May 14, 2017
SC must act against gutka manufacturers
The Goa FDA will launch a State-wide drive to ensure strict implementation of the ban on manufacture and sale of gutka, paan masala and other tobacco products.
Goa to file plea in apex court seeking strict implementation of the ban in other States
Goa is set to file a plea in Supreme Court seeking directions to other States to implement ban on manufacture of tobacco products.
Goa is the only State where two instruments of ban notification are available to authorities to tackle the menace of tobacco consumption.
Salim Veljee, director of Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, told The Hindu on Saturday that these products are predominantly manufactured in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
“We will file a plea before Supreme Court to direct these states to implement the ban on manufacturing itself to tackle smuggling of the products from across the State borders,” he said.
He pointed out that as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, the apex court has asked all States and Union Territories to implement, what is actually banned as “manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutka or paan masala by whatever name called containing tobacco and nicotine as an ingredient and also includes chewing tobacco products like chaap tobacco, pure tobacco, Khaini, chaini, scented tobacco, flavoured tobacco, zarda, etc., packed in packets\ pouches\sachets \containers,etc., by whatever name called and other products marketed separately by whatever name called.”
Twin notifications
Mr. Veljee said following a recent notification in Goa, while only FDA officials can act under the Food Safety, as per the Goa Public Heath (Amendment) Act, 2005, other agencies including police, mamlatdars, and deputy collectors can also act to implement the ban. However, this ban is confined to tobacco products like gutka only.
He said with these multiple agencies in place, the FDA has decided to launch a State-wide drive to ensure strict implementation of the ban.
Mr. Veljee further pointed out that framers of the legislation have taken due care in the ban notification under the Food Safety and Standards Act(FSSA) of the practice adopted by manufacturers of gutka to distribute and sell the pan masala component (without tobacco) separately, along with the sachet of chewing tobacco.
Mr. Veljee said the tobacco products enter Goa through vegetable-sellers and other vendors coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka and have become a problem for enforcement agencies at all four border check posts in the State.
“With this double ban in place, now our message to all such vendors is very clear. Their mischief will not be entertained or allowed and all such plain tobacco/scented tobacco/chewing tobacco by whatever name called will also be covered under the food safety ban, which has been issued as a part of the Supreme Court directives of September 23, 2016 in the case of Civil Appeal No. 16308 of 2007,” he said. Next week will see a state-wide drive by the FDA to ensure strict implementation of ban.
FDA directs total ban on gutkha, pan masala
PANJIM: Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Saturday issued more directions placing a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of food products containing tobacco or nicotine like gutkha and pan masala in Goa.
The State now has two bans or prohibition tools to tackle violations under Goa Public Health (Amendment) Act, 2005 and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Earlier, the Commissioner of Food Safety under Goa Public Health (Amendment) Act, 2005 had prohibited the manufacture and sale of processed, flavoured, scented, chewing tobacco, packaged or unpackaged or sold as one or separate products.
U.P. meat traders to seek relief from court
Want mosques to be excluded from the distance norm
The Allahabad High Court’s order directing the Uttar Pradesh government to issue new licences for meat shops and slaughterhouses and renew old ones has come as a “relief” for those involved in the meat business in the State.
Meat traders are now preparing to go to court to demand relaxation of norms in the Food Safety Act under which they are to be issued licences. They want mosques to be excluded from the list of religious places less than 50 metres of which meat shops are prohibited from functioning.
Apart from the clause of “minimum distance” of 50 metres, the FSA guidelines prevent meat shops from running within 100 metres of the main gate of religious places. The norms are as per clause 8 (1) of the Food Safety & Standard Administration India Act, 2011.
Meat traders say the specific clause is hindering them from getting their licences renewed. Their licences expired on March 31. Saleem Qureshi, the Bareilly district president of the All India Jamiatul Quresh (AIJQ), would soon file a petition in the Allahabad High Court making this demand.
Denied licence
As hundreds of meat traders across U.P. are facing the issue, the AIJQ would raise in court the predicament of Bareilly resident Sharif Qureshi, who despite completing all formalities, was denied licence for his meat shop as it was situated near the Ansariyan Masjid Zakhira Qila mosque.
Shakeel Quresh, UP vice-president of the All India Jamiatul Quresh, said “since most of the meat shops in U.P. are located in dense Muslim areas with mosques in proximity,” meat traders are being denied licences for this reason. “Our religion does not prohibit us from selling meat near mosques or eating it there.
Many shops are located in mosques complexes. We will fully abide by the sanctity of other religious sites like temples, churches, gurudwaras but only demand a relaxation for mosques,” Mr. Shakeel Qureshi told The Hindu.
He further said that meat shops had also obtained no objection letters from the trustees of the mosques. “The High Court order is a relief measure for us. But we would be filing a separate petition praying for the exclusion of mosques from the prohibited places,” he said.
Ramzan approaching
The AIJQ, a representative body of the Qureshis, the Muslim community traditionally associated with the meat trade, also hopes that State officials will start issuing licences to slaughterhouses and meat shops soon as the Muslim holy month of Ramzan is approaching.
“The demand will shoot up and it could even lead to a law and order problem,” Mr. Shakeel Qureshi said.
He also expressed disappointment with the “hotchpotch” functioning of local bodies in U.P. and said it was posing a hurdle for meat traders to obtain licences. “The CM had promised us that he would get our licences done soon but the officials have hardly cared. They push us from one door to another. So far, not a single licence has been issued for meat shops in Lucknow. There have been only ten in Kanpur, and only 50 out of 550 in Bareilly,” Mr. Shakeel Qureshi said.
He added that the officials rejected meat sellers requesting licences citing the pending case in the court, whereas the case had no bearing on the issuance of licences if meat traders followed norms.
AIJQ national president Siraj Qureshi is also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to put forward the inconveniences and livelihood crisis faced by the State’s meat traders since March.
The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the State government to start issuing fresh licences and no-objection certificates (NOC) to meat traders while also renewing their old licences.
The court also rejected the government’s contention that slaughterhouses were not the responsibility of the State and said that the responsibility of constructing slaughter houses was that of the local municipal corporations.
Health department cracks down on rotten food
LUDHIANA: Officials of the health department collected food samples from different parts of the city on Friday, under guidance from the civil surgeon. Samples of milk, sweetmeats like barfi, cold drinks and ice cream were collected from different spots.
Civil surgeon Dr Rajiv Bhalla said, "Samples have been collected from many places.
Teams have been doing sampling in the past two days. Five samples of milk have been a taken. We have also checked on individual sellers of milk and taken samples."
Ice cream and cold drink samples were taken from the Haibowal area of the city. From Sri Ram Sweets at Dashmesh Nagar, samples of barfi were taken.
