......................................................................................................................................................

FDA seizes khoya, oil, vanaspati worth Rs 37.72 lakh in festive season

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mumbai, seized khoya, oil and vanaspati worth Rs 37.72 lakh during the festive season from October 1 to November 30 and also collected 33 samples as part of the drive.

Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA, Greater Mumbai, said, “We have conducted special raids against all those FBOs which have been involved in adulteration during the festive season. In order to curb the incidence of adulteration this drive was conducted all over Mumbai.”

Sahebrao V Mule, FDA, food safety officer, Zone 9, Mumbai, informed, “We conducted raids in all wards and zone of Mumbai and collected 33 samples. We are awaiting the results of the collected samples. We have seized khoya weighing 17,219 kg and worth Rs 27,86,776, and oil and vanaspati worth Rs 9,84,700 respectively.”

He added, “Vanaspati of First Class and Ruchera brands both from South India have been seized. First Class vanaspati 530 tins of 15 kg each and Ruchera 150 tins of 15 kg each have been seized whereas in oil, mustard oil 60 tins of 15 kg each and 2 tons loose, groundnut oil 2 tons and palmolein oil 40 tins of 15 kg each have been seized.”

Mule said, “We have sent all the samples to laboratory for testing on 8th November and we are awaiting the results. After the result is out and if the product is found to be injurious to health, complaint will be filed at court and the court will decide about the action taken on the culprits.”

Most of the khoya comes from Gujarat and Rajasthan, the groundnut oil comes from Gujarat, mustard oil comes from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh while palmolein oil is imported from Malaysia.

 ......................................................................................................................................................

Are you a Tea Coffee drinker during Train Travel ?

	Bath heater is used for making tea.
	Your tea is made in a special zone near public toilet.
	Caters use toilet water for making tea!?  SO THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK....................................

...................................................................................................................................................... 

Diabetes and you

India houses over 61 million diabetics and the forecast is that there will be 100 million diabetics by 2030. China is the world capital for diabetes with India a close second. More than 70 per cent of middle aged Indians will suffer with non-insulin dependent diabetes during their lifetime. Results of a 10-year analysis from Southern India (1994 - 2004) reveal a trend towards increasing prevalence in both urban and rural population with more number of younger persons, particularly women, afflicted with diabetes.

“Though diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and lifestyle factors, the most obvious reason for this increase in the number of young diabetics is their frenetic lifestyle”, says Rajesh Shah, consulting physician and cardiologist, Better Health Foundation.

“Diabetes is one of the diseases that affects the endocrine system. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin is still produced but the body becomes resistant to it,” explains M. Ravi Kiran, endocrinologist, Agada Health Care. “Endocrinologists can help you manage your diabetes, by prescribing insulin and/or medications, and offering diet plans,” he says.

Kidney trouble

According to Soundarajan, head of the Department of Nephrology, SRMC, “Diabetes may damage almost every tissue and organ of the body, the kidney being one of them. If neglected, a person could go into diabetic nephropathy. Albumin in the urine, blood urea and creatinine levels should be checked once a month. Diabetics should avoid painkillers. They should watch out for swelling of the feet, extreme fatigue, weakness and breathlessness. Obese children should also be screened for diabetes,” he advises.

Feet first

A diabetic should take special care of his feet, says V.Ramnarayan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon SRMC. “Watch out for numbness, foot ulcers and carefully examine spaces between the toes and the soles of the feet. Socks should be washed regularly and changed every day and one should use footwear, preferably with ankle support. Nails should not be cut short and sharp edges should be filed,” he says.

Special care should be taken by those who plan to go on temple visits and have to walk barefoot. “Trivial foot lesions precede 85 per cent of leg amputations in India. Almost 75 percent of amputations are carried out in neuropathic feet with secondary infection, which are potentially preventable.”

The eyes of a diabetic also need special attention and care. Regular eye check-ups are a must says Amar Agarwal, chairman and managing director, Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. “The retina could get affected, and blood vessels in the eye could leak blood. Diabetes also produces early cataract. In extreme cases, the patient can lose eyesight.”

Depression and anxiety

There is also a link between depression and diabetes. According to Dr. Thara, Psychiatrist and Director, SCARF, “... Research studies have also demonstrated that the chances of developing diabetes was more amongst persons with current depressive and/or anxiety disorders. Some of the newer drugs used in the treatment of mental disorders might increase blood sugar levels. It is now important to monitor all patients on such drugs for their blood sugar levels,” she says.

Heart matters

Diabetics have a higher risk of cardio vascular disease (CVD). “Diabetes is a generalised micro and macro vascular disease, affecting various organs” says S. Thanikachalam, Chairman & Director of Cardiac Care Centre, Prof Emeritus, Sri Ramachandra University. “A concerted attempt to identify pre-diabetics and intervene to reverse the metabolic abnormality will prevent further increase in the prevalence of diabetes.”

According to M. Thanikachalam, cardiac surgeon, (American Board of Thoracic Surgery) preventive health check-up and a year-round management of health and wellness customised to one’s health profile and screening are absolutely essential. This led him to follow his dream project Agada, a one stop institute for comprehensive therapy with the focus on preventive treatment. It was established in association with the world leader in Diabetes Prevention Management and Care, Joslin Diabetes Centre, Harvard Medical School, Boston USA. “We believe in empowering you with skills to take ownership and manage your health optimally,” he says.

...................................................................................................................................................... 

Bakery Business 2012 – A key platform for launches and emerging trends

Bakery Business 2012 – A key platform for launches and emerging trends

This festive season, the country’s affection towards range of bakery products like assorted biscuits, pastries; designer chocolates, breads, raisins, and made-to-order theme cakes has reached to its zenith. That is because each of us loves to get bagfuls of these bakery products, which add power to our delight.
To represent this highly specialised sector of the Indian processed food industry, the seventh Bakery Business show—Bakery Business 2012—a national trade fair for bakery & pastry professionals, is being organised at World Trade Centre, Mumbai, from November 28 to 30, 2012. Hospitality First is organising the event.

Largest industry
As per the figures indicated by various market research firms, the current Indian bakery industry is the largest among the processed food industries. The estimated market was about Rs 3,295 crore in 2010-11 and it was expected to cross Rs 4,308 crore by 2012 end.

The growth in India’s bakery industry, which includes bread, biscuits, pastries, cakes, buns and rusk, mostly in the unorganised sector, is estimated to be in excess of 3 million tonnes per annum. It is these aspects and more about the bakery industry that the show is expected to highlight.

Launches, sourcing
“The show has proved and been recognised as the sole industry platform for new product launches, annual sourcing of bakery equipments, ingredients, technology and accessories besides forecasting and identifying industry trends. We have designed the seventh edition of Bakery Business fair in a manner that it will serve and fulfil every professional’s need from the bakery and pastry industry,” one of the organisers told F&B News.

The three-day trade fair will also showcase state-of-the-art packaging machinery & solutions, refrigerated display, coffee machines, chocolates and other bakery technology.

As for the response, about 100 exhibitors and more than 6,500 trade visitors participated in last year’s edition of the event. Pradeep Gopalan, director, Hospitality First, says, “The bakery & confectionery sector is growing swiftly. Many international manufacturers are looking to enter this sector. This year, we are expecting 150 national & international exhibitors, and about 10,000 trade visitors.”

4th India Bakery & Pastry Challenge
The India Bakery & Pastry Challenge (IBPC) is a professional bakery and pastry display competition to be organised at the national level, involving senior and apprentice chefs from hotels and bakery/pastry chains.

The winner of this competition will get an opportunity to be part of “Team India” for the upcoming Asia Pastry Cup 2014 in Singapore.

According to the organisers, the first edition of IBPC was staged alongside the fourth edition of Bakery Business in 2009. Since then, IBPC is being annually organised by Hospitality First under the close guidance and technical partnership from the industry's culinary body – the Western India Culinary Association (WICA).

WICA is represented by some of the industry’s most senior and internationally renowned bakery & pastry professionals. “The primary objective of IBPC 2012 is to establish a professional platform where bakery & pastry professionals across India could display their individual and combined skills and creativity, learn and share experiences, partner and network in a purely business like and competitive environment,” the organisers said. The competition is also partnered by Tower and Graceland Fruit.

The seventh edition will also encompass contemporary display of futuristic bakery technology and ingredients, interactive programmes, live demonstrations, educative and business seminars and a professional artistic pastry & bread competition.

2nd Home Bakers Challenge
The Bakery Business 2012 will also witness the second edition of Home Bakers Challenge, India’s only competition for professional home bakers. “Home Bakers Challenge received excellent response for its uniqueness and pioneering initiative by us last year. This year, we have decided to add newer categories and estimate that there will be drastic increase in participation and live demonstrations by internationally renowned chefs which will raise the bar in Home Baking in 2012.

Concurrent events
To make the three-day trade fair more interactive and skilled-based, the organisers have decided to arrange array of events on the sidelines of the Bakery Business exhibition.

There will be three-day Live Bakery Theatre, Bakery Business Knowledge seminar and Professional Bakery & Pastry Workshop.

“We also aim to develop & upgrade baking skills by watching leading bakery & pastry chefs presenting innovative recipes in Professional Bakery & Pastry Workshop. It will be conducted by internationally renowned master pastry chefs and our Bakery Business Knowledge seminars are focussed entirely towards efficient business operations with an eye on future markets and business opportunities in India,” Gopalan added.

Live Bakery Theatre
H Sawant, a student of MSc. in Hospitality Studies and regular visitor to the Bakery Business show, said, “Learning through observing is more effectual than learning through books. Modelling helps one to know the fine points in cooking, the task which classroom lectures fail to do. Thus the Live Bakery Theatre will be an apt medium for learning and upgrading baking skills by watching leading bakery and pastry chefs in action.”

Professionals and experts from wholesale bakery plants, retail outlets/malls/hypermarkets, in-house supermarket bakeries, catering companies, restaurants/hotels, resorts & country clubs, cafes, artisan bakeries, home bakers, snack producers, biscuit & cookie producers, sweetmeat marts & shops, cash & carry stores, convenience stores and distributors/importers of food & drinks are likely to participate in the trade show.

The other key partners and sponsors for the event are Selbourne, Enhance, Kamani Healthy Oils, and Apple Bakery Training Institute.

......................................................................................................................................................
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Dear all,
After a review of the previous advisory on product approval dated 6th August 2012, it has been found that the section stating that FBOs manufacturing products which have already received NOCs needn't apply again, is not in accordance with the FSS Act and Rules. Hence, it stands withdrawn. All persons manufacturing or importing the product need to take product approval duly.
Product Approval advisory (02-11-12).pdf
......................................................................................................................................................

New packaging norms under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2012
Friday, November 02, 2012 08:00 IST
Our Bureau, New Delhi

In tune with the announcement by the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution that the new packaging norms – the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2012, under the Legal Metrology Act, 2011 – would come into effect from Nov 1, 2012, a communication issued on Thursday notified the standard sizes for various commodities.
The commodities and specified packaging standards include:
Baby food: 25 gm, 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 300 gm, 350 gm, 400 gm, 450 gm, 500 gm, 600 gm, 700 gm, 800 gm, 900 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg.
Weaning food: Below 50 gm no restriction, 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 300 gm, 400 gm, 500 gm, 600 gm, 700 gm, 800 gm, 900 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg.
Biscuits: 25 gm, 50 gm, 60 gm, 75 gm, 100 gm, 120 gm, 150 gm, 200 gm, 250 gm, 300 gm, thereafter in multiples of 100 gm up to 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 500 gm up to 5 kg.
Bread including brown bread but excluding bun: 50 gm and thereafter in of multiples 50 gm upto 500 gm and above 500 gm in the multiples of 100 gm.
Un-canned packages of butter and margarine: Below 25 gm no restriction, 25 gm, 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
Cereals and pulses: Below 100 gm no restriction, 100 gm, 200 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and thereafter multiples of 5 kg.
Coffee: Below 25 gm no restriction, 25 gm, 50 gm, 75 gm, 100 gm, 150 gm, 200 gm, 250 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg, and thereafter in multiples of 1 kg.
Tea: Below 25 gm no restriction, 25 gm, 50 gm, 100 gm, 125 gm, 250 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 1 kg.
Materials which may be constituted or reconstituted as beverages: Below 50 gm no restriction, 50 gm, 75 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 250 gm, 400 gm, 450 gm, 500 gm, 750 gm, 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 1 kg (56 gm and 61 gm for medical purpose only).
Edible oils, vanaspati, ghee, butter oil: 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 250 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg. If net quantity is declared by volume then 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 5 litre and thereafter in multiple of 5 litre and the net quantity must be declared by mass also in the same size of letters/ numerals.
Milk powder: Below 50 gm no restriction, 50 gm, 100 gm, 150 gm, 200 gm, 250 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 500 gm.
Rice (powdered), flour, atta, rawa and suji: 100 gm, 200 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg, 1.25 kg, 1.5 kg, 1.75 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
Salt: Below 50 gm in multiples of 10 gm, 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm, 500 gm, 750 gm, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
Aerated soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages: 65 ml (fruit-based drinks only), 100 ml, 125 ml (fruit-based drinks only), 150 ml, 160 ml, 175 ml, 180 ml, 200 ml, 240 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 330 ml (in cans only), 350 ml, 400 ml, 475 ml, 500 ml, 600 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre, 1.2 litre, 1.25 litre, 1.5 litre, 1.75 litre, 2 litre, 2.25 litre, 2.5 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre and 5 litre.
Mineral water and drinking water: 100 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre, 1.5 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre, 5 litre and in multiples of 5 litre.
However, non-standard packs which have already been manufactured and packed on or before October 31, 2012, and are ready for sale in different retail outlets, have been exempted from penal action. Controllers of Legal Metrology in all the states and UTs have been asked to ensure strict compliance of the order.

......................................................................................................................................................

Small-scale food producers need to form coops to capture markets: FAO chief
Friday, November 02, 2012


One of the only chances small-scale food producers have to gain competitive access to local and global markets is by banding together in cooperatives, FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva told a meeting of the World Cooperatives Congress in Manchester on Wednesday.

The International Year of Cooperatives is being observed in 2012.

"Cooperatives follow core values and principles that are critical to doing business in an equitable manner, that seeks to empower and benefits its members and the community it is inserted in," Graziano da Silva said in a keynote speech. "This is especially relevant in poor rural communities, where joining forces is central to promoting sustainable local development."

He said that in the case of agriculture, the cooperative business model helps small- and medium-scale farmers, fishers and others add value to their production and gain access to markets. Many food producers, through their cooperatives, are now even taking part in policy-making discussions that affect their lives.

In her speech to the congress, Pauline Green, president, International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), stressed on the importance of increased participation of the people in the decision-making process.

Reduce poverty to reduce hunger
"Whether you are in the UK, Brazil, Kenya, Thailand or Nepal, cooperatives help to generate employment, boost national economies and reduce poverty," he told congress members from around the world attending a week-long expo. "This, in turn, helps to improve food security."

Graziano da Silva recalled that although the number of hungry people had declined by 132 million since 1990, it still stood at almost 870 million, which he said was unacceptable in a world that produced enough food for all.

The FAO chief said that his organisation was committed to fostering the growth of agricultural cooperatives, including through appointing special ambassadors for cooperatives to spread the word and by developing approaches, guidelines, methodologies and training tools on organisational development and policy support.

He called on his audience to contribute to the global plan of action that will emerge from the International Year of Cooperatives, perhaps by assisting less advanced fellow cooperatives in developing countries.

Graziano da Silva welcomed the proposal presented by ICA to create a global development fund to support cooperatives in the developing world, focussing on agricultural and rural cooperatives in Africa.

"We want their cooperatives to be as strong as our cooperatives," said the chairman of the Cooperative Banking Group and Global Development Cooperative, Paul Flowers, who presented the proposal to the congress.

......................................................................................................................................................

Diet foods with thicker textures are expected to suppress hunger: Research
Friday, November 02, 2012


Diet foods that offer thicker, creamier textures increase expectations that the food will be satisfying and suppress hunger, reveals new research by Sussex academics published on Wednesday in a journal.

Low-calorie foods may help people lose weight, but there is often a problem that people using them do not feel full.

New research by University of Sussex psychologists Keri McCrickerd, Lucy Chambers and Martin R Yeomans and Jeffrey M Brunstrom from the University of Bristol shows that subtle manipulations of texture and creamy flavour can increase the expectation that a fruit yoghurt drink will be filling and suppress hunger regardless of actual calorific content.

The research adds to current debate about satiety and low calorie food consumption: how full do low-calorie foods and drinks make people feel and for how long; and do low-calorie foods actually make people eat or drink more because the body is expecting more calories than are actually provided?

The Sussex researchers designed an experiment to first see whether or not adding a thickening agent (tara gum) increased the sensation of thickness, stickiness and creaminess of a yoghurt drink, and then looked at how these affected expected fullness and expected satiety.

The results showed that even people who are not trained in food tasting were able to accurately pick up subtle differences in drink texture even though the taste remained the same.

In the second phase of the experiment subjects rated how filling they expected a drink to be by selecting a portion of pasta that they thought would have the same effect on their hunger as drinking a bottle of a fruit yoghurt drink.

On average the thick drinks and the creamy drinks were expected to be more filling than the thin or non-creamy versions, and enhancing the creamy flavour of a thick drink further increased expected fullness. However, their contributions to expected satiety were not equal - only thickness (and not creamy flavour) had an effect on the expectation that a drink would suppress hunger over time.

Keri McCrickerd, who led the study, says: “Hunger and fullness are complicated issues because it is not just the calories in a food or drink that make it filling. Signals from the stomach are important but so too is how the drink feels in the mouth. In our study, both creaminess and texture affected expected fullness, but only thickness seemed to affect whether hunger was expected to be satisfied.”

“This may be because thick texture is a characteristic of food that we associate with being full. Consumer expectations are important and our study shows that consumers are sensitive to subtle changes in oral sensory characteristics of a drink, and that thick texture and creaminess can be manipulated to enhance expectations of fullness and satiety regardless of calories.”

......................................................................................................................................................

FBOs’ licensing & registration process across India makes slow progress
Thursday, November 01, 2012 08:00 IST
Abhitash Singh, Mumbai

The licensing and registration of food business operators (FBOs), FSSAI’s mega campaign to bring all the FBOs and food processing companies under the umbrella of the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, is once again in rough weather.

The programme, which was given a six-month extension to its previous deadline of August 4, 2012, could not utilise it properly as many states did not start the registration and licensing process as was expected of them. The regulations under FSSR for licensing and registration were first notified on August 5, 2011.

In some states, the state of affairs is shocking. For example, officials in-charge of licensing and registration in some states admitted to FnB News that the process was yet to start. Meanwhile, the online process, the software for which was developed with much fanfare, was also started on a trial basis in some states but even this could not gain the required momentum.

No wonder, a top official from FSSAI, on the condition of anonymity, informed FnB News, “Relaxation will be given to those states who have not yet started the process of registering and licensing the FBOs under the new regulations.”

As for Maharashtra, K B Sankhe, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Maharashtra, explained, “In Maharashtra, around 2,60,000 FBOs have already registered and licensed. Many FBOs are coming ahead to get themselves registered and licensed before the deadline of February 4, 2013. We are also organising awareness camps at many places in Maharashtra to make all the small and big food business operators aware about the importance of registration and licensing. Even though we initiated with online registration and licensing, the process through online is very slow.”

B Vijayan, food safety commissioner, Goa, stated, “More than 60 per cent of FBOs have been registered and licensed in Goa. The online process has not been successful here and the ratio is 70:30. Lack of awareness about online registration and licensing has forced many FBOs to apply manually.”

Talking about the progress in Gujarat, H G Koshia, food safety commissioner, FDCA, Gujarat, said, “We have registered and licensed more than 70,000 food business operators. Most of the registration and licensing was done manually and not online. The reason for this was lack of English and computer knowledge.

However, he added, “We are continuously organising awareness camps to make all FBOs aware about the importance of getting registered and licensed.”

Raji Srivastava, food safety commissioner, Punjab commented, “We have been conducting various awareness camps to make all the FBOs aware about the importance of getting themselves registered and licensed. The awareness camps organised by us are helping us to get more people to come ahead and get themselves licensed and registered. Till October 10, 2012, 4,576 and 24,599 FBOs have been issued licences and registration respectively.”

Meanwhile, Ashish Kumar, designated officer (headquarter), Bihar, said, “More than 14,000 FBOs from Bihar already have their licences and registration in place. We are waiting for more FBOs to come ahead and get them registered and licensed before the deadlines. They should not rush at last moment. We have also asked various organisations of FBOs to arrange awareness camps themselves and get more people for registration and licence. The online process is yet to start in our state.”

S Rajan, statistical officer, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Tamil Nadu, said, “Till date we have licensed and registered 1,51,310 FBOs. The number of FBOs who have been licensed are 17,316 and those who have registered themselves are 1,33,994. We are sure that before the deadlines we will be able to complete the process of licensing and registering of all the FBOs in the state. The process is offline because online work is under process.

Regulation 3.2.1 registration of petty food business
Every petty food manufacturer shall register themselves with the registering authority by submitting an application for registration in Form A under Schedule 2 of these regulations along with a fee as provided in Schedule 3.

The FBOs shall follow the basic hygiene and safety requirements provided in Schedule 4 (Part I) of these regulations and provide a self-attested declaration of adherence to these requirements with the application in the format provided in Annexure-1 under Schedule 2.

The registering authority shall consider the application and may either grant registration or reject it with reasons to be recorded in writing or issue notice for inspection, within 7 days of receipt of an application for registration. In the event of an inspection being ordered, the registration shall be granted by the registering authority after being satisfied with the safety, hygiene and sanitary conditions of the premises within a period of 30 days.

If registration is not granted, or denied, or inspection not ordered within 7 days as provided in above Sub-regulation (3) or no decision is communicated within 30 days as provided in above Sub-regulation (4), the food business operator may start his business, provided that it will be incumbent on the FBOs to comply with any improvement suggested by the registering authority at any later time provided that registration shall not be refused without giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard and for reasons to be recorded in writing. The registering authority shall issue a registration certificate and a photo identity card, which shall be displayed at prominent place at all times within the premises or vehicle or cart or any other place where the person carries on sale/manufacture of food in case of petty food business. The registering authority or any officer or agency specifically authorized for this purpose shall carry out food safety inspection of the registered establishments at least once in a year.

Regulation 3.2.2 license for food business
Subject to regulation 3.2.1 no person shall commence any food business unless he possesses a valid license under these regulations. Provided that any person or food business operator carrying on food business on the date of notification of these regulations, under a license, registration or permission, as the case may be, under the acts or orders mentioned in the second schedule of the act shall enable the licensing authority to collect complete information of all food establishments, get their existing license converted into the license/registration under these regulations by making an application to the licensing/registering authority within one year of notification of these regulations. No license fee will have to be paid for the remaining period of the validity of the earlier license or registration granted under any of the said acts or orders non-compliance with this provision by a food business operator will attract penalty under section 55 of the act. Provided further that any food business operator holding registration/license under any other act/order as specified under schedule 2 of the FSS Act, 2006, with no specific validity or expiry date, and other wise entitled to obtain a license under these regulations, shall have to apply and obtain a registration/license under these regulations within one year from the date of notification by paying the applicable fees.

......................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

Warning: Bulk of milk supplied by vendors across thecountry is either contaminated or adulterated, reveals govt report

The glass of milk that you consider to be the epitome of nutrition and good health may not be all that pure. In fact it can be harmful when unscrupulous vendor s use adulterants like detergent, urea and soda. The government has made the shocking admission that the bulk of milk supplied by vendors across the country is either contaminated or adulterated. Even packaged milk in some parts of the country is below standard. The admission comes in an affidavit filed by the Centre in an ongoing public interest litigation in the Supreme Court. Over 68 per cent of the samples of milk available across the country examined by food safety authorities have been found to be of substandard quality.
The admission comes in an affidavit filed by the Centre in an ongoing public interest litigation in the Supreme Court. Over 68 per cent of the samples of milk available across the country examined by food safety authorities have been found to be of substandard quality. These samples did not conform to standards fixed for different types of milk such as skimmed, toned and double toned. The analysis by the authorities revealed traces of detergent in some samples. This was apart from the use of water, glucose and skimmed milk powder, the most commonly used adulterants. Experts said dilution took away from the nutritive value of milk. "While packaged milk producers are governed by government standards, there is practically no check on non-packaged milk sold by vendors," said Dr Vinod Kansal, a leading dairy expert who was formerly with the National Dairy Research Institute in Karnal.
Usually, he said, milk is collected by vendors in unhygienic conditions and then stored for long durations. "All this increases the chances of lowering milk quality and results in bacterial contamination," Kansal said. In order to prevent milk from getting spoiled in summer season, milkmen add urea or soda, which are very harmful for humans. Dejon Mishra, consumer rights activist, said: "The food safety authority must mandate a system for tracking all milk products so that contaminated products could be traced. In the long run, steps should be taken to see that all milk sold in the country is packaged." The government analysis revealed that over 66 per cent of samples not conforming to standards were non-packaged samples while 33 per cent were packaged milk. The government said in its affidavit to the court that water was the most common adulterant and the addition of water reduced the nutritional value and posed a danger to health if water was contaminated. "Milk with detergent is unsafe for drinking," the government added. There is a better chance of getting quality milk if one buys packaged milk than nonpackaged milk available in the market.

The study was conducted across India. It was found that the worst place to buy milk is Uttar Pradesh where 88 per cent of 136 samples collected were found to be not conforming to standards. The situation in Delhi, however, was not as bad. The affidavit, filed on behalf of the Centre by the assistant director of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Kamal Kumar, stated that the government had fixed standards for different types of milk under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011 and had taken a total of 1,791 samples from all over the country for the snap shot survey. Of the 1,791 samples, only 565 were found conforming to the standards fixed by it and 1,226 samples failed the test. The government said the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 permitted the public to take samples for testing in laboratories. Based on the result of the test, prosecution can be launched by the food safety officer. The FSSAI study has only confirmed the findings of earlier studies in different parts of the country which point to milk contamination, including coliform bacteria. An insurance against adulterated milk is the common Indian habit of boiling milk before consumption. "All bacteria are killed once milk is thoroughly boiled", Kansal said. The affidavit had been filed in response to a notice on a petition alleging rampant milk adulteration with harmful substances. Swami Achyutanand Tirth had filed a PIL earlier this year alleging that the government had failed to check adulteration in milk which was prepared with materials like urea, detergent, refined oil and caustic soda. The Supreme Court had on May 9 issued notice to the Centre and several state governments on the PIL highlighting the need for putting an end to the malpractice by formulating a comprehensive policy on the production, supply and sale of milk. The petitioners had claimed that a recent survey by the FSSAI had revealed that harmful adulterated milk was being sold in various parts of the country. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Insufficient manpower to ensure food safety this Puja

Insufficient manpower to ensure food safety this PujaBHUBANESWAR: Apart from shopping and pandal hopping, eating out during Durga Puja is considered a must. However, one must be careful as the food being served outside comes with its own set of risks. But to make the situation worse, the government does not have sufficient staff to do a quality check this festive season.

There are only ten food safety officers (FSOs) for the 30 districts. As each FSO has to take care of at least three districts, the food quality check would remain highly ineffective, sources believed.

Government authorities said despite the manpower crunch, they are trying their best to manage the situation by asking officers to concentrate more on areas which will be inviting the largest of crowds.

"I understand we don't have sufficient staff to undertake effective quality control during the festive rush. However, we have asked officers to concentrate more on cities such as Cuttack and Bhubaneswar where the turnout of people is huge. Special squads have been constituted to check random checks of food samples during the festive season to ensure that these adhere to minimum quality standards," said director public health Dr Alekh Sahoo said.

Sahoo said the staff crunch problem would be over by the end of this year. "We have started the process to recruit 28 more officers. Scrutiny is on. All formalities would be over by the year-end," he said.

After Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations 2011 was notified on August 1, 2011 by the Food Safety Standardization Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the Union health ministry to handle food related issues, the government re-designated the food inspectors as FSOs. However, because of their dwindling numbers, implementation of the regulations remains almost a non-starter in the state. "As per the notification, we have time till February 2013 to comply with the various provisions," another senior government officer said.

There were 26 posts of food inspectors in state, 16 of which were lying vacant. The government named them FSOs and increased the number of posts to 38. Besides 30 FSOs for the 30 districts, 12 major towns will have one FSO each, government sources said.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Cows' milk protects against HIV

Cows' milk can be potentially developed into affordable creams that can help protect humans against HIV, a study has claimed. Lead scientist from University of Melbourne Marit Kramski found that when pregnant cows were vaccinated with an HIVprotein, the first milk produced by the cow after giving birth, called colostrum, produced high antibodies to protect its newborn against disease. Researchers were now planning to test the effectiveness and safety of the milk before turning it into a cream which will hopefully allow women to protect themselves against contracting the virus during sex, without relying on men, the Herald Sun reported. However, the final result could be a decade off. The researchers were able to inhibit the virus from infecting cells when combing the virus cells with milk. "We think the antibodies bind to the surface of the virus and blocks the protein which needs to be freed to get in contact with human cells - like a key and lock system. If the key's not accessible or you change the key, you can't open the door," Kramski said adding "It's a very cheap and easy way to produce a lot of antibodies." Kramski had partnered with Australian biotechnology company Immuron Ltd to develop the milk, and would continue working with them to produce a preventative cream.

"We have the antibodies at the moment - the next step will be formulation," Kramski said. Condoms were "cheap and easy" but not an option for everyone with millions of people getting infected with HIV every year, she added. "A lot of women, especially in Africa or South America they don't have the power to say you need to use a condom before we have sex. "This milk looks like it can be a cheap, easy new prevention tool, because if you use drugs it's really expensive," she said. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Skipping breakfast could make you fatter

Those who skip breakfast to lose weight not only eat more for lunch, they also crave fatty and sugary foods, researchers say. Over time, this could lead to slimmers piling on the pounds, despite their best intentions, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday. The warning comes from doctors and scientists at Imperial College London who scanned the brains of 21 healthy young men and women while they looked at pictures of various foods. The volunteers also rated how appealing they found the foods, which ranged from salads and vegetables to calorie-laden chocolates, desserts, cakes, pizzas and burgers.

...................................................................................................................................................... 
Dining with friends can make you fat

Dining with a friend could be bad for those on a diet- it tempts you into eating unhealthy dishes from the menu, just to keep him or her in good humour, says a study. Researchers led by Eric Robinson, psychologist at the University of Birmingham, believe it may help to explain why groups of friends often put on weight at the same time and why some women complain that they get heavier when they find a boyfriend- they start to copy his eating habits. "There is a lot of evidence that points towards this idea that your friends make you fat. If you have got friends or people you know who have put on weight recently, then you will put on weight too," said Robinson. "We found that pairing people with unhealthy eating partners reduced the amount of healthy food they were eating. They tended to pick the foods that were high in calories," added Robinson, the British Journal of Nutrition reported.

