், உணவுபொருள் உரிம கட்டணம், 2,000 ரூபாய். 12 லட்ச ரூபாய்க்கு குறைவான வர்த்தகர்கள், 100 ரூபாய் செலுத்தி, பதிவுச்சான்று பெற்றால் போதும். ஐந்தாண்டு கட்டணத்தை மொத்தமாக செலுத்தி, உரிமம் பெற வசதி உண்டு. அதற்கு மேல், புதுப்பித்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். உரிமம் முடிய, ஒரு மாதத்துக்கு முன்பே, புதுப்பிக்க விண்ணப்பிக்க வேண்டும். இல்லாத பட்சத்தில், நாள் ஒன்றுக்கு, 100 ரூபாய் அபராதம் வசூலிக்கப்படும். உரிமகாலம் முடிந்துவிட்டால், புதிதாக விண்ணப்பித்தே, உரிமம் பெற வேண்டும். எல்லா விண்ணப்பங்களும், ஆன்லைன் மூலமே, பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும். உணவுபொருள் உரிமத்துக்கும், ஆடிட்டர்களுக்கும், எந்த சம்பந்தமும் கிடையாது. எனவே, உரிமம்பெற, எக்காரணம் கொண்டும், ஆடிட்டர்களை அணுக வேண்டாம். அதேபோல, அக்கவுண்டன்ட், நிறுவன மேலாளர்களிடமும், உரிமம் பெறும் பணிகளை ஒப்படைக்கக்கூடாது. வர்த்தகர்கள், நேரடியாக தொடர்பு கொண்டு, உரிமம்பெற முனைப்பு காட்ட வேண்டும். புழு, பூச்சி, எலித்தொல்லைகள் இன்றி, உணவு பொருள் கையாளும் பாதுகாப்பில் தனி கவனம் செலுத்த வேண்டும். சுத்தம், சுகாதாரத்தை பேணி காக்க வேண்டும். தவறும் பட்சத்தில், அபராதம், பறிமுதல் உள்ளிட்ட நடவடிக்கை உண்டு. அவை, தொடரும் பட்சத்தில், உரிமம் ரத்து செய்யப்படும். பாக்கெட்டுகளில் அடைத்து விற்கப்படும் பொருட்களில், உரிமம் எண் உள்பட எல்லா விவரமும், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட உணவுபொருள் படத்துடன் தெளிவாக இடம் பெற வேண்டும். ஆய்வுக்கு வரும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கையில் சந்தேகம் இருந்தால், உடனடியாக தலைமை அலுவலகத்துக்கு தகவல் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். யாரிடமும், பணம் கொடுத்து ஏமாறக்கூடாது. இவ்வாறு அவர் பேசினார்.

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வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் செய்வதாக புகார்: 300 மூட்டை சர்க்கரை பறிமுதல் சேலம் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை

சேலம், 

வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் செய்வதாக வந்த புகாரை தொடர்ந்து சேலத்தில் 300 மூட்டை சர்க்கரையை பறிமுதல் செய்து உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தனர்.

சர்க்கரை

சேலம் சூரமங்கலம் பகுதியை சேர்ந்த வெல்லம் வியாபாரி ஒருவர், லீ பஜாரில் உள்ள ஒரு வெல்லம் மண்டியில் வெல்லத்தை ஏலத்திற்கு எடுத்து சென்று சில்லரையாக விற்று வருகிறார். இவர் ஏலத்திற்கு எடுக்கும் வெல்லத்திற்கு ரூபாய் கொடுக்காமல் உற்பத்தியாளர்களுக்கு கலப்படம் செய்ய பயன்படும் சர்க்கரை வழங்குவதாக மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகளுக்கு புகார்கள் வந்தன.

அதன்பேரில் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அலுவலர் டாக்டர் அனுராதா தலைமையில் அதிகாரிகள் வெல்லம் மண்டிக்கு சென்று ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். அப்போது அங்கு லாரி ஒன்றில் 50 கிலோ எடை கொண்ட 300 மூட்டை சர்க்கரை இருப்பது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது.

300 மூட்டை சர்க்கரை பறிமுதல்

இதையடுத்து அதிகாரிகள் நடத்திய விசாரணையில், இந்த சர்க்கரை வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் செய்வதற்காக வெல்லம் உற்பத்தியாளர்களுக்கு கொடுக்க கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது தெரியவந்தது. இதைதொடர்ந்து லாரியுடன் 300 சர்க்கரை மூட்டைகளை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்து சூரமங்கலம் மெயின் ரோட்டில் உள்ள ஒரு குடோனில் நிறுத்தி வைத்தனர். மேலும் கலப்படம் செய்ய வெல்லம் உற்பத்தியாளர்களுக்கு உறுதுணையாக இருப்பதாக அந்த வியாபாரிக்கு நோட்டீசு வழங்கப்பட்டது.

இதுதவிர பாதுகாப்பு இல்லாமலும், சரியான பேக்கிங் செய்யாமலும் இருந்த 70 வெல்ல மூட்டைகளையும் அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர். சர்க்கரை மற்றும் வெல்லம் மாதிரிகளை அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வுக்கு எடுத்து சேலம் உடையாப்பட்டியில் உள்ள பகுப்பாய்வு கூடத்துக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தனர்.

அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு

இந்தநிலையில் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட சர்க்கரை மூட்டைகளுடன் லாரி நிறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ள குடோனுக்கு நேற்று உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா தலைமையில் அதிகாரிகள் நேரில் சென்று பார்வையிட்டனர். அப்போது அதிகாரியின் அனுமதியில்லாமல் அந்த வெல்லம் வியாபாரி, லாரியில் இருந்து சர்க்கரை மூட்டைகளை இறக்கி குடோனுக்குள் வைத்திருந்தது தெரியவந்தது. மேலும் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட சர்க்கரை மூட்டைகளும் குறைவாக இருந்தன. இதனால் ஆத்திரமடைந்த அதிகாரிகள் வியாபாரியை எச்சரித்தனர்.