Food safety officer Ravinder Garg collected the samples. He said all samples were sent for testing and if any were found failing to meet set standards, action would be taken against shops or individuals from which these were taken.
Two days ago, the health department took samples from Pappu Canteen of Ludhiana district court complex.
Food was found stored in a washroom and rotten fruit and vegetables were found in stock. The district bar association has closed the canteen and filed a complaint with the civil surgeon.
Bhalla said instructions have gone out about the need for special vigilance in the summer as food gets spoiled faster in the heat. He said anyone who finds that a food product sold to him is stale can approach the health department with a complaint.
Petition in NGT against sale of unpackaged drinking water
NAGPUR: Based on TOI's report on unpackaged drinking water being sold in chilled cans, a petition has been filed in the Pune bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking closure of all units across the state that are selling water in chilled jars and cans, and posing serious threat to human health.On September 6, 2016, TOI after visiting six such units in the city, had exposed the unhygienic conditions in which the units were operating. They also did not have the mandatory licenses from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).Two petitioners — Vijaysinh Dubbal and Dattatraya Bharne — are from Pune while the third — Santosh Sinha — is from Nagpur. They have moved the case through counsels Asim Sarode and Smita Sarode Singalkar The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), state government, ministry of health and family welfare, commissioner of Food and Drug Authority (FDA), commissioners of Nagpur and Pune Municipal Corporations, water sanitation department and regional director of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) have been made the respondents.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing next week.Extensively quoting TOI's report, the petition states that the water sold in unpackaged and unsealed chilled jars and cans is not potable and hazardous to health. Though the unit owners claim that the water is RO and UV treated, no regular monitoring is being done."The water is drawn from unhygienic sources like bore-well and can contain various impurities and fungal growth. No permission is taken from CGWA for withdrawing groundwater," the petitioners said.The petitioners have also pointed out that there are no set of rules for units supplying unpackaged drinking water, most of which are operating in unhygienic conditions.
May 13, 2017
A glass of health hazard
Adulterated milk
If someone offers you urea, detergent, starch, caustic soda, white paint and polluted water for consumption, will you have it? Of course not! But if you are told that that glass of milk that you drink and force your kids to drink every day, thinking it to be a wholesome diet, has all these elements, then do believe it. Over 68 per cent of the milk in India has been found to be adulterated in a research by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (fssai). That means two out of three Indians drink adulterated milk every day!
India is the world’s largest milk producer. Milk has a great significance in our culture. After breastfeeding, cow’s milk is given to toddlers for their brain development and overall growth. For ages, mothers and grandmothers have laid importance on the consumption of haldi, badam and kesar milk for everyone, which is now gaining popularity in the West. Milk is offered to the husband on the first night considering it to be a source of strength. At the time of sickness, milk comes to our rescue. Many items like curd, panner, ghee, makhan, ice-creams, shakes, kulfi, cheese, khoya and sweets are prepared from milk on a daily basis in our homes and outside. Our very own milk chai is the energy drink of most Indians.
Milk and milk products are a must in the diet of a vegetarian. Calcium, high quality proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins like riboflavin, A and D, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium in milk make it nature’s nearly perfect food and an important part of a healthy diet for people of all ages. Milk is the most trusted health drink in our country. Its health benefits include increased bone strength, smoother skin, stronger immune system, prevention of illnesses such as hypertension, dental decay, dehydration, respiratory problems, obesity, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer and some chronic ailments.
Despite all these benefits, the greed of a few adulterers has turned this health drink into slow poison. Water is a common adulterant added to milk to increase its volume, but the problem is that the consumers immediately make out the presence of it. The taste of the milk changes, it does not boil over while heating but keeps boiling inside the vessel, the tea is insipid and formation of cream is reduced. To avoid getting caught, the adulterator adds certain substances to the ‘watered’ milk to improve its thickness, taste, density and viscosity. The common adulterants are formalin, urea, starch, neutralisers, detergents, sodium chloride, skimmed milk powder, sucrose, glucose/dextrose, and hydrogen peroxide. Some of these are referred to as solid-not-fats (SNF) and are used to cover the quantity of natural fats missing in the ‘watered’ milk. Adulteration may also be incidental due to lack of knowledge and hygiene. Milk adulteration is high during festivals due to its high demand.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has reported that milk adulterants have hazardous health effects. The detergent added to emulsify and dissolve the oil in water giving a frothy solution can cause food poisoning and other gastrointestinal complications. Its high alkaline level can also damage body tissues and destroy proteins. Other synthetic components can cause impairments, heart problems, cancer or even death. Urea added to provide whiteness, increase consistency and level the contents of (SNF) in milk can lead to vomiting, nausea, kidney problems and gastritis. Caustic soda can be dangerous for people suffering from hypertension and heart ailments. It harms the mucosa of the food pipe especially in kids.
Carbonates and bicarbonates added to prevent spoilage of milk can cause disruption in hormone signalling that regulate development and reproduction. Formalin can cause more severe damage to the body like liver damage. Starch added to improve the thickness is fatal for diabetic patients and can cause indigestion. The health impact of drinking milk adulterated with these chemicals is worse for children.
Testing milk at home
For a lay person, trying to differentiate between contaminated and pure milk is difficult and only specific chemical tests can reveal the truth. But as per the guidelines given by FSSAI and FDA (Food safety and Drug Administration), some simple household tests can be conducted at home for detection of adulterants in milk.
Water : The presence of water can be detected by putting a drop of milk on a polished slanting surface. The drop of pure milk flows leaving a white trail behind, whereas milk adulterated with water will flow immediately without leaving a mark.
Starch: Add a few drops of tincture of iodine or iodine solution. Formation of blue colour indicates the presence of starch. Iodine solution is easily available in medical stores.
Urea: Take a teaspoon of milk in a test tube. Add half a teaspoon of soybean or arhar powder. Mix the contents thoroughly by shaking the test tube. After five minutes, dip a red litmus paper in it. Remove the paper after half a minute. A change in colour from red to blue indicates the presence of urea in the milk.
Vanaspati : Take 3 ml of milk in a test tube. Add 10 drops of hydrochloric acid. Mix one teaspoonful of sugar. After 5 minutes, examine the mixture. The red colouration indicates the presence of vanaspati in milk.
Formalin: Take 10 ml of milk in a test tube and add 5 ml of con sulphuric acid from the sides of the wall without shaking. If a violet or blue ring appears at the intersection of the two layers then it shows presence of formalin.
Detergent: Shake 5-10 ml of milk with an equal amount of water, lather indicates the presence of detergent.
Synthetic milk: This has a bitter after taste, gives a soapy feeling on rubbing between the fingers and turns yellowish on heating. The milk can be easily tested by urease strips (available in medical stores) because synthetic milk is devoid of protein. Positive urease strips also determine that the milk contains glucose.
