Dec 27, 2016
100 students, staff in hosp, food poisoningsuspected
Malappuram: More than hundred students and five faculty members of the Aligarh Muslim University's (AMU) Malappuram centre at Perinthalmanna here have been hospitalized following suspected food poisoning.
According to the centre authorities, all those who had dinner from the north Indian mess of the canteen on Saturday night, started showing symptoms of food poisoning—including stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea— two hours after having food and were taken to a private hospital in Perithalamanna early morning on Sunday. More students were taken to the hospital later.
Director of the centre, Dr A Nujum said that none of them was in a serious condition and most of the students, who were kept under observation, left the hospital by Monday evening.
Following the incident, food safety and health officials visited the campus and issued a notice asking the centre authorities to take steps to ensure hygiene in the mess.
Food safety officer of Malappuram, C A Janardhanan, said that the inspection team collected samples of baking soda, rock salt and roti from the mess. They have been sent to the regional food analysis laboratory at Kozhikode, he said.
It is also suspected that the vegetables used for preparing some north Indian dishes have resulted in food poisoning.
The centre has already formed a team of teachers to conduct a detailed internal inquiry into the incident.
The director said that the centre has decided to renovate the two messes on the campus in the backdrop of the incident.
Anakapalle jaggery market raided amid protest by farmers, traders
Food safety officials collecting samples from a jaggery shop at NTR Agricultural Market Yard at Anakapalle on Monday
VISAKHAPATNAM: Officials of Food Safety Department on Monday conducted raids on the jaggery shops at NTR Agricultural Market Yard at Anakapalle, following allegations over indiscriminate use of sodium hydrosulphite (hydrose) by farmers and traders in preparation of the preferred sweetener at every household. However, the shop owners protested against the move.
Food safety authorities from Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Guntur, West Godavari, East Godavari formed several teams and raided the shops following instructions from the Food Safety Commissioner Samuel Anand Kumar.
“The teams raided 37 shops at the market and collected 12 samples of jaggery being produced and sold there. The raids were conducted in the wake of allegations of adulterating jaggery with sodium hydrosulphite (hydrose), which can lead to severe health issues among the consumers,” said Hanumanthu Rao, assistant food controller of food safety department, Visakhapatnam
As per the norms, he said, hydrose should not be added more than 100 ppm during the preparation of jaggery. But, several complaints were received that the farmers and traders had been adding more quantity of the chemical to ensure good colour of jaggery.
“We have collected the samples which will be sent to the State Food Laboratory, Hyderabad for testing,” said Hanumanthu Rao.
When the officials started raiding the shops, the shop keepers staged a protest. Sources said that the officials had to stop the raids on other shops due to the resistance and have planned to resume the crackdown in the coming days again.
Meanwhile Food safety officials say that similar raids would be conducted in jaggery markets at Tanuku, Tadepallegudem, Chittoor and a few more places in the state.
The excessive intake of hydrose can lead to severe health complications.
“The jaggery with high hydrose content can lead to intestinal problems and even cancer in long term,” said Hanumanthu Rao.
Food safety officials raid jaggery market
Jaggery producers interacting with Food Safety officials and police at the market yard in Anakapalle on Monday.
Mild tension prevailed at the NTR Market Yard in Anakapalle when teams from the Food Safety Department tried to collect samples from the jaggery producers and dealers, on Monday.
Based on information that the jaggery producers and dealers were allegedly indulging in adulteration, about 12 teams under the direction of Food Safety Commissioner Samuel Anand Kumar swooped down on the market in the pre-noon session.
The jaggery farmers and dealers tried to prevent the officers from collecting the samples and even staged a dharna.
Police had to be called to defuse the tension.
According P. Hanumantha Rao, Assistant Food Safety Officer, the jaggery producers were reportedly using sulphur dioxide as bleach to make the jaggery lumps look whiter.
“Sulphur dioxide can be used as bleach, but the prescribed norm is 70 ppm. As per the reports that we have, the producers were using sulphur dioxide ranging from 250 to 500 ppm, which is abnormal and harmful for human consumption,” said N. Poornachandra Rao, Assistant Food Safety Officer.
Hub
Anakapalle is the hub for jaggery production in the State and the export to other States exceeds Rs. 120 crore. In NTR Market Yard alone there are about 37 major producers and dealers and according to the Food Safety officers about 12 samples have been collected and sent to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) laboratory in Hyderabad, in the Monday’s raid.
