Aug 6, 2018
Small quantity of pesticides found in honey samples Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/small-quantity-pesticides-685787.html
Several brands of honey sold in the market contain traces of pesticides, Indian scientists have found.
After analysing 150 samples of honey purchased from the markets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, they found 12% of them (18 samples) contain pesticides in small quantities.
A bulk (about 72%) of the contaminated samples contained organophosphates followed by organochlorines, including fipronil and synthetic pyretheroids.
The frequently detected pesticides were monocrotophos (four samples) followed by dichlorvos (three). Chlorpyrifos, profenofos, ethion and lindane were found in two samples each.
Although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India hasn't fixed a "maximum residue limit" for pesticides in honey yet and the amount detected is in trace quantities, the scientists said it was still a matter of health concern because nobody knew the cumulative effect of these pesticides, if consumed for a long time.
"Considering the possible accumulative effects of substances with similar mode of action and customary (traditional and cultural) feeding of honey to the infants, old and ill people in India, precautionary measures should always be taken in the foreseeable future to safeguard consumers health," the researchers reported in the latest issue of the journal Current Science.
How did the pesticides find their way to the honey? The researchers said the widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides over the years contaminate blossoms from which honey bees collect nectar for honey production.Bees on their foraging expeditions also pickup and transfer pollutants from contaminated water and soil to their respective hives. This may result in the transfer of pesticide residues to honey and finally to consumers.
Scientists from CSK HP Agricultural University, Palampur and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, didn't disclose the brand names.In their report, they said the samples comprised branded honey (certified and uncertified) sold in retail markets and unbranded, processed honey sold by traders, self-help groups, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Universities), co-operative societies and road side vendors.
Out of the 150 samples, only 59 had certification.For laboratory tests, they employed QuEChERS— a solid phase extraction method commonly used for detection of pesticide residues in food besides chromatography studies.In the process, they established a standard protocol for testing and validating more honey samples.
The new report comes five years after New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment showed presence of low level of antibiotics in 11 common brands of honey – out of 12 – picked up from the market.
Food safety teams inspect rly stations
Chandigarh, August 5
Food safety teams conducted an inspection at several railway stations in the state in the wee hours of Sunday to check the supply of substandard khoya and paneer from neighbouring states.
Commissioner, Food Safety, KS Pannu said it was reported that substandard perishables were flooding local markets through inbound trains arriving early in the morning.
Meetings were held with the railway authorities. Special teams were sent to prominent railway stations. Samples have been collected and forwarded to the State Laboratory at Kharar.
At places where no perishables were off-loaded on Sunday, the railway authorities were requested to inform the food safety teams before releasing milk products so that samples could be taken for a quality test. The authorities have agreed to share information regarding the arrival of perishables.
Pannu said special nakas were also set up to check the entry of milk and milk products by road from neighbouring areas.
The statewide inspection of milk establishments continued for the second day. As many as 150 samples have been collected and sent for testing. The samples have been collected from large dairy establishments as well as milk vendors.
Samples of desi ghee, paneer and khoya have also been taken and sent for checking. Substandard milk and cream infested with insects were also detected during the raids and destroyed on the spot.
Aug 5, 2018
Banned gutka products worth Rs 3.5 lakh seized, two detained
Salem: Banned gutka products worth Rs 3.5 lakh have been seized from two different places in the city in as many operations separately lead by food safety officials and police.
According to an official source, district designated food safety officer S Mariappan got a tip that banned gutka items were being sold in a grocery shop at Suramangalam area in the city and conducted a raid at the shop.
During the search, officials came across a small wooden door affixed to a wall. “Shop owner Thallsharam, 42, had hidden the door by stocking soft drink bottles in front it,” Mariappan said.
When the officials opened the door, they found banned gutka items worth Rs 1 lakh in the secret room. The officials seized all the banned gutka products and sent samples for lab test.
“We will initiate stern action against the grocery shop owner after getting the lab test report,” Mariappan said. The officials also sealed the grocery shop.
In another instance, the Suramangalam police, who were on a vehicle check at the toll plaza near Omalur on Salem-Bengaluru National Highway, seized banned gutka products worth Rs 2.5 lakh from two omni buses.
“We got a tip that banned gutka items were being smuggled to Salem from Bengaluru in private omni buses,” said P K Senthil Kumar, inspector of police, Suramangalam police station.
Cops searched two omni buses at the toll plaza and found 18 bundles of gutka products from the vehicles. Police seized the contraband and detained the omni bus drivers for smuggling banned gutka items in their buses.
“We have registered a case and inquiries are on,” an investigation official said.
Kashmir has no microbiology lab to check food quality
Official announcements confined to papers
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Despite multiple announcements by the government, Kashmir valley has no microbiological laboratory to check quality of food items.
There has been an increased flow of poor and substandard food products in the Valley. To stop this, the government announced several times that microbiological lab will be made operational shortly. Despite these announcements, the much needed facility is yet to be made available to ensure hygienic and good quality food to the people.
The microbiological laboratory according to an official of Food Safety Department would ensure that meat and poultry products are manufactured to "their standards, stored and shipped under proper conditions, and comply with the regulations of their destination market". He said there has been an increase in the sale and intake of misbranded food items in the Valley. "Out of the samples collected from the market in the last one year, 50% were either substandard or unsafe for consumption," the official said. In 10 months till May, official figures of the Food Safety Department reveal that out of 1351 samples of different food items collected by food inspectors from the Kashmir division, 330 were found unsafe, 106 substandard, and 204 were misbranded. In Srinagar district, the Food Safety Department had collected 445 samples for testing, while 135 food items were found to be "misbranded and substandard". An official said there is no analytical laboratory to ensure superior hygiene, quality, and meat safety. "Retailers sometimes sell dead animals, and there is no way for us to know the state of meat," the official said.
