Nov 26, 2019
10 states unequipped to ensure food safety: FSSAI
- FSSAI says many of the poorly performing states have not been able to put in place full-time staff for food safety and do not have proper labs
- Food regulator analyses total 106,459 samples across the country and finds over 15.8% food samples as sub-standard, 3.7% unsafe and 9% mislabelled during the year 2018-19
NEW DELHI : At least 10 states in India are unequipped to ensure food safety, owing to scarcity of staff and food testing laboratory infrastructure, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said on Monday.
According to the apex food regulator, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telengana, and Uttarakhand are the worst performing states on food safety.
With its own admission to the shortfalls, the FSSAI said that many of the poorly performing states have not been able to put in place full-time officers for food safety and do not have proper food testing laboratories despite the food safety law coming into force over a decade ago.
“More rigorous enforcement by States is essential to build public trust in food. Public trust has been eroded in recent times due to fake news creating widespread perception of large-scale adulteration in the country. FSSAI is working with states and UTs, particularly with weaker ones in this regard," said Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI. “For this, FSSAI is increasing the capacity of State food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas," he said.
However, the food regulator has also noted improvement in food safety in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.
FSSAI on Monday also released data on enforcement efforts by states and Union Territories in India.
It analysed a total of 106,459 samples across the country and found over 15.8% food samples as sub-standard, 3.7 % unsafe and 9% mislabelled during the year 2018-19.
This is the first year the data has been compiled for unsafe, sub-standard and labelling defects separately. Data released include samples analysed, non-conforming samples, cases launched, convictions and penalties by states/UTs during the year 2018-19 and also trends over the past three years.
According to the report, there has been a 7% increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18. 25% more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year. This shows that there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by states/UTs in the country.
There has been a 36% increase in civil cases launched and a 67% increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed. The amount of penalty imposed has increased by 23% during 2018-19 compared to the previous year, the report said.
A total amount of Rs32.58 crore has been realised during 2018-19. As far as criminal cases are concerned, the official statement said, there has been 86% increase in criminal cases launched. Since the conclusion of criminal cases takes time, a total of 5,198 cases were concluded during 2017-18 that included a backlog of previous years. During the year there have been 701 convictions in criminal cases so far.
Food borne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group of the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 31 food borne hazards. In its first estimates of the incidence, mortality, and disease burden, this group has found that the global burden of food borne diseases (FBD) is comparable to those of the major infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
The most frequent causes of foodborne illness were diarrheal disease agents, particularly norovirus and Campylobacter spp. Diarrheal disease agents, especially non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, were also responsible for the majority of deaths due to FBD. Other major causes of FBD deaths were Salmonella Typhi, Taenia solium and Hepatitis-A virus.
The global burden of FBD caused by the 31 hazards in 2010 was 33 million -- Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs); children under five years old borne 40% of this burden, although they represented only 9% of the global population. These facts call for urgent action by all stakeholders to improve food safety throughout the food chain with more coordinated efforts and greater focus.
Shops flout rules, caught selling cooking oil in loose
Madurai: Cooking oil, which was being sold in loose in two shops at the K Pudur Bus Stand and on a vehicle near Alagarkovil was seized by a team of food safety officials on Sunday evening. Officials said the seized oil was worth Rs 50,000.
Officials said they began the crackdown after coming to know that the shops were selling cooking oil in loose, despite being explained about the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act, which prohibited its sale, a month ago. Though the shop owners had assured to stop selling such oil, they did not take any steps. Seizure memos were issued to shopkeepers, officials said.
Designated officer for food safety, Dr M Somasundaram who led the raid said the rule prohibiting loose oil sale will be enforced slowly, but steadily. “The traders have been given adequate time. When they already have a manufacturer licence, what is stopping them from packing the oil while selling?” he asked.
Somasundaram said that palm oil is often sold as gingelly oil after mixing a few drops of essence. “There is nothing wrong in selling palm oil, but it should not be sold as other cooking oil. Adulteration in oil is rampant and it can be addressed when traders start selling them in packs,” Somasundaram said.
Officials said that when the announcement on implementation of the rule was issued, members of oil traders association had told them that it will pave way for increase in usage of plastic as they have to use plastic covers for packing. But, traders were already using plastic for packing loose oil as customers were not encouraged to bring containers.
Meanwhile, a group of regular customers, who were not aware of the happenings in the shops, and had come to make their purchase, were urged by Somasundaram to exercise discretion while choosing oils. People should not expect good quality oil at a cheaper price. “They should start suspecting the quality of oil when it is sold at throwaway prices,” he insisted.
Penalties from errant food companies up 23%: FSSAI
Sharp rise in number of civil, criminal cases, as per data from States and UTs
Penalties worth ₹32.58 crore have been realised from errant food business operators in 2018-19, up by about 23 per cent compared with realisations in 2017-18, according to data released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday.
There was also a nearly 67 per cent rise in the number of cases where penalties were imposed on food companies in 2018-19 (12,734 cases) compared with the previous year, as per the data compiled by FSSAI on enforcement activities of food safety officers from States and Union Territories for 2018-19. In the previous year, penalties amounted to about ₹26.36 crore.
The regulator said there has been an improvement in the overall enforcement activities indicating better targeting of such efforts by States. About 1.06 lakh food samples were analysed by State food safety officers in 2018-19, which was nearly 7 per cent higher than 2017-18.
Of this, while 3.7 per cent (3,900) of the samples were found to be unsafe, 15.8 per cent were sub-standard and 9 per cent samples had labelling defects.
