Nov 22, 2017
Nov 21, 2017
Govt sets permissible limits for antibiotics use in chicken
FSSAI will direct poultry farms to adhere to good animal husbandry practices and monitor the use of antibiotics and veterinary drugs in meat and chicken, says CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal
Maximum permissible limits of 37 antibiotics and 67 other veterinary drugs are prescribed for chicken, the health ministry said in a statement.
New Delhi: The Indian government is trying to make sure that the chicken on your plate is free of excessive antibiotics and veterinary drugs that may be harmful for human consumption.
The ministry of health has notified an amendment to the Food Safety & Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011, under which maximum permissible limits have been specified for the presence of antibiotics and other drugs in meat and meat products, including chicken.
“Maximum permissible limits of 37 antibiotics and 67 other veterinary drugs are prescribed for chicken,” the health ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The ministry, through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also sought comments from all stakeholders, including individual citizens. The comments will be placed for consideration before the scientific panel of the FSSAI on residues of pesticides and antibiotics.
“We will direct poultry farms to adhere to the good animal husbandry practices and monitor the use of antibiotics and veterinary drugs in meat and chicken,” said Pawan Kumar Agarwal, chief executive officer of FSSAI.
“Further, special food committees and food inspectors will also check the antibiotic levels in chicken used in food processing units. Though small shops will be a challenge, we are working in tandem with the animal husbandry department for effective implementation of new regulations,” Kumar said.
Perturbed by increasing anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in animals, which is indirectly being transmitted to people through meat and poultry products, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently wrote to the department of animal husbandry, seeking to regulate the use of antibiotics on animals.
“Irrational use of antibiotics indirectly tells upon human health. While the residues of antibiotics may pass on to humans through food and milk, diseased animals resistant to drugs are even a bigger problem,” said A.C. Dhariwal, director of NCDC.
The absence of stringent regulatory frameworks to limit the use of anti-microbial drugs in livestock and food animals, especially for non-therapeutic purposes such as growth stimulation, has been one of the drivers of overuse.
“Antibiotics are indiscriminately used in poultry. Animal growth promoters (drugs) are becoming a threat to the human health as their residues may pass on to humans through meat and poultry. The move by the health ministry to limit antibiotics in these foods was necessary,” said Avinash Srivastava, a New Delhi-based veterinary expert.
“India is lagging behind in controlling antibiotics in animals. Many countries have made their poultry products antibiotic-free...Several big food chains in US have already taken the initiative to provide drug-free chicken. Neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh are also going ahead in this direction,” he said.
In a recent study published in peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspective, researchers tested about 1,500 samples from 530 birds at 18 poultry farms across six districts of Punjab.
The study conducted by the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy found that nearly two-thirds of the poultry and egg farms were using antibiotics. And these same farms are more than three times as likely to report multi-drug-resistant bacteria as farms that do not use antibiotics.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture poses a significant risk to human health. Researchers have noted a major transmission pathway of drug-resistant bacteria from food animals to humans.
FSSAI invites comments on draft to limit antibiotics in meat
This is being done to ensure that the residue of antibiotic in food from animal does not pose a threat to human health, said the draft notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Food Safety regulatory FSSAI has sought public comments by December 6 on a draft to fix a tolerance limit of antibiotics and veterinary drugs in meat and meat products, the government said today.
This is being done to ensure that the residue of antibiotic in food from animal does not pose a threat to human health, said the draft notification issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
"This notification contains maximum permissible limits of various antibiotics in meat and meat products including chicken. Maximum permissible limits of 37 antibiotics and 67 other veterinary drugs are prescribed for chicken," the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.
The objections or suggestions have been invited from all stakeholders including general public by December 6. The comments received will be placed before a scientific panel.
"The recommendations of the scientific panel will be considered by a scientific committee and then the Food Authority for approval after which it will be notified," it added.
Globally, use of antibiotic and pharmacologically active substances are prohibited in food stuff of animal-origin including fish and fisheries products, the notification said.Further, there is ample evidence of development of antibiotic resistance in human pathogen, if these substances continue to come through food, it added.
Food safety dept steps up vigil
Alappuzha: Food safety commissioner Veena N Madhavan has made it mandatory for all temporary food stalls and food business operators (FBOs) involved in the manufacture, sale, distribution and retails of all types of food in and around Sabarimala region to obtain Food Safety and Standards Authority of India licence or registration.
She said that action would be initiated against all the outlets that violate Food Safety and Standards Act, at Sabarimala. "We have set up food testing and other infrastructure facilities in Sabarimala to ensure safe and quality food and water to pilgrims during Sabarimala pilgrimage season. As many as 35 loads of jaggery, 10 loads of rice, two loads of green gram dal, two loads of crystallised sugar and raisins, two loads of cumin seeds and two loads of dry ginger have already been subjected to testing. Action as per the Food Safety and Standards Act has been initiated against FBOs and distributors, who were found indulging in distribution and sale of misbranded -incorrect and incomplete label declaration - green gram dal and kalkandam (crystallised sugar) in the vicinity," she said.
The food safety commissioner said that the food safety team conduct the inspection when raw materials were sent from Pamba to Sannidhanam. The lab testing infrastructure has been strengthened at Pamba and Sannidhanam and six food analysts are working round the clock at both the destinations.
"Two mobile food testing labs will be stationed and made operational at Nilackal and Erumeli to test the drinking water supplied to pilgrims. This lab is equipped to conduct tests on milk, oil, packaged drinking water, food colours, common adulterants and spices. Through these units, 24 tests can be conducted on milk, nine on edible oil, 17 on spices and 11 on other foods to check for adulterants," Veena said.
Also, the department has taken steps to conduct periodic quality analysis of the drinking water supplied by the Kerala water authority, Travancore Devaswom Board and the Ayyappa Seva Sangham. Food safety officers are actively involved in the sampling of raw materials used for 'annadanam' provided by the devaswom board at Nilackal, Pamba and Sannidhanam.
"The samples so collected are sent to the district food testing laboratory at Pathanamthitta for analysis," she added.
Devotees can contact the department on two toll-free numbers (8592999666 & 18004251125).
Nov 20, 2017
Food officials suspect GM mustard in oil
According to sources in the food department, there is no proper labelling on these products.
India imports 15 million tonne edible oil. Food inspectors, who check random samples, said that whether it is GM crops or non-GM crops is difficult to identify.
Hyderabad: Food inspectors find it difficult to identify the GM mustard oil with the commercialisation of GM mustard. They said that it is illegally imported into the Indian market.
India imports 15 million tonne edible oil. Food inspectors, who check random samples, said that whether it is GM crops or non-GM crops is difficult to identify.
