DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAMANI NEWS

Action plan soon to curb adulteration of eible oil

Expedite check on edible oil brands, HC to food safety dept

Madurai: Directing the food safety and drug administration to expedite its task of checking edible oil brands on various parameters, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Monday further directed it to enforce the department's WhatsApp number (9444042322) created for receiving complaints from consumers on adulteration, poor quality or labelling defects of the oil scrupulously. 

The division bench of justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan gave this direction while disposing of a petition filed by one K Ravichandran that sought to constitute committee to examine edible oil packets available in market to ascertain whether it is fit for consumption. 

During hearing, the special government pleader (SGP) M Govidan told the court the state government's Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration, created on December 22, 2011, is acting effectively for the enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. 

Since the inception of the department, 1,402 edible oil samples were analysed, of which 20 were found unsafe and 507 were found contravene to the FSSA. Eighteen cases were filed before the judicial magistrate courts which gave conviction in eight cases and imposed Rs 1.68 lakh penalty. A total of 384 cases were put forth before the adjudication officer, of which 238 were convicted and Rs 49.89 lakh was imposed as penalties, the SGP said. 

Besides, based on complaints given by public, the department made inspections. Now, the food safety and drug administration commissioner P Amudha has constituted a state-level committee to monitor the quality of edible oil based on FSSA. 

The committee, having deputy director of the department as its head and designated officers of Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Virudhunagar, Madurai and Tuticorin as its members will look into adulteration in edible oil, adherence to FSSA standards and labelling/ mislabelling. 

The committee will meet immediately to check/ scrutinise the various brands of edible oil available in the market for safety, standards and labelling as per FSSA and rules, the SGP said. 

He also said instructions will be given to the district offices to lift the samples of all major oil brands and send a report to the state committee on the test results and labelling discrepancies.

New norms on anvil to deal with sub-standard imports

Imported items will have to be of a certain minimum quality; FSSAI, BIS, and APEDA are working towards setting standards and technical regulations

The government is working towards strengthening standards norms and certification for the shipments coming into the country, as a part of its strategy to rein sub-standard imports from countries including China.

“We are pushing for certain standardisation of products that come into the country. This will not only result in exports promotion, but also curb cheap imports from countries,” a senior government official told Moneycontrol.

Any item that enters the Indian shores must adhere to certain quality and standards, the official said, adding that sector regulators such as Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Bureau of Indian Standards, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), among others are working towards setting certain standards and technical regulations for imports.

Another government official said that the commerce ministry has told other ministries to consistently monitor and review imports of goods pertaining to their industry.

Former Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that India should provide quality goods at an affordable price and set standards, rather than following them.

In May, Sitharaman also launched the India Standards Portal that acts as a hub for all information on standards, technical regulations, accreditation practices, and the related bodies in India.

The development comes at a time when there has also been a growing clamour on for import restriction on items, especially related to renewable energy, electronics and information technology as inward shipments of these products has escalated from China.

Indian steel industry had in the last two years faced the brunt of surge in cheap imports, especially from China that rendered local companies uncompetitive.

Similarly, in the last two years, government had imposed quality control order on steel products, after imports Indian market was flooded with poor quality imports of the alloy. Of the total inward shipments, China—the largest producer, consumer and exporter of the alloy—accounted for most of it.

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

வீட்டில் பதுக்கி வைத்திருந்த ரூ.9 லட்சம் மதிப்பிலான புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல்

சேலம் பொன்னம்மாபேட்டையில் வீட்டில் பதுக்கி வைத்திருந்த ரூ.9 லட்சம் மதிப்பிலான புகையிலை பொருட்களை உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
சேலம்,
சேலம் பொன்னம்மாபேட்டை அண்ணாநகர் 4-வது தெருவில் உள்ள ஒரு வீட்டில் அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக, சேலம் மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை ‘வாட்ஸ் அப்‘ எண்ணிற்கு புகார் வந்தது. அந்த புகாரின் பேரில், மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் மாரியப்பன் தலைமையில் அதிகாரிகள் அந்த பகுதியில் சோதனை நடத்தினர்.
அப்போது, அங்குள்ள கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி என்பவரது வீட்டில் அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட குட்கா, பான்மசாலா உள்ளிட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டு இருப்பது கண்டு பிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து அதிகாரிகள் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தியிடம் விசாரணை நடத்தினர்.
பறிமுதல்
விசாரணையில், ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலத்தை சேர்ந்த மனோகர் சிங் (வயது 40) என்பவர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி வீட்டை வாடகைக்கு எடுத்து, புகையிலை பொருட்களை பதுக்கி வைத்திருந்தது தெரியவந்தது. இதையடுத்து வீட்டில் மூட்டை, மூட்டையாக பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த புகையிலை பொருட்களை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களின் மதிப்பு ரூ.9 லட்சம் என்று அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர். மேலும் இதுதொடர்பாக மனோகர் சிங்கிடம் அதிகாரிகள் விசாரணை நடத்தி வருகிறார்கள்.

ரூ.9 லட்சம் மதிப்பு குட்கா பறிமுதல்: ராஜஸ்தான் வாலிபரிடம் விசாரணை

சேலம்: சேலத்தில், வீட்டில் பதுக்கி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த, 9 லட்சம் ரூபாய் மதிப்பிலான பான் மசாலா, குட்கா பாக்கெட்டுகள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டன.
சேலம், பொன்னமாபேட்டையில், பான் மசாலா, குட்கா ஆகியவை, சட்ட விரோதமாக பதுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக, சேலம் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அலுவலகத்துக்கு தகவல் கிடைத்தது. நியமன அலுவலர் மாரியப்பன் தலைமையில் குழுவினர், நேற்று மாலை, அப்பகுதிக்கு சென்று, ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டனர். அப்போது, ஒரு வீட்டிற்குள், 9 லட்சம் ரூபாய் மதிப்பில், குட்கா, பான் மசாலா ஆகியவை, 776 கிலோ அளவுக்கு இருந்தது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. விசாரணையில், கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தியின் வீட்டில், ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலத்தைச் சேர்ந்த மனோகர் சிங், 40, வாடகைக்கு தங்கி, புகையிலை பொருட்களை பதுக்கி விற்றுவந்தது தெரிந்தது. அவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்த அதிகாரிகள், சென்னை, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை ஆய்வகத்துக்கு அனுப்பி, மனோகர் சிங், கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தியிடம் விசாரிக்கின்றனர்.
மாரியப்பன் கூறுகையில், ''போதை பொருட்களை விற்பது குறித்து தகவல் தெரிந்தால், 94440 - 42322 வாட்ஸ்ஆப் எண்ணுக்கு, மக்கள் தகவல் தெரிவிக்கலாம். உடனடி நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்,'' என்றார்.