இதுகுறித்து உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா கூறும் போது, ‘வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் செய்ய பயன்படும் அஸ்கா சர்க்கரையை உற்பத்தியாளர்களுக்கு கொடுப்பதாக வந்த புகாரை தொடர்ந்து ஆய்வு நடத்தினோம். அப்போது வெல்லம் வியாபாரி ஒருவர், வெல்லம் உற்பத்தியாளர்களுக்கு கலப்படம் செய்வதற்காக சர்க்கரை மூட்டைகளை கொடுக்க கொண்டு வந்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து அதை பறிமுதல் செய்து நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தோம். மேலும் வெல்லம் மூட்டைகளையும் பறிமுதல் செய்து உள்ளோம். இதுதொடர்பாக உரிய விசாரணை நடத்தி அவர் மீது சட்டப்படி நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்‘ என்றார்.

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Don’t wrap food in newspaper: FDA

Panaji: The directorate of food and drugs administration (FDA) has advised street vendors, kiosks, fast food operators, food business operators and others to refrain from wrapping eatables in newspaper. This is because newspaper ink, which contains multiple bioactive components having negative health effects, contaminates the food. Used newspapers also contain pathogenic microorganisms.

"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice and consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food was cooked hygienically. Old people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material," read a statement issued by FDA on Wednesday.

FDA along with Nestle India Limited and National Association of Street Food vendors has trained 1,029 street food vendors in food safety and hygiene since it started a training program titled Serve Safe Food@Street Food in November. Twenty-three training sessions were held in Bambolim, Vasco, Margao, Calangute, Canacona, Curchorem, Quepem, Bicholim, Canacona, Panaji, Mapusa, etc where FDA received great support and cooperation from local bodies including the municipal council and the panchayat.

The FDA will also depute food safety officers to follow up with vendors to see if they are complying with practices highlighted during their training. Any deviation will be dealt with strictly as vendors can no longer plead ignorance.

‘Ban use of newspapers for packing food items’

Pune: Soon, local street food stalls and eateries will have to do away with stocking and packing food items in newspapers as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to discourage this rampant use through targeted awareness campaign.

The highest office of food safety has accordingly urged all states and Union territories to plan campaigns to not only create awareness about the ill effects of this method of serving foods but also bring healthy practice methods of serving foods.

“It is an extremely unhealthy practice to serve food in newspaper and consumption of such foods can be hazardous to people’s health,” said a statement issued by FSSAI.

A newspaper, which contains ink and associated colour pigments, binders, additives and preservatives, can pose serious health issues if consumed with food.

“As it has been proven that exposure to these ingredients, particularly by children, elderly and those suffering from illnesses, pose a higher risk of developing cancer-related health issues, we aim at phasing out this practice,” the officials stated.

Accordingly, it has been advised that newspapers should not be used to wrap, cover, serve foods neither should it be used to absorb excess oil of fried foods. 

“Steps are being planned in order to discourage the use of newspaper from the food industry or at least restrict the use in a manner, which will not pose a health hazard,” said an official from State’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

Similarly, in another move, the food safety authority has also informed the beverage and cool drink manufacturers to use blue tint on bottles used in packaging as per the guidelines of the FDA. 

The caffeinated beverages must strictly be within the prescribed limit of 145 mg/litre to 300 mg/litre, exceeding which, it would attract penalty. 

Also, it has been made mandatory for the food industry to specify on its label the per day consumption limit. 

“Often, the label does not find any special mention of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers for whom this beverage is not advised to consume. This has now been made mandatory,” added the official.

FSSAI NEW LOOK WEBSITE

Enforcement Drive from FSSAI during #Festiveseason- A praise worthy effort from the State of Gujarat

8th National Street Food Festival

 

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

 

FSSAI MAKES IT LADDOO AND CLEAR, TELLS TTD TO ABIDE BY NORMS

Is the delicious Tirupati laddu ‘food’ or not? FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) have locked horns over this issue. TTD, in a bid to shrug off an investigation FSSAI had ordered into safety standards of its famous laddus, has redefined the status of laddu – claiming it is not ‘food’, selling it is not an actual sale, laddus are not goods and pilgrims receiving them not consumers. FSSAI in return has rapped it saying laddu is indeed a food whether purchased or distributed free.FSSAI has gone ahead and sought a report from the Andhra Pradesh government on action to be taken at the earliest.

The case

It all had started with city-based activist Narasimha Murthy taking up the case of quality, certification, hygiene and food safety standards of laddus at Tirupati in June 2016. He had petitioned FSSAI alleging unsafe and unhygienic processing method in the making of the laddus, besides defects at several stages including its manufacture, storage, distribution and sale. He had also questioned the certification of laddus by the authority concerned or a certified lab. Raising concerns over incidents of the finding of a nut, bolt, key chain and Pan Parag cover in the laddus, Murthy had cited non-issuance of bills that should have quantity, quality, ingredients, date of manufacture and date of expiry on it. He had raised concerns if Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was being adhered to at Tirupati. FSSAI in turn had sought an investigation and action.

Food or not?