According to sources in the food department, there is no proper labelling on these products. The GM protein is not in the refined oil and it can’t be traced easily which makes it easy for importers to put it across as non-GM crop.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, GM products cannot be sold in the country without approval. But the draft bill on labelling these products has not been approved by the government.
From 2005 to 2016, the FSSAI has been actively working to identify the products in the category of GM and non-GM. But it is facing challenges at the ground level. For this reason, the food body wants all importers to bring in the products into the country with proper labels.
A senior food inspector in TS explained, “We had meetings as these products are making the way into the market in the form of non-labelled products. Hence, the importer has to strictly bring in those products which are labelled. This will act as deterrent till we can work out the testing methods.”
With a boost in the food production and also the increasing demand for processed and ready-to-eat foods, it is becoming important to check the ingredients which are being used at the commercial level to ensure that the health of the people is not at risk.
GM foods have been in the market since 1994 and the risk factors which have been found during the clinical testing in laboratory on animals are altered metabolism, inflammation, kidney and liver malfunction. But there has not been any conclusive research on the human health.
Telangana to recruit 291 food safety officers
Hyderabad has only three food inspectors to monitor more than 20,000 eateries.
Hyderabad: Waking up to the demand for food safety staff in the State to curb food adulteration, the Health Department is planning to recruit 291 food inspectors and food safety officers.
Proposals were sent to the officials concerned and soon after the approval, the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) would take up recruitments.
Food adulteration has been a major cause of concern as there were only 20 sanctioned posts of food inspectors in Telangana region before the State bifurcation. Soon after Telangana State was formed, the State government sanctioned new posts of 10 food inspectors and 13 additional posts at Food Analysis Lab.
However, there are only seven food inspectors and six gazetted food inspectors at present against the sanctioned strength of 30 food inspectors and 10 gazetted food inspectors, respectively, in the State. The TSPSC has already initiated recruitment for vacant posts of food inspectors and additional posts at Food Analysis Lab.
However, a study into requirements by the Health Department revealed that it requires 291 food inspectors and food safety officers. The officials concerned have sent proposals to their higher authorities in this regard and awaiting an approval.
In Hyderabad city alone, there are only three food inspectors to monitor more than 20,000 eateries besides numerous food processing and manufacturing units. Food inspectors working in the districts are also burdened with monitoring two-three districts each, due to staff crunch and putting lives of people at risk even as adulteration industry is thriving.
Adding to the woes, there is only one Food Testing Laboratory located at Nacharam in the city serving the needs of both Telugu States with a capacity to analyse about 12,600 food samples per annum. The officials said unless division of assets between the two States is completed, they might not be able to expand the lab as per requirements.
The issue came up for discussion during the recently adjourned session of the Assembly and the Council, following which the Health Department initiated measures to plug loopholes. In addition to recruitments in Food Safety Department, the State government formed 14 special task force teams comprising the Police and Food Safety Department officials for checking food adulteration in the State.
Observing the urgency to tackle the issue, Health Minister C Laxma Reddy admitted in the Assembly that food adulteration was a serious issue and awareness programmes were being conducted to educate people in this regard. He said the Centre was planning to bring amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act based on which the State government would strengthen the department further.
29 food samples in district fail quality test
Ludhiana: A total of 116 food samples were collected from the entire district of Ludhiana in October, out of which 29 have failed the quality test, including milk, coffee, cake, edilble salt, curd, chutney, and desi ghee. Some of the failed samples were found 'miserable', while others were of 'sub-standard' quality. Notices for resampling of the failed items will be sent soon. Food samples are also being taken this month, the results of which will be available by mid-December.
District health officer Dr Andesh Kang said: "Twentynine samples have failed. The shops from where the samples have failed will be sent notices for rechecking. They have to apply for resampling within a month as a response to that letter. If they don't reply, we will file a court case. Depending upon the report, the case will be filed either in the court of ADC or CJM. Surprise checking will be done in future at those places from where samples fail on a regular basis. Residents should write to us if they feel any shop is serving old stale food, or the food is of poor quality, and action will be taken immediately."
Food safety officer Yogesh Goel added: "30-35% is the failure rate of food of samples from Ludhiana district. Recently from Jamalpur, samples of junk food failed, which included manchurian, dosa, chutney, and curd. The case has now been taken to court. Food samples totalling 116 were collected from different confectionery and sweet shops from Ludhiana district. Samples of milk, streetfood, water, and curd, were taken specially from areas like Dehlon, Jamalpur, Haibowal, Dugri, Model Town, and Pakhowal Road. The entire district is being covered, and if we get a complaint about a particular shop, that shop will be specially checked."
Hostel Canteen Closed By Food Safety Dept Due To Unhygienic Conditions
The hostel canteen of St. Teresa’s College has got a notice from the Food Safety Department ordering to shut down on the basis of lack of a licence and unhygienic preparation of food. The Hindu reported that an inspection was conducted last month that found several glitches in the functioning of the canteen.
The inspection of the canteen by the Food Safety Department showed that the canteen did not have a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and had been functional so far without it. There also wasn’t any medical fitness certificate of the staff that worked there nor the documents ensuring good quality drinking water.
A complaint was made to the FSSAI that there were three incidents of food poisoning in the last three months in this canteen. This complaint that also mentioned that the food was being cooked under unhygienic conditions brought the whole issue into light after which the inspection was conducted.
Licence mandatory for sale of food items
Kochi: A decision has been taken to make Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license mandatory for sale of food items. The FSSAI will soon take legal action against individuals and units who engage in the manufacture and sale of food items without the mandatory food licence. The step has been considered for the safety and wellbeing of the common man. Though as per rules, only food items with a valid licence are eligible to be sold, it is not being followed. Hence the authority has decided to take steps against illegal sale of food items.
Most of the restaurants, hotels and bakery units in the state function with FSSAI licence. But those who distribute the ingredients to prepare the food items do not hold a licence. Meat products, fish and vegetables are being bought from local traders. Most of the traders in markets operate without licence. Most of the food items prepared in hotels and restaurants and being distributed do not have a legal licence. According to rules, those who sell food items and those who engage in their distribution need a licence to undertake this.
Kerala is the state which strictly adheres to the authority laws. Hotels have been instructed to purchase the necessary ingredients only from licenced merchants and they need to keep the bills along with them for verification. The authority will be conducting searches to check if the rules are followed by all.
The joint commissioner of Food Safety Authority K Anilkumar stated that more than 90 percent of hotels in the state function legally. The food items purchased from traders must also be done only from a licence holder and this must be made mandatory. The government must enforce this strictly, he said.