தடை செய்யப்பட்ட குட்கா விற்பது இல்லை: மளிகை ஷாப் வர்த்தக சங்கம் முடிவு

சேலம்: 'அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட, குட்கா உள்ளிட்ட பொருட்களை விற்பது இல்லை' என, மளிகை ஷாப் வர்த்தக நலச்சங்க கூட்டத்தில், தீர்மானம் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டது.
சேலம், செவ்வாய்ப்பேட்டை மளிகை ஷாப் வர்த்தக நலச்சங்க பொதுக்குழு கூட்டம், தலைவர் நடராஜன் தலைமையில், நேற்று நடந்தது. செயலாளர் தர்மலிங்கம், சேலம் அனைத்து வணிகர் சங்க பொதுச் செயலாளர் ஜெயசீலன் ஆகியோர் முன்னிலை வகித்தனர். சங்க உறுப்பினர்கள், அரசால் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட குட்கா உள்ளிட்ட பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்வது இல்லை; தமிழகத்துக்கு தேவைப்படும் உளுந்து, துவரை, கடலை ஆகியவை, வெளி மாநிலங்களில் இருந்து விற்பனைக்கு வரும் நிலையில், அதன் விலை உயர்வுக்கு, வியாபாரிகள் பொறுப்பேற்க முடியாது. டெங்கு காய்ச்சல் உள்ளிட்ட நோய் பரவாமல் தடுக்க, குப்பையை மாநகராட்சியின் வாகனங்களில் மட்டுமே போட வேண்டும். செவ்வாய்ப்பேட்டை, கடைவீதி, முக்கோணம் சீனிவாசா பார்க் பகுதியில், மேம்பால பணி பல மாதங்களாக கிடப்பில் உள்ளது. அவற்றை விரைந்து முடித்து, கடைவீதிக்கு வரும் லாரிகள், வாகனங்கள் இடையூறு இன்றி வந்து செல்ல, மாவட்ட நிர்வாகம் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். லைசென்ஸ் இன்றி வாகனம் ஓட்டுபவர், அதிக பாரம் ஏற்றுபவர், மொபைலில் பேசியபடி வாகனம் ஓட்டுபவர்களை கடுமையாக தண்டிக்க வேண்டும். அதை விடுத்து, தலைக்கவசம் கட்டாயம் அணிய வேண்டும் என நிர்ப்பந்தித்து வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்யக்கூடாது என, போலீஸ் துறை, அரசை கேட்டுக் கொள்வது என்பன உள்பட பல்வேறு தீர்மானங்கள் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டன.

Rules permit limited inspection of eateries

Burden of non-communicable diseases high in TN

food department Dist food safety officials yet to collect samples of mid-day meal from schools

Indore: Despite worms being found in mid-day meal of a school and one month after the order for collection of samples of food items being served to children in government-run schools under mid-day meal scheme, district food safety department is yet to take any action.
Only three days ago, a teacher of Government Middle School number-40 in Dhakkanwala Kuan, had spotted worms in the mid-day meal when the food was about to be served to the students. Following the incident, about 200 students of the school had refused to eat mid-day meal. They were ready to eat the food only after the senior officials from zila panchayat assured them of quality of the food.
"Maintaining quality of the food being served under mid-day meal scheme should be priority of the authorities concerned since its main objective is to improve nutritional status of school children," said a senior administrative official wishing anonymity.
The scheme has remained helpful in increasing the enrolment, retention and attendance of children at government school, and thus, it increases responsibility of the departments concerned for its proper implementation, he added.

Food business operators told to obtain licence

The district administration has asked food business operators (FOBs) to register themselves with the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and obtain a licence, failing which action will be taken against them.
Collector S. Prabhakar said that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have made it mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for them to obtain licence for operating their business.
There are 18,002 government and private food business operators in the district of which 1,829 had registered themselves, and 7,864 had obtained licence.
Food business operators include food manufacturers, stockists, transporters, tea shops, bakeries, roadside eateries, meat sellers, fruit and vegetable sellers, hotels, canteens in educational institutions, marriage halls, people who sell flour, provision shops, distributors, oil producers and sellers, private milk storage companies, flour mills, persons involved in export and import, cold storage units, wholesale distributors, manufacturers of beverages and other food businesses.
The Collector said that action will be taken against operators who were functioning without registration or licence. Operators can contact the Office of the District Designated Officer functioning at the Erode Government Hospital premises on Mondays and Fridays either in person from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. or through WhatsApp number 99439-84071.
Online forms are available at www.fssai.gov.in
Public can lodge complaints related to the food items at 0424-2223545 or through WhatsApp at 94440-42322.

SUB-STANDARD NOVA SKIMMED MILK: FSAT endorses Rs 4 lakh fine on MP-based firm

 

The food safety appellate tribunal in Kashmir has upheld fine of rupees four lakh imposed by a food adjudicating officer on a Madhya Pradesh-based company after analysis reports attested its skimmed milk powder samples as substandard.
Presiding officer of FSAT Kashmir Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon upheld the order of the adjudicating food officer Anantnag against Sterling Agro Industries Limited, the manufactures of NOVA brand of skimmed milk powder.
“The sample of skimmed milk powder NOVA sample has been found of substandard quality since it contained less protein content and higher ash content than the prescribed limit,” the Tribunal said.
While the Tribunal held that the skimmed milk powder was admittedly meant for distribution among different Anganwadi centers of district Anantnag, it said the company cannot escape its liability as it is the manufacturer of this skimmed milk powder that was meant for human consumption, ‘more-so by children who are prone to be affected even by the slightest adulteration in food product,”
The company had approached the Tribunal in appeal against the order of adjudicating officer food safety Anantnag who had imposed the fine on the company after a Punjab-based accredited laboratory and Kolkata-based referral laboratory declared NOVA brand of skimmed milk powder samples as substandard.
After the officer had inspected stores of ICDS project Anantnag, he lifted samples from the stocked skimmed milk powder packets that were meant for distribution among different Anganwadi centers in the district and supplied by Nazir Ahmad Kawa.
Four parts of the skimmed milk powder (one kilogram each) bearing batch no (HR 15) and manufacturing address of M/S Sterling Agro Industries Limited Ghironji Industries Area, Malanpur District (MP), were taken as samples in keeping with the procedure laid down under Section 47 of FSS Act, 2006.
For detection of any violation of the provisions of FSS Act, one part of the sample was sent to a lab food analyst Kashmir and the second part to accredited laboratory—Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, Mohali, Punjab.
The other two parts of the sample were handed over to the designated officer food safety and standards Anantnag.
While the food analyst Kashmir declared the sample as of standard quality, the Punjab-based accredited lab declared it as sub-standard in violation of the FSS Act. After the reports of the two laboratories were at variance, the second part of the sample was sent to a referral laboratory in Kolkata for final opinion.
The referral laboratory declared the sample of sub-standard quality on the basis of detection of less protein and higher ash content than the prescribed limits.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Kawa had purchased the skimmed milk powder from M/S Sterling Agro Industries Limited, the manufacturer of the food product.
The food safety officer placed the compliant before the adjudicating officer food safety (additional deputy commissioner Anantnag) and he imposed a fine of Rs 4 lakh on the company after coming to the conclusion that its skimmed milk product was substandard.
“The report of referral laboratory Kolkata is to be taken as final in keeping with FSS Act,” the Tribunal said, dismissing the appeal as devoid of merit.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal ordered that the amount of penalty recovered from the appellant company which stands deposited in FDR with J&K Bank, branch old secretariat, be deposited in the government treasury along with the interest after the period of appeal is over.

Unlicensed water plant sealed

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

This Delhi Man Found Insects & Bugs In Domino’s Oregano Sachets

 

We all like to have days when we can kick back and relax with a chilled beverage and a pizza. Cooking seems like such a task these days and we’d rather spend that time watching TV or having a conversation. The pizza arrives and our gut instinct is to reach out for the packets that contain chilli flakes and oregano, and many of us sprinkle them all over our pizza without a second thought. They’re only condiments, right? Well, you may want to look closely from now on, for this man found insects in Dominos pizza oregano packets and he’s uploaded a revolting video on social media as proof.

Insects In Dominos Pizza Packets

Delhi’s Rahul Arora had ordered a pizza like any other person on Friday evening and fell ill the morning after. He happened to notice tiny insects moving around in the oregano sachets and even uploaded a video where he opens a completely sealed packet pours out the contents into a small steel bowl. You can immediately see the tiny brown insects scurrying away.

Domino’s has replied to Arora’s tweet saying that they follow strict procedures and that they’d want to investigate the matter with him over a private conversation. The sachets even have the FSSAI accreditation on them. In which case, we wonder whether brands really adhere to the rules and regulations that FSSAI has put into place when they package anything.