Based on the laboratory report, further action will be initiated, said Mr. Hanumantha Rao.
Dec 26, 2016
Street food vendors need to be trained in cashless sales: Rudy
Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy today said street food vendors across the country needed to be trained to undertake cashless transactions, as he interacted with them at the end of a national street food festival here.
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship awarded certificates to the vendors trained under 'Skill India Mission'.
He presented a scientifically-designed food cart to Radha Devi, who has a tea stall in Sarojini Nagar area.
"The minister talked to the vendors on the need and benefits of serving hygienic and safe food," a senior official said.
"Keeping in mind demonetisation, he stressed the fact that all street food vendors need to be trained for digital options for payments and they should be efficient in accepting cashless payments from customers. He stressed the fact that the vendors also need to be trained for cashless transaction," the official added.
The three-day festival that began on December 23, was organised by National Association of Street Vendors of India and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
About 500 street food vendors from across the country have reached here to offer their special food and snacks.
Dec 24, 2016
Tirumala Tirupati temple's prasad faces FSSAI food test
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Visakhapatnam: After the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam came under the ambit of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, it may soon be the turn of other famous temples in the state as the FSS Act defines these temples which offer ‘prasadam’ as food business Operators.
Recently, the FSSAI directed the TTD to procure a food licence and comply with all the rules and regulations, being an FBO, to distribute the laddu prasadam.
There have been frequent allegations of the declining quality of prasadam at various temples of the state. While this move from the FSSAI is expected to enhance the quality and hygiene of these holy offerings in a scientific way, some staunch traditionalists do not see the need for the FSSAI’s intervention to ensure the quality of prasadam.
The prime catalyst for the sudden turn of events was a complaint filed by Bengaluru-based RTI activist, T. Narasimha Murthy, who raised concerns over the quality of laddu prasadam of the TTD.
Deputy food controller K.N. Swaroop said that the FSS Act was applicable to all temples of the state. “All those temples, which offer prasadam, will come under the purview of the Act. The same order was issued to the TTD and directed them to obtain a licence,” Mr Swaroop added.
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi temple executive officer S. Jyothi Madhavi said that they do not have any objection with food safety officials carrying out quality checks. “But bringing the temples under the umbrella of FSS Act may not go down well with some people,” ms Madhavi added.
Dec 23, 2016
OMG: Laddoos at Tirumala Tirupati temple under FSSAI scanner
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has been asked to obtain a license for distribution of laddoo prasadam.
The famous ladoos of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) scanner. Â
The temple which gives ladoos to devotees as 'prasadam' does not have a license from the FSSAI to distribute the food item, and has been directed to get one at the earliest.
How and why the ladoos are under scanner:
An FSSAI letter addressed to the Commissioner of Food Safety, Andhra Pradesh, states that "as per the definition of 'food' under FSS Act, laddoo which is presented as 'prasadam' at the temple is food". It further says that the applicability of the Act is not affected if the food is purchased or distributed free of cost.
The letter then asks TTD to obtain a license to distribute the prasadam. "TTD, therefore, has to obtain a license and, fulfill all the responsibilities of a FBO (food business operator) as stipulated in Section 23 of FSS Act as well as comply with its rules and regulations," the FSSAI letter says.
The letter came on a complaint filed by RTI activist T Narasimha Murthy to the chairperson of FSSAI. In his complaint, he cited "serious lapses in adherence to food safety norms at the temple resulting in "unsafe human consumption".
Questioning the hygiene standards, the RTI activist's letter said, "deficiencies are noticed at all stages, namely manufacture, storage, distribution and sale".
The activist said that the health condition of the employees engaged in making the prasadam is not known nor is it "certified by a competent medical officer".
The letter cited reports of devotees finding "extraneous substances" in the laddoo, such as "bolt nut, key chain, Pan Parag wrapper".
Based on the complaint, state health department officials visited the temple premises to take stock of the hygiene standards of the kitchen. The officials were denied permission to enter the kitchen (potu).
The joint executive officer of TTD denied permission stating that laddoo prasadam cannot be termed food and the transaction of laddoo is not sale under the provisions of the Central Sales tax, 1956.
The TDD official further said that "potu" is an auspicious place where "outsiders cannot be allowed".