"Recognising that this effect is real could help people who are trying to watch what they eat. They could even look at a menu and try to decide what they are eating before those they are with to help avoid being influenced," the Telegraph quoting Robinson, said. The research asked 100 female volunteers to select from a choice of food consisting of healthy fruit and vegetables or unhealthy foods including crisps, pastries and cocktail sausages. They found that when they were eating with someone who had been asked to pick unhealthy options, the volunteers also picked far more of these compared to when they ate alone or with someone who chose healthier foods. Suzanne Higgs, reader in the psychobiology of appetite and study co-author, added: "This research underlines the social nature of eating and how this influences our behaviour." 

......................................................................................................................................................

Gutkha ban: Health Ministry mulls penalising cos for ad blitz

Taking a serious view of continued misrepresentation of gutkha ban through newspaper ads, the Health Ministry is mulling to penalise firms manufacturing smokeless tobacco products for violating key provisions of food safety law.

The Ministry, however, is yet to decide which of its department is competent to impose penalties on the violators of specific sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

"A call in this respect will be taken next week," Director of Tobacco Control in the Ministry Amal Pusp said today on the sidelines of a function organised by anti-tobacco groups to counter misinformation which these firms are spreading through ads by questioning the legality of gutkha ban by 14 states.

These states have enforced the ban in view of the recent Central notification which says tobacco and nicotine cannot be mixed with gutkha, which the Supreme Court has ruled as a food product.

The Ministry today came together with NGOs Voluntary Health Association of India and Public Health Foundation of India to launch a counter offensive against smokeless tobacco firms.

Led by Smokeless Tobacco Association, All India Kattha Factories Association and the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative, these companies have been questioning the Health Ministry notification as to why the ban is imposed on gutkha and not on cigarettes. (More)

......................................................................................................................................................

Chennai food safety department seizes and destroys expired food products

More than sixty brands of food products were found to be either mislabelled or improperly labelled or with certain details missing and seized by the Chennai Corporation and the city's food safety department recently. During the raids, they were also found to be past their expiry dates, and were destroyed at the behest of the then food commissioner S Ramanathan.

The branded products included biscuits, sweets, dates, oats, packed wheat flour, semolina, health mixes, baking powder, herbal mixes, chole masala, pepper sauce, garam masala, chilli sauce, asafoetida, packed natural fruit juice, appam powder, rasam powder and sambar powder. Shops in such localities as Purasawalkam and Chintadripet were raided.

S Lakshmi Narayan, district food safety officer, Chennai, said, “The raids were conducted based on complaints by people who had gone shopping. We also warned several shop owners who stocked these mislabelled products. Over two tonnes of meat, sourced from rotting carcasses, were also seized in Chintadripet. We have sent the samples of the products to the laboratory for testing.”

“After getting the results we obtained the food commissioner's permission and destroyed the products. More than half the food products sold in Purasawalkam did not even have batch numbers. And many food business operators (FBOs) hadn't registered under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, which came into effect on August 5, 2011,” he said.

Narayan said, “The licenses issued to traders under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 (which the FSSA, 2006 replaced) expired in March 2011, but many FBOs are unaware that they need to acquire fresh licenses under the new Act. All FBOs have been asked to get a license from the food safety department by February 4, 2013 – an extension to the earlier deadline of August 4, 2012.”

“As many as 12,500 FBOs in Chennai are yet to get a license. And a chunk of 7,500 smaller players do nothave registration certificates,” he said, adding, “Complaints pertaining to unhygienic food products can be made to the food safety department through the toll-free helpline set up by the civic body. The number of the helpline in 1913.”

In a telephonic conversation with FnB News, the district food safety officer said, “Through your publication, I would request all the food business operators from Chennai to come forward and apply for their licenses and register themselves under the FSSA, 2006, well before the February 4, 2013 deadline to avoid the eleventh-hour rush.”

......................................................................................................................................................

 8 of 12 PMC employees promoted to food safety officers will not join FDA

Fearing transfers within state every three years, they choose to remain with civic body

Food inspectors with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) were promoted to food safety officers (FSOs) and asked to report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following changes to the Food Safety and Standardisation Act, but two-third of them have declined to do so.

Realising that by accepting service in the FDA they will be under the state government and can be transferred anywhere in the state, eight of the 12 officers have decided to stay back in the PMC.

These officers also claim that there was an order that had given them the choice between the PMC and the FDA and that they have chosen to remain with the PMC. According to these FSOs, they are not interested in joining the FDA as they do not want to be transferred to another city. 
FSOs working with the FDA get transferred every three years within the state. “We don’t want to move to the FDA as we are happy doing our work here,” Ajit Bhujbal, an FSO with the PMC, said. “We are not ready to the join FDA and we have filed an application to stay in the PMC.”
Of the 12 PMC food inspectors gazzetted as FSOs, only four have decided to work with the FDA. “They had an option between the PMC and the FDA, and four people chose to go for FDA,” PMC Health Officer Somnath Pardeshi said. “The remaining eight have shown willingness to stay in the PMC. Though we can not issue licence through these FIs who are now FSOs, we have given other work to them.”
According to the state government gazette dated August 1, 2011, in pursuance of sub section (1) of section 37 of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the Commissioner of Food Safety appointed the food inspectors from various municipal corporations as FSOs for the respective area.
Joint Commissioner, FDA (food), S R Kekare said: “Eight of the employees concerned have chosen to stay with the PMC and only four will be in the FDA now. Also, the decision must have been taken or may be in process at the commissioner and state level. Yes, we have less manpower, but instead of cribbing about it we are doing our work effectively.”
The eight who have opted to remain with the PMC will now not continue as FSOs. Pardeshi said: “We have given them posts in the PMC according to their education and they will not be FSOs as their names will be omitted from the new gazette.”
Kekare said: “People who do not join FDA will not be FSOs in future. There will a finalisation of names, and after that those who haven’t joined FDA will not continue as a FSOs.” 

...................................................................................................................................................... 
Cockroach in food, restaurant closed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After KFC, the licence of one more prominent restaurant in the city was suspended on Friday. Customers found cockroaches in the dish served to them at Hotel Sindhoor, functioning at Vazhuthacaud and informed the food safety authority. The food safety officials inspected the restaurant and found that it was functioning in unhygienic conditions and asked the management to close the eatery.
According to food safety commissioner in-charge Anil Kumar, the complaint was registered by a government employee Uma Maheswari through the authority's toll free number. She is the Confidential Assistant to the Tourism Secretary at the Secretariat. She said that she had gone to the restaurant with her daughter to have lunch. Her daughter ordered fried rice while she ordered fish curry meals for herself along with a dish a prawn. She alleged that the cockroaches were found in the prawn dish.
When she complained, the restaurant authorities tried to appease her by offering to replace the dish, she told in her complaint. The mobile vigilance team of the food safety authority that inspected the restaurant found the complaint genuine.
"The kitchen of the restaurant was completely unhygienic," said food safety officer A Satheesh Kumar.
He said that cockroaches, cats and rats were found in the kitchen. The box in which dried chilly was kept was also filled with cockroaches. Meat and vegetables were stored together in the freezer. The contents in the freezer also turned stale, he said. He also said that the team visited the sister concern of the restaurant that functioned at Kowdiar where they detected some minor hygienic problems, they could not find any grave instance of callousness there. However, they have issued a notice to the management of the restaurant to improve the facilities there.
Meanwhile, the food safety authority officials also said that they would kick start the second phase of state-wide raids from Monday. At least 50 teams will be operative in the state on each day.

......................................................................................................................................................

Importers to take license before 4^th December, 2012-reg.(Dated: 12-10-2012).

......................................................................................................................................................

Food regulator asks Parle to recall mango candy 

The Maharashtra FDA has asked Parle to recall its entire stock of the candy as it was found to contain buffered lactic acid, which is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

Mumbai, Oct 13: 

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked Mumbai-headquartered Parle Products to recall its entire stock of candy ‘Mango Bite' from the market, terming it ‘unsafe’ for consumption.

A State FDA team that searched the Parle Biscuits factory near Nashik a few days ago seized stock of the hard-boiled candy ‘Kaccha Mango Bite’ and raw material.

Officials of the FDA Konkan Division raided two other locations in Raigad and Bhiwandi, and confiscated more stocks of the finished candy and ingredients.

The FDA has asked Parle to recall its entire stock of the candy as it was found to contain buffered lactic acid, which is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006.

Awaiting info

Commenting on the matter, a Parle Products spokesperson said, “Currently, we are looking into the matter and awaiting information from the FDA authorities pertaining to the recalling of the stocks. Further course of action will be based on that.”

The candy ‘Kachha Mango Bite’ derives its name from the taste of tangy raw mango. The company had earlier launched Mango Bite, and then added a twist to it with the raw mango taste.

In 2002, it had engineered a Single Twist Wrapping and also launched a juice-filled candy variant, Juizy Mangoh.

An industry expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, said lactic acid is added to candies such as gummy bears, hard candy and other confectionary products by most confectionary companies.

“Lactic acid in food products usually serves either as a pH regulator or as a preservative. It is also used as a flavouring agent. While formulating hard-boiled candy with lactic acid, it results in a mild acid taste, reduced stickiness and a longer shelf life. FDA guidelines, however, say companies cannot include it in their candy,” he added.

In another instance, following reports of food poisoning among children in Nanded district, an FDA team searched the Parle Biscuits factory on October 3.

The company spokesperson said the legal team at Parle Products is looking into the matter.

...................................................................................................................................................... 

KFC statement on worms found in fried chicken at its outlet in Thiruvananthapuram

New Delhi: Fast food chain Kentucky's Fried Chicken (KFC) has come under scrutiny in Kerala after a family reportedly found worms in their fried chicken. The incident was reported from an outlet in Thiruvananthapuram.

On a complaint, the Food Safety Authority conducted an inspection and found that the outlet didn't maintain adequate sanitation guidelines. Some seized chicken was allegedly as much as five months old. The outlet has been temporarily shut and other KFC outlets are being inspected.

KFC has issued a statement saying it is committed to serving the highest quality products to its customers across each of our restaurants. Following is the statement issued by KFC:

We are aware of a recent inspection conducted by the local authorities at our restaurant in Trivandrum. As a responsible brand, we are committed to following international standards and serving the highest quality products to all our customers across each of our restaurants. All KFC chicken is sourced from the state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities which comply to the most stringent food safety standards. These facilities are certified to international quality standards and are audited frequently. Our Chicken is freshly prepared several times a day in the most hygienic conditions in ovens at 250 degrees or fryers at 170 degrees. We are very proud of our quality and welcome consumers to take a tour of the kitchen any time any day. We have a great degree of confidence in our product, as millions of consumers across India do, and will continue to provide complete cooperation to the concerned authorities.

Ghosts of the past came to haunt Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) when officials from the food safety department in Kerala raided a Thiruvananthapuram outlet yesterday following complaints of worms in the chicken being served.

KFC's tryst with India began in 1995, when it first set up a base in the country, an outlet in Bangalore. Food safety inspectors soon raided the outlet, finding chicken served to contain 2.8 per cent monosodium glutamate (MSG), said to cause nausea and headaches, retardation and birth defects. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act sets the ceiling for MSG at one per cent.

With KFC exceeding the MSG limits, its licence was revoked and the outlet had to be closed. The situation was no different in Delhi, when a fly was found in its kitchen and the food safety department under the Madan Lal Khurana-led BJP government in the capital ordered its closure.

Eventually, KFC exited the country following protests by health and animal rights activists, returning only a few years ago to set up shop in India. The food joint, now part of Yum! Restaurants, an American company that operates quick-service restaurants (QSR) such as Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, has 183 outlets in 35 cities. It is the leading player in the QSR space that specialises in chicken in India.

......................................................................................................................................................

KFC: Worms in served chicken could batter brand

While the Kerala government is raiding KFC outlets as part of its drive to crack down on unhygienic joints, a spokesperson for the company said it was committed to following global standards.

"All KFC chicken is sourced from state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, which comply with the most stringent food safety standards. These facilities are certified to international quality standards and audited frequently. Our chicken is freshly prepared several times a day in the most hygienic conditions in ovens at 250 degrees or fryers at 170 degrees," the spokesperson said.

But, food experts said the issue of worms being found in chicken was likely to hit the brand hard, as consumers are likely to grow cautious. The company declined to indicate how they proposed to deal with the negative publicity following the controversy.

In the past, Cadbury had launched an extended campaign with brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan explaining how the firm had strengthened procedures to root out issues of contamination following the detection of worms in its chocolates.

Companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, meanwhile, lobbied hard to change perceptions following the pesticide-in-cola controversy a few years ago.

......................................................................................................................................................

 After meat, food safety officials hunt for rotting dates

Chennai: After rotten meat, bad dates are keeping officials busy. Following tip-offs that large quantities of poor quality dates are being sold in city shops, the state food safety department has formed teams to conduct raids.
    Sources said that most of these dates are being smuggled in from Maharashtra and stored in unhygienic conditions in godowns for several months before being packed and sold in shops. Food safety officials have identified some of these godowns and would start raids in a couple of days.
    SLakshmi Narayan, district food safety officer, said: “There have been several complaints about the poor quality of dates. We have found worms in some of these packets sold in shops. We will soon raid the godowns and send samples for testing.” According to rules, all the packaged food products should have the ISI mark, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) serial number, the company’s name and address, the manufacturing and the ‘best before’ dates. But most traders violate these rules.
    A wholesale date dealer in the city said he gets consignments mostly from Mumbai. “There are several packaging units in Sowcarpet,” he said.
    Doctors said decaying or substandard dates can cause digestive problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and nausea. Traders said there are various types of dates available in the wholesale market costing 53 to 1,600 per kg and retailers sell them from 70 to 2,000 per kg. “Many people can’t afford branded dates, so they come here for locally packaged dates,” said a vendor in Broadway.
    Consumer activists said that officials should conduct frequent inspections. Consumers Association of India trustee R Desikan said substandard dates could post severe health problems. Desikan has filed a case against a company for selling bad dates.
    Under the Food Safety and Standard Act (FSSA), 2011, anyone found selling adulterated or substandard food items can be punished with seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of 10 lakh. ......................................................................................................................................................

 Worms in Fried Chicken, KFC outlet in Kerala shut

Food safety officials shut the KFC outlet at MG Road Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening after a customer found worms in the fried chicken served at the outlet.

When A Shiju, a resident of Palode and his family came to the KFC outlet he was in for a ‘wiggly’ shocker.

“We had ordered fried chicken. As my wife opened the cover to give chicken piece to our 18-month-old baby, we were shocked to see worms creeping inside. When we examined the chicken closely, we found more worms,” he told DC.

When Shiju told KFC staff about worms, the latter immediately promised to give fresh chicken. “I rejected the offer and told them that I will complain to food safety officials. The staff requested us not to complain. But I called up the officials on toll free number. In the meanwhile, two staff members tried to snatch our plate but I resisted the attempt,” Shiju said.

The staff behaved rudely when Shiju refused to budge. They threatened to throw his family out. But, by the time, other customers intervened and prevented them from tampering with the samples, he said.

D. Sivakumar, designated officer of food safety, who led a team to the outlet, said, “Initially one of our officers went there and found the complaint was genuine. Later I led a team and examined the food which was served. We spotted worms.''

The food safety officials collected samples of food products including raw chicken which were packed in April. “They are allowed to keep the raw chicken for longer periods provided it is refrigerated in proper temperature.

They can keep such products in freezer for nine months if the temperature is maintained at 18 degree Celsius,” he said.

He said the raw chicken came to the outlet from Chennai. Subsequently, KFC outlets in Kochi and Koz-hikode were also inspected.

Officials ordered the closure of the outlet till further orders and collected samples of food for laboratory examination.

KFC spokesperson said, “There has been an inspection conducted by the local authorities at our restaurant in Trivandrum.

We are providing full cooperation to the authorities. We are committed to serving the highest quality products to all our customers across all our restaurants.”

ollowing the incident, the food safety officials inspected KFC outlets in Kochi, Kozhikode and Trivandrum.

Penalties for Offence According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:

The government of India passed the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ensure quality of food and deal with matters relating to it.

Guidelines Acccording to the Act:

1)      Any person, who whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any article of food for human consumption which is sub-standard, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to Rs.5 lakh.

2)      Any person whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any article of food for human consumption containing extraneous matter, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to Rs.1 lakh.

3)      If a food business operator or importer without reasonable ground, fails to comply with the  requirements of this Act (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006) or the rules or regulations or orders as directed by the Food Safety Officer, he shall be liable to a penalty  which may extend to Rs.2 lakh.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Formalin found, sale of 3 milk brands banned

Commissioner asks Tamil Nadu to inspect dairy plants

The Food Safety Commissioner has banned the sale of three brands of milk brought into the State from Tamil Nadu for a month, after formalin or formaldehyde, a chemical preservative, was detected in the milk samples analysed at the Government Analysts Lab here.

The Food Safety Commissioner has written to his counterpart in Chennai to immediately inspect the dairy plants concerned and take “punitive action against the offenders as the public health of both States are involved”.

The milk brands which were found to contain formalin are Heritage-Padmanabha, pasteurised, homogenised, standardised milk from Heritage Food (India) Ltd. in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu; Jeshma Milk, from Sofia Raja Milk, Vadakkankulam, Tirunelveli; and Maima, from Maima Milk Plant at Arulvaimozhi, Kanyakumari.

Formalin, a chemical used to preserve tissues for biological and histopathological examinations, is added to milk to retain its freshness and prevent it from spoiling. It is a human carcinogen listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The chemical was detected in the milk samples which were collected by the food safety officers from the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border check-posts, as part of an intensive drive by the food safety special squads to ensure the safety of various food items being brought into the State from Tamil Nadu during the festival season.

Public cautioned

The Food Safety Commissioner cautioned the public against using other milk products in the same brand names, without testing these properly.

The Commissioner also issued a directive to all food safety officers to collect samples of cotton candy (also known as Bombay Sweet) from across the State immediately and to send these for analysis, after an inspection conducted on the Shanghumughom beach here revealed that cotton candy was coloured with Rhodamine B, a chemical dye.

He said prosecution, levying of fine, and other legal measures would be adopted against those who tried to sell banned food items in the State.

The public should inform the Food Safety Commissioner’s office if they came across any food item with artificial colouring being sold openly.

......................................................................................................................................................

 More squads soon to ensure food safety

KOZHIKODE: Two squads formed by the food safety authorities raided several eateries here on Monday.

The squads were formed after a plus two student was hospitalized on Saturday with food poisoning after eating shawarma from a restaurant on Railway Station Link Road. The restaurant's licence was cancelled following the incident.

On a complaint by a city resident, food safety officials raided New Grill restaurant in Thadampatuthazham on Monday, and found that the eatery had flouted guidelines on hygiene. "Since no major violation of food safety norms was found, we issued a correction notice, asking the restaurant to improve its standards," an official said.

The complaint was received from a person who had consumed a non-vegetarian dish from the restaurant. The man had suffered food poisoning, which was confirmed by the food safety officials.

The two teams would continue raids on the eateries in the coming days. More squads would be formed to inspect food joints in other parts of the district.

Food safety inspector C T Anilkumar, who was part of the raiding team, said the food safety commissioner had directed them to act tough on eateries that flout safety norms.

Meanwhile, health standing committee chairperson of the city corporation Janamma Kunhunni said the civic body was yet to receive a report on Saturday's food poisoning incident.

"Once the report is received, we will take necessary action," she said.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Manufacturers told to recall products containing lactic acid

PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers and distributors to recall from market confectioneries that contain lactic acid, the use of which is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The issue came to the fore after FDA joint commissioner in Aurangabad found the presence of the prohibited substance (DL lactic acid) in sugar boiled confectionery product 'Kaccha Mango Bite' in Nanded and Aurangabad. FDA officials across the state swung into action after the incident and seized the confectionery at manufacturing plants and from distributors across the state.

During the first raid conducted at the company's carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded, the FDA officials in Aurangabad seized confectionery worth Rs 4.90 lakh on October 1. A slew of raids and seizures followed soon after across the state.

"Two months ago, we took samples of the confectionery and sent them to the laboratory for testing. The lab report revealed the presence of DL lactic acid in sugar boiled confectionery," said Chandrashekhar Salunke, joint commissioner (Food), FDA, Aurangabad division.

Salunke raided a carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded on October 1, followed by another raid on a firm in Aurangabad and Parbhani, where he seized goods worth Rs 4.30 lakh and Rs 49,000 respectively.

"After I learnt about the use of the banned substance, I informed all FDA joint commissioners, following which a series of raids and seizures ensued across the state," Salunke said.

Nashik FDA officials confiscated confectionery worth Rs 60 lakh at an Igatpuri-based firm in Nashik district on October 4. The product was being manufactured using lactic acid.

The FDA sealed the company's godown after impounding raw material, lactic acid stock and stocks of the confectionery product samples of which have been sent to Pune for examination.

Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune, said, "We have seized confectionery worth Rs 91,000 in Pune division. We have asked all distributors of sugar boiled confectioneries to recall products containing DL lactic acid."

DL lactic acid is an acidulant. Acidulants are additive that give sharp taste to food. According to the Act, DL Lactic acid and L(+) Tartaric acid shall not be added to any food meant for children below 12 months (the lactic acid shall also conform to the specification laid down by the Indian Standards Institution).

 ............................................................................................................................................

  Health officials inspect eateries for adulterated food in Salem

Unlicensed shops have become a cause for concern

Danger of contamination:Food items kept in the open at a road side eatery near Salem New Bus Stand. -Photo: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Inspection to detect cases of adulteration and expired food items have began in the district after a period of six months.

This was possible only after petitions filed by hotel owners and various associations against provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act were vacated by the Madras High Court last week and health officials were allowed to carry out inspection in eateries and take action, if they found violations.

The Act came into effect throughout the country from August 5, 2011 after the government repealed the Prevention of Food and Adulteration Act 1954 and seven other Acts that were in force.

The new Act makes licensing and registration of food businesses mandatory. The District Designated Officer has been given powers to check food product standards, packaging, labelling and adulteration in restaurants, eateries, small hotels, bakeries, tea stalls and all small and cottage industries.

Mushrooming of unlicensed shops and road-side eateries near New Bus Stand, Old Bus Stand, Bose Maidan, Kallankuthu and Kalarampatti selling chicken, meat and fast food items has become a cause for concern as people throng these eateries and consume unhygienic food.

Though they offer taste, use of non-permitted colours, reuse of cooking oil, poor quality of drinking water, unclean plates and food items kept in the open and exposed to dust pose serious health hazard to the consumers. Such conditions remain unchecked.

The situation can be evident when the dust and smoke emitted by buses near the bus stand are observed by the non-vegetarians that are kept in the open.

It was also said that dead chicken from poultry units were used by a few shops and offered at low price in many eateries.

Digestion problems

After consumption of such food, some people complain of upset stomach and digestion problems that later may lead to serious problems.

Yet, the consumers, mostly labourers and middle class people, though aware of the fact, continue to consume the food.

The situation is worse during monsoon, as the quality of water served causes infectious diseases and adds to the woes.

A few eateries mushroom in the evening and run till late night near drains where mosquitoes breed and spread diseases.

These eateries procure contaminated tap water and serve this to their customers. Though doctors warn people to keep away from these tempting food items that cause serious problems, people continue to consume these foods.

T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Salem District told The Hindu that initially shop owners were warned of action if they continue adulteration, sell expired food items and use non-permitted colours.

She added that seven shops were raided in the district, including one tea stall in the city, and adulterated tea powders were seized. Action would be taken as per law, if they continue, she said.

District Designated Officer has been given powers to check food product standards

Use of non-permitted colours and reuse of cooking oil pose health hazards

...................................................................................................................................................... 

Still dishing out dirt

Day after completing FDA training programme on hygiene standards, Sarasbaug food stall owners say they can’t implement measures citing lack of manpower and other problems
Only one day after completing a training programme with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials on hygiene and safety standards, 52 food stall owners in Sarasbaug have dumped the lessons imparted to them and gone back to their usual lackadaisical approach towards cleanliness.

FDA officials had selected Sarasbaug, one of the city’s busiest food hubs to implement standards as per the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. For five days, vendors and staff were given information about the Act and tips on preparing food right from the raw material to the finished product.

Shashikant Kekare, Joint commissioner (Food), said, “We have arranged a competition for all FDA divisions in Maharashtra through which we are trying to create an ideal model for food stall vendors which will apply all safety procedures to serve wholesome food to customers.

We have set a one-month time frame for this competition. We are going to select three winning divisions which implement this model in the best way. ” Kekare added that the food stall owners and staff members are following their orders.

However, when Mirror visited the area on Friday, nothing seemed to have changed. FDA officials had recommended that each stall should have three different cloths - one for cleaning utensils, another for cleaning tables and the third for wiping hands.

They also suggested them the staff should wash all utensils in clean tap water and that staff members should wear caps, gloves and aprons while cooking. None of the staff were following any of these procedures.

After the Mirror team arrived, some of the vendors told their staff to put on caps. Even after being instructed, only one or two followed the order. Bapu Chavan, owner of Shivanjali Chinese Food stall, said, “We cannot implement all the standards which have been suggested by FDA officials.

We don’t have enough, regular staff for daily work. Besides, they are all illiterate and come from impoverished backgrounds, therefore, we cannot force them to implement safety standards like wearing caps and gloves.

We cannot bear the expense for these safety standards either, sometimes, we don’t even money for wages. None of this means we are serving unhygienic food. We take all precautions while preparing and serving food.”

Manik Mane, owner of Amrapali food stalls said, “It is a good practice and we will try to follow it, but the administration should consider our demands as well. The public toilet closes after 10 pm while our stall is open till midnight. This is an issue for customers as well as staff members.

Before implementing these standards, the administration should provide facilities like clean water, lights etc.” FDA Commissioner Mahesh Zagade initiated the idea to implement the Act so that citizens could eat street food without hesitation.

FDA officials have selected food stalls at Rankala in Kolhapur, Juhu in Mumbai, Sitabardi in Nagpur and Dargah Road in Aurangabad. In a month’s time, the district collector, the municipal commissioner and police commissioner, along with the FDA commissioner, will inspect these stalls and the practices which owners are following.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Is your food genetically modified?? check the label

With effect from January 1, 2013, the government has made it mandatory to mention the sign, “genetically modified” (GM) on every food package that contains it.

While rolling out the new regulation, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister, KV Thomas, informed the parliament that, there is only a decreased level of awareness about GM foods amongst people in the country; the reason being GM food, which is relatively a new technology, has not been widely experimented. This statement came on the heels of the parliamentary standing committee report on Agriculture, headed by Basudeb Acharya, which also recommended compulsory labeling of all GM products so as to ensure that the consumer is able to make an informed choice.

With the moratorium on Bt Brinjal issued on February 9, 2010, which is still in force, India at present does not produce any GM food. At the same time, in non-foods category, the government has allowed commercial cultivation of only Bt cotton since 2002. The latest order therefore is expected to essentially affect food importers and the agri-biotech industry in the long run. For instance, Heinz tomato ketchup may need to display “GM”, if the original ingredients included GM tomatoes. The same will be applicable in the case of imported oils like soyabean and canola. Even imported potato chips and tortillas will come under the scanner.

Referring the move to be arbitrary in nature, Dr Shanthu Shantharam, professor, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa and former executive director of Association of Biotech Led Enterprises-Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG) stated that, the labeling rule has been made hastily and without a proper discussion or consultation. He goes on to ask an interesting question, “We all know that groundnut and cow's milk is allergic to certain sections of the population, but do they label them in the Indian market?”

Dr B Mazumdar, vice president, Bejo Sheetal Seeds feels that at the moment it is very difficult to comment anything about the long term implications. “At this present situation it does not make any difference because the fate on agri-biotech still remains undecided,” added Dr Mazumdar.

Illegal imports
Right to information (RTI) responses have revealed that no permission has been granted for the import and sale of any GM food in India other than purified soya oil. According to Food Safety and Standards Act, 1986, no person shall manufacture, distribute, sell or expose for sale or dispatch or deliver to any agent or broker for the purpose of sale, any packaged food products (including genetically modified or engineered food or food containing such ingredients) which are not marked and labelled in the manner as specified by the regulations. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which currently regulates the GM food affairs wants some of its regulatory powers to be shared by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). But the Authority is still in a nascent stage and the general impression is that, its food lab in Kolkata under the Ministry of Health, is not so well-equipped. Dr Sagari R Ramdas, director, Anthra, while deposing before committee had stated that, “There is no system of labeling in this country. So, we have absolutely no way of assessing if the cotton seed oil is either GM oil or non-GM oil.”

Civil society activists allege that many Indians may already be eating the controversial corn through a variety of imported products made out of GM corn. The contention is based on the fact that chips made of corn are being imported regularly to India by American manufacturers via dealers in Singapore and Taiwan. They point out that, in 2008, an import consignment of Doritos, a chips brand owned by PepsiCo, was detained by Customs authorities in Mumbai, as it was allegedly found to contain genetically modified ingredients. Following this, the importer penned to the GEAC seeking a “no objection certificate”. The GEAC cleared the consignment based on an undertaking given by the company that the chips did not contain GM corn.

Greenpeace claims that tests conducted at an independent laboratory on products picked up randomly from a supermarket in the capital revealed Doritos corn chips to contain genetically modified Mon 863 and NK 603 variety corn ingredients. According to Shivani Shah, campaigner, Greenpeace, “There has been no permission granted for the cultivation of GM food crops in the country. But the imported processed foods in all likelihood may contain varying amounts of GM ingredients. There is a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) rule to ensure no unapproved GM food enters our markets through import, but unfortunately there is no mechanism to check this at our ports of entry.”

However, PepsiCo spokesperson had claimed that the chips were produced in Taiwan from locally grown corn suppliers and denied the official import of these chips into the country. Two Delhi-based importers on condition of anonymity told BioSpectrum that they were unaware of the GM issues and mentioned that they have been importing the Doritos chips and Heinz ketchup on regular basis. “The labeling might make consumers skeptical about the products and even might affect the other non GM foods too,” said another importer.

Will regulation really work?
Many feel that the current regulation is weak and leaves room for misuse by the food industry. Given that there is no mention of the threshold levels, traceability and liability which are necessary corollaries of a labeling system for GMOs, it is also said that the notification needs to be fleshed out further to ensure that the directed intention meets desired objective.

Citing labeling as a very contentious issue, Dr Shantharam opined, “It is believed by the industry that it is like posting 'skull and crossed bones' on GM foods as it has been demonized by the anti-GM lobby. It is a trick to castigate the GM food and kill the market for it. Moreover, what counts in is the “truth in labeling”. With the kind of supply chain that operates in India and other developing countries, it is very difficult to maintain a strict segregation from farm to fork. Therefore, whatever is served at the dining table may not be what it says on the label, thereby misleading the consumer.”