Rahul Arora later got a call from Domino’s offering to replace his order. But, he told them off by saying that the issue is not a home delivery complaint and that the illness was caused due to the consumption of contaminated food. It’s wrong to trivialise such a thing.

He has also registered a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs and is waiting for a response. As quoted to NDTV, he said that “I wonder what would have happened if this happened in the US,” and that “The chalta hai attitude towards Indian consumers should end.”

Now, we understand that Domino’s probably doesn’t package its own oregano, and it probably has outsourced this to another company that prints and packages the herbs under the name of the brand. This does lead us to think whether the source goes through quality check from time to time.

Update

Since the video and Arora’s story went viral over the internet, Domino’s has released a statement that says, “This is with respect to a Consumer Complaint received on 11th September 2017 regarding oregano sachets, supplied by one of our vendors, in an outlet in Gurugram. The Company has since carried out a comprehensive inspection across vendors & stores and would like to reassure that all our food ingredients are safe for consumption and we have not received any other complaint of this nature.” 

“Jubilant FoodWorks maintains stringent hygiene and quality standards for its products. All the vendors and manufacturing units are FSMS (food safety management systems) certified. We also have Hazard & Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified (globally accepted standard for quality certification) commissaries where we follow strict quality standards and have a regular Audit process of all ingredients used.”

“Jubilant FoodWorks values its consumer’s experience and would like to reassure all its Consumers about best quality products, service and a great Domino’s experience at all times.”

Fungal Infection on imported wheat: Food safety nod must for distribution, Says Kerala HC

KOCHI: Imported wheat that was found to have fungal infection should not be distributed without the approval of food safety commissioner, the Kerala high court has ordered.

While issuing the directive, a division bench led by the chief justice said it is not possible to compromise in the matter of food safety and health. The court was considering an appeal filed by the state government regarding release of wheat imported by a private firm that was seized upon finding that it is not fit for use.

Kozhikode-based PK Roller Flour Mills had imported 20,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine through Kochi port in December last year. Food safety department had seized the wheat alleging that the wheat had fungal infection and is old.

Challenging the food safety department's action at the high court, the company had alleged that the wheat can be used after washing and drying it. A single bench had allowed for inspecting 20 tonnes of the wheat stored at a warehouse of the port after washing it. The company then sought a directive to shift the wheat to Kozhikode for washing. The court allowed such action to be carried out in the presence of an advocate commissioner.

During the hearing on the appeal filed by the food safety commissioner, state government contended that the wheat is not fit for human consumption and distribution of the wheat would create health problems.

India likely to ban cheap Pepper imports siting quality concerns

For the past few months Cheap Pepper imports from Vietnam has been causing problems in India, as decline in domestic prices being the main problem. Now the Spices board has recommended a ban on imports of Pepper siting quality concerns.

Pepper prices in India has declined to about Rs 400 per kg from Rs 650 per kg about a year ago, on the back of cheap imports from Vietnam through Sri lanka. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put the Vietnamese Pepper under the scanner for suspected contamination. 

Three months ago, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), expecting to bring some stability in prices launched trading in Malabar Garbled Black Pepper futures contract, but due to the cheap import it did not get the desired result.

It is estimated that Vietnam has exported about 3000 tons of Pepper to Sri Lanka during July and another 2000 tons in August and from that a majority share has arrived in India. Import from Sri Lanka carries a duty of 8 percent under the SAARC agreement, compared with 70 percent from other countries.

Appellate Tribunal upholds penalty on Nova Brand Skimmed Milk Powder

SRINAGAR, Sept 15: The Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, Srinagar has upheld the order by Adjudicating Officer, Anantnag, imposing a penalty of Rs 4.00 lakh on the manufacturer of the food product Nova Brand Skimmed Milk Powder for manufacturing and selling substandard skimmed milk powder.

Dismissing the appeal, filed by the manufacturer in the High Court, the Appellate Tribunal observed that it did not find any merit in the appeal. “The amount of penalty recovered from the appellant company which stands deposited in FDR with J&K Bank, Branch Old Secretariat, Srinagar be deposited in the Government Treasury along with the interest accrued thereon under rules after the period of appeal is over,” the court said.

A complaint under Section 26(2)(ii) of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 punishable under Section 51 of FSS Act, 2006, was filed by the enforcement authorities of Drug and Food Control Organization before the court of Adjudicating Officer, Anantnag against . Kuldeep Saluja, Laxmi Narian, Managing Partners of M/S Sterling Agro Industries Limited, Ghironji Industries Area Malanpur District Blind (MP) (Manufacturer of Nova Brand Skimmed Milk Powder), among others, for manufacturing and selling substandard skimmed milk powder.

After completion of enquiry, the Adjudicating Officer, Anantnag imposed a penalty of Rs 4.00 lakh on the manufacturer of the food product (Nova Brand Skimmed Milk Powder). The order impugned imposing penalty on the manufacturer was challenged before the High Court of J&K, at Srinagar. As soon as the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, Kashmir became functional in the, month of January, 2017, the High Court at Srinagar directed the Registry to send the petition along with complete paper book to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, Srinagar.

The Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, Srinagar observed that the skimmed milk powder was meant for distribution among different Anganwari Centers of district Anantnag. The company cannot escape its liability as because it is the manufacturer of this skimmed milk powder (Nova Brand) that was meant for human consumption, more so by children who are prone to be affected even by a slightest adulteration in a food product.

Sale of adulterated, unhygienic foodstuff goes unchecked in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sept 15: The authorities here have failed to launch an effective campaign to check sale of adulterated and unhygienic foodstuff that is posing serious health threats to public.

Experts believe that the sale of substandard and highly adulterated foodstuff including cooked and uncooked items is going on unnoticed in almost all markets of the valley. 

"Though the consumers are complaining of the phenomenon, the concerned authorities have not planned a comprehensive crackdown against those involved in the devilry," one of the doctors who have served in the SMC Srinagar said.

He said that the sale of highly adulterated daily use commodities is a major cause behind a number of ailments particularly involving stomach and kidney.

Sources said that majority of local restaurants, shopkeepers, bakers, fast food centres and vendors in the city have been selling unhygienic foodstuff in extremely unhygienic conditions mainly because none of the concerned government authorities is giving due attention to provision of hygienic and clean foodstuff to consumers.

The concerned authorities have been doing almost nothing to safeguard poor public from food and water-borne diseases including viral hepatitis (A&E), gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and dysentery, said a social activist.

Pleading anonymity, one of the officials said that it is strange that the high-ups in the government have been elaborating a lot to improve healthcare services for public but doing almost nothing to eliminate causes behind ailments. It is ironical to take action on effects instead of removing causes, he said.

The authorities have not planned any crackdown against local hotels, shopkeepers and vendors selling unhygienic foodstuff while there is also no regular check on sale of food adulteration. However the divisional administration said that they are working hard to check sale of substandard and adulterated foodstuff in the markets.

They added that the concerned staff is collecting samples of food items regularly in routine from markets and send those to laboratory for quality checking.

FCS&CA Minister Chowdary Zulfikar said that the government is committed to curb the food adulteration in the state. "I have directed the field officials to regularly collect samples of various items and get these checked. We have intensified surveillance across the state and initiated a cross-verification of surveillance work by sending food safety officials outside their jurisdictions for inspection," the minister maintained.

It is to also pertinent to mention here that the State High Court has recently directed government to make food testing laboratories at Srinagar and Jammu functional by providing required manpower under Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006. 

"Respondent State has to forthwith initiate action in setting up testing laboratories, as directed by the court, one at Srinagar and one at Jammu. We hope and trust that, two laboratories would be made functional," a division bench of the court comparing Justice M H Attar and Justice A M Magrey had said while hearing a suo-moto PIL.