The food safety authority’s data also revealed that there was a 36 per cent rise in civil cases filed in 2018-19 (18,550 cases) over the previous year. There was an 86 per cent increase in criminal cases launched against food business operators in 2018-19 compared to the previous year.
“Since the conclusion of criminal cases takes time, a total of 5,198 cases were concluded during 2017-18 that included a backlog of previous years. During 2018-19, there have been 701 convictions in criminal cases,” FSSAI stated.
Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh were among the top 10 States which performed well in terms of enforcement parameters.
“Ten States that have performed poorly include Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telangana, and Uttarakhand,” it added. It was noted that poorly performing States do not have full-time food safety officers and proper food testing laboratories.
Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said, “More rigourous enforcement by States is essential to build public trust in food. FSSAI is working with States and UTs, particularly with weaker ones, in this regard. For this, FSSAI is increasing the capacity of State food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to be better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas”.
The food safety authority said that this is the first time that data was compiled for samples found as unsafe, substandard or with labelling defects separately. This is being done to enable State food safety authorities to take precise corrective and preventive action.
3.7 Percent of over 1.06 Lakh Food Samples Analysed in 2018-19 Found Unsafe, Says FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reported 36 per cent rise in civil cases to 2,813 and 86 per cent increase in criminal cases to 18,550.
New Delhi: Food regulator FSSAI on Monday said that over 1.06 lakh food samples were analysed last fiscal, of which 3.7 per cent were found to be unsafe and 15.8 per cent sub-standard.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reported 36 per cent rise in civil cases to 2,813 and 86 per cent increase in criminal cases to 18,550, it said in a statement.
There has been a 67 per cent increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed to 12,727. A total amount of Rs 32.58 crore has been realised during 2018-19, up 23 per cent from previous year. There have been 701 convictions in criminal cases.
FSSAI released the data on enforcement efforts by states/UTs in the country. The released data includes samples analysed, non-conforming samples, cases launched, convictions and penalties by states/UTs during the year 2018-19
"During the year 2018-19, a total of 1,06,459 samples were analysed. While 3.7 pc of these samples were found to be unsafe, 15.8 pc were found to be sub-standard and 9 pc samples had labelling defects," FSSAI said in a statement.
There has been a 7 per cent increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18 and "25 per cent more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year", the regulator said, adding that this indicates there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by states/UTs.
"More rigorous enforcement by states is essential to build public trust in food," FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said.
He admitted that public trust has been eroded in recent times due to fake news, creating widespread perception of large-scale adulteration in the country.
FSSAI is working with states and UTs, particularly with weaker ones in this regard, he added.
"For this, FSSAI is increasing the capacity of state food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to be better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas," Agarwal said.
Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh performed well, while states that have performed poorly include Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telengana, and Uttarakhand.
Many of the poorly performing states have not been able to put in place full-time officers for food safety and do not have proper food testing laboratories despite the food safety law coming into force over a decade ago, FSSAI said.
4% of food samples analysed last year unsafe, FSSAI data shows
The better performing states and UTs are Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.
Nearly 4% of the one lakh food and beverage samples analysed by the states and Union Territories last year were unsafe
Nearly 4% of the one lakh food and beverage samples analysed by the states and Union Territories last year were unsafe, about 16% were sub-standard and 9% were mislabelled, shows data released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
This is the first time that data has been separately compiled for unsafe, substandard and labelling defects. It also includes cases launched, convictions and penalties during the year 2018-19 and also trends over the years, which shows that at 1,06,459, there was a 7% increase in the number of samples analysed as compared to the previous year.
Nearly 25% more samples were found non-conforming compared to the previous year, and there was a 67% increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed. Among criminal cases imposed on defaulters, there has been 86% increase since the previous year, highlighting the fact that there has been an improvement in enforcement efforts by the States.
“This would help support food safety authorities to take precise corrective and preventive action. While, there should be zero tolerance to unsafe food, issue of sub-standard and labelling defects require greater efforts on capacity building of food businesses and food standards as well as labelling requirements,” said FSSAI in a statement.
The better performing states and UTs are Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh. The ones having performed poorly are Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telengana, and Uttarakhand.
“More rigorous enforcement by states is essential to build public trust in food,” says FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal.
“FSSAI is working with states and UTs, particularly with weaker ones, in increasing the capacity of state food laboratories and enabling use of private food labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts have to better targeted and preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas,” he added.
3.7% food samples found unsafe, 15.8% sub-standard, says regulator
Kerala, Tamil Nadu among the best performing States, says FSSAI
Data released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on enforcement of norms has noted that 3.7% of the samples collected and analysed were found unsafe, 15.8% sub-standard and 9% samples had labelling defects.
Releasing the data for 2018-19 where 1,06,459 samples were analysed, the food regulator said this was the first year the data had been compiled for unsafe, substandard and labelling defects separately. This would help authorities take precise corrective and preventive action. While there should be zero tolerance to unsafe food, sub-standard and labelling defects require greater efforts on capacity building of the businesses and standards as well as labelling requirements.
There has been a 7% increase in the number of samples analysed during 2018-19 compared to 2017-18. Compared to the previous year, 25% more samples were found non-conforming. This shows that there has been better targeting of enforcement efforts by States/UTs.
There has been a 36% increase in civil cases launched and a 67% increase in the number of cases where penalties were imposed. The amount of penalty — ₹32.58 crore— imposed has increased by 23% during 2018-19 compared to the previous year.
There has been 86% increase in criminal cases launched. Since the conclusion of criminal cases takes time, 5,198 cases were concluded during 2017-18 that included a backlog of previous years. During the year there have been 701 convictions in criminal cases so far.