Nov 19, 2017
உணவு பாதுகாப்பு பதிவுச்சான்று பெற ஆன்லைனில் விண்ணப்பிக்கலாம்
சேலம்: உணவு பாதுகாப்பு பதிவுச்சான்று பெற ஆன்லைனில் விண்ணப்பிக்க பயிற்சி அளிக்கப்பட்டது.
இணையதளம் வழியாக, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு பதிவுச்சான்று பெறுதல் தொடர்பாக, அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட பொது இ - சேவை மைய ஊழியர்களுக்கு, நேற்று பயிற்சி வகுப்பு நடந்தது. அதை தொடங்கிவைத்து, மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் மாரியப்பன் பேசியதாவது: வணிகர்கள், ஆண்டுக்கு, 12 லட்சம் ரூபாய்க்குள், வர்த்தகம் செய்தால், பதிவுச்சான்று பெற்றால் போதும். அதற்கான கட்டணத்தை வங்கியில் செலுத்தி, இணையதள சேவையை பயன்படுத்தி விண்ணப்பிக்கலாம். உணவு வணிகரின் முகவரி, உணவு வகைகள் மற்றும் வியாபாரத்தின் வகையை, தவறின்றி குறிப்பிட வேண்டும். பதிவுச்சான்று காலாவதி ஆவதற்குள், புதுப்பிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதை, சேவை மையங்கள், அறிவுறுத்த வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அவர் பேசினார்.
Nov 18, 2017
Madras HC orders action against sub-standard distilleries
The petitioner, while referring to a newspaper report, submitted that certain alcohol drinks do not conform to the prescribed standards.PTI | November 18, 2017, 14:40 IST
The Madras High Court today directed the officials concerned to take action against the distilleries which manufacture liquor without adhering to the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006.
The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar gave the direction on a public interest litigations (PIL) by one Sriraman seeking to take action on 16 distilleries for manufacturing, bottling and selling sub- standard liquor through state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation ( TASMAC) outlets.
"Action shall be taken in case contravention of any prescribed standards," the bench said.
The petitioner, while referring to a newspaper report, submitted that certain alcohol drinks do not conform to the prescribed standards.
There were dangerous levels of tartaric acid, volatile acid and other characteristics in some of the alcohol, he submitted and contended that the authorities failed to take care on the standards of the quality of the liquor sold at TASMAC outlets, he said.The bench ordered that notices be issued to distilleries and the government over the matter, which it posted for further hearing to December 12.
Madras High Court orders alcohol checks at distilleries across State
CHENNAI: Going by the Madras High Court verdict, even alcohol will be checked for purity. The court has directed officials of Food Safety to inspect the 16 distilleries in the state and take necessary action if required. The department can take action even if it does not match up to the standards of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar gave the direction when a PIL from V Sriraman came up for hearing, on Friday.
The PIL prayed for action against distilleries for manufacturing, bottling and selling spurious liquor through the TASMAC retail outlets.
“Authorities concerned shall inspect the distilleries concerned and ensure that the provisions of Food and Safety Standards Act 2006 are adhered to. Action shall be taken in case any contravention of any prescribed standards is found,” the bench said and issued notice to the distilleries and posted the matter for further hearing on November 22.
The petitioner, who himself was a victim, referred to a news item which stated that analysis of certain alcohol drinks doesn’t conform to standards. Certain items were maliciously certified by the Excise department supervisory officers and have been bottled for human consumption.
‘ALL ROADSIDE MEAT SHOPS IN CITY ILLEGAL’
Thousands of meat shops are operating in violation of the Supreme Court guidelines on roadsides in the State, including the capital city, and hence they should be closed forthwith.
Activists made this demand at a workshop held by the People for Animal-run ‘Concern for Ecology’ in association with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation (FIAPO) here recently.
Members of food safety, BMC and some local animal welfare activists with veterinarians attended the workshop. The agenda behind the workshop was to make people aware of the procedure and laws to be followed for running food businesses that include selling of animal flesh. In October, a FIAPO team had investigated and submitted the complaints regarding illegal running of meat shops on roadsides to the BMC Commissioner. The workshop was held as a step towards protection of animals against cruelty and regularisation of meat shops. Members demanded that the BMC should ensure implementation of slaughterhouse rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2010, BIS standards, pollution control norms and municipal rules for registration and running of meat shops.
Violation of norms attract punishable with imprisonment for six months and fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. As per norms, animals should not be slaughtered except in recognised or licensed houses. No animal which is pregnant, or has an offspring less than three months old, or is under the age of three months or has not been certified by a veterinary doctor for slaughter can be slaughtered. The members suggested that slaughterhouses be constructed and licenced meat shops put there soon. Among others, LPT Department CVSC and AH Dr Prasad V Pati, Khurda SDVO Dr Saroj Kanungo, Retd SDVO Srimant Kumar Patro and adivisor Pradipta Tripathy were present.
59 illegal dairies:
Court expresses anguish over allotment of cattle pound to retired bureaucrat
Jammu, Nov 18: A Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice Bader Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar have expressed deep displeasure over the allotment of a cattle pound situated at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu by the Jammu Municipal Corporation in favour of Ex-Joint Commissioner (Adm) Municipal Corporation Jammu namely R.S. Jamwal.
The Division Bench took serious view of the allotment made in favour of a Retired Officer of the Jammu Municipal Corporation for the land/space earmarked for cattle pound. The Division Bench after going through the records of allotment produced in the open court by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the PIL directed the Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation to file a comprehensive affidavit explaining as to how and on whose orders the cattle pound at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu was closed and later allotted to the Joint Commissioner (Adm) Jammu Municipal Corporation.
These court directions were passed in a Public Interest Litigation filed by an NGO (SAVE) through its Chairperson Devinder Kour Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan seeking closure of 59 illegal/ unregistered milk dairies running within the limits of Jammu Municipal Corporation and also for regulating the functioning of existing 57 number of registered dairies as per the existing norms and guidelines issued by JMC under Section 44(n) of Jammu Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.
Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Suraj Singh and Supriya Chouhan appearing for the PIL drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the amended reply filed by JMC wherein it was submitted that JMC has one cattle pound situated at Dogra Hall, Jammu and capacity of the cattle pound is to accommodate 70/80 animals at a time. It was further submitted that all the Gowshalas running within and outside the limits of JMC have refused to adopt the animals due to non-availability of space and accordingly Deputy Commissioner, Jammu has been requested for identifying/providing land so that animals of the un-registered dairies are shifted till the time such unregistered dairies are regulated and managed as per the norms framed by JMC.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed appearing for the petitioner NGO submitted that in both the replies filed by JMC a misleading statement has been given that JMC has one cattle pound situated at Dogra Hall, Jammu when the fact remains there is one more cattle pound at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu which has been illegally/ arbitrarily closed by JMC and has been allotted vide order No.JMC/ RB/1053-55 dated 10-02-2016 in favour of R.S. Jamwal (KAS) Joint Commissioner (Adm) Municipal Corporation Jammu.
