Feb 7, 2018
Is Organic Really Better? 4 Food Myths Debunked By Science
IN BRIEFIs eating organic really healthier? Four of the biggest misconceptions about organic food that need to be challenged.
Myths and Misconceptions
For some consumers, the mere act of shopping at the supermarket can be full of overwhelming decisions. After extended debate in the grocery aisle, after attempts to parse through the misleading packaging, you might end up choosing the organic tomatoes over the conventional ones. They’re twice the price, so they’ve got to be better, right?
But it’s not so simple. Celebrities, anti-GMO groups, and food trends have spread misleading information and myths about the food we chose to eat every day. Do foods labeled “organic” actually make us healthier? Are they free of pesticides? Should we be afraid of pesticides in the first place?
Recently, singer/actress Zooey Deschanel made headlines because her docu-series about organic food, called “Your Food’s Roots,” was riddled with errors and misinformation. In a recent Facebook video, Deschanel misleadingly claimed that people should eliminate the 12 vegetables and fruits most likely to have the highest amounts of pesticide residues in order to keep healthy. The list, dubbed the “dirty dozen,” is reportedly curated annually by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit focused on health advocacy and research.
That claim isn’t in line with the consensus of the scientific community, however. Toxicologists have long discredited any ill effects of eating foods that happen to be on that list — 79 percent of the members of the Society of Toxicology said that the EWG “overstated the health risks of chemicals,” according to a 2009 survey by George Mason University. In 2016, the Alliance for Food and Farming, a non-profit that represents organic and conventional farmers, repeated calls for the EWG to consider the USDA guidelines before renewing its “dirty dozen” list, arguing that the produce on it has repeatedly been shown to have no negative health impacts.
Even more concerning, Deschanel urges consumers to “strictly buy organic” foods to avoid pesticides. That’s bad advice backed by faulty reasoning. Many studies have shown that just because a food is labeled “organic,” that doesn’t mean it was grown without pesticides (more on that later). In any case, scientists note that limiting the consumption of fruits and vegetables for fear of pesticide use could be much worse for consumers’ health than inadvertently consuming a little bit of pesticide.
“My biggest concern is that a lot of these reports may [produce] a negative effect in that they may discourage people from consuming what are perfectly healthy, conventionally-produced [non-organic] fruits and vegetables,” Carl Winter, food toxicologist at the University of California, Davis and member of the Institute of Food Technologists, told Futurism. “While everybody wants to do what they hear is the right thing, they could be doing themselves more harm than good in the long term.”
Here are four common, pervasive myths about GMOs and organic foods. Understanding what the science says can help consumers ensure that they choose the food that will best keep them healthy.
Myth 1: Organic Food Is Safer Because It Doesn’t Touch Pesticides
At the grocery store, consumers are given the option to buy conventionally-produced food or its (often pricier) organic counterpart. The distinction between these two choices is closely regulated. For food manufacturers to label their items as organic, the products must meet the standards set by organizations and governments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies foods as “organic” if they are shown to be “protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.” In the U.S. and Canada, any food labeled as “organic” must be devoid of GMOs.
Organic foods, by that definition, can’t have had synthetic fertilizers or pesticides applied to them for three years before they are harvested. But just because a crop fits the definition of organic doesn’t mean it’s totally free of fertilizer residue. USDA organic certification allows for natural substances such as pheromones, vaccines for animals, and a limited number of natural pesticides as well, but a 2011 survey by the USDA showed 39 percent of 571 organic samples were found to have pesticide residues, but well below tolerance set out by the EPA. And yet, a 2005 market trends survey by Whole Foods found that more than 70 percent of consumers bought organic food to avoid pesticides.
Exposure to a little pesticide isn’t necessarily toxic for people. “The big question from a toxicological standpoint is how much are we exposed to? The first principle of toxicology is the dose makes the poison,” Winter said. While studies have shown that conventional, non-organic foods do indeed come with a greater likelihood of exposure to pesticide residues compared to their organic counterparts, the health risks of exposure are often exaggerated by organizations such as the Environmental Working Group and food safety associations. “The levels we are exposed to are far, far less than levels that would be expected to cause any harm to our population. So reducing our exposure a little bit more — in this case by purchasing organic food — really isn’t going to cause any appreciable health benefit to us as consumers,” Winter added.
That is not to say pesticides pose no risk at all. Since the 1930s, synthetic pesticides, most famously DDT, were linked to birth defects and depleted biodiversity. People working in the fields, who spend the most time exposed to pesticides, are often hospitalized for related illnesses; in 2006 in the state of California, as many as 1,310 people were hospitalized due to pesticide-related illnesses and injuries, and 23 of them died. Today, scientists are still working to understand how high doses of pesticides can affect children’s development.
Little of this applies to the average consumer, however. First, farmers use fewer pesticides today than they did even a decade ago, and the pesticides themselves must be proven to have a low impact on human health to meet the USDA’s stringent guidelines. Although high doses of these pesticides may pose a health risk, the remaining residues that make their way into our food have been repeatedly shown to have virtually no effect on health. The World Health Organization notes that none of the pesticides currently authorized in international food trade are damaging to humans on a genetic level, and only become dangerous to workers who are directly exposed to them in much higher quantities in the field.
“From a consumer standpoint, our levels of exposures are very, very low,” Winter said. But that doesn’t mean farmers can just dump the stuff willy-nilly. “I’m not here to say pesticides are fine and we shouldn’t worry about it. We need to regulate them.”