Ten States/UTs that have performed well include Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.
Ten States that have performed poorly include Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.
Many of the poorly performing States have not been able to put in place full-time officers and do not have proper testing laboratories despite the food safety law coming into force over a decade ago.
Expressing satisfaction over the improved enforcement, Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said the regulator was increasing the capacity of the State laboratories and enabling the use of private labs for testing food samples. Enforcement efforts must be preceded by surveillance efforts to identify hotspots and problem areas.
Nov 23, 2019
Food regulator slaps notice on McDonald's for 'irresponsible advertising'
- FSSAI is committed to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for all citizens
- FSSAI is also in the process of finalizing regulations to ensure safe and wholesome food for school children
Creative advertising by McDonald’s has landed it in trouble. The apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday issued show cause notices to McDonald’s for contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
Taking cognizance of a full page advertisement by McDonald's in New Delhi and Mumbai newspapers that said “Stuck with Ghiya-Tori Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love", the central licensing authority and FSSAI’s designated officer at New Delhi and Mumbai issued the notices saying as to why further action should not be initiated against McDonald's for this.
“The food companies must desist from issuing advertisements/publicity materials which are in violation of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and rules/regulations made there under. The FSSAI is committed to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for all citizens of the country through various means like education, awareness building and regulatory enforcement and to achieve these goals the Eat Right campaign is going on across the country," said Pawan Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FSSAI.
Stating that advertising and marketing plays a key role in people making food choices, particularly children, FSSAI is actively taking note of the “irresponsible" advertising by some food companies to promote sales of their own foods often considered unhealthy as substitute for healthy foods.
“Tendency of the food companies to disparage freshly cooked food and vegetables that are healthier is a matter of grave concern. Such advertisements are against national efforts for promoting healthier and right eating habits, especially in the children from a young age, with the aim to ensure safe and wholesome food for them so that the kids feel better, grow better and learn better," FSSAI said in an official statement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in its resolution on marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children has asked the member-states to reduce the impact on children of marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt.
It also recommends that given the effectiveness of marketing is a function of exposure and power, the overall policy objective should be to reduce both the exposure of children to, and power of, marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt.
Aligned with the WHO advice, FSSAI has recently finalized the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018’. Under these regulations, the advertisements should not undermine the importance of healthy lifestyles, and also shall not promote or portray their food and beverages as a meal replacement unless otherwise specifically permitted by FSSAI.
Further, no advertisements or claims for articles of foods shall be made by any food business operator that undermines the products of any other manufacturer for the purpose of promoting their products or influencing consumer behavior, according to the food regulator.
Violation of these regulations attracts a penalty up to ₹10 lakh under Section (53) of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI is also in the process of finalizing regulations to ensure safe and wholesome food for school children.
“A key proposal in the regulations is that foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar cannot be sold to school children in school canteens/mess premises/ hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus. Unhealthy diets are a key risk factor in childhood obesity that is rising rapidly," FSSAI statement said.
“Diets that have excess of salt and sugar not only harm the body but also the cognitive capabilities of the children. Therefore, at the heart of the proposed regulations is a fundamental idea to make it clear what is healthy for children and what is not and promote healthy eating habits amongst the children. These regulations are in draft stage under consultation," it said.
According to FSSAI, products deemed "less healthy" are now required to display labels grading their nutritional and sugar content, with those considered to be most unhealthy banned from appearing in ads across all media platforms, including broadcast, print and online channels. This aims to reduce the influence of such advertisements on consumer preferences, the food regulator said.
“Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL) operates McDonald's restaurants in West and South India and the print ad in question was not issued by us. We have already written to the FSSAI clarifying the same," said a spokesperson in response to Mint's query.
*Saumya Tewari contributed to the story.
Food regulator issues notice to McDonald’s for ‘irresponsible advertising’
On November 9, 2019, McDonald’s issued a full-page advertisement in a national daily that read, “Stuck with Ghiya-Tori Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love”.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a showcause notice to McDonald’s
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a showcause notice to McDonald’s for a newspaper advertisement it considered “irresponsible advertising”. The fast-food major could face a fine of up to ₹10 lakh in case it is unable to give a satisfactory response.
On November 9, 2019, McDonald’s issued a full-page advertisement in a national daily that read, “Stuck with Ghiya-Tori Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love”.
“The central licensing authority and FSSAI’s designated officer at New Delhi and Mumbai have taken cognizance of this and issued showcause notices for contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 as to why further action should not be initiated against McDonald for this,” read the notice dated November 20.
The FSSAI objected to the advertisement saying it was promoting unhealthy substitutes for healthy food.
“It is pushing the concept of creative liberty too far. They are trying to promote their food which is unhealthy viz-a-viz healthier vegetables like ‘tori’ and ‘tinda’. The FSSAI considered the matter and found it contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018,” said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer, FSSAI.
McDonald’s has been given time till December 27 to respond.
“Our designated officers issued the notice a couple of days ago, and technically seven days are given to an FBO to respond to allegations. If the officer concerned is not satisfied with the response then it will go for adjudication. There is a provision for fining up to Rs 10 lakh for a violator,” said Agarwal.
Singapore recently banned advertisement for the unhealthy sugary drinks in a move to combat rising diabetes rates. “The aim is to create a healthy ecosystem, and not promote foods that are of low nutritional value,” Agarwal said.
McDonald’s did not respond to HT’s request for a comment.
FSSAI notice to McDonald’s over ‘ghiya-tori’ advertisement
McDonald’s has been asked to submit its reply to the notice within a week. The company had allegedly issued full page advertisements that read: “Stuck with Ghiya-Tori Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love.”