The Division Bench after going through the norms framed by JMC issued directions in the open court to the Commissioner JMC to take action as per the norms against the illegal diary units and further directed that licenses be issued to only those dairy units who conform to the norms framed by JMC. The Division Bench made it clear in its order that today’s order may not be construed by Commissioner JMC to grant licenses but the licenses be issued strictly as per the norms referred as Annexure-D in the PIL.
The Division Bench also directed Commissioner, JMC to file a comprehensive affidavit within four weeks about the action taken against un-registered dairies and also the action taken on the applications received by JMC from Dairy Units for grant of license. The Division Bench further directed the JMC to explore the possibilities of identifying new places for more cattle pounds in Jammu City. Advocate Amita Khajuria appearing for the Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi apprised the Division Bench that a comprehensive reply to the PIL has been filed and Govt. Advocate Sanjeev Padha also informed the Division Bench about the filing of reply on behalf of Commissioner of Food Safety, J&K Government. Senior Advocate M.K. Bhardwaj with Advocates Ajay Vaid and Gagan Kohli appeared on behalf of the owners of 59 un-registered dairy units whereas AAG Rohit Kapoor caused appearance for State Pollution Control Board.
AAG Rohit Kapoor appearing for State Pollution Control Board assured the Division Bench that while issuing NOCs to the owners of the dairy units the norms governing the field and also the norms prescribed by JMC will be strictly adhered to and there will be no laxity in this behalf on the part of PCB. He further requested the Division Bench that a copy of the PIL be furnished to him and upon this Advocate S.S. Ahmed assured to provide the same during the course of the day.
The Division Bench looking into the importance of the PIL directed the Registry to re-notify the same on December, 21, 2017.
Food Safety dept orders closure of hostel canteen
Lack of licence, unhygienic conditions cited
KOCHI: The Food Safety Department has issued a notice to authorities of St. Teresa’s College here, asking them to close down the hostel canteen based on its findings that it had no requisite licence, besides failing to ensure the quality norms.
Officials said that an inspection held last month had found that the canteen was functioning without obtaining the licence of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The hostel authorities also failed to produce the medical fitness certificate of the canteen staff. They could not also submit documents proving the quality of water used in the canteen, they said. The action was taken based on a complaint received by the FSSAI in which it was alleged that there were at least three instances of food poisoning in the hostel mess over the past three months and that the food was being prepared under unhygienic conditions.
Steps to ensure safe food for pilgrims
Health Minister K.K.Shylaja launching the mobile laboratory of the Food Safety Department at Nilackal on Thursday.
Minister inaugurates mobile food analysis laboratory at Nilackal
The government has taken every possible step to ensure the safety of food articles supplied to pilgrims at Sabarimala and various transit camps during the ongoing pilgrim season, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has said.
The Minister was inaugurating a mobile food analysis laboratory of the Health Department at Nilackal, near Pampa, on Thursday afternoon.
She said the department had set up laboratories, including two mobile ones, to test the quality of food items at Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilackal and Erumely. Sixty food safety officers, including assistant commissioners, have been deployed to conduct periodic inspections at hotels and other eateries.
The department has taken steps to conduct periodic quality analysis of the drinking water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority, Travancore Devaswom Board and the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom.
All raw materials for the preparation of Aravana, Appam and Annadanam are being subjected to thorough quality tests at the laboratory at Pampa before being taken to the Sannidhanam. No raw material could be taken to the Sannidhanam without obtaining food safety clearance from the Pampa laboratory. Food safety officers would ensure the quality of the Aravana and Appam before taking it to the sales counters at the Sannidhanam.
Presiding over the function, Food Safety Commissioner Veena N.Madhavan said devotees were free to contact the Food Safety Department through two toll-free numbers (8592999666 & 18004251125).
Director of Health Services Saritha, Joint Director of Food Safety Department K.Anilkumar, Assistant Director Preetha, chief government analyst Thankachan, and research officer G.Gopakumar spoke.
Nov 17, 2017
FSSAI to propose rating restaurants and eateries to ensure quality of food
The food safety regulator has now turned its attention to restaurants, eating joints and hotels to enforce safety standards.
Food and Safety Standards Authority of India, the country’s top food regulator, has put forth a proposal that businesses which deal with food should be rated on factors such as hygiene and safety to make sure they are trusted by consumers.
Pawan Agarwal, the regulator’s chief executive, in a statement to the Hindustan Times, said that the apex body is now particularly keen on rating food businesses through several “hygiene variety factors”. The regulator is looking to assign star ratings to restaurants and eating places out of six, taking into account factors like hygiene awareness, safety processes, etc.
A sub-group was formed following a meet last week in New Delhi among the FSSAI, National Restaurant Association of India and the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) to amend rules that govern safety standards at eating establishments.
Display of food licenses will be made a necessary factor in rating food businesses with consumer trust seemingly being the biggest driving factor behind the move. The businesses that will be rated will include manufacturers of food items, sellers of food items and other business operators in the sector.
Last year, reports went viral about a couple in Mangalore who found worms in their meal at a KFC outlet. A similar instance was recorded a few months ago at a Domino’s Pizza outlet in New Delhi when a customer who had ordered a pizza found an oregano seasoning sachet infested with insects, which led to a subsequent drop in shares of Jubilant Food Works Ltd, the company operating the Domino’s brand in India.
The food regulator recently started the concept of ‘food safety supervisors’ in all food businesses to ensure quality items reach consumers. The supervisor should be trained under the Food Safety Training and Certification Programme (FoSTaC) designed by FSSAI and would be responsible for ensuring that the quality of food is maintained.
These happen to include shops, stalls, hotel, restaurants airline services and food canteens, places or vehicles where any article of food is sold or manufactured or stored for sale.The FSSAI license is already compulsory for ensuring food safety and quality of food products.
FSSAI to Shut Down Restaurants Operating Without the FSSAI License
The Food Safety and Standards Act passed in 2006, made it mandatory that any person commencing or carrying on a food business must have the FSSAI license. In spite of the said provision, CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Pawan Kumar Agarwal stated that there are multiple hotels and restaurants, which amounts to 30%-40%, who are carrying on with their food businesses without the above-mentioned license. Find out how to get the FSSAI license for your restaurant here. Pondering into the problem at hand Mr Agarwal, showed some serious concerns over the lack of awareness of the people in India and on November 14, 2017, in New Delhi, he passed a new provision.