The High Court has stressed the need for prohibitory measures for the strict implementation of Food Safety and Security Act, which essentially prevents food adulteration in the state.
In an article last year, Dr. Fayyaz Ganie - the veterinarian and founder of Truevet Biosciences - a Srinagar based biotechnological company had said that all over the world a comprehensive approach to meat safety is applied from the farm to the customer. This includes "inspection of meat before and after slaughter, testing for germs, and detection of organic traces".
Meanwhile, a senior official of Food Safety Department, said that government has taken several measures to ensure people get hygienic and good quality food.
Asked about the absence of microbiological laboratory in the Valley despite multiple announcements by the government, he said, "The microbiological lab will be made operational soon in Dalgate."
Food items seized in Kohima, Jalukie
Kohima District Food Safety Team seized 37 packets of local chilli powder, found to contain colour additives, and 850 gms of salted dry fish which tested positive for formalin during its inspection drive carried out at P.R. Hill T. Khel market and Super Market Kohima on Saturday.
The team seized 15 packets of local chilli powder at P.R. hill, 22 packets of local chilli powder sold by local mothers and 850gms of salted dry fish which were reportedly brought from Moreh (Manipur) at Super Market Kohima. At P.R. hill T. Khel market, the team tested apples, tomatoes and fresh fish brought from Imphal for preservatives with negative results. The team also tried to test the presence of carbide in fruits at Super Market, however the team said that the fruit dealers/distributors had gone to their villages two weeks ago and so the tests could not be conducted.
The inspection drive team consisted of an analytic enforcement team and a food technician team along with the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India mobile van tested the food items on the spot.
The food safety team expressed gratitude to Angami Youth Organization for their presence during the drive and assisting the team. The department informed this correspondent that such inspection drives would continue to be conducted in the coming days for other food items also.
Food Safety inspection conducted at Jalukie town
Food Safety Wing under CMO Peren inspected shops selling food items on August 3 led by the District Food Safety Officer, Samlamgwamlie Michui with the help of district administration led by Dobashis and police personnel at Jalukie town.
A press release issued by Food Safety Wing under CMO Peren stated that the Food Safety officials inspected various shops and informed the food business operators about the importance of selling safe and wholesome food to its buyers which is, the release said, not only their duty according to the FSSA but also an ethical responsibility. They were told to make sure that the team does not find expired items in their shops. They were also directed to properly label products that had no labels. The food business operators were asked to duly check their own shops, dispose off expired items to avoid seizure and penalties in the future.
Large quantities of goods were seized during the inspection, especially cold drinks and cooking oil, which were being sold beyond the “best before” dates. Others items such as masalas and biscuits were also seized but in a lesser quantity. The release stated that the public should also remain aware and check the best before date when they purchase any item from shops.
After the inspection, the team took all the seized items and destroyed them in the presence of Food Safety officials.
Chilli powder with added colour seized in Kohima
Vendor selling chilli powder at Super market in Kohima.
Kohima, August 4 (MExN): The District Food Safety Team carried out an inspection drive at T. Khel Market, PR hill and Super Market at Kohima on August 4.
Dr. Ritu Thurr, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima in a press release informed that during the course of inspection drive, the team tested fruits, fresh fish, salted dry fish and chilli powder.
The chilli powder sample collected from local vendor at T. Khel and Super Market were found added with colours. The remaining stock of 15 packets from T. Khel market and 22 packets from super market were seized.
The team even took sample of salted dry fish from Super market which tested formalin in them, remaining stock of 850 gms were seized.
Aug 4, 2018
Health officials found boxes of raw chicken 'leaning' on packaged foods in Chipotle restaurants linked to illness reports
Hollis JohnsonChipotle has spent millions of dollars on measures to improve food safety.
Health officials have inspected three Chipotle restaurants in Powell, Ohio, after receiving nearly 700 inquiries related to a suspected foodborne-illness outbreak.
Inspectors said they found boxes of raw chicken "leaning" on other packaged foods, creating a contamination risk, in two restaurants.
The violations come after Chipotle has spent millions of dollars on measures to improve food safety.
Health officials have inspected three Chipotle restaurants in Powell, Ohio, following reports from customers who said they got sick after eating at the restaurants.
In two of the restaurants, inspectors found boxes of raw chicken "leaning" on other packaged foods, according to health records.The violations come after Chipotle has spent millions of dollars on measures to improve food safety.
The Delaware General Health District (DGHD) on Thursday found "boxes of raw chicken partially leaning onto boxes of packaged foods" at the Chipotle restaurant located at 9733 Sawmill Parkway that's at the center of a suspected illness outbreak, according to health records. The proximity of the raw chicken to other foods presented a risk of contamination, according to the report.
Following a visit to another Chipotle at 8695 Owenfield Drive in Powell on Wednesday, inspectors wrote, a "box of raw chicken [was] observed up against boxes of unopened beans and very close to ready-to-eat items."
Inspectors also found foods that were not being held at proper temperatures.
In an emailed statement to Business Insider, Chipotle spokeswoman Laurie Schalow said: "Food safety is our number one priority and we are proud of the industry leading practices and training we have in place across our system. These instances where two SEALED packaged products were next to each other in the walk-in refrigerator were immediately remedied."
DGHD said late Thursday that it had received nearly 800 calls and emails concerning suspected illnesses potentially stemming from the Sawmill Parkway Chipotle restaurant. Officials have tested customers' stool samples and have not yet identified a source of the possible illness outbreak. The location temporarily shut down on Monday for cleaning and reopened on Tuesday.DGHD has also received three reports of possible illnesses stemming from two other Chipotle locations - the Chipotle restaurant on Owenfield Drive and another Chipotle restaurant at 1710 Columbus Pike in Powell - which prompted inspections of both locations.