Further, in a response to FSSAI chairperson, D Sambasiva Rao, deputy executive officer of TTD, said the temple functions under the provisions of the APCHI&E Act-1987. Under the act, the laddoo prasadam cannot be termed as food.
"A small hotel has a license. Why not the TTD? The laddoos are made and sold in lakhs per day. They are also making money. They have to obtain a license and become a role model for others," said RTI activist Murthy.
FSDA divides Meerut into 16 zones to keep an eye on adulterated sweets
Meerut: With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) is on its toes to make sure that city residents don’t fall prey to adulterated sweets, cakes and other food items consumed during festive time.
A team of five people has been formed to conduct surprise inspections at shops in rural and urban areas to check adulteration and the sale of old items in the market.
The anti-adulteration drive is set to continue until January first week. “The city has been divided into 16 zones and each zone is being headed by a food safety officer. Each officer is keeping an eye on their respective zone and conducting regular inspections so as to keep a check on food items being sold during festive time,” said Anand Dev, chief food safety officer.
“Food items found suspicious during inspections are being sent for laboratory testing. If any sub-standard or unsafe food item is found, the person will be dealt with as per rules,” said Dev.
The samples of the suspicious food items will be sent to Lucknow’s food testing lab to avert any manipulation at the city-based lab. In special cases, however, if food items look way too suspicious they will be sent to the city-based lab from where an immediate report can be sought. The sample reports from the city-based lab can be procured in 48 hours and action can be taken soon after.
The FSDA officials are keeping a close eye on milk-made products, cakes and other sweets – which they say are the main food items that are found adulterated during this time.
“The food items are preserved and sent to Lucknow by means of courier. The result will reach us within 20 days of the courier. We are focusing mainly on artificial colour used in sweets, milk products and cooking oils to keep adulteration under control,” said Dev.
Customers can also file complaints related to food adulteration with the department on the condition of anonymity, said FSDA authorities.
It is to be noted that if any city resident is apprehensive about a certain food item that he or she has already purchased, then they can send it for testing to the food department personally and if found adulterated a complaint can be filed on the condition of anonymity. The sample may be submitted by depositing Rs 1,000 and if found adulterated, a complaint can be filed with FSDA officials, who will take further action on it.
PIL Against Food Adulteration | JK to get 2 Food Safety Appellate Tribunals soon: Govt to HC
In its compliance report, Health and Medical Education Department informed a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey that the department has taken steps for creation of two posts each of Assistant Registrar, senior stenographer, judgment writer, computer operator, rivers, junior assistant, dispatch rider and four posts of orderlies.
The government on Thursday informed Jammu and Kashmir High Court that it has taken necessary steps for creation of various posts for two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals that have been set up at Jammu and here.
In its compliance report, Health and Medical Education Department informed a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey that the department has taken steps for creation of two posts each of Assistant Registrar, senior stenographer, judgment writer, computer operator, rivers, junior assistant, dispatch rider and four posts of orderlies.
The court was informed that the department has identified the office accommodation for both the tribunals at Patoli Mangotrian Jammu and Combined Food and Drug Laboratory here.
The government also apprised the court that the proposal for creation of posts for the two tribunals, involving annual financial implications of Rs 50.44 lakh along with release of Rs 50 lakh for procurement of office furniture, computers, office accessories has been submitted to the finance department for its concurrence.
Meanwhile, modifying its order of November 25, the bench ordered Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon, Principal and District Judge presently posted as principal secretary to CJ who has been appointed as presiding officer for food safety appellate tribunal Kashmir to join the place of posting within four weeks.
In response to the request by M K Hanjura who stands appointed as presiding officer, Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Jammu that the period of 21 days granted for joining in terms of SRO 371 be extended till he is relieved by the Government, the court said: “In view of legal position stated, it is provided that the period of joining shall be deemed to have been extended up to the time; he is relieved by this employer or till such time three months notice period expires”.
Pertinently, J&K government has already appointed presiding officers for two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals one each at Jammu and Srinagar which were constituted in keeping with Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in February this year.
The District and Sessions Judge , Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon presently Principal Secretary to Chief Justice of J&K High Court and Mahraj Krishan Hanjura, member Company Law Board Delhi have been appointed as presiding officers of Food Safety Tribunal Kashmir and Food Safety Tribunal Jammu respectively.
Dec 22, 2016
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.
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.
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.
Dec 21, 2016
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.
Dec 20, 2016
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.
Dec 19, 2016
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?
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