Restaurants Have 3 Months Time to Get the FSSAI License
The FSSAI clearly stated that all hotels and restaurants operating without the FSSAI license will be sealed and closed if they fail to take permits within the next 3 months. This rule applies to all establishments, be it profit or non-profit, public or private, hence it also includes religious places where food is provided without charges. However, it must be mentioned that there are few exceptions that are provided, for example, petty manufacturers, retailers and hawkers are exempted from this rule.
As the overarching cloud prevails over whether FSSAI licenses are mandatory for all food outlets or not, FSSAI has delegated the responsibility to the State Governments to initiate a special drive through which they will spread the awareness of the FSSAI license. After the time period for this awareness, the drive is over, FSSAI will be asking the State Governments to seal and close all those establishments across the country which are running without the above-said license. Mr Agarwal further went on to say, that not only is getting the licenses in place is mandatory, the restaurants and hotels also need to submit the food safety management plan.
Mandatory Food Supervisor at All Food Businesses
Mr Agarwal also shared his future plan of making a mandatory rule for all food business to have one person, who will be the food supervisor and who will be trained and certified as per its curriculum. The importance of displaying the licenses at prominent points within the premises of the restaurants was also highlighted; the display board at any restaurant should also have contact details of customer care as well as food inspector of that location. FSSAI is also working on developing a rating for “Hygiene and hygiene plus”, this new provision will be put into force soon.
Maintaining food hygiene across all the food establishments is exceptionally important and laws must not be taken lightly. FSSAI has been in operation for over the last six years and by now all the food businesses must have had their licenses in place. FSSAI Enforcement Director, Mr Agarwal is given the enormous task of ensuring a 100 percent licensing of all restaurants and hotels in the next three months, hence he is moving forward with immense vigour and is in no mood of any compromise or leniency!
FSDA seized two quintals of chemical-laced peas
Agra: A day after a video of chemically coloured peas being sold in the Agra vegetable market went viral, food safety and drug administration (FSDA) officials on Thursday seized two quintals of adulterated peas from Bodla market here. The contaminated peas could cause diseases such as cancer if consumed in large portions, said officials.
The team, led by assistant commissioner of FSDA Vineet Kumar, conducted raids at several street vendor units and found traders mixing vegetables with harmful chemicals.
Kumar said, “During a surprise raid at Bodla market, we found some vendors mixing rotten peas in a chemical solution. Two quintals of the adulterated vegetables were seized. The chemicals were sent to a laboratory for examination. We will book the traders once reports about the adulteration are confirmed.”
“The district FSDA has failed to curb this menace. A notice will be served to the district chief food inspector and other concerned officials seeking explanation of their failure in stopping adulteration of food items,” added Kumar.
In several crackdowns in the past six months in Agra, FSDA officials have found instances such as milk mixed with detergent powder and tomato and chilli sauces having harmful chemicals in them.
During a raid at Belanganj, in October, the team also seized several tonnes of adulterated tea packets in which the manufacturer was found mixing cashew nut husk. The team, under Kumar’s leadership, had also caught local men who were found mixing husk of various kinds in regular spices to increase their content inside packets. In Itmad-ud-daula area, last month, officials had caught men mixing vegetable oil in ghee.
Huge quantity of contraband tobacco seized
In two successive raids, the Food Safety Division of Mayabunder in North Andaman seized huge quantity of banned tobacco products in the region. In a search conducted on board passenger vessel, MV Nicobar, docked at Mayabunder jetty after arrival from Kolkata on Wednesday, the food safety team led by Food Safety Officer, Mr KK Paul found 70 tins of tobacco of Ratan Zarda brand inside a contained and arrested the accused identified as Mohammed Akhtar Hussain.
At around 11.45 am on Wednesday, Mr KK Paul suspected tobacco transportation on a four wheeler bearing registration no. AN01D2844 and informed the local police. The vehicle was searched and around 50 packets of tobacco was seized from the possession of the accused identified as P Sarvana, resident of Rampur village. Further action as per rules has been initiated against the two accused.
What India is not asking about eating chicken
Bulk consumers of chicken, from five star hotels to standalone restaurants, must start insisting on using antibiotic-free chicken.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has done well to expose the double standards adopted by global fast-food chains operating in India. In the US, Russia, Europe, Australia and even Brazil, chains such as McDonald’s and KFC have made and fulfilled in some cases, specific and time-bound commitments to eliminate antibiotic misuse in chicken supply chains, they have not even bothered to initiate similar collective steps in India.
The alert raises two disturbing questions: Why aren’t stringent regulations in place to prevent the misuse of antibiotics for non-therapeutic use especially among chicken and livestock? Why are food providers so cavalier about the quality of meats they serve to their unsuspecting consumers, thereby contributing to the serious rise in antibiotic resistance in the country? The food supply industry had got to be more concerned about the health of the population that makes sure its bottom line is in the black.
When I raised these issues in a Facebook post to test the waters, I was surprised at the number of people who questioned why the CSE was targeting only the fast-food chains (11 multinationals and three homegrown companies, including coffee chains such as Starbucks, Cafe Coffee Day and Barista). Yes, other bulk users of chicken, from five star hotels and fancy standalone restaurants to the Indian Railways and airport food retailers, are equally guilty of not insisting on using only antibiotic-free chicken feed. In fact, the packaged chicken we buy off shelves has also been pumped up with antibiotics, but that does not reduce the culpability of fast-food chains.
One of the more informed interlocutors pointed out that the use of antibiotics has ensured the mass production of healthy chickens, which, in turn, are among the cheapest sources of protein for the people. And India, as we know very well, is hurtling towards severe protein deficiency. Without antibiotics, we are warned, we would have had more than a handful of diseased birds and chicken that is not meaty enough.
This argument, unfortunately, makes a lot of sense in a skewed market where the two most abundant natural sources of protein — dal and millets (bajra, for instance) — are either too expensive for the poor (as in the case of most dals), or not made available through the public distribution system (PDS) targeting the really poor (the widespread inclusion of millets in the PDS mix of grains, in fact, has been a long pending demand).
But what the CSE is asking for is not a ban on the use of antibiotics, but a stop to the misuse. And if McDonald’s can commit itself to eliminating this misuse elsewhere in the world by the year 2019, what prevents it from following its own global example in India?
Chicken are given antibiotic-laced feed to speed up their growth so that they produce more meat in a shorter number of days (in other words, they are readied for slaughter in a fewer number of days). It is this intervention that has made chicken (and now, increasingly, farmed fish) a commonly available source of protein, but it has brought in its wake the life-threatening problem of antibiotic resistance among humans. In India, the levels of antibiotic resistance seen among those afflicted by tuberculosis and urinary tract infections have already risen to life-threatening levels.