FSDA to check food being served at kanwariya camps
Meerut: Officials of the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) are keeping a close watch on the food being served to kanwariyas at the camps set up on the Kanwar Yatra route to prevent any form of adulteration. Food being sold by dhabas and hotels on the route are also under the scanner.
In addition, the FSDA team has been tasked with ensuring that meat shops on the yatra route remain closed till the pilgrimage ends.
“Lakhs of kanwariyas on their way to Haridwar on foot pass through the city during the Kanwar Yatra. Various volunteers, city-based NGOs and religious groups play host by providing food and set up camps for the Shiva devotees to stay. To ensure that unadulterated and healthy food is served to the kanwariyas, we have formed teams of FSDA officials who will conduct surprise checks at these camps,” said Archana Dheeran, Meerut designated officer, FSDA.
An 11-point instruction notice has been circulated by the FSDA and put up at all the camps to make sure that the orders are followed strictly. The instructions include covering food properly, preventing use of food colours and serving fresh food.
“Instructions have also been given that no person with communicable disease prepares the food so as to prevent diseases from spreading among the kanwariyas. Raw vegetables have to be used only after they are cleaned in chlorinated water. The people serving food should wear clean clothes and head gears,” said Dheeran.
Orders have also been given to place dustbins and make available soap and water at the camps. The FSDA team will conduct checks and, if any suspected item is found, it will be seized, destroyed and action taken against those flouting norms. “We have asked the hotels and dhabas on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their rates, so that kanwariyas are not fleeced. Checking is also being done to see that meat shops on the yatra route are shut, and if at all any shop is found open, police help will be sought to shut it,” said Dheeran.
FSDA Norms
Ban on use of edible food colour
Dhabas and hotels told to display food rate list
No person with a communicable disease should cook food in camps
Food must be kept covered at all times
Flour units under scanner
VADODARA: Ahead of the holy month of Shravan during which many people fast during the day, officials of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) checked units making flour that is fit for consumption even during fasts. Teams of the civic body collected samples of the flour that were sent to the public health laboratory for testing.
According to officials, food safety officers of the civic body checked units in the Bakrawadi, Harni Road, Sayajigunj, Mandvi and Chokhandi areas of the city. Six samples were collected from the flour stored in the units.
The civic body will also be holding a workshop on Saturday for street food vendors in the city. They will be given tips on hygiene during the event to be held in the Diwalipura community hall of the civic body.
Mission Tandrust Punjab: Food Safety Team raids dairies and Sweet Shops
Nawanshahr, August 04, 2018: On the directions of K.S Pannu, director mission tandrust ,Punjab ,Nawanshshr Food Safety Team, comprising of Manoj Khosla assistant commissioner food, Sangeeta Sehdev food safety officer raided various dairies, milk suppliers/ vendors, sweets shop early in this morning and took six samples of milk and milk products for analysis. Manoj Khosla said under tandrust punjab a special drive is going on to curb the adulteration .
He further said we are committed to come up to the expectation of the society and will win the fight against spurious food products with the cooporation of the society. Ms Sangeeta Sehdev told that the reports are being sent to the head office on daily basis.
She further appealed to the public to inform the department regarding any illegal activity being carried out in food products.Action will be taken against the delequents as per food safety act and drive will be continued more intensively in coming days.
Food safety teams raid milk establishments to check adulteration
Chandigarh, Aug 4 (UNI) Acting tough against spurious milk and milk products, newly appointed Punjab Food and Drug Administration Commissioner K S Pannu constituted 22 teams to raid dairy establishments across the state to check the prevailing malpractices in terms of quality of food.
The teams raided 300 places across the state in past 24 hours and collected samples, which have been sent to State Food Testing Lab at Kharar for testing.
Mr Pannu said that the State has adopted zero tolerance policy with regards to food adulteration, under Tandarust Punjab Mission.
He warned those indulging in food adulteration to immediately stop such activities otherwise department will leave no stone unturned to crush such practices with heavy hands.
Any person indulging in food adulteration is liable for imprisonment of six months and fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
Aug 3, 2018
Food Adulteration Becomes a Menace
Massive graft in food business has compounded with a rampant collusive culture of corruption at all official levels
Notwithstanding with the people’s fundamental right to be free from hunger and to consume safe food, free from toxics, pesticides, other micro-biologicals, chemicals and physical contaminants, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat contain residues of pesticides. Adulteration of food is caused by sand, stone, chalk powder, mineral oil, coal tar, dyes, arsenic, lead, mercury, pesticide residues, larvae in food, rampant use of formalin in fish, infection by rodents, insects in the form of excreta etc.
Poor implementation of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 that created the food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), coupled with law enforcers (food inspectors) and deficiencies in the testing laboratories, lead to persistence of menace of food adulteration.
Over-use of pesticides in farming, its residue in food chain, poor sanitation in food market, cold storage, adulteration of food items including soft drinks, packaging and transportation are major threats to food safety. As a result, there are severe health hazards like rapid increase in serious diseases like cancer, ulcers, asthma etc. and deaths due to such diseases. All these because of unsafe foods. Common adulterants are urea/detergent powder in milk, animal fat in ghee, brick powder in red chilly powder, chicory in coffee, papaya seeds in black pepper etc. used by unscrupulous traders for sheer profiteering with the connivance of greedy and corrupt law enforcers that pose health hazards to consumers.
Even setting up of a regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has not been helpful except that there has been labeling of food items including processed foods and soft drinks indicating ‘FSSAI Approved’ with no further and continuous checks and balances. Consequently, manufacturers and traders continues to play havoc causing irreparable health hazards to the people. Food adulteration together with air and water pollution in the backdrop of very poor public health care infrastructure has dented people’s income and assets as major portion of their earnings is spent on medicare.