But TTD executive officer, in September had written back to FSSAI putting an interesting defence. TTD had claimed that laddus were being distributed as sacred prasadam to pilgrims and it cannot be termed as food under the provisions of FSSAI Act, 2006. Its second defence was that laddus were being distributed from free-of-cost to subsidised prices ranging from Rs 5, Rs 10, and Rs 25, which cannot be termed sales. The third point was that the laddus were not being given as cost-to-cost or with a profit motto, and hence, cannot be viewed as goods. Further, it had claimed that pilgrims can’t be considered consumers.

It also had said that traditional practice of preparing laddus with ingredients procured from agricultural produce didn’t contain any kind of artificial flavours or preservatives and hence cannot be viewed as unsafe. It said quantities of ingredients were being used as specified, which narrates the scale of ingredient: quantity ratio

with slight modification in consultation with CFTRI. It had inadvertently accepted that these laddus were not licenced. “Laddus are neither goods, nor food for sale, hence the question of obtaining licence doesn’t arise,” TTD had said. It had also taken a dig over the whole issue of questioning the laddus.

“Prasadams of respective Hindu temples will be prepared as per the respective traditional customs, but shall not be intervened under the pretext of FSSAI, CST acts that demean the religious feelings of crores of Hindu pilgrims,” the executive officer had said.

FSSAI hits back

Hitting back at TTD’s ‘laddu not food’ claim, FSSAI said, “Food means any substance whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, intended for human consumption except categories like drugs, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances. Therefore, as per the definition of food under FSS Act, laddu that is presented as prasadam at a temple is food.”

The applicability of the act is not affected whether the food is purchased or distributed free of cost. It also directed commissioner of food safety, AP government, “You may accordingly ensure that TTD complies with all requirements of FSS Act, rules and regulations. An early report on the action taken would be appreciated.”

Murthy meanwhile maintained action would be sought against the executive director, TTD for violations that were forthcoming under FSS Act.

FSSAI plans to overhaul inspection procedures next year: Sources

CNBC-TV18’s Priya Sheth, quoting sources, says the food regulator will be making procedures more structured to avoid ad hoc inspections. It also plans to add 200 inspectors at the central level. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to overhaul inspection procedures in 2017, sources say. The aim is to make the regime self-regulatory and reduce the notion of harassment to businesses. 

CNBC-TV18’s Priya Sheth, quoting sources, says the food regulator will be making procedures more structured to avoid ad hoc inspections. It also plans to add 200 inspectors at the central level. 

Surveillance will be tightened at state level, sources say, adding, FSSAI is likely to divide food into five risk categories for the same. 

Food that falls under the lower risk categories will see lesser inspections. 

Hoteliers in Cantonment could learn from this man

G Narender frying some snacks at his bandi in Secunderabad. 

At a time when more than 70 per cent of food outlets including big hotels in the Secunderabad Cantonment area are found wanting in matters of cleanliness and standards maintained in storage and sale of food, G Narender, 40, who sells short eats, such as potato patties and snacks made with green chilli at his bandi in East Marredpally is scoring a point or two. 

It is said that ‘Cleanliness is a habit nice, without paying heavy price’. It couldn’t have been more applicable to Narender when last week two food inspectors sauntered in to his little bandi and wanted to extort money. 

However, Narender showed them the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certificate that he proudly displays at his stall and off went the inspectors without a whimper.

An exuberant Narender says, “I informed them how I make sure my customers throw waste packets and leftovers in the bins provided. I also ensure to clean the place and dispose all waste material before going home.” 

It has been five years from the time he obtained the FSSAI certificate. He says, “I was once surfing channels and watched a show on how important it is to maintain cleanliness and make the whole process from procuring food material to the final stage efficient and I decided to get the FSSAI certificate.”

The cost of the certificate is Rs 100, which is given after a thorough check by officials. Narender feels that it gives him a sense of relief and confidence. He says that many first timers to the stall are curious when they see the certificate and praise him. 

The cleanliness-conscious food seller feels that hoteliers in the city should go in for the FSSAI certificate. He says his business shot up by several notches after he obtained it and many educated customers often pat him on the back for it.

Meanwhile, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) is planning to crack the whip on hotels in the area once more. 

The Cantonment Act, 2006 states that no person of any classes, vendors of any articles shall carry on trade unless he has obtained a license. 

Though many hotels were seized by food inspectors of SCB earlier, there are close to 400 outlets still operating without safety measures.

Over 50 samples found sub-standard in FSDA raid

Dec 18,

In a bid to check cases of adulteration of food items, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), Government of Chhattisgarh raided over 450 shops in festive seasons and collected samples. 

Talking to The Hitavada, Assistant Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Dr Ashwani Dewangan said that over 420 samples were collected from general stores, sweet shops, rice mills, pulse mills, masala factory and carrying and forwarding business centres in the months of October and November, in which over 50 samples were substandard.

In October, 260 samples were collected, in which there were 189 normal, 42 substandard, 27 misbranding and 2 unsafe. In November, 162 samples were collected, in which there were 10 substandard, 8 misbranded and 18 unsafe, Dr Dewangan said.

The Department takes action against adulterers and conducts regular food checking and testing at different places across the state. Quality of food items, drinking items and alcohol is checked by the Food and Drug Administration, he added.

General stores, sweet shops, rice mills, pulse mills, masala factory and Carrying and Forwarding business centres are checked by the Food and Drug Administration. 

Any trader sells unsafe, sub-standard or misbranded or containing extraneous matter, stern action would be taken against him or her under Food Safety and Standards Act-2006.

Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 is being implemented for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate food manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Regular food raids on Sabarimala pilgrim routes

District food safety authorities have formed special squads to conduct regular inspections of eateries along the pilgrim route.