But at the same time, the parliamentary committee report seeks to dispel notions that it might not work in India. It specifically mentions China, which despite being a populous country made labeling of such products mandatory. “The new regulation needs to make it clear that this will not only be applicable to processed foods from within India, but also foods that are imported as well. Labeling also needs to be applicable to oil, which comes from Bt cotton seeds in India as well as soya and corn oil which is imported to the country from countries like the US,” said Basudeb Acharya, chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.

Rajesh Krishnan, campaigner, Greenpeace India, is strongly of the opinion that government must enact a legislation to protect the rights of consumers. “Today, consumers have no rights and no means to know which imported food contains GM. There should be compulsory testing and labeling of GM foods entering the country,” enthused Krishnan.

With Ferderal Drug Investments (FDI) in retail being seen as a boost for importers, it remains to be seen how effective the new law would be in its checks and balances. Moreover, ensuring that the intended message has reached the consumer will alone not suffice, but the awareness about the GM foods cleared by the overseas regulatory agencies declaring it safe, should also be considered crucial.

..................................................................................................................................................... 

Food poisoning: 15 nursing students hospitalised

By Express News Service - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
05th October 2012 11:47 AM
As many as 15 students of a nursing college run by a private hospital at Killipalam here were hospitalised on Thursday for food poisoning after they reportedly had food from their hostel mess.  The students have been admitted to the same hospital and the condition of at least 10 is said to be slightly serious.
According to sources, the students had lunch from the mess of the ladies hostel at Uppalam Road on Wednesday. They were later admitted to the same hospital after they complained of vomiting and uneasiness.  The hospital authorities, however, claimed that it was not the food served at the mess but the food brought by a student from her house which caused the illness.

On being informed about the incident,  Food Safety officials visited the hostel kitchen and collected food samples.

......................................................................................................................................................

   Expired food products of 60 brands seized

Raid conducted in several areas based on residents’ complaints; rotten meat also found

Expired food products of more than 60 brands were seized on Thursday, by the Chennai Corporation and the Food Safety Department.
Samples of the products have been sent to a laboratory for testing, and notices will be issued to the food-business operators based on the reports.
The seized products were on sale in shops that were raided in areas such as Purasawalkam and Chintadripet.
Some of the spoilt food products include branded biscuits, sweets, dates, oats, packed wheat flour, semolina, health mixes, baking powder, herbal mixes, chola masala, pepper sauce, garam masala, chilli sauce, asafoetida, packed natural fruit juice, appam powder, rasam powder and sambar powder.
“The raids were conducted based on complaints from people who had gone shopping. Many of the products were mislabelled. We have also warned several shop owners,” said S. Lakshmi Narayan, Chennai’s district food safety officer.
Over two tonnes of meat sourced from rotting carcasses were also seized in Chintadripet.
The Corporation has registered a complaint with the police against the shop owners who are continuing to sell rotten meat despite a city-wide crackdown. The civic body also sealed the shops.
According to officials who conducted the raids, more than half of the food products in a departmental store in Purasawalkam did not even have a batch number.
Also, the shop owner had not registered under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 that came into force on August 5, 2011.
Licenses issued to traders under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 expired in March last year, but many businesses are still not aware that they need to acquire fresh licenses under the new Act.
The Corporation issues trade licences to such food-business operators, while their registration is carried out by the food safety department.
All food-business operators have been asked to get a licence from the food safety department by February 4, 2013, an extension from the earlier deadline of August 4, 2012.
However, many of the 12,500 operators in the city are yet to obtain licences.
Similarly, a chunk of the 7,500 small food-business operators do not have registration certificates.
Complaints pertaining to unhygienic food products can be made to the Food Safety Department through the Corporation’s toll-free helpline, 1913.

...................................................................................................................................................... 

350 kg of spurious tea seized from a trader in Tuticorin

Officials seized 350 kgs of spurious tea stocked in the house of a wholesale trader at Ayyappan Nagar on Wednesday.
Following information from the public that a wholesale trader from Ayyappan Nagar in Tuticorin was selling spurious tea to other shopkeepers, Urban Food Safety Officers S. Chandramohan and T. Ramakrishnan on Wednesday raided the house of one Kannan, who had stored 350 kgs of tea dust packets with various brand labels for sale.
Unfit for human consumption
Since the officials suspected that the tea dust was not suitable for human consumption, the packets were seized.
If the tea samples sent for analysis under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act,2006, showed that the tea was adulterated, fine up to Rs. 5 lakh could be imposed on the wholesale trader.
Consumption of spurious tea decoction may cause digestion problems initially, which may lead to ulcer and even cancer, the officials warned.

......................................................................................................................................................

Labs will get Rs 25,000-30,000 cr; fisheries panel soon: FSSAI CEO Mohanty

S N Mohanty took over as the chief executive officer (CEO), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), on May 7, 2012, at a crucial juncture – just a few months after the implementation of the Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011, in the country. During this five-month tenure, the new CEO has faced several challenges - extension of the licensing and registration deadline, establishment of proper infrastructure such as scientific panels, and labs, and perpetuation of deterrence mechanism like fines and punishments in ensuring complete food safety under the new law. In an exclusive interview with Abhitash Singh, he reveals the details.

It has been more than four months since you took the reins of the FSSAI CEO. How has your journey been so far?

Since taking charge as the FSSAI CEO, I have been able to do couple of things. Firstly the licensing part was under the table which I extended for a moratorium period of six months. Secondly I have standardised the lab testing parameters. We are inventing standard testing parameters like the one in Kolkata for Mumbai and other parts of the country too. Thirdly, I am concentrating on import control procedures, and fourthly, the risk management system is my priority, because it will fast-track the product approval. I have started the journey, and it is still on.

What is the status of food testing labs in the pipeline and scientific panels for various categories for food and beverages, as mandated by the Act?

We have about 70 accredited labs and 45 are being set up currently. By the end of the Twelfth Plan, there will be about 200 labs. In addition, there will be 70 intermediate labs and 30 referral labs. The investment for all these labs will be around Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore. Presently we have eight scientific panels, and we will create a new panel for fishery products soon.

How much awareness has been built up with regard to food recalls under the new Act? Could you give some instances of food recalls in India since the Act came into force?

We are just ready with the Regulations. It has not yet come into effect. The Act came into force on August 5, 2011, and has just completed one year. We require Regulations in process. Regulations is pre-requisite. No, there is not even a single food recall under the new Act.

Is the process of formation of courts and adjudicating officers in various areas over? What are the highest fines and punishments that has been awarded to offenders?

Yes, it is over. With regards to tribunal only a few states have done it, and others are in the process of doing it. The highest fines at some places were Rs 20 lakh.

Under many FDAs and FDCAs, there have been numerous complaints about the lack of food safety officers (FSOs). What steps are being taken to solve this problem?

During the Twelfth Plan we will assess for enforcement. Minimality is expected from the state government. Some states have already started filling the posts. Universal applications are there for food safety officers (FSOs). We are providing regulatory training to FSOs. FSOs should have the knowledge of the Act. We are working on increasing the numbers of FSOs and very soon we will be able to succeed in our aim.

What were the agendas of the Authority and CAC meeting held in July-August 2012 with respect to labs, licensing and registration, categorisation of stake holders and regulatory officers and products approvals?

The Authority conducted its Ninth Authority Meeting. At the meeting, draft standards for olive oil, draft standards for caffeinated beverages, use of nutritional ingredients in various food items, amendment to the food safety and standards (contaminants, toxins and residues) regulations, fixing of antioxidant limit in honey and draft import regulations were discussed. We cleared eight standards during our Ninth Authority Meeting. During the Tenth Authority Meeting which was recently held we have cleared ten standards for food and safety.

The last date for obtaining licenses and registrations for all food businesses across the country is February 5, 2013. What is the current status on the streamlining of the process?

Central licenses are under control. We have to step up at the state level. I would like to urge all food business operators (FBOs) to approach their relevant authorities and designated officers and apply for food safety licenses well before the deadline. They should take licenses on a urgent basis and not rush at the last moment. FBOs of all the states should go to their designated officers and obtain the licenses as soon as possible, otherwise clogging will take place.

What is the current scenario regarding uniformity in licensing and registration?

We have allowed central licensing system for three states, namely Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. We are rolling out bundled software for states because issuing large number of physical licenses is a difficult process. The online licensing system was introduced to have uniformity, easy accessibility and transparency. Some states is beginning to think about it. We have done our duty. Now the preparedness is expected of the states. FSSAI is also providing the details in writing to all the states.

Although co-production will become mandatory, could you throw some light on the individual roles of the regulator and the food business operators (FBOs) with respect to ensuring that they comply with the guidelines and self-regulation?

Regulators are doing their work through a science-based approach. FBOs should take the responsibility themselves.

One of the items on the agenda was regarding the approval of blue tinted plastic containers for bulk packaging, mineral water and packaged drinking water. Are there any other F&B packaging materials awaiting approval?

Yes, the approval of blue tinted plastic containers for bulk packaging and water has been cleared. And as far as other F&B packaging materials are concerned, a call will be taken on them in the Twelfth Plan.

The time period for setting up food testing labs has now become shorter. Are you satisfied with the current scenario? Please throw some light on the complaints that labs aren't functioning properly, and the delay in sending samples for testing, as a result of which punishments are not being awarded on time?

Yes, it has become shorter. I would like to have the lab at the quickest but we don't stay in the country where our wish comes true as per our wishlist. The Twelfth Plan has got the National Development Council's (NDC) clearance 15 days ago. The average time for lab testing is five days, but there could be a delay because some foods take longer time for testing. Functional food testing takes time. Safety of the food should be established first. The public has been allowed to take samples and prove it. FSSAI has enabled every citizen to be a regulator. Now consumers can take the samples themselves and can complain to the food safety officer of their area. Yes, it is true that adulteration takes place during festivals, and the process for the punishments takes time and the reason the offenders walk freely. This festive season we are trying to make people aware about the adulteration in Delhi and what action they should take if they find adulteration. Other states will follow suit. We should congratulate the authors of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006. It is a science-based Act and won't promote Inspector Raj.

November 1, 2012 is the deadline for compliance with the Metrological Act. How is the FSSAI gearing up for that?

We have looked at that. It talks about the pack sizes. There are similar types of prohibition in other countries also. Basically the metric system is not a great conflict for us. Genetically-modified (GM) food is not allowed at all in India.

Food importers were not happy with the labelling norms? What steps have been taken to solve that problem?

The Act come into force on August 5, 2011, and the transitory period is over for them. Who is happy and who is unhappy is not our lookout, and we can't do anything about it. There is nothing irrational about labelling norms, and that is the law.

People in India are not aware about food safety, what steps have been taken by you to create awareness?

Awareness generation is the most crucial component, which needs continuous and constant efforts targeted at various stakeholders, viz. consumers, FBOs, petty food manufacturers, hawkers, etc. A lot of promotional activities need to be organised to make people aware of the essential elements of the Act, mandatory parameters in starting a food business, clarifications with respect to online and manual licensing and registration systems. The Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials that are being developed in the Authority would be provided to each state, which could be translated in its respective language. We are giving a priority for awareness campaigns on a consistent basis. We also ran a education programme on Kalyani TV on wholesome foods and hygiene earlier, and now we are running a programme on contaminated and adulterated supplements to educate the people.

 ...................................................................................................................................................... 

FDA notice to radio channel for 'misleading' ad

NAGPUR: The city branch of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has sent a notice to a radio channel saying that an advertisement aired by them violated the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). The advertisement for a brand of vegetable oil claimed that the product reduced the cholesterol levels of the consumer which the authorities say is a misleading statement.
The provisions of the Act enable the FDA to act against any manufacturer making tall claims about products. The said notice has asked the advertisers to provide copies of the agreement and communication between the channel and the manufacturer to establish who is at fault. "The advertisement is under Section 24 of the Act that prevents misleading information being relayed through media. This is not the first notice we have sent to a media house. At least six have been sent so far," said Sanjay Naragude, assistant commissioner (food).
Though enacted in 2006, the Act has been implemented since 2011. This Act has been opposed by manufacturers and traders. Under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act 1955 that preceded it, surveillance was not very strong, say the authorities. Officials of the channel said the claims have not been made by them and they only relayed the information provided to them by the manufacturers.
...................................................................................................................................................... 

Instant kits to detect adulteration in 'khoya'

PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) will use an instant detection kit to check adulteration of any form in 'khoya' (also called khawa) and sweets. This will help save a lot of time and ensure stricter compliance since samples sent for laboratory tests take days to confirm adulteration, if any. The aim is to check malpractices during festive season and prevent sale of substandard food products in Pune and adjoining districts.

"Food safety officials can now use testing kits to find out adulteration in khoya and mithais on the spot. If the instant screening reveals that the product is adulterated, then a sample of it will be taken for record and the rest will be destroyed right away," said FDA joint commissioner (food) Shashikant Kekare, on Wednesday.

The on-the-spot food product testing kit uses solutions such as tincture of iodine and sulphuric acid. "A few drops of tincture of iodine can test the quality of khoya. If khoya turns bluish, then it is adulterated. Another kit makes use of sulphuric acid to rule out adulteration," Kekare said.

These tests are scientific, hence they are confirmatory. "The instant detection mechanism will enable our officials to work efficiently and initiate instant action. This will automatically preclude long waits for laboratory reports," said Kekare.

Adulteration is not only an unethical practice, but also a serious risk to human health. Presence of harmful starch, urea mixed milk, caustic soda, ararot, artificial sweetening chemicals, non-approved colored sweets (like heavy metals incorporated malachite green etc) and unhygienic conditions may lead to acute gastritis, serious diarrhoea, dysentery, dehydration, kidney inflammation, etc.

The FDA in the neighbouring state of Gujarat has been using on-the-spot food product testing kit for quite sometime with great success. Their kit can detect 21 types of adulteration, such as urea in milk, argemone in oil, traces of metals in food, aluminium in place of silver foils, etc.

During the last few days, FDA officials in Pune have collected 15 samples of khoya and 28 samples of mithai across Pune division and sent them for laboratory tests. "The report is awaited. From Friday, our officials will start using the new kits. This will facilitate early detection of adulteration and help prevent their consumption,'" said FDA assistant commissioner (food), S S Desai.
...................................................................................................................................................... 

REDUCING RISKS 

Traditional oil best bet, shows study 
Oil From Sesame, Groundnut Less Likely Than Sunflower Oil To Cause Obesity, Diabetes 
Pushpa Narayan | TNN

ere is another reason for grandma to repeat, ‘I told you so.’ A study by a team of Chennai-based scientists has found that traditional varieites of cooking oil are better than sunflower oil when it comes to preventing obesity, diabetes and heart ailments.
    Eight months ago, the ‘British Medical Journal’ published a study that recommended brown rice over polished white rice to reduce diabetes risk. The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation on Monday published its work in ‘International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition’ which said people who used sunflower oil ran a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and elevated glucose levels. Traditional varieties of oil like sesame and groundnut were found to have a lower risk.
    “The findings are significant enough for us to recommend people to use recipes from traditional kitchens and avoid food that our grandmothers never ate,” said diabetologist Dr V Mohan, the corresponding author of the study. Though the quantity of fat in all these varieties of oil is the same, the traditional ones have better omega 3 fatty acid profiles. This keeps cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose under control.
    Researchers interviewed 1,875 men and women over 20 years, of whom 63% said they used sunflower oil for cooking. Another 23% used palmolein, 7% used peanut oil and 2% used sesame oil. The survey also found that the richer were more likely to use sunflower oil. The researchers then measured their height, weight, blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels. Analysis showed those who used groundnut oil and sesame oil had a relatively lesser risk of blood pressure, diabetes and central obesity (see table) when compared to those who used palm oil and sunflower oil.
    There are an estimated 62.4 million people with diabetes and 77.2 million with pre-diabetes in India. More than 17% of Chennaiites are diabetic. Studies have found that Indians are genetically more susceptible to diabetes. According to Dr Kamala Krishnaswamy, former director of National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, the shift from traditional Indian home-cooked food to processed food and food rich in fat and sugar contribute to higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
    Nutritionists say studies have shown high intake of carbohydrates mainly derived from refined grains (polished rice), low intake of
vegetables and fruits, and lack of physical activity increased the risk of diabetes. It is important to keep a tab on the kind of oil you use as they contribute to more than half of the daily quality of fat requirement. Vegetable oil is the major source of visible fats contributing to more than half of the daily fat calories. The study showed that visible fats and oils are the the second major contributors of energy intake (12.4% energy/day) next only to re?ned cereals (45.8%), said Sudha Vasudevan, Head Food and Nutrition Research, MDRF.
    The consumption of vegetable oil has increased threefold in developing countries like India, she said. “To determine the optimal combination of fatty acids for good health, one has to consider the fatty acid profile of oil,” she said.
......................................................................................................................................................

FDI in multi-brand retail: shop shutdown tomorrow 

Call to rectify anomalies in Food Safety Act of 2006

Shops across the State will down the shutters on October 3 in protest against the Centre’s recent decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and the anomalies in the implementation of the Food Safety Act of 2006. The strike is being jointly called by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi and the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA). Hotels and medical shops will remain closed.

Samithi president T. Nasseruddin said in a press conference here on Monday that FDI would result in monopolisation that could wipe away small retail shops.

“Even though the Chief Minister has said that the State would not allow FDI, it is to be seen how effective this promise will be. Our demand is to stop the implementation of FDI all over the country. Once 51 per cent FDI is allowed, the rest 49 per cent share of that particular company will be held by an Indian monopoly. This arrangement will allow them to start business in any State that they want to,” Mr. Nasseruddin said.

The samithi, he said, was dissatisfied with the implementation of the Food Safety Act. He alleged that food safety officers had been harassing hotel and eatery owners even though the licensing and implementation date had been extended to February 2013.

“The duty of the food safety officers now is to create awareness among shop owners of the Act. But they are now resorting to unwanted raids and harassing the hoteliers. The committees to decide the food standards and fine amounts are yet to come into place. So such raids cannot be condoned,” Mr. Nasseruddin said. The KHRA said the Act itself had many clauses that were unfairly loaded against small-time shop owners. “We are not against the Food Safety Act. But certain conditions laid down regarding packaging of foods could negatively affect the small hotels which cook traditional food items. This could lead to a kind of standardisation by which most of our traditional food will disappear, leading to the proliferation of packaged food items from multinationals,” said M. Abdul Nazeer, Kozhikode district president of the KHRA.

Another issue raised by the Samithi is that of shop rents. The periodic increase in shop rents has affected the profits of the shop owners, about 90 per cent of whom in Kerala conduct business out of rented shops. The landlord-tenant Act needs to be reformed to stabilise shop rents, it said.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Detergent detector 

Author(s): Dinsa Sachan Issue Date: 2012-10-15

New test to identify synthetic milk

ADULTERATION of milk is common. In January this year a survey by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found that about 70 per cent of the milk in the country does not conform to the standards set by it. The milk samples were found to have glucose, urea, hydrogen peroxide, vegetable fat, neutralisers, skim milk powder and even detergent in the samples tested.

Among these, detergents, though relatively new, are being widely used as an adulterant. “Their use has increased over the past five years due to absence of tests,” points out Y S Rajput, senior scientist at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal. He, along with other researchers at the institute, has now devised a way to detect the adulterant. The test is an improved version of an earlier method they designed, and can give results in less than two minutes. It is highly sensitive, too, and can detect even minute traces of detergent. Detergents are not natural components of milk. “Other chemicals like salt and glucose are naturally present.

Since these compounds are part of milk’s make-up it is difficult to detect the extra quantities milkmen add,” explains Rajput.

Detergents are used for a different purpose. “Milkmen remove milk fat and replace it with vegetable oil. However, vegetable oil is not miscible with milk, so they put detergent in it to make it miscible,” says Rajan Sharma, senior scientist with the dairy chemistry division of NDRI. The milk thus prepared is called synthetic milk. “This is done to increase the quantity of milk,” Sharma adds.

The test developed earlier in 2006 used a dye which gave a light blue colour when the milk was pure and turned dark blue when it was contaminated. But the industry pointed out that the test might be confusing for lay users.

To circumvent this problem, the team changed the chemistry of the test and used another dye, which they refused to name, so that pure milk gives violet colour and contaminated, blue. (see ‘NDRI innovation to tackle milk contamination [1]’).

 The kit was launched in December last year. It can detect all detergents that are being used to adulterate milk. “The USP of this test is that it will not show any false positive or negative results. Most of the other tests give five to six per cent false positive results,” says Rajput. He adds that it does not even throw up false positives in cases where there is residual detergent in the sample. This residual detergent can enter the sample through the utensils used to store milk.

The researchers add that their synthetic milk test has been field tested by Mother Dairy as well and they are now in talks with the company to commercialise it. Mother Diary is likely to outsource manufacturing to Benny Impex Private Limited, a company that supplies milk testing kits to it and to the National Dairy Development Board. “Most of the adulteration happens at the level of middlemen—the individuals who function as a link between the farmer and industry,” explains Sharma. Using the kit, companies can easily test the milk provided to them by middlemen, he adds. NDRI has also applied for a patent for the test.

Though there are no studies to show how chemicals in milk affect human health, experts warn that they are hazardous even in small quantities. Mukul Das, senior toxicologist at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research in Lucknow, says, “Low doses of detergents over a period of time can dissolve membranes in the cells and interfere with their function.”

Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist in the microbiology division of the institute, adds that antibiotics in the milk can cause allergic reactions. The drug can also affect beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Aflatoxin M1—metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus paraciticus that enter milk through cattle feed—can impair the liver in large doses, he adds. Listeria monocytogenes—a bacterium found in milk if animals not kept under hygienic conditions—can lead to diarrhoea, fever and nausea. Chemicals like hydrogen peroxide added to the milk to preserve it can reduce the nutritive value of milk, says Rajput.

NDRI also has a testing kit for these chemicals. It can detect 11 other contaminants like starch, sugar, glucose, maltodextrin, urea, ammonium compounds, pond water/nitrate, common salt, neutralisers, hydrogen peroxide, formalin, and vegetable oil. The test kit, which costs Rs 5,000 and provides 100 tests, has sold 180 units in the past 10 years. Customers include dairy farms and small-scale dairy companies.

But similar kits are made by other manufacturers and are cheaper and easily available in the market.

The NDRI scientists are going to pitch the test kit to FSSAI in a few months. Speaking to Down To Earth, FSSAI chairperson K Chandramouli welcomed the innovation. “Our panel would be very willing to have a look at it.” he adds.

......................................................................................................................................................

Two Kiryana merchants penalized for adulteration           

KISHTWAR, Sept 29: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kishtwar, Jatindra Kumar Singh, who is also adjudicating officer under Food Safety and Standard Act imposed fine of Rs 50000 on two violators ,

The two violators namely Jagdish Raj Gupta, Kiryana Merchant running his shop at main chowk old bazaar Kishtwar and Manghat Ram Gupta Kiryana merchant running his shop at Shaheedi Road Kishtwar found guilty of selling adulterated and unbranded food items to the common people. The ADC imposed fine of Rs 25000 to each.

According to the case Rattan Lal Sharma, Food Safety Inspector Padder collected the four samples of Avtar snacks from the shop of Jagdish Raj Gupta and accordingly the samples were sent for food safety analysis to Jammu.

As per the analysis report, it was established that the samples are misbranded. While in another case Sajjad Hussain Gagroo, Food Safety Inspector Kishtwar collected the four samples of Iodized salt (1 Kg each) from the shop of Manghat Ram Sharma. As per the report, the salt samples found substandard.

Keeping in view of the facts and evidences, both the food business operators found guilty of selling sub standard and misbranded items to the general public and thus imposed Rs 50000 (Rs 25000 each) fine on both the kiryana merchants under general provision of Food Safety Act.
...................................................................................................................................................... 

FSSAI CEO Mohanty emphasises on risk-based approach to food regulation  

Friday, September 28, 2012 08:00 IST  Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

Food regulation is not a one-sided affair, and it is imperative to migrate from a hazard-based system to a risk-based system, according to S N Mohanty, chief executive officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Mohanty was delivering the keynote address on Thursday at the two-day Federation of Indian Chambers of Chambers and Industry (FICCI) Food World India 2012, the sixth global convention for food business and industry.
"When a risk-based approach is adopted, inspection will become prioritised. To put it simply, the regulatory authorities across India urge food business operators (FBOs) all over the country - estimated to be about 5 crore now and likely to double in the next two or three years - to up their guard. There is no dichotomy between the regulators and the FBOs. Co-production will be the keyword. Both will have to be on the same page. The onus of self-regulation and compliance will now be on the FBO," he said.
He further said, "It wouldn't be possible to migrate seamlessly to the risk-based approach without making sure that the FBOs have noted that it applies to both products seeking import clearance and those which will be sold in the domestic market, and risks are of two types, namely inherent risks and controllable risks."
Uniformity in licensing is another aspect the chief of the country's apex food regulator dwelled upon. He said, "Bundled licensing software, which enables the process and the product to be along the same lines, is being rolled out for each state, because it would be impossible to streamline the process without computerising it. The data available online is inadequate, and that has held the sector back for a long time. Moreover, the ability to create standards is also limited. With the passage of time, all the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954, will be repealed, so the inadequacies will be ironed out, and import control will also become smooth."
Product approval has not been clearly defined under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006 and Regulations, 2011, which came into effect on August 5 last year. Genetically-modified foods await notification. The onus for food safety is not on the FSSAI but on the FBO, according to Mohanty.
"Obtaining a no-objection certificate may take some time because the product available in the market is not necessarily safe and may have to undergo preliminary scrutiny. Certain minimum checks are mandatory," Mohanty said, adding that the nutritional matrices will be taken into consideration while determining the type of scrutiny. Some foods may just have a quick pass-through, while closer scrutiny will become mandatory for others.
He spoke about proprietary foods, a term rapidly gaining currency now, but from the perspective of the apparent ambiguities. It encompasses novel food, food additives, and functional foods. As for traditional foods, he said, "In India, the main issue hindering their approval is inadequate resources, including manpower."
Since it is a science-based process, an obvious drawback is the fact that there isn't enough laboratory infrastructure. "There are 60 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited labs, and another 55 are being set up currently. By the end of the Twelfth Plan, there will be about 200 labs. In addition, there will be 70 intermediate labs, and 30 referral labs."
Among the proposed scientific panels, according to Mohanty, are panels dedicated to fisheries and spices (the latter being a category in which there is immense potential for export growth). There is a proposal to set up a national food science body, whose primary objective is risk analysis. "The licensing regime, the food safety management system (FSMS) plan and safety audit are interlinked," he said.
"There is a huge communication gap. The modernisation and strengthening of laboratories is the need of the hour, and the Centre has earmarked funds for this purpose. There should be an orientation programme for the industry by the industry," Mohanty concluded.
The second half of the session was a panel discussion on the industry's expectations of the Act. The panelists were M M Chitale, vice-president, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) [AFST(I)]; Raji P Srivastava, food safety commissioner, Punjab, who spoke about the implementation of the Act and the industry's expectations; A S Upadhyay, joint director, export inspection agency, ministry of commerce and industry, Government of India, whose topic was quality control and food safety audits under FSSAI for domestic and international trade; J Padmaja, member, scientific panel for methods of analysis and sampling and assistant director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, who spoke about how FSSA encourages safety and innovation; and S N Bhat, food regulatory affairs manager, Nestle Pvt. Ltd, who spoke about the approval of additives (drawing pointers from the Food Code). ............................................................................................................................................

Now, vendors to get hygiene lessons

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to meet food vendors on the city streets and five other district in the state to instruct them on hygiene and check that they comply with these requirements.

A pilot project will be launched next month in select food places in the city as well as Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Nashik, FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade said.

The department has been considering registering food business operators (FBOs), particularly the roadside food stalls, across the state under the Food Standards and Safety Act (FSSA) for some time now.

"These vendors will be tracked over a period of time to ensure that they have been registered under the FSSA and are complying with the hygiene standards," Zagade said.

Under revised rules in force since August last year, FBOs are required to register with the FDA to convert their licences under the 1954 Prevention of Food Adulteration Act to the 2006 FSSA.

Zagade said that workshops will be conducted for vendors and hawkers will be instructed in the use of plastic gloves and caps when preparing food, checking the quality of materials like vegetables, and proper washing of utensils.

"The state has an estimated 15 lakh FBOs, which include hawkers, vendors, shopkeepers, wholesale suppliers, grocers and restaurateurs. So far, 2.6 lakh licences have been issued and we are reaching out to roadside stall owners in the pilot project to ensure due compliance under the FSSA," Zagade said.

......................................................................................................................................................

 FDA to offer tips on healthy cooking to street food sellers

MUMBAI: Street food will soon don the "healthy" tag with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planning to hold training sessions for vendors and give them lessons on how to cook and serve hygienic fare. The pilot project will include vendors at Nariman Point, Girgaum chowpatty, Juhu chowpatty and Khau Galli at Marine Lines.

FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade said the plan was aimed at sensitizing street food hawkers about the health hazards that unhygienic cooking might cause. The department will start with registering eating joints and then holding workshops and seminars for the sellers. "They will be taught to use fresh raw material, wear caps while preparing food and put on gloves while serving food," Zagade said. The project will also be held in Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Nashik.

The FDA on Thursday announced how it has cracked down on food and drug adulteration a year after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, came into effect. Zagade attributed their "triumph" to increased raids and checks. Food inspectors across the state have been carrying test kids and conducting on-the-spot checks to see if the food and medicine samples complied with the safety standards. In the festive season, Zagade said, the checks would be intensified.

Since the beginning of September, the FDA collected 62 samples of mawa and 47 of sweets to check their quality; following a test, the officials seized both the items, collectively worth Rs 3.28 lakh, for poor quality.

Zagade said efforts to curb milk adulteration, too, seemed to have yielded results. Of the 944 milk samples tested in the state, 690 conformed to set standards. "While 226 samples were substandard, meaning they had less fat content, only 1.8% was found to be unfit for consumption," he said. Unsafe milk powder, worth Rs 49 lakh, was seized and destroyed immediately.

Adulteration has been found to be less in medicines manufactured in the state. This was revealed by 20,833 samples of drugs brought from other states in three years; of them 1,488 or 7.14% tested below standard. Among the 9,148 samples of state-manufactured drugs tested, only 2.67% was of poor quality. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Survey finds substandard food items

NEW DELHI: Next time you decide to buy your favourite sweets like boondi ka laddoo or ras bari be sure that they are safely prepared. A recent survey by the food safety department of the Delhi government has found that many of these food items contain sub-standard, extraneous matter or are mis-branded. They pose serious health risks too.

"Eight out of 48 samples lifted by the department were found to unsafe — one sample each was sub-standard and misbranded whereas two samples contained extraneous matter," said a senior official.

He said that four samples of 'boondi ki laddoo' were found to have synthetic colour beyond the permissible limit."One sample of red chilli powder contained more colouring matter than allowed. A sample of sweetened carbonated water contained microbial contamination. A sample of kebab roll also had more synthetic colour. A sample each of kaju roll and ras bari was found to have extraneous matter," the official added.

Sources said challans have been issued to all food operators. Delhi health minister A K Walia, who held a review meeting with top officials of the food safety department, has asked officials to step-up strict prosecution action against the violators in view of the recent findings.