FSSAI targets supplements, looks to curb doping in sports

Food regulator FSSAI will bring in rules on the presence of doping substances in food and nutritional supplements that are usually sold off the shelf

‘We have formed a working committee consisting of experts from relevant industries for technical assistance,’ FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal has said. Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint

New Delhi: The country’s food regulator now wants to curb the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances by sports professionals through nutritional supplements.

Over the next few months, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will bring in regulations on the presence of doping substances in food and nutritional supplements that are usually sold off the shelf. Companies will have to follow specific labelling norms for selling food and nutritional supplements. Both domestically produced products and imported supplements will come under the FSSAI regime.

FSSAI, which signed a five-year agreement with National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Thursday, will develop capacities at its laboratories to test for the presence of restricted or prohibited substances in food and nutritional supplements.

At present, FSSAI laboratories do not have either the expertise or the capacity for this. NADA, however, does.

“We have formed a working committee consisting of experts from relevant industries for technical assistance. A draft regulation will be discussed in the next meeting on 21 September,” said Pawan Kumar Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI.

Besides FSSAI’s own team, the committee will have representatives from NADA, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Narcotics Control Bureau, among others. FSSAI is also in the process of constituting a team for surveillance and enforcement of regulations. “As part of awareness development among consumers, we’ll also bring a special usage guide. Most of the doping is done without knowledge and they have ill-effects in the long term,” Agarwal added.

FSSAI and NADA held a series of meetings on the subject of doping in the last few months after the latter requested the food regulator to frame standards and regulations. “Doping is a menace we need to stop. With FSSAI, we’ll try to ensure availability of safe supplements for competing athletes, among others. There are about 300 substances that are prohibited globally. Of these, about 10 such as steroids, are commonly used,” said Navin Aggarwal, CEO and director general, NADA.

Last year, FSSAI notified standards for health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use, foods for special medical purposes, functional foods and novel foods. According to the notification, these foods should “consist of a composition delivering the desired level of energy, proteins, vitamins and minerals, and other essential nutrients required for the respective age group, gender and physiological stage in accordance with the guidelines made by the Indian Council of Medical Research”.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in its doping violation report for 2015, ranked India third after the Russian Federation and Italy. In 2015, 117 athletes failed to clear dope tests.

The Indian government had, in 2013, drafted the National Sports Development Bill that highlighted elimination of doping practices. As per a 27 April report in the Indian Express, the government has been working on a new legislation to make doping by athletes a criminal offence and the proposed law could include coaches, manufacturers and suppliers of these products.

FSSAI, NADA ink pact to ensure dope-free nutrition supplements

Concerned over doping cases in sportspersons, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) today signed an agreement to put in place a system to ensure dope- free sports nutrition supplements are sold in the market.

At present, the NADA conducts test on human beings for doping, but there is no mechanism in place to test 'doping substance' in nutrition supplements that are consumed both by sportspersons and fitness enthusiasts. "Doping has been a major concern with us.

When we analysed the cases, we found many of the athletes involved in doping were on account of nutrition supplements. We took up with the FSSAI to address the issue," NADA Director General and CEO Navin Agarwal told reporters after the signing of the agreement.

The NADA chief added: "This holistic effort aims to provide an ecosystem of safe food for sports professionals across the country. It is one of the significant steps for NADA to ensure healthy and safe supplements for competing athletes." Sportspersons are in a dilemma as to which dietary supplement to use. 

"Many of them, instead of developing their stamina and physique, end up in doping violation," he said. It is a major public health issue for citizens as well because many of the supplements available in the open market near gyms contain some of the dope substances that are harmful for long-term health of an individual, he said.

The need of the hour is to put in place "some sort of facility" to ensure sportspersons do not inadvertently end up doping through supplements. Highlighting the key work areas to be undertaken as per the memorandum of agreement (MoU), FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said a working group of scientific committee will be set up that will give guidance for setting standards for manufacturers and importers of these products and method of testing doping substance in nutrition supplements.

"NADA labs do testing on humans for doping not on substances. As far as doping substances is concerned, the capacity of our labs has to be built to do the testing," he said, adding that the NADA will help in capacity building of FSSAI-accredited testing labs as well as the regulatory staff.

According to the FSSAI chief, the move will ensure food safety ecosystem in sports nutrition becomes more robust over time. The two bodies will also work together to come out with guidance on labelling with instructions on using supplements and printing 'dope-free', he said. "We are also looking at international experiences. We do not find provisions for labelling requirement for doping substances. 

There are some voluntary efforts around the world, but we are going to study them," the FSSAI chief said. The issues related to surveillance and enforcement as also creating awareness about safe and judicious use of nutrition supplements will also be studied, he added. 

The MoU signed with the FSSAI is valid for five years. The NADA has recently inked similar agreement with a drug regulator. Despite 300 doped substances banned globally, nearly 10 of them like Diuretics and Hormones are most widely used.

Food safety body, NADA join hands to check doping substances, adulterants in sports nutrition products

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 14: 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has signed a MoU with National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to focus on collaborative efforts to address the issues of doping substances and other adulterants in food supplements and nutritional products used by sports professionals.

Under this agreement, the two government agencies have identified various areas which can be addressed through joint efforts by the two government agencies. A working group has been set up for more focused work in this direction, as part of this MoU.Working group

“The Working Group will comprise members of the FSSAI’s scientific panel on functional foods, nutraceuticals, dietetic products and other similar products along with representatives of NADA. Representatives of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Narcotics Control Bureau and others, as and when required, may be co-opted in the Working Group,” an official statement added. Guidance on the use of labelling/claims for supplements and special dietary products meant for sports professionals and building capacity of the regulatory staff for effective surveillance and enforcements activities, are some of the areas which have been identified for collaboration.Five labs

FSSAI will also identify five labs, in a bid to build testing capacities in FSSAI-notified primary and referral laboratories for detection of doping substances and adulterants in sports-nutrition supplements and products.

In a statement, Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said that this MoU will help in developing and strengthening co-operation in the field of Sports Nutrition between the two government agencies. “This would also ensure that the food safety ecosystem in the field of sports nutrition becomes more robust over the time,” he added.

Navin Aggarwal, DG & CEO, NADA, said, “This holistic effort aims to provide an eco-system of safe food for sport professionals across the country. It is one of the significant steps for NADA to ensure healthy and safe supplements for competing athletes.”

FDA steps up to raise the food safety standards in temples

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken the batten to raise the hygiene and food standards in temples of the state. FDA will be conducting several workshops and training session around 254 temple trusts across the state and will impart technical skills to the participants which will help them in maintaining the quality of food.

The initiative will be flagged off in Mumbai on Wednesday, September 13, at Iskcon Temple, Juhu.

The initiative called the Blissful Hygienic Offering to God (BHOG) was launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Prabhadevi-based Siddhivinayak Temple. Training will be conducted in various districts across the state throughout September.

Dr Pallavi Darade, Commissioner, FDA said “53 temple trusts and vendors who prepare various kinds of Prasad will be attending the first session. The topics to be covered include food safety, ingredients, packaging, and hygiene.

The session will help temple trusts maintain proper standards of food hygiene. Participants would be introduced to a scientific approach to safety concerns and learn about the rules and regulation of food safety,” Darade said.

“More training sessions will be planned depending upon the number of temple trusts that come forward. We will be training 3,000 people and 254 temples,” said CD Salunke, Joint Commissioner, FDA. In October, restaurant and hotel staff in Mumbai will also receive training by the FDA.

Chicken on your plate led short, but a life full of brutalities

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food businesses) Regulation, 2011, chicken must be reared, transported and slaughtered in humane conditions. 

The next time you order a chicken meal, consider this. A study of chicken farms in Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana revealed that birds reared for meat spend short and brutal lives.

A survey by a Pune-based animal rights organisation, Animal Equality, which looked studied the production cycle — from birth to processing of meat — at five farms and three markets between December 2016 and June 2017, found that chicken production violates basic animal welfare and food safety standards.