XMcDonald’s and Bakshi in 1995 had signed a partnership agreement to open outlets of the US fast-food chain in India. It was for a period of 25 years.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sent a showcause notice to fast-food giant McDonald’s for contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
McDonald’s has been asked to submit its reply to the notice within a week. The company had allegedly issued full page advertisements that read: “Stuck with Ghiya-Tori Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love.”
In a statement FSSAI said: “Tendency of the food companies to disparage freshly cooked food and vegetables that are healthier is a matter of grave concern. Such advertisements are against national efforts for promoting healthier and right eating habits, especially in the children from a young age, with the aim to ensure safe and wholesome food for them so that the kids feel better, grow better and learn better.”
The Eat Right campaign, launched recently by the Health Ministry, aims at nudging people towards healthier food choices. WHO, in its resolution on marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children, has asked the member-states to reduce the impact on children of marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt. It also recommends that given the effectiveness of marketing is a function of exposure and power, the overall policy objective should be to reduce both the exposure of children to, and power of, marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt.
Aligned with the WHO advice, FSSAI recently finalised the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. Under these regulations, the advertisements should not undermine the importance of healthy lifestyles, and also shall not promote or portray their food & beverages as a meal replacement unless otherwise specifically permitted by FSSAI.
FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said: “Food companies must desist from issuing advertisements/publicity materials which are in violation of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and rules/regulations made thereunder. FSSAI is committed to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for all citizens of the country through various means like education, awareness building and regulatory enforcement and to achieve these goals the Eat Right campaign is going on across the country.”
McDonald’s operates in India through franchisees Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd (HRPL) and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CRPL). HRPL, in a statement said, “Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited operates restaurants in West and South India and the print ad in question was not issued by us. We have already written to the FSSAI clarifying the same.”
Calls, messages and an email to CRPL went unanswered.
Food regulator slaps notice on McDonald's for disparaging freshly cooked food in ad
NEW DELHI: Food regulator FSSAI has slapped a show-cause notice on McDonald's for disparaging freshly cooked food and vegetables in its advertisements to promote fast food.
In its notice, the FSSAI referred to a full-page advertisement by McDonald's in newspapers earlier this month that had said, "Stuck with Ghiya-Tori (bottle gourd-sponge gourd) Again? Make the 1+1 Combo you love".
The food sector watchdog issued a show-cause notice to Hardcastle Restaurants and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd - the franchise that operates McDonald's fastfood chain in India - seeking response on why action should not be initiated against them, a statement by the FSSAI said.
McDonald's had over the last weekend carried advertisements in newspapers seeking to get traffic at its outlets by allegedly disparaging home cooked food and healthy vegetables.
The regulator has "noted with concern incidence of irresponsible advertising by some food companies to promote sales of their own foods often considered unhealthy as substitute for healthy foods", the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said.
McDonald's has been asked to give explanation in stipulated timeframe.
Violation of FSSAI's advertisement code attracts a penalty up to Rs 10 lakh.
"Central licensing authority and FSSAI's designated officer at New Delhi and Mumbai have taken cognizance of this and issued show cause notices for contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 as to why further action should not be initiated against McDonald's for this," the statement said.
Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL) said in a statement that it "operates restaurants in west and south India and the print ad in question was not issued by us. We have already written to the FSSAI clarifying the same".
In a letter to the regulator, Hardcastle Restaurants has requested it to withdraw the notice.
Response from Connaught Plaza Restaurants could not be immediately obtained.
These FSSAI regulations, which are aimed at cracking down on misleading advertisements and making brand ambassadors accountable, came into effect from July this year.
"We Hardcastle Restaurants operate Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) under the brand name of McDonald's in the territories of west and south India. The entity which operates QSRs under the brand name McDonald's in the territories of north and east India is Connaught Plaza Restaurants which is a separate and distinct legal entity and with which we do not have any nexus and/or connection of any nature whatsoever," Hardcastle said in the letter to the FSSAI.
The franchisee further said that the Delhi market comes under north India where it does not operate.
"Tendency of the food companies to disparage freshly cooked food and vegetables that are healthier is a matter of grave concern. Such advertisements are against national efforts for promoting healthier and right eating habits, especially in the children from a young age, with the aim to ensure safe and wholesome food for them so that the kids feel better, grow better and learn better," the FSSAI said in the statement.
The regulator acknowledged that advertising and marketing plays a key role in people making food choices, particularly children but went on to expressed deep concern about "irresponsible" advertising and marketing by food companies.
It cited WHO's resolution asking member-states to reduce the impact on children of marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt.
"Aligned with the WHO advice, the FSSAI has recently finalized the 'Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018'. Under these regulations, the advertisements should not undermine the importance of healthy lifestyles, and also shall not promote or portray their food and beverages as a meal replacement unless otherwise specifically permitted by FSSAI," the statement said.
Further, no advertisements or claims for articles of foods shall be made by any food business operator that undermines the products of any other manufacturer for the purpose of promoting their products or influencing consumer behaviour, it said.
FSSAI said it is also in the process of finalising regulations to ensure safe and wholesome food for school children.
"A key proposal in the regulations is that foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar cannot be sold to school children in school canteens / mess premises / hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus," it said.
Unhealthy diets, the regulator said, are a key risk factor in childhood obesity that is rising rapidly.
"Diets that have excess of salt and sugar not only harm the body but also the cognitive capabilities of the children. Therefore, at the heart of the proposed regulations is a fundamental idea to make it clear what is healthy for children and what is not, and promote healthy eating habits amongst the children," the statement said adding the regulations are in draft stage under consultation.