......................................................................................................................................................

FDA to offer tips on healthy cooking to street food sellers

MUMBAI: Street food will soon don the "healthy" tag with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planning to hold training sessions for vendors and give them lessons on how to cook and serve hygienic fare. The pilot project will include vendors at Nariman Point, Girgaum chowpatty, Juhu chowpatty and Khau Galli at Marine Lines.

FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade said the plan was aimed at sensitizing street food hawkers about the health hazards that unhygienic cooking might cause. The department will start with registering eating joints and then holding workshops and seminars for the sellers. "They will be taught to use fresh raw material, wear caps while preparing food and put on gloves while serving food," Zagade said. The project will also be held in Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Nashik.

The FDA on Thursday announced how it has cracked down on food and drug adulteration a year after the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, came into effect. Zagade attributed their "triumph" to increased raids and checks. Food inspectors across the state have been carrying test kids and conducting on-the-spot checks to see if the food and medicine samples complied with the safety standards. In the festive season, Zagade said, the checks would be intensified.

Since the beginning of September, the FDA collected 62 samples of mawa and 47 of sweets to check their quality; following a test, the officials seized both the items, collectively worth Rs 3.28 lakh, for poor quality.

Zagade said efforts to curb milk adulteration, too, seemed to have yielded results. Of the 944 milk samples tested in the state, 690 conformed to set standards. "While 226 samples were substandard, meaning they had less fat content, only 1.8% was found to be unfit for consumption," he said. Unsafe milk powder, worth Rs 49 lakh, was seized and destroyed immediately.

Adulteration has been found to be less in medicines manufactured in the state. This was revealed by 20,833 samples of drugs brought from other states in three years; of them 1,488 or 7.14% tested below standard. Among the 9,148 samples of state-manufactured drugs tested, only 2.67% was of poor quality.

......................................................................................................................................................

'Even Farmers have to register under Food Safety Act'

NAGPUR: The CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), S N Mohanty while replying to a question posed by a delegation of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) said that under the new Food Safety Act even farmers are required to obtain a registration before selling their produce in the market.

The statement came after the VTA delegation asked as to why farmers and milk societies are excluded from the purview of this law. On this Mohanty replied that FSSAI was formed after the Food Safety Act came into existence and hence only the Parliament can answer this question. However he categorically said that farmers are also required to obtain registration under the act before selling their produce claimed a press release issued by VTA.

VTA claims the new Food Safety Act in force since August this year, is threatening the very existence of several operators in the eatery and other food related businesses. They termed several provisions of the law to practically impossible to comply claiming that it may also lead to Inspector Raj as tremendous powers have been vested with the officials.

Secretary of VTA Tejindersingh Renu, questioned the CEO as to why the law failed in creating a logical balance and gradation between different types of businesses to be covered under the act. The act practically covers all the kinds of businesses including those even slightly related too food or food material. ""Under the new law there will be similar norms for a dhabha (highway eatery) to a seven star hotel,"" said Renu.

......................................................................................................................................................

Baba Ramdev’s unit given another chance to get products tested

Baba Ramdev may be famous for starting the yoga revolution, but he is also quite well known to be skilled at dodging accusations thrown at him. Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Department department has given Baba Ramdev yet another chance to prove his stand and get his Kankhal-based unit’s food samples re-tested in the central laboratory in Pune within a month. Reacting on reports about his ‘misbranded’ food products, the yoga guru on Wednesday had termed the shocking findings as ‘misleading’ and ‘politically motivated’. He accused the State and Central investigating agencies of trying to defame him and threatened to take legal actions against the Food Safety and Standards Department also.

While addressing the local media, Ramdev said “It is a conspiracy to defame our trust and also sabotage our movement against corruption and black money”.

According to senior officials of the Food Safety and Standards Department, failure to get products re-tested within the given time will instigate adjudication of the case against Baba Ramdev’s unit. The department had collected samples of six food products after conducting a surprise raid at the unit in August this year. The samples were sent to Rudrapur for testing and the laboratory findings that the food products had failed the tests were made public on Tuesday.

District food safety officer RS Rawat admitted that there is no problem with the quality of the products being manufactured by the unit. “However, many products are manufactured elsewhere and their marketing is done here. Like the Patanjali salt is procured from Kutch in Gujarat and mustard oil from Rajasthan and both are sold as Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd products,” Rawat added.

According to sources, the yoga guru could possibly be fined to the tune of Rs 90 lakh for misbranding  six products. The misbranded products include Patanjali salt, Patanjali mustard oil, Patanjali lychee honey, Patanjali gram flour and Patanjali pine-apple jam. 

......................................................................................................................................................

750kg of adulterated tea seized

COIMBATORE: A team of officials from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India along with revenue officials and police raided a residence at Gandhipuram third street extension on Wednesday and seized 750kg of low quality tea dust and 100kgs of chemical dye which was ready to be packed and distributed in the open market. The dye according to the officials was to be mixed with the tea dust so that it would have a deep brown tinge when served for consumption.

"All these chemicals are carcinogens and prolonged use could lead to serious health complications. We will send the seized samples for detailed lab analysis. The owner of the establishment is absconding at the moment," said R Kathiravan, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Officials raided the spot on the basis of adulterated tea samples seized from a tea stall near Somanur early Wednesday morning. They traced the location of the tea distributors to Gandhipuram 5th street and later traced the warehouse and packing centre to a rented portion of a residential building on third street extension.

"We have also recovered the packing and blending materials inside. He has been running this business for the past couple of years," said K Chandran, Food Safety Inspector who was part of the operation.

The tea dust packed under the label of 'Three Star' tea was packed in polythene packets and the address of the manufacturers mentioned on it was found to be fake claimed officials. The house owner also claimed that he was unaware that something illegal was being carried out in the rented portion of the building. Officials have sealed the building after collecting samples for examination. The operation was carried out on the orders of district collector M Karunagaran.

......................................................................................................................................................

Tetra Pak sees increased support by governments for school milk programmes

Thursday, September 27, 2012 08:00 IST
Our Bureau, Bengaluru

Tetra Pak, which recently observed the World School Milk Day, has seen that an increasing number of governments and international development organisations are using school feeding programmes to develop the dairy industry and drive economic growth in addition to improving nutrition and educational outcomes.

In Tetra Pak's discussions with governments, development agencies and NGOs now raise economic development potential as an important consideration when assessing the merit of introducing a school feeding programme.

"In providing a guaranteed source of demand to local dairies, school feeding programmes encourage investment, expansion and economic growth in underdeveloped rural communities," said Ulla Holm, head, Tetra Pak's Food for Development Office (FfDO).

Among the recent such programmes are Chinese state-sponsored school milk projects, which have helped increase farming efficiency, boosting milk production by almost 50 per cent. A Kenyan government programme aimed to recreate the success of a previous school feeding initiative that increased production of liquid dairy products by 150 per cent. A Sudanese school milk programme set up by the leading local dairy processor, which created daily income for 250 small-holder farmers.

Through FfDO and its network, Tetra Pak cooperates closely with governments, development agencies, NGOs, local dairy processors and farmers to support school milk programmes and dairy industry development. In 2011, 6.7 billion packages of milk and other nutritious drinks in Tetra Pak packages were provided to 50.8 million children in schools in over 50 countries, up from 48.8 million children in 2010.

Tetra Pak and the FfDO supported several new school milk programmes in 2012. These include a national programme in Turkey pertaining to over seven million children. A programme in Mumbai was organised for 450,000 children in 1,200 schools. An initiative in Ukraine and Uzbekistan, covered over 1,000 children.

"Tetra Pak is committed to bring fresh, nutritious and safe foods to children," said Holm. "Working with governments around the world, we are also helping to ensure that feeding programmes act as powerful catalysts to build local dairy industry capacity, creating new and lasting opportunities for prosperity across whole communities," she said. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Bharti Walmart opens its first Best Price Modern Wholesale store in Hyd

Thursday, September 27, 2012 08:00 IST
Our Bureau, Mumbai

Bharti Walmart, the joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Walmart Stores Inc. for wholesale, business-to-business, cash-and-carry operations in India, on Wednesday opened its first Best Price Modern Wholesale cash-and-carry store in Hyderabad. Raj Jain, president, Walmart India, and MD & CEO, Bharti Walmart, inaugurated the store.

Spread over 53,000 sq ft, the store in Hyderabad is situated at Pillar No. 267, Sivarampally, Hyderabad, and offers best fixed and fair prices with unmatched convenience, choice, quality, hygiene, and selections.

The store is a one-stop business-to-business store that meets the day-to-day needs of restaurant owners, hoteliers, caterers, fruit and vegetable resellers, kirana stores, offices and institutions.

The store will stock over 5,000 items, including a wide range of fresh, frozen & chilled foods, fruits and vegetables, dry groceries, personal and home care items, hotel and restaurant supplies, apparel, office supplies, electronic goods, and other general merchandise items. Several products available have been locally sourced from Hyderabad and surrounding areas. These include FMCG foods, dairy, frozen and bakery items, tobacco, personal care, food and non-food commodities, office supplies, and general merchandise.

Jain said, "We are delighted to launch our first Best Price Modern Wholesale store in Hyderabad, a thriving industrial centre in Andhra Pradesh. With this store, we have further strengthened our foothold in southern India. The Best Price Modern Wholesale store will help people save money and live better by providing its members the benefit of low prices, convenience, wide assortment, good quality and hygienic products, all under one roof. We are optimistic that the opening of this store will add value to the economy of the city by serving the needs of local business communities and institutions." 

......................................................................................................................................................

Medical staff given work of food safety officers
Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, September 24

The state government has notified that deputy civil surgeons, senior medical officers (SMO) and medical officers (MO) serving with the health department would also enjoy the power of food safety officers (FSO) in districts where the posts of food safety officer were lying vacant or where the workload was more in order to implement the Food and Safety Standards Act-2006.

Dr G.L. Singhal, Drug Controller and Joint Commissioner Food and Drug Administration of Haryana, said since there was a shortage of food safety officers in the state, the medical officers had been assigned the powers of the food safety officer so that there was no violation in the field.

He said Haryana was, perhaps, the first state to take action regarding the sale of infant milk substitute. It had raided the premises of a wholesale distributor of infant milk substitute food products here in July and seized some samples for testing.

The state government had also banned the sale of bottled white fluid used as corrector (eraser) in typed documents and nail polish remover sold in bottle type of container, he said.

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety wing lacks staff

The understaffed Warangal zone’s food safety department is likely to get some respite under recently enacted The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into force in the state with effect from December 2011 in place of the old Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

Out of the official sanctioned strength of over 30 food safety officers (FSOs) in Warangal zone, comprising 6-8 each for Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts, the regional Food Safety department is presently being manned by only six FSOs.

Out of the six FSOs working in Warangal zone, Adilabad has only two FSOs followed by Karimnagar (1), Warangal (1) and Khammam (2).

The regional unit has two other higher-level officers above the FSOs, namely food safety designated officers (four are presently working in four districts) headed by an assistant food controller, who is the supervising authority in the regional unit.

As the only department playing watchdog role over food safety aspects like adulteration, sub-standard food and misbranding, sources said the understaffed department officials had little time to take up surprise raids under the old 1954 Act, which had no provision to take up compounding of cases registered by the department.

Presently, the lone Food Safety Officer (FSO) working in Warangal district is burdened with attending 220 court cases filed in various courts leaving no time for conducting raids on suspected shops selling adulterated or sub-standard food items in the market.

Sources pointed out FSOs in each of the four districts under the Warangal zone are facing a similar situation attending pending court cases numbering about 150-300 in each district.

What is more, once a case is registered by the FSOs of the respective district, official sources pointed out that the case often drags on for an average period of 5-7 years before it is disposed of by a competent court.

This also explains why the department never carries out en mass raids over hundreds of roadside eateries and hotels selling sub-standard food items to customers.

However, department officials hope the new 2006 Act would bring in positive change as joint collectors of the respective districts have been designated as ‘adjudicating officer’ with power to compound the offence of the accused by levying fines.

According to D. Ramakrishna, food safety designated officer, Warangal district, the new Act brings offences such as ‘misbranding of products’ and sale of ‘sub-standard eatables’ under the compoundable category.

“These offences can now be decided by joint collector under the new Act without approaching the courts,” he said.

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety guidelines for refrigeration-The Times of India

How long can you store cooked and raw ingredients in a fridge? Generally, we believe that if the food is refrigerated it is safe to consume it even more than a week later, isn’t it?

Well, false. Food has an expiry date even if it is refrigerated. So how safe is your food? Let’s chart out the storage time for the main products stocked in an Indian fridge.

Fresh chicken
Freezer – 9months – 1 year
Fridge – 1 to 2 days

Fresh fish
Fridge – 1 – 2 days

Fresh eggs
Fridge - 3-5 weeks

Non – Veg soups and stews
Fridge - 3-4 days

Milk
Freezer - 1 week
Fridge - 7 days

Yogurt
Freezer - 1-2 months
Fridge - 7 – 14 days

Grapes, peaches, pears, plums
Freezer - 6 months
Fridge – 3-5 days

Lime, lemon, orange
Fridge - 2-5 weeks
Room temperature – 3 days

Papayas
Fridge - 1-3 days

Watermelon
Fridge – 6-8 days

Packaged fruit juice
Fridge – 3 week sealed pack and 7-10 days opened pack

Beetroot, carrots, radishes
Fridge - 2 weeks

Mushrooms
Fridge – 1- 2 days

Capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, chilies, green beans, spinach
Fridge - 1 week

Nuts
Fridge – 1 year

Mayonnaise
Fridge – opened bottle – 2-3 months

......................................................................................................................................................

Address shortcomings in Food Safety Act

Adverse impact of the act on farmers highlighted by them in a petition

Twenty-one Members of the Parliament from Tamil Nadu have signed a petition urging the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad to address “shortcomings” in the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSA) 2006.

The Act established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSA) as a statutory body coming under the Health Ministry for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and regulating manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale and import of food.

The petition was the result of a campaign undertaken by Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, which met all the 40 MPs from the State at New Delhi recently and highlighted the adverse impact the Act could have on farmers and small food business operators.

Addressing a press conference in Madurai on Tuesday, association president S.P. Jeyapragasam said that rules and regulations of the FSA were heavily influenced by multinational companies and domestic corporates who dominated the 123-member committee formed to frame the standards under the Act. He also noted that this committee was dissolved by the Supreme Court on February 2011.

Even M.S. Swaminathan, the Rajya Sabha MP known widely as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution,’ whom the delegation met in New Delhi, concurred with the traders’ opinion and voiced his concern with the Union Health Minister.

The Act, which replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, levied penalties in the range of Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh besides prescribing jail terms ranging between six months to 10 years.

Further, it had retained the standards set in 1954 for most of agricultural food produce though farming practices and the environment had undergone a sea change since then.

“While we welcome the intentions of the Act to provide quality and hygienic food to the public and coming down heavily on adulterated food, its rules and regulations are impractical.

The Act was framed in 2006 but notified in 2011 and yet, the Government did not utilise the five intervening years to crate awareness among the business community.”

He also noted that Tamil Nadu was being considered as being in the forefront of implementing the Act by officials in New Delhi even as several States were yet to establish the offices for implementing agencies.

Further, Mr. Jeyapragasam said, the standards of food produce would surely vary from region to region and sometimes within the region itself depending upon rains or lack of it, fixing one quality for all was not a practical move.

The association also urged the Central Government to rectify the various “anomalies” in the Food Safety Act 2006. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Rs 12 lakh ceiling not applicable to small-scale FBOs: Madras High Court 

Saturday, September 08, 2012 08:00 IST   Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai 

In response to the Writ Petition Number 4791/12 filed by Madurai Managar Anaitthu Vanigargal Nala Sangam (represented by its president L Thangavel and co-petitioner P Arivarasu, who owns a small-scale food and beverage industry) and 16 other writ petitions (which were filed later), the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court (comprising Justice K Chandru and Justice V Ramasubramanian) passed an interim order, ruling that the ceiling of Rs 12 lakh imposed on food business operators (FBOs) by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) may not apply to small-scale industries related to the food and beverage business.

"They ruled that the interim order that would make the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, work, even while permitting the petitioners to carry on their business within the framework of the law, can be passed, and directed the Centre to bring all writ petitions challenging the validity of FSSA and FSSR to the Supreme Court's notice," said Ganesh Jeyaraj, member, Madurai Managar Anaitthu Vanigargal Nala Sangam.

"The scientific panels and scientific committees, which were scrapped upon the apex court's recommendation, have been reconstituted, but the petitioners contend that this hasn't been done in accordance with Section 13 of the Act. They are also challenging FSSAI's decision not to adhere to the Act and FSSR for fixing the standards for each commodity," he informed.

"The judges also said that Tamil Nadu's food safety commissioner will draw samples and proceed with the other requirements subject to the final orders to be passed in the writ petition. He was directed to accept the petitioners as having complied with the labelling requirements in the form of stickers," Jeyaraj said.

He added, "The earlier stay and interim injunctions will be vacated. If the apex court is monitoring the implementation of the Act, no other constitutional court can work at cross purposes. If a person willingly complies with a substantial part of the Regulations, he may be kept out."

......................................................................................................................................................

Mobile labs to check adulteration of milk - JMC to procure at least six such laboratories

Concerned over the influx of adulterated milk in the city, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has decided to buy computerised mobile testing laboratories to check samples on a daily basis.

Officials said the health wing of the Corporation had sent a proposal to the government to buy half a dozen mobile laboratories to test the daily supply of milk within the municipal limits, which at times has been found of poor quality for human consumption.
So far, the corporation was dependent on the laboratory, which takes days for testing the samples and giving out results. The new mobile laboratories will give results in few minutes, allowing greater ability of the staff to impose a fine on the dairy owners.
A study by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that 83 per cent of milk sold in urban areas and districts of the state is not safe for consumption.
The FSSAI had taken 18 samples from both urban and rural areas of the state as part of its nationwide study to identify different types of adulteration in the liquid milk and only three samples confirmed to the standards set by the government.
The study had found that most common adulteration in the state is glucose and skimmed milk products (SMP), mixed with an intention to earn profit at the expenses of heath of common man.
Health Officer of JMC Dr Vinod Sharma said, “We are waiting for the funds to procure half a dozen mobile testing laboratores, which could help us in taking speedy action against defaulting dairy owners”.
Dr Sharma said in the absence of modern gadgets, it was becoming difficult to curb the influx of adulterated milk and its products, which is at times very dangerous for the health of the people.
The study has revealed that water is the most common adulterant. It not only reduces the nutritional value of milk but contaminated water may also pose a health hazard to the consumers.
Unable to cope up with the increasing demand of milk locally, Jammu imports nearly six lakh metric tonnes of milk from other parts of the country annually. Most of it is directly supplied to the distributors, with not much tests done by the authorities. 

......................................................................................................................................................

No lifting gutkha ban, says High Court

The Bombay High Court refused on Friday to stay the notification banning paan masala, saying the state government had taken the decision in public interest.
The interim order was passed in response to a petition by Dhariwal Industries Limited challenging the seizure of its paan masala packets by the state Food and Drugs Administration.
Dhariwal Industries said the state government had imposed a “blanket ban” on gutkha and paan masala.
It argued that the two products were different and paan masala was not harmful.
Advocate General Darius Khambata countered that 98 per cent of samples of paan masala were found to have certain percentage of zinc, magnesium carbonate and other harmful substances.
A group of doctors from Tata Memorial Hospital, who intervened in the case in support of the ban, said the various processes the product was put through to add taste and flavour made it hazardous to health.
A group of companies manufacturing gutkha has also challenged the government man. Their petitions are to be heard on September 12.
The companies have questioned if gutkha can be classified as “food” and said it cannot be governed by Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, under which it has been banned.
The companies claim before the notification, gutkha was governed by Control of Tobacco Products Act, 2003.
Sanjay Kadam, the lawyer who represented the doctors from Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “We welcome the judgment. Our stand was that loss of revenue (to gutkha companies) can never be a larger issue than loss of human life and health.”
FDA awaits nod to destroy seizure
With the Bombay High Court upholding the ban on manufacturing and sale of paan masala in an interim order, the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is now awaiting nod to destroy seized packets.
The state FDA has confiscated gutkha and paan masala worth Rs 6.85 crore since the ban notification was issued in July. Of this, seizure worth Rs 92 lakh was made in Mumbai.
“Most of the gutkha, worth Rs 3 crore, was seized from Thane. We are now waiting for the final hearing to destroy the seizure,” said Kamlesh Sankhe, Joint Commissioner (food), FDA.
Paan masala contains areca nut, a WHO-categorised carcinogen. “This is the first time that paan masala has been included in the perview of tobacco ban.
“There is enough evidence to prove its ill- effects,” said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi of Tata Memorial Hospital. Anti-tobacco activists welcomed the move.
“It is a commendable risk the government has taken to ban paan masala.
“The challenge now is its implementation. Children, who suffer the most from the sale and consumption of paan masala, will benefit from this move,” said Vincent Nazareth of NGO Crusade against Tobacco.

......................................................................................................................................................

No court relief for pan masala makers

MUMBAI: The Bombay HC on Friday granted no relief to a petition filed by the makers of a pan masala, Pan Vilas, and after clubbing the case originally filed in Nagpur with the clutch of challenges raised by gutka majors in Mumbai, said it would finally hear the matter on September 12.
Their counsel, Ravi Kadam, argued that the product which was merely pan masala, and not flavoured tobacco like gutka, cannot be banned because it does not contain tobacco, nicotine or magnesium carbonate. ACT India, the Tata hospital-based NGO, intervened in this petition too
and opposed their demand.Advocate general Darius Khambata appearing for the state senior counsel Rajni Iyer for the NGO argued that pan masala was also very
harmful for health and needed to be prohibited. The state ban was on both.
The HC bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar had earlier been assured by the state that it would not destroy any seized packets of gutka. The court has not stayed the ban introduced by the state government in July 2012
on gutka and pan masala. In an detailed
affidavit, the state earlier said the ban under a 2006 law which is a central law and its rules notified in 2011 was in "larger interest of public health". It said the ban was justifed since flavoured tobacco was considered "food" even by the Supreme Court and under the Food Safety and Standards Act which governed adulteration of food to protect public health.

......................................................................................................................................................

Government stipulates Pan Masala can not contents tobacco or nicotine

  At present, there are no regulatory standards in place for ingredients of cigarettes in our country. The Regulation 2.11.5 of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 prescribes the standards for Pan Masala. Further, the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1st August 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products. The Hon`ble Supreme Court in Godawat Pan Masala Vs UOI, 2004 (7) SCC 68 has held that “Since pan masala, gutka or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of Section 2(v) of the (Prevention of Food Adulteration) Act.” As such, by virtue of the regulation dated 1st August 2011 issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the issue, Gutkha products are food products containing tobacco and nicotine and their manufacture, sale or storage is not permitted under law. By virtue of the same regulation, Pan Masala, if it contains tobacco and nicotine, cannot be manufactured or sold.

This Ministry has written to the Governments of the States/UTs to strictly implement the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1st August 2011. The Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Chandigarh and Mizoram have so far issued orders/notification to enforce the ban on sale of Gutka and Pan Masala containing tobacco/nicotine in their states in accordance with this regulation.

Enforcement of the above regulations lies with the Commissioners of Food Safety under the state governments, as per the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act 2006. The information on the number of cases reported for violation of the above rules and standards is, therefore, not available with this Ministry.

In compliance with the direction given by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Ankur Gutkha Vs. Indian Asthma Society (SLP 16308/2007), a comprehensive study on the contents of gutkha, tobacco, pan masala and similar articles manufactured in the country and harmful effects of consumption of such articles was prepared by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and was submitted to Hon’ble Supreme Court. The matter is sub-judice before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

MoHFW has initiated the process of setting up of tobacco testing laboratories and has identified four regional testing labs and one apex lab for testing contents and emissions of all tobacco products.

The above information was given by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. 

......................................................................................................................................................

FSSAI take on common food adulterants

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prepared a document that would be useful to householders while detecting common adulterants in food. Adulteration is not only an unethical practice, but also a serious risk to our health. The manual provides the testing methodology for adulterants.

FSSAI stated, “Consumers do not have sufficient knowledge about the purity and quality of the food articles they consume. Mere visual inspection does not serve the purpose, especially when adulteration has assumed a high degree of sophistication. With this view, we have developed 'Quick Test for Some Adulterants in Food', so consumers can screen their food articles.”

The manual, whose tagline is 'Eat Pure.....Live Pure....', describes adulteration of food as “a deep-rooted social evil”. It goes on to explain that among man's everyday needs, food plays a key role – sustenance. From a simple dish to the most lavish spread, food preparation is as varied and rich as our tastes.

It added, “The lure of riches and the general apathy (of those who indulge in such unscrupulous practices) towards mankind has led to adulterants being added to food. These range from stones in rice to the toxic brick and boric powder.” Adulteration of food is defined as the addition or subtraction of any substance to or from food, so its natural composition and quality is affected.

Adulteration may either be intentional (by removing substances from food or altering its existing natural properties knowingly) or unintentional (which is usually attributed to the ignorance, carelessness or lack of facilities for maintaining the quality of food). Be it intentional or unintentional, the common man suffers because the food is consumed without thorough checks.

“Milk and milk products, atta, edible oils, cereals, condiments (whole and ground), pulses, coffee, tea, confectionery, baking powder, non-alcoholic beverages, vinegar, besan and curry powder are the most common adulterated foods. Consumer awareness is the remedy for eliminating the evil of adulteration and the sale of sub-standard food articles,” the country's food regulator said.

“Two parts of the instruction manual have been developed, namely Part-I and Part-II. Part-I (which contains all the following instructions) incorporates simple testing procedures which can easily be performed at home and simply helps the consumers screen their day-to-day food articles,” it said.

“Part-II incorporates testing procedures which require specific chemicals, reagents and glassware and cover a wider range of adulterated food group. The scope of this manual is limited to small industries, food vendors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), etc., but for detailed confirmatory tests and quantification, analysis in a laboratory is a must,” the manual stated.

Adulteration simplified
Food is one of the basic necessities of life. Although we work hard and earn to satisfy our hunger, we are usually not aware of what we consume. We may actually be eating a dangerous dye, sawdust, soapstone, industrial starch or aluminium foil! Contaminated food and drink are sources of infection, which can be avoided.

Food adulteration is an act of intentionally debasing the quality of food offered for sale by the admixture or substitution of inferior substances or by the removal of some valuable ingredient. An adulterant is any material which is or could be employed for making the food unsafe or sub-standard or misbranded or containing extraneous matter.

Food adulteration takes into account not only the intentional addition or substitution or abstraction of substances which adversely affect the nature, substance and quality of foods, but also their incidental contamination during the period of growth, harvesting, storage, processing, transport and distribution.

Food is adulterated if its quality is lowered or affected by the addition of substances which are injurious to health or by the removal of substances which are nutritious. Adulterated food is dangerous because it could be toxic and could deprive food of the nutrients essential for proper growth and development.

Food is declared adulterated if:

a substance is added which depreciates or injuriously affects it

cheaper or inferior substances are substituted wholly or in part

any valuable or necessary constituent has been wholly or in part abstracted

it is an imitation

it is coloured or otherwise treated to improve its appearance or if it contains any added substance injurious to health

for whatever reasons its quality is below the standard

More often than not, food is adulterated by merchants and traders who want to make a quick profit. But sometimes, shortages and increasing prices, consumer demands for variety in foods, a lack of awareness, negligence, indifference and lethargy among consumers and inadequate enforcement of food laws and food safety measures also lead to food adulteration.

Types of adulterants
Intentional adulterants: Sand, marble chips, stones, mud, other filth, talc, chalk powder, water, mineral oil and harmful colour

Incidental adulterants: Pesticide residues, droppings of rodents and larvae in foods

Metallic contaminants: Arsenic from pesticides, lead from water, effluents from chemical industries and tin from cans

Poisonous or deleterious substances
If a food contains a poisonous or deleterious substance that may render it injurious to health, it is adulterated. Examples are apple cider contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and Brie cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Mixing a poisonous substance in excess of a tolerance limit, regulatory limit or action level to reduce the level of contamination is not permitted.

Sometimes, adulterated food is deliberately mixed with good food. This renders the finished product adulterated.

Filth and foreign matter
Filth and extraneous material include any objectionable substances in foods, such as foreign matter (such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, stones, sand and cigarette butts), undesirable parts of the raw plant material (such as stems, pits in pitted olives, pieces of shell in canned oysters) and filth (namely mold, rot, insect and rodent parts, excreta and decomposition).

Economic adulteration
A food is said to be adulterated if it omits a valuable constituent or substitutes another substance, in whole or part, for a valuable constituent (for example, if olive oil is diluted with tea tree oil); conceals damage or inferiority in any manner (such as fresh fruit with food colouring on the surface to conceal defects); or any substance has been added to it or packed with it to increase its bulk or weight, reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear bigger or of greater value than it is (for example, adding water to scallops to make them heavier).

Microbiological contamination and adulteration
The fact that a food is contaminated with pathogens (harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses or protozoa) may or may not render it adulterated. Generally in a ready-to-eat food, the presence of pathogens will render the food adulterated. Salmonella in fresh fruit and vegetables or ready-to-eat meat or poultry products such as luncheon meats is an example.

For meat and poultry products, which are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the rules are more complicated. Ready-to-eat meat and poultry products contaminated with pathogens, such as salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes, are adulterated (because raw meat and poultry products are intended to be cooked and only proper cooking will kill the pathogens). Raw poultry contaminated with salmonella is not adulterated.

Methods for detection of common adulterants in food

[Note: These include items mentioned in both Part-I and Part-II of the instruction manual.]

Water in milk

This is the most common example of adulteration. To detect the presence of water in milk, place a drop of milk on a polished slanting surface. A drop of pure milk will flow slowly, leaving a white trail in its wake, whereas milk that's been adulterated with water will flow immediately without leaving a mark.

Other adulterants in milk

Starch
A few drops of iodine tincture or solution are added to the milk. If its turns blue, starch is present in it.

Urea
A teaspoon of milk is put in a test tube, and half-a-teaspoon of soybean or arhar powder is added to it. The contents are mixed by shaking the test tube well. After about five minutes, a red litmus paper is dipped in it, and removed about 30 seconds later. If the litmus paper turns blue, urea is present in the milk.

Vanaspati
About 3ml of milk is taken in a test tube and about ten drops of hydrochloric acid are added to it. A teaspoonful of sugar is added to the mixture. After about five minutes, the mixture is examined. The red colouration indicates the presence of vanaspati in the milk.

Formalin
Formalin enhances the life of milk and is thus added for the purpose of preservation. About 10ml of milk in a test tube and about 5ml of concentrated sulphuric acid is added from the sides of the wall without shaking it. If a violet or blue ring appears at the intersection of two layers then it shows the presence of formalin.

Detergent
About 5-10ml of the milk sample is mixed with an equal amount of water lather. When shaken, it indicates the presence of detergent.