Prevention is better than cure
- Select milk that has been packaged in material that minimises light absorption. Sunlight destroys vitamins, especially riboflavin, and affects the flavour of milk.
- Look for the longitudinal central seals on the milk packets and the date of packing. If the date is not the current one then chances are the packet is a recycled one.
- Milk should be continuously stirred while boiling and cooled quickly to lessen the loss of vitamins, minerals and protein.
- Refrigerate the milk after boiling, at least below 8 degrees Celsius, for later use, to minimise bacterial contamination.
- Drink milk only after boiling it, never raw.
- To check if your packet is not tampered with, press it in the middle. If it forms a regular arc on the top then it is fine but if it forms a straight line, look carefully at the corners to detect fresh sealing, which may indicate adulteration or less volume.
- Fresh milk should be kept cooled, sealed (so that it does not absorb other flavours and odours), and in dark places.
- Consumers should opt for packaged pasteurised milk and not loose milk.
Slaughterhouse case: Issue fresh licence, HC tells Yogi govt
Interim order by Allahabad high court comes as relief for meat sellers whose licences weren’t renewed by the Uttar Pradesh government after March
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath imposed a ban on all illegal slaughterhouses after assuming office on March 19.
The Allahabad high court directed the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday to start issuing licences and no-objection certificates to meat sellers, potentially ending a stalemate over closing slaughterhouses that saw meat disappearing from local markets and popular eating joints.
The interim order of the HC’s Lucknow bench came as a major relief for meat sellers, whose licences weren’t renewed by the government after March.
The bench of justices AP Shahi and Sanjay Harkauli also directed the government to file a reply on July 17 – the next date of hearing – about the steps taken in compliance of the order.
“The state government cannot shy away from its responsibility of regulating slaughter houses,” said justice Shahi, while reading out the operative part of the order.
The order implies that traders can apply for fresh licences or for a renewal. Even those whose slaughterhouses were shut down can now apply.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath imposed a ban on all illegal slaughterhouses after assuming office on March 19, fulfilling a promise in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto for the UP assembly elections.
Though the action was mainly aimed at curbing illegal slaughter of cow, meat sellers alleged that authorities harassed even legal abattoirs. A section of meat sellers had even gone on a strike while Lucknow’s popular eating joint Tunday -- known for its kebabs -- had shut shop for a day due to non-availability of meat.
Many also alleged that most slaughterhouses in the state were illegal because of lax procedures and lack of oversight.
The court also directed district magistrates and divisional commissioners to take appropriate action to regulate meat shops and slaughterhouses.
Along with a PIL, the court had clubbed all writ petitions seeking renewal of licences of meat shops filed by individuals.
While advocate general Raghvendra Singh represented the state government, advocate BK Singh pleaded for the petitioners.
Earlier, the advocate general pointed out that after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, came into force, all other laws related to food and safety had become redundant.
The court, however, observed on Friday all provisions in local acts (nagar panchayats) had not been incorporated in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
During the hearing of the case, the advocate general also pointed out that the UP government’s directive was against illegal slaughterhouses and not against establishments operating legally.
“The court’s order is not against the state government. It is also a clear direction to the state government to regulate meat trade,” lawyer BK Singh told HT.
“Illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops will no longer be able to operate as they used to do earlier.”
Allahabad HC to deliver judgement on slaughterhouses, meat shops today
The bench of justice AP Shahi and justice Sanjay Harkauli completed the hearing of litigations related to the operation of slaughterhouses on Thursday and reserved the judgment for Friday.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath imposed a ban on all illegal slaughterhouses in the state after assuming office on March 19.
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court will deliver its judgment on the grant or renewal of licences to slaughterhouses and meat shops in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
The bench of justice AP Shahi and justice Sanjay Harkauli completed the hearing of litigations related to the operation of slaughterhouses on Thursday and reserved the judgment for Friday.
THE FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS ACT, 2006
It is an act to consolidate laws relating to food and establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their 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.
Along with the public interest litigations, the court also clubbed all writ petitions seeking renewal of licences of meat shops filed by individual shop owners.
Advocate general Singh, who appeared on behalf of the state government, pointed out that after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, came into force all other laws related to food and safety have become redundant.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath imposed a ban on all illegal slaughterhouses in the state after assuming office on March 19. Action against such slaughterhouses was promised in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto for UP assembly elections.
The advocate general also pointed out that the UP government’s directive was against illegal slaughterhouses and not against those establishments which are operating legally.
Focus on cow smuggling and consumption of cattle meat has risen since the BJP won power in 2014, but the issue returned to spotlight after chief minister Adityanath clamped down on illegal slaughterhouses and cattle smuggling last month.
FDA issues closure notice to unpackaged drinking water units
NAGPUR : The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nagpur division, has sent closure notices to about seven units of the region, selling unpackaged drinking water without mandatory licenses. Last week, FDA had raided these units on the directives of FDA commissioner Harshdeep Kamble.
FDA assistant food commissioner of Nagpur division Milind Deshpande, who is also holding additional charge of rural, said that these units are now prohibited from selling drinking water. "Action has been taken under section 36 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," Deshpande added.
The seven units include three from Nagpur and two in Bhandara and Gadchiroli each. The food safety officers of Bhandara and Gadchiroli divisions were called to Nagpur and handed over the notices. "If the units continue to sell water despite notices, matter will go for adjudication," Deshpande said.
FDA will continue raiding more such units in the coming weeks. On September 6, 2016, TOI was the first to expose the shocking conditions in which the 'potable water' was being stored and transported. The units were running without licenses from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which are mandatory for selling packaged drinking water.
The ministry of health and family welfare, through a notification issued on November 15, 2016, has made it mandatory to sell packaged drinking water in sealed containers. Following this, Kamble issued directions for inspecting all such units in the entire state.
On the other hand, members of RO chilled water manufacturers welfare association recently staged a protest under the leadership of youth Congress leader Bunty Shelke. Stating that many women and handicapped people are running these units for livelihood, they demanded allotment of licenses by FDA.
Officials seize chemical ripened mangoes
Puducherry, May 12 (UNI) Puducherry Food Safety Officials today conducted a raid and seized a ton of chemical ripened mangoes.
In view of mango season in April and May, some traders ripen mangoes using carbide powder and stones. On a complaint that chemically ripened mangoes are being sold at the Grand bazaar area, Food Safety officials conducted a raid and seized the mangoes since such mangoes would lead to diseases like cancer.
A team of officials led by I.Dhanraj and Balakrishnan raided more than 20 mango stalls and seized the chemical ripened fruit.