Myth 2: Organic Food Is Healthier
Since the U.S. government began regulating organic products in 1990, proponents have claimed that eating organic food makes us healthier. That claim, as difficult as it is to nail down, is ultimately misleading.
When comparing (organic) apples to (conventional) apples, the evidence simply doesn’t suggest that organic makes people healthier. After analyzing 240 studies about the nutritional value of organic food, the authors of a 2012 review study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that they “[lack] strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.” (The researchers did conclude, however, that eating organic could reduce consumers’ exposure to pesticide residues and the possibility of ingesting antibiotic-resistant bacteria).
But defining what makes a consumer “healthy” — or at least “healthier” than someone else — is not always clear. Additional nutrients may in fact be good for us, but does that mean we require them to “be healthy,” or are we just fine without them? A 2016 review study published in the British Journal of Nutrition analyzed 170 studies, concluding that organic dairy and meat had higher levels of omega-3s — acids that have been linked to lower rates of heart disease and better immune function — than their conventional counterparts. While increased levels of omega-3s have been shown to be good for you, it doesn’t necessarily justify paying the premium for organic dairy and meat — conventional meat and dairy are not entirely devoid of omega-3s.
Myth 3: GMOs Are Dangerous to Eat
The ability to alter the genetic makeup of a crop has been the topic of heated debate for decades. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) — crops with genomes that have been augmented with DNA from other organisms — have permanently changed the agricultural industry. Scientists have created genetically engineered (GE) varieties of crops containing genes that protect them from pests, weeds, or even certain plant viruses.
Even though the first GMOs hit the market 23 years ago, the debate surrounding their safety still rages, fueled by misinformation about the impact they have on health.
Genetically engineering crops allows scientists to transfer desirable traits individually — a much more efficient process than cross-breeding, a less high-tech method that may also transfer a number of traits that may pose a threat to the newly created plant. Cross-breeding also limits the palette of new traits to traits that are already present in either the male or female plant; genetic engineering, on the other hand, allows for scientists to use foreign but desirable traits.
GMOs are also not limited to “unnatural,” synthetically engineered uses — they can take advantage of natural processes as well. For instance, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was discovered to be a naturally-occurring insecticide more than 100 years ago. Recently, bioengineers have modified the genes of crops such as corn to express the insecticidal protein present in this natural microorganism, foregoing the need to physically spray crops with it separately. As a result, the crop itself is toxic to insects, and neighboring fields and ecosystems are largely unaffected.
Fear of GMOs, and their purported effects on health, gives consumers another reason to stick to organic. The European Union prohibits farmers from growing GMOs; other nations like India have dragged their feet in allowing the cultivation of GMOs because of vehement backlash. In the U.S., products that contain GMOs will soon be required by federal law to be labeled as such.
These precautions, however, are woefully unfounded; as of right now, there is no trustworthy evidence that any GMO-derived food poses health risks to humans. If anything, genetic modifications make crops safer for agricultural workers (genetic tweaks make crops more resistant to damage from insects and viral infections, so plants need fewer pesticides) and even make them more nutritious, bringing a healthful variety to more people worldwide. According to the WHO, no foods available today based on genetically modified crops have been shown to have a negative effect on human health in the countries in which they have been approved.
“I have yet to see any evidence that suggests that GM crops are any more dangerous than their conventional counterparts,” Winter said.
So why do the anti-GMO myths persist? A group of biotechnologists and philosophers from Ghent University hypothesized that negative portrayals of GMOs are “intuitively appealing.” The idea of introducing foreign genes into the food you eat, the researchers argue, is not — meddling with the characteristics of organisms seems “unnatural,” and scientists are often accused of overreaching their boundaries, “playing God.”
While GMOs have so far not been shown to harm consumers, that’s not to say they never could. “There is no evidence of any harmful impacts from eating genetically engineered crops that are grown today, but I can’t say that about crops from ten years from now,” Gregory Jaffe, director of biotechnology at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), told Futurism. Food safety regulation, then, will become even more important as new genetic modification tools like CRISPR become more common. “Regulators will need to apply a case-by-case approach to ensure the safety of consumers and producers alike when it comes to genetically engineered crops,” Jaffe said.
Myth 4: GMOs Are Bad for the Environment
People who oppose GMOs often note their purported effect on the environment. They fear that genetic modifications could jump from farms to the larger natural environment, or that GMO crops suppress the natural biodiversity of an area. Perhaps most cuttingly, they note that GMOs demand a greater use of herbicides, which reduces biodiversity and makes weeds more resistant to the chemicals.
These criticisms do have a modicum of truth to them. Genetic modifications have jumped from crops to local varieties, albeit infrequently, and farmers are leaning heavily (arguably too heavily) on the same types of crops, which leaves them vulnerable to disease. A 2016 study found that farmers who raised genetically-modified soybeans used more herbicide than farmers who didn’t adopt the herbicide-resistant GM strains. Researchers admit that we still have a lot to learnabout the environmental impacts of GMOs.
But overall, GMOs don’t cause as much damage as their critics may have you believe. The same 2016 study found that GMOs actually reduced the amount of pesticides needed to raise the same amount of maize compared to crops that didn’t use GM strains of maize engineered to resist pests. Another 2014 study found that genetically modified crops had a 22 percent greater yield than non-GM varieties. More food per square meter could mean that less land is needed worldwide for agriculture, leaving more habitats undisturbed or allocating more land for natural reserves or wildlife corridors. Plus, many GMO crops need less water than organic or non-GM varieties, which will help feed everyone in a warmer world.
Scientists are still not completely sure if GMOs are better for the environment than other types of crops. But they at least demand fewer resources than organic crops.