Extent and gravity of food adulteration can be gauged in the light of massive corruption in food business compounded by a rampant collusive culture of corruption at all official levels with no accountability, whatsoever. Both the Union and State Governments are lax with no public concern in the matter. Unless accountability of public servants is fixed by amendments in Article 311 of the Constitution of India, no fruitful public good can be expected in the present system. At the same time, a law of torts (negligence) be legislated to make people in all walks of lives accountable as also safety clauses in all laws which protect public servants for action taken in good faith be abrogated to make them accountable to the people at large, to stem the rots in public administration.
An inquiry in the union Ministries of Health, Food Processing, and Food & Consumer Affairs elicited nil response on the gravity of the growing menace of food adulteration in the country. Nevertheless, to improve the situation greater consumer awareness is called for. Consumer literacy needs to be increased for better awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities. Regular inspection of food outlets to keep premises free from infestations of food bacteria is need of the time. Mass media need to be tapped to make people aware of the menace of food adulteration.
Street food vendors are another source of adulterated food because of their exposure to air and water pollution over and above the normal food adulteration. Added to this, unsafe drinking water is a major health hazards and cause of food adulteration. Woe of food adulteration is continuing unabated as 30 mega food parks sanctioned long ago are yet to be functional across the nation to maintain a modicum of hygienic and unadulterated processed food. Even reverting to organic farming is no option as it is not remunerative to farmers and the cost of organic food products is too high.
There is need for scientific studies by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare and Indian Council of Medical Research to find out dimensions of food adulteration and remedial measures with the FSSAI taking more and more samples for testing and punitive actions, lest it should be continuing all hunky dory paper work with no end to public suffering from food adulteration!
FSSAI gives aggregators 2 weeks to dump unlicensed eateries
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 2
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has given leading food aggregators two more weeks to submit action plans on delisting unlicensed and non-registered restaurants. It is also planning to conduct an audit of food aggregators to check their compliance levels with food safety regulations.
On Wednesday, the food regulator had a review meeting with 10 food aggregators — Zomato, Swiggy, UberEats, Foodpanda, Faasos, FoodCloud, Foodmingo, JusFood, Box8 and LimeTray.
During the review, it found nearly 30-40 per cent of restaurants on these platforms were either unlicensed or unregistered. This is after the regulator had directed these players to de-list such restaurants or eateries by July 31.
FSSAI also noted that some food aggregators had been operating without a licence. “In many cases, listed food businesses have recently applied for FSSAI license/registration but still do not possess them,” FSSAI noted.
Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said these measures were part of a special drive being undertaken to ensure compliance with food safety laws by all food operators. “We have notified regulations that bring food aggregators and food e-commerce platforms within the purview of the food safety law, and we hope these platforms begin to take food safety seriously from a regulatory standpoint,” he added.
Zomato, Swiggy response
A spokesperson for Zomato said: “While we can't comment on the number (of such resturants) since they are changing by the hour, we can assure that we are working with the FSSAI and the restaurant industry actively to make sure that everybody is compliant with the guidelines.”
A spokesperson for Swiggy said it was closely working to ensure that there is a compliance plan for all restaurant partners.
“We are working with reputed third-party agencies to set up a support system and help expedite this process for them,” the spokesperson said.
FSSAI guidelines, which became operational in February, make it mandatory for e-commerce food services platforms to display the FSSAI licence or registration number of the restaurants listed on their platforms. In addition, food e-commerce players, excluding those that only provide listing or directory services, need to obtain an FSSAI license.
Aug 2, 2018
FSSAI officials seize 1 tonne of adulterated tea powder in Tirupur
Around one tonne of adulterated tea powder was seized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials, in Tirupur district on Wednesday.
Food safety officials inspect the adulterated tea powder packets, in Tirupur
Coimbatore:
Acting on a tip-off, a team of the food safety officials led by the district designated officer Tamil Selvan conducted a surprise raid past midnight on Tuesday at the house of one Murugesan at Samundipuram.
In the raid, the officials discovered a huge quantity of tea powder packed in cartons and kept ready for supply. “A check revealed that the tea powder was adulterated. About one tonne of the tea powder was seized from his house,” said the officials.
The officials said that they received frequent complaints from the public that adulterated tea was being sold by bakeries and tea stalls. “We carried out an inspection and found tea, made of adulterated powder, is being served to customers at bakeries at Perumanallur and Periyayipalayam neighbourhoods.
“When inquired, the shop owners claimed to have bought the tea powder from Murugesan,” said an official. Thereafter, the officials carried out a surprise check at the house of Murugesan and seized the adulterated tea packs and a huge volume of chemical colouring agents.
“Consuming adulterated tea may cause cancer and other health ailments. The seized tea powder has been sent for a lab testing and action would be initiated against Murugesan based on its report,” said the FSSAI officials.
Food safey department seizes adulterated oil, empty sachets from unit in Dindigul
DINDIGUL: Days after acting against a company manufacturing adulterated oil in Madurai, officials from the food safety department unearthed a similar unit in Nandhavanampatti in Dindigul district. Apart from adulterated oil, a large quantity of empty pouches were also seized.
The unit was unearthed by a team of officials led by designated officer for food safety, Dr K Natarajan. The search was conducted on Tuesday evening based on a complaint received through WhatsApp.
Natarajan said that the unit, which has been functioning for several months, was manufacturing adulterated groundnut oil. They found only 14 boxes of adulterated oil worth Rs 10,500 at the time of inspection. However, they found 21,000 empty pouches worth Rs 1.36 lakh. Subsequently, the unit was sealed the same day.