Synthetic milk
Synthetic milk has a bitter after-taste, gives a soapy feeling when rubbed between the fingers and turns yellowish on heating.

Synthetic milk – test for protein
The milk can be tested by using Urease strips. Synthetic milk is devoid of protein.

Test for glucose/inverted sugar
If a test for glucose with a Urease strip has a positive result, the milk does not contain glucose or inverted sugar. If it is made synthetically by adding by adding white coloured water paint, oils, alkali, urea, detergent, etc. Glucose or inverted sugar syrup is added in milk to increase the consistency and taste.

Ghee, cottage cheese, condensed milk, khoa, milk powder, etc.
About 5ml of diluted H2SO4 or concentrated HCl is added to one teaspoon full of the melted milk sample in a test tube and shaken well. If it turns pink (in case of H2SO4) or crimson (in case of HCl) it indicates the presence of coal tar dyes. If HCl does not give a colour, it can be obtained by diluting it with water.

Dairy products
Sweet curd
A tablespoonful of curd is taken in a test tube and about ten drops of hydrochloric acid are added to it. The contents are mixed by shaking the test tube gently. After about five minutes, if upon examination, it is observed that the mixture has turned red, the curd contains vanaspati.

Rabri
A teaspoon of rabri is taken in a test tube and about 3ml of hydrochloric acid and 3ml of distilled water are added to it. The contents are stirred with a glass rod, which is then removed. If, upon examination, the rod is found to have fine fibres, it shows the presence of blotting paper in rabri.

Khoa and its products
A small quantity of a khoa sample (or the sample of a product containing khoa) is boiled in water and cooled. A few drops of iodine solution are added it. If it turns blue, it indicates the presence of starch.

Chhana/paneer
A small quantity of a chhana or paneer sample is boiled in water and cooled. A few drops of iodine solution are added it. If it turns blue, it indicates the presence of starch.

Oils and Fats
Ghee/butter
About a teaspoonful each of melted ghee and concentrated hydrochloric acid are taken in a stoppered test tube and a pinch of sugar is added to it. It is shaken for about a minutes and left for about five minutes. If the acid turns crimson, it indicates the presence of vanaspati or margarine.

The test is specific to sesame oil, which is added to vanaspati and margarine, Some coal tar colours also give a positive test. If the test is positive (i.e. if the acid turns red) only by adding strong hydrochloric acid (without adding crystals of sugar) then the sample is adulterated with coal tar dye. If the red colour appears after the sugar is added and the mixture is shaken, then only vanaspati or margarine is present.

Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and other starches
A few drops of iodine are added to a ghee sample. Iodine, which is brownish in colour, turns blue if the sample contains mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or other kinds of starches.

Edible oil
About 5ml of edible oil is taken in a test tube and about 5ml of hydrochloric acid is added to it. It is shaken gently and then let to stand for about five minutes. The adulterant (prohibited colour) and the oil will separate, and the former will form the upper layer.

Coconut oil
A small bottle of oil is placed in the refrigerator. Upon solidifying, the adulterant (any other oil) forms a separate layer.

Sweetening agents
Sugar
Chalk
About 10gm of sugar is dissolved in a glass of water and allowed to settle. Chalk will settle at the bottom.

Urea
Upon dissolution in water containing sugar, urea gives the smell of ammonia.

Non-permitted yellow colour
About 5ml of water containing sugar is taken in a test tube, and a few drops of concentrated HCl is added to it. If the lower layers of the acid turn pink, it indicates the presence of non-permitted colour.

Honey
A cotton wick is dipped in pure honey. Upon lighting it with a matchstick, it will burn and show the purity of honey. The presence of water (one of the two ingredients in a sugar solution) will not allow the honey to burn. If it does, it will produce a cracking sound. This test is only for added water.

Jaggery

Washing soda
A few drops of solution HCl is added to jaggery. Effervescence indicates the presence of washing soda.

Chalk powder
Jaggery is dissolved in water. If it settles down, it indicates the presence of chalk powder.

Alternately, a few drops of concentrated HCl are added to the jaggery. Effervescence indicates the presence of the adulterant.

Metanil yellow colour
A quarter of a teaspoon of jaggery is taken in a test tube. About 3ml of alcohol is added to it and the test tube is shaken vigorously to mix the content. About ten drops of hydrochloric acid are added to it. A pink colour indicates the presence of metanil yellow (a non-permitted coal tar colour) in jaggery.

Sugar solution
A drop of honey is added to a glass of water. If it does not disperse in the water, the honey is pure; but if it does, it indicates the presence of added sugar.

Bura sugar
About 1ml of HCl is added to little bura sugar. If washing soda is present, effervescence will occur. About 2gm of sugar is dissolved in water, and red litmus paper in the solution. If washing soda is present, it will turn blue.

Sweetmeats, ice cream and beverages
Colour is extracted from food articles using lukewarm water. A few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to it. A magenta colour indicates the presence of metanil yellow.

Saccharin
A small quantity of a sweetmeat, ice cream or a beverage is tasted. Saccharin leaves a sweet taste in the mouth for a long time, but it eventually tastes bitter.

Foodgrains

Wheat/rice/maize/jawar/bajra/chana/barley, etc.
These may be examined visually to see foreign matter, damaged grains, discoloured grains, insects, rodent contamination, etc.

Common adulterants in foodgrains include dust, pebbles, stones, straw, weeds, seeds, weevilled grain, insects, rodent hair and excreta.

Damaged or discoloured grain should be as low as possible since they may be affected by fungal toxins, argemone seeds, dhatura seeds, etc. A moderately excessive amount can result in risks to health. The damaged, undesirable grains should be discarded before use.

Maida
When dough is prepared from the resultant or left-out atta, more water has to be used. The normal taste of chapatis prepared out of wheat is slightly sweet, whereas those prepared from adulterated wheat will taste insipid.

Maida/rice
A small amount of maida or rice is taken in a test tube, some water is added to it and it is shaken. A few drops of HCl are added to it. A turmeric paper strip is dipped in it. If it turns red, boric acid is present.

Wheat/bajra and other grains

Ergot

(i) Purple black longer-sized grains in bajra show the presence of ergots (fungi that contain poisonous substances)

(ii) Some grains are put in a glass tumbler containing 20 per cent salt solution (20gm common salt to 100ml water). Purple black longer-sized grains of ergots floats over the surface, while the sound grains settle down

Dhatura
Dhatura seeds are flat with blackish-brown edges that can be separated upon close examination.

Burnt kernel
The affected wheat kernel has a dull appearance, is blackish in colour and smells like rotten fish.

Sella rice (parboiled rice)

Metanil yellow
When a few grains of sella rice are rubbed in the palms of both hands, the yellow colour is reduced or disappears. When a few drops of diluted hydrochloric acid are added to a few rice grains mixed with a little water, the presence of the pink colour indicates the presence of metanil yellow.

Turmeric (a colour used for the golden appearance)

(i) A small amount of sella rice is taken in a test tube, some water is added and it is shaken. If, upon dipping boric acid paper (filter paper dipped in boric acid solution), it turns pink, turmeric is present

(ii) Some rice is taken and a small amount of soaked lime is sprinkled on it for a while. If turmeric is present, the grains will turn red

...................................................................................................................................................... 

 State Government contemplating ban on gutka, pan masala

This is the State’s second attempt to ban the carcinogenic substance

Tamil Nadu is considering a proposal to ban gutka and pan masala throughout the State. This is the State’s second attempt to ban the carcinogenic substance.

The State Tobacco Control Cell has submitted the proposal, and it is being processed at the highest level, official sources said.

It was as early as in 2001 that the first attempt was made to ban these products. It was notified that no person shall, by himself or using any person on his behalf, manufacture for sale, store, sell or distribute chewing tobacco, pan masala and gutka containing tobacco in any form under whatever name or description it is being sold in the State.

At that stage, its implementation was stymied by litigation, explains P. Vadivelan, State Tobacco Control Officer.

However, since the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards of India Act and notification of its rules and regulations end last year, it is now possible to implement such a ban within the provisions of the Act. Under Section 2.3.4 of the Regulations under the Act, “a product [is] not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health: Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products.”

The law is now very clear that tobacco or nicotine cannot be added to anything consumed, explains Prasanna Kannan, WHO consultant, State Tobacco Control Cell. “With this notification, we are armed with the power to implement a total ban on sale and manufacture of chewable tobacco products.”

In fact, the State Food Safety Authority can give notice to the company thus selling or manufacturing products containing tobacco and revoke its licence besides rejecting new applications for licences, according to a routable report on implementation of tobacco control provisions under FSSA organised by the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

Madhya Pradesh was the first to implement the ban since the new notification and subsequently other states including Kerala, Mizoram and Gujarat have also banned gutka and pan masala.

Implementation, if the ban were to come through, will jointly be done by both the State Food Safety Wing and the State Tobacco Control Cell. With a sum of Rs. 67 lakh in the kitty, Tamil Nadu heads the country in collecting fines for offences under the Cigarettes and Other tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, Dr. Vadivelan says. 

......................................................................................................................................................

                                          Natural Food Colouring and Additives

Colours and additives serve as a vital marketing tool to ensure that the product has consistent consumer appeal and they are also important to support flavour association.

Food colours are therefore used by manufacturers to restore the appearance of a food/drink after processing and also to help maintain the particular shade of a product for the duration of its shelf life.

For the manufacturers, it is a fine balance to provide vibrant appealing colours that do not look either artificial or too dull as consumers and retailers are not prepared to compromise the visual appearance of their food and beverage.

Food colours can loosely be categorised as artificial (colours that have been chemically synthesised) or natural. Historically the use of colours centered on synthetic ones. However, as technology evolved, a revolution in the availability of natural colours has taken place, which can offer equal stability to their synthetic counterparts in a wide range of applications. Natural colours have always been part of the diet. They have been isolated and added back to foods for the same reasons as the synthetic / certified colours. Chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins are consumed in the foods through our diet. Common natural colourings include annatto, saffron, paprika, grapes skin, caramel, beetroot, cochineal and turmeric.

Food colours are available as liquids, powders, gels, and pastes. Colour additives are used to offset colour loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions and also intended to correct natural variations in colour.

Safety of Colours and Efficacy of Regulations in India
Colours of the food can influence the perceived flavour. Sometimes the aim is to stimulate a colour that is perceived by the customer as natural or sometimes it is for effect. Off-colour foods are generally considered inferior in quality and so colours are added. Colours can also protect vitamins and flavours that may be affected by sunlight during storage. Usage of colours can enhance the natural colour of a dish and introduce decorative colours to other foods.

Specialty food ingredients typically preserve, texture, emulsify, colour, help processing, and in some cases, add an extra health dimension to produced food. These ingredients are essential in providing today's consumer with a wide range of processed foods. Such specialty food colours help maintain or improve a product's sensory properties. Due to consumer concerns around synthetic dyes, there is a tilt towards promotion of natural colours. Natural colours, generally, do not need certification by regulatory bodies throughout the world. Certified, synthetic colours are popular because they are less expensive but they are also effective in giving an intense and uniform colour. They can also blend easily to give a variety of hues.

Natural Colours
Some natural colours do end up giving an unintended flavour to foods - odour, taste and texture. There are different types of natural colours available to name a few.

Saffron
Saffron is used in the food to give yellow colour and a native spice of Asia. Along with colour it also has the excellent aroma that makes the food more delicious.

Turmeric
Turmeric is again a dark yellow coloured powder that is made from the herb Curcuma longa. It also has many medicinal properties and used in India since long time. Even today every dish in India uses turmeric.

Caramel Food Colouring
Caramel food colouring is made by heating the carbohydrates at controlled temperature through the process of caramelisation. This is somewhat bitter in taste and has the odour of bitter sugar. It is used to give colour to beer, brown breads, batter, cookies, chocolates, brandy, rum and so on.

Betanin
Betanin is red coloured food dye that is obtained from beets. It is the food additive with E number as E162. Ice creams, soft drinks, beverages are the most common foods in which betanin is used as natural food colouring. It also acts as an antioxidant.

Paprika
Paprika is obtained from the Capsicum annuum - dried fruit is grinded to get the paprika. The food colouring is used to colour rice, soups, stews and other preparation of sausages.

Red Sandalwood
Red sandalwood is blackish brown in colour and gives dark red liquid when cut. Red sandalwood is a natural food colour used in many kinds of food. Along with this it also has the anti-acne, and wound healing properties so it is extensively used as ayurveda herb in India.

The exact history of food additives is not known, but research indicates the existence of food additives to date back to the prehistoric man who added certain chemicals to smoked meat. Later methods like salting fish and meat to improve its shelf life, adding spices and indigenous herbs to food to improve its taste and pickling fruits using salt and vinegar, came into practice.

The use of food additives was minimum in the past when food was mostly prepared at home from fresh raw ingredients. Food items were seasonal and seldom available off season. Today we find most food being made available all round the year, enabling the urban population to enjoy food in great varieties. Food is also made available in places where it is not produced (e.g. fish in non-coastal region), due to the usage of food additives. The present day food industry has grown and flourished due to the liberal use of food additives. These additives have also led to the extensive production and marketing of 'easy-to-prepare' convenience foods.

The sudden rise in the use and manufacture of additives stems from the fact that most foods are nowadays packed and processed unlike in the past where majority of the food was hand-cooked. Also adding additives and preservatives ensures the availability of the product both off and on season. Also, easy to prepare convenience food has generous doses of additives so that the quality is restrained over the course of transportation and the item is still ready to eat. The concept of food additive keeping in pace with the technological advance, enlarged their horizon encompassing a number of a functional additives to improve the quality, shelf life, nutritional status, economies, as well as aesthetics of the products.

Additives
Major additives in food processing include: Alternate sweeteners; Anti-caking agents; Antioxidants; Bleaching and maturing agents; Bulking agents; Colouring agents; Dough conditioners; Emulsifiers; and Enzymes and sweeteners.

There are many different uses and nutritional values that are present among additives:

Nutritive Value of Food: Additive such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and amino acids derivatives are utilised to increase the nutritive value of food.

Sensory Value of Food: Colour, odour, taste and texture, which are important for the sensory value of food, are determined by additives.

Shelf Life of Food: The current form of food production and distribution, as well as the trend towards convenient foods, has increased the demand for longer shelf life.

Food additives play a vital role in today's food supply as they are nutritious. Sarika Chawla, nutritionist, states, "In today's world, our diet includes 30-40% processed food, which may be more than 50% for those who are staying away from home. This processed food contains preservatives, chemicals and colours which are known as food additives. Preservatives are used more frequently than preservation techniques. These additives have hazardous effect on our health and it contributes to increasing incidence of cancer, heart disease and the like. Skin problems, hyper activity, hair loss and greying of hair can also be caused because of food additives."

Nonetheless, consumers still prefer food additives and colours because they allow the urban population to enjoy a variety of safe, wholesome, and tasty foods without any potential risk.

Feature: Foreign Direct Investment in Food Retail

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an investment that is made directly into production in a country by a company located in another country, either by buying a company in the target country or by expanding operations of an existing business in that country.

FDI is done for many reasons - take advantage of cheaper wages in the country, and special investment privileges such as tax exemptions offered by the country as an incentive to gain tariff-free access to the markets of the country or the region. FDI is in contrast to portfolio investment which is a passive investment in the securities of another country such as stocks and bonds.

As part of the national accounts of a country, FDI refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest (10 per cent or more of voting stock) in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor. It is the sum of equity capital, other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown the balance of payments. It usually involves participation in management, joint venture, transfer of technology and expertise. There are two types of FDI: inward FDI and outward FDI, resulting in a net FDI inflow (positive or negative) and "stock of foreign direct investment," which is the cumulative number for a given period. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares.

FDI in India
Starting from a baseline of less than $1 billion in 1990, a recent UNCTAD survey projected India as the second most important FDI destination (after China) for transnational corporations during 2010-2012. As per the data, the sectors which attracted higher inflows were services, telecommunication, construction activities and computer software and hardware. Mauritius, Singapore, the US and the UK were among the leading sources of FDI. According to Ernst and Young, FDI in India in 2010 was $44.8 billion, and in 2011 it experienced an increase of 25% to $50.8 billion. India has seen an eightfold increase in its FDI in March 2012.

Foreign direct investment in retail

The retail industry is a sector of the economy, which consists of individuals, stores, commercial complexes, agencies, companies, and organisations involved in the business of selling or merchandising diverse finished products or goods to the end-user consumers directly and indirectly. Goods and products of the retail industry or sector, are the finished final objects/products of all sectors of commerce and economy of a country.

The country's retail market, worth roughly $528 billion, is expected to more than double to $1,248 billion in the next eight years by which time organised retail is expected to increase its share to $262 billion or 21% of the total retail market. However, FDI in multibrand retail is still restricted. The government is likely to revive an order allowing foreign investors to own majority stakes in Indian super markets and department stores. The Cabinet had allowed foreign investors to own 51% in Indian supermarkets last November, but had to keep the move in abeyance after protests from its ally.

The business in the organised retail sector of India, is to grow most and faster at the rate of 15-20% every year, and can reach the level of $100 billion by the year 2015. Here, it is noteworthy that the retail sector of India contributes about 15% to the national GDP, and employs a massive workforce of it, after the agriculture sector. India's growing economy with a rate of approximately 8% per year, makes its retail sector highly fertile and profitable to the foreign investors of all sectors of commerce and economy, of all over the world. Global Jurix, a full-fledged legal organisation prominent worldwide, provides all-encompassing services and advice for most lucrative and secured FDI in the Indian retail sector.

Alluring position
A T Kearney recognised India as the second-most alluring and thriving retail destination of the world, among other 30 growing and emerging markets. At present, other profitable retail destinations of the world are China and Dubai. Diverse FDI in Indian retail is greatly cherished by most of the major and leading retailers of USA and European countries, including Walmart (USA), Tesco (UK), Metro (Germany), and Carrefour (France). Liberalisation of trade policy and loosening of barriers and restrictions to the foreign investment in the retail sector of India, have collectively made the FDI in retail sector quite easy and smooth.

The FDI in India's retail business can be made through any of the following routes: Joint Ventures; Franchising; Sourcing of Supplies from Small-Scale Sector; Cash and Carry Operations; and Non-Store Formats.

A leading world business survey revealed that Indian economy is a key economy in Asia. With the annual GDP growth rate of 8.7% (first quarter of 2011) and a country of billion plus population offers lucrative and diverse business opportunities across all industries and sectors. India is the destination of many leading investors from developed countries including USA, the UK, Canada and Germany as business in India promises good return on investment. Being an emerging economy and one of the largest democracies in the world, India offers stable and business-friendly rules and regulations to start a new enterprise. Indian legal environment and policy attracts foreign association and collaboration for doing business in India. Globaljurix, a leading Indian law firm has clients including small and medium and large business houses, multinational companies, public sector undertakings, ministries and government authorities, and provides all business solutions relating to business law.

Indian market
The Indian business market is very wide, offering new business opportunities. Doing business in India is promoted by professional efficiency with several years of global experience in diverse industry verticals. It has been observed that Indian domestic market has huge potential which is untapped for many years, but now catching the attention of global investors because of stable business environment, easy rules and regulations and last but not the least good return on investment.

Over the last three to four months, the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) has received applications from overseas for investing in single-brand retail. Brands including Skechers, Quicksilver, Tommy Hilfiger, Brooks Brothers, Promod, and Pavers England have filed for joint ventures or fully-owned subsidiaries with the DIPP. The mother of all investment proposals came from Sweden's IKEA Group, which plans to invest $1.9 billion in the country to set up a chain of big-box outlets, a supply chain, and restaurants, among other formats.

In its application to the DIPP, IKEA, the world's largest single-brand retailer, has said it has "identified India as a potential major retail market." Meanwhile, other foreign brands including US-based designer shoe label Steve Madden, LVMH-owned cosmetic and beauty care retailer Sephora, high-end French bakery chain L'Opera, Spanish designer brand Adolfo Dominquez, Armani Jeans, and Buddha Bar are either foraying into India or scaling up operations.

Tommy Hilfiger now plans to roll out 500 new stores in India over the next five years in addition to about 130 outlets it currently operates. The marketer has told DIPP that it plans to invest Rs 60 crore to set up 45 stores; the bulk of the new outlets, though, would be opened by franchisees.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says India's $1-trillion overall consumption market is set to more than treble to $3.6 trillion by 2020. Enticed by such numbers global retailers are making their way into India to sell their products to a middle-class.

Organised retail in fruits and vegetables

India is emerging as a reliable fruit supplier to European retail chains. Exporters are tying up with farmers for identity-preserved fruits, wherein consumers can trace the fruit they eat to the farm it is grown on. EU's safety and health norms, possibly the strictest in the world, and retailers are educating farmers on the need to maintain standards.

Processing and storage technology has had a huge role to play in the success of fruit cultivation and export. The controlled atmospheric cold store storage (CA) storage systems, for instance, lower oxygen and increase carbon dioxide levels and help reduce ethylene generation, ensuring that fresh produce has a longer shelf life.

Processing has played a big part in the development of Mahabaleshwar, a hill station near Pune. For many years, the local population found work only during the summer months, when tourists would come visiting. In the mid-90s, the state government and local farmers took up commercial plantation of strawberries, which were first introduced by the British and were grown till then only for tourist consumption. Grapes, too, are profitable when exported and processed.

Farmers in Himachal have been making a fortune from apples. Production has risen to 15 crore boxes in August-December 2010 from 8-9 crore boxes (50 boxes make one tonne) in 2009 and traders and corporates such as Adani, Concor, Bharti and Dev Bhumi Cold Chain are queuing up, to procure the fruit.

Investment in technology
With the advent of corporates and large traders farmers are realising the importance of investment in technology and value-added products like juices and jams.

Retailers too find it lucrative to keep the fruit chain going. With growing affluence, customer preferences have shifted to more nutritious products. As a result, the organised retailer has found customers for exotic, non-seasonal, imported as well as premium fruits in various markets. Bharti Wal-Mart sources all its fruit from India, with imported fruits accounting for just 1-2% of sales. Bharti sources fresh grapes, pomegranates, melons and some other agricultural products from India.

Bharti Walmart works closely with Walmart's Europe team, Indian suppliers and farmers to ensure implementation of globally accepted practices and other requirements in the area of farming, quality assurance and post-harvest management.

Mother Dairy's Safal retail chain promotes neem-based products which it manufactures in-house. It also helps farmers in sorting fruit and vegetables into different grades, packaging and transportation.

Delhi-based Dev Bhumi has tied up with French retail giant Carrefour, extending technical support to apple farmers in Matiana region of Shimla district. So far, they have selected progressive farmers willing to go enter modern retail. More than 100 large farmers and over 2,000 small and marginal farmers are working with them.

One of the chief benefits for farmers is that middlemen are bypassed and there are savings on transportation. Commission agents charge farmers a good 5% to 7%, while transportation costs add up to another 5% to 10%, depending on the condition. By removing intermediaries like middlemen, companies ensure quality and consistent supply of produce apart from bringing costs down.
Another incentive for farmers is that they get spot payments and assured cheque payments reach them within two to three days. Besides, corporates give farmers immediate price updates, transparent weighing systems, quality incentives, technical guidance and good quality raw material. Importantly, farmers are insulated from market risk and post-harvest damage.

Earlier, a farmer had to run after a trader for his payment, even after plucking, loading and bringing his produce to the mandi. Now the traders and companies do all the post-harvest work and pay by cheque the same day.

Exporters are also working overtime to educate farmers about the risks associated with pesticide residues. The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority, (APEDA) on its part, has established the Grapenet and Anarnet chemical residue traceability systems for grape and pomegranate exports to the EU respectively. The Maharashtra government, too, bears part of the cost of procuring a Global GAP certification, which gives farmers access to the quality-conscious European market.

Retail FDI in dairy industry

While the government claimed farmers support on FDI in retail, the country's largest dairy co-operative and food brand Amul felt such a move will hurt the interest of both producers and retailers. Farmers get the least returns from the modern trade and the "so called efficiency" benefits only the large retailers as they constantly drive down the prices.

The milk producers in the US get only 38 per cent share of the consumer's dollar spent on milk, while the rest is earned by the processor and retailer. In the United Kingdom, the milk producers get only 36 per cent. However, in India, the milk producer gets more than 70 per cent of the consumer's rupee on an average. Moreover, the milk producer affiliated to co-operatives get more than 80 per cent share of organised retail increases.

In the US, the farmer's share in the consumer's price has declined from 52 per cent in 1996 to 38 per cent in 2009, while in the UK it has declined from 56 per cent in 1996 to 38 per cent in 2009. This decline clearly demonstrates that the milk producers suffer when the share of organised retail increases.

For the government, the share of taxes would remain the same irrespective of the format of retail, while on the contrary, foreign retailers will demand more and more concessions and liberal policies to earn better. Further, the labour prices of large retailers were not employee-friendly and that the government may have to deal with huge labour issues if liberal FDI policies are implemented in retail. If largest and most reputed Indian corporate houses like Reliance, Tata and Birla have invested in retailing in India, we do not need to look to foreign investors to invest in Indian retail.

The small retailers in India over the past decade have improved their outlets, presentation, service levels and consumer orientation significantly. The modern retail and their deep pockets due to foreign investment will destabilise the retail trade, which gainfully employees a very large section of our society. The promised employment generation in modern retail will be at the cost of unemployed shopkeepers who form the backbone of our commerce and economy.

......................................................................................................................................................

Chicken Manchurian with a ‘Cooked Worm’

Again an incident of serving substandard food from a technopark restaurant.  The latest victim was  Naveen AS, a techie who got a cooked worm from chicken Manchoorian.  He bought it from Amritha Restaurant functioning in Nila atrium.  When he complained the incident, the restaurant representative simply blamed the vegetables and apologized for the ‘special dish’.

After the controversial shawarma incident, complaints on food adulteration and sale of subtandard foods are increasing in the city.

A complaint has been registered with the food safety authority through their toll free number.

......................................................................................................................................................

Worms found in food at varsity refectory

PUNE: Worms were found in the food served at the main refectory of the University of Pune on the second consecutive day on Saturday, sparking an angry protest from the students. It has been found that the refectory situated near the Jaykar library and which is being run by a private contractor does not have the mandatory licence issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raising serious hygiene issues.

Around 950 students enrolled for different courses at the university rely on this very refectory, for which the university administration provides a rental-free space and free electricity. The refectory has been in the news in past also due to students' complaints about poor quality of food served. “The worms were found in one of the vegetables yesterday night and today morning also. These kind of incidences have taken place in the past also. The university administration should take immediate action as the issue is directly related to health of students,” Sagar Shinde, a student from the History department said.

FDA Pune division, assistant commissioner (food) Dilip Sangat told Sakal Times that all public canteens needed a mandatory licence as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into effect from August 2011. “If there are violations, the Act stipulates a penalty of Rs 10 lakh and a jail term depending on the outcome of serving substandard food,” Sangat said.

Somnath Tambe, a student from Political Science department alleged that the supervisory committee set up to ensure desired quality of food at the refectory was acting in favour of the private contractor. Several agitating students told Sakal Times that Deepak Gaikwad of the History department who heads the supervisory committee used abusive language when the matter of the worms was brought to his notice on Saturday.

Students are demanding that refectory be run by the university administration, by partly involving students under the 'earn and learn' scheme. When contacted, UoP Vice chancellor Wasudeo Gade told Sakal Times that the refectory contractor would be summoned immediately to discuss the issues raised by students regarding the quality of food served. Gade said that the refectory owner would be asked to comply with the FDA guidelines with immediate effect.

......................................................................................................................................................

New standard packaging norms for FMCG cos from Nov: Govt

Amid growing cases of unfair trade practices, the government today said it has made it mandatory for FMCG companies to pack and sell specific products like biscuits and milk powder in standard sizes only with effect from November 1.

Following complaints regarding unfair reduction in the quantity of packaged products from some consumer organisation, the government has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011.

"It has been observed that some manufacturers in the country are reducing quantity of packaged products by small fractions without making a change in the price of the product. The government after due examination of the issue amended the Legal Metrology Rules, 2011," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

As per the amendment, all manufacturers of 19 commodities mentioned in second schedule of the said Rule will have to mandatorily pack items in standard sizes only, he said, adding that any unfair reduction of quantity will not be permitted.

This order will be implemented from November 1, 2012, he said.

Baby food, weaning food, biscuits, bread, butter, coffee, tea, cereals, pulses, milk powder, salt, edible oils, rice and wheat flour, aerated soft drink, drinking water, cement and paints are among other products that manufacturers are required to pack and sell in standard sizes, he added. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety officers appointed

Chandigarh, August 23

The Haryana Food and Drug Administration Department has appointed food safety officers (FSOs) in the state under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. Rakesh Gupta, Commissioner, Food Safety, Haryana, said here today that the Deputy Civil Surgeon (Health) would act as FSO for local areas within the district.

Senior medical officers(SMOs) in charge of subdivisional hospitals would be FSO for local areas within the subdivision. Similarly, SMOs in charge of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and medical officers in charge of primary health centres (PHCs) would serve as FSOs for local areas within the jurisdiction of CHCs and PHCs, respectively. — TNS

......................................................................................................................................................

Test Pesticides With Your iPhone

---

A good handful of months ago, I hesitantly swapped my trusted BlackBerry for an iPhone. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve been an Apple adherent for many years, and had already traded my costly PowerBook G4 laptop for an iPad without complaint, and have faithfully used Mac desktop computers since childhood (often alongside a PC supplied by work…).

Of course, I haven’t looked back and now wonder how I ever survived without the iPhone—and am continually amazed at its capabilities. Case in point, the other day, I ran across a Mashable story on a new device you can plug into your iPhone to test produce for potential pesticide residue (see “Lapka Turns Your Phone Into an Organic Monitor”).

Those of us who make the food industry our professional home know that, more than ever, transparency is key to establishing consumer trust. After all, folks are skeptical. And this Lapka iPhone device and app play right into that skepticism (other capabilities of the device include other paranoia-driven tests for electromagnetic fields and radioactivity, as well as humidity, with the latter option helping users determine their “perfect comfort level”).

The device basically seeks to detect nitrates in foods to, ostensibly, determine if they are truly organic or not (you can also test drinking water to discover pesticide contamination). Although it’s quite possible that the probe works on contact, I’m envisioning people carrying these devices around the grocery store and skewering fruits and vegetables—perhaps even poking through the barriers of packaged foods—with the probe before purchase, which I’m sure will rile many a store manager… Nevertheless, a cool idea that pushes the boundaries of iPhone capabilities. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Registration before February 4 must for sellers of food items

Food Business Operators have to register before February 4

Vegetable vendors, hawkers and pushcart traders engaged in the sale of food items categorised as Food Business Operators (FBO) in the Food Safety and Standards Act beware.

The government has made registration of their businesses mandatory. FBOs must comply with guidelines and register themselves before February 4 failing which the enforcement agencies will start cracking down on their businesses. Registration of their businesses will not be a cumbersome process and it will be an across the counter affair for FBOs.