At the end of the day, “organic” food isn’t a bad option. And neither are GMOs. But consumers should make their food choices based on science, not hearsay. Many myths persist around the risks of GMOs and the benefits of organic foods. But one thing is clear: eating fruits and vegetables is the most important thing, no matter if they’re organic or GMO.
True lies about ‘organic’ vegetables
Ironically, non-organic counterparts tested by CERC did not find any pesticide residues, states the study, while presence of heavy metals was still detected in non-organic varieties as well, albeit in lesser quantities.
"Consumers pay a premium for organic vegetables as they are expensive - nearly double the price of non-organic vegetables. Such malpractices are indeed a big let-down for the customers as you never expect traces of any form of chemicals in the vegetables. At the same time, it reflects the absence of regulations to ensure the quality," said Pritee Shah, chief general manager, CERC.
Both these pesticides as well as heavy metals have adverse health implications, especially on children. Rinsing reduces pesticides on the surface of vegetables, but it can't remove those that are absorbed by the roots and make their way into the plant's tissue states the study. "Pesticide residues and even heavy metals - even though in lower quantities - are particularly harmful for children and the elderly," states the study.
In the wake of the findings, CERC has called for lifting the exemptions given to direct sales of organic produce by small farmers and producer organisations to the end-consumer by Food Safety and Standards (Organic Food) Regulations 2017.
Carbonated drinks, junk food still rule college canteens
The ‘No Junk Food’ rules for schools in the State got a boost when the Centre asked that foods, high in saturated fats and carbonated drinks, be withdrawn from schools and college canteens.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Anupriya Patel, Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare said that States and Union Territories have been requested not to serve such food items from the canteens that students flock to.
While a few colleges in the city have already chosen to stop the sale of aerated drinks, there is still a lot of junk food available for the students with little or no healthy options. P. Ishwarya, a student from a college in the city, said that while her college canteen did stock soft drink cans, tetra packs of juices and flavoured milk were more easily available and students preferred them.
V. Shyam, a student from an engineering college in the city, said that they had separate counters for ‘chaat’ items and fried snacks, apart from regular options available for breakfast and lunch. “Many of us depend on the subsidised food available in the canteen and eat at least five meals in a week here,” he said.
‘Increasing awareness’
Andrew Sesuraj, assistant professor, Loyola College, said it was the responsibility of the institutions to ensure that the students are provided with healthy and subsidised food. “The college has not been serving aerated drinks and we have noticed increasing awareness among the students to switch to healthier options, ” he added.
As for schools, both the State board and CBSE schools in the State have been trying to implement the ‘No junk food’ rules in their canteens. More recently, the food safety department had said that the Yellow Book, brought out by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), would be sent to the School Education Department so that the material could be reviewed and taught in schools in order to encourage healthy eating habits among children.
Ms. Patel’s reply had stated that the excessive and regular use of aerated and energy drinks may lead to hypokalaemia, hallucinations, stroke, paralysis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Feb 6, 2018
Food-testing van set in motion
Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy flagged off a mobile food-testing van here on Monday. The van was sanctioned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, as part of a Central government scheme, to maintain food safety and hygiene standards, mainly in eateries.
At the present time,Presently, food samples for testing are sent to a government lab in Nacharam. The reports are then dispatched to the Institute of Preventive Medicine, before which the health administration and other regulatory authorities cannot take action. With food-inspecting vans, tests can be done outside a hotel or restaurant, without delay in dispensing results.
Besides attending to complaints, a schedule for its use as a medium of awareness about food-safety will soon be drawn, officials said. The State is likely to get another van soon.
Food regulator FSSAI asks states to make prasad safer
Blissful Hygienic Offering to God, or BHOG, is an FSSAI initiative to ensure that the food served in places of worship is hygienic and safe. Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu and the Somnath in Gujarat are among those who sent people for training to meet FSSAI’s quality and hygiene standards.
Langar being prepared at a gurudwara in Ludhiana. Every day an estimated 300 million people visit places of worship across the country and receive food which can be a small portion or a complete meal.
The country’s food safety regulator has asked the states to roll out a project to ensure that devotees were served safe prasad at places of worship.
Every day an estimated 300 million people visit places of worship across the country and receive food which can be a small portion or a complete meal like the langar served in gurdwaras.
Distributing food in a temple, mosque, church or a gurdwara requires a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These places of worship must also follow food-safety guidelines.
“…You are requested to roll out the project BHOG in your state/UT and also nominate a nodal officer for this initiative,” FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said in an order issued on January 29.
Blissful Hygienic Offering to God, or BHOG, is a part of FSSAI’s safe and nutritious food bouquet of initiatives launched a year ago and workshops were conducted for prasad handlers and vendors.
In his order, accessed by Hindustan Times, Agarwal again offered workshops and training.
The popular Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu and the Somnath in Gujarat are among those who sent people for training to meet FSSAI’s quality and hygiene standards.
“This directive is to ensure proper regulatory compliance as it is important to improve the level of food safety and hygiene in their (places of worship) premises,” Agarwal said.
Feb 5, 2018
HC lifts stay on ban on use of animal-origin material to make silver leaf
Delhi High Court has lifted its stay on the AAP government's decision to prohibit use of animal-origin material in the manufacture of silver leaf, known as 'chandi ka warq'.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has lifted its stay on the AAP government's decision to prohibit use of animal-origin material in the manufacture of silver leaf, known as 'chandi ka warq', used as a decoration on sweets.