“Both edible and non-edible oils were found to have packed in the brand name of Sakthi. While groundnut pictures were printed on the pouch, it contained palmolein oil, mixed with flavour. A sample has been lifted and sent for lab testing. An improvement notice has also been served,” said Natarajan.
Officials said that the adulterated oil was sent for sales not only in Dindigul but also to other neighbouring districts. They have asked the shopkeepers and distributors not to sell the oil to the public.
Spurious tea powder stored in a godown located in R S Salai in Dindigul was also seized by the officials on Wednesday morning, during a search based on a tip-off.
In total, 50kg of tea powder was seized. Name of the brand mentioned in the box was Amoha. It was also mentioned that the tea powder was manufactured in Singanallur in Coimbatore. The seized powder was worth Rs 20,000.
FDA begins drive to check food stalls at public places
With a view to set up 'Clean Street Food Hubs' to provide safe food, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has begun inspection of food stalls located at Girgaum, Chowpatty and Juhu in Mumbai and also food stalls in public places in Pune and Nagpur.
The stall owners have been asked to take precaution of using only pure and potable water for preparing food and for serving to customers. They have been asked to clean the drums, in which water is stored, every day so that the bacteria germs like E Coli do not get accumulated. E Coli leads to intestinal infection, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and even kidney failure.
“In the street food vending initiative, FDA will be the first one to fill up gaps where there is a lack of good facilities. The problems that come in the way of maintaining good hygiene include non-potable water, cleanliness of the place, and waste disposal. We are checking even whether these stalls have proper drainage system so that the water does not get stagnated near the stall, FDA Joint Commissioner Shailesh Adhav told 'The Afternoon D&C' and added that these stall owners have been given training about food safety measures. The FDA is also in the process of procuring two food testing labs, at a cost of Rs 10 crore each. Besides Girgaum Chowpatty and Juhu in Mumbai, 'Clean Street Food Hubs' will be set up at Sarasbaug in Pune and at Phutala talao in Nagpur.
Even private food technologists, have come forward to assist us”.
“The road side eateries will also be brought under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and an awareness will be created among vendors to ensure that they take all precautions right from selection of hygienic ingredients while preparing food articles. Most of the states have already began spreading the message of 'health food'. Similarly, Maharashtra too will spread out this message across the state, including villages”.
In a related development BMC’s hydraulic engineer department drew 3086 water samples from 24 wards. Of these 53 samples were found unfit for human consumption and in 14 cases water was found containing E Coli. In all BMC has identified 174 water sampling spots in slum and non-slum areas, each.
As per the agreement between Maharashtra FDA and Coca-Cola, nearly 1,200 street food vendors in Pune were recently given training on the aspect of safe and nutritious food, enabling them to improve the quality of their offering.
This initiative was a part of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Coca-Cola to train 50,000 street food vendors across India over next three years under the project ‘Clean Street Food. As part of this initiative, Coca-Cola India, is closely working with FDA in upgrading the eating out experience for the local populace.
Also, a machinery for fortification of food, including milk, maida, salt, vitamins etc., will be set up in the state. The food fortification or enrichment is the process of adding micro-nutrients to food. Although generally it is a purely commercial choice to provide extra nutrients in a food, basically it is a public health policy which aims to reduce the number of people with dietary deficiencies.
The FDA has also began a drive to register and issue licenses for vendors. They include fruit, vegetable, coconut water vendors, egg, chicken, meat and fish sellers, panipuri sellers, soda, wine and beer shops, canteens in school, colleges and other public places, hotels, and restaurants to name a few. So far, over one lakh local market shopkeepers and vendors have a food safety registration or license.
Food sellers who have a turnover of more than Rs 12 lakh need to have a compulsory food license. If the turnover is less than Rs 12 lakh, they need to register with FDA. As per the Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, if the food vendor does not register, he can be punished for six months in jail and pay Rs 5 lakh in fine.
Manufacturers and distributors too are supposed to sell food products only to those who have registration or license. If they sell food products to vendors who are not registered, they can be fined up to Rs 2 lakh.
“We have served notices on vendors and shopkeepers. They will be given some time. Even after that, if they fail to have a license, we will take strict action against erring vendors” Adhav said.
Aug 1, 2018
Health Secretary Preeti Sudan gets interim charge of FSSAI chief
Health Secretary Preeti Sudan was today given interim charge of chairperson, Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an official order said.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved entrustment of the interim charge of the FSSAI chairperson to Preeti Sudan, the Secretary, Department of Heath and Family Welfare, with effect from July 28, 2018, the order said.
‘Tolerance limits’ to be fixed by food regulator for presence of antibiotics in animal, foods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon fix "tolerance limits" for presence of antibiotics in such food items. FSSAI has made changes to the existing Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. The amendments are likely to be notified by end of this week, official sources said.
The proposed regulations will also require vets and animal owners to ensure that any animal products they produce are drug-free before they can be used as food. The new regulations would also mean enforcement of drug withdrawal period before treated animals, eggs or milk are used for consumption as food. This allows time for the drugs to completely leave the animal’s system, an official said.
Once the new regulation is in place, FSSAI will do surprise inspections and random sampling to check all such products available in the market do not contain antibiotic residues beyond the permissible limit.
The move comes in the wake of concerns related to presence of antibiotics in such animal foods. While India has been under severe international pressure, overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals is often blamed for the increase in super bugs.
“Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem and animal products are a major source of it. We want to ensure that no contaminated food products are able to enter the food supply,” FSSAI chief executive Pawan Kumar Agarwal told TOI.
Antibiotics are given to farm animals like cows, pigs and poultry for primarily two reasons – either to treat infections and prevent an illness from spreading or to promote their extra growth. Low doses of antibiotics are mixed with fodder for greater production of meat or milk in a shorter period of time. These low doses may also reduce death rates and improve reproduction.