We cannot ignore the warning signs any longer. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which has unveiled a flurry of new initiatives, from a national framework of organic certification to an initiative to promote food waste recovery, in recent weeks, must now expedite the process of formulating stringent regulations so that the problem is attacked at its source, that is, at the chicken production centres.
Bulk consumers of chicken, from five star hotels and equivalent standalone restaurants to supermarkets, must also start insisting on free-range, antibiotic-free chicken. The Park New Delhi is one five star hotel that has taken this critical first step, even though it is paying a higher price for the chicken it sources. A rising demand from bulk buyers will definitely have a salutary effect on prices. And I cannot but resist adding the parting thought: the Indian Railways, taking a leaf out of the good practices of Air India, must stop serving chicken on its trains for the sake of the health of its passengers.
13 food outlets found selling substandard, unhygienic food in Srinagar
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 1.4 lakh on 13 food outlets in summer capital for selling sub-standard food articles and processing of food items under unsanitary conditions.
Officials said the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar has imposed a fine of Rs 1,40,000 on 13 food business operators including restaurants owners, traditional bakers, milk vendors and butchers for violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.
“The offenses include selling/ manufacturing sub-standard food articles and processing of food items in unsanitary conditions,” they said.
“Each baker and milk vendor was imposed a fine of Rs 10000, butcher Rs 50,000 and restaurant owner has been slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000,” officials said.
The food safety wing of drugs and food control organization has warned food operators of strict action under food safety act in case they fail to maintain the high level of hygiene.
The team of Food Safety Officers, headed by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir also inspected various markets in Chanapora, Nishat, Lal Chowk and Dalgate areas.
“During the inspection, many restaurants, bakery shops, and butchers were found processing food in total unsanitary conditions. Some of them have been using synthetic colours in many popular food items,” Mir told Kashmir Reader.
He said the substandard and unhygienic preparations were destroyed on spot and the owners were warned to desist from such kind of malpractices in future.
“If we found them indulging in any such activity we will take strict action against them under relevant provisions of food safety and standards act,” he said.
However, the officer was reluctant to share the details: “It doesn’t look good. Their offense is not so grave that we will publicize their names in the media.”
Food Safety Officers also expressed the similar reservation saying that they couldn’t name the business operators.
“We are not authorized to speak on the issue,” they said.
Nov 16, 2017
Ahead of CM’s visit, administration tightens noose around Meerut meat shops
Meerut: After a gap of almost three months, the Meerut district administration has again tightened its noose on the city’s meat trade. On Wednesday, Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) officials led by city magistrate MP Singh raided several meat shops in the Ghantaghar area of the city.
Backed by a heavy police force, FSDA officials sealed four shops for allegedly flouting norms related to hygiene and mandated equipment. Chief food safety officer, FSDA, Sarvesh Mishra told TOI, “The raid was conducted to ensure that all mandatory provisions for licences to run meat shops were being observed. During the raid, four shops selling chicken and other kinds of meat were sealed because they were found flouting these provisions. Owners of all four have been booked under relevant sections of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. We even destroyed 20 kg of chicken meat in the process.”
Following an initial crackdown soon after Yogi government in March 2017 took charge in UP, police had eventually adopted a soft approach to enforcing the norms for the meat trade around Eid.
Haji Raees (name changed), who sells buffalo meat said, “The sudden arrival of a huge police force with officials reminded us of the ugly period in April when not only were the shops forcibly shut by the police, but supply of meat had also been curbed after orders from the administration. All this is again happening ahead of the chief minister’s visit on November 18. This indicates that the difficult days are back for us, particularly with the civic body elections about to take place.”
CM Yogi is slated to visit Meerut on Saturday to attend a rally for civic polls.
City superintendent of police Maan Singh Chauhan, however, refuted the charges and said, “The CM’s visit has nothing to do with the raid. All the four shops sealed did not have licences to run their establishments. They were flouting all the norms like not cutting meat in the open. They did not have glass doors, and had flouted other requirements.”
The team also raided a restaurant in the area, Al Kareem. “We found 53 cooking gas cylinders stocked there, and have seized them,” Chauhan added.
City magistrate MP Singh said, “The drive will be conducted every week to ensure there is no flouting of the law.”
Profiteers fined Rs 32000 in Ganderbal
GANDERBAL: The Court of Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum- Adjudicating Officer Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari under the Food Safety Act on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 32,000 on a number of traders for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006.
The ADC warned all the stakeholders who are involved with food business to desist such practices in future and directed the concerned authorities to conduct market checking on a daily basis to monitor whether hygienic and quality food is made available to the general public.
FSSAI License is mandatory for the sale of food products, says FSSAI CEO
New Delhi, Nov 15 (KNN) FSSAI is keen to simplify the compliance processes with active industry support and consultation, said Mr. Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) while inaugurating FICCI’s food service retail conclave ‘Foodzania 2017’
In his inaugural address he noted that it is mandatory for all food businesses – caterers, manufacturers, companies transporting food items and retail outlets with 25 or more people handling food to have at least one trained ‘food safety supervisor who should be trained under the Food Safety Training and Certification Programme (FoSTaC) and would be responsible for ensuring that food quality is maintained.
Mr. Unnat Varma, Managing Director, Pizza Hut Indian Sub-Continent & Chairperson, FICCI Food Service Retail Taskforce said that the Indian food retail industry has been increasing at a steady pace of over 20 per cent annually because of that the food services industry in the country has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past few years.
Saurabh Kochhar, CEO, Foodpanda & Chairperson, FICCI Food Service Retail Taskforce, said that Foodzania the Indian F&B sector is poised to witness a sea change but various issues like Infrastructure bottlenecks, multiple laws and regulations, skill gap etc. still remains a key concern. He added that F&B sector is one of the more matured industry in India and huge consumer base in India provides numerous opportunities for every player to exist and operate successfully in this sector.
Nov 15, 2017
FSSAI to simplify food safety compliance processes: FSSAI CEO
FSSAI regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and import of food to promote health and safety of consumers
FSSAI license is mandatory for the sales of food product to ensure the health and safety of the consumers, asserted Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) while inaugurating FICCI’s food service retail conclave ‘Foodzania 2017’ in New Delhi today.
The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and import of food to promote health and safety of consumers. It governs people involved in any food business, whether manufacturing or selling and food business operators. These include shops, stalls, hotels, restaurants, airline services and food canteens, places or vehicles where any article of food is sold or manufactured or stored for sale, he added.
In his inaugural address, Agarwal said that FSSAI is keen to further simplify the compliance processes with active industry support and consultation. He, however, added that it is mandatory for all food businesses – caterers, manufacturers, companies transporting food items and retail outlets with 25 or more people handling food to have at least one trained ‘food safety supervisor’. The supervisor should be trained under the Food Safety Training and Certification Programme (FoSTaC), designed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The supervisors would be responsible for ensuring that food quality is maintained.