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food businesses) Regulation, 2011, chicken must be reared, transported and slaughtered in humane conditions. But the rules are not followed, the study says. One-day-old chickens were stuffed and transported in boxes, fed with drug-laden food to gain weight and killed in cruel and unhygienic conditions.

“After being fed antibiotic-laden feed, which causes extreme weight gain, those who survive are brutally pulled out in groups and weighed by hanging them upside down,” says the study.

It also states that the sudden weight gain due to antibiotics leaves the chicken crippled. The cramped conditions in the cages can cause stress, heart attacks or respiratory infections. Once they reach their maximum weight, they are stuffed into transport truck.

“They are sent on rigorous journeys which last for hours, sometimes days without food or water,” said Amruta Ubale, executive director, Animal Equality.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001 states that animals have to be stunned before slaughter. “We found that this is never practiced at all locations surveyed by us,” said Amruta Ubale, executive director, Animal Equality.

The study says that once the birds reach meat markets, they are crammed into small cages. “Many birds develop infections and diseases. There is no health inspection conducted on the birds. Their throats are slit and they are thrown into drain bins where they languish in pain for several minutes before they die. Carcasses are defeathered, hot torched or boiled in water in the filthiest of conditions, the study concluded. The unhygienic conditions of meat markets are also a public health hazard, the study adds.

The Poultry Federation of India (PFI) confirmed unhygienic meat shops violate both food safety laws and laws protecting animals. “The mindset in India still exists where the consumer approaches a meat shop, choose his chicken and asks the butcher to slice it the way he wants. In such circumstances, the consumer mindset needs to change the enhance these laws that are being violated, which is not the case abroad,” said Ramesh Khatri, president, PFI. “However, there are large industries that are following the stunning procedure before killing chickens and also practice the profession in clean and hygienic surroundings.”

HT had reported in February that an investigation into 20 poultry farms across the country by Animal Equality revealed that confining hens in battery cages - small wired cages used by farmers to keep the birds for their entire life, primarily for laying eggs – not only led to a number of deaths, but also deformed and injured the birds feet.

Animal Equality submitted findings of both studies to the Law Commission of India (LCI) along with a list of recommendations for the welfare of chickens. “Our reports also pointed out to the existing animal welfare, food safety and transport laws which are violated,” said Ubale.

A senior official from LCI said that the recommendations were included as a part of proposed guidelines under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Egg Laying Hens) Rules, 2017 and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Broiler Chicken) Rules, 2017. “After consulting the union environment ministry, we will be releasing draft regulations for inviting suggestions and objections for the rules, later this year,” the official said.

The PFI said it has written to the state government about the use of antibiotics. “We are awaiting guidelines to make laws stricter in the country but it will take at least a few years to sensitise the poultry industry,” said Khatri.

There are also concerns of the issue turning into a dangerous debate like the beef ban controversy. “We are taking several steps to ensure that this industry functions with appropriate standards but to sensitise everyone about correct practices might make it a political issue in a secular country like India,” said AK Sharma, coordinator, PFI.

1,200 food outlets have no licence, registration in dist: FSDA

Meerut: In an ongoing two-month survey conducted by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) authorities, as many as 1,200 food outlets in Meerut district were found to be running without licences or registrations that are mandatory for their functioning. The survey is being carried out to ensure that no food outlet is run illegally in the district.

Giving details, Archana Dheeran, designated officer, FSDA, said, “According to the instructions that have come from the state government authorities, we have been told to conduct a survey in the entire district to identify the food outlets which have not registered or taken a licence from us. Once identified, they will be given 20 days to comply with the rules or a case will be registered against them.”

It should be noted that a food outlet with an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh needs to have a “registration” which can be obtained for a fee of Rs 100 every year. Similarly, a food outlet with an annual turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh has to get a licence for Rs 2,000 a year.

Dheeran said, “The survey is being done so as to make people aware about registrations and licences as these are necessary as per norms. Also it is necessary to ensure that no person selling food, even on a push cart, does not operate without a food licence. Until now, we have identified 1,200 food outlets in Meerut which do not have any registrations or licences from the department and have been issued notices. We expect to identify more such outlets by the time we end the survey.”

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAMALAR NEWS

Olive oil compound may prevent diabetes: study

Micro plastic fibres found in tap water

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

DINAKARAN NEWS

Use web-based inspection platform, FSSAI tells states

Food safety regulator FSSAI says the platform will ensure that inspections of food businesses are done transparently

New Delhi: In a bid to ensure that Indian food businesses comply with food safety and hygiene standards in an effective and transparent manner, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed states to implement a web-based real-time inspection platform for food safety officers (FSOs).

The ‘Food Safety Compliance through Regular Inspections and Sampling’ (FoSCoRIS) system launched on Monday uses instant geo-tagging, time stamping, real-time data collection and multiple levels of verification and can be used via hand-held devices like mobile phones and tablets.

The technology will help ensure periodic inspections of food businesses are carried out by regulatory staff on a regular basis in an objective and transparent manner, the food safety regulator said in New Delhi on Monday.

“Such inspections would use standard compliance matrices to ensure consistency in approach of inspections across the country. This would replace the current system of ad hoc and subjective inspections and sampling that are currently carried out by the regulatory staff,” Pawan Agarwal, chief executive of FSSAI, said in an interview.

“This would use a nationwide information technology (IT) platform to bring together all key stakeholders—the food businesses, FSOs, designated officers (DOs), state food safety commissioners (FSCs) so that such inspections and sampling is done by maintaining a high level of integrity of the process and the process itself is effectively monitored at various levels. Inspection, sampling and test result data will be shared seamlessly by all officials, right from field level to district, state and national level,” Agarwal said.

FSSAI will develop the FoSCoRIS system and put in place infrastructure required for its operation and maintenance at the national level. The food regulator will provide the devices and reimburse internet charges.

During inspection, samples could also be picked and noted.

The evidence and traceability will follow, based on the unique ID generated for the sample.

Through FoSCoRIS, details of the food safety officer’s location and the area of FSO will be collected on a real-time basis.

Every detail of log-in and log-out time and location will be collected on the central server of the system.

Interestingly, random four-to-five pictures will automatically be captured by the device using the front as well as the rear camera on a mobile phone or a tablet.

“The collected data in the system includes geo tags of location, time, date, inspection report and pictures of FSOs and his location. The FSSAI and the State Food Safety Commissioners would be able to monitor each and every inspection on a real-time basis and afterwards as well,” Agarwal said.

The data collected from inspection reports and samples will be analyzed to understand the areas and food products to be focused on, identify hot-spots, trends and pattern in food safety to take corrective measures and for policy interventions.

“This will also help assess the performance of field level officers and help improve their efficiency,” said Agarwal.

FDA to train temple trusts in food safety

To ensure that the temple offerings are healthy and hygienic, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be conducting training sessions on food safety for over 254 temple trusts across the state.

The initiative will be flagged off in Mumbai on Wednesday, September 13, at Iskcon Temple, Juhu.

The initiative called the Blissful Hygienic Offering to God (BHOG) was launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Prabhadevi-based Siddhivinayak Temple.

Training will be conducted in various districts across the state throughout September.

FDA Commissioner Dr Pallavi Darade said 53 temple trusts and vendors who prepare various kinds of prasad will be attending the first session. The topics to be covered include food safety, ingredients, packaging, and hygiene.

The session will help temple trusts maintain proper standards of food hygiene. Participants would be introduced to a scientific approach to safety concerns and learn about the rules and regulation of food safety," Darade said.

"More training sessions will be planned depending upon the number of temple trusts that come forward. We will be training 3,000 people and 254 temples," said CD Salunke, Joint Commissioner, FDA. In October, restaurant and hotel staff in Mumbai will also receive training by the FDA.