While resistant bacteria can be passed from food-producing animals to humans, anti-microbial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, urinary tract infection (UTI) and even HIV.
The government has already initiated several measures to contain misuse of antibiotics in humans. For instance, the campaign — ‘Medicines with the Red Line’— which involves packs of certain medicines carrying a ‘red line’ to differentiate them from other drugs and discouraging unnecessary prescription.
Still many antibiotics including some unapproved ones are regularly sold over the counter in India. India is one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) that accounted for three quarters of the 36% rise in worldwide antibiotic consumption between 2000 and 2010, according to a 2016 study. That study also found that in the BRICS countries 23% of the increase in retail sales volume of antibiotics was attributable to India.
Gold jewellery worth Rs 9.4 lakh looted from Madurai food safety official’s home
CHENNAI: Unidentified people broke into a house of an official in the food safety department and decamped with gold jewellery worth Rs 9.4 lakh.
The incident took place when the official -- G Baskaran from Vilangudi -- went to Courtrallam with his family members. The house is located in Demcy Colony at Vilangudi.
Baskaran and family members left the city on Sunday and returned on Monday evening. They found the doors of the house open and alerted the police.
Police said the burglars had gained entry into the house by breaking open the front gate and main door.
The Koodalpudur police registered a case.
Banned tobacco products worth Rs 70L seized, 4 held
Madurai: A special police team seized banned tobacco products worth Rs 70 lakh and arrested four people in this connection from Madurai on Tuesday. The total estimated weight of the contrabands is more than four tonnes.
The arrested are Ravindran, of K Pudur, his worker Muthupandi, Vairavasamy, from HMS colony and Ashok Kumar Jain from Mela Masi Street. Police said the banned products were found piled up in 306 bags in a godown in Sundararajanpatti, in the Appan Thirupathi police limit.
On receiving tip-off, police carried out a raid on a godown and nabbed Ravindran and Muthupandi. Further investigation into the incident led to the arrests of Vairavasamy and Ashok Kumar. Police, who speculate that there could be a network in operation, have registered a case and begun an investigation.
Three four-wheelers used for products distribution and an amount of Rs 2.40 lakh were confiscated. Police said they have raided two more spots and seized banned tobacco products from there following an intelligence input.
The products were shifted to Appan Thirupathi police station on three trucks. A police officer said that the contrabands were found to have been procured from Bangalore and were distributed across southern Tamil Nadu.
With both police and food safety officials toughening action against sale of banned tobacco, the prices of the tobacco products have doubled and even tripled in retail sector. It was only recently that the city police have seized banned tobacco products from a godown in Sellur. Around 1450 kgs of contrabands were seized by the police team led by Sellur station inspector then.
Illegal unit closed, 1 tonne adulterated ghee seized
Madurai: Close on the heels of acting against adulterated oil unit, food safety officials seized adulterated ghee weighing around 1 tonne and closed the illegal unit in the city. The worth of the seized ghee is estimated to be at least Rs 2 lakh. Officials said that the unit which has been functioning for several months would have sold adulterated ghee weighing hundreds of tonnes.
In the oil unit, which was unearthed last month at Chinthamani, over 10 tonnes of oil was seized. It was found that flavour mixed palm oil was sold as ground nut and gingelly oil at a higher price.
A team of officials led by designated officer for food safety Dr M Somasundram conducted a check in the illegal ghee manufacturing unit, functioning at a complex in Iravathanallur on Ramanathapuram road. “Samples have been lifted and sent for lab testing. Severe action would be taken against the proprietor. If proven, the offence can attract fine amount and even jail sentence up to six months,” Somasundaram said.
Three large containers of adulterated ghee and boxes of ghee cans which were ready for market have been seized. “We found the product in the market. Inquiries led us to the unit. We suspect that many such units may function in the city as well as rural areas. The crackdown against such units would be conducted,” Somasundaram said.
Officials said that rejected packets of vanaspathi procured from the production units were mixed with oil to bring it to the consistency of ghee. The mixture was added with flavour and colours to make it smell and look like ghee. The officials could not find much of ghee in the unit.
“We found a large number of containers of oil and vanaspathi. The unit has been functioning stealthy without even a board,” said the designated officer.
Officials said that the maximum retail price of the ghee was printed as Rs 600 per kgs, even as Aavin ghee is sold at only Rs 460. They had printed sticker rolls with addresses mentioned in Tirupur and Erode. They had packing rolls with different brand names as well. The units had two machines, both worth Rs 3 lakh. They were used for packing. The unit was also manufacturing adulterated coconut oil and other edible oils, said the officials.
Vigilance and Enforcement, food safety departments seize 500 kg spurious tea powder
VIJAYAWADA: Sleuths of Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) carried out joint raids on grocery shops at Gollapudi Wholesale market at Gollapudi village near Vijayawada on Tuesday and found some traders resorting to adulteration.
After receiving complaints about the poor quality tea powder being sold at shop number 283 of the wholesale market, a team of officials inspected the shop’s stock and found that the trader was adulterating tea powder and selling it at a higher price than normal.
Regional Vigilance and Enforcement officer (RVEO), V Harshavardan, also inspected the shop along with the officials and said the accused trader was mixing harmful dyes and artificial colours to give the tea powder ‘a rich look’ before selling it to customers. Officials seized 500 kg of tea powder from his shop and sent a sample of it to a laboratory.
“The accused trader was adulterating the tea powder by adding artificial colour to it to make it look fresh.We also found something wrong with the packing,” he said.
The officials said that the licence of the trader was cancelled. “It is learnt that the accused trader is also supplying adulterated tea powder to tea stalls and to other mandals. If proved guilty, he will be awarded ten years in jail and a fine of `10 lakh will be imposed on him.”