Sabarimala Ayyappan temple

Kochi: In view of widespread complaints against the quality of food and sanitation standards of hotels and eateries along the Sabarimala route, the health and food safety authorities in the district have decided to intensify raids. District food safety authorities have formed special squads to conduct regular inspections of eateries along the pilgrim route. “During the pilgrim season, regular raids are conducted to check the food quality. It is the responsibility of local bodies to inspect hygiene standards of eateries,” said K.V Shibu, food safety assistant commissioner. 

After the pilgrim season started, big and small eateries have come up in Chottanikkara, Mulanthuruthy, Tripunithura and nearby areas. In Chottanikkara, poor sanitation of hotels and lodges has been a contentious issue for long and there are widespread complaints that hotels are dumping garbage including toilet waste into open drains, polluting water bodies in the area. Though the temple authorities have proposed a sewage treatment plant, it has not been installed. Various panchayats along the pilgrim route also have initiated inspection of eateries.

Meanwhile, lack of coordination and conflicts between various agencies is affecting the inspection of eateries. Due to the confrontation between stakeholders, Sabarimala pilgrims are at the receiving end. “This is my fifth year of pilgrimage. The situation and facilities at Chottanikkara have not improved even a little over the years. The eateries are serving food in the most unhygienic of conditions,” said Saravan, a pilgrim from Tamil Nadu.

The Tirupati Laddu- is it above the food safety licence?

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has categorically rejected a request from the Food Safety Bureau for inspection of the premises and procedure followed in the preparation of the laddus(prasadam). Permission was denied on the grounds that the ‘potu’ or kitchen is an ‘auspicious place’ where outsiders are not allowed.

This was a result of an RTI application filed by Bengaluru-based T. Narasimha Murthy in July, alleging that laddus were made in an unhygienic manner. “The deficiencies are noticed at every stage, including manufacture, storage, distribution and sale. Materials such as bolts, nuts, key chains and gutka covers have been found in the laddus,” he alleged.

“The cooks who are in preparation of these laddus in large quantity are found wearing no proper dress. They are working in half naked dress and found sweating due to heavy heat at the kitchen. These cooks are not wearing any hand glove, apron and other safety norms..,” Murthy had alleged. The application raised question on adherence of food safety norms by the TTD while making laddus and whether it possess an FSSAI licence.

What is FSSAI?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India , the FSSAI stipulates that every Food Business Operator has to obtain a registered licence and if they operate in more than one state they require more than one licence.and the preparation has to adhere to hygienic standards for preparation.

The FSSAI Act states that regular reports on the health condition of the cooks should be submitted to the health officer and a fitness certificate should be obtained. Also a bill should be provided upon purchase of the product and the packing should carry details about the ingredients and date of manufacture and expiry.

Laddus-Not food but holy offering.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Food Safety, Andhra Pradesh, the director of Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Suneeti Toteja, stated that the ‘laddu’ is food as per definition of food under the Food Safety Standards Act of India, 2006. Also, TTD is an FBO and has to adhere to provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

In reply, a letter was sent by the Director of Public Health Labs and Food Administration, Andhra Pradesh, to the RTI activist in which a TTD officer claimed that the laddus cannot be considered as food as they are a holy offering and pilgrims cannot be termed as consumers.

Tirupati laddu has a Geographical Indication tag 

The Tirupati temple is the richest Hindu temple in the whole world. No visit to the temple is complete without taking the laddu it offers. Lakhs of laddus are made everyday and are sold out in no time. Even online purchasing is available . Last year it completed 300 years. It is said to have been introduced on August 2nd1715! The Tirupati laddu has also got a patent in the form of geographical indication tag and is thus protected from misuse of name or recipe. The kitchen has been modernised with conveyor belts to deliver the laddus from the kitchen to the counter.

What harm will a public health scrutiny possibly do?

Don't just rely on labels if you want to eat healthy

Midrand, Dec. 18 -- The label on a packaged snack may not always give you the authentic information on whether the food is good for your health. For example, a popular health drink claims it contains "pro health vitamins", but the label suggests that it has 71 gms of sugar for every 100 grams.This sugar content is actually 57% of the recommended daily intake limit.

A new study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released on Friday reveals how several popular brands of snacks, health drinks, cooking oil and noodles don't tell you what you must know. A brand of health drink that claims it has "34 vital nutrients, 100% milk protein, more protein faster growth" actually contains sugar as high as 38% of recommended daily upper limit per serving.

"In fact, we have not accounted for the fact that a person may consume it more than once and add sugar to the drink," said Amit Khurana of the food safety and toxins programme at CSE. Equally misleading are the advertisements - a brand of digestive biscuits, which claims to have less refined flour (maida) was, in fact, found to contain more maida than whole wheat, according to Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). More such complaints sourced by CSE suggest several brands make claims in advertisements that have no substance.

An oil brand that claims to contain "antioxidant powder" and suggests it is the "healthiest choice for your heart" allegedly violated the norms laid down by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Moreover, ASCI is a "self-regulatory" body , which does not have the power to impose punitive measures due to which violators may repeat the same offences.

According to the report, the labelling requirements in India are extremely lax. The Food Safety Regulations, 2011 make it mandatory for the brands to declare energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat content. The quantity of sugar is to be specified as well.

"A product may be fat free, but it may be very high on sugar. Consumers don't tend to notice that aspect of the ingredients on the labels," said Ishi Khosla, nutritionist, who was present at the release of the re port. CSE researchers have recommended a complete ban on celebrity endorsement of food that is high in salt, sugar and fats. Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, said: "The government is considering amending the Consumer Protection Act to provide for a five-year jail terms or a penalty of Rs 50 lakh to hold celebriti es responsible for false and misleading claims. But the same amendment says that there will be no liability if precautions are taken before deciding to endorse a product. In other words, this amendment amounts to nothing."

Readers can find the brand names in a report published on the CSE website.