A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar, however, permitted the traditional manufacturers of silver leaf to dispose of their existing stock of the sweet decorative which is also used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicines.
The Delhi government had issued a circular banning use of the material made by the traditional process on the basis of a central notification to that effect.
The court passed the order after the petitioners, who were in the business of making 'chandi ka warq' by the traditional process, said they would move a representation before the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to show that their method was hygienic and without any risk of contamination.
The FSSAI, by a notification of July 15, 2016, had banned the use of the silver leaf manufactured by the traditional method, which involved use of intestine of a cow or buffalo, saying it was unhygienic and there was a risk of infection and contamination of the silver leaf.
The traditional method of manufacture involves hammering silver into a thin shape while it is placed inside the intestine of a cow or buffalo.
The FSSAI had also told the court that there was a new method of manufacturing 'chandi ka warq' that involved beating sheets of black specially treated paper and polyester sheets coated with food-grade calcium powder.
The petitioners had, on the other hand, contended that their method was not unhygienic as the animal skin was dried and processed to make it hygienic.
While asking the petitioners to make a representation before the FSSAI, the bench expressed hope that the authority would take a decision and communicate it within three months of receiving the representation.
Officials Donate Vehicles To A NGO Working To Collect Waste Food And Feed The Needy By Aparna Mundhra
Most of us crave for varied cuisines for our meals and avoid having the same old Indian food, but have you ever pondered what the homeless poor crave for? There are crores of people who start their day with a thought that what will they feed their kids today. And then we have dustbins filled with food, mingled amongst the garbage and other waste. Children lean over those bins in a hope if that food could satiate their hunger
.
An initiative was taken by food safety officials, including Tamil Nadu food safety commissioner P Amudha donated two vehicles to No Food Waste, an NGO out of their own salary, contributing towards the management of food waste in Chennai on Friday.
‘No Food Waste’ is an organization set up by three youngsters in Coimbatore, extending their services in Chennai as a mission to save maximum food throughout the country, recovering surplus food from wedding, parties, functions and donating them to needy. Till date, they have saved 148 tons of food, feeding on an average 700 needy daily. Vehicles are donated in order to collect the food from different locations in the city and distribute in slums, hospitals and to the needy.
“We will provide guidance in storing and testing the quality of food,” said a food safety official to Times Of India.
The state of Tamil Nadu has also taken various steps in the recreation of food wastes. State Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar on Friday launched a mobile food laboratory that could visit various localities on a single call and check the quality of food and its adulteration. Moreover, the food safety department has decided to train 50 teachers in corporation schools of Chennai on safe food practices and simple techniques to check adulteration at home.
As per a report of 2016 by Hindustan times, around 67 million tons of food is wasted in India every year, which has a value of around Rs 92,000 crore. And it’s enough to feed all of Bihar for a year. This figure is enough to make all of us think again before wasting even a portion of food. For some, it may be another edible stuff, but for many, it is surely their life.
Feb 3, 2018
Officials donate two vehicles to NGO for collecting excess food in Chennai
The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded
CHENNAI: In an effort to check wastage of food, state foodsafety officials have contributed a part of their salaries towards buying two vehicles that will collect excess food and contribute to the needy in Chennai. The vehicles were donated to No Food Waste, a Coimbatore-based non-government organisation, which has expanded its service to Chennai.
Tamil Nadu food safety commissioner P Amudha, who also contributed to the cause, donated the vehicles on Friday.
No Food Waste was started by three youngsters in Coimbatore who run a volunteer-staffed hotline for wedding, banquet and school organisers who wish to donate their excess food to those in need in slums, government hospitals and the homeless. Till date, the organistion has catered to 45,1039 people and saved 1.34 lakh kg of food.
Food safety officials said although the service would be run fully by the NGO, the state would provide technical support. "We will provide guidance in storing and testing the quality of food," said a food safety official.
Mobile lab to check quality of food
State health minister C Vijaya Baskar on Friday launched a mobile food lab which will visit various localities on call and test food for adulteration and quality.
Teachers in 50 corporation schools to be trained in food safety
The food safety department will train teachers in 50 corporation schools in Chennai on safe food practices and simple ways to check for adulteration at home
Banners for food business operators
The food safety department has come up with three banners - for restaurants, retailers, and fruit and vegetable vendors --- on ways to prepare and cook food hygienically.
Call and get food tested at doorstep
CHENNAI: Chicken 65 with too much colour, carbonated drinks that are high on sugar, milk adulterated with water—residents can clear doubts about the quality of their food at their door step now.
The food safety department on Friday launched a mobile food lab which will go to various localities in the city and the outskirts to test the quality of food. The van, equipped with various testing facilities, was flagged off by health minister C Vijayabaskar on Friday.
Food safety officials said the department had tied up with various associations working for residents' welfare, traders and pushcart vendors. "The purpose of the van will be dual: The quality of the food will be tested and food business operators will be educated on how to maintain safe standards," said a food safety official. The van's schedule will be published in the department's website in the beginning of each month.
"If there are blank dates, associations can call or email us," said the official, adding that they had already got requests from around 10 associations, including traders in the wholesale market in Koyambedu. The van will shuttle between Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. The department will be adding one more vehicle to its fleet in March.
The service will also help the department keep track on facilities that follow unsafe practices. In Chennai, since 2011, of the 969 food samples lifted, 209 were found to be substandard, and 120 unsafe — those found containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances.
Those who want to avail the facility can write to commrfssaitn@gmail.com or WhatsApp or call 9444042322.