Mangoes seized
Officials of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seized nearly Rs. 1 lakh worth of artificially ripened mangoes, rotten fruits, and soft drinks which jumped the expiry date from various shops and storage yards near Palladam here on Friday.
Sources said that the mangoes were artificially ripened by spraying chemicals over it.
May 12, 2017
GM mustard gets backing from regulator
The environment ministry has to take a final call after Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee gave a positive recommendation to the commercial use of GM mustard
The GEAC has also put a number of conditions to the ministry while recommending the commercial use of GM mustard.
In a watershed moment India’s regulator for transgenic products, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), has approved commercial production of genetically modified (GM) mustard.
Effectively, India is a step away from allowing GM food crops. The recommendation will now have to approved by Union environment minister Anil Madhav Dave.
GM mustard has been developed by Delhi University-based Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).
The lobby backing GM crops believe these crops are superior as they are resistant to pests and diseases—implying lower usage of pesticides. Consequently, they can generate better yields and be more environmentally friendly.
So far, only GM cotton, a non-food crop, has been permitted. If indeed the government does give its go-ahead, it would be for the first time that India will be officially adopting a genetically modified food crop. In 2010, the GEAC had approved the commercialization of Bt brinjal; however in the face of strong protests from civil society the then environment minister Jairam Ramesh declined to sign off on the proposal.
But the road ahead is unlikely to be smooth. Not only is there a case pending before the Supreme Court, GM crops have been opposed by civil society and saffron groups such as Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which is the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Deepak Pental, the lead scientist who developed the technology and former vice-chancellor of Delhi University, declined to comment as he had not received an official communication.
“The application was submitted (to GEAC) in 2015 and we have deliberated on it about eight times. A subcommittee was formed by GEAC in February 2016 which was asked to look into all documents submitted by the applicant. The safety documents were put online and over 700 comments were received. Of those, about 440 were scientific. We gave all our comments to the subcommittee to go through it so that whatever concerns are there are addressed,” said Amita Prasad, GEAC’s chairperson and additional secretary in the environment ministry.
“They (the subcommittee) went through safety documents once again and submitted their report today. GEAC considered their report and appraised the application. We have approved it with certain conditions,” Prasad said.
Last month, in its three-year draft action plan, the government think tank NITI Aayog too had backed GM food crops.
“GEAC has proven yet again that it is unscientific and uncaring with regard to citizens’ health and environment. They have failed in their very mandate and purpose for which they have been created, to protect citizens from risks of GMOs (genetically modified organisms),” said Kavitha Kuruganti, convener of the Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture, a nationwide informal network of more than 400 organizations drawn from 20 states.
Kuruganti and other organizations are at the forefront of protests against GM mustard.
“We hope and urge minister Anil Madhav Dave to be responsible in his decision-making—this GM mustard should be rejected just a Bt brinjal was, seven years ago. At least he should fulfil the mandate of his Ministry, even if the regulators did not. He should uphold BJP’s election manifesto promise that GM foods will not be allowed without full scientific evaluation,” she added.
The commercialization of GM mustard faces other tests too. During the case in the Supreme Court, the central government had promised that it would not approve GM mustard without the court’s nod.
“The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had promised that GM food crops will not be allowed till all safety concerns are addressed and a consensus is achieved. If GEAC has cleared it we will go to any extent to stop it and would even come on streets,” said Deepak Sharma, the national media head of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch.
The BJP in its 2014 election manifesto had said GM crops would not be allowed without proper scientific investigation. But GM crops are central to the government’s plans for pushing investment and growth in the biotechnology sector. It is also considered critical by the government for boosting farm productivity in India.
Kuruganti further said that the government should not hide behind the Supreme Court.
“To hide behind SC doesn’t make sense for the government. It should be rejected by Anil Madhav Dave. This is fairly straight decision that they should be taking especially when BJP and Narendra Modi had promised to country in 2014 that it would not be brought without long term scientific evaluation,” she added.
Mustard set to be India’s first GM food, gets regulator nod
HIGHLIGHTS
- The GM mustard was developed by a Delhi University institution
- In 2010, the Bt Brinjal was cleared but the decision was not accepted by then environment minister
- Decision of the GEAC was, however, vehemently opposed by environmentalists
The fate of this transgenic variety of oil-seed will now be in the hands of the MoS environment Anil Madhav Dave who may either accept it, reject it or sit over the file till the Supreme Court takes its call on a pending application on the matter.
The GM mustard, developed by a Delhi University institution, is only the second food crop which got its clearance from the central regulator. The GEAC had earlier in 2010 cleared the Bt Brinjal but the decision was not accepted by then environment minister Jairam Ramesh. Currently, only Bt Cotton - a non-food GM crop - is commercially cultivated in the country.
"The application on GM Mustard presented by Deepak Pental of South Campus (Delhi University) was appraised at the GEAC meeting held on Thursday. The GEAC has recommended the approval of GM Mustard to the environment ministry. Earlier, a sub-committee had appraised the safety document for GM Mustard", said Amita Prasad, chairperson of the GEAC.
Pental, ex-vice chancellor of the Delhi University and a well-known genetics scientist, had filed the application for commercial release of the GM Mustard in December 2015. The GEAC had subsequently set up a sub-committee to examine the safety aspect of the use of transgenic variety of the mustard. The sub-committee had last year given its safety clearance while noting that the GM Mustard is safe for human consumption and environment.
Decision of the GEAC was, however, vehemently opposed by environmentalists, anti-GM groups and even the RSS-linked economic policy think-tank Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM). Reacting to the development, the SJM's national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan told TOI that the decision has no meaning at all when the matter is still pending in the Supreme Court. "We will write against the GEAC's move to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the environment minister Anil Madhav Dave, requesting them to reject the recommendation of the GEAC", said Mahajan.
The 'Sarson Satyagraha', a broad platform of hundreds of NGOs representing farmers, consumers, scientists and others that has been at the forefront of resisting the approval of GM mustard in India' too condemned the green signal to the herbicide tolerant GM Mustard.
"The GEAC has proven yet again that it is unscientific and uncaring with regard to citizens' health and environment. They have failed in their very mandate and purpose for which they have been created, to protect citizens from risks of GMOs. Earlier in the case of Bt brinjal too, they behaved irresponsibly and shamelessly unscientifically. In this case, it is a hazardous herbicide tolerant food crop at that, which has direct implications for a large number of Indian farmers, agricultural workers and consumers", said Kavitha Kuruganti of the Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA).
She, on behalf of the Sarson Satyagrah, said, "We have shown over the past several months, through rigorous analysis of available material, how this GM mustard dossier was rigged for favourable results, how it is an unneeded GMO, how it will increase chemicals in our food and farms (because it is a herbicide tolerant GMO) and how regulators should have never allowed it to proceed this far. They had ignored many valid questions raised by scientists and others and chose to function behind a shroud of secrecy".