Health department warns against sale of gutkha, pan masala products

JAIPUR: The health departmenthas issued orders preventing the sale of products marketed separately to form gutkha or pan masala (containing tobacco/nicotine) as final product in the state.

Commissioner of food safety Dr B R Meena issued directions to all designated officers and food safety officers to ensure that the "manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutkha and pan masala (containing tobacco/nicotine) or any other product marketed separately to constitute gutkha or pan masala as final product, by whatsoever name called, whether packaged or unpackaged and/or sold as one product, or though packaged as separate products, sold or distributed in such a manner so as to easily facilitate mixing by the consumer is prohibited in Rajasthan state".

The state had imposed a ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala products (containing tobacco/nicotine) in July 2012. But, despite the ban, tobacco and pan masala are available in separate pouches. A gutkha consumer can easily buy two separate pouches of tobacco and pan masala and mix them to form gutkha.

"The Supreme Court in Central Arecanut Marketing Corporation and Others Vs Union of India (Transfer Case (C) 1 of 2010) in its order dated 23/09/2016, observed that, to circumvent the ban on the sale of gutkha, the manufacturers are selling pan masala (without tobacco) with flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets but often conjoint and sold together by the same vendors from the same premises, so that consumers can buy the pan masala and flavoured chewing tobacco and mix them both and consume the same. Hence instead of the earlier "ready to consume mixes," chewing tobacco companies are selling gutkha in twin packs to be mixed as one," the order says.

It further stated that the Supreme Court had directed secretaries, health departments of all states and Union territories to ensure total compliance of the ban imposed on manufacturing and sale of gutkha and pan masala with tobacco/ nicotine.

Complying with the Supreme Court's order, the health department issued directions on December 15 to prevent the sale of such products in the state.

"Gutkha and pan masala are unsafe food as they contain tobacco and nicotine as ingredients which is injurious to health and thus manufacture and sale of these products are banned as they are in contravention of the provisions of regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011," the health department's order stated.

Government warns against sly sale of gutkha, tobacco products

JAIPUR: The health department has issued orders preventing the sale of products marketed separately to form gutkha or pan masala (containing tobacconicotine) as final product in the state.

Commissioner of food safety Dr B R Meena issued directions to all designated officers and food safety officers to ensure that the "manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutkha and pan masala (containing tobacconicotine) or any other product marketed separately to constitute gutkha or pan masala as final product, by whatsoever name called, whether packaged or unpackaged andor sold as one product, or though packaged as separate products, sold or distributed in such a manner so as to easily facilitate mixing by the consumer is prohibited in Rajasthan state".

The state had imposed a ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala products (containing tobacco nicotine) in July 2012. But, despite the ban, tobacco and pan masala are available in separate pouches. A gutkha consumer can easily buy two separate pouches of tobacco and pan masala and mix them to form gutkha.

"The Supreme Court in Central Arecanut Marketing Corporation and Others Vs Union of India (Transfer Case (C) 1of 2010) in its order dated 23092016, observed that, to circumvent the ban on the sale of gutkha, the manufacturers are selling pan masala (without tobacco) with flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets but often conjoint and sold together by the same vendors from the same premises, so that consumers can buy the pan masala and flavoured chewing tobacco and mix them both and consume the same.Hence instead of the earlier "ready to consume mixes," chewing tobacco companies are selling gutkha in twin packs to be mixed as one," the order says.

It further stated that the Supreme Court had directed secretaries, health departments of all states and Union territories to ensure total compliance of the ban imposed on manufacturing and sale of gutkha and pan masala with tobacco nicotine. Complying with the Supreme Court's order, the health department issued directions on December 15 to prevent the sale of such products in the state.

"Gutkha and pan masala are unsafe food as they contain tobacco and nicotine as ingredients which is injurious to health and thus manufacture and sale of these products are banned as they are in contravention of the provisions of regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011," the health department's order stated.

Eateries in Kothamangalam under health department scanner

KOCHI: The state health department has directed district officials to check the quality of food served in hotels and cool bars in Kothamangalam and Nellikuzhi areas, where a severe outbreak of jaundice and hepatitis-A have been reported.
The move follows the death of three people. Health officials suspect that people contracted disease after eating from a hotel in Nellikuzhi.
Officials said though the disease is under control, more than 280 people have been infected in Nellikuzhi panchayat alone.
The total number infected, taking into account adjoining areas, would come to around 360. "Our surveillance teams are in the area as the number of infected persons is high. The chances of hepatitis-A spreading is high," said Dr N K Kuttappan, district medical officer, Ernakulam
A nine-member team of specialists led by Dr G Arunkumar from the Manipal Institute of Virology has reached the area to study the outbreak. "The team will investigate whether this is a new strain of virus. The severity of the disease and the reasons behind the quick outbreak has to be studied. The team will submit their preliminary report in a couple of weeks," DMO said.
During a review meeting held at Kothamangalam on Friday, the director of health services Dr R Ramesh directed the food and safety department to ensure preventive measures for controlling the jaundice in Nellikuzhi and neighbouring areas.
Awareness classes and surveys are being conducted in the area.
A team of five doctors conducted a special medical camp in Cheruvattoor primary health centre. Blood samples of 253 people, who took part in the camp, have been sent for testing. The blood samples are being sent to the mobile lab set up by the social security mission and to the temporary lab set up in the health centre. The mobile lab was set up on the request of the district collector
Dr Ramesh, directed the health department officials to open 24-hour diagnostic labs in Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha hospitals. A 24-hour control cell has been opened in Kothamangalam taluk hospital. Control room number is 0485-2822603.
"Measures have been taken to clean the water bodies in the municipality," said Manju Siju, Kothamangalam municipality chairperson.
She said that ASHA workers have been deployed to visit households to give awareness to people. Chlorination, rainage cleaning and waste management have been undertaken by the panchayat following the spread of disease.