Campaign on food safety in schools soon
Teachers will be trained this month
The ‘Safe and Nutritious Food at School’ campaign is set to be launched in the State at 50 Corporation schools, a press release from the State Health Department said.
This month, teachers will be given training on inculcating safe eating habits in students.
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar inaugurated mobile food testing labs that will inspect food stalls.
A display board with dos and don’ts on food safety for stalls was put up and and an awareness CD was released.
An NGO based in Coimbatore, No Food Waste, that picks up excess food from weddings, school canteens and other events, was given two vehicles to help in its work.
Food Safety Commissioner P. Amudha participated in the event.
Soon, a mobile app to feed the hungry in city
Chennai: After Amma canteens, the state will soon roll out one more initiative to feed the poor – a mobile app that will bridge the gap between wastage and necessity of food.
The state food safety department, along with Coimbatorebased organisation No Food Waste, is undertaking trial runs of the app which will geo-tag hunger spots in cities based on crowdsourced information. Food business operators, including caterers, retailers and pushcart and vegetable vendors, can use their food safety registration or licence numbers to be a part of the initiative.
State food safety commissioner P Amudha said the department would tie up with No Food Waste, which, since its launch in 2014, has helped save nearly 1.34 lakh kilograms of food that would have otherwise been wasted. “They have the technical knowhow and we maintain a record of licenced food providers – both necessary for the app,” said Amudha.
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, mandates a licence for any food business with an annual turnover of more than 2 lakh. Those with a lower turnover register with the state food safety department. According to ennumeration carried out by the government in 2017, there are 5.43 lakh food business operators in the state, with Chennai having the highest at 32,002. Of these, nearly 50% are licensed.
Padmanaban Gopalan, a cofounder of No Food Waste, said although the organisation runs an app, the new one will help them overcome a few shortcomings. “Authentication has been a problem for us,” said Padmanaban. “We test if the procured food is stale, but we don’t know if the kitchens are following safe food practices. This is where the government’s network will help us,” he said. Every business operator will have a personal dashboard to check how much food they have saved.
Padmanaban said the new app, will enable the public to alert the state if they come across hungry families. “People can also pre-register their wedding feasts. Our volunteers will collect the excess food,” said Padmanaban.
No Food Waste made its foray into Chennai on Friday. State food safety officials took a salary cut to contribute towards buying two vehicles for the organisation. The vans will operate in Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, T-Nagar and Saidapet.
Prominent restaurants challaned for unhygienic conditions
JAMMU, Feb 2: A Food Safety team led by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Jammu challaned various restaurants for unhygienic conditions.
The Food Safety team inspected many eating points and challaned them for unhygienic conditions of cooking, processing and washing area of food at Rameshwar Chowk Jammu. During inspection, two eating points were found using residential area for commercial use and later were briefed about the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). They were advised to keep the cooking area neat and clean and maintain personal hygiene so that people who eat food and eatables get well nourished and hygienic food.
Dr Parvesh Kumar apprised them that their area is just near to hospital and most of the customers are those who are attendants of the patients and they should get hygienic food.
The team also inspected 360 Restaurant at KC Theatre and was challaned for unhygienic conditions. The team found expired raw material and seized it. The restaurant staff has been advised to maintain all the norms as per FSSA and two weeks time was served to them to maintain the norms.
The team also inspected kitchens and food handlers of Ashoka Hotel and Hari Niwas and advised them to maintain personal hygiene.
“Medical certificates especially test for screening of typhoid, Hepatitis-A and urine should be conducted on routine basis and keep record for water testing and pesticide control to minimize infectious”, Dr Parvesh Kumar asked the food handlers of Ashoka Hotel and Hari Niwas.
Meanwhile, a team comprising of Food Safety Officers under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Dr Parvesh Kumar inspected the prominent food establishments and restaurants including Choudhary Canteen, Fitness Cook, Jammu Eatery, Moti Mahal Deluxe, BK Foods and Hospitality, Shree Ji Foods, Imperial Foods, Bombay Special Pav Bhaji, 11 Burger Lab, Dominos Pizza, etc at Bhau Plaza. During inspection, three food establishments and restaurants were challaned and improvement notices were served to others.
With no food testing laboratories common masses exposed to poisonous food in JK
Jammu, Feb 2: The state government has blatantly admitted about the non-existence of the food testing laboratories exposing the common masses to the fatal dangers of the sub-standard food items.
The authorities are being castigated time and again that the absence of food testing laboratories in Jammu and Kashmir is putting peoples' health in danger at large. Snall measures are taken by the government to put lid over the crises. The government exhibited its non-serious approach over the non- existence of the food testing laboratories when it was recently asked in the state legislature's upper house about whether there are any food testing labs existent in the state. In its answer, the government blatantly said a big No. The icing on the cake was that it didn't divulge any further details over the reasons thereof.
Official sources divulged to Early Times that the two labs that were earlier established in Jammu and Srinagar have no qualified food microbiologist. And furthermore, no measures have been taken for the recruitment against these posts.
The High Court in July last year took serious note of pathetic conditions of the laboratories and had directed the Commissioner Secretary Health to be present before the court along with his compliance report. He is presently officiating as Food Commissioner in absence of full-fledged Food Commissioner.
The division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey made FSSAI as party respondent to the PIL and its visiting report has been taken on record. "Various deficiencies need to be addressed immediately. One of the major concerns is that there is no FSC. We direct Commissioner/ Secretary health to file his compliance report indicating as to what steps have been taken for appointment of FSC on next date", HC directed.
Court on previous hearing had directed Food Safety Standards Authority of India to send a qualified person here to visit the laboratories to find out the functioning of these laboratories.