AT A GLANCE

• In August this year, over 70 Ganpati mandals were trained before the Ganeshotsav festival
• Through this initiative the FDA plans to train over 254 temples across the state

Govt bans sale of Grorich

State Government on Tuesday ordered ban on manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of food product namely “Grorich” which is manufactured by M/S Utility Pharmaceuticals, Solan (HP).

“In exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of subsection (2) of section 30 of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, and as an abundant precaution, in the interest of public health, we hereby prohibit in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, manufacture, storage, sale, distribution of the food product “Grorich” with immediate effect. The notification shall come into force at once,” reads an order issued by Drugs and Food Control Organization.

The prohibition order notes that a sample of food product namely “Grorich” bearing lot No. G-1025, Mfg. Date: Dec 2016 Expiry Date: 18 months from Mfg date, manufactured by M/S Utility Pharmaceuticals, Solan (HP) was lifted and sent to National Anti-Doping Agency for quality opinion.

The Doping Agency in its report No. 05/13/2017/NADA dated: 14.08.2017 has reported that the above sample contains 2-phenethylamine which is a prohibited substance and is likely to pose health risk to the end users.

Meanwhile, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India had requested all the Commissioners of Food Safety to check the use of such substances (narcotic drug or a psychotropic substance as defined in the schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985) and rules made there under, and substances listed in schedules E and EI of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945) in food supplements and in case of any suspicion, samples may be drawn and sent to National Anti-Doping Agency.

It (order) said Food means any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed which is intended for human consumption and included primary food to the extent defined in clause (zk), genetically modified or engineered food or food containing such ingredient, infant food, packaged drinking water, alcoholic drink, chewing gum, and any substance, including water used into the food during its manufacture, preparation or treatment but does not include any animal feed, live animals unless they are prepared or processed for placing on the market for human consumption, plants, prior to harvesting, drugs and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances.

இறக்குமதியாகும் தாய்லாந்து 'ஸ்டார்ச்' மாவு: உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி புறக்கணிப்பால் மரவள்ளி விவசாயிகள் பாதிப்பு

ஆத்தூர்: தாய்லாந்து, இந்தோனேஷியா நாடுகளில் இருந்து, குறைந்த விலையில், ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு இறக்குமதி செய்யப்படுவதால், உள்நாட்டில் உற்பத்தியாகும் மரவள்ளி சார்ந்த பொருட்களின் விலை சரிந்துள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில், சேலம், நாமக்கல், தர்மபுரி உட்பட, 17 மாவட்டங்களில், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு சாகுபடி செய்யப்படுகிறது. 2016ல், பருவ மழை இல்லாததால், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு உற்பத்தி குறைந்தது. ஸ்டார்ச், ஜவ்வரிசி தேவை அதிகமாக இருந்ததால், இந்தாண்டு மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு ஒரு மூட்டை (73 கிலோ), 800 முதல், 1,050 ரூபாயாக விலை உயர்ந்துள்ளது. இதற்கிடையே, உணவு பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பில் முக்கிய பங்கு வகிக்கும், 'ஸ்டார்ச்' மாவு, ஆந்திரா, கர்நாடகா, கேரளா மாநிலங்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, தாய்லாந்து, இந்தோனேஷியா போன்ற நாடுகளில் இருந்தும் இறக்குமதி செய்வதால், மரவள்ளி சாகுபடி விவசாயிகள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இதுகுறித்து, தமிழக ஜவ்வரிசி, ஸ்டார்ச் உற்பத்தியாளர்கள் முன்னேற்ற நலச்சங்க மாநில தலைவர் துரைசாமி கூறியதாவது: நாடு முழுவதும், ஆண்டுக்கு, 25 லட்சம் ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகள் தேவைப்படுகின்றன. ஜவ்வரிசி, ஸ்டார்ச் மாவுக்கு தேவை அதிகரித்துள்ளதால், கடந்த, 2016 நவம்பரில், ஜவ்வரிசி ஒரு மூட்டை (90 கிலோ), 4,023 ரூபாயும், ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு ஒரு மூட்டை (90 கிலோ), 2,841 ரூபாயும், மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு, 650 ரூபாயாக விலை உயர்ந்தது. நடப்பாண்டு, ஜன., 27ல், ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டை, 6,275 ரூபாய்; ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு, 4,605 ரூபாயாக விலை உயர்ந்தது. கடந்த, ஆக., 29ல், ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டை, 5,687 ரூபாய்; ஸ்டார்ச், 4,051 ரூபாயாக இருந்த நிலையில், நேற்று, ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டை, 5,760 ரூபாய்; ஸ்டார்ச், 3,951 ரூபாய் என, ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைக்கு, 70 ரூபாய் மட்டுமே விலை உயர்ந்துள்ளது. இருந்தும், தமிழகத்தில், ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு விலை அதிகளவில் இருப்பதால், தாய்லாந்து, இந்தோனிஷியாவில் இருந்து, உணவு பொருள் தயாரிக்க அதிகளவில் இறக்குமதி செய்கின்றனர். மத்திய, மாநில அரசுகள் இவற்றை தடுக்க முன்வரவில்லை. தவிர, நாமக்கல்லில், எட்டு லட்சம் மூட்டை, சேலத்தில், இரண்டு லட்சம் என, 10 லட்சம் மூட்டை ஜவ்வரிசி பதுக்கி வைத்துள்ளனர். அரசியல் கட்சியினர், உறவினர்களின் சேகோ ஆலைகள் என்பதால், இந்த பதுக்கல் மீது அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பதில்லை.

மக்காச்சோளம் மாவு, கிலோ, 23 ரூபாய்க்கு கிடைப்பதால், ஸ்டார்ச் மாவில் கலந்து, நாமக்கல், ராசிபுரம், நாமகிரிபேட்டை, மல்லூர் உள்பட, பத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட பெரிய ஆலைகளில், தரமற்ற ஜவ்வரிசி தயாரிக்கின்றனர். கலப்படமான ஜவ்வரிசி குறித்து பலமுறை மனு செய்தும், அதிகாரிகள் உடந்தையாக இருப்பதால் நடடிக்கை இல்லை. வறட்சியால், சில மாவட்டங்களில் குறைந்தளவில் தான் மரவள்ளி அறுவடை உள்ளது. ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டை, 8,000 ரூபாயும், ஸ்டார்ச், 5,000 ரூபாய் மற்றும் மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு, 1,500 ரூபாய்க்கு மேல் விற்க வேண்டும். இதனால், தமிழகத்தில், ஜவ்வரிசி, ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு மற்றும் மரவள்ளி கிழங்கு விலை குறைந்து வருகிறது. இதேநிலை தொடர்ந்தால் சேகோ தொழில் அழிந்துபோகும். வெளிநாடுகளில் இருந்து, ஸ்டார்ச் மாவு இறக்குமதி செய்வதை, மத்திய, மாநில அரசு முழுமையாக தடை செய்ய வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Why our plates, fields must have more millets than rice

Contamination of eggs poses high risk to food safety in India: study

Unhygienic rearing practices and lack of quality control measures can easily lead to egg contamination.

Developed countries take measures to sterilise the egg surface from contamination especially from Salmonella enteritidis 

New Delhi: According to a research study, Indian poultry farms lack the technical knowhow of European nations and also follow poor rearing practices.

There are chances that they could be using contaminated feeds or using feed ingredients without any knowledge of their nutritive value which can effect egg production.

Also unhygienic rearing practices and lack of quality control measures can easily lead to egg contamination. It is not just the poultry farmers but traders, exporters and even consumers are unaware of the health risks of egg contamination.

Developed countries take measures to sterilise the egg surface from contamination especially from Salmonella enteritidis. In India no such measures are taken and risk of egg contaminationincreases.