Vigilance, food safety officials raid tea powder units
Close watch:Officials during the raid on a tea powder shop in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
Samples sent for lab test on suspected adulteration
Officials of the Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted raids on tea powder manufacturing units in the Gollapudi Market Complex on the BRTS Road and other locations here on Tuesday.
They seized the samples and sent them for laboratory following allegations of adulteration.
“Ch. Suman Kumar, who is running Suvarchala Traders, is sourcing the raw material from Guwahati, Ooty, and other places. His shop has no valid licence,” said Vigilance DSP R. Vijay Paul.
The team, comprising Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Officer V. Harshavardhan Raju, Assistant Food Controller N. Purnachander Rao, and Mr. Vijay Paul, seized about 500 kg tea powder worth about Rs. 1 lakh.
“We are verifying the licence, packing permission, and the ingredients used. It is suspected that some colour is being used in the tea powder against norms,” the authorities said.
Further action would be taken on receipt of the lab reports, said Mr. Raju.
Stale food seized from busy outlets in Kasaragod
Seized items include frozen mango juice and chapathis
The inspection carried out by the municipal officials here on Tuesday recovered stale and rotten food items from 13 of the 17 outlets in various parts of the town.
The operation, thus, exposed the lack of teeth in the regular exercise to check food security. The raid carried out by a four-member team of the municipality’s Health officials, assisted by the curious local people, found that the usually busy outlets dotted at Thalangara, Bank Road, Pallam, KSRTC deport, and old bus station premises in the town were supplying stale food articles to the customers visiting the town, Health Inspector K.V. Rajeevan, who led the search operations, said.
The seized stale items like frozen mango juices, chapathis, porotta, and chicken and beef delicacies kept in refrigerators for days to minimise losses. The outlet operators are usually let off after imposing fine amount in the range of Rs. 3,000 and above.
The official also found that the outlets were found to be by and large relying on over-used edible oils to prepare fried food items and snacks.
“We are not empowered to send such stale food items for laboratory examinations, as such works could be done only by the food safety officials,” the Health official said, adding enhanced public awareness alone could arrest such illegal business practices.
Jul 31, 2018
Give test reports within 8 days: Gadkari tells FDA
Nagpur: Union transported minister Nitin Gadkari told the officials of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to provide test reports of food samples submitted by consumers within 8 days. He also asked the agency to provide online services of consumers. He was addressing the bhoomi puja function of new FDA laboratory in Civil Lines on Sunday.
The minister said that the demand for a FDA laboratory in Nagpur was an old one and thanked the state government for sanctioning it. He exhorted the food officials to provide quality service to consumers and the government. If a person is found guilty of supplying adulterated products then his name and photograph should be released to media so that it acts as a deterrent. “I appeal to big food products industries to provide best quality products to consumers,” he added.
The building will be six-storied and will have parking for outside vehicles, special parking for electric vehicles and the premises will have landscaping. It will be green building and will generate power through solar panels installed on its roof.
Madan Yerawar, minister of state for FDA, said that the Nagpur laboratory would be the third in the state. “It will be ready in two years. It will have the capacity to test 5,000 types of food products and 2,000 types of drugs,” he added.
FDA minister Girish Bapat said that the agency was cracking down hard on illegal sale of pan masala and gutkha. “We have seized gutkha worth Rs150 crore last year and operation is going on,” he added.
Bapat further said that a law to increase the punishment for adulterators was being considered by the government. “The minimum punishment will be three years imprisonment,” he added.
An information booklet published by food safety and standards department of central government was released by the ministers.
FDA secretary Sanjay Deshmukh, FDA commissioner Pallavi Darade and several other senior officials were present in the function.
Stale food seized in FSSAI crackdown on eateries
Madurai: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned of serious consequences if eateries do not take corrective measures in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness. Officials from the FSSAI have embarked on a crackdown against eateries in the city for the past few days and say that there are several violations by the eateries.
The team, led by designed officer for food safety, Madurai district Dr M Somasundaram have been checking the eateries for the last three days. “The hotels, which are not maintaining cleanliness are being given stringent warning. Those with serious deviations will face the consequence,” Somasundaram warned.
The officials are checking areas, one after the other. Checks have already been conducted at Arappalayam and Mattuthavani bus terminals, which witness large crowds. Most of the customers in these places are floating population.
“The hotels we checked had cleanliness issues. Some of the hotels had stored stale meat and left-over cooked food items. While the samples have been lifted, action would follow soon,” Somasundaram said.
Other disturbing issue found with the hotels in the city is the generous use of banned additives. While the hotels and eateries are allowed to use only certain colours and additives permitted by FSSAI, some of the roadside eateries and restaurants at Mattuthavani had violated the rule.
Many might have developed health complications after having food in hotels in the city, but the complaints they receive is only a fraction. The problem is people do not know their rights and the complaint mechanism. Serious action would be taken if there are complaints against eateries, Somasundaram added.
A source from the department said that many people are carried away by the brand name of an eatery. When they conducted an inspection few months ago, they found leftover rice refrigerated at a prominent eatery at Mattuthavani which was to be used for fast food the next day.
Only recently, a team of food safety officials unearthed expired food items and stale meat stored in a prominent resort in Kodaikanal. The inspection was conducted based on a complaint from a Kerala family, which fell ill after consuming food in the resort.
Canteen sealed at GB Pant Hospital for selling ‘unhygienic food’
Acting on complaint, authorities on Monday sealed canteen at GB Pant Hospital here for selling sub-standard food.
“On basis of complaint that sub-standard food is being served to patients and attendants at the canteen namely Jehlum Food Court at G.B Pant Hospital, a team of food safety officers headed by assistant commissioner Food Safety Srinagar inspected the said canteen and found it in unhygienic condition,” said an official statement.