The direction to FSSAI came after the court was informed by Controller Food Safety, that the charge of Food Safety Commissioner (FSC) is with the Commissioner Secretary Health Department and the proposal for appointment of FSC was sent to government but no response till date.
It is in compliance of court directions CEO FSSAI deputed a two member team to visit both the laboratories at Jammu and one at Srinagar and submit the report as to whether the laboratories fulfill the requirement for testing of samples as required under the FSA, 2006.
However, there has still been no action taken to establish the food testing labs by the Department of Consumer Distribution.
Distribution of nutritional and Hygienic food to people
Distribution of nutritional and Hygienic food to people
The Government is implementing the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), which provides for coverage of 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive foodgrains at highly subsidized prices of Rs.1/2/3 per kg for coarse grains/wheat/rice respectively. The Act is being implemented in all the States/UTs and 80.72 crore persons are covered for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains. The Act also has provision for nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers and children upto 14 years of age.
Further, for safe and healthy food, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has developed science-based standards for various categories of food products under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 in order to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food in the country.
FSSAI has also operationalized draft regulations on fortification of food articles that include standards for fortification of food staples - oil, milk, double fortified salt, wheat flour and rice, and also introduced +F Logo for fortified foods. To ensure that the most vulnerable sections of the society receive appropriate and timely nutrition, the use of fortified wheat flour, oil and double fortified salt have been mandated under Mid-Day-Meal and Integrated Child Development Schemes.
To promote awareness among consumers on Nutrition, mandatory labeling requirements for pre-packaged foods, including list of ingredients, nutritional information, energy value in Kilo calorie etc. is prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011.
FSSAI has also undertaken Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) initiative to promote awareness towards consumption of safe and nutritious food.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary today in Rajya Sabha.
Feb 2, 2018
Bombay HC asks state to explain adulteration mechanism
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state government to file an affidavit explaining what mechanism they have set up to check adulteration in fruits and vegetables in the state. The court also said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is responsible for checking the kind of food being served in the city.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.W. Sambre was hearing a PIL filed after the death of 20 farmers in Yavatmal, while using hazardous pesticides for their crops.
The HC said adulteration and fruits preserved through hazardous pesticides is very serious.
Further, the PIL sought the state to take steps to ensure Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) rules are adhered to and safe food reaches common people for consumption.
In the last hearing, the court directed the state government to inform the court what action it has taken to curb the practice of using banned chemicals and overdose of pesticides in vegetables and fruits, which are harmful for public health.
Government pleader Poornima Kantharia informed the court that 215 FDA officers are working throughout the state to curb adulteration and 40 officers are deployed in Mumbai.
The court then asked Kantaria if there are any portable kits to check adulteration in the eatable items at ground level.
FSSAI Permits The Use Of Fortification Logo On Oil Labels
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive that permits the use of the fortification logo or stamp on the product labels meant for edible vegetable oil. The move has been take so that the Food Business Operators (FBOs) can clear the packaging material stock and they are permitted to do so till June 2018.
OIL STOCK CLEARING
The report further says that the FSSAI had received options for the fortification logos as mentioned in the directive. “The reference on the same was drawn from the directive issued in November 2017 with regards to the scaling up of edible oil fortification,” said the notification by the FSSAI.
“Permitting the use of stickers with the fortification logo on the product label would help manufacturers and marketers of edible oil, especially the smaller players,” said Umesh Verma, spokesperson from the Puri Oil Mills Limited to FnB News. In general, manufacturers and marketers stock the inventories for a few months. The smaller organisations might have raised concerns about exhausting their stocks in hand. In that case, it is justified for the time being.”
Feb 1, 2018
1,099 clusters to provide pesticide-free vegetables
Minister for Agriculture V.S. Anil Kumar informed the Assembly on Wednesday that 1,099 clusters would be formed in the Agriculture Department to make available pesticide-free organic vegetables and fruits. In addition to the 118 eco-shops functioning in the State, another 317 would be set up by the department.
Pointing out that the use of pesticides was a major concern for the government, the Minister said 1,251 tonnes of pesticides were used in the State in 2015. Incidence of cancer was high in Kuttanad coming under three districts and the department had decided to go for good agriculture practices at a cost of ₹200 lakh.
The Agriculture Department had strengthened its Enforcement Wing and the Food Safety Commissionerate functioning under the Health Department had been asked to take steps to check fruits and vegetables that reach markets in the State from adjoining States.
Punjab bans sale of toxic pesticides; CSE urges similar necessary action by the Centre
Calls for Central government to follow suit in the interest of public health
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, and are still used in India along with several other class I pesticides. Credit: Agnimirg Basu/CSE
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the government of Punjab yesterday issued directions to discontinue the sale of 20 pesticides (insecticides), harmful to health of humans and environment with immediate effect. It also directed not to issue any fresh licenses for these pesticides.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed this move and urged similar necessary action by the Centre. Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of the New Delhi-based think tank said, “We are pleased to know about this much-needed step. If a state like Punjab, highly dependent on pesticides, acts in the interest of public health, it is incumbent on the Central government to take necessary steps to eliminate sale of highly toxic pesticides in the entire country.”
The pesticides banned in Punjab include, Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos, which are considered class I pesticides by the World Health Organization, and are further categorised into extremely hazardous (class Ia) and highly hazardous (class Ib) to human health. Many of these are banned in several countries. For example, Phosphamidon is banned in 49 countries, Phorate in 37, Triazophos in 40 and Monocrotophos is banned in 60 countries.