Further, FSSAI CEO highlighted the need for the intended engagements from the industry side to protect and ensure the trust of consumers in the food that they intake. He added that display of the food licences in the hotel or restaurant premises is an ideal way to go forward. FSSAI is keen to rate the food business operators (FBO’s) through ‘Hygiene Variety Factors’ and will allocate start ratings to the restaurants and eating places out of six on the basis of certain factors including hygiene awareness, safety processes a among other related factors.
Unnat Varma, Managing Director, Pizza Hut Indian Sub-Continent & Chairperson, FICCI Food Service Retail Taskforce said that in the progressive Indian society, food expenditures hold a lot of prominence, constituting the largest retail consumption category. In fact, the Indian food retail industry is positioned globally as the sixth-largest and has been increasing at a steady pace of over 20 percent annually. Owing to this reason, the food services industry in the country has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past few years, contributing a significant proportion to India’s economic performance.
Saurabh Kochhar, CEO, Foodpanda & Co-Chair, FICCI Food Service Retail Taskforce, said that Foodzania is the initiative by FICCI Food Service Retail Task Force which was formed to address the issues faced by the stakeholders in the sector. The Indian food business sector is poised to witness a sea change. The recent times have seen significant discussions in this sector, which has led to a major reform of allowing FDI in multi-brand retail in India. This is anticipated to bring some game changing impact on the modern retail sector in India and Nation at large.
However, he added, it is not a one stop solution to address the challenges of this huge Industry. Various issues like infrastructure bottlenecks, multiple laws and regulations, skill gap etc. still remain the key concern and we aim to deliberate on these ground realities. We all know that food business sector is one of the more matured industry in India. Huge consumer base in India provides numerous opportunities for every player to exist and operate successfully in this sector. The industry being deeply connected with our day to day lives holds the responsibility of serving their consumers most effectively with best quality and prices.
Further, Government has allowed 100% FDI for trading including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India. 100% FDI is already permitted in manufacturing of food products through automatic route. This will provide impetus to the foreign investment in food processing sector, benefit farmers and will create employment opportunities. This has enhanced investment opportunities in India globally and have generated interest among the leading world food retailers for making investment in India. I am confident that this conference will come forward with new ideas that will boost the growth of the F&B sector, at the same time, enhance consumers’ welfare, added Kochhar.
On the occasion, Agarwal with other speakers launched the FICCI-Technopak report ‘Indian Food Services Industry: Engine for Economic Growth & Employment- A Roadmap for Unlocking Growth’, which highlights the overall potential of the food service in India and captures the emerging trends in the industry. It also throws light upon the ease of doing business scenario in the industry. The report recommends key alterations required to stimulate the growth in the food service industry, helping the industry realise its true potential. A concerted and collaborative effort is made to suggest the next steps to address various issues faced by the industry.
FSSAI tightens the noose around eateries without food licence
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said it will first ask states to run a special drive to create awareness among food business operators about the compulsory requirement of licences.
Food safety regulator FSSAI today warned that hotels and restaurants operating without its licence will be sealed and closed if they fail to take permits in the next 3 months.
The rule for licence also applies to those establishments, including religious places, where food is not charged. However, petty manufacturers, retailers and hawkers, among others, are exempt from this.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said it will first ask states to run a special drive to create awareness among food business operators about the compulsory requirement of licences.
"I am told that 30-40 per cent of our restaurants and hotels do not have FSSAI licences. If this is the law of the land, is it acceptable?" he asked at a FICCIconference on food service retail 'Foodzania 2017' here.
Stating that there is some confusion in businesses on whether the FSSAI licence is mandatory, Agarwal made it clear that it is compulsory for all food businesses and non- compliance is not justified.
"Since there is still some confusion, we are asking state governments to take up a special drive. After the time period for that is over, we are advising them to seal and close all such units across the country if they fail to take FSSAI licences," he said.
FSSAI Enforcement Director, Agarwal said, has been tasked with ensuring 100 per cent licensing of restaurants and hotels in the next three months. He made it clear that there will be "no comprise at all".
Stating that FSSAI licence is needed for food business even if the food is not charged, he said that "even in temples, they are supposed to have FSSAI licences or registration, depending on the size of the business. Therefore, there is no option".
He further said that after taking the licence, food businesses also need to comply with all the regulations such as submission of food safety management plan.
As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, no person shall commence or carry out any food business except under a licence.
Under the law, food business means any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out activities related to any stage of manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, import and includes catering services, sale of food or ingredients.
According to the FSSAI CEO, the regulator will soon make it mandatory for all food businesses to have at least one person as food safety supervisor who has to be trained and certified as per its curriculum.
Agarwal stressed that food operators should display their licence at prominent points on their premises. The display board at any restaurant should also have contact details of customer care as well as food inspector of that location.
The FSSAI is working on developing rating for "hygiene and hygiene plus" and the same will be out soon.The food watchdog has been in operation for the last six years and by now, all hotels and restaurants should have secured the licence, Agarwal added.
பள்ளி அருகே புகையிலை பொருள் விற்க தடை
கோல்கட்டா: 'மேற்கு வங்கத்தில் உள்ள, அனைத்து பள்ளிகள் மற்றும் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு அருகில், புகையிலை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்தால், அபராதம் விதிக்கப்படும்' என, மாநில கல்வித் துறை எச்சரித்துள்ளது.
மேற்கு வங்கத்தில், முதல்வர் மம்தா பானர்ஜி தலைமையில், திரிணமுல் காங்., ஆட்சி நடக்கிறது. சமீபத்தில், அரசு சாரா அமைப்பு நடத்திய ஆய்வில், பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் அருகில், பான் பராக், சிகரெட், பீடி போன்ற புகையிலை தயாரிப்பு பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதும், மாணவர்கள் அவற்றை பயன்படுத்துவதும் உறுதியானது.
அறிக்கை : ஆய்வின் அடிப்படையில், அனைத்து பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகளுக்கும், மாநில கல்வித் துறை அமைச்சர், பார்த்தா சட்டர்ஜி அனுப்பிய அறிக்கை: பொது இடங்களில், புகையிலை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை மற்றும் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு, மத்திய அரசு தடை விதித்துள்ளது. 18 வயதுக்கு உட்பட்டோர், புகையிலை பொருட்களை பயன்படுத்த தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.
இந்நிலையில், நகரில் உள்ள பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு அருகில், புகையிலை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவது தெரிய வந்துள்ளது. இது சட்டத்திற்கு எதிரானது.