Huge consignment of Fruit juice imported from Bangladesh seized

The Food Safety Unit of A and N Islands has seized huge quantity of fruit juice bottles like Litchi Juices, Mango Juices from the Godown of Baba Lokenath Company, which were allegedly imported from Bangladesh via Kolkata without any License, clearance acquired from the food safety unit of Port Blair. Andaman's Food Safety unit has today confirmed that all bottles has 'Made in Bangladesh' mark printed on it. "The brother in law of the owner of the Baba Lokenath Company has been questioned in this case, as the owner is out of town for some treatment," senior officer of Andaman's Food Safety unit told UNI on the condition of anonymity. According to reports, Baba Lokenath Company has obtained a license of manufacturing Sev but the company somehow indulged in this business of importing soft drinks in Andaman via Kolkata. The Food Safety Unit has seized the stock of Bangladeshi manufactured Cold Drinks of around Rs 1,40,000. As per details concerned agencies are now recommending for cancellation of license of the private firm in this case.

CSE Recommends Ban on Celebs Endorsing Sugary Foods

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has recommended a complete ban on celebrities endorsing foods high in salt, sugar or fat. Delivering her opening address at the briefing, Sunita Narain, Director General, CSE, said, "The government is considering amending the Consumer Protection Act to provide for five-year jail term or a penalty of Rs 50 lakh to hold celebrities responsible for false and misleading claims.
"But the same amendment says that there will be no liability if precautions are taken and due diligence is done before deciding to endorse a product. In other words, this amendment amounts to nothing."
The expert committee on Consumer Protection Bill, 2015 has recommended a penalty of Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment of up to two years or both for a first offense by a celebrity responsible for false and misleading claims. The penalty is Rs 50 lakh and five-year imprisonment for a second offence.
"But there are two problems with this proposal – one, manufacturers have not been held equally guilty and two, celebrities may not understand the science behind the claims and conduct due diligence," said Amit Khurana, Programme Manager, Food Safety and Toxins team, CSE.
Some of the suggestions made by CSE are strengthening nutrition facts labeling system, ascertaining nutrients, approving food advertisements, banning celebrities from endorsing foods high in salt, sugar or fat and instituting and enforcing stringent legal and financial penalties for misleading claims.

The speakers at the workshop included Sanjay Khajuria, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestle India; Ishi Khosla, Nutritionist and Founder, The Weight Monitor; Shriram Khanna, Managing Editor, Consumer Voice; Rajesh Sagar, Professor and Head, Deparment of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences; Santosh Desai, MD and CEO, Future Brands; Pawan Aggarwal, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; and Hem Pande, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs.

Take 5: Prasadam is made with faith in God. It can’t be called food, says TTD Health Officer

The FSSAI has held that since laddoo is food as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, the TTD must obtain a food safety licence for the laddoo

Dr S Sharmistha, Health Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
After a complaint that the famed Tirupati laddoos were being made in an unhygienic manner, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has held that since laddoo is food as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, the TTD must obtain a food safety licence for the laddoo. Dr S Sharmistha, Health Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) responds:
1. How many laddoos does the TTD make in a day?
The TTD prepares two lakh laddoos on weekdays and up to 3 lakh on weekends, holidays and festivals. The laddoos are prepared by members of a particular Brahmin sect who have been doing this work for centuries, at a kitchen in the temple of Lord Venkateshwara.
2. How do you ensure hygiene standards?
The TTD uses 41 items to prepare the laddoos and other prasadam. From jeera to ghee to flour, to dry fruits, all are inspected for quality, hygiene and freshness. We have a state-of-the-art food testing laboratory. No other temple in the country has such facilities. We also regularly conduct health checks on the laddoo makers. Traditionally, they shave off their hair and wear a single clean cloth while in the kitchen. The prepared laddoos are taken to distribution spots under security escort.
We regularly take inputs from the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad. We also consult experts at the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Hyderabad on hygiene and safety, and follow guidelines of the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore. Besides, the entire process is captured on CCTV.
3. So can Tirupati laddoo be labelled food, as has been contended?
No, it is prasadam, an offering to God. The first laddoo of each batch is offered to the Lord, which is then mixed with the rest of the preparation and distributed to the pilgrims. It is a very sacred process, and the prasadam is made with devotion and faith in God and cannot be called food. The faith of pilgrims should also be respected and it should be referred to only as prasadam.
4. Should food inspectors be allowed access to the kitchen?
The TTD Board has set up a sub-committee to look into the FSSAI demand to certify the laddoos. It will give its report on December 20. Traditionally, the TTD has never allowed any outsider to set foot in the kitchen except the TTD’s own health officers. No one has ever taken ill after consuming the temple’s prasadam.
5. What about allegations of insects etc found in laddoos?
These are false allegations. Because of some grudge or rivalry, some miscreants introduced external objects into the prasadam in a few instances.

Packaged food labels may carry soon details of salt, sugar content

Presently, information on them need not be disclosed unless it is part of advertisement pitch

Food and beverage companies may have to compulsorily disclose additional information on the sugar, salt and sodium content of their packaged products, as part of a proposed revision of food labelling laws, said a top official of India’s apex food regulator.

Currently, packaged food companies — including those who make instant noodles, biscuits, snacks and breakfast cereal — need specify only the energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat content on their covers.