But India still allows use of these five along with several other class I pesticides. Based on a 2015 review by the Anupam Verma committee, the agriculture ministry through an order of December 2016 planned to ban only three out of these five and that too, starting from 2021.
“We must address the issue of class I pesticides. These account for about 30 per cent of the total insecticide use in our country. The government action in this regard has been largely inadequate so far,” points out Amit Khurana, senior programme manager, Food Safety and Toxins team, CSE.
In the wake of ill-effects of pesticides and deaths related to it in our country, CSE has been advocating for a ban on class I pesticides and a pesticide management bill which fills gaps in laws and strengthens enforcement.
Food businesses in Ganderbal fined Rs 4.68 lakh for violating FSSA
The court of Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Adjudicating Officer Syed ShahnawazBukhari under the Food Safety Act on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 4.68 lakh on various food business operator’s for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 in Ganderbal.
The ADC warned all the businesspersons involved with food business to desist from such practices in future and directed the concerned authorities to conduct market checking on daily basis to check maintenance of hygiene and the quality food is made available to the general public.
“We have imposed fine to various business operators for violating Food Safety Standard Act,” the ADC told Greater Kashmir, adding that the fine was imposed while deciding several cases lodged before the said court in last few months. He said that “I have directed the concerned department to ensure the routine market checking in the district, so that the quality food is made available to the general public.
GOA: MAHARASHTRA AND GOA FIRMS FINED FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING ‘MISBRANDED’ MUSTARD OIL IN GOA
Margao (Goa):The District Magistrate cum Adjudicating Officer, South Goa District, Margao has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each, on the firm M/s Payal Enterprises, Thane, Maharashtra and its three partners Manilal Lalji Nandu, Hiten Javerilal Gala and Dimple Ketan Nandu of M/s Payal Enterprises; besides Rs 10,000/ each, on 11 other local food vendors M/s G K Enterprises, Thana in Cortalim, M/s Raj Rajeshwar Agencies at Sao Pedro, Old – Goa; and Super Centre at Silvanagar in Ponda for manufacturing, storing and selling food article “A-1 Raja Mustard Oil”, which was declared and reported to be “misbranded food” under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules/Regulations.
The action against the firms was taken based on a report from the Food and Drugs Administration confirming their guilt. The FDA sleuths in a raid at these establishments had found the misbranded oil was manufactured and sold to customers despite it being declared unfit for.consumption.
Tobacco products seized
KAKCHING | Jan 31 : Kakching Police in a drive on January 29 at Kakching market seized tobacco products. Kakching Police OC S.Nandababu Sharmana said the banned tobacco items were seized during a drive against health hazardous intoxicants conducted search operation in and around Kakching bazar.
The seized items will be handed over to Food Safety and Standards Section, Thoubal to destroy them said the police officer. He also appealed the people to support the police in fighting against use and sale of banned tobacco items, mostly chewing- tobaccos and tobacco pan masalas.
In another police move a team of Pallel police led by OC MS Heisnamna also seized banned tobacco items from Pallel Bazar.
Jan 31, 2018
Jan 30, 2018
Rotten chicken for sale
APMPDC Chairman P Prakash Naidu and APFC member Dr Swarna Geetha and other food safety officials during a raid on a chicken shop in Podili on Sunday
- Officers shocked when they found rotten chicken in deep freezers
- Officials at Podili ask the officers to accept bribe
Podili: Andhra Pradesh Meat and Poultry Development Corporation Chairman P Chandra Dandu Prakash Naidu and Andhra Pradesh Food Commission member Dr Swarna Geetha and other food safety officials raided chicken shops at the Church Centre in Podili on Sunday only to get shocked to find rotten chicken in deep freezers being sold to customers.
The team found rotten chicken with feathers stored in the freezers for two to three weeks in the shops in large quantities and the shop owners are selling them to the customers after bringing the meat to room temperature. The officials seized the shops and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the owners.
Dr Geetha said, “I am shocked to see the smelly chicken stored in the freezers for a long time. Any one eats that meat, they will definitely end up in a hospital. It is the responsibility of the shop owners to provide quality chicken for the price the customers are paying. We are also shocked with response of the officials at Podili. The tahsildar sent the VRO and the panchayat secretary blames us for not informing them about their arrival to their place.
He reportedly asked them to leave the place after taking a bribe from the shop owners. “The officials and the shop owners are playing with the lives of the public and we are going to initiate action against them after discussing the case in the monthly meeting of food commission.”
RSS affiliate trains guns at FSSAI for baby food import, alleges violation
RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch has accused Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for collaborating with multinational companies to import food for the infants, which is not permitted under the law.
The Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, and amended in 2003, seeks to protect breastfeeding and bars promotional activities by baby food manufacturers.
The SJM, which works on economic issues and pitches for indigenous production, has raised concerns over allowing the import of infant foods by FSSAI under its ‘Diet 4 Life’ programme for infants suffering from Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM).
“There is a concerted effort by the FSSAI to subvert this definition and exempt certain ‘Foods for Special Medical Purposes’ from the provisions… of the Act in collusion with four major baby food corporations Nestle, Abbot, Danone, Mead Johnson. These companies have come in under the guise of an NGO called Infant and young child nutrition council,”Ashwani Mahajn, SJM’s national co-convenor, said.
FSSAI has refuted the allegation, and argued that IEM is a life-threatening condition that affects thousands of infants. “Without these foods, children would not be able to survive,” FSSAI replied.
On its decision to allow imports, FSSAI said the manufacturing capacity of the only Indian company making these product is well below the required demand.