‘Keep grains out of food safety act purview’
Indore: The Sakal Anaj Dalhan Tilhan Vyapari Mahasangh Samiti, an association of grain merchants, has urged government to not impose Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 on grains.
They have written to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in this regard. A delegation of the samiti would meet Union minister of Health and family welfare Harsh Vardhan next month. The samiti president Gopal Das Agrawal said, “Like farmers, traders should also be kept out of the purview of Food Safety and Standards Act. We procure and transport food grains in raw form to manufacturers or processors without any value addition.”
Grain merchants said, the liability of the act should be only on manufacturers and processors because they add value to the food grains that is consumed directly by the consumer.
The samiti general secretary Radheshyam Maheswari said, “When we are not engaged in adding any kind of value to the food grain and procure raw and transport the same in the raw form, why should it be implemented on us.” TNN
Nov 22, 2019
Soon, bakeries to have 'healthy shelf'
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health-conscious persons are often let with no choice at a bakery. However, things are changing. After introducing a draft regulation which proposed to ban sale of food containing high, salt, sugar and fat (popularly known as junk food) within 50 metres radius of school campuses, the food safety department is bringing ‘bakeries’, which is a popular hangout for students, under its safe food initiative.
Interestingly, the Bakery Owners’ Association is open to the safe food proposal of the food safety department. In a recent meeting of food safety department which was attended by representatives of Bakery Owners Association, nutritionists, dietitians and experts, the bakery owners agreed to the idea of setting up a ‘healthy shelf’ in their bakeries, which will have healthy snacks.
Food safety officer Karthika S said that the bakery owners were receptive of the idea of a healthy shelf. “The healthy shelf will have healthy items such as steamed snack that have less sugar, salt and fat content and are devoid of trans-fats. As a pilot project, we asked the bakery owners to suggest some bakeries where health shelf can be implemented. As per their suggestion, it will be implemented in five bakeries in Thiruvananthapuram in the pilot scheme," she said. Ambrosia, MRA, Supreme, St Michales and Azad will provide healthy shelf in the pilot scheme.
Michel David, owner of St Michels in Thiruvananthapuram, said that the healthy shelf will come up in their outlets by January 1. “We will provide a tag ‘corner for conscious persons. It will have health items such as our traditional snack varieties like ‘ada’, ‘kozhukatta’, ‘vattayappam’, ‘kumbilappam’ etc and also wheat bread, oats bread and other multigrain breads. We also will try to introduce healthy alternatives of burgers and cakes. The food safety department has agreed to provide all supports,” David said.
However, David added that less than 10% of consumers are seeking healthy items. “Recently, I got an order from a faculty in Kerala University for 400 pieces of steamed snack and dry ginger coffee. I suggested food safety department to launch awareness campaigns so that people choose healthy food items,” he said.
The food safety department has also requested bakery owners to reduce trans-fat contents in food items. The bakery owners informed the practical difficulties and asked the department to provide awarness to manufacturers and distributers. The department asked association to provide details of manufactures of products which have vanaspati, margarine etc.
28 of 38 food samples collected from Meerut during festive season fail safety test
Meerut: The results of tests carried out on ‘festive foods’ collected from Meerut shops by the state Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) during the month of October are out, and they are not looking good.
Out of 38 food items, reports on which have been released, 28 have failed the test. Of these, three were found unsafe, five substandard and the rest 20 were found misbranded. The FSDA has already initiated action against various establishments by slapping a fine of Rs 15.1 lakh in total on them.
“As many as 145 food samples were collected in the festive month of October, covering Dussehra and Diwali. Till now, 38 reports have arrived from Lucknow, of which 28 have failed the test,” said Archana Dheeran, designated food officer, FSDA. The suspicious food samples collected from Meerut were carefully sealed and sent to the laboratory in Lucknow, to avoid tampering in transit.
The three unsafe items — all of them protein supplements — had the prohibited carmoisine, which causes hyperactivity and is alleged to cause water retention, as per reports. The five substandard items included one sample each of ghee, refined bran oil and others. The misbranded items included 18 samples of namkeen, one of sabudana and one of salt.
“Fines totaling Rs 15.10 lakh were imposed on those flouting norms, and inquiry is being carried out as per norms,” said Dheeran.
Nov 21, 2019
FSSAI regulation for fast food ads near schools likely to move brands to digital campaigns
Experts say the draft regulation by Food Safety & Standards Authority of India urging fast food brands to abstain from advertising near schools will lead to a shift from OOH to social media campaigns
In a bid to keep children away from junk food, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently issued a draft regulation urging fast food brands to abstain from advertising within 50 meters of schools. While the move is in line with imparting healthy eating habits among school kids, this is most likely to spur changes in the advertising strategy among fast food brands.
The FSSAI draft notification says: “School Authority shall ensure that no person shall offer or expose for sale of pre-packaged foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar as per the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and display) Regulations, 2019 to school children in school canteens/ mess premises/ hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus.”
For fast food brands, close to 20 to 25 per cent of their total OOH property is placed in front of schools, colleges and other places that are frequented by youngsters aged between 7 and 21.
Now, as per the FSSAI notification applicable for school campuses, the fast food players will stick to OOH outside colleges and other institutions but move the entire chunk of OOH from outside schools to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Most of the brands have now decided to take their campaigns online.
“It is outside the schools where we reach our most important clientele - the youngsters. But then we cannot go against FSSAI, so we will take all campaign online on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and others. These platforms are already important for us but with FSSAI’s order this will become even more vital as they will be the only places where we can grab our Target Group’s maximum attention,” said the founder of a leading milkshake chain on the condition of anonymity.