Shops and bakeries come under scanner
Surveillance part of Statewide alert against sale of jelly candy, pudding and related products
Shops and bakeries in Ernakulam selling jelly candy and savouries will be under the close scanner of the Food Safety Department.
The move comes close on the heels of the death of a child due to suspected food poisoning after eating jelly candy from a bakery in Kozhikode last month. The surveillance over the shops and bakeries forms part of the State-wide alert against sale of jelly candy, pudding and related products. Senior officials of the Food Safety Department said that shop owners had removed the stocks of the jelly candy manufactured by a Coimbatore-based confectionery immediately after the Kozhikode incident hit headlines.
Food safety officials pointed out that samples of jelly candy and other confectioneries will be collected on a routine basis as part of the strengthened vigil after the Kohzikode incident. They have asked the retailers and wholesale shops not to sell sweets and savouries without mentioning the manufacturing date and expiry date. Stringent action will be taken against those responsible for not carrying the details of the ingredients in the food items, they said.
Misbranding
Bakers Association Kerala has demanded an increased vigil over the sale of chocolates, toffees, and jelly candy by misbranding it as foreign products. P. M. Sankaran, president of the association, said that several sweets and chocolates banned abroad are being sold through various outlets in the State. Bakeries should not sell items that lack the licence issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, he said.
FSSAI officials have made it clear that manufacturers should display the 14-digit licence number on the packet, container or bottle in which the food item is stored. It should also have the customer care number and address of the manufacturer. Those who fail to get the mandatory licence will be sentenced to six months in prison and fined ₹5 lakh, they said.
Vendors selling tap water in government hospitals caught
Chennai: The state's health department may be on their toes to keep infections, especially stomach-related ailments, at bay in the time of drought, but their own backyards lie unattended as government hospitals bristle with vendors selling unhygienic water. On Thursday, two vendors were caught at the women and children's hospital in Egmore selling, what is suspected to be, tap water in bottles.
Based on a tip-off, Tamil Nadu food safety department officials undertook an inspection at the Institute of Child Health and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and found the vendors selling water from soiled containers with no label. "When we questioned them, they said they had bought it from a dealer nearby for Rs40," said an official who was part of the inspection team. The team tracked the dealer and found that he wasn't attached to a licensed manufacturer. "The dealer procures bubble-top cans and fills them with water. The vendors too keep refilling," said the official, adding 41 of them were seized. They suspect the cans were filled with tap water and sold for Rs8 a bottle.
Dr Raghunathan, resident medical officer at ICH, said vendors usually stand at the hospital gates selling water and food items. "They wait for doctors to leave for the day to enter the premises," he said, adding the hospital had repeatedly complained to the police and corporation to remove these hawkers. When asked if the hospital had sufficient drinking water for patients and attendants, he said it had two reverse osmosis drinking water units, and more are in the process of being set up. Patients, however, said on most days these taps ran dry, a claim supported by senior doctors. "You can't blame the hospital for this. We buy water from Metrowater. Sometimes we have to wait longer for it to come. Water is rationed when that happens," said a senior doctor, not willing to be named.
R Kathiravan, designated officer, Tamil Nadu food safety department, Chennai, said the health department would undertake inspections at hospitals and evict vendors. The department seized nearly 115 soiled or unlabelled cans from various parts of the city.
Chemically treated mangoes flood markets
GUWAHATI: The onset of the mango season has infused a worrisome trend in the city as deliciously and ripe mangoes laced with calcium carbide (CaC2) are thronging wholesale and retail fruit selling stores, posing a serious risks to public health. The blatant adulteration of the most sought after fruit was brought to light on Tuesday morning when officials of the Kamrup (metro) district food safety department raided some shops at the Fancy Bazaar locality, a commercial hub of the city.
At one of the raided shops, officials found 12 trays of mangoes weighing close to one quintal, suspected to be heavily ripened with calcium carbide. The sellers were picked up and sent to the local police station for interrogation.
"We got a tip-off from a source following which we raided some shops. We had long suspected that the sellers were resorting to ripening of mangoes with calcium carbide. Immediately after the raids we informed the police. The police picked up the sellers and sent them to the Fancy Bazaar police station. A FIR was lodged," said an official from the district food safety department.
Artificial ripening of fruits, especially bananas, papayas and mangoes, has been gaining ground in the recent past. It is difficult to distinguish naturally ripe fruits and the artificial variety, but officials identify the adulterated ones by the excessive yellowish colouring of the fruit.
"Last year also we conducted similar raids. This is a continuous practice that sections of the fruit sellers in the city resort to. We keep on imposing fines and penalties but after a while they again resort to this practice. There is a nexus between the fruit sellers," added the official.
Experts say calcium carbide poses severe health risks to the human body. CaC2 contains poisonous chemical components like arsenic and phosphorous. Many countries around the world have already banned or imposed stringent actions against those using it for ripening essential food items.
"The main problem with CaC2 is that it is used to generate a gas called ethylene. Ethylene, when used in small amounts, can help to swiftly ripen fruits. When someone consumes fruits ripened with ethylene gas, it can lead to stomach upset and in the long-term prolonged health ailments," said an expert.
Sweet seller in jail for adulterated food
VADODARA: A judicial magistrate's court here sentenced owner of a sweet shop to one year in prison with fine of Rs 5,000 for selling adulterated sweets at his shop near Por bus-stand.
Officials of Food and Drug Department went to the shop of Pritesh Patel in May 2008 and bought 750 grams of sweet which were kept on sale as samples. The food inspector sent samples to a public analyst and local health authority for examination.
The public analyst in his report informed the department that the sweet contained synthetic food colour which are prohibited. The food inspector lodged complaint against Patel under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. During the trial, the accused asked for reanalysis of the sample in Central Food Laboratory. After testing the samples, the laboratory in its certificate submitted to the court said that the sample of the sweet does not confirm to the general safety standards laid down for food under the Act. Additional public prosecutor Pranav Joshi argued before the court that the food inspector had followed all procedures of sampling, sealing and packing according to the law and the evidence too proves the offence for which Patel should be convicted.
The judicial magistrate A P Patel, while sentencing the punishment to Patel observed that the adulterated food articles affects the health of public at large and therefore it is incumbent on the seller to maintain highest standards of quality.