Information on other constituents such as sodium, salt, vitamins need not be disclosed unless companies claim it as part of their advertising pitch. For instance, details on fibre content in biscuits or the percentage of trans unsaturated fatty acids (trans fats) need not be specified unless a company promotes them as “high fibre” or “zero trans-fat.” This gives companies leeway to not disclose if, say, their high-fibre biscuits are also high on sugar or sodium. The World Health Organisation recommends that an adult should not have more than 25 gm of sugar per day while the American Heart Association says that an adult should not consume more than 2.3 gm of sodium. While both of these are critical to the healthy functioning of the body, they can, in large amounts aggravate diabetes and hypertension.

In several countries, companies are required to specify the proportion of the daily recommended sodium, salt and fats that will be consumed in a packet or serving of processed food. A forthcoming update to India’s food regulations will consider incorporating this.

“We have set up various panels on scientific assessment and labelling to consider these issues and may incorporate this in our revised labelling norms,” Pawan Agarwal, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, told The Hindu, “However this is quite a challenge and requires much consultation.”

Draft likely in a month

A draft of these notifications is expected in a month but after that would require clearance by the Health Ministry for it to become a norm, according to Mr. Agrawal.

On Friday, the Centre for Science and Environment made public a report Food Labelling, Claims And Advertisements — in the presence of Mr. Agarwal — detailing instances of under-reporting by several food and beverage companies.

“In contrast to best practices in other parts of the world, there is no mention of several other types of nutrition claims,” Amit Khurana, programme manager, Food Safety and Toxins team, CSE, said in a statement.

“There is a clear trend of focussing on a single attribute of a product while making claims…a look at the content of a few popular packaged food claims suggests that these could be unhealthy due to nutrients other than those claimed.”

As an example, the report mentions how a Coca-Cola can in the United Kingdom and Mexico specifies — along with the energy content — what percentage of the daily recommended fat, saturates, sugars and salt are met if a single can is consumed. In India, no other information is available other than the carbohydrate, protein, sugar and energy content (in grams).

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No check on food safety in JK

SRINAGAR, Dec 15: The constitution of a high powered steering committee for effective and smooth implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is confined to papers only. The state government constituted a high powered steering committee for effective and smooth implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). 

The J&K government had come under sharp criticism for doing little to ensure implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. The government had appointed the Chief Secretary of the state as chairman of the steering committee.

Besides chairman, Administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education, Administrative Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Administrative Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Administrative Secretary Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, Administrative Secretary Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Controller Drug and Food Control Organization and Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety Kashmir/Jammu were appointed its members. The committee according to sources was formed in backdrop of complaints of food adulteration and authorities had failed to curb on it. 

Despite constituting the committee, there seems no change on the ground. "The members of the committee don't bother to check the working of concerned Deptt,"an official said. The committee has to take a complete review of the ground realities, officers performing the duties under the Act, method of sampling, testing and further follow up action on the basis of misbranded samples. "But nothing such is being done," the official said. 

The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 came into force across the country in August 2011. 

The Act was also to ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business. 

Official sources said the government had failed to upgrade the required infrastructure that was obligatory under this Act. They said the Act was not being executed properly in the state by which adulterated food items were being openly sold in markets without any check from the government. 

The Central government had also asked the state government many times to ensure proper implementation of the Act. 

Earlier, the High Court had pulled up the state government for lack of proper mechanism in J&K to check the food adulteration and had stated that authorities concerned have given complete go-bye to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Non-iodised salt seized

The Food and Drugs Administration on December 7, raided a warehouse located at Mazgaon in South Mumbai and seized 10.5 ton non-iodised salt, since it was being marketed without adhering to norms stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Acting on the tip off, the warehouse of M/s Ravji Salt Supplier located at Shivdas Chapsi Road, Mumbai 40009 was raided (December 7) and the salt being sold without iodisation was seized by FDA officials. The four samples have been drawn and sent to laboratory for test, Harish Baijal, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) said, adding that the common salt should contain 30 Parts Per Million (PPM) at production stage and 10 PPM at consumption stage, as per the FSS Act 2006.

Did you know

The Iodised salt is table salt mixed with a minute amount of various salts of the element iodine. The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency. Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The lack of iodine retards growth of children, leads to ailment like squint eye, abortion etc. Iodine is a micronutrient and dietary mineral that is naturally present in the food supply in some regions, especially near sea coasts, but is generally quite rare in the Earth's crust, since iodine is a 'heavy' element and abundance of chemical elements generally declines with greater atomic mass. Where natural levels of iodine in the soil are low and the iodine is not taken up by vegetables, iodine added to salt provides the small but essential amount of iodine needed by human.

Hotels buy meat from butchers

No food in newspaper

FSSAI to revise food labelling norms

Highlighting the steps taken to tackle malnutrition in India, Agarwal said the regulator has come out with fortification standards and many firms have shown interest.

NEW DELHI: Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) is revising food labelling norms and examining global models, its CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said. 

"Our labelling provisions are currently under revision. We are looking at Codex norms. We are going beyond that to see our labelling norms are robust," Agarwal said. 

He was speaking at the launch of 'India Spotlight Index 2016' published by the Netherlands-based NGO The Access to Nutrition Foundation (ATNF). 

FSSAI will also look at best global practices as far as regulations are concerns, he added. 

Highlighting the steps taken to tackle malnutrition in India, Agarwal said the regulator has come out with fortification standards and many firms have shown interest. 

"The government is committed to address issues related to malnutrition head on. Fortification is one amongst the initiatives being taken to address malnutrition," he said. 

While fortification has been made mandatory in some areas, in many areas, particularly in packaged food, it is not feasible, he noted. 

Talking about the index, the FSSAI chief said, "Those areas where it cannot be made mandatory and where you cannot directly intervene to ensure more nutritious food, this kind of index can be critical." 

The findings of the index, which has assessed 14 companies, is "fairly known and do not throw out any major surprises. But this at least focused attention on desirable expectation from food businesses," he said. 