"India has become a leading poultry producer but the potential to reach the global markets is not very bright as the quality of the products does not meet international standards. Indian eggs are often rejected for export because of the presence of chemical residues on egg shells," says Dr. Saurabh Arora, Founder of Food Safety helpline and Food Safety Mobile App.

Recently, a number of eggs in the domestic market, in retail shops were collected and tested and were found to contain large amounts of salmonella both on the shell and inside the egg.

However, fresh eggs collected from farms indicated less salmonella contamination. Since most consumers buy eggs from retail outlets the chances of contracting salmonella infection increases.

Lack of food safety procedures, improper storage facilities and poor transportation are some of the other causes of deterioration in eggs. The FSSAI has proposed standards for fresh eggs in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2017.

These standards will come into force once they are approved. The FSSAI has laid down parameters which state that the eggshells must be free of blood rings, must not be soiled or have faecal matter and they must not be cracked or leaking.

FSSAI has laid down the amount of water, protein, fats and carbohydrates that eggs must contain as also the hygienic parameters and hygienic controls, like time and temperature, that must be observed during production, processing and handling which includes sorting, grading, washing, drying, treatment, packing, storage and distribution to point of consumption. FSSAI has laid emphasis on the storage conditions like moisture and temperature so as to reduce microbial contamination as microbial pathogens are a risk to human health.

Food Safety practices for eggs

A number of surveys have been conducted which suggest that consumers have less awareness of food safety risks of eggs as compared to other foods. Most people will follow the hygienic practices when handling chicken meat and fish but will overlook the recommended practices for eggs. It is not a wrong observation that people do not wash their hands after handling eggs or even after breaking raw eggs when cooking.

This is probably because of the perception that eggs are generally safe. They are indeed safe if they have been cooked properly, which means that they must be cooked till their yolks and whites have become firm. Dishes that contain eggs as ingredients must reach an internal temperature of 160o Fahrenheit which is the temperature required for salmonella to be destroyed through cooking.

Besides cooking eggs thoroughly there are other food safety practices that you need to follow when handling eggs to prevent cross-contamination.

-Egg handlers must wash hands with soap and clean surfaces and utensils that have come in contact with raw eggs.

-Containers that have been used to process raw eggs must not come in contact with ready-to-eat food.

-Separate eggs in the grocery bags when shopping and in the refrigerator when storing.

-Temperature of the refrigerator must be maintained at 33 to 40o Fahrenheit.

-If eggs are left outside after refrigeration then they need to be discarded within two hours.

-Refrigerate eggs only after they have been washed.

-Eggs must be consumed within two weeks.

-It is advisable not to eat raw eggs.

Regulator FSSAI launches online platform for food inspection, sampling

The new system will bring together all key stakeholders - food businesses, food safety officers, designated officers, state food safety commissioners - on a nation-wide IT platform.

To bring in transparency in food safety inspection and sampling, food regulator FSSAI on Monday put in place a nationwide online platform and asked states to adopt this system as it would help eliminate discrepancy and make food safety officers accountable.

The web-based ‘FoSCoRIS’ system will help verify compliance of food safety and hygiene standards by food businesses as per the government norms.

The new system will bring together all key stakeholders -- food businesses, food safety officers (FSOs), designated officers, state food safety commissioners -- on a nation-wide IT platform and data related to inspection, sampling and test result data will be shared seamlessly by all the officials.

“This system will give a clear picture to the FSSAI on the real-time basis and helps eliminate any discrepancy, hence inspection is accountable,” the regulator said in a letter written to states.

The system will ease out the process of sample collection, make it transparent and traceable and controls the quality of compliances, it said.

Directing the states to adopt the new system, the FSSAI said this requires a hand-held device with internet connectivity with FSOs.

It has asked those states that have already provided hand-held devices to FSOs to straightway adopt the system while other states have been asked to provide such devices to FSOs or on rental and even reimburse mobile expenses to them.

The states have been told to appoint a nodal officer for this purpose and send the details of the officers of the state food authority for integrating them with FoSCoRIS.

In the initial phase, the FSSAI said, it has decided to bear the cost of rental plans for first three months to a maximum of Rs 500 per month per connection to first ten states and UTs.

“This would replace the current system of ad hoc and subjective inspections and sampling that are currently carried out by the regulatory staff,” it noted.

Safeguarding milk and meat supply in Kashmir

Myths and realities amidst growing concern

The contribution of livestock sector to the food basket in the form of milk, eggs and meat has been immense in fulfilling the animal protein requirement of ever-growing human population. Jammu and Kashmir has huge livestock wealth. In spite of its big potential because of large livestock population, the meat and milk industry in Jammu and Kashmir has not even been able to meet the local requirement of meat, milk and eggs, leave aside the export of these products. There are a number of reasons for this. The issues of low productivity, lack of significant commercial farming, poor hygiene, inferior quality and food safety are considered as real stumbling blocks in the growth of livestock products industry. However, a number of steps have been initiated at the national level recently, which has given an impetus to the meat and milk industry. India is already world’s largest milk producer and is set to become the largest meat exporter. The meat industry is expected to grow annually by an estimated 8 percent over the next five years. The processed meat industry is growing even much faster, at about 20 percent. Jammu & Kashmir not only lags behind in the production of meat and milk but state has miserably failed in ensuring availability of safe milk and meat.

MILK

Though in last few years a number of milk processing units have come up in the state, however they have not exerted any positive impact on the production scene. There has not been any significant improvement in the local production of milk (in comparison to national level growth rates). This is because most of our dairy processing ventures doesn’t focus on working with farmers at the grass- roots level, which explains why there has been no impact of such dairy ventures on the local production scenario or on socio-economic lives of farmers. As an example Nestle, the global giant in dairying, revolutionized milk production in many countries by adopting an innovative model referred to as ‘Swiss milk district model’, which involves a strong farmer centric approach. Yet our dairy companies have been preferring importation of liquid and skimmed milk powder from northern Indian states to sell in the local market for sheer profit making. In absence of a strong local dairy cooperative movement (like AMUL), the local dairy industry is still primitive in structure and is highly dominated by traditional milkmen. Now coming to the food safety part, as we know milk is consumed by almost everyone, it is intricately linked to the public health. Organized dairying involves many processing steps -- farm, packaging plant, delivery – before reaching the consumers who drink it. Milk is moved, processed and stored in huge batches that get distributed and consumed quickly. Should a toxin be injected (adulteration ) or safety checks not taken care of somewhere along the supply chain, experts believe it could have devastating human health and economic consequences.

Quality control is an essential component of any milk processing industry whether small, medium or large scale. Milk being made up of 87 percent water is prone to adulteration by unscrupulous middlemen and unfaithful farm workers. Moreover, its high nutritive value makes it an ideal medium for the rapid multiplication of bacteria, particularly under unhygienic production and storage at ambient temperatures. We know that, in order for any processor to make good dairy products, good quality raw materials are essential. A milk processor or handler will only be assured of the quality of raw milk if certain basic quality tests are carried out at various stages of transportation of milk from the producer to the processor and finally to the consumer.

I don’t know if our local processing units are conducting approved tests to ensure the application of safe practices, standards and regulations concerning the milk and milk products. The tests are designed to ensure that milk products meet accepted standards for chemical composition and purity as well as levels of different microorganisms. A comprehensive range of various general, instrumental, physical chemistry and residue testing (like acidity, alkalinity, fat, pesticides, nitrites, bulk density, gravity, antibiotic residues etc ) is mandatory before supplying finished product to the market.

We have been regularly hearing about the cases of willful adulteration of milk with detergents and urea, which points towards the fact that state quality regulatory system is inefficient and the local dairy processing companies either don’t take quality seriously or they don’t have effective quality management systems in place to ensure safety of milk from farmers gate to consumers table. Regulatory authorities have to play more pro-active role in order to ensure strict compliance to laid down parameters by the dairy food processing industry.