Food safety team inspects stalls at Bathu Basti
A Food Safety Enforcement team of the Food Safety, A & N Islands, led by District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman inspected 12 food business premises, which includes bakeries, restaurants, petty vendors, hotels, grocery sellers, hawkers, road side eateries, poultry shop and other operators at the entire stretch of Bathu Basti recently. During inspection 11.6 kgs frozen dressed chicken was destroyed due to un-hygienic storage. The premise was closed immediately keeping in view of public health temporarily and directed FBO in-charge to clean and sanitize the entire premise before opening the shop to continue the business. Of the inspection made, three Food Business operators have been issued improvement notices, seven FBOs compounded and two were being adjudicated for offences committed under relevant section of Food Safety Act’2006.
The food business operators have been advised to keep their premises in hygienic conditions and to comply with provisions under the Food Safety Act’2006. General public have been requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety and also inform of storage, distribution, selling of any contraband products to the Commissioner Food Safety, A&N Islands at No.03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No.1070 for strict actions against violators. In order to provide safe, hygienic and wholesome food to the consumers, the Commissioner of Food Safety has sought co-operation of trading community to help the enforcement team of Food Safety Department of the District Administration.
Plastic Cabbage From China In India? No, It’s Wax Food Display Replicas In Japan
Over the past few days, Hindi news channels have gone in overdrive reporting about supposedly ‘plastic cabbage’ from China making its way to Delhi. The news reports emerged after a mobile video from Ambala, Haryana went viral on social media. The video claimed to show how a ‘plastic cabbage’ peel does not easily catch fire when placed over an open gas flame. Hindi news outlets such as Aaj Tak, News24, and Zee News ran the story.
News24 went a step further and reported that it had found a video of how plastic cabbage was made in China in its news report titled ‘plastic wali patta gobi‘. The video shows a south east Asian-looking man mixing colourful liquids in a large bowl of water and then shaping the substance to look like a real cabbage. News24 claimed that the video was from a lab in China.
But BOOM found the video was actually about wax food replicas to display outside restaurants in Japan. Moreover, the video is at least two years old, has Korean subtitles, a logo of SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) and a dubbed voice over.
According to blog Kotaku, the hyper-realistic fake food is called “shokuhin sample” (食品サンプル) or “food sample”, and is not meant to be eaten. It is used outside restaurants in Japan as a display to supplement menu cards so that diners can literally see what they are ordering.
Many restaurants work closely with wax food makers to make accurate replicas of dishes on their menu. Restaurants can also buy shokuhin samples from shops that make them.
BOOM found several videos of “plastic cabbage” and “fake food” from Japan.
Fact checking organisation Snopes did a story about Japanese wax food samples when a hoax about China dumping “synthetic cabbages” on unwitting American consumers went viral.
“Even in the absence of ample evidence that wax food displays are exceptionally common in Asia, it stands to reason that synthetic cabbages wouldn’t fly as a market staple anywhere in the world due to the fact that wax is unpalatable and would clearly melt when cooked, and cabbage’s relatively low price point makes such a substitution costlier than retailing genuine cabbage.” – Snopes
BOOM has not verified the accuracy of the video from Ambala, Haryana or the many copycat videos that it has inspired.
However, so far there is no conclusive proof to say that rogue cabbages are being sold in India.
We reached out to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi will update our story when we receive a response.
Parents and Varsity respond to government’s no-junk resolution
If you are one of those parents who cajole your kid with junk foods; be it for their homework or scoring best marks in the class, wait! You might want to think again about this, as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to levy additional taxes on processed food and sugar-sweetened beverages and also have called for a blanket ban on advertising of junk foods and beverages on kids' channels and on all other mediums that connect with children. This happened after the Maharashtra government announced a ban on the sale of junk food at the school canteens.
Schools Speak
According to the GR passed by the government on Monday, every school in the state is prohibited from selling or deal with junk foods, be it Government schools, private aided schools or the privately owned schools. The Principals of the private schools are confused as to why such a ban has been imposed when they already have implimented a no-junk food policy in their school canteens.
Talking to The Afternoon D&C, Nishant Garodia, the Principal of Garodia International School, Ghatkopar, explained the daily menu of their school canteen. He said,"The government's Junk food policy is valid and acceptable. However, as far as I know, even before the government asked, most of the private schools already followed the no-junk food rule in their canteens." According to him, Garodia International has a weekly food chart which includes healthy foods, however, they have a cheat day too!
"Every week, we have allotted one day as cheat day where the students will be given their beloved junkies. Pizzas, Pastas, Chocolates and Burgers. The reason behind this is not to oppress their urge to consume their favourite food," he added.
According to Garodia and other Principals, providing junk food once in a while is okay, they feel by stopping them from eating junkies, may lead to some other trouble. Psychologically, if a child is not given what they desire, they will find other ways to possess them which may prove fatal.
Dilshad Thobani, Principal of H.A and L.S Girls High School, Masjid Bunder, said, "I feel that's a very positive move. But even before the ban, I had asked the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) members to prepare home made stuff rather than packaged food items in their children tiffins."
Why Banning Junk Will Cause Trouble?
According to the canteen owners around the schools and colleges, the one thing that students are most attracted to is Junk food. Foods like potato chips of various brands, cold drinks, Frankie (bread roll), Pizzas, Pasta, etc. are students' favourite food types. The canteen owners are afraid that if the government asks them to discontinue selling all these junk food they might lose out on business.
What about the University ban?
The Government Resolution (GR) which was passed on Monday clearly stated the eradication of Junk food from the school canteens in the state. The question is that will the schools really work under the guidelines of the GR?
Like the Maharashtra government, The University Grants Commission (UGC) too had issued instructions last November against the availability and sale of junk food in the higher educational institutions. UGC, which works under the Human Resource Development (MHRD), had passed such an instruction to set new standards for healthy food and make the students live and learn better. However, the University of Mumbai (MU) still provides all types of Junk food and sweetened and carbonated drinks in their varsity canteens.
A taste of a healthier, emptier future?
It’s natural that the Indian middle-class bulge is seen differently by marketers and nutritionists. But the recent Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) move to decree as junk most things that Indians — large and small — love to munch on and recommend they be swept off our plates in the interests of good health and slapped with a sin tax may not do a fat lot of good.
As the food authority’s no-nos include all sweet, deep-fried and salted ‘snacks’, potato chips, candy, burgers, pizzas, nuggets, noodles, confectionaries, packaged soups and colas, among many other things, children would be the first to ask — as they are wont to do — “Then what else is there for me to eat, even as a treat?” It is likely, therefore, that any caveat against these toothsome delights will be taken with a huge pinch of salt by most people. Man, after all, cannot live by bread alone, even if it is whole grain and bromate-free or a chapati.
Given the flip-flops by experts on everything from salt and ghee to eggs and red meat — including sugar replacing fat as the new Public (Health) Enemy No. 1— Indians can be forgiven for being sceptical about this new good-food/bad-food diktat. In fact, they could get so spooked by harangues about what they should (not) eat that they may rush off for a sugar and-carb fix just to soothe their jangled nerves and tummies.