Charanjeet Singh Arora, CEO, Kinetic India, says, “Since FSSAI has proposed to restrict the sale and advertisement of food products in school premises and within 50 meters of the school campus, brands can now try to invest on bus shelters or on the way to schools to grab the attention of the target audience.”
It remains to be now seen what innovations and strategy changes emerge from the players in this sector.
Gujarat government to ban sale of junk food in and around schools
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended a ban on sale of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in schools and the state government is in the process of framing draft rules for the same.
Gujarat government to ban sale of junk food in and around schools.
The Gujarat government is in the process of banning sale of junk food in schools as well as in the 50-meter area around them to encourage consumption of healthy food among children.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended a ban on sale of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in schools and the state government is in the process of framing draft rules for the same.
To promote healthy food eating habits among children, a ban has to be imposed on sale of food with high fat, sugar and salt in school canteens as well as in the 50-meter area around schools.
“That means junk food items cannot be sold in and around schools of the state, Commissioner of Food Safety and Food and Drug Control Administration H G Koshia said.
Advertisements of junk food will also not be allowed in and around schools, he said, adding that FSSAI, India’s regulator for the food industry, has recommended a ban on sale of junk food in schools.
The step has been taken to promote eating of healthy food from childhood so that the problems like obesity and diseases caused by consumption of junk food can be controlled, Koshia said.
The draft rules will be circulated among stake-holders like schools, food business operators and others and their opinion will be sought before implementing the ban, officials said.
The FSSAI has formed draft regulations titled ‘Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019’.
Officials raid shop, seize pan masala containing tobacco sachets
Dehradun: A local shop was raided in Doiwala on Wednesday where a joint team of the Food and Drugs department and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized several sachets of ‘pan masala’.
Officials suspect that the seized samples of pan masala may have high nicotine and tobacco content, and hence sent the samples to a laboratory for testing.
In October, the state government had banned the sale and distribution of tobacco sachets, which are sold along with pan masala packets. “Though pan masala comes under edible category, but the product shouldn’t have nicotine and other harmful chemicals. We have raided a store in Doiwala who is the distributor of pan masala. We have sent the samples for testing at laboratory,” food safety officer, FDA, Dehradun, Yogendra Pandey, told TOI.
An FDA official, on the condition of anonymity, said that the ingredients were not clearly mentioned in the product, but they suspect that the items may have some harmful contents like tobacco or nicotine.
Food safety officer Pandey said DM C Ravishankar had conducted a meeting of FSSAI and FDA and ordered them to conduct raids at shops and collect samples of pan masala to verify its content.
Nov 20, 2019
Nov 19, 2019
Over 500 kg banned tobacco products seized in Erode
Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seized 534 kg banned tobacco products at Perundurai in Erode on Monday.
Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department raided a provision shop and the shopkeeper’s house at Anand Nagar in Perundurai and seized 540 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 5 lakh here on Monday.
Based on a tip-off, District Collector C. Kathiravan directed District Designated Officer T. Kalaivani to inspect the shop. The team raided the shop on Perundurai-Chennimalai Road and found 40 kg banned tobacco products stocked for sale. Inquiries with the shopkeeper revealed that he was in possession of more products in his house in the same area. The team inspected the house and found 500 kg products in bags.
Ms. Kalaivani told The Hindu that the seized products had nicotine content. Samples would be sent for laboratory tests, based which action would be initiated, she said.
As per the provisions of Section 32 of The Food Safety and Standards Act, the shopkeeper’s license was cancelled. She said that around 4,600 kg banned tobacco products worth ₹ 46 lakh were seized from traders in the past two years and 40 cases were registered. Cases are in trial at the courts, she added.
Traders warned
Collector C. Kathiravan in a press release said that shops would be inspected to check sale of banned tobacco products and warned of action against those selling such products. He said that public can send complaints related to sale of banned food items or tobacco items on WhatsApp number 94440-42322 and or dial 0424-2223545. Complaints can be lodged in person at the Office of the Food Safety Department functioning on the premises of District Headquarters and Hospital, he said.
Gujarat govt to ban sale of junk food in and around schools
The Gujarat government is in the process of banning sale of junk food in schools as well as in the 50-meter area around them to encourage consumption of healthy food among children.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended a ban on sale of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in schools and the state government is in the process of framing draft rules for the same.
To promote healthy food eating habits among children, a ban has to be imposed on sale of food with high fat, sugar and salt in school canteens as well as in the 50-meter area around schools.
"That means junk food items cannot be sold in and around schools of the state, Commissioner of Food Safety and Food and Drug Control Administration H G Koshia said.
Advertisements of junk food will also not be allowed in and around schools, he said, adding that FSSAI, India's regulator for the food industry, has recommended a ban on sale of junk food in schools.
The step has been taken to promote eating of healthy food from childhood so that the problems like obesity and diseases caused by consumption of junk food can be controlled, Koshia said.
The draft rules will be circulated among stake-holders like schools, food business operators and others and their opinion will be sought before implementing the ban, officials said.
The FSSAI has formed draft regulations titled 'Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019'.
Implementing FSSAI ban on junk food around schools will be a challenge
While the prevention of sale of junk foods near schools can help curb the unhealthy snacking tendencies among school children, ensuring a control over the urge to consume junk food at home will require greater awareness drives where the government will have to focus on healthy eating.