All that the FBOs need to do is to come prepared with two passport size photographs along with an identification proof and the registration will be completed in 15 minutes on payment of Rs. 100 along with service charges at the Mee Seva counter.

MoU signed

In yet another firsts to the State’s credit, the Central government has designated the citizen service network, Mee Seva as a nodal registering authority in the State and the registration services could be availed from the over 5,000 centres. State Food Safety Commissioner Praveen Prakash and Mee Seva director Gopinatha signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday and a few FBOs were issued registration certificates to mark the occasion. The food safety authority would launch a special drive in association with the Institute of Preventive Medicine to create awareness among the FBOs on the need to register their businesses. The registration is applicable to FBOs with less than Rs. 12 lakh turnover a year.

IPM director P. Sucharita Murthy said the institute would provide technical staff and coordinate with the enforcement authorities in spreading awareness about the need to adhere to safety standards in sale of food items. The new initiative would cover a few lakhs of hawkers/vendors across the State. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Apply for product approval before seeking import licence, FBOs advised

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory notification on applying for product approval before seeking a licence to import or manufacture foods.
According to the Authority, the product approval would be based on categories prescribed by FSSAI in the Indian Food Codes as on June 25, 2012.
The notification explained that applications from manufacturers and importers of products and ingredients could be sent for approval in format that has been prescribed with the fee of Rs 25,000 payable to the FSSAI.
Other specifications include submission of documents such as notarised Rs 100 stamp paper affidavit, copy of the label and safety data, according to a source from FSSAI.
He also stated that provisional NOC (no objection certificate) would be issued for a year in case of existing licence holders or importers of proprietary food products and ingredients that had been proven safe for human consumption in other countries.
However, products and ingredients that were absolutely new and never been used in any country and whose safety assessment had not been carried out yet would not be issued provisional NOC.
The applications pertaining to such products and ingredients would be forwarded to the scientific panel concerned and the committee eventually.
Not only would this method ensure streamlining of the entire product approval process, but it would also simplify and quicken the process. “If all the documents are in place as per specifications, the process will be completed in a week’s time,” pointed out the source.
Once the process is completed, the Central or the state licensing officer would then issue the licence to the manufacturer on the basis of the turnover of the company and also import licence would be issued by the Central designated officer.
However, the Authority has made it clear that manufacturers of traditional food and local cuisine like atta, suji, dal savouries, samosa, bhujia, and gulab-jamun, which are commonly used by consumers need not apply for product approval as proprietary food.
In this regard, D V Malhan, executive director, All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA), confirmed, “The manufacturers of traditional foods had an objection and the matter was settled in the presence of K Chandramouli, chairman, FSSAI, recently.”
Malhan added that these foods have been there in our country for ages and hence they have not been mentioned in the new regulation. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety: Toll-free number a huge hit

The toll-free number  1800 425 1125  at the office of the Commissioner of Food Safety is a huge hit. Just four weeks after its introduction, as many as 871 people have registered complaints through the service. Most of the complaints are against hotels. The service, which is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., is receiving calls from across the state.

 The office of Food Safety Commissioner, a lesser-known department till recently, started hitting headlines just after the death of Sachin Roy Mathew, allegedly after consuming an Arabian dish ‘Shawarma’.

The office of Food Safety Commissioner launched the toll-free number on July 18, a week after the death of Sachin. The Commissioner has recently issued a directive to all hotels and eating establishments to flaunt the toll-free number at the counter. An employee at the toll-free service will record the name and address of the complainant.

 “Most of the complaints are against the eateries. Some call to file complaints against adulteration in packet foods. After registration, the complaints will be emailed to the Food Safety Officers in the respective districts,” said Prasanth, an the employee at the Food Safety Commission. Asked about the number of cases taken up by the Commission, he said that they were yet to sort out the number of such cases.

 “The Food Safety officers were busy conducting inspections in hotels. District offices will send details of probe to the head office,” he said. Reason behind Death Unclear

 The office of Food Safety Commissioner is yet to ascertain the real cause of death of Sachin. Anil Kumar, joint commissioner of Food Safety, said that they were yet to receive the post-mortem report and chemical analysis report. “Hopefully, we will get the report in a week,” he said.

On the same day of the death of Sachin, almost 10 people here had been hospitalised owing to food poison. However, the authorities are yet to come out with an authentic report on the real cause of death, he said.

The registration drive by the apex food regulator, the Food Safety Standard Authority of India, to regulate food industry under the new food regulation has remained a non-starter.

Just around 23 lakh out of five crore food business operators in the country have enrolled under the legislation in the last one year. Also, only around two lakh food licenses have been issued so far against the target of 50 lakh. This has compelled the FSSAI to extend its registration and license drive by six more months.

As per the FSSAI regulations of 2011, all the food business operators including small-time food vendors have to be registered with the local authorities. Those having annually turnover of above Rs 11 lakh have to procure food license to operate their services in the absence of which their business would become illegal.

The registration and license of the food operators ended  on August 4. One of the objectives of the enforcement is to ensure that registration/ licensing provisions are fulfilled and food items are safe, hygienic, wholesome and free of contaminants. However, FSSAI officials are not too happy with the response.

In many States,  food business operators are opposing the new regulations and have termed them impractical.  The  food officials admit that  majority of the States do not have adequate manpower as well as monetary resources to move to the new food regime.

“No wonder that States like Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, Goa and Gujarat beside Northeastern states including Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya did not even bother to attend the crucial meeting of the Central Advisory Committee of the Authority held mid-last month to review the progress of the registration process and State’s preparedness,” the official said.

Same was the case with the Union Territories like  Andaman & Nicobar Island, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep. They also did not attend the meet.

While Bihar is yet to create a separate department of food safety, Chandigarh has set up the  Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, but  not appointed its  presiding officer.

No laboratory is functioning in Jharkhand as no food analyst has been notified while Kerala is yet to notify adjudication officer and establish Appellate Tribunal so far.

However, Rajasthan has appointed food safety commissioner while additional district magistrate has been notified as Adjudicating Officer for 33 Districts.

The amended  FSSAI Act was notified  last year and food business operators were given one year time to apply for conversion/renewal of registration/licence.

Those in the food supply chain who have to obtain the license include food importers, hotels, restaurants, clubs/canteens, caterers, transporters, storage establishments, processing units.

......................................................................................................................................................

Ice-cream parlour owner told to pay Rs 50k penalty

PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the owner of an ice-cream parlour in Pune district for using saccharine, an artificial sweetener banned in certain food products including ice-cream.

"Samples of two different flavours taken from an ice-cream parlour at Yelse village in Maval taluka did not conform to set standards of quality. A laboratory test found the presence of saccharine in both the samples," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division.

As an adjudicating officer, Kekare imposed the penalty under section 50 and 47 of the Food Safety and Standards Act ( FSSA) 2006.

Saccharin is 300 to 500 times sweeter than table sugar. Due to its bitter aftertaste, it is often blended with other artificial sweeteners. It is widely used in diet foods and beverages as it provides no calories and passes through urine.

"Studies have shown that use of saccharine in inappropriate amount can have harmful effects on human body," Kekare said.

......................................................................................................................................................

The red chillies sold  in the whole sale and retail market are not geninue.
pls continue..to read..

Chilly oil  (Chillieoresin) are extracted by solvent extraction process.

Oleoresins are obtained from spices by extraction with a non-aqueous solvent followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation. To start with various raw spices are cleaned and then ground to the required mesh size. Then extraction is undertaken with the help of proper solvent. Solvents that can be used are hexane, acetone, ethylene dichloride or alcohol. Extraction is done by percolation of the solvents at room temperature through a bed of ground spice packed in a SS percolator. Then the dark viscous extract containing not less than 10% of total soluble solids are drawn off and distilled under reduced pressure to remove the excess of solvent.

PLEASE NOTE THIS CERTIFICATION BODIES IN INDIA WHO WAS AUTHORISED TO CERTIFY FSSM 2200 AND 2400 CERTIFICATIONS

List of Certification Bodies -QMS

Quality Management Systems Accreditation No. Name of the Certification Bodies Valid From Valid Upto QM001 Det Norske Veritas 21 Jun 2001 20 Jun 2016 QM002 Tuv India Pvt. Ltd. 12 Sep 2002 11 Sep 2013 QM003 Bureau Veritas Certification (India) Pvt. Ltd. 14 Apr 2003 13 Apr 2014 QM004 Integrated Quality Certification Pvt. Ltd. 11 Sep 2003 10 Sep 2012 QM005 AGSI Certification Pvt. Ltd. 12 Apr 2004 11 Apr 2014 QM006 Indian Register Quality Systems (IRQS), Dept. of Indian Register of Shipping 19 Apr 2004 18 Apr 2015 QM007 ICRS Management Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Accreditation Voluntarily Suspended w.e.f. 07 Oct 2012) 11 Aug 2004 10 Aug 2014 QM008 BSI India Pvt. Ltd. 12 Aug 2004 11 Aug 2015 QM009 International Certifications Services Private Ltd. 16 Aug 2004 15 Sep 2015 QM010 TUV Rheinland (India) Pvt. Ltd. 16 Aug 2004 15 Aug 2015 QM011 TUV SUD South Asia Pvt. Ltd. 29 Nov 2004 28 Dec 2015 QM012 NVT Quality Certification Pvt. Ltd. 09 Mar 2005 30 May 2016 QM014 American Quality Assessors (India) Pvt. Ltd. 18 Nov 2005 17 Nov 2012 QM016 URS Certification Ltd. 02 Feb 2006 01 Feb 2013 QM018 Transpacific Certifications Ltd. 18 May 2006 17 May 2016 QM020 QMS Certification Services Pvt. Ltd. 27 May 2006 26 May 2013 QM021 Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. (India Branch) 12 Jun 2006 11 Jun 2013 QM022 Vexil Business Process Services Pvt. Ltd. 21 Jun 2006 20 Jun 2016 QM025 QSI (India) Certifications Pvt. Ltd. 10 Oct 2006 09 Oct 2012 QM026 RINA India Pvt. Ltd. 12 Oct 2006 11 Oct 2012 QM027 SGS India Pvt. Ltd. 16 Oct 2006 15 Oct 2012 QM028 TÜV InterCert Saar India Pvt. Ltd 27 Oct 2006 26 Oct 2012 QM029 NQAQSR Certification Pvt. Ltd. (Accreditation Voluntarily Suspended w.e.f. 21 Jan 2012) 20 Dec 2006 19 Dec 2013 QM030 BSCIC Certifications Pvt. Ltd. 15 Mar 2007 14 Mar 2014 QM031 SWISS CERT Pvt. Ltd. (Formerly Swiso India Pvt Ltd) 19 Mar 2007 18 Mar 2014 QM032 KBS Certification Services Pvt. Ltd. 17 Apr 2007 16 Apr 2014 QM033 Intertek India Pvt. Ltd. 18 Apr 2007 17 Apr 2014 QM034 STQC Certification Services 18 Apr 2007 17 Apr 2014 QM035 ISOQAR (India) Pvt. Ltd. 29 Aug 2008 28 Aug 2015 QM036 GCAS Quality Certifications Pvt. Ltd. 11 Sep 2008 10 Sep 2015 QM037 Vincotte International India Assessment Services Pvt. Ltd. 12 Dec 2008 11 Dec 2015 QM039 TQ Services ( a division of Tata Projects Limited) 24 Apr 2009 23 Apr 2016 QM041 ICMQ Certification India Pvt. Ltd. 18 Jan 2010 17 Jan 2013 QM042 UL Management Systems Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. 01 Apr 2011 31 Mar 2014 QM043 MS Certification Services Pvt. Ltd. 24 Aug 2011 23 Aug 2014

......................................................................................................................................................
Little joy, fear about Govt's handling of 17 pending cases against Act

When business resumed after the weekend the original deadline for registration (August 5, 2012) elapsed, food business operators, manufacturers and office-bearers of various trade associations in Madurai expressed mixed feelings about the six-month extension to it. P Subash Chandra Bose, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants' Association (TNFMA), informed, "There is little joy about the extension."
"There are more than 20 interim stays in various High Courts across the state. Recently the Madras High Court had vacated interim stays in three of those, following officials from the Centre. Though our argument was a perfect one, the High Court did not pay heed to it. We are afraid the government may follow the same tactics in the 17 pending ones also. However, we will continue filing writ petitions in the High Court," he said.
Bose said, "We had already lodged our objections and complaints before the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over four months ago (on March 31, 2012). We had challenged almost all the standards for agri-food products and demanded real scientific refixation. We had asked FSSAI to come out with clear-cut decisions, but they had no clear ideas regarding pesticide residues."
He also spoke about the main bone of contention: the Sections in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, pertaining to penalties and fines. "The hefty fines and penalties need to be revised. This would pave the way for an amicable solution. But we hope these things happen in the next six months. Otherwise there won't be any compromise, and definitely the agitations against the Act would grow stronger and assume a worse position," Bose said.  

......................................................................................................................................................

 Packaged water no safe bet: Health dept study

If you think you are consuming packaged water and thus you are safe, you may be wrong. The report card of the State Health Department on water samples  shows that water could be substandard, even if it is stored in a sealed container.

Of the eight packaged drinking water samples analysed by the Public Health Institute of the department of Health and Family Welfare in June, seven (87.5 per cent) were found to be substandard and thus did not meet the prescribed specification of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

In May, six packaged drinking water samples were tested and five turned out to be substandard and misbranded. The department, however, did not analyse any water sample for the first three months of this year. Only two samples were tested in April.

Anjum Parvez, Commissioner of the Health Department, described the scenario ‘alarming’. The department is slowly waking up to the responsibilities it has been entrusted with under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into effect on August 5, 2011.

The department, which is facing severe staff shortage, was forced to act recently following a public interest litigation filed by a non-governmental organisation against the government for not taking action against companies that sell substandard packaged drinking water.

The department, in its raids across the State, found 564 water units of the total 788 were functioning without BIS ISO certification. No person can do business of packaged water or mineral water without BIS certificate. Despite having the certificate, if the set norms are violated, the units could be closed by the government, said Parvez.  The Commissioner said after the raids, 100 units were closed for violation of norms. Of these, 19 have filed writ petitions in court against the department.  The highest number of unauthorised water packaging units were found in Bellary - 78 and Bangalore Urban - 69. In BBMP area, 23 had no certification, while 16 had BIS certification. The scene in other major districts like Dakshina Kannada, Mysore, Dharwad and Belgaum is no better. In Gadag, Haveri and Yadgir, none of the units had certification. Unauthorised units outnumbered authorised units of packaged drinking water in most districts.  Most of the units harness borewell water, use the reverse osmosis process, package and sell it. The department has no information on the quantity of such packaged drinking water produced.  Till the judiciary decides the matter, should the people continue to be cheated? “The department has taken up the drive against packaged drinking water aggressively. However, with many litigations in court, the drive has to be postponed by another three months,” Parvez said. 

 Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the department is required to test quality of water, milk and any edible item, besides issuing licences and conducting registration. The progress is tardy.  “Of the conservative estimate of 4.5 lakh food business operators in the State, only around 15,000 are registered or have licences,” said Parvez.

 The department is in need of more staff to carry out its work. Of the 238 posts created, the working strength is 145. The finance department has sanctioned an additional 170 posts.  Each lab analyses only 20 to 25 samples against the stipulated 70 to 80 samples, he said. The department has labs only in Bangalore, Belgaum, Mysore and Gulbarga. While food is tested in all the four, water is tested only in Bangalore.  The Public Health Institute at KR Circle in Bangalore does take water samples for lab analysis. However, only packaged water in a sealed container is tested, according to Parvez. Efforts are on to establish more labs.

......................................................................................................................................................

Advanced hygiene solutions for dairy industry

Cleaning and sanitation is crucial to modern dairy industry. Ever increasing consumer awareness is driving modern dairy plants to work on improving hygiene standards. Earlier, the Indian dairy industry was limited to producing traditional products viz. liquid milk, butter, ghee and powders. While now, it is providing sophisticated and ever-changing range of products like cheese, UHT milk and ice cream, this is putting a huge pressure on productivity excellence. Dairies are now struggling to improve on both productivity and quality. They are trying various things like utility economies, new equipments, and increasing capacities.

In earlier times, Indian dairies never used to focus on downtimes, total yields, per person productivity etc. but now this focus is building up. Use of proper cleaning and sanitation solutions help the dairy industry to achieve these objectives and the industry is now looking forward to these solutions for continuous improvements. Having a solution, which can deliver cleaning in the shortest possible time and maintaining the highest levels of hygiene with meeting environmental norms, is the requirement of modern Indian dairy industries.

Proper cleaning and sanitation have remained a challenge because of complex nature of milk and complex processing parameters. This becomes more complex because of varying equipment surfaces, temperature availabilities, surface properties and so on among plants, collection centres and chilling centres. Chilling centres do not have high capacity boilers, while at collection centres, farmers use solar heaters or very small boilers for achieving temperature for cleaning. These temperatures are generally not adequate enough to have proper cleaning. Understanding these parameters along with limitation of equipment can help us achieving our objectives. Poor cleaning leads to poor quality product, more wastages, high downtime, high energy and water consumption, faster equipment deterioration and poor safety levels.

Some of our key concerns related to cleaning can be related to temperature, water availability, water hardness, energies, quality, user convenience and downtime. Let’s try solving these concerns for dairy industries:
1. Temperature: This is mainly a concern at collection centers and chilling centers. As these centers mainly require refrigeration facilities, thus true attention is not paid on building temperature availability requirements for cleaning purposes. Controls are also difficult at these locations, as these are away from our plants and especially collection centres are very high in numbers to exercise proper control. These are also backbone of final product quality. Poor quality milk always leads to poor quality product. These centres may act as a potent source of microbial contamination in milk, leading to poor quality. Maintaining quality at these points is certainly going to provide huge benefits to the plant. Having a solution, which can provide cleaning and sanitation together at lower temperature with user convenience may be useful at these locations. Recent award-winning technologies like Advantis LT, which is hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning-cum-sanitation technology, is a perfect fit as solution for collection centres and chilling centres. These new technologies can work at 43-50 deg.C with reduced water requirements and importantly provide cleaning and sanitation together, improving overall milk quality.

2. Water Availability: Water ratio generally remains in the range of 1.5-3 litres of water per litre of milk processed. Focus on water with relatively recent innovations like recycling, burst rinsing, use of condensate etc. has given its results. However depleting water tables are giving concerns to plants in water scarcity areas to the extent of losing their sustainability. According to an estimate, about 61% water is consumed for cleaning operations and only 39% is used for actual product usage in a multiple dairy plant. Innovations have been mainly around water savings around product usages, which is relatively a small contributor in total water consumption. Solutions, which are easily rinse-able or can, eliminate few of CIP cycles can help in this regard. New technologies, which can eliminate or minimise acid cycle can help in substantial savings of time and water. Conversion of 5-step CIP in to 3-step CIP would reduce water equivalent to one detergent cycle and one rinse cycle. Similarly, easy rinsing solutions, better interface controls and terminal disinfectant would require less water for rinsing. Replacing alkaline cleanings with acid cleanings, wherever possible like in cold surface cleaning would further enhance water savings.

3. Water Hardness: This is one of the major issues in parts of India. It ranges between 50 ppm and 2,200 ppm in various parts of our country. High hardness necessitates use of higher dosage of detergents for cleaning, which in turn would need high amount of rinsing water. Water hardness is generally taken care of by using softeners. However, again there is a limitation in case of chilling centres and collection centres, where softening facilities are generally not available. Using hard water for cleaning leaves mineral soil on equipments, making cleaning operation difficult. Also, mineral soils decreases surface heat transfer properties and thus increases steam and refrigeration costs. Advance solutions, which are customised to be used with hard water or solutions, which take care of hardness of water would solve these issues and result in to improved energy costs, water savings, and quality and user convenience.

4. Energy Consumption: Dairy factories use significant amounts of energy, depending on the type of products, being manufactured. Cleaning is major consumer of energy. About 73% of steam is used by cleaning operation and remaining 27% is used for processing operations in a multi-dairy plant according to an analysis. Currently, we, in our country, are using heat energy recovery and alternate sources (such as solar heater at collection centres) as major tool for energy savings. While, another important aspect is relatively not looked upon. Shorter cleaning cycles, cleaning at lower temperatures and ambient temperature disinfection may contribute significantly in energy savings. Cleaning programmes reducing temperatures from 85 deg C to 65 deg C may contribute about 20% to energy savings. These technologies are now available in India too and are being used. Peroxyacetic Acid based disinfection technology is one such technology. This does not require any rinsing and works at ambient temperature, thus saving energy, time and water for us. Hydrogen Peroxide-based detergents may reduce cleaning temperature and time with improved cleaning efficacies. Energy is the biggest contributor in terms of cost of cleaning. Saving this result in significant savings of money.

5. Downtime: We, at a dairy plant, work for production, but spend significant time in cleaning the plant. We consider 4 hours in a day for cleaning. Reducing this downtime by even one hour, would give us 5% additional production, time of unplanned downtime activities, repairs etc. Over this, exposing our equipments to detergent for lesser time would increase their shelf life. We can reduce cleaning time by using advance formulated detergents, which are designed specific to their use. Elimination or minimisation of acid cycles on hot surfaces, better rinsing solutions, faster cleaning solutions and single-step cleaning techniques can contribute significantly to time savings. This in addition to time saving would result in equivalent savings of steam, power and water. Load over ETP would also be reduced.

6. User Convenience: This is generally not a problem inside the plant, as we operate using standard operating programmes and plants are run by professionals. However, number of chilling and collection centres does not allow a good control on cleaning efficiency at these locations. Providing convenience at these locations would improve cleaning practices. Solutions, which can work at lower concentrations or lower temperatures, easy to handle and providing consistent cleaning need to be used at these locations. These solutions would need lesser control to have consistent level of cleaning every day.

Our traditional cleaning protocols are not designed keeping upcoming challenges. Industry needs to keep this updating with new solutions to keep a pace with growing consumer demands and industry demands. Better hygiene technologies will equip the Indian dairy industry with the means of counter pressures of shrinking capacities, rising energy and water costs, rising consumer expectations, meeting environmental challenges, upgrading quality standards and meeting food safety regulations.

......................................................................................................................................................

Food and drug administration to start testing food samples with mobile laboratory

BHOPAL: The food and drug administration (FDA) officials would hit the roads again - only this time with an upgraded mobile laboratory to test and analyze food products on the spot. If contamination in food items is established, the food inspectors would be able to penalise violators on the spot, under the new food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) Act.

The new mobile laboratory is likely to start functioning from September, which would travel across the state.

MP food safety commissioner, M Geetha told TOI, "The installation of mobile laboratories would help FDA test food samples quickly, picked right from the source of productions be its milk, vegetables or others. "Our facility would be able to analyze the produce for different parameters of contamination," she said. The parameters include testing for colour, pesticide recede and hormones in products.

The mobile laboratory would also promote transparency. "Since, the test report would be available instantly, it would not leave much room for complaints," said FDA officer C Meena. Currently, laboratory test reports take about a fortnight to come. Businesses have often claimed that the elapsed time has a detrimental effect on their business.

A budget of approximately Rs 55 lakh has been allocated for the new mobile laboratory. "We are awaiting design specs as the chassis has already been purchased," said Meena.

"In addition the mobile lab would target facilities which have sickened people in the past," he added. A positive test result for contamination after sample screening can be sent for more extensive testing to confirm the mobile lab's results.

......................................................................................................................................................

Confusion over deadline: Registration for food joints
Health dept sticks to Aug 5 deadline

Amritsar, August 3
There is a confusion over the extension of deadline for traders, eating joints etc dealing in food products to register under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

While the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal claim that the deadline has been extended by six months by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the health department said the deadline of August 5 stands as it has not received any communiqué in the regard.

The traders had claimed that they have received a copy of the decision of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regarding the new deadline.

Importantly, the deadline for traders to get registered and to obtain licence has already been extended twice.

So far there has been a lukewarm response from the traders, manufacturers and others involved in food businesses to comply with the norms under the said Act.

Sources said the department has so far received only 700 applications from the food businesses. The instructions for registration were issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 which was implemented in the state on August 8, 2011.

Earlier, the businesses were given time till April 31 to register under the Act. But only 150 applicants submitted applications in this regard.

Till June end, only 400 businesses cared to abide by the instructions. Later, the department organised camps at various places to make the process easier for the traders.

However, representatives of the industry demanded another extension of deadline.

Civil Surgeon Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said the deadline for getting registered or obtaining licences ends on August 5. He said it is mandatory for all traders whether big or small or involved at any stage of the business to get registered. He urged the traders to follow the instructions before the deadline ends.

Traders claim that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had extended the deadline by six months

The health department says it has not received any communiqué in the regard, and hence the deadline of August 5 stands

......................................................................................................................................................
Two stay orders challenging FSSA's Regulation 31(7) vacated

The Madras High Court has vacated stay orders against two petitions. One was filed by the Panruti Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Panruti, Tamil Nadu, and another by a private firm. Both of these challenged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, particularly Regulation 31(7).] These have now gone for appeal to the Divisional Bench.

R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association, told  via telephone, "There has been an interim stay on all cases. Tamil Nadu's food safety commissioner had specified counter grounds to include the FSSAI as one of the respondents."

"All the cases before the Madurai Divisional Bench have been transferred to the Madras High Court. There has been no counter-objection on the cases on which interim stays have been obtained in Madurai yet," he said.

"But there are 11 interim stay orders in the Chennai High Court, and four in the Madurai High Court. These challenge Sections 3; 3(1); 3(1)(a); 3(1)(z)(a); 33; 35; 37; 50-65 (which pertain to penalties) and 77 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," Kaleeswaran informed, adding that FSSAI has violated Section 14 of the Indian Constitution. 

.....................................................................................................................................................

 Food act silent on seized gutkha

You can't swallow it and you can't spit it out. That's the problem of state food and drug control department officials, who don't know what to do with over 230 sacks of seized gutkha in the capital after the government banned its manufacture, sale and storage for its carcinogenic content under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in July last week.

In Ranchi alone, 130 gutkha sacks were recovered from railway station area and 100 sacks from Upper Bazaar through special crack team raids led by civil police and officials of food control department, amounting to around 2,300kg. As the food safety act is curiously mum about the disposal of gutkha products, the sites from where the banned mouth fresheners were recovered have been sealed.

But absence of disposal guidelines puts a heavy onus on the food and drugs control department for two reasons. The place where gutkha is found must be sealed with locks and proper security. The seal must be airtight to prevent the banned product from finding its way back into the market.

"From Ranchi station, we seized 130 bags of gutkha and 100 bags from the Upper Bazaar area. Few raids were also conducted in Hazaribagh, Deogarh and others, but we don't yet know the quantity of the seizure. Till now, 230 bags is the biggest seizure. But we are facing a disposal problem," state food and drug controller T.P. Burnwal said.

He added that they were in a dilemma as they could not stock the seized gutkha indefinitely but did not know what to do in the absence of legal guidelines to dispose it.

Burnwal discussed the problem with officials in Maharashtra. "They suggested that the stocks be burnt after taking written application from the claimants. But the problem out here is that naturally there are no claimants," said Burnwal.

True, who will come forward and claim to possessing gutkha and issue no-objection certificates before they are burnt, knowing that the claim could land them in jail?

As a last recourse, the law department has been approached. "We have written to the law department to know about the legal procedures for disposing the gutkha," Burnwal said.

Their problems do not end here, as the sale of gutkha continues clandestinely in Ranchi's betel kiosks and pushcarts, with the banned product enjoying premium prices.

"A small pouch of Bahar gutkha priced at Rs 3 sells at Rs 8-9. Bura toh daru aur cigarette bhi hai, but log peete hain. Demand hoga toh supply ho hee jayega. (Alcohol and cigarettes are also bad for health but people have them. If there's a demand, there will be supply)," a betel shop owner said, punching holes in the blanket-ban theory.

Department of food and drug control department knows it well. "Unless the problem of gutkha disposal is addressed, it will be difficult to enforce the ban completely," said a senior official not willing to be quoted.

......................................................................................................................................................

BIS Finalizes Standards for Street Food Vendors

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has finalized an Indian Standard on basic requirements for street food vendors as food safety is a major concern with street foods. This was disclosed by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof Thomas at Mumbai yesterday .He said that street food sector has shown phenomenal growth recently. Readily accessible and affordable to urban populations, street food provides the energy and nutrient needs to large segments of workers and their families in the cities. This sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people. Hence the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health and also promote the confidence of the consumer over the entire spectrum of food industry.

Prof Thomas was addressing National Seminar on “Food Safety – Role of Standards” at Mumbai. The seminar was organized with objective of creating awareness and to provide an insight into the concept of food safety with emphasis on the role of standards.

Stressing over safety of food and quality, the Minister said that as awareness regarding food safety issues among our citizens and concerns bout the hazards in food is showing an upward trend, the need to provide them with greater assurance about the safety and quality of food is also growing. Role of standards in the domain of food safety is immense. Standards promote public health and protect consumers from unsanitary, unwholesome, mislabeled or adulterated food; and provide a sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade in food. He said that in this background, the role of BIS, the National standards body of India is significant. IS has also formulated about 1000 Indian Standards in the area of food products and food safety. This includes IS/ISO 22000: 2005 ‘Food Safety Management Systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain’. IS/ISO 22000: 2005 is an internationally harmonized standard and has emerged as the international bench mark for food safety.

Prof Thomas said that Similarly, the three Indian Standards recently formulated by BIS, Indian Standards on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Food Retail Management (FRM) are also important in this respect as they are envisaged to act as foundations of Food Safety Management System. They delineate the basic conditions and activities that are necessary to maintain a hygienic environment throughout the food chain suitable for the production, handling and provision of safe end products for human consumption. He expressed hope that Implementation of these food safety standards can lead to exceptional improvements in food safety performance.

......................................................................................................................................................

 HC vacates stay on Food Safety and Standard Act section

Chennai, Aug 3 (PTI) Madras High Court has vacated its stay on Section 31(7) of Food Safety and Standard Act and Rules under which a chain of distribution outlets operating across a state or the country was required to obtain as many licences as the number of stores.

Allowing a petition by The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to vacate the stay, Justice V Ramasubramanian held what had been inserted in the provision was not something that was not already in existence. The requirement to obtain different licences had been in vogue for the past more than 30 years and in such circumstances, there was no question of issuing an order of injunction restraining the respondent from enforcing the provision, the Judge said.

He also dismissed a batch of miscellaneous petitions from a company and an association of manufacturers and exporters of agricultural products. PTI GR VS HKS 

......................................................................................................................................................

Government may have accidentally decontrolled sugar with new food law

NEW DELHI: The government may have accidentally decontrolled sugar and other essential commodities by the recent notification of a new law that aims to consolidate laws relating to food quality.

The food ministry has written to the Cabinet Secretariat seeking immediate changes to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The act has repealed all existing orders under Essential Commodities Act, 1955, that regulates and controls essential commodities and public distribution retrospectively from August 2011.