Tips to Identify Food Additives : Exclusive Interview With Dr. Neha Gupta
Highlights:
- Food adulteration has reached epidemic proportions in India with many instances of food adulteration being reported.
- Dr. Neha provides tips to identifying food adulteration and safeguarding health.
- Buying good quality food is essential to safeguarding against ill effects of adulterated foodFood adulteration is when inferior materials are added to food to increase quantity with a view to improving profits. Adulteration leads to poor food quality and can affect the health of the individual. Some examples of food adulteration include:
- The addition of starch to paneer to make it thicker
- The addition of hydrogenated oil to ghee to make it yellow
- The addition of powdered bricks to red chiliFood adulteration can result in nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. Apart from the inferior material that are added to foods, spices like chili powder, turmeric powder and other powdered spices have high levels of pesticides in them.
Speaking exclusively to Medindia, Dr. Neha Gupta, Chief Nutritionist at N-lite Nutrition and Health Consultancy Pvt Ltd, talks about food adulteration in India and provides some detailed tips to identify adulterated food. Neha Gupta is the co-founder of N-lite Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Nutritionist and a Diabetes Educator with over 9 years of experience in food science. She has been a diet and lifestyle coach for health enthusiasts in India and abroad. With specialization in diabetes and clinical disorders, she has worked in hospitals, advising people on obesity, disease and lifestyle-related issues.
‘“Starch, food colors, dust, horse dung are some of the commonly used adulterants in powdered spices and can lead to serious health complications”-- Dr. Neha Gupta.’
Medindia: What is the nutritional status of people in India?
Dr. Neha: India is a country in developmental transition which faces the dual burden of pre-transition and post-transition diseases. Malnourishment, under nutrition, infectious diseases, lifestyle-related degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer plague the nation. Indian diet in general is deficient in essential amino acids, and micronutrients such as vitamin A, folate, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc. The requirements of some nutrients are especially high in adolescents and during pregnancy. With a transition in eating patterns, especially with respect to availability of convenience foods, there has been a shift from staples like wheat and whole grains to more of refined grains in the form of biscuits, pasta, different kinds of breads, which carry less nutrition. The intake of whole fruits and vegetables is also low in both rural and urban sectors.
Medindia: Is it better to buy sealed and packaged food rather than buying based on weight?
Dr. Neha: While non-packaged food is fresh and healthy, there is always a high chance of infestation and adulteration at different levels. Packaged food, on the other hand, is manufactured in modern facilities that comply with strict quality and hygiene and packaging norms, thus the risk of infestation is relatively lower. Additionally food companies comply with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules and always detail out the ingredients that make-up the packaged product. Hence the consumer here makes an informed decision when purchasing a packaged food product, which will not be possible when buying a non-packaged item.
Medindia: Can you give our readers some tips to identify additives in food?
Dr. Neha: Indian cooking is incomplete without the usage of turmeric powder. However, a commonly used adulterant is the addition of lead chromate which gives it a bright yellow tinge and is insoluble in water. To detect the presence of lead chromate it can be mixed with water and placed in a beaker. If adulterated, it will immediately leak color. Red chili powder is the most commonly used spice in any Indian household and perhaps is also the most adulterated spice. The most commonly used adulterants in chili powders include presence of saw dust and brick powder. Add a teaspoon of chili powder in a glass of water and swirl it. Adulterated chili powder will dispel red swirl of color.
The presence of starch, food colors, dust, and horse dung are some of the commonly used adulterants in powdered spices and can lead to serious health complications. Immersing powdered spices in water will ensure that the adulterants float on the surface of the water while the remaining spices will settle on the bottom of the water surface.
Medindia: Once you find that the food is adulterated, what is the next step?
Dr. Neha: Once we get to know that the food is adulterated, there is an urgent requirement that such a product should be withdrawn from the supply chain. The adulterated product can be returned to the sellers and a complaint can be lodged with the consumer courts or the city Food and Drug Administration department.
Medindia:How does food adulteration harm the body?
Dr. Neha: The ill effects are innumerable. Nausea, intestinal and digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are most common. High doses of pesticides in these can lead to mental retardation and certain type of cancers.
Medindia: Does street food have a lot of additives?
Dr. Neha: Yes, we can associate microbial contamination with food adulteration, which degrades the food quality and sometimes makes it unfit for consumption. Major sources contributing to microbial contamination are the place of preparation, utensils used for cooking and serving, raw materials, time and temperature, abuse of cooked foods and the personal hygiene of vendors.
Medindia: How do we safeguard ourselves from buying adulterated food?
Dr. Neha: Indian food is incomplete without the addition of masala powders and spices but with this menace of contamination of spices, it can become a health hazard if consumed daily. The best way to avoid consuming spices which are adulterated is to buy them from a trusted source that packages them after being checked by food regulatory boards and carry either an ISI mark or an Agmark stamp.
May 11, 2017
FSSAI finalizes draft norms for third-party audits at food firms
FSSAI has finalised the draft regulation for a ‘systematic and functionally independent examination’ aiming to ensure food safety at the point of origin
Auditing will have to procure necessary accreditation from specified accreditation bodies for each of the food categories, as defined by the regulator, to conduct these audits.
New Delhi: Companies making food products—packaged or otherwise—will soon have to get their facilities and processes inspected by third party auditors regularly as a mandatory exercise. The country’s food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finalised the draft regulation for a “systematic and functionally independent examination” aiming to ensure food safety at the point of origin.
FSSAI has already notified the draft regulations on its website and a final notification will come after the regulator reviews suggestions, views and comments from members of the Technical Barriers to Trade committee of the World Trade Organisation (WTO-TBT) over the next two months.
“We’ll have third party auditors to audit the premises and certify that appropriate food safety management practices are being followed. We’ll make it mandatory for large scale food businesses initially,” FSSAI chief executive officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal said.
Some food companies in India voluntarily hire laboratories to inspect safety of their products but it is not mandatory yet. Such audits are common in most developed countries where self-regulation is the norm.
According to the proposed regulations, there would be a recognised auditor and agency that would analyse the risk and undertake an audit to examine if there’s compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI, along with the Quality Council of India (QCI), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Export Inspection Council of India, will form a committee to evaluate the auditing agency and auditors.
The regulations will have detailed rules on what the auditors should examine and how. “The Authority, from time to time, would declare the categories or types of food businesses which will be subject to mandatory third-party auditing, primarily based on their risk classification,” the draft noted.
Auditing will have to procure necessary accreditation from specified accreditation bodies for each of the food categories, as defined by the regulator, to conduct these audits.