Irony is perhaps what describes the DNA of India appropriately. On the one hand the country scores very poorly on the Global Hunger Index, and on the other it is increasingly witnessing a veritable ‘nutrition transition’ every day, with enhanced consumption of junk food, especially among school children.
Defined as those food items that are high in fats, sugar, and salt (HFSS), junk foods inherently contain no nutritionally redeemable qualities with little or zero minerals, proteins or vitamins. The etymology of the term ‘junk food’ takes us to Michael Jacobson, co-founder of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, who in 1972 was the one who first used the term ‘Junk Food’ and continues to advocate for healthy food. He was also behind the terming of Fettuccine Alfredo as a dish that was “heart attack on a plate!”
Lifestyle changes and growing commercialisation have ensured that junk food have found an increased acceptance among children, and this has prompted a Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) draft regulation banning the sale of junk food in and around school premises from December. This is a welcome move.
While many believe that the fast food and junk food culture is predominant only in urban centres, according to a recent study conducted by a team from the Department of Human Nutrition, AIIMS, in Himachal Pradesh, even rural areas are catching up fast. Similar studies in Baroda, Lucknow and Delhi also pin pointed the increased in-take of packaged junk foods, such as chocolates, soft drinks and bakery products. The results of these are for all to see: increased incidences of childhood obesity, which brings in its wake other medical problems such as respiratory illnesses and lifestyle diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc).
According to a study, there are 135 million obese people in India; and, if corrective measures are not undertaken, children would form a large part of this. Figures from the World Obesity Federation cite that India will have around 27 million obese children by 2030. An interesting study, published in the online journal Obesity, by a research team in New York, outlines accessibility and proximity to junk food outlets as one of the reasons for growing incidence of obesity, especially in children.
The FSSAI regulation was drafted towards the end of ensuring healthy, safe and wholesome food for school children, with the core idea of drawing clear guidelines on what food is healthy for children and what is not. The draft regulation states that “foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar cannot be sold to school children in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus.”
Further the draft states that the regulation aims to “encourage school authorities to promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition.” Under its ‘Eat Right’ project, the FSSAI plans to ban all such HFSS foods, in school canteens, hostel-mess and kitchens within a 50-metre radius of schools. The FSSAI also has plans afoot to limit the amount of trans fat content in vegetable oils and vegetable fats to 2 per cent from 5 per cent, and has set its sight on making India trans-fat-free by 2022. These are all laudable aspirations!
The FSSAI’s decision is welcome because schools can serve as a right platform to create awareness to inculcate the habit of healthy eating. While the fast food culture has set roots firmly in urban centres, schools would be the appropriate place to check this trend and cater to a fitting demographic profile.
The challenge will be in enforcing such a regulation. A befitting example would be the lackadaisical implementation of the rule which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of a school. A cursory check of schools around us will unfortunately show that this rule is not enforced in all its strictness.
While the prevention of sale of junk foods near schools can help curb the unhealthy snacking tendencies among school children, ensuring a control over the urge to consume junk food at home will require greater awareness drives where the government will have to focus on healthy eating. Thus, snacking at home also requires strict supervision by parents ensuring that children eat nutritious, unprocessed food, and also engage in outdoor and physical activities.
Nov 18, 2019
Forbidden fruits: Why artificial ripening can give you a raw deal
Last Wednesday, officials of the food safety department seized 10 tonnes of banana ripened using ethylene solution from the Koyambedu wholesale fruit market. But this was not a one-off case. In the past year, food safety officials have raided shops and seized several tonnes fruits from across the city.
“But that is only a small amount of what is being sold,” said Chennai’s designated food safety official Dr A Ramakrishnan. The sector is unorganised and there aren’t many food inspectors doing checks. In most cases, there are no quick tests that can confirm artificial ripening. “We look for chemicals in the store or go by the vendor's confession,” he said.
Food analysts said they have seen fruits such as melons injected with sugar solution to make them sweeter. Red dyes are injected in guavas.
Since naturally ripened fruits have a shorter shelf life, most suppliers ripen them artificially. “They are picked and transported when raw. Else they become too soft and perish. Some fruits are ripened in rice-bins or under paddy straws. But this can take time and most fruits don’t ripen uniformly. So we use artificial methods,” said S Srinivasan, president of Chennai Fruits Commission Agents Association.
In artificial ripening, the process is controlled to achieve desired characteristics and make the fruit fit for sale. It is considered safe and is permitted by authorities provided safe ripening agents are used. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has permitted the use of ethylene gas to ripen some fruits. “Officials say we can pass on the cost to the customer. But we don’t have enough chambers available and we can’t keep the fruit waiting,” said K Gnanasekar, one of the fruit vendors. “That’s when many vendors pick the masala packets,” he said.
‘Masala’ is the nickname given to calcium carbide – a carcinogenic chemical used in making explosives. It generates acetylene gas. FSSAI has banned the use of this chemical to artificially ripen fruits. But vendors pack them in small bundles and leave them in between mangoes, bananas and sapodillas. In February, officials destroyed more than 2000kg of sapodillas and seized 9.5kg of calcium carbide. By May, when the mango season was at its peak, officials seized 4500kg of mangoes from Ashok Nagar and Koyambedu.
Nutritionists say fruits and vegetable provide dietary fibre, folate and vitamins A and C, minerals and antioxidants. But the presence of chemicals renders them useless, almost. “It is important to buy fruits that are seasonal,” said diabetologist Dr V Mohan.
Off-season fruits and vegetables that are not locally available are often kept in cold storage and adulterated. “Chemicals added to fruits to increase shelf life can cause allergies, stomach disorders, kidney diseases and cancer,” said S Radha, a senior nutritionist. “It’s important to pick the right fruit. A fruit that is too sweet and less in flavour may be unsafe,” she said.