அபராதம் : எனவே, மாநிலம் முழுவதும், பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் கல்வி நிறுவன வளாகங்கள் அனைத்திற்கும் அருகில், 100 மீ., சுற்றளவில், புகையிலை தயாரிப்பு பொருட்கள் விற்பனை மற்றும் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு தடை விதிக்க வேண்டும். தடையை மீறுவோருக்கு, 200 ரூபாய் அபராதம் விதிக்க வேண்டும். கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு அருகில், புகையிலை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்வதை, கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள், கல்வித் துறை ஆய்வாளர்கள் கண்காணிக்க வேண்டும். பள்ளி, கல்லுாரி களில், சிகரெட், பீடி துண்டு கள், புகையிலை கறைகள் போன்றவை இருக்கக் கூடாது. கல்லுாரி கேன்டீன் மற்றும் விடுதிகளில், புகையிலை மற்றும் புகையிலை தயாரிப்புகள் பயன்படுத்த தடை விதிக்க வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.
கட்டாயம்! உணவகங்கள், 'லைசென்ஸ்' பெறுவது... உணவின் தரத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்த நடவடிக்கை
நாட்டில் செயல்படும் உணவகங்களை வரன்முறைப்படுத்தவும், மக்களுக்கு தரமான உணவு கிடைப்பதை உறுதி செய்யும் வகையிலும், மத்திய அரசு பல்வேறு அதிரடி நடவடிக்கைகளில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளது. அதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக, உணவகங்கள், உணவு தயாரிக்கும், விற்பனை செய்யும் நிறுவனங்கள் அனைத்தையும், தேசிய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணய ஆணையத்தின் கட்டுப்பாட்டிற்குள் கொண்டு வர திட்டமிடப்பட்டு உள்ளது.
அந்த வகையில், அனைத்து உணவகங்களும், மூன்று மாதங்களுக்குள், லைசென்ஸ் பெறுவது கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.இது குறித்து, எப்.எஸ்.எஸ்.ஏ.ஐ., தலைமை செயல் அதிகாரி, பவன் குமார் அகர்வால் கூறியதாவது:மற்ற எந்த பொருட்களை விடவும், உணவின் தரத்தை உறுதி செய்வது மிக முக்கியம். தரமற்ற உணவுகளால், மக்களின் உடல் நலம் பாதிக்கப்
படுகிறது.
எனவே, மக்கள் நலன் கருதி, அனைத்து உணவுப் பொருட்களின் தரத்தையும் உறுதி
செய்ய, பல அதிரடி நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொள்ள திட்டமிட்டு உள்ளோம்.அதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக, அனைத்து உணவகங்களிலும் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டு, அங்கு தயாரித்து, விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் உணவுப் பொருட்களின் தரத்தை உறுதி செய்து லைசென்ஸ் வழங்கப்படும்.
உணவுப் பொருள் விற்பனையில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ள நிறுவனங்கள், உணவகங்கள் அனைத்தையும் லைசென்ஸ் பெறுவதுகட்டாயம். இதற்காக, மூன்று மாதங்கள் அவகாசம் வழங்கப்படும். குறிப்பிட்ட காலத்திற்குள் லைசென்ஸ் பெறாத நிறுவனங்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். தற்போதைய நிலை யில், நாடு முழுவதும் செயல்படும்உணவகங்களில், 30 - 40 சதவீத உணவகங்கள், உரிய லைசென்ஸ் பெறாமல் இயங்குகின்றன. இவர்கள், உரிய காலத்திற்குள், லைசென்ஸ் பெறுவது கட்டாயம்.
இந்த விதிமுறையில், உணவுப் பொருள் சார்ந்த எவ்வகை நிறுவனத்திற்கும் விலக்களிக்க முடியாது. எனினும், சாலையோர உணவகங்கள், மிகச் சிறிய உணவு விற்பனையகங்களுக்கு விதிவிலக்கு அளிக்கப் படும்.இது குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்தும் வகையில், மாநில அரசுகள் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க அறிவுறுத்தப் படுவர்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.
யாருக்கு லைசென்ஸ்?
உணவகங்கள், உணவுப் பொருள் தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்கள், உணவுப் பொருட்களை, 'பேக்கிங்' செய்யும் நிறுவனங்கள், அவற்றை ஓரிடத்திலிருந்து மற்றொரு இடத்திற்கு எடுத்துச் செல்லும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ள நிறுவனங்கள், விற்பனைசெய்யும் நிறுவனங்கள், உணவு தயாரிக்க தேவையான மூலப்பொருள் தயாரிப்பு மற்றும் விற்பனை நிறுவனங்கள் உள்ளிட்ட, உணவுப் பொருள் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அனைத்து நிறுவனங்களும், எப்.எஸ்.எஸ்.ஏ.ஐ.,யிடமிருந்து லைசென்ஸ் பெறுவது கட்டாயமாக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.
பிரசாதங்களுக்கும் பொருந்தும்
உணவகங்கள், உணவுப் பொருள் விற்பனை நிறுவனங்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, வழிபாட்டு தலங்களில்
பிரசாதம் தயாரிக்கும் மையங்கள், அன்னதான கூடங்கள் ஆகியவையும், 'லைசென்ஸ்' பெறுவது கட்டாயம். இதில், விற்பனை செய் யப்படும் பிரசாதங்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, இலவச மாக வழங் கப்படும் பிரசாதங்கள் தயாரிக்கவும், லைசென்ஸ் பெற வேண்டும் என,தேசிய உணவு பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் தர நிர்ணய ஆணையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.
வாடிக்கையாளருக்கு, தரமான உணவு, கலப் படம் இல்லாமல், நேர்மையாக தர வேண்டும் என்பதில், மாற்று கருத்து இல்லை. இதற்காக, மத்திய அரசு அறிவிக்கும், விதிகள் வரவேற்கத் தக்கது. அதேசமயம், மற்ற நாடுகளில் உள்ள உணவு பாதுகாப்பு விதிகளை, நம் நாட்டில் அப்படியே அமல்படுத்துவது சிரமம்.
-எம்.ரவி, சென்னை ஓட்டல்கள் சங்க தலைவர்
உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தர ஆணையத்தில் உரிமம் பெறுவதற்கு, பல உரிம கட்டணங்கள் உள்ளன. அதை, ஒரே கட்டணமாக, 500 ரூபாய்க்குள் நிர்ணயிக்க வேண்டும். ஒரு முறை உரிமம் பெற்று விட்டால், மீண்டும் புதுப்பிக்க வலியுறுத்த கூடாது.
-எஸ்.பி.ஜெயபிரகாசம், தலைவர், தமிழ்நாடு உணவு பொருள் வியாபாரிகள் சங்கம்
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