Audit monitoring mechanism will include review of audit reports and performance, on-site assessment of the food safety auditors to ensure competency of auditing food safety management systems and regulatory requirements.
Auditors and food business operators will have to maintain records of audit reports, actions and rectification measures for a period of five years, according to the draft regulation.
Maintain hygiene while cooking Haleem: GHMC
HYDERABAD: With the holy month of Ramzan now barely 20 days away, the GHMC on Tuesday issued instructions to all hoteliers about the norms that they need to follow while preparing Haleem. Hoteliers were strictly told to place the Haleem bhatti (the set up to prepare Haleem) only on the ground floor and instructed them to procure stamped meat alone.
The meeting with several hoteliers was held at the GHMC headquarters and chaired by civic chief B Janardhan Reddy. "Ensuring hygienic food to people is our prime motto, we don't want to penalise anyone," said an official from the health and sanitation wing of GHMC. Apart from places where Haleem wil be prepared, even eateries selling the finished product should maintain hygienic conditions, officials said while also directing them to be well equipped with fire safety machinery in case of an emergency.
The hoteliers were also asked to dispose the waste, according to the civic norms, and instructed to cooperate with GHMC officials during inspections. "All the utensils made of copper should be coated with nickel to prevent food poisoning. There should be proper ventilation with adequate exhaust fans in the kitchens where Haleem is made, to ensure the safety and health of the workers," officials said. These safety measures were welcomed by food enthusiasts in the city who appealed to the civic authorities to regularly inspect the stalls selling Haleem.
"It's a good move as hygienic food is our right. In fact for most people price is not a concern if the food that is being sold is hygienic. It is therefore important that these eateries are continuously monitored so that they do not let their standards drop," said Abdul Adil a foodie from the city.
Apart from well-ventilated kitchens, GHMC officials also instructed hoteliers to provide clean clothing, masks and head caps to the staffers preparing Haleem all through the holy month.
It may be recalled that when GHMC teams inspected eateries during April, unstamped meat, preserving stale food, unhygienic kitchens and unsanitary conditions were among the common violations found plaguing eateries or restaurants in the city.
May 10, 2017
Ban ads, raise tax on fast food: FSSAI panel
CHENNAI: Concerned by the increasing burden of lifestyle conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, an expert committee set up by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended a slew of measures including banning junk food ads on children’s channels and during kids’ shows, additional tax and clear labelling of contents and ingredients.
The report ‘Consumption of fat, sugar and salt (FSS) & its health effects on Indian population’ prepared by the 11-member expert committee also suggested ways to reduce consumption of unhealthy food products, noting that over half of all deaths in the country were due to non-communicable diseases. The FSSAI had constituted the committee to address this issue of high FSS content in food and associated health risks.
In its report, the committee recommended a ban on advertisements on foods with high FSS on children’s channels or shows. Such bans exist in smaller countries like Chile. Celebrity endorsements of such foods should be discouraged, and the online and social media should be sensitised to comply with this advertising ban. It also recommended imposition of additional tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed food (ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat-and-eat foods) to reduce the intake of pre-packaged foods and beverages.
The other recommendations include positive nutritional labelling which plays an important role in creating awareness on healthier food choices. The labelling information should be made mandatory for total calories, the amount of carbohydrate, sugars, fat, protein, sodium, dietary fibre and amount of trans-fat added, experts observed.
The FSSAI scientific committee has approved the comments and suggestions put forth by the panel. Experts were called from the fields of medicine, nutrition, dietetics from renowned medical research and academic institutions, which was prompted by a related direction from the Delhi High Court on wholesome and nutritious food for children.
It is indeed time that attention is turned to high fat, salt and sugar content in food. Though the country has millions living in conditions that make them susceptible to the many communicable diseases, it is diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases that account for as much as 53 per cent of all deaths in India. A high intake of saturated and trans-fats, sugar and salt are known to significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases.
According to estimates, the number of such deaths is expected to touch eight million by 2020 — an alarming 100 per cent rise from what it was just two decades ago. “Adverse health effect of consumption of fast or junk food which have a high content of fats, sugar and salt, on consumers, particularly in young children, has become a cause of concern,” the note on the committee report pointed out.
For this, however, the committee had to literally start from scratch. As the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 does not define the term ‘junk food’, the committee defined it as foods like pizza, burgers and soft drinks, and snacks like samosas and pakoras.
Fats
Fats should be largely consumed in the unsaturated fat or fatty acid (of which there is one or more double bond in the fatty acid chain) form.
Salt
Excess sodium intake is an important determinant of hypertension and cardiovascular risk. According to WHO and ICMR, salt should be restricted to about 5-6 gm per day.
Sugar
A total of 10 per cent of total energy is allowed as added sugars in daily diet. Simple sugars and refined carbohydrates should be reduced.
The expert committee analysed various studies on fats, sugar and salt consumption pattern in India and its effects on health. The studies showed consumption of these in the Indian population is high.
Junk in the trunk
It’s common knowledge that non-communicable diseases and cardiovascular illnesses are on the rise. Even though the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, doesn’t define junk or fast food per se, these have a high content of saturated fats, trans fats, sugar and salt. Thus, an 11-member expert FSSAI panel has come up with eight recommendations to protect children from such consequences...
1. Guidelines
a) Fats: Monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids and low-fat dairy products should be consumed every day. Bakery goods, which contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and deep fried foods need to be restricted.
b) Sugar: Consumption of complex carbohydrates and natural sugar found naturally in fruits and vegetables should be encouraged. However, the intake of simple sugar in sweetened beverages and processed snacks should be limited.
c) Salt: Presence of natural potassium in inexpensive, seasonal and locally available fresh fruits and vegetables improve sodium potassium ratio upon eating. Salt rich foods like snacks, pickles are to be avoided.
2. Monitor: Periodic monitoring of FSS intake at national level to get evidence and establishing regulatory limits.
3. Ban: Adverts about foods with high FSS should not be shown on children’s channels or during kids shows. Celebrity endorsements should be discouraged and social media websites should not promote any FFS content.
4. Additional tax: Ultra-processed commodities and sugar-sweetened beverages should have additional taxes slapped on them. It could help reduce FFS intake.
5. Awareness: The multifaceted approach should be utilised by bringing nutrition, agriculture, food industries, health and allied sectors into the loop. That way, public health campaigns and school education programmes can raise consumer awareness.
6. Reformulation: Industry should be encouraged to opt for food reformulation to reduce FFS content in packaged products.
7. Label: Positive nutritional labelling plays a big part in setting trends, so information with regard to total calories, food value, FFS amount should be mandatory.
8. Enable: A nutrition-sensitive environment, with health, agriculture and food sectors in sync, will encourage the consumer to switch to better patterns.
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