CRACKDOWN: Food safety department officials raid a shop selling bananas at Koyambedu wholesale market
Govt-run hostels being renovated, but boarders voice concerns on food quality
Hostels run by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department in the city are getting a facelift, but poor quality food continues to remain an issue for inmates.
These hostels are home to hundreds of students hailing from different parts of Tamil Nadu who are pursuing courses in higher education in various educational institutions at Chennai.
A visit by TOI to various hostels on Sunday found students criticising the food being served for its ‘bland taste’ and the quality of water supplied at the facilities. TOI found that the number of occupants per room exceeds its designated strength —six per room.
“The living conditions are far better after the ongoing renovation work. However, there is no improvement in the quality of food served to us,” Sharma, a second year undergraduate and an inmate of the MC Raja College Boys Hostel in Saidapet said. His peers at the hostel voiced their concern over yellow coloured 'idlis' being served to them, apart from unhygienic drinking water. Inmates of Government College Boys Hostel at Nandanam and Kodambakkam also had similar complaints about food quality.
The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department is running 22 hostels in the city, out of which 10 are for women students. According to official sources, about 2,800 inmates are staying in these hostels. “In a bid to keep outsiders away, we have already installed bio-metric scanner at MC Raja College Boys Hostel. There is a proposal to extend it to other hostels,” a department official said. Former inmates, who have completed their education are being evicted from these hostels, the official said.
Sources further said that the hostels are getting renovated at a budget of ₹15 crore. The renovation process at these hostels is in various stages of completion. “We will take steps to improve the quality of rice being served to inmates. A lot of care is being taken to supply clean drinking water... it is subjected to reverse osmosis before being distributed to these hostels,” an official said.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN: The kitchen and the entrace of the MC Raja Govt Hostel in Saidapet in Chennai. Hostel inmates have complained of poor quality of food and water being served
Pesticide restrictions may benefit tea sector
Tea, having chemicals like Ethion, Tetradifon and Triazophos, are denied entry into the US as well.
The move stems from the government’s concerns over the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides and the Pesticides Management Bill would seek to regulate the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up a regulatory authority.
At a time when the demand for organic agri products, including tea, is heading northward worldwide, the Centre seems to well set to bring in and pass two long pending bills — the Pesticides Management Bill, that will replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Seeds Management Bill. The move stems from the government’s concerns over the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides and the Pesticides Management Bill would seek to regulate the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up a regulatory authority.
In less than a year ago, India lost nearly 26 per cent of its tea business to the US with the US revising its permissible pesticides’ list, and a major portion of Indian orthodox tea, meant for the US exports, getting disqualified for a US entry. Going by the Tea Board of India statistics, Indian tea exports to the US declined by 33 per cent — from 11.68 mkg to 7.84 million kg (mkg), while income from exports to the US during the period was down 26 per cent — from $48.40 mn to $35.97 mn. Mind you that Indian orthodox teas, under normal circumstances, fetch one of its best prices in the US which usually hover around $ 4.60 a kilo. It is more than 50 per cent higher than what a kilo of the average Indian tea sells for every year.
It is not just the US, but the European Commission also defines MRL as the highest level of a pesticide residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed when pesticides are applied correctly. While 34 different varieties of chemicals, used in pesticides and for treating the tea leaves are permitted, chemicals like DDT and Lindane are banned in the US. The licence permitting Endosulfan has also expired and is not likely to be renewed. Tea, having chemicals like Ethion, Tetradifon and Triazophos, are denied entry into the US as well.
The Tlabs chain of research laboratories, operated by the Tea Research Association (TRA) has been strictly monitoring tea quality and pesticides residue level under the Foods Safety Standards Authority of India (Fssai). The TRA-operated Tlabs chain has also got Fssai accreditation to do that. These Tlabs operate on both ends to investigate quality of tea according to pesticides parameters in one lab and quality parameters in the other lab. Various quality parameters being monitored by Fssai include pesticide residues, presence of heavy metals, iron fillings and toxic substances.
Tlabs also has collaboration with various industry bodies across the world that deal with tea including Tea & Herbal Infusions Europe, UK, the Iran Tea Association. Significantly, both the UK and Iran are large importers of Indian tea. Indian tea exporters are currently worried over increasingly erratic payments from Iran owing to the banking sanctions imposed by the United States. However, these worries and anxieties notwithstanding, India exported 41 mn kg of tea to Iran in the first eight months of 2019, up from 18 mn kg exported in the first eight months of 2018.
Modern Dairy products inspected for quality by FDA
The FDA officials seized a total of 561 kilogrammes of spurious curd, malai, paneer, and fresh cream collectively worth Rs 1,23,691 on Friday
FDA officials said the food items sold at Modern Dairy violated the norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and is a serious threat to the public.
In a surprise raid conducted on Friday, the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) Pune seized paneer (cottage cheese), curd and cream from Modern Dairy shop located in Camp area, to inspect for quality.
The FDA officials seized a total of 561 kilogrammes of curd, malai, paneer, and fresh cream collectively worth Rs 1,23,691 on Friday.
According to Food And Drug Administration officials, the products would be inspected for hygiene.
Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA, Pune, said they received a tip-off on which the action was taken
Earlier this month, FDA conducted surprise checks at 100 eateries, creameries, milk establishments across the city. Most of the cases were attributed to unhygienic preparations, usage of acids and other colouring methods.
The officials said that any violations of norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a serious threat to the public.
Nov 15, 2019
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