"We will use this report to nudge the rest of the food businesses. In the area of nutrition, the role of the government is primarily to nudge citizens to adopt good nutrition practices. At the same time, the food businesses should manufacture and supply nutrition-rich food in the market. Otherwise, citizens will not have choices," he added. 

The key finding of the index, ATNF Executive Director Inge Kauer said, is that the "largest food and beverages manufacturers in India are falling far short of what they need to do in help fight the enduring and mounting double burden of malnutrition." 

The 10 companies assessed in the index are Amul, Britannia Industries, Coca-Cola India, Mondelez India, Mother Dairy, Nestle India, Parle Products, PepsiCo India, Ruchi Soya and Hindustan Unilever. Four more firms -- Adani, Cargill, ITC Ltd and Nandini -- were also interviewed. 

The index has assessed the nutritional quality of their products and their nutrition related policies. 

On product profiling, the FSSAI chief said that "a company may have good corporate profile but if its product file is not having high nutritional values, it is not really helpful." 

Most food and beverage products across the globe do not have high nutrition value and this kind of index will help nudge such companies, he said, and asked ATNF to assess more companies in the next 2018 report to get a better picture.

Keventer bananas ‘safe’

KOLKATA: Most of the bananas , available in the local markets, are ripened either with Calcium Carbide or Ethephon , which are very harmful for health, even may lead to cancer as both the chemicals are carcinogenic. Identification of safe bananas from the market has become very difficult for the common people.

To solve this problem, the largest organised business company in the fruit frozen food markets, Keventer has taken initiative for supplying bananas ripened with 'Ethylene', which is approved by Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), a recognised body of the government, as the best method for ripening bananas which causes no harm to health . Needless to mention, safety in all its food products is the core value proposition of Keventer.

Banana is very helpful for health. According to medical practitioners, banana should be taken by the people every day, as it has Vitamin 'C' and potassium. .Doctors explained that banana contains vitamin C, which helps grow immunization and protect from incurable inflammatory bowel disease respectively. This has been jointly discovered by Indio-American medical scientists. It is a myth that the children cannot be given banana during their cough & cold, Doctors added.

Keventer, one of the largest organized player in bananas, sell about 3.5 lakh pieces daily i.e. about 50 metric tonnes bananas every day all over Bengal from its two centres, located in Barasat, near Kolkata and Siliguri.

Their ripening centre at Barasat was constructed with an expenditure of about Rs.50 crores and the Siliguri Centre was built with Rs 104 crores. From Barasat centre, they supply bananas mainly to Kolkata, Midnapore, Durgapur and other markets. Siliguri, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Gangtak and other markets are served from their Siliguri Centre.

Keventer is the market- leader by a wide margin , i.e. at least 3 (three) times even from their nearest competitor. They procure about 20,000 tonnes of bananas annually from Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Hooghly districts, about 50,000 farmers are directly benefitted with their business. It may be mentioned here that due to association with Keventer , the realisation of bananas from the farmers has gone up by at least 30-40% during the last 5 years.

To help the customers, so that they can easily identify the safe bananas in the market, Keventer brands its bananas with the Stickers and also has a mascot, named "Keven". Their stickers are range from the functional (highlighting the carbide -free aspect) to the fun (with different appearances of mascots at the time of Pujas, Sports etc.).

‘Food, beverage firms need to improve nutritional quality of products in India’

Kamal NarangPawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, and Inge Kauer, CEO, Access to Nutrition Foundation, at the launch of the Access To Nutrition-India Spotlight Index, in New Delhi on Wednesday

Access to Nutrition Foundation unveils index to nudge companies to provide healthy products

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 14: 

Food and beverage manufacturers in India need to put in a lot of effort to improve the nutritional quality of their products to combat malnutrition in India, according to Access to Nutrition Foundation, which launched India Access to Nutrition Spotlight Index here on Wednesday, based on an product analysis of the 10 key players in the sector in India.

As per a report by the Netherlands-based non-profit organisation: “Only 12 per cent of the beverages and 16 per cent of the foods sold by these companies were estimated to be of high nutritional quality in the product profile analysis.”

Based on the total sales in 2014, the 10 food and beverage manufacturers selected for assessment for the index included Amul (GCMMF), Britannia Industries, Coca-Cola India, Mondelez India, Mother Dairy, Nestle India, Parle Products, PepsiCo India, Ruchi Soya Industries and Hindustan Unilever.

Inge Kauer, Executive Director, Access to Nutrition Foundation, said: “India faces the serious and escalating double burden of malnutrition, with a large undernourished population as well as growing numbers of overweight and obese people who are developing chronic diseases. Food and Beverage (F&B) manufacturers in India have the potential, and the responsibility, to be part of the solution to this double burden of malnutrition.”Selling healty products

The study ranked Mother Dairy, Hindustan Unilever, Amul and Britannia Industries as the top four companies that sell the largest proportion of healthy products. The product profile score assessment was based on the nutritional quality of products weighted by retail sales.

On the corporate profile score, which assesses the companies’ nutrition commitments, practices and disclosure, Nestle India, Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo India, and Mondelez India ranked among the top four.

The report said while nine of these companies had made commitments to combat under-nutrition, most companies either did not produce or produce very few fortified packaged foods.Fortification standards

Speaking at the launch of the index, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said the government was committed to address issues related to malnutrition and the regulator had recently come out with fortification standards for staples.“Fortification can be made mandatory in some areas but in many areas making it mandatory is not feasible,” he added.

On a query regarding making companies more accountable for product labels, Agarwal said the regulator was examining Codex norms and the labelling norms were currently under revision, adding that the regulator would look at the best global practices.