This has virtually made food ministry toothless, and put a question mark on the legality of the Sugar Control Order, Sugarcane (Control) Order, Levy Sugar Supply Order and Sugar (Packaging and Marking) Order that mandates use of jute bags for sugar.

"The repeal of these orders impacts the functioning of the Public Distribution System, affecting families below the poverty line. It is imperative therefore that immediate action be taken to carry out necessary amendments in the FSSAct, 2006...," the food ministry has written in a frantic note to the cabinet secretariat.

According to the Gazette notification, the section 97 of the FSS Act, 2006, empowers the central government to repeal existing enactments specified in Second Schedule, which include any other order issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 relating to food.

"The supply and equitable distribution of food grain, sugar and edible oils at ration shops is maintained through the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The imposing of compulsory levy on rice and sugar millers is also exercised through orders under this Act. Now that, all the existing orders are repealed, food ministry doesn't have provisions to regulate supply and distribution of food items," said an industry official, who doesn't wish to be identified.

The ministry officials, however, say that repealing of existing orders will impact the functioning but can't stop from exercising powers.

"There is definitely some ambiguity. We need more clarity on the notification. But it can't stop us from exercising whatever power the ministry has. The FSS Act 2006 may have repealed the existing orders under EC Act but it has not quashed it. We can always frame new orders whenever need be under the EC Act to regulate supply and distribution of food items," said a food ministry official

.................................................................................................................................

Statutory Advisory-(Dated : 25-07-2012) 

Fssai competent authority extend the time period for another six months from 05-08-12 to seeking conversion/renewal of existing licenses/registrations.

......................................................................................................................................................

Expression of interest for participation in activities of the ICMR-ICAR Joint Committee for Research on food Safety(Dated : 25-07-2012)

......................................................................................................................................................

Minutes of Eighth Meeting of Central Advisory Committtee of FSSAI-(Dated : 25-07-2012)

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety law to come into force from Aug 4

Senior officials of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) here on Saturday informed traders, food processors and industrialists of the state that Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA) would come into force from August 4, 2012, under which everyone in the food production and supply chain has to be registered and seek license from the local area authorities, state and central government as per turnover and business.

At a programme organized by the Bihar Industries Association (BIA) on its premises, the joint director, FSSAI, Kolkata, D P Guha, said everyone in the food supply chain, including small traders, hawkers, itinerant vendors, dhaba owners, roadside snack and tea stalls, apart from other small and big producers, traders and suppliers will have to get registered under the Act before August 4.

He said the process of registration and getting license has been made simple, with the minimum registration fee for hawkers and small traders being Rs 100. The FSSA has enabled creation of self-compliance regime in which continuous correct operation and quality food supply would not invite inspection, but any complaint would lead to the FSSAI chasing the erring ones in the food supply chain, Guha said.

Before this meet, the BIA had informed its members and others about the importance of FSSA, for which awareness at the national level was being created for about a year. The BIA had invited food producers, traders and also the avid consumers for the meet.

Guha said all the Acts, Regulations and Orders for maintaining quality and standard of food items and services in the supply chain management had been amalgamated in the FSSA.

Making a power-point presentation, FSSAI’s consultant, Shridhar, said the FSSA has made exhaustive safety, sanitary and hygienic conditions mandatory for registration/licensing. He said the State Food Controller can designate any local area licensing/registration office at the municipal and panchayat level for registration and licensing. He said that even the ‘prasad’ offered and distributed at temples must be of standard and safe for human consumption and this has also been brought under the purview of FSSA, even though it’s a non-profitable activity.

He said FSSA provided for maintaining safety and standard at any stage of manufacture, processing and packaging of food products. He enumerated the provision of fees, as per the turnover of food processors and others in the food production and supply chain, to be realized as registration/licensing fees by the state and central licensing authorities. License of the food producer, supplier and others in the food supply chain would be suspended or cancelled on non-fulfilment of FSSA provisions for making the food safe and maintaining its standard, he said.

The former state food controller and presently expert, Food Analytical laboratory, J K Singh, said 38 ADMs of the state have been trained in enforcement of FSSA to ensure that registration/licensing provisions are fulfilled and food items are safe, hygienic, wholesome and free of contaminants.

......................................................................................................................................................

 Drive continues, more hotels down shutters

Food Safety authorities, district health officials serve closure notices on 36 hotels in district

Different agencies are on an all-out offensive against hotels that do not keep their backyards tidy. On their part, the hoteliers are complaining that they struggle to keep their hearths burning.

Food Safety authorities and district health officials served closure notices to 36 hotels in different parts of the district, including eight hotels in the Goshree area alone. While official communications said that rotten food was seized from all these centres and their premises were shockingly unhygienic, the hoteliers have a different version to tell.

“The authorities are evoking laws framed way back in 1950s, which are not practical in modern times. For example, these laws prohibit refrigeration and this is allowed in the new Food Safety and Standards Act. Similarly, no hotel can operate by strictly complying to the Pollution Control Board norms, as it would require nearly an acre to run a small eatery,” said M.P. Shiju, district president of the Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association.

The Health authorities, in an official communication released here, said that the drive against hotels found failing to implement public health norms would continue in full throttle during these days. Different teams of Health officials walked into hotels in different parts of the district between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Cooked meat, appam, porotta, iddlies, fish curry, vegetable curry, boiled egg, fungus-infested pickles, and rotten vegetables kept in refrigerator were seized during the drive and destroyed.

“There is no scientific examination of food materials seized from hotels. We are not against the checking, but we demand that it should be done in a scientific manner,” hoteliers said.

They are complaining that authorities, aided by overcharged media, are destroying the industry. If they are to be relied, what appears in the media as rotten are meat and fish kept out of refrigeration for more than 5 hours. “There might be cases of lapses and some hoteliers may be erring in ensuring hygienic practices. We have been conducting awareness classes; 28 such sessions were held in the district itself for hoteliers,” Mr. Shiju said.

These attempts proved to be too little and a bit too late. With public being alarmed at the news about hotels that took them for ride, the authorities could not sit and wait any longer. District Collector P.I. Shiekh Pareed had asked the Health authorities to go strict against hotels where hygiene was the missing ingredient.

Now it remains to be seen whether this knee-jerk reaction is sustained. One death after consuming shawarma bought from Thiruvananthapuram, and it is banned across the district here.

“This is ridiculous, as shawarma cannot be made using stale meat. This, I believe, might have been an odd case of poisoned meat. I challenge any of these authorities to make shawarma out of meat kept refrigerated overnight. The stench will knock you out the moment it is placed on the flame,” said Manoj Thomas, manager of a leading hotel in the city.

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety act to be implemented strictly enforced: Minister Sivakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will not show any leniency in the implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act, said health minister V S Sivakumar here on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference, the minister emphasized that every food producer in the state, from street vendors to star hotels, would be strictly monitored and defaulters will be penalized.
"By conducting more than 3,000 awareness programmes across the state since August 5, 2011, the food safety department has made the food businesses and establishments aware of the strict nature of the act," he said.
"Those who violate the rules will be asked to close shop and only after proving their capacity to meet the standards will they be allowed to function again," the minister added. Sivakumar opined that the earlier food safety laws were lenient but under the new one, a defaulter could be imprisoned up to six years and slapped a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, and no compromise would be made in its execution.
In the past two days, food safety officials raided 271 hotels across the state. As many as 18 hotels were told to close down and 150 given improvement notices. "The drive will continue in the coming days," the minister said.
When asked whether the department had necessary infrastructure and manpower required for the mass operation, Sivakumar said that if required, more officials would be recruited.
"The department has labs to conduct sample checks at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Pathanamthitta.
More labs will be established in all districts in the state, for which we have requested additional funds from the Centre,"he said.
Meanwhile, the state had completed the registration process of 2,167 petty shop owners and have given licenses to 8,964 hotel and restaurant owners.
"Several thousand shops are yet to avail them. We have extended the registration time for three more months on the request of hotels owners. However, this will not stop the department from taking action against the violators," Sivakumar said.
He further said that a meeting of various state departments would be convened soon to bring coordination in the process.

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

Improper labelling, misbranding of food products; new task for regulators

Even as the deadline for food business operators (FBOs) to obtain licences and registrations under the FSS Act, 2006, - August 5, 2012 - is fast approaching, the state Food & Drugs Administration and Food & Drugs Control Administration (FDAs and FDCAs) have another key issue to deal with - labelling practices.

The regulatory officials have to deal with two types of offenders in this area. The first category is the unbranded sector which does not conform to the labelling rules laid down in the Act and the other is a part of a sector engaged in mass production of 'branded' edibles with vague labels. To be precise, the latter can be called as companies manufacturing 'misbranded' products.

Expertspeak

The unbranded food sector is highly scattered and that is perhaps the reason why it is difficult for the FDA and FDCA to track the violators, a professor of nutrition told.

Manisha Parelkar, associate professor, food science and nutrition, S P N Doshi Women's College, Mumbai, said, "The unbranded players face one major challenge - they cannot avail the services of a labelling consultant. Moreover, they lack the technical expertise their counterparts in the organised sector have, and would not be able to spend as much as them."

Speculating about the role of the regulatory body, she said, "It is a broad-based role, and isn't limited to merely framing policy and making decisions, but also includes activities such as appointing the scientific committee that will review and approve the rules."

"FSSAI currently seems to be in a state of flux and is streamlining itself to undertake its activities better. There are not enough people to make sure the branded sector is adhering to the rules and regulation, so their main focus is working in tandem with the existing players in this sector. Once the systems and core guidelines are in place, the unbranded sector will not have any grievances," Parelkar said.

Nutritional information complex

Parelkar welcomed the stipulation in the Food Safety and Standards Act that says, "All food packs should contain the nutritional information in it."

However, she added that since it is numeric information - for instance, an edible has X number of kilocalories, and its protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, mineral and fat content are Y, Z, A, B and C respectively - only a handful of people from outside the industry understand it.

"The background information about a product should be mentioned clearly on the pack, and there should be more non-numeric information. But in a nutshell, we can say that unbranded products need to become compliant with the requirements of CODEX and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," she said.

Ajit Mota, proprietor, Mota Chips, said, "There are many home-based industries that make namkeen in Dharavi and Ghatkopar. They sell misbranded products and often deceive the customer into buying a product whose ingredients are sub-standard. They are not bound by various kinds of tax obligations. Restaurants actually prefer to purchase these because they are cheaper."

Customer's grievance

It came to notice that a customer recently visited two stores. At one he saw a packet of ready-to-cook (RTC) chapattis costing Rs 10, and from the other, he bought the same product costing twice that.

"Both the products were obviously unbranded. While no information about the product was given on the Rs 10 pack, only half the information - namely the contact details of the company; the nutritional information; the cooking method, and a storage tip - was provided on the Rs 20 pack," said the customer, on condition of anonymity.

He added, "The pack did not contain the three most important details, namely the MRP, the batch number of the product and its use-by date. Instead, there was an instruction which simply read, 'See on pack'. Finding none on the pack, I opened it and read the information inside it, but it was illegible."

FDA's take

When contacted, K V Sankhe, joint commissioner (food), Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, said, "The customer should write a letter, contact via e-mail or call to the office of the joint commissioner (Greater Mumbai Division), Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, informing him about the same."

When asked what information the label on a food pack should contain, he replied, "Apart from the contact details of the company and the nutritional information, it is mandatory to include the MRP, the batch number of the product and its dates of manufacture and expiry."

If any of, or all, these details are missing on the pack's label, Sankhe said it must be reported in detail to the state FDA or the concerned zonal office, who will arrive at the outlet from which it was bought and the manufacturer's premises and conduct a raid on the same.

When quizzed about the punishment a violator is liable for, he said, "That depends on the offence. Various levels of offences are mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and so are the corresponding monetary fines or terms of imprisonment. It also depends on whether the result of an FDA raid matches the claim of the aggrieved customer. We cannot even take a tall claim lightly."

Prosecutions in Goa

Goa's Food and Drug Administration says that it has conducted raids on the premises of a number of establishments that manufacture unbranded food products.

Rajiv Korde, a food inspector with the state FDA, told FnB News via telephone, "We have, in fact, filed a number of prosecutions in the district collector's office. We now await the consent."

A large section of the Goan population consumes non-vegetarian food. Korde said it is mandatory to clearly indicate that the product contains meat on the pack. "The symbol for non-vegetarian food is a brown dot, and the symbol for vegetarian food is a green one," he said.

As regards the punishment for offences, Korde echoed the sentiments expressed by Mumbai's Sankhe. "The Act lays down the offences and punishments." The FDA inspector said people found violating any provision of the Act can be fined a sum ranging between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh; and in addition, he/she could be sentenced to or imprisoned for a specified term.

Farsan, paneer samples fail

The violators are manufacturers of unbranded farsan and paneer, said Korde, who is based in Ponda, Goa. "Although they possess the licenses, about a dozen or so were found indulging in unethical practices like misbranding, and we've cracked down on a few of these players," he said.

The proceedings are yet to be initiated by the collector of North Goa (Korde's home district), who is the adjudicating officer. He mentioned the teething troubles they are facing because they are yet to make the transition from the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, which came into effect in 1954, to the FSSA.

"Once he starts the process, it is binding on him to complete the same within 60 days, as stipulated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," said Korde

......................................................................................................................................................

Food safety norms for roadside eateries to come into force

CHENNAI: Taking up the cause of food policing, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has come out with a set of guidelines for roadside eateries and fast food shops in the country and sent it to the National Food Safety Authority.

If implemented, street food vendors will be forced to adopt better hygienic practices.

All mobile and fixed roadside eateries will come under the purview of guidelines under IS 2492, the hygiene standard for restaurants. Quality of raw materials for food preparation, transportation and storage of food items, locations of street food stalls, etc will be checked under the new guidelines. Currently, street food vendors do not adhere to any guidelines or standards for food safety. Many of them are situated near drains and dustbins. Even the cooking oil is procured from eateries which sell their used oil to roadside vendors. And the food is stocked in shabby conditions, putting at risk the health of consumers.

K Anbarasu, deputy director general, BIS southern region said hygiene in densely populated areas is still a challenge for health initiatives. "The new guidelines and storage rules for water, milk, tea or coffee powder, fruits, vegetables and the meat is expected to bring an important change in street food operations," he said.

"The kitchen utensils and cutting tools should be clean and disinfected. Personal hygiene of vendors will also be checked. Use of newspapers for packaging will be stopped," said a BIS official.

BIS officials said food inspectors from local bodies should enforce these guidelines mandatorily for thousands of such shops in the cities. However, senior officials in the Chennai Corporation said there is a huge shortage of manpower in the food safety and control department. "We are short of staff to even conduct inspections based on written complaints. Without appointing adequate officers, it will be difficult to enforce the new guidelines," said a senior official.

In Chennai, majority of the poor depend on street food as restaurants are beyond their reach. Sumesh Jha, a construction labourer who has been staying in Chennai for four years, says he gets a chicken biriyani for Rs 35 from a street vendor in Egmore. "When I get 350 for a day's work, how can I spend 100 or 150 for a biriyani from a restaurant?" he asked.

 ......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................
 Food Safety officers face water merchants’ ire

Designated officers of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) are being threatened while conducting raids at illegal units supplying packaged drinking water. Many such units run businesses in the city without obtaining the requisite certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS).The raids followed a high court direction to close all units which have not procured BIS certificate. Owners of these units are putting up so much resistance that the raiding team members are now seeking police protection, and also carrying cameras to capture such acts as evidence.
One officer described the humiliation the team faced during a recent raid on an illegal unit in Yelahanka. “When we visited the place, the owner and employees verbally abused us. When we tried to take photos, the owner unzipped his pants and shouted at us to take his snap with pants down. We took the snap, showed them to the department, and later seized the unit. The water samples were sent to a laboratory for testing”, said Ravi Prakash, who works for FSS Bangalore Urban district.
A few days back, the officers decided to inspect some more illegal units. When they visited the places, they were shocked to find that all the units had downed their shutters.
“Somebody probably gave a tip off to the unit owners about the impending raids,” Prakash said. “Since information on raids is leaking out, we have stopped the daily raids. Instead, we will be conducting raids after a few days’ gap so that we can catch the owners when the units are open,” he said. Some of the units function only at night, he added.
Bangalore Urban district has 88 packaged drinking water units of which 43 have a BIS certificate. The remaining ones are running illegally. Two months back, these units were served with a notice. But their owners neither replied to the notices nor closed the units. Raids on illegal units can be conducted only in three of BBMP’s zones, east, west and south. Dr Shivamurthy is the lone designated officer for these zones.
According to BBMP chief health officer KE Manjula, there were five units in these zones which do not have BIS certificate. Of this, two units have been seized and the remaining ones have been served with notices.
“Most of the units which do not have BIS certificate are voluntarily closing their units. If they don’t, we will seize the units,” she said. The public can also chip in by giving information about illegal units to BBMP’s control room, she said.
When it comes to conducting raids, BBMP faces shortage of officers. It has only one designated officer for three zones, she said. Four officers have been suspended and the BBMP is taking the help of Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) police during raids. From Monday, the BBMP will launch a massive drive to find and close illegal units, she said. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Eateries under scanner

The food safety commissioner has shut down Salwa Café, a restaurant in Vazhuthacaud, following complaints that people who consumed food from the outlet had been taken ill.

Five persons were hospitalised after consuming food from the hotel. Shobi Tilakan, dubbing artiste and son of actor Tilakan and his family members were admitted to a local hospital on Thursday with complaints of vomiting, gastrointestinal problems and nausea. Recollecting his ordeal, Tilakan said, “On Tuesday I bought four shawarmas from this shop.

My wife Sreelekha, daughter Devayani S. Tilakan, 10 and Devanandan S. Tilakan, 3 had food around 7.30 pm. But early on Wednesday morning, my daughter and wife complained of a stomach ache and loose motions.”

Tilakan said that he too had developed stomach pains but had to rush for a shoot with his father. “I finished the shoot around 10 pm and by then my condition became worse.

However, on returning home, I got the shock of my life. My wife and children were lying on the bed, totally exhausted and unable to even get up. It was late at night when I called up their paediatrician and he gave them medicine,’’ Tilakan said.

However, since the family’s condition did not improve they went to the hospital on Thursday. “In the hospital I found that there was another child who had partaken of food from the same restaurant. He was a class IX student and was admitted to the ICU,” said Tilakan.

Tilakan called up the food safety commissioner and complained against the hotel following which the outlet was closed down.

Corporation health officer, D. Sreekumar said, “We have directed the ow-ner not to open the shop without our permission. We are slapping at least 10 notices on hotels every week.”

......................................................................................................................................................

பொருட்களின் எடையை குறைக்க திடீர் “தடா’-தினமலர் செய்தி 

சேலம்: மக்கள் தினம் தோறும் பயன்படுத்தும், அத்தியாவாசிய பொருட்களின் எடையைகுறைத்து விற்பனை செய்ய, மத்திய அரசின் எடை அளவுத்துறை திடீர் தடை விதித்துள்ளது. இதனால், அனைத்து பொருட்களின் விலை உயர்வு ஏற்படும் என வியாபாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

மக்கள் தினம் தோறும் பயன் படுத்தும் பற்பசை, சோப்பு, சேம்பு, ஊட்டச்சத்து பொருட்கள், பிஸ்கட் என, அத்தியாவசிய பொருட்களை தயாரித்து விற்பனை செய்யும் நிறுவனங்கள், தயாரிப்பு செலவுகள் அதிகரிப்பை காரணம் காட்டி, பொருட்களின்

விலைய உயர்த்தாமல், எடையை குறைப்பு செய்து விற்பனை செய்து வந்தன. இதில் சோப்பு தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்கள், தங்களின் தயாரிப்பு பொருட்களின், 50,  100, 150, 200, 250 கிராம் அளவை, 45, 90, 135, 185, 235 கிராம் என குறைத்துவிற்பனை செய்து வந்தன.

இவற்றை போல் பற்பசை தயாரிப்பில் ஈடுபட்டு வரும் முக்கிய நிறுவனங்களும் தங்களின் தயாரிப்பு பொருட்களின் வழக்கமான எடை அளவுகளான, 50, 100, 200 கிராம் என்பதை, 42, 88, 185 கிராம் என, அளவு குறைத்து விற்பனை செய்து வந்தன.

இதே போல், ஊட்டசத்து மாவு பொருட்களை தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்கள், 50 கிராம், 250 கிராம், 400 கிராம், 500 கிராம், ஒரு கிலோ என்ற அளவை 35 கிராம், 210 கிராம், 380 கிராம், 480கிராம், 900 கிராம் என அளவை குறைத்து விற்பனை செய்து வந்தன.

பிஸ்கட், வோன்டர் கேக், சேம்பு, குளியல் ஆயில், அழகு சாதன பொருட்கள் என, மக்கள் தினம் தோறும் பயன் படுத்தும் பொருட்களை தயாரிப்பு செய்து விற்பனை செய்த நிறுவனங்கள்,அளவு குறைப்பு நூதன மோசடியை அரங்கேற்றி வந்தன.

இந்நிலையில் மத்திய அரசு உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தரக்கட்டுப்பாட்டு சட்டத்தில்,மாற்றங்களை மேற்கொண்டு புதிய விதிகளுடன் அமல் படுத்தி வருகிறது. இந்த விதிமுறைக்கு வியாபாரிகள், தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்கள் மத்தியில் எதிர்ப்பை ஏற்படுத்தி வருகிறது.

இந்நிலையில் மத்திய அரசின் எடை அளவுத்துறை, அத்தியாவசிய பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பில் ஈடுபட்டு வரும் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு, ஒரு சுற்றறிக்கையை அனுப்பி,

முதல் கட்டமாக எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளது. அந்த அறிக்கையில் பொருட்களின் எடை அளவை குறைத்து விற்பனை செய்தால் கடும் நடவடிக்கை மேற் கொள்ளப்படும் என, தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அதை அடுத்து ஜூலை1ம் தேதிக்கு பின் தயார் செய்யப்படும் அனைத்து பொருட்களின் எடையும் அதிகரிப்பு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. மீண்டும், 50, 100, 150, 250, 400,500 கிராம், ஒரு கிலோ என, அதிகரிப்பு செய்யப்பட்ட பாக்கெட்டுக்களில்பொருட்கள் விற்பனைக்கு வரத்துவங்கி உள்ளது.இதனால், இவற்றை தயாரிக்கும் நிறுவனங்கள் ஆகஸ்ட் 1ம் தேதி முதல் சோப்பு, சாம்பு, ஊட்டச்சத்து பொருட்கள், அழகுசாதன பொருட்கள், பிஸ்கட் என, அனைத்து

பொருட்களின் விலையை உயர்த்த திட்டமிட்டுள்ளன.

சேலம் செவ்வாய்ப்பேட்டையை சேர்ந்த மளிகை வியாபாரி பெரியசாமி கூறியதாவது:

மத்திய அரசின் எடை அளவுத்துறை மேற் கொண்ட நடவடிக்கை காரணமாக பிரபல அத்தியாவசிய பொருட்கள் தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்களின் பொருட்கள் அனைத்தின் எடை

அளவும் அதிகரிப்பு செய்யப்பட்டு வருகிறது. சில நிறுவனங்கள் தங்களின் தயாரிப்பு பொருட்களின் விநியோகத்தை தற்காலிகமாக நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளன.

பல நிறுவனங்கள், புதிய எடை அளவை கொண்ட பொருட்களை தற்போது தயாரித்து விற்பனைக்கு அனுப்பி வருகிறது. ஆனால், புதிய தயாரிப்பு பொருட்களின் விலையில் தற்போது சிறிய அளவில் மாற்றம் செய்துள்ளன. இந்த மாற்றம் மேலும்

அதிகரிக்கப்படும் என தெரிகிறது என்றார்.

......................................................................................................................................................

 

......................................................................................................................................................

Food Act: ‘Register before August 4 or face music’

Violation of Act may attract 6 months imprisonment, penalty ranging from ` 1 lakh to ` 10 lakh, says ADC .
In order to strictly implement the Food Safety and Standards Act to prevent the food adulteration, August 4, 2012 has been fixed as the last date for the people concerned to register their business at the office of Food Security Officer or the District Surveillance Unit, informed Additional Deputy Commissioner K Dayanand.
Addressing a meeting of the officers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday, he said the Act being the most effective one, needs a proper implementation. Awareness will be created among the people about the registration of their food related business prior to August 4. The registration process has already begun and the information is diffused in various phases, he said.
Speaking at the meeting, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar said that as per the Act, a policy will be implemented where trade licences will not be given to any of the business without obtaining certificates from the MCC’s Food Security Officer.
All the traders who are involved in food related trading including the street vendors and fruit and vegetable vendors could submit the application form seeking the certificates, to Dr Rajesh, Food Safety Nodal Officer, Behind Wenlock Hospital, Railway Station Road, Opposite to IMA. Suresh will be the nodal officer for Mangalore and Belthangady limits and he can be contacted at 9448744168.
Dayanand has been appointed as the nodal officer covering Bantwal, Puttur and Sullia limits and he can be contacted on 9886568180.
The violation of the Act will result in six months of imprisonment, penalty ranging from Rs one lakh to Rs 10 lakh and the punishment could be extended to life term imprisonment too, informed the ADC.
“The Food Safety and Standards Act has been formed after taking into consideration the various laws, policies and orders pertaining to different ministry. It aims at solving several problems related to the food and ensure that only clean and healthy food is consumed by the people. The Authority deals with a parameter to measure the food production, storage, distribution, sale and imports.
As the items like, water, milk, bakery items, grains too come under the Act, it is necessary to obtain the certificate from the nodal officers,” informed the Additional Deputy Commissioner who is the judging officer for the district.

Meanwhile, he said that food supply in ration shops, mid-day meal scheme, in Anganawadis, BCM hostels too come under the jurisdiction of the Act.

......................................................................................................................................................

Advisory on sale of Contaminated Pickles,in Chennai-(Dated : 11-07-2012)

1(56)/2012 /Advisory/FSSAI

Food Safety & Standards Authority of India

(Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road

New Delhi-11002

Dated: 25.06.2012

Subject: Sale of contaminated pickles, in Chennai-reg.

Please find herewith a sample report of contaminated pickle received from Spices Board Regional Office Chennai. It has been communicated that a consignment of export which was meant for export to Canada is found to be contaminated with Sudan-1, as per this report this is a serious issue, all states and UTs are requested to make a concerted effort to check such type of menaces in local markets also by taking stringent measures.

It is therefore requested that all States/UTs may kindly initiate appropriate action and FSSAI may please be kept informed of the action taken.

Sd/-

(Dr D.S.Yadav)

Deputy Director (Enforcement

......................................................................................................................................................

Reward Scheme: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India-(Dated : 10-07-2012) 

                                                  

Submit Useful Information

YOUR IDENTITY WILL BE KEPT AN ABSOLUTE SECRET

You may use the following form for conveying intelligence or information—which you may have in your possession-regarding offence committed or likely to be committed by any one in violation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. (Rewards of 500/- will be given to you once we establish validity).

All the fields in this form are optional

Ø Mislabelled Food

Ø Misleading Advertisement/Extravagant Claim

v Please enter the contents of intelligent/information in the space provided below:

v Tell us how to get in touch with you, if & only if need be. All steps will be taken to be extremely discreet in approaching you so that identity is always kept a very closely guarded secret:

Name: …………………………………………….

Title: …………………………………………….

Organization: ……………………………………...

Address: ………………………………………….

City: ………………………………………………

Pin/Zip Code: ……………………………………...

State: ……………………………………………..

Country: …………………………………………….

Telephone (s) and Cell Phone, if any : ……………………………..

Fax(s): ………………………………………………………………

E-mail: ……………………………………………………………..

Website, if any ………………………………………………………

Preferred contact timings, if any ……………………………………

Preferred Contact Place, if any ……………………………………..

v Please contact me as soon as possible regarding this matter.

Send the Information to the CEO, FSSAI at ceo@fssai.gov.in

v Upload the scanned copy of the advertisement as an attachment. Write the Date of Publication and the Edition of the Publication.

v As per Section 3 (1) (b) of FSS Act, 2006, “Advertisement” means “any audio or visual publicity, representation or pronouncement made by means of any light, sound, smoke, gas, print, electronic media, internet or website and includes through any notice, circular, label, wrapper, invoice or other documents.

v Section 24 of FSS Act, 2006 defines Restrictions of Advertisement and prohibition as to unfair trade practices

v The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling- Section 23 of FSS Act, 2006) Regulation, 2011 includes definition of Health Claims, Nutritional Claims and Claims for Risk Reduction.

v Section 2.2 of FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 defines General Requirements and Labelling of Pre-packaged food .                            

......................................................................................................................................................

Hotel owners get food safety, hygiene tips

Restaurants are no longer places where we eat during weekends and on special occasions. Our changing lifestyle means that some of us eat there every day. So, the hygiene and quality of food served at restaurants is crucial for our safety and health.

The new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011, came into effect in August last year, and by August 4, 2012, all restaurants and eateries with a certain turnover will have to comply with them.

To help restaurateurs understand the Act, DNA held its latest workshop under the Hygiene for Kitchens campaign for them. The workshop, organised in association with the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (Ahar), at the organisation’s head office in Wadala on Tuesday. Ahar is the biggest association of restaurant owners with nearly 8,000 members in the city.

“The industry is facing tough times,” said Sudhakar Shetty, Ahar president. “Restaurants are closing down because of the high cost of real estate and competition from hawkers who sell food at much cheaper rates because they do not pay taxes or rent.”

Ashwin Bhadri, head of business relations at Equinox Laboratories, which is a partner in the campaign, told the participants that while many restaurants look at food safety and hygiene requirements under the new Act as an expense, the new measures could help improve their business.

Restaurant owners were worried that the new rules could make scapegoats out of them, while ignoring blatant violators like street vendors.

The Act requires every restaurant to appoint a food handler who will be responsible for food safety. It also lays down heavy fines and jail sentences for food adulteration and bad hygiene.

The seminar also helped participants get answers to rarely-asked questions about food safety.

Bhadri informed the participants that monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is used as a flavour enhancer, is banned in India and it is okay to use food colours as long as it was a permitted colouring agent and used in the right quantity.

The DNA Hygiene for Kitchens campaign was launched after around 600 students fell ill at IIT--B after eating at the hostel canteen in September 2011. The incident brought in focus worries about the safety of food served in restaurants and canteens. 

......................................................................................................................................................

New food standards for idli and chaat on the anvil

CHENNAI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on a mechanism to evolve standards for domestically consumed food items imported from abroad, chairperson, FSSAI, Dr K. Chandramouli said at an ASSOCHAM event in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"Our food exporters have to adhere to various stringent set of rules and regulations for exporting food, while we do not strain the same sort of stringency on imported food and thus it is imperative to evolve standards for domestically consumed food," Dr Chandramouli said

"We do have some standards to begin with but we need to take more steps in this regard to ensure the safety of food for consumption which comes from outside," the FSSAI chairperson added. He said that FSSAI was working out a mechanism in collaboration with all stakeholders that includes scientists, laboratories, experts and industry representatives from the food business operators (FBOs) segment.