However, this assertion is challenged by Dr Arun Gupta, central coordinator, breastfeeding promotion network. He said there is no data on the number of infants suffering from IEM.
Jan 29, 2018
Seafood industry wants common certification to replace
Seafood industry stakeholders today voiced the need for a common standard certification to reduce the cost of acquiring multiple ones which is the current requirement.They were speaking during the technical session of the 21stedition of the biennial India International Seafood Show, organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI)."Certificationensures quality, credibility and brand awareness, which in turn can bring several positive outcomes such as improved client relationship and rise in prices for the company," said Chandrajith, Director, Wimpey Laboratories, Kuwait, during the session.He listed various certifications required like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), a standard approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards, the ISO 9001: 2015, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and others.Chandrajith added that certifications such as ISO 9001: 2008, which were no longer valid, needed to be removed from the products and related materials.Yoshiyuki Shige, Senior Executive and Managing Director, Japan Fisheries Association, spoke about the importance of eco-labelling in a separate session."Marine eco-labels are marks attached to fishery products to indicate that they have been caught by a method that gives consideration to the sustainability of the ecosystem and resources.
This is done with an aim to promote customer understanding of resource management," he explained.Shige further noted that the purpose of the label was to support conservation efforts of fish producers by promoting their products."Their efforts are essential to ensure sustainable fisheries into the future," he said.The three day long event was inaugurated yesterday by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and has delegates from several countries participating.
Foodgrammers go live at street food festival in Delhi
Spicy affair: Visitors dig into street food from Rajasthan at the fest
With food stalls lined up on one side of the JLN Stadium and organic food items on the other side, Delhiites were spoiled for choice at a three-day food festival organised by the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI). From Haridwar, Jaipur and Jodhpur to different cities of UP - the vendors had brought the best for the street food lovers from across the country. The highlight of the festival was the 'prasad' stalls from temples that made a debut at the festival. Also, this year, NASVI collaborated with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to ensure proper hygiene.
From jalebis to khatta, meetha gola - the fest was a treat for everyone
Traditional dishes from all over the country
The stalls offered traditional delicacies of places like Amritsar, Udaipur, and Lucknow. Zareen Ahmad, a visitor, said, "I took so many rounds and still couldn't decide what to eat. I really loved a few dishes like kachauri and different sweet dishes."
Mrinal Sharma, a college student, told us, "I tried my best not to miss any item. It was a huge dilemma to decide whether I should try a new dish or just relish all my favourite cuisines."
Foodgrammer at work: Many customers also went live with stall owners on Insta and FB
Prasad makes a debut at the fest
The visitors who didn't know about prasad arrangements were quite amazed to see the stalls. Prasad from temples like ISKON Delhi, Swaminarayan Mandir, Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai and more, were also available at the fest. Pawan Singh, a visitor, told us, "I was surprised to find 'Somnath Temple ke pede' at the food festival. In fact, I visited the festival on two days just to have the prasad."
Talking about the response, the vendors and organisers said that like every year, even this time they got a good response. Also, the social media-savvy visitors didn't miss any chance to click pictures and make videos at the stalls. RP Bajpayee, a street food vendor from UP, told us, "Our delivery service got delayed because too many customers wanted to go live with us on Facebook and Instagram. They kept requesting us to arrange their platter in a certain way. It was fun."
A stall from Haridwar at the event
Jan 28, 2018
Telangana Govt proposes new for meat sellers
Hyderabad Jan 27: To ensure the safety of meat consumers in the State, a new set of regulations has been prepared by the Telangana chapter of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Regulations are as possible.
#Meat shops should not be within the 50-meter radius of any place of worship
# The height of meat shops should be at least 3 meters each #Meat shops should be placed at a proper distance from vegetable and other food markets
# the floor of the meat shops should be made of impervious concrete material for easy cleaning
# There should be potable water supply in the shops, and only fresh potable water should be used for cleaning meat during the process of slaughter and cutting
#Butchers should possess valid medical certificates and should not indulge in any kind of gutkha, paan or tobacco consumption.
# proper ventilation windows and exhaust fans must be set up in all meat shops.
# stainless steel utensils are used for slaughter of animals and cutting of meat
Assistant Food Controller P Chandrashekhar told that "new rules were framed after we found that there was a violation of food safety guidelines was currently rampant across the State, and that the governing body had formulated a new set of guidelines to help food inspectors monitor meat shops better."
FSSAI advises safety commissioners to focus on compliance with new norms
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked safety commissioners to take cognizance of the new standards framed for various food products. The Food-safety czar has advised them to go easy on cases involving old norms and to withdraw or not pursue cases of violation of old norms and standards, unless companies are still not compliant with the new or revised standards.
The FSSAI, said that during the last few years a large number of new standards have been framed or amended/revised for several food products based on scientific evidence to ensure appropriate food safety levels and also to ensure apt level of protection of human life and health.
The order of the FSSAI further stated that, the field machinery tasked with the responsibility of ensuring food safety may have lodged cases against food business operators for violation of the old standards even though the impugned products may now be in conformity with the new/revised standards and that the engaging of state machinery in pursuing such cases not only diverts the scarce resources of the government but also burdens the judicial system.
Also, the Food-safety Authority further stated in its order, that the government wants the field machinery to be focused on genuine cases of unsafe food products and that the burden of litigation needs to be reduced, and hence, accordingly, the commissioners have been advised to withdraw, or at least not pursue, cases for violation of old norms and standards unless the products in question are still not in conformity with the new/revised standards.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)