It said rooms where food was being served to patients, attendants and hospital employees were without requisite ventilation, thus creating “unfavorable atmosphere for consumers and prepared food”.
“Flies in large number were found inside the canteen. The furniture was broken and food was not properly stored in deep freezers/refrigerators thus violating provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act,” said the statement.
It said the canteen was being run without obtaining licence under Food Safety Act. “Samples were lifted and in the interest of public health the canteen has been sealed,” it said.
Jul 30, 2018
New rules to make milk safe
The milk was adulterated with water after removing the cream, adding milk powder and churning the milk in a machine.
Hyderabad: The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) set out new regulations in 2017 to ensure quality standards for milk and milk products. Despite a regulatory policy in place, there are still instances where milk is adulterated and sold.
The detection of such scams is paramount as dairy owners or scamsters often inject cattle with drugs or dilute milk using substandard milk powder, water or sometimes urea, to earn an extra buck. The effects of such practices on consumers of this adulterated milk are perceptible, especially among young children.
Recently, the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Malkajgiri arrested one Shekar Rao while he was selling adulterated milk on the roadside. Another six members were arrested in connection with the incident and handed over to the Bibinagar police for further investigation.
The accused had set up well-orchestrated operation of selling hazardous adulterated milk to the public. The milk was adulterated with water after removing the cream, adding milk powder and churning the milk in a machine. In order to make the milk frothy, Surf, a detergent, was added to the mixture.
The milk was then filled in big cans and sold to hotels and the public. Officials claim that they caught the milk when it was being transported in vehicles.
It also came to light that the gang was injecting a drug called oxytocin to the cows. This drug works to make the cows provide more milk than normal but can lead to a number of health concerns among consumers.
Malkajgiri SOT inspector Naveen Kumar, said Shekar Rao did not repackage the milk and maintained the selling price at `47 per litre to ensure that no one suspected him.
“As it was coming from the outskirts of the city, it could have been easily passed off as healthy milk.”
He said the police was quick in taking action once they were tipped off. “It is very important to reach out to the police and lodge a complaint if there are suspicions of milk adulteration,” Mr Naveen Kumar said.
FSSAI to notify claim regulations on health supplements and nutraceuticals
According to country’s apex food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, health supplements and nutraceutical industry is a rapidly growing market in India, poised to be worth ~10 billion by 2025
In 2016, the regulator began the process of reigning in the sale of these products by way of rules under eight categories of foods.
The government is in the process of notifying claim regulations on health supplements and nutraceuticals — a mix of nutritional and pharmaceutical products — keeping in mind global practices.
According to country’s apex food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, health supplements and nutraceutical industry is a rapidly growing market in India, poised to be worth ~10 billion by 2025.
A mere combination of vitamins and minerals formulated into tablets, capsules or syrup is not food unless vitamins and minerals are added to an article of food. “As this sector grows, we have to put stringent regulatory mechanism in place as people tend to manufacture and sell just anything in the name of health supplements,” said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI.
In 2016, the regulator began the process of reigning in the sale of these products by way of rules under eight categories of foods.
The categories involved were health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use, food for special medical purpose, speciality food containing plants or botanicals, foods containing probiotics, foods containing prebiotics and the novel foods.
These foods are not permitted to contain hormones, steroids or psychotropic ingredients but may use approved colours and additives as permitted under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The quantity of nutrients add- ed to the articles of food shall not exceed the recommended daily allowance as specified by the Ind- ian Council of Medical Research and accepted by the FSSAI. The rules came into effect from January 1, 2018. With the market growing, the regulations have been reworked based on what other countries are following.
The FSSAI roped in The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to establish a ‘Resource Centre for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals (ReCHaN) in partnership with International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA).
“Health supplement sector is very important for the country not only from the industry growth perspective but also from public health point of view... The new regulations will help the industry to grow further while at the same time safeguard consumer interest,” said Agarwal.
Formal water bug complaint urged
Ranchi: The state health department has threatened punitive action against Shuddha Neera for allegedly selling contaminated bottled water in jars, the move coming a day after International Master (IM) and FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) trainer Neeraj Kumar Mishra found worms inside a sealed 20-litre jar supplied by the firm.
Assistant chief medical officer (ACMO) Neelam Choudhary said Mishra needed to lodge a complaint before the department could initiate action on the water supplier.
"Supply of contaminated water is a serious crime and attracts severe punishment under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. If proven guilty, the supplier may be jailed for up to seven years. Please request the consumer to file a complaint before me on Monday."
Explaining the process, Choudhary said, "After a complaint is lodged, we will collect water samples and send it to the food testing laboratory at Namkum. Once the report is out, we will write to the health department to take action. Once the department okays our request, a case will be filed before the chief judicial magistrate. The entire process takes around two months."
Mishra (49) welcomed the health department's assurance and said he would do the needful.
"Customers pay Rs 35 for a 20-litre can believing the water is safe for consumption. But unknowingly, they drink polluted water laced with worms and insects which could lead to various ailments. Many people ignore it and remain silent. But I want to pursue it in public interest. I will definitely knock on the doors of the assistant medical officer on Monday," Mishra, a resident of Ashutosh Residential Complex on Old HB Road, said.
He had shifted to the state capital from Jamshedpur in January to set up a chess cradle for youngsters.
Bipin Shaw, the manager of Suddha Neera bottling plant at Chuna Bhatta in Kokar, said he had warned his staff for the lapse.
"The staff might have refilled the bottle without cleaning it properly. I have more than 1,000 permanent customers in the city. I have been supplying water to a number of banks and police stations for the last five years but no one has ever complained," Shaw claimed.
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