MEAT

Meat is one of the most nutritious foods in the world. Meat contains biologically high quality protein and is an excellent sources of several other nutrients, containing all of the essential amino acids, and in most cases is a good source of zinc, vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, niacin, vitamin B6, choline, riboflavin and iron. Several forms of meat are also high in vitamin K. Jammu and Kashmir is one of the top meat consuming states of India and most of our supplies come from outside the state.

Is their any risk associated with meat consumption?

Some people argue that meat causes several diseases like cancer and heart disease. Does meat really cause cancer and heart disease? Well, recent evidence based scientific studies conclude that unprocessed fresh and moderately cooked meats don’t significantly increase the risk of cancer and heart diseases. A 1999 metastudy combined data from five studies from western countries. The metastudy reported mortality ratios, where lower numbers indicated fewer deaths, for fish eaters to be 0.82, vegetarians to be 0.84, occasional meat eaters to be 0.84. Regular meat eaters and vegans shared the highest mortality ratio of 1.00. Similarly Key et al. found that "there were no significant differences between vegetarians and non vegetarians in mortality from cerebrovascular disease, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer or all other causes combined." Truswell reviewed numerous studies, concluding that the relationship of colorectal cancer with meat consumption appeared weaker than the "probable" status it had been given by the World Cancer Research Foundation in 1997. However, most of the researchers conclude that, consumption of processed meats (which is hardly available in a developing state like Kashmir) may significantly increase the risk of heart diseases and some types of cancer. In conclusion, a moderate intake of fresh unprocessed and moderately cooked meat poses no health risk.

Is the meat we consume safe?

Many people argue that dangerous additives, chemicals and hormones are used to raise commercial food animals. Although use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry/food animals is dangerous and poses a serious public health risk, the levels of antibiotic residues found in Indian poultry meat is well below the maximum permissible limit (a study done by Venkys Group found out that antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, the residue of which found in Delhi/NCR region was 0.00355 to 0.06459 ppm, the EU Standard recommends a range of 0.1 to 0.3 ppm. Similarly EU Standard recommends enrofloxacin range to be 0.1 to 0.3 ppm and in Delhi/NCR region it was found to be in the range of 0.0037 to 0.131 ppm, and for Oxytetracycline the international standard varied from 0.1 to 0.3 ppm under EU Standards and 2.0 to 12 ppm under the US Standards, among others). The rapid growth in poultry now-a-days had been made possible by advancement in the field of genetics and superior nutrition, it has got nothing to do with use of steroids. Buffalo, sheep and goat are mostly raised organically on natural diets, and thus there is no food safety issue linked to meat from such animals.

What are the quality challenges associated with meat and meat products?

There are many diseases which are caused by consuming meat contaminated by pathogenic (disease-causing) micro-organisms such as bacteria and their toxins, viruses and parasites. They enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract where the first symptoms often occur. Some of the diseases can be fatal. Many of these micro-organisms are commonly found in the intestines of healthy food-producing animals. The risks of contamination are present from farm to consumers table and require prevention and control throughout the food chain. Mainly contamination can occur at farm, during slaughter, during further processing, and in the kitchen.

How is quality of meat controlled?

Globally an integrated approach to meat safety is applied from the farm to the consumer’s table. Main steps include:

a. Ante-mortem & Post-Mortem inspection of meat by qualified veterinary doctors.

b. General Meat microbiologic testing and detection of pathogenic germs.

c. Detection of organic/inorganic containments and organic residues.

2. Analytical tests

a. Rapid and reliable identification of meat species by real time PCR, DNA sequencing, and ELISA test.

b. Monitoring of public health risks through veterinary drug screening and testing in meat by using latest High resolution LC-MS technology.

We all know such broad-based integrated approach to safety of meat and meat products is lacking in our state. Job of ensuring safety of livestock origin food has been handed over to municipal authorities, which are professionally speaking, unfit to carry out this vital task. In order to ensure superior hygiene, quality and meat safety, government needs to come up with an innovative quality management plan, which must involve human and veterinary public health officials. We need a state of the art quality control and analytical laboratory for meat and meat products to meet the required domestic and international meat quality standards.

A veterinarian tunred entrepreneur, Fayyaz Ganie is the founder & CEO of Truevet Biosciences a Srinagar based biotechnological company

Fortifying food ecosystem with safety audits

The scale of the Indian food ecosystem has expanded incredibly with increasing organised food (retail and e-commerce) businesses, surge in investments and innovative models being used to reach consumers. But unlike mature economies, India is still treading on the path to build robust food quality and safety standards. Recent cases related to adulteration of food products, export rejections due to quality issues and court cases around disputes have raised multiple questions on the availability and consumption of safe and healthy food in the country.

Regulatory initiatives

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body governing the food safety and standards to develop an ecosystem that protects consumer health, augments product acceptance and enables businesses to be competitive globally. With various initiatives taken by the regulator to maintain stringent quality and hygiene standards, the adoption of the food safety and quality mechanism still remains voluntary.

Keeping the above factors in view, food businesses in India should strive to: (a) develop a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan for their product and supply chain compliance. An importer can also have a FSMS plan that assumes responsibility of the safety and standards of imported products; (b) develop an internal audit schedule and perform corrective actions, as deemed necessary; (c) have a qualified food safety supervisor to uphold the FSMS plan.

It is critical to address the risk factors in the entire food value chain -- from the point of origin to the point of consumption -- and take appropriate measures to adopt leading global practices. As businesses grow and the demands of stakeholders increase, organisations may inadvertently cut corners, leading to non-compliance issues. This can augment threats related to safety and hygiene. Hence, it would be prudent to involve an intermediary neutral body that assesses potential risks and highlights gaps to create a healthy food ecosystem.

Third-party auditors

Food Business Operators (FBOs) are mandated to have regulatory inspections either prior to getting the licence or within a year of obtaining a FSS licence. FSSAI is in the process of recognising third party auditors and agencies for carrying out independent food safety audits of FBOs in the country. This is a positive step that will prompt the food industry to work together and get the sanctity of products ratified by an independent food safety auditor.

The three important elements of a food safety audit by an accredited audit agency or an independent auditor who have met selection criteria as per the third-party food safety audit regulations will involve: (a) conducting the audit; (b) monitoring the audit process; and (c) reporting the audit results to the regulator.

However, the selection of an auditor may be through the FSSAI’s list of empanelled auditors or directly assigned by FSSAI themselves.

Steps toward self-compliance

Traditionally, organisations have been conducting internal and external audits of certain business functions regularly, thereby adhering to ‘self-regulation’ mandates. While these controls may be in place, organisations may still be subjected to limited regulatory reviews for added monitoring and scrutiny. Similarly, the food regulator is looking to assist the FBOs in adopting a ‘self-compliance’ approach and eventually contribute toward providing safe and healthy food for consumers.

Initially, the regulator has proposed to make third-party audits mandatory for only high risk foods. However, it is expected to add more categories of FBOs that would be subjected to similar third-party audits. In the long run, with an increase in the number of FBOs, independent auditors would need to be enrolled across the nation. Once the infrastructure and regulations are in place, the independent audits would potentially become mandatory for all FBOs.

Way forward

Food businesses in India can consider the following to transition to a well-defined compliance ecosystem: (a) being prepared for the possibility of an ISO compliance review by an external agency; (b) mitigating instances of conflict of interest with the chosen or assigned third-party agency; (c) taking timely and corrective actions on the audit findings; and (d) evaluating IT-based food safety audit frameworks with self-generated audit modules.

The food industry in India can look at utilising the window of the third-party food audit regulations that are currently under the draft stage to its utmost potential. The regulations can help organisations review their existing business practices, institutionalise internal controls and be better prepared for external reviews.