The FSSAI in consultation with different stakeholders is also working on setting standards for traditional or the ethnic food as India is home to the largest variety of cuisines across different states. "There is also a need for a consensus of the FBOs in the country to ascertain who's selling what and where so that at the end of the day all get covered and our representatives keep collecting the information in this regard," Dr Chandramouli said.

......................................................................................................................................................

Centre plans to keep street food standard norms voluntary

The Centre will keep the standard on basic requirements for street food vendors voluntary in the begining, Union Food minister K V Thomas said here today.

"Initially the standards will be kept voluntary and later it can be made mandatory," Thomas said on the sidelines of a food safety seminar organised by the Bureau of Indian Standard. The national standards body, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), has finalised the basic requirements for street food vendors.

"This sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people. Hence, we want to regulate the sector and believe the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health," Thomas said. He said it should be implemented and regulated with the help of local authorities.

......................................................................................................................................................

FSSAI working on quality standards for imported food items

New Delhi, July 10 (PTI) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) today said it is working on developing quality standards for imported products.

"We do have some standards to begin with but we need to take more steps in this regard to ensure the safety of food for consumption which comes from outside," FSSAI Chairman K Chandramouli said today at an event here.

He was speaking at the FMCG summit organised by the Industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham).

FSSAI, he added, is working on the standards with all the stakeholders including scientists, experts, industry officials and laboratories from the food business operators (FBOs), involved in import-export of food material.

To ensure that imported food items are accepted there is a need to set standards that are internationally minimum, he said.

"Our food exporters have to adhere to various stringent set of rules and regulations for exporting food, while we do not strain the same sort of stringency on imported food and thus it is imperative to evolve standards for domestically consumed food as we have been having a lackadaisical approach towards setting standards," Chandramouli added.

FSSAI in consultation with different stakeholders is also working on setting standards for traditional or ethnic food, he added.

Assocham Investment and Investors Committee Chairman S K Jindal said the government should take steps to protect consumers' rights and contain piracy as the direct loss due to piracy is about 20 per cent of the market share of prominent products.

"The FMCG sector in India is facing severe challenges due to the unorganised sector and counterfeiting of brands led by rapid technological advancement and liberalisation of Indian economy," he pointed out.

Radico Khaitan Managing Director Anil Khaitan drew the attention to the liquor industry being subjected to three different acts and governing authorities -? State Excise Act and Rules, Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules.

He said that to regulate the mandatory laws on the lables of alcoholic beverages through these multiple laws is 'a real hassle'.

Khaitan also said that frequent changes in regulations affect the functioning of the companies.

"The frequent changes in regulations adversely affect the operations of the FMCG companies and thus any policy change be affected only after full discussions with all the concerned stakeholders," he added.

......................................................................................................................................................

Snack food association meet urges FBOs to adhere to licensing deadline

The Snack Food Association of Maharashtra organised a unique meet here on Monday - a meet that reminded food business operators (FBOs) that the August 5, 2012, deadline for licensing and registration under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, is approaching fast.

The meet aimed at pointing out to the FBOs the importance of approaching the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, at the earliest, with regard to licensing and registration - old or new - as the case may be.

The event was co-organised by Kamani Oil Mills, a vegetable oil and specialty fat manufacturer, and Prakash Dall and Flour Mills, a manufacturer of two brands of Super Fine Chana Besan (Balaji and Prabhat).

Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra, was unable to make it to the meet due to prior commitments, but other state FDA officials such as Dilip Shrirao, joint commissioner, vigilance; K V Sankhe, assistant commissioner, food; K U Methekar, food safety officer; and Suresh Deshmukh, assistant commissioner; and K D Yadav, president, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India), Mumbai chapter, were present at the meet and joined on the dais by an office-bearer of the state snack food body.

Speaking on the occasion, Methekar reiterated the conditions for licensing and registration of food businesses and then the interactive session began, where the officials fielded FBOs' queries.

The Mumbai Mewa Masala Merchants' Association was represented by Karsanbhai, its secretary. The association has filed a case in the Bombay High Court challenging 16 contentious provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, in April 2012, and four hearings of the same have already taken place. The fifth hearing of the case is slated to take place on July 18, 2012.

......................................................................................................................................................

F. No. 6/FSSAI/Dir (A)/Office Order/2011-12
FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF INDIA
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road,
New Delhi
Subject:- Advisory on Misbranding/ Misleading claims

Food Safety and Standards (FSS)Act, 2006, Rules & Regulations, 2011 made there under are notified by Competent Authority of Central Government. The same has been enforced w.e.f 05th August, 2011. The provisions contained in earlier legislation on the subject are now repealed.

2. The various false claims made by the Food Business Operator about food articles and consequent violation, if any, are punishable under the provisions fo FSS Act, 2006.

3. Violations related to food items, seriously jeopardize public health as well lead to unfair gains to Food Business.

4. Misleading advertisement related to food items are imputed with malafide intent on the part of person making the claim and is normally made to misguide a consumer to purchase food item without disclosing the complete details on the advertisement. Companies (Corporate bodies including firm or other association, individual) are also covered u/s 66, FSS Act, 2006

5. The burden of proof lies on the person willfully making false claims or engaged in misleading advertisement.

6. An advertisement is defined u/s 3 of FSS Act, 2006 as:- any audio or visual publicity, representation or procurement made by means of nay light, sound smoke, gas, print, electronic media, internet and website and included through any notice, circular, label, wrapper, invoice to other documents;

7. The provisions enshrined under Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling), Regulation, 2011 includes definition of Health Claims, Nutritional Claims and Claims for Risk Reduction. As per section 23, Packaging and Labeling of Foods of FSS Act, 2006;

1. No person shall manufacture, distribute, sell or expose for sale or dispatch or deliver to any agent or broker for the purpose of sale, any packaged food products which are not marked and labelled in the manner as may be specified by regulations.

Provision that the labels shall not contain any statement, claim, design or device which is false or misleading in any particular concerning the food products contained in the package or concerning the quantity or the nutritive value implying medicinal or therapeutic claims or in relation to the place of origin of the said food products.

2. Every food business Operator shall ensure that the labelling and presentation of food, including their shape, appearance or packaging, the packaging materials used, the manner in which they are arranged and the setting in which they are displayed, and the information which is made available about them through whatever medium, does not mislead consumers.

As per section 24, Restrictions of advertisement and prohibition as to unfair trade practices of FSS Act, 2006;

(1) No advertisement shall be made fo any food which is misleading or deceiving or contravenes the provisions of this Act, the rules and regulations made thereunder.

(2) No persons shall engage himself in any unfair trade practice for purpose of promoting the sale, supply, use and consumption of articles of food or adopt any unfair or deceptive practice including the practice of making any statement, whether orally or in writing or by visible representation which-

a. Falsely represents that the foods are of a particular standard, quality, quantity or grade- composition;

b. Makes a false or misleading representation concerning the need for, or the usefulness;

c. Give to the public any guarantee of the efficacy that is not based on an adequate or scientific justification thereof;

Provided that where a defence is raised to the effect that such guarantee is based on adequate or scientific justification, the burden of proof of such defence shall lie on the person raising such defence. Further, any person who publishes, or is a party to the publication of an advertisement, which-

a. falsely describes any food; or

b. is likely to mislead as to the nature or substance or quality of any food or gives false guarantee,

shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to ten lakh rupees.

8. All Food Business Operators as well as any person dealing with food articles are advised to be careful as well as alert and must strictly follow provisions contained in Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations thereof eschewing misleading claims which is not established by scientific evidence and validated by science as proof beyond reasonable doubts. Food items under section 22 of FSS Act, 2006, including Nutraceutucals, health supplements, functional food which have not taken product approval or operating only on the basis of NOC pending approval of sale cannot make any claim in their advertisement with any Health Claim, Nutraceutucals Claims or Risk Reduction Claim. FSSAI has already initiated actions against 19 firms on misleading & extravagant claims.

......................................................................................................................................................

Multiple license under Food Act for same business establishment challenged

In a case challenging the present system of granting multi-license under Food Safety Standards Act for business establishments and shops run by the same management the High Court here has issued notice to respondents which include the union health secretary and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

The petitioners have pointed out that section 31(6) of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.1.5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 make it clear that the designated officer has to issue a single license for different establishments or premises belonging to the same food business operator, as long as those are situated in the local area for which such designated officer is appointed.

The respondents though are insisting that all traders must take separate licenses for each of their establishment and shops, it was contended.

The writ petition was filed by the Nagpur Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce, Nagpur Itwari Kirana Merchants Association, Hastimal Katoria of Piyush Traders and M/s Mohandas Chhataram.

Advocates Anand Jaiswal and Ajay Somani appeared for the petitioners. Additional GP Bharati Dangre appeared for the state and Assistant SGI SK Mishra appeared for the Union of India.

......................................................................................................................................................

Watch out for wax on your apples, detergent in milk

Andheri resident Sunita Agarwal has become extremely cautious while shopping for groceries.  Like many consumers in the city, the increasing use of adulterants in daily food items, including fruits, vegetables, spices and even tea, has led her to be sceptical about everything she eats.

“All these food items look appealing, ripe and big.  When you eat them, you realise that they either taste different, or are not as ripe,” said Agarwal.

Consumers’ fears are not without reason. Recent tests carried out by several organisations have shown presence of adulterants in several items have you consume regularly, including milk and fruits.  Commonly used adulterants include harmful chemicals and substances such as iron filings, washing powder, or even animal dung. While some of them are carcinogenic (can cause cancer), others can affect the liver, kidneys or the digestive system.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mumbai seized 6,000 kg of mangoes that had been artificially ripened using calcium carbide – known to be carcinogenic. It can also precipitate calcium deposits in the body.

In tests carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), high levels of antibiotics were found in honey, a natural product. Antibiotics are used to keep the beehive disease-free for honey bees. Small doses of antibiotics ingested over a period of time can have chronic health affects and reduce immunity.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took 1,791 milk samples under its National Survey of Milk Adulteration in 2011. Eight percent of the milk samples had been mixed with detergent, which can result in food poisoning and gastro-intestinal complications.

Taking serious note of the concerns over food adulteration, the Bureau of Indian Standards on Monday organised a seminar on Food Safety – Role of Standards in the city on Monday. Stressing on the importance of food standards, Union minister for consumer affairs, food and distribution system VK Thomas said: “Standards promote public health by reducing the risk of food-borne illnesses.”

“The consumer needs to be aware. If they come across adulterants in food items, they should immediately collect information about the vendor, collect samples and report it to the FDA” said Sitaram Dixit, chairman, Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI).

......................................................................................................................................................

TNCCI meet on FSSA lauds Act, takes note of implementation bottlenecks

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) along with Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai, organised a Workshop on Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Rules and Regulations 2011, recently in Madurai.

Chamber president N Jegatheesan said that the chamber welcomed the new Act by the Central government which was intended to provide safe and quality food in hygienic conditions to the people. The chamber had submitted several memorandums to the government for removal of many irritants and procedural bottlenecks in the new legislation, which were under the consideration of the government, he pointed out.

Dr Lalithaa R Gowda, head, CFTRI, Mysore, in her address, elaborated on the various provisions and standards prescribed in the new Act and on the consequences of selling unsafe food items. She also gave a detailed account on the various tests and analyses undertaken by CFTRI.

A Sakthivel, former chairman, MPEDA, informed that abundant marine wealth was available in our country with its 8,000 km coastline. “However, with inadequate infrastructure we are unable to make use of it in full. Only 10 per cent of our marine products are exported and 90 per cent are used internally,” he said.

Dr A Savitri, manager, corporate, scientific and regulatory affairs, Britannia Industries Ltd, Bangalore, in her address, insisted that manufacturers and dealers of food products should adhere to the provisions of the new Food Act considering the well-being of the consumers. She said that those within Rs 12 lakh turnover should get themselves registered and others should obtain licences under the Act.

R Srinivasan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Hotel Association, said that so far about 58,000 licences have been issued under the new Act in Tamil Nadu and the association had submitted an elaborate 470- page memorandum to the government on various changes and amendments to be made in the Act which was under the consideration of the government.

Anshul Mishra, district collector, Madurai; Somi Hazari, executive committee member; and S Ragavan, secretary, Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry; also addressed the meet.

......................................................................................................................................................

BIS Finalizes Standards for Street Food Vendors

 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has finalized an Indian Standard on basic requirements for street food vendors as food safety is a major concern with street foods. This was disclosed by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof Thomas at Mumbai yesterday .He said that street food sector has shown phenomenal growth recently. Readily accessible and affordable to urban populations, street food provides the energy and nutrient needs to large segments of workers and their families in the cities. This sector is also a source of livelihood for a large number of people. Hence the standard developed by BIS has immense potential to safeguard public health and also promote the confidence of the consumer over the entire spectrum of food industry.

Prof Thomas was addressing National Seminar on “Food Safety – Role of Standards” at Mumbai. The seminar was organized with objective of creating awareness and to provide an insight into the concept of food safety with emphasis on the role of standards.

Stressing over safety of food and quality, the Minister said that as awareness regarding food safety issues among our citizens and concerns bout the hazards in food is showing an upward trend, the need to provide them with greater assurance about the safety and quality of food is also growing. Role of standards in the domain of food safety is immense. Standards promote public health and protect consumers from unsanitary, unwholesome, mislabelled or adulterated food; and provide a sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade in food. He said that in this background, the role of BIS, the National standards body of India is significant.BIS has also formulated about 1000 Indian Standards in the area of food products and food safety. This includes IS/ISO 22000: 2005 ‘Food Safety Management Systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain’. IS/ISO 22000: 2005 is an internationally harmonized standard and has emerged as the international bench mark for food safety.

Prof Thomas said that Similarly, the three Indian Standards recently formulated by BIS, Indian Standards on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Food Retail Management (FRM) are also important in this respect as they are envisaged to act as foundations of Food Safety Management System. They delineate the basic conditions and activities that are necessary to maintain a hygienic environment throughout the food chain suitable for the production, handling and provision of safe end products for human consumption. He expressed hope that Implementation of these food safety standards can lead to exceptional improvements in food safety performance. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Multiple license under Food Act for same business establishment challenged

In a case challenging the present system of granting multi-license under Food Safety Standards Act for business establishments and shops run by the same management the High Court here has issued notice to respondents which include the union health secretary and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

The petitioners have pointed out that section 31(6) of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.1.5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 make it clear that the designated officer has to issue a single license for different establishments or premises belonging to the same food business operator, as long as those are situated in the local area for which such designated officer is appointed.

The respondents though are insisting that all traders must take separate licenses for each of their establishment and shops, it was contended.

The writ petition was filed by the Nagpur Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce, Nagpur Itwari Kirana Merchants Association, Hastimal Katoria of Piyush Traders and M/s Mohandas Chhataram.

Advocates Anand Jaiswal and Ajay Somani appeared for the petitioners. Additional GP Bharati Dangre appeared for the state and Assistant SGI SK Mishra appeared for the Union of India.

......................................................................................................................................................

Faced with sudden spurt in court cases, FSSAI on a hiring spree of advocats

Faced with growing number of litigations and proceedings related to the haphazard implementation of the FSS Act, 2006, across the country, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is hiring advocates or law firms to defend itself. In this regard, the Authority has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) for selection of advocates.

An FSSAI official explained in a chat over telephone, “There were different cases relating to various issues of foods and also with regard to implementation of the new law, which had created a lot of confusion.”

He said that it was mandatory to clear all the cases pertaining to different issues on food in various courts across the country for the new law to be implemented successfully.

“We would select able advocates and the numbers would differ depending upon the number of cases to be fought in the court,” he said.

And this number is substantial especially in the south. For instance, V S S Velshankar, honorary secretary, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants ' Association, said, “There are already seven injunctions pending in the Chennai court.”

Velshankar said that the issue regarding the implementation of the new Act has already created a lot of uproar in the state. He then highlighted some of the issues which were already in the limelight such as water and chillies.

He explained that water, which was to be used for different purposes and consumed was considered to be “potable water” under the earlier Act, while the current one stated that the one consumed or drinking had to be potable and not for other purposes.

Another significant issue was the specifications laid down for chillies and turmeric powder. He said that these specifications were based on the 1954 Act, which had roots in British rules, which needed to be reframed.

He stressed that chillies which were grown in different parts of the country had different odour, colour and taste and that each had its own requirement to grow.

Meanwhile, B C Bhartia, president, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that the apex regulatory body was aware of the fact the new Act would definitely give rise to multiple complications and litigations.

“Therefore the law must be simplified, which is one of the opinions of the industry where the FSSAI should focus to make it consumer-friendly,” Bhartia said.

He mentioned that there were issues with regard to implementation of the law, the registration and licensing, procedure for registration and also the method of collecting samples. All these are among many such cases wherein the Authority needs to defend itself.

Meanwhile, the EoI stated that FSSAI being a statutory body possessed the power to select and elect party respondents to defend their stand before the Supreme Court, various High Courts and Central Administrative Tribunals or any other court of law.

The advocates may also be required to submit their legal opinion on the issue and such other miscellaneous work related to court matters, therefore, FSSAI invites proposals from experienced advocates or law firms to submit their bid for each of their work to be carried out like defending matters on behalf of the apex regulatory body before various courts.

Further, the agency would be required to carry out activities like preparation of drafts, replies, para-wise comments, affidavits to the writ petitions or similar legal or quasi legal petitions filed before courts of law.

The agency would be advised to take up preparation of draft appeal as well as legal vetting to be filed before the court of law against any order or judgement, injunctions of lower court or tribunal or high court and after finalising, file the same before the appropriate court(s).

Also, the agency should pose legal opinion on specific legal matters referred to by FSSAI and its officials on matter involving a point of law including any subordinate legislation.

Lastly, it should also defend FSSAI as when required before various courts of law and that the selected advocates should pose as a prosecutor before an arbitrator as well as draft arbitration proceedings in which FSSAI is a party.

The advocates are needed to handle related matter in the labour courts, industrial tribunals and other similar tribunals and examine legal viewpoint in consultation with scientific experts, labs, and research.

......................................................................................................................................................

“Registration essential for effective implementation of Food Safety Act”

The Hindu Collector Anshul Mishra speaking at a workshop on Food Safety Standards Act 2006, in Madurai on Saturday. 

The Right to safe food is like right to life and liberty and the right of the consumer to get the required food on exchange of money should be guaranteed and implementation of the Act should be done fully in ‘letter and spirit’ said Collector Anshul Mishra.

Delivering the valedictory address at the workshop on the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations 2011, held by Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Madurai and Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chennai, he said that the whole idea of the Act is to ensure that safe and hygienic food is available for the people at the prescribed rates.

Coverage of registration is essential for effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

All hotels, eateries and roadside food vendors should register their particulars with food safety officials at the office of the Deputy Director of Health Services, he said.

Earlier in the day, technical sessions were held on the subject where experts from the various fields made presentations. Lalitha Gowda, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Mysore, gave a presentation on regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and explained how referral laboratories would analyse a sample of contaminated food. She said that the technical staff members involved in testing the samples are well equipped and sophisticated.

A. Sakthivel, former chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority, spoke about the sea food industry and the intricacies involved in maintaining safety and standards.

A. Savitri, manager, corporate, scientific and regulatory affairs, Britannia Industries Limited, Bangalore, gave a presentation highlighting issues of labelling, packaging, registration and penal provisions.

R. Srinivasan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners Association, spoke on safety and standards in hotel industry.

Somi Hazari, executive committee member, SICCI presided over the valediction.

N. Jegatheesan, president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered the welcome address and J. Rajamohan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposed a vote of thanks. 

......................................................................................................................................................

Beverages, milk adulteration high in TN

High levels of adulteration are found in beverages, milk and milk products in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, even as the overall percentage of adulteration in food articles is on the decline across most parts of India. This was stated in a note circulated during the workshop on ‘The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and rules & regulations, 2011’, organised by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TNCCI) and Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry here on Saturday. Dr Lalitha R. Gowda, chief scientist and head, food safety and analytical quality control laboratory, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, referred to instances of adulteration detected by authorities in India and abroad, to drive home the case for FSSA. “In India, a biscuit manufacturer’s claim that his product contained substances that enhanced the cognitive abilities of children was found to be misleading as there was no scientific evidence to back it. The manufacturer was forced to withdraw his product,” she elaborated. Pesticides in imported fruits were found to be within limits, she said.

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

 Thirty-two packaged water units seized

They were found supplying water to people without maintaining standards

The district administration cracked a whip on the spurious packaged drinking water supplying units in Karimnagar district by seizing 32 units for not possessing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificates as part of the Food Safety and standards Act 2006.

In a press note here on Thursday , district food inspection officer (DFIO) Preetham Kumar said that they had inspected 104 packaged drinking water units in the district and sent the samples for tests in Hyderabad laboratory. Following the supply of spurious water to the people without maintaining standards, they have seized 32 packaged drinking water units in the district. Earlier, the authorities seized 14 units for failing to follow the stipulated norms.

He informed the people to consume only safe bottled water being supplied by the units possessing BIS certification.

The units which have been seized include Balaji Aqua Industries and Manikanta Purified Drinking Water plants in Jammikunta town, Godavari Drinking Water, Vijaya Packaged Drinking Water, Manikanta Industries and Narayana Beverages, Ayyappa and Sri Sai Yamuna Purified Drinking Water in Sircilla, Jalabugga Pure Drinking Water and Maruti in Kondagattu temple shrine.

In and around Karimnagar town, Dayals Enterprises, Kanikapa Vinayaka Industries, Godavari Industries, Pavitra Industries, Balaji Packaged Drinking Water, Sai Amrutha, Sri Venkateshwara Industries, Laxmi Enterprises, Jaladhara Packaged Water, Bharati Industries, Laxmi Industries and Padma Aqua Systems .

The Divya Manair Water, Sagar Matha Water, Sri Sai Waters and Anjaiah Waters in Sultanabad and Rangampalli Drinking Water, Godavari Water, Hanuman Water, Sri Ranga Water, Sri Raghavendra Water and Srisailam Drinking Water plants in Peddapalli town.

......................................................................................................................................................

Chamber holds seminar on Food Safety Act

The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a seminar on Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and its impact on food industry here.

Inaugurating the seminar, Dr G.S. Rajorhia, principal consultant of Indian Registrar of Quality Systems, New Delhi, said that lack of awareness about various provisions of the Act is a major hurdle faced by the constituents in the food supply chain.

He pointed out that understanding the Act has become inevitable for the consumers as well as for the food business operators (FBO). It is imperative that they register or get licence for their trade under the Act before August 4.

All FBO’s from transporters to sellers will need to comply with the rules under the Act by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a single reference point for all matters relating to Food Safety and Standards, Regulations and Enforcement.

Under the FSS Act, it is mandatory for all FBOs including big hoteliers, small canteens, road side hawkers, wholesalers, retailers, stockists and food item sellers including grocers to obtain licenses, he said.

With the implementation of the Act, he said, the quality of the food items is expected to be enhanced and accountability will be set to the FBOs. Under the new provisions of the Act, an application for registration or for license will have to be acted upon within two months, pointing out deficiencies if any.

Mr Prakash James, president of the Chamber, said that a help centre would be opened soon at the Chamber office for the benefit of the trade. 

......................................................................................................................................................

China launches five-year food safety plan

China released a five-year plan last week, upgrading its food safety regulations, Food Safety News reports.

The new plan, developed by the country's Ministry of Health, sets out to update existing standards, write new ones, and in general close loopholes and abolish ambiguities. The framework was announced on the heels of China's Food Safety Week.

Despite the spate of China food scandals in recent years, the country has more than 2,000 national food regulations and more than 2,900 industry-based regulations.

"Many of the regulations are overlapping or contradict each other, since multiple government agencies were given the responsibility of compiling their own standards years ago," said the government in a statement.

The plan calls for coordination between 14 different government departments, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture, to complete reviewing and revamping the existing standards by 2015.

"The government will prioritize safety standards for dairy products, infant food, meat, alcohol, vegetable oil, seasoning, health products and food additives so as to specify limits for dangerous ingredients in these foods," according to the release. "Moreover, the government will make special efforts to set standards for testing various contaminants, food additives, microorganisms, pesticide and animal drug residue in food production by 2015."

......................................................................................................................................................

How hygienic is the TASMAC bar in your neighbourhood? 

 The Hindu TASMAC runs 305 liquor retail outlets and has let on contract 278 bars in the district. File photo: A. Muralitharan

Food safety authority to make sure the premises are healthy and user-friendly

Cheers! There’s good news for tipplers from the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department.

The department has planned to ask owners of bars attached to the State-run Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) to clean the premises so that they are healthy and user-friendly.

According to R. Kathiravan, Designated Officer, Coimbatore, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the office will soon write to the authority concerned in TASMAC in Coimbatore in this regard.

The FSSAI’s clean-up operation is likely to begin soon after the TASMAC authorities float tenders and issue orders to contractors to run bars for the next licence period of one year. This is likely to happen in the next couple of months.

“The FSSAI is working in association with the TASMAC to ensure that the contractors abide by the hygiene norms just as they confirm to the contract conditions,” he says.

TASMAC runs 305 liquor retail outlets and has let on contract 278 bars in the district.

Registration

The bars are bound to come under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as per the new Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2011. Establishments that deal with food will have to register with the FSSAI if their annual turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakh, or obtain a licence if their turnover is above Rs. 12 lakh.

Dr. Kathiravan says that as per the Regulation the bars should have floors and walls that are easily washable, adequate ventilation and lighting, sufficient space for free movement, separate smoking area, spittoons, washbasins and toilets, pest control measures, safe storage space for raw materials and disinfected floors.

Further, the bars should serve food (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) that is free of colouring agents, provision for proper disposal of solid and liquid wastes, provide disposable plates and tumblers, supply safe drinking water, which if packed should bear ISI label, store prepared food in covered containers and serve packed foods that follow labelling rules as per FSSAI standards, Dr. Kathiravan said.

Regulation

The move by FSSAI to regulate bars are part of its strategy to bring into its fold government-run establishments that deal with food and these include fair price shops run by both the Cooperative and Civil Supplies Departments.

Dr. Kathiravan says that the FSSAI has also written to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to register temples that provide annadhanam.

......................................................................................................................................................

FSSA, 2006: FAFAI finds Aug 5 deadline too short for proper implementation
 

Although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) set an August 5, 2012, deadline for getting the existing licences converted, it might not be long enough to convincingly answer all the petty food vendors' objections to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and certain regulations of the same Act, which came into effect last year.

This was the opinion of Ravi Mehra, chairman, flavours sub-committee, Fragrances and Flavours Association of India (FAFAI).

"Retail associations in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, have filed a number of petitions in the Madras High Court, and got all of them stayed. That is because the 2011 rules are not in consonance with the Act, and anything that is outside the purview of the Act is invalid," Mehra said, adding that different segments of the industry had their own scientific committees and the panels were not represented enough by the small, unorganised food business operators (FBOs), the section of the industry it was most likely to affect.

"There is no scientific basis for the implementation of the Act, its rules and regulations. Moreover, we are afraid of implementing it - that is where the problem lies. The regulatory approach is wrong, and from the stakeholders' point of view, it would not be incorrect to say that it isn't awareness or education, but sensitisation which is an absolute must. The law is draconian, and could promote more corruption than there is now," he said.

"Since the multinational players will obviously follow the rules prevalent overseas, the smaller stakeholders need to be taken into confidence. Only then can the Act be implemented," Mehra said.

......................................................................................................................................................

FDA Maharashtra commences special drive to ensure zero milk adulteration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has commenced a state-wide campaign against milk adulteration. This was informed by Mahesh Zagade, commissioner (food), Maharashtra.

“Milk adulteration is happening on a daily basis and we are forced to take up a special drive across the state against the illegal producers, packers and distributors of milk,” explained Zagade.

The motive behind the campaign is to obtain zero milk adulteration in Maharashtra by June 30, 2012, so that the consumers could also procure pure milk in return. In this regard, the food safety officers (FSOs) in every region would now look into the aspect closely to look at the rootcause of the problem and work on it at the earliest.

“Our officers had raided around 20,000 litres of adulterated milk in Sangli district and recently in Mumbai (Khar region) of about 450-500 litres of milk,” he said, adding that the findings had been discussed with the FSOs in a meeting.

It has been found that the milk was adulterated with water and caustic soda (a preservative), it was repacked and resold to small dairy spots, and the truck drivers or owners concerned did not possess a licence or registration. Not only this, but also the places where the milk was distributed did not ensure hygienic condition and many a times they were located near drainage.

Further, it was also found that the milk was sold in packets without proper labelling and printing or even sold with no clarity in mentioning the “best before.”

The ones which were meant to be “not to be sold” were also distributed illegally to the sellers and that the rejected milk packets by one of the dairy spots would be purchased by the other in the scenario.

Therefore, the FSO would inspect all the check-nakas of the city and the tankers would now need to produce valid documents for the same. Further, all the distributors of milk should possess the list of those milk suppliers and other details.

Soon a meeting would be called in order to alert the dairy industry with the Rule 26 of the new law. All those spots, which would be identified by the FSOs as places of adulteration, hereafter would destroy the repacked milk. And the manufacturers shall now possess the list of all the details of the FSOs of their respective regions in case of emergency.

Further, the FSOs would now take up routine inspection of milk in every region, twice a month.

......................................................................................................................................................

ஈரோட்டில் நடந்த ஆய்வில் கலப்பட பாலே இல்லை : தமிழக பால் விற்பனையை தடுக்க கர்நாடகா சதி

ஈரோடு : பெங்களூரில் கலப்பட பால் லாரி பிடிபட்ட நிலையில், "ஈரோடு மாவட்ட பண்ணைகளில் இதுவரை நடந்த ஆய்வில், கலப்பட பாலே பிடிபடவில்லை' என, தமிழக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறை அதிகாரி கூறியுள்ளார்.

ஏன் இந்த முயற்சி? : தமிழகத்திலிருந்து பெங்களூருக்கு, பால் சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்தின் பல்வேறு பகுதியிலுள்ள, தனியார் பால் பண்ணைகள் மூலம், பெங்களூருக்கு, ரெகுலராக பால் வினியோகமாகிறது. தமிழகத்திலிருந்து செல்லும் பால் வண்டிகளை, கர்நாடக அதிகாரிகள் பிடித்து, "கலப்பட பால்' எனக் கூறி, பாலை கீழே கொட்டி அழிப்பது வாடிக்கையாக நடக்கிறது. ஜூன் 9ம் தேதி இரவு, பெங்களூரு வில்சன் கார்டன் பகுதியில் நடந்த சோதனையில், ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து சென்ற லாரி ஒன்று பிடிபட்டது. கர்நாடக மாநில பால்வளத் துறை அதிகாரிகள், அந்த லாரியிலிருந்த பாலை சோதனையிட்டு, அது கலப்பட பால் என கண்டறிந்தனர்.
வண்டியிலிருந்த , 5,000 லிட்டர் கலப்பட பால், பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. பாலை