Nov 2, 2018
Glyphosate in pulses: Maharashtra FDA starts collecting samples
MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 1
In view of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) advisory on the possible presence of herbicide glyphosate in pulses, sold in the country, the Maharashtra FDA has started collecting samples and the laboratory reports to be collated by early December.
Glyphosate is a herbicide used for control of weeds in farms. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation, had said there was limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a type of cancer) due to glyphosate usage. Last week the Punjab Government had banned the sale of glyphosate in the State.
Joint Commissioner of Maharashtra FDA, CB Pawar said that all the seven divisions of FDA in the State have been asked to collect samples. If the chemical presence is found, which is injurious to human health then the criminal action would be taken against the concerned persons. The law has provisions for such an action. If non-chemical contaminants are found then fine could be levied, he said.
10 challaned under FSSA, 520 kg sweets destroyed
Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Jammu, Dr Parvesh Kumar, inspecting sweets at a reputed shop in Jammu.
Drive against food adulteration
JAMMU, Nov 1: Intensifying the drive against food adulteration, Food Safety wing of Drug and Food Control Organization inspected premises of various food business operators in Janipur, Gandhi Nagar and adjoining areas and challaned 10 food business operators under FSS Act 2006.
A team of Food Safety officers headed by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Jammu, on the directions of Commissioner, Food Safety, conducted random inspection of various food outlets including sweet shops, bakery shops and confectionery outlets in areas of High Court Road (Janipur), main stop Janipur, Naibasti, Gandhi Nagar, Digiana and Nanak Nagar.
During the drive, Gokul Sweet Shop, Parkash Di Hatti, A V Sweet Shop, Bikaner Sweet Shop, Agarwal Sweets manufacturer, Sain ji Di Hatti, Rattan Tea Stall and Vaishno Dhaba at Janipur, High Court Road, Janipur and Lakkad Mandi, Bansi Di Hatti and Premier Bakes at Industrial area, Digiana were challaned under Section 56 of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006 as sweets/food items in these establishments were being manufactured under insanitary and unhygienic conditions.
Moreover, samples of suspicious food items such as Rasgullas, Channa Murgi, Dahi, Patisa, Chocolate, Ladoo, Burfi, Toda Burfi and Malai Burfi were also lifted from Nav Durga Sweets at Digiana, Shri Anand Bhog at Nai Basti, Chib Sweets at Nanak Nagar and Ganpati Sweets (Nathus) at Gandhi Nagar and sent to the food testing laboratory for detecting adulteration.
During the inspections, the food business activities of Gokul Sweets, Parkash Di Hatti, Bikaner Sweets, Sain ji Di Hatti at Janipur and Bansi Di Hatti at Nai Basti were stopped as the infrastructures of their work shops were not satisfactory and found in insanitary conditions. Moreover, 520 kg of sweets was destroyed on spot as the same was manufactured and stored under insanitary conditions.
The team comprising Food Safety Officers, Daleep Singh, Hans Raj Andorra, Ajay Khajuria and Pervaiz Ahmed, also asked all the shopkeepers to maintain the personal hygiene, dress code and use good quality of raw material for making food items.
Bengaluru family finds ‘plastic grains’ in sugar bought from grocer
BENGALURU: A senior citizen’s family in west Bengaluru was busy preparing sweets for his US-bound daughter when they realised they couldn’t even bite into the besan ladoos, let alone relish them.
The family from Upkar Layout in Ullala immediately dumped the besan ladoos in water, only to find plastic grains settling down as sediment. A closer examination revealed that the sugar they had bought from the neighbourhood grocer to prepare the sweets was in fact teeming with plastic grains. On Tuesday, prof Ashok R Patil, a neighbour of the aggrieved family, complained to the food safety commissioner and health commissioner about the suspected plastic grains found in the sugar.
The head of the family, SV Karki, had bought 5kg of sugar from Krishna Provision Store on Sunday. “My wife made besan ladoos and some other sweets for my daughter who was set to leave for the US. We used up all the sugar. While tasting the ladoos, we realised it was impossible to bite into them. When we dissolved them in water, we could see transparent crystals settling down. I complained to the shopkeeper,” said Karki.
Complaint lodged
Prof Patil, chair professor of consumer law and practice, National Law School of India University, learnt about the matter and lodged the complaint — TOI has a copy — alleging that the sugar was adulterated with plastic grains.
“We informed the food safety officer to take action against the manufacturers and sellers involved. We have kept a sample of the sweet for lab test. The matter needs to be investigated further,” said Patil. With the family having used all the sugar purchased from the store, there’s no way to verify the extent of adulteration.
Maneesh Singh, proprietor of Krishna Provision Store, said he did not receive a complaint from any other customer. “I buy a gunny bag of 50kg of sugar from the wholesale market,” he said.
However, Patil claimed the shopkeeper had admitted to some problem in the sugar when Karki questioned him.
Dr Harshavardhan B, joint commissioner, Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Karnataka, said he has received a complaint and his officers would inspect the store.
‘Will test sample’
“If it is settling at the bottom of the vessel, it might not be plastic grains. They would float. We have received over 90 samples of rice and sugar in the past one month and in none of the cases was the presence of plastic grains proven. Testing samples for the presence of plastic grains costs Rs 6,000. The complainant has sent us an email. We will collect the sample and test it further,” he said, adding that it could be a case of adulteration.
Food safety concerns at farmers markets
A new study shows vendors at farmers markets may be taking risks when it comes to food safety.
Researchers at Penn State observed 42 vendors in 8 farmers markets in Pennsylvania.
They found vendors tended to have poor hand-washing habits and there was potential for cross-contamination.
Less than a quarter had disposable gloves present at stands, even though many sold raw food.
The researchers also found the presence of food borne diseases, including Ecoli and listeria.
According to the USDA, there are nearly 9-thousand farmers markets in the country.
Nov 1, 2018
FDA has just 10 officers to ensure food safety of over 60L people
Nashik: While food articles are on sale in every lane and bylane, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has just 10 food safety officers for the entire district to ensure that these food items are not sub-standard and are safe for consumption.
While all there are vacant post of these officers in the district, the number of food safety officers has not increased for decades.
“The number of food safety officers have been the same ever since the office came into existence decades ago. In Nashik district, initially there were 12 posts, which were reduced to 10 sometime back,” said food safety officer.
The officer added, “With changing times, the population has increased, markets have increased, new varieties of food products have arrived in the market, and different items are produced from a same fruit or vegetable. The food safety officers cannot be everywhere and no food seller of producer, however small or big, can be given the benefit of doubt.”
The officers said when they conducted a raid at some place, they were alone to seize the goods, arrange a vehicle for transporting it to the office and make the report and send it to the senior officer. The pressure for taking action against those selling or producing sub-standard products for consumption is constant.
The officers said that given the population of the district, there should be at least 50 food safety officers in Nashik and every officer should have three assistants.
Chandrashekhar Salunke, joint director, FDA (food) Nashik said, “It is a fact that the number of posts are less. However, all sanctioned posts are filled and we are duty bound to ensure that citizens get only pure and unadulterated food and other items. We are making the best use of the available officers to provide quality service to the citizens.”
Only four percent of Panaji’s food handlers maintain hygiene
PANAJI: The next time you eat out beware. Personal hygiene among food handlers in the capital city is “sub-standard” with only 4% following correct hand washing practices against a startling 23.8% not washing hands even after passing urine, a research study conducted by the Goa Medical College’s department of preventive and social medicine has found.
The findings of the research titled ‘A study of personal hygiene among food handlers in Panaji city, Goa’ were published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health.
Reseachers Saili S Pradhan, Jagadish A Cacodcar and Nikhil S Akarkar interviewed two hundred and twenty seven participants across 12 food establishments in six different categories registered under the Corporation of the City of Panaji over a period of 18 months, between September 2015 and February 2017. The majority of participants (63%) were youth and (97%) males.
The picture that emerged from the findings of the study revealed shockingly poor hygiene levels among the food handlers. While hand hygiene is of utmost importance, a majority of them did not report correct hand washing practices post urination and post defecation before handling food. They also failed on the counts of maintaining clean nails and using gloves and head caps.
Only 4% followed correct hand washing practices though 40.9% reported washing with water and soap, while “23.8% of the study participants did not report washing hands after passing urine, 31.3% reported washing with water only”.
According to the study, usage of head caps while cooking was found only among 28.6% of the food handlers, 30.8% had clean nails at the time of examination and 33.9% used gloves at the workplace.
It was further observed that only 16.7% had good personal hygiene as against 33.9% who had poor personal hygiene.
The study observed that there was significant association between the personal hygiene of the study participants and the training received in food safety.
“These findings emphasise the importance of pre-employment training and periodic training in personal hygiene and food safety to be given to the food handlers. The findings of this study indicate that it is essential to create awareness among the food handlers regarding importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and food hygiene so as to ensure food safety,” the study stated.
Two food labs to ensure safety
The Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety has appointed six analysts at the two labs to check the raw materials for making ‘aravana’ production.
Thiruvananthapuram: With Sabarimala pilgrimage season round the corner, food safety authorities have set up two labs at Sannidanam and Pampa to ensure safety for the thousands of devotees arriving at Sabarimala.
The Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety has appointed six analysts at the two labs to check the raw materials for making ‘aravana’ production. A top official said that the laboratories would start functioning right away. “Aravana production will begin in a couple of days. We are going to the godowns on Thursday to check the raw materials. A designated officer and two food safety officers have been deployed at the ‘Sannidanam’. Two teams comprising six food safety officials have been deployed outside Pampa,” said the official. Only male officers are being deployed The official said that aravana production unit at Erumeli would be under the scanner. “Annadanams’ would be held und-er our control. Our special squads would launch drives in and around Sannidanam from November 17 onwards,” said the official.
Aasife Biriyani Owner Shedding Tears While Explaining Himself !! “Its A Complete Corporate Plan” He States !!
Aasife Biriyani is one of the prominent food restaurant in Chennai city which is well known for its unique taste and the Biriyani it provides is one of a kind which is felt by the people of Chennai themselves.
A team of officials from Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department sealed the central kitchen of a chain of restaurants, Aasife Biriyani, in Guindy recently, citing sub-standard food and unhygienic environment.
According to officials of the Food Safety Department, the central kitchen was sealed as there was no response to repeated notices issued to improve and adhere to the quality standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
It is from here that main dishes are prepared and transported to different outlets across the city. The building was sealed after an emergency prohibition order was obtained.
“During the visit, it was found that the kitchen was totally unhygienic. They were also using sub-standard products to cook,” an official part of the team alleged. It is learnt that the Food Safety official for Chennai district, R Kathiravan, and his colleagues have taken the step following the order of Food Safety Commissioner P Amudha.
The officials also explained that a few samples were taken from the kitchen also found to be unsafe. “There are 19 outlets in the city. Food to all these restaurants was prepared at the sealed centralised kitchen and sent to respective restaurants,” the official added.
However, the officials added that the kitchen could be opened again by the management after overhauling it properly.
Earlier facebook page of the Briyani centre has released an Official statement regarding the rotten meat issue which explained about an article published in Vikatan’s online article about 2000kg rotten mutton in Aasife. They said that Aasife kitchen inspection is clearly a separate issue.
In a recent video interview to Behindwoods, the owner of Aasife Biriyani, Aasife Ahmed gave a brief explanation on what exactly happened on that day. “It is known that the Biriyani in Aasife was cooked by using firewood, we never said that we are cooking in our kitchen using gas. While cooking in firewood it is natural that a kitchen would look like that. They gave us time to rectify the kitchen atmosphere and sealed the restaurant within the final day of time period. While they are entering the restaurant, it came as flash news in T V. Though we completed 90% of what they said, they sealed 2 days before the time period.”
“We are planning to spread our branches world wide including London, United States, Malaysia etc. This is someone like big corporate people trying to stop us from spreading our business worldwide. I started this business in hand cart and I don’t bother on giving up this business but what my concern is my workers. 1500 workers life depends on Aasife Biriyani which is really an emotional attachment to me. I never compromised a single day in my 19 years of food business” the owner gets emotional.
He also explains how the cooking circulation works and what exactly happened on the day it was sealed in the interview. What do you think on his statements ?? Let us know by commenting below !!
Oct 31, 2018
Drive against food adulteration intensified; 13 challaned under FSSA, sweets samples lifted
JAMMU, Oct 30: Keeping in view upcoming Diwali festival, Food Safety wing, Jammu of Drug and Food Control Organization intensified drive against food adulteration and in the process challaned 13 food establishments under Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 in last few days.
A team of Food Safety officers headed by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant commissioner, Food Safety Jammu inspected various food establishments including shops of sweets, bakery, fast food around Jewel Chowk, Vinaik Bazaar and Canal Road, opposite Science College, Jammu.
During the drive, 18 shops keepers were challaned under Section 56 of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 as they were processing, cooking and storing the sweets, milk and milk products under insanitary and unhygienic conditions.
Amongst those challaned were Pooja Sweets, Sai Fast Food, Shankar Shop at Canal Road, Shah Di Hatti, Heaven Bar and Restaurant, Fresh Chicken Dhaba, Chib Eat Point at Jewel Chowk, Raju Tea Stall, Indian Tea Stall, Gupta Sweet Shop at Canal Road, Dogra Chicken Shop at Vikas Nagar, Janta Fast Food at Canal Road, Civil and Military Dhaba at Jewel Chowk, Tandoor Blow Dhaba, A- One Vaishno Dhaba at Vinaik Bazaar, Vijay Tea Stall at Canal Road, Dominee- the pizza at Canal Road and Pooja Sweet Shop at Vinaik Bazaar.
Moreover, the samples of laddo, burfi, rasgulla, rasbhari and khajoor were lifted from Kwality Sweets, Mahajan Sweets and Pooja Sweets at Canal Road and Pooja Sweet Shop at Vinaik Bazaar and sent to the laboratory for detection of adulteration.
The team was comprised of Food Safety officers, Daleep Singh, Hans Raj Andotra, Ajay Khajuria and Pervaiz Ahmed.
Over 40 percent food samples fail quality test in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: Over 40% of food samples collected in the last two months, during raids in different parts of Punjab, were found unfit for human consumption.
A total of 2,452 samples of different food products were collected in August and September and were analysed at the state government’s forensic laboratory in Kharar. Of which 1,003 (40.90%) samples were found adulterated.
Food and safety teams seized 631 samples of milk out of which 310 failed the test, while 368 samples of butter, ghee and other milk products were found spurious out of 849 samples. Twenty six samples of bakery products, of the 46 collected during the two-month, were adulterated.
During September, maximum failed samples were found in Patiala district, followed by Fatehgarh Sahib and Amritsar. Out of 14 samples collected from Patiala, seven failed the test, while in Fatehgarh Sahib 18 out of 39 samples, and 58 out of 126 in Amritsar were found unfit for human consumption. As many as 17 samples of different food products, out of 37 seized in Tarn Taran, failed the test.
In recent months, the Punjab government has tightened the noose around traders by carrying out sustained drive against spurious food products.
KS Pannu, commissioner food and drug administration, Punjab said that due to sustained drive against adulteration, the number of food samples failing the test have come down. “Drive by the department against the food business operators engaged in the unscrupulous business of adulterated and spurious food products will continue in order to ensure that the citizens get pure and healthy food,” said Pannu.
To facilitate quicker analysis of samples, followed by quick action on the defaulters, the government roped in another laboratory. Punjab Biotechnology Incubator(PBTI) at Mohali has been notified as referral laboratory by the government under Food Safety and Standards Act.
Besides, two scientists of PBTI had also been appointed as food analysts under Food Safety and Standards Act by the government of India whereby their services can be utilised by the state government.
Oct 30, 2018
Swasth Bharat Yatra reaches Dindigul after its 3-day programme in Madurai
Madurai: The Swasth Bharat Yatra cycle rally, an initiative to spread awareness about healthy eating and adulteration in food items, which was going on in Madurai since Saturday, was flagged off for Dindigul district on Monday.
Revenue minister R B Udayakumar and district collector S Natarajan took part in the function organized at PKN School in Tirumangalam and sent off the rally to the neighbouring district. They also took part in the rally and cycled for some distance. The minister distributed prizes to the students, who won in the various competitions conducted on the sidelines of the yatra.
Officials from food safety and standards authority of india, which is conducting the yatra, said that Dindigul will witness the sensitization programme for three days, starting from Monday. The convoy was received by the officials from Dindigul district at Madurai-Dindigul border at around 11 am, they added.
An array of events including competitions for school and college students, exhibitions, awareness rallies, cultural programs have been planned over the course of the next three days, a food department official said.
Swasth Bharat Yatra is a nation-wide awareness event which started on October 6, simultaneously at six places in different parts of the country. It is being organized in view of the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
‘Many shops in dist sell substandard edible salt’
Trichy: The district food safety department officials said that sale of substandard edible salt is prevalent to a certain extent in Trichy district. This was evident from the findings in the survey that more than 10% of households of government school students use edible salt with no iodine, they said.
Designated officer for Trichy food safety department Dr R Chitra claimed that despite the fact that the food safety department repeatedly emphasised the shops to sell iodised salt of good quality for edible purpose, many shops either sell non-iodised salt or substandard salt. "Based on the recent survey, we’ve found the areas in which the sale of substandard/ non-iodised salt is more prevalent. We’ll soon identify those shops which sell the salt and take necessary action," she said. A source from the food safety department said that sale of substandard or non-iodised salt for edible purpose was more prevalent in rural areas. Since some cheap edible salt varieties by unknown manufacturers were available, vendors buy them despite the fact that they are substandard. "Moreover some groceries shops do not keep edible salt in closed containers, but leave it open in sacks. If edible salt is substandard, since it’s kept open, the little amount of iodine that is present in it evaporates," he said.
An official from the union ministry of commerce and industry’s salt department said that though not very common, the supply of substandard salt is supplied to the shops to a limited extent, but across the state.
Meanwhile, state general secretary of Tamilnadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu (TVSP) V Govindarajulu said that traders should never be blamed if substandard salt was being sold by them and that only a very few manufacturers should be blamed.
Govt to promote use of iodised salt
Trichy: A sample survey conducted by the district food safety department in government schools has revealed that more than 10% of the students’ households use only non-iodised salt. The survey, which was carried out for the past couple of weeks, was conducted as a part of Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, which is observed on October 21 every year. Food safety department officials said that the areas where the usage of non-iodised salt was more prevalent have been identified and campaigns in those localities would be held in the near future.
A total of 17 food safety officers (FSO) were deputed to carry out the survey in as many government schools from various parts of the district selected on a random basis. A total of 1,869 school children were surveyed in the programme and the salt samples which they had brought from their homes were tested by the FSOs.
Iodine is said to be an essential micronutrient required every day in minute quantities for normal human growth and mental development. The ideal amount of iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, which controls one’s metabolism and other important body functions. Goitre (swelling of the neck due to enlargement of thyroid gland), hypothyroidism and intellectual disabilities are some of the most common health issues caused due to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). According to the health department, school children living in iodine deficient regions lose 13 IQ points compared to the school children living in iodine sufficient regions.
The food safety department said that Trichy was one of the districts in the country identified to conduct the recent survey as a part of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme. "The FSOs had collected samples from students randomly and conducted the tests. The students were given awareness on IDD," designated officer (DO) for Trichy district food safety department Dr R Chitra told TOI.
Doctors said that though IDD is very rare in Trichy, it still is prevalent among a few in the low socioeconomic status. Paediatricians at the District Early Intervention Centre said they still treat at least two children, with symptoms of IDD,every month. "Though the number is less, goitre is the most common form of iodine deficiency in the district," paediatrician at DEIC Dr R Kumaraguru said.
State president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics Dr Sunil Srinivasan said that compared to those living nearby the seaside, others living in the interior regions – and especially the hilly and mountain regions – have more risk of suffering IDD. "Iodised table salt is the commonest method used to provide more iodine to a person. Hence if taken in the right amount, IDD can be easily prevented," he added.
Associate professor in the department of nutrition and dietetics at Seethalakshmi Ramasami College Chellam Murugendar said iodine must be supplemented for pregnant mothers, recently-married women and adolescent girls.
File affidavit on ‘permissible limit’ of formaldehyde: HC
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa, on Monday, has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to file an affidavit on whether the limit of 4 miligram per kilogram of formaldehyde can be taken as ad hoc standard.
The court also asked the state government to carry out random inspections to test the fish in the state.
After hearing the public interest litigations filed in the formalin-in-fish issue, a division bench comprising Justice N M Jamdar and Justice Prithviraj K Chavan said “the Authority will also file an affidavit whether pending fixing of standards by the scientific panel, the limit of 4mg per kg as per their guidance note can be taken as an ad hoc standard”. The HC gave the authority two weeks to file the affidavit. The court has asked FSSAI to expedite the process of taking up the task to set the standards, as initiated by the letter dated October 12.
The court also directed the state government to carry out inspections everyday at different randomly chosen locations to test the fish being sold. “In the report, the quantity of formalin found should be specified to a figure, as we are informed that the earlier reports have only mentioned the quantity as ‘permissible limit’. The compilation of these reports be made and submitted to the court on the next date of the hearing,” the court ordered.
In the advisory issued by the FSSAI to consumers under the guidance note, naturally occurring formaldehyde in fish is indicated as approximately 4mg per kg.
The court has also directed the government to file an affidavit on whether the wholesale fish market at Margao is controlled by the planning authority or the municipal council or is a private market. Stating that the Municipalities Act has laid down various provisions on how to conduct a market, the court said, “The Pollution Control Board, in the year 2016, carried out an inspection and found that toxins are flowing into the river and suggestions have been given to improve the hygiene.”
The HC directed the state to file an affidavit regarding these issues and directed it to take steps to correct any lacunae found in the conducting of the wholesale market.
Referring to the statement made by the government that it has already initiated action against various wholesale traders, the high court ordered that the government place on record the action taken and its plans with respect to authorisation of traders, pollution control measures and overall hygiene.
Oct 29, 2018
Sans food officers, little check on spurious sweets
Solan, October 28
With no Food Safety Official (FSO) in the twin districts of Solan and Sirmaur, there is little check on the quality of sweets being sold in the market during this festive season.
The post of FSO has been lying vacant for several years after the official had retired.
Earlier, Solan and Sirmaur districts had one FSO each, but later, one officer was assigned two to three districts due to the promotion of field officials.
Figures secured from the Directorate Health Safety and Regulation revealed that out of the 22 sanctioned posts, only two FSOs were available in the state.
As a stop-gap arrangement, the state government had designated district veterinary officials as FSOs to draw food samples, but the move had failed to yield any result, as these officers had refused to handle this additional duty.
The FSOs usually begin drawing samples of sweets at least a week before the major festivals to monitor the adulterated sweets, which usually flood the markets.
Being a district bordering other states, the incidence of adulterated sweets being sold here is high and this requires added caution on part of the FSOs.
Though the recruitment process of 19 FSOs is underway, it will take time for the new staff to be trained and sent to the field.
Naresh Lath, Director (Health Safety), said the designated officers of all 12 districts had been given powers to challan erring shopkeepers keeping in view the lack of FSOs.
‘Conduct drive for quality milk & milk products’
JAIPUR: The Centre’s joint director (regulatory compliance division) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Daya Shankar has issued a letter to food safety commissioner of the state asking him to conduct special drive for ensuring safe and quality milk and milk products during festivals.
Shankar mentioned in the letter issued on October 16, “With low shelf life, milk and milk products are prone to spoilage if these are not stored and handled properly. There are instances of few unscrupulous elements/dairy businesses indulging in acts of adulteration. Such cases of adulteration often increase during festive season when the demand for milk and milk products outstrips supply.”
The adulterants in food items are putting health of consumers at risk. “While economically motivated adulteration of milk and milk products invariably results in cheating of consumers, use of certain types of adulterants can also lead to a negative impact on their health. At the same time, heavy microbial contamination and the consequent presence of microbial toxins in such products also pose a serious threat to the health of consumers,” said Shankar in the letter.
He also brought to the notice of health authorities in the state that they have observed that milk products such as mawa are prepared months in advance for the festive seasons and stored under unhygienic conditions leading to poor microbial quality and visible growth of fungus.
However, health department officials claimed that they have initiated drive against adulterated food, which will continue till November 4. A health department official said that they have launched special drive on surveillance of milk and milk products specifically products like mawa, paneer, curd, ghsee with respect to their microbiological quality and presence of adulterants.
Oct 28, 2018
Swasth Bharat Yatra for food safety reaches Madurai from Virudhunagar
Madurai: The Swasth Bharat Yatra, an initiative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India where volunteers cycle to create awareness on healthy food and food adulteration, reached Madurai district from Virudhunagar on Saturday afternoon. Revenue minister R B Udayakumar and Madurai district collector S Natarajan along with the officials from food safety department of Madurai welcomed the cyclists.
A special event is scheduled to be conducted on Sunday afternoon. Officials from food safety department said that health minister C Vijayabaskar, revenue minister R B Udayakumar, health secretary J Radhakrishnan and principal secretary and food safety commissioner P Amudha along with district officials are likely to participate in the event. A large number of students, NSS and NCC volunteers would also participate in the event, officials added.
“Sunday will see an array of events including a yoga camp at Sundaram park, exhibition to inform about inferior quality edible oil and pulses, a flute performance by visually challenged students, performance of folk artists, magic show and exhibition to showcase things good and bad for health,” an official said.
The awareness program started on World Food Day, October 16. Teams started simultaneously from Leh, Panaji, Thiruvananathapuram, Puducherrry, Ranchi and Agartala with an aim to take the initiative to the remote parts of the country. After 100 days of cycling and covering about 2000 locations, the convoys along with cyclists will reach New Delhi by the last week of January.
100 litres milk, 200 kilograms sweets destroyed
CHANDIGARH: A joint team of officers of Food Safety Administration, UT health department conducted a raid on two sweet manufacturing units, one in Industrial Area Phase I and the other in Daria village. They took seven samples and issued two challans. The team members also destroyed about 100 litres of milk and 200kg sweets kept in unhygienic conditions and exposed to dust and flies.
On Thursday, officer, Food Safety Administration, health department, UT Chandigarh, conducted raids in Manimajra and Mauli Jagran. The team seized six samples of milk products and edible oil. Two challans were also issued to violators. The team destroyed about 30 kg of sweets and other food articles found in unhygienic condition. In view of the festive season, the health department has asked consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing sweets, bakery products, beverages and dry fruits from the market. Officials of the health department said if consumers observe anything abnormal, they can report the matter to the department of food safety and standards, Government Multispecialty Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, or raise their concern on the official website of FSSAI, www.fssai.gov.in. People can also lodge their complaint on the emergency number, 102 during odd hours or on holidays.
‘People ask for non-veg but we say sorry instead’
Armed with interim stay from HC, a Haryana hotelier plans to start serving chicken. An eatery nearby is hopeful they can too.
“Food items that are banned will not be served,” announces the restaurant menu of Hotel Saffron in Thanesar, a pilgrimage town in Haryana’s Kurukshetra district. The caution — part of ‘Important Notes’ towards the end of the menu — continues despite its owner Anand Bajaj getting an interim stay against a government notification of October 2017 that had, while declaring Kurukshetra a ‘Holy City’, banned the sale and purchase of meat and meat products in the municipal limits of Thanesar and Pehowa.
On October 16, Justice Rajan Gupta said, “Prima facie, there is substance in the plea of the petitioner. Till the next date of hearing, no coercive steps would be taken against him in case he vitiates to sell the food items specified in the license.”
Despite the encouragement from the court, Bajaj is reluctant to openly announce the sale of non-vegetarian food, but hopes to soon start serving chicken. “Chicken dishes have a lot of demand,” he said.
Bajaj, who set up his hotel 10 years ago, had approached the High Court in 2017 with two simple questions: Can a state government, through a notification or an administrative order, regulate the sale of food items, including meat and meat products, when the licence for sale and purchase allows the same under a Central legislation, the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Two, does the state action unreasonably restrict the fundamental right to carry on trade or business?
It was the second question that propelled Bajaj to move courts. “We have always had customers asking for non-vegetarian food. How do we tell customers that because this is a ‘Holy City’, you can’t eat what you want. Besides, we stand to lose our customers who would rather travel a few more kilometres and stay in a place where they get the food they like,” says Bajaj, 46.
His hotel falls within the 32.25-sq-km area that makes up Thanesar municipality. The hotel has 15 rooms and two multi-purpose halls to host parties and weddings. There are around 40 men on the rolls, including seven-eight cooks who can make any kind of food, including non-vegetarian, says Bajaj.
Just outside the municipal limits, on the stretch of a road connecting Thanesar to Pehowa, 23 km away, there is a line of shops that sell non-vegetarian food, including chicken, lamb and fish. There is no ban on bringing meat or meat dishes inside Thanesar or Pehowa; only on purchase and sale. A mere 4 km away from Bajaj’s hotel but outside the municipality, the Haryana Tourism Department’s Hotel Parakeet serves non-vegetarian food.
Hotel manager Sanjay Sharma, a vegetarian himself, says, “Even Amritsar is a ‘Holy City’, but you can find a range of non-vegetarian food there. To eat or not to eat something is an entirely personal choice. It’s not easy when someone who chooses to stay here asks for non-vegetarian food but we have to offer a ‘sorry’ instead.”
Bajaj says though the notification came in 2017, an informal ban has been in place for years, its roots going back to a proposal approved in 1974 by the then Thanesar Municipal Council for a ban on the sale of liquor and meat. The ban, usually enforced at the level of the district administration, had in 2014 led to “action” being taken against two hotels in Thanesar for selling meat.
It was in 2011 that Bajaj, along with four other hotel owners, first approached the High Court against the restriction. But the petition had to be withdrawn in October 2017 after the court was informed that the Governor had given his assent to the decision and that a formal notification had been issued for the ban.
Bajaj then filed a fresh petition in the High Court and a year later, the court issued a stay on the notification.
Bajaj, however, is aware that the relief from the High Court is limited to his hotel and restaurant and that the stay is only interim — till the next date of hearing, on January 29, 2019.
“Also, the government is yet to provide any response to our case. We only hope there’s a permanent decision and the parameters for ‘Holy City’ are decided properly,” he says.
Meanwhile, the breather from the court has raised hopes among other eating joints in Thanesar. Harish Luthra, the owner of a McDonald’s outlet down the road from Hotel Saffron, says he has sent a copy of the court order to the management for “advice” on whether they can start serving non-vegetarian food too.
“We have only been selling vegetarian food because, as an international brand, we didn’t want to be involved in any controversy. The court decision may be limited to just this one case but it applies to everyone because we also have a proper legal licence under the law,” says Luthra.
Food licence of 2 bakery units suspended
Dimapur, October 27: Under Section 32 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, an Improvement Notice was served to M/s Best Bakery & M/s Mums Bakery located at Merhülietsa Colony, Kohima for unhygienic conditions.
During the re-inspection done by the Food Safety Officer and Assistants, it was found that some conditions were not complied. Therefore, the Food Licence of the two bakery units was suspended in accordance to Section 32 (2) of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
Goa's fish import rule hits Karnataka traders hard
The Goa government’s new rule on import of fish has hit the traders from Karnataka and other neighbouring states hard. On Friday night, the Goa police prevented 50 fish-laden lorries from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu from entering into Goa, at Polem checkpost.
As per the circular by the Goa government, fish traders have to obtain a licence, under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, from the Directorate of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also the lorries transporting fish to Goa have to obtain licence from FDA directorate from the respective states. Failing which, fish from other states will not be allowed to enter Goa. New norms have proved a bane for fish traders from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu hard.
A lorry driver from Udupi, Ganesh, expressed his anguish against the Goan authorities, “We were not aware of the new rules. The police prevented us at Polem checkpost on late Friday night claiming that they received order at 8 pm. We have brought fish from Udupi, Mangaluru, Kasargod, Malpe, Bhatkal and Karwar. How can we return with loads of fish. If the fish is not unloaded from lorries in 24 hours, we will suffer losses to tune of crores.”
CM Manohar Parrikar had banned the entry of fish from other states, in July, in the wake of formalin scare. But the ban was overturned later.
Restaurants and entry checkpoints under scanner of food safety division
Dehradun: With the onset of the festive season, food safety cell of the health department has kicked off a drive to check adultration in food items at various restaurants and food outlets. This year, four teams have been formed with major focus on Doiwala, Raiwala, Vikas Nagar and Kalsi markets in Dehradun where majority of samples have failed the quality test in earlier occasions.
So far, the teams have collected samples from two dozen outlets in the city and have sent them for testing. This year, officials from the dairy department have also been included in the drive to conduct instant analysis of milk samples.
“We have already formed teams and special raids will be planned especially at some identified checkpoints. All the samples collected during the festival season in the previous year were in the sub-standard and misbranded category, which is a violation of food safety standards.” said Ganesh Kandwal, designated officer (food safety), Dehradun district.
Sources in the food department said that Asharodi and Motichur entry point to Rishikesh and Dehradun will have special teams to monitor transportation of raw food products between 2am to 4am. Meanwhile, consumers are also being advised by the officials to not purchase or demand coloured food items like sweets as those are more likely to contain substances dangerous for health.
“The reason why there are more sub-standard sweets is the demand created by public especially in the rural areas and outskirts of the city which is why we are requesting people to not choose sweets with colour as they can be adulterated,” said Kandwal.
He added that those selling dry fruits and mewa packaged without label, mentioning date of packaging and expiry date will face legal action as well.
Notably, last year, during this season, more than 100 samples were collected from Dehradun district of which around 80% were found to be sub-standard.
Oct 27, 2018
Traders should discourage use of stickers directly on fruits; presence of stickers does not guarantee premium quality: FSSAI
New Delhi, Oct 28 (KNN) Traders should discourage the use of stickers directly on fruits which do not provide any traceability or other regulatory information, the Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said in a guidance note on Stickers on Fruits & Vegetables.
The note even noted that presence of stickers on them does not guarantee their premium quality.
Use of stickers on food products to provide information on traceability, grades, price etc. is a common practice across the globe. A lot of times, these stickers are applied directly on food surfaces such as on fruits and vegetables.
Apples, kiwis, mangoes, oranges, bananas, pears, bell peppers are some common fruits and vegetables which have stickers applied directly on the surfaces.
However, it is observed that in India, traders use stickers to make their product look premium and sometimes to hide any decay or defect on the product. "Brand Name of Trader" or "Tested OK" or "Best Quality" or "Names of Product" are some common terms mentioned on stickers which do not have any significance, the guidance note pointed.
A wide variety of adhesives are used on these stickers to paste them effectively. Safety of these adhesives is not known. It may contain harmful chemicals which may affect human health.
“We generally remove the stickers from fruits or vegetables and consume them without thinking about residues of adhesive present on them. The risk of consuming these adhesives is high in case of fruits or vegetables consumed with skin. Therefore, it is important to understand the safety of stickers used on food products,” said the guidance note.
On Health effects, the note suggested that the adhesives may contain harmful chemicals which may impact the health of consumers. Studies show that substances such as surfactants used in adhesives are toxic for the reproductive system.
Harmful chemicals present in adhesives may come in direct contact with the food along with stickers and migrate into it. Heat from sunlight on the fresh fruits and vegetables sold in open market may also increase the migration of harmful chemicals from adhesives.
The note suggested that the consumers should check the quality of fruits and vegetables before buying them. Presence of stickers on them does not guarantee their premium quality.
Consumers should remove the stickers properly and peel the skin or cut the area where the sticker was applied, before consuming the fruits and vegetables, it suggested.
FSSAI has asked the traders should use a functional barrier to avoid direct application of stickers on fruits & vegetables. A few fruits can be packed in transparent thin films on which these sticker may be applied.
Traders should discourage the use of stickers directly on fruits which do not provide any traceability or other regulatory information.
As per the provisions in Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, no food business operator shall store, sell or distribute any article of food which is unsafe, the note pointed.
'Banned ingredients in diet pills putting Indians at risk'
NEW DELHI: Be careful while popping a pill for weight loss, muscle building or sexual enhancement. Several dietary supplements, most of which are widely available in India, have been found adulterated with unapproved and even banned pharmaceutical ingredients in the US with potential to cause serious health risks, a latest study published in 'JAMA Open' revealed.
At least 776 dietary supplements sold over the counter in the US over a period of 10 years from 2007 to 2016 were found containing unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients such as sildenafil, sibutramine and synthetic steroids — which have potential to cause side-effects ranging from stroke to kidney failure and even death, say researchers, who extracted and analysed data from the US Food and Drug Administration's (US FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
These products were commonly marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, or muscle building.
Doctors in India say the problem may be bigger here as most of the dietary supplements are easily available and widely used in India without any regulation and guidelines. Even the US regulator said it has been able to test only a portion of products available on the market.
"The issue is much more relevant in India because while this segment is largely regulated in the US, in our country it is completely unregulated. Dietary supplements in India are not tested or sampled by any authority and are easily available. The consumption is growing rapidly," says Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis C-Doc.
The dietary supplement segment which include nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use and foods for special medical purpose poised to become a $10 billion industry by 2025. While rising income levels coupled with changing lifestyle have kindled demand for such products, lack of regulation and usage guidelines have made these products easily available over the counter and through online sales.
Of late, the growing demand and increasing availability of such products have also come to the notice of Indian regulatory authorities with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) working to strengthen the packaging norms for such products.
However, in the absence of wherewithal to do product sampling and testing, quality, efficacy and safety of such dietary supplements continue to be under question, says Dr Misra.
Another major grey area in this issue is the overlapping between food and drugs. While drugs or medicines are regulated by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), food supplements come under the purview of FSSAI. Often to circumvent drug price regulation or stringent pharmaceutical norms, companies tweak their pharma formulations and launch their products as food supplements, bypassing regulatory approvals from the DCGI. The US FDA data shows, more than 20% of adulterated dietary supplements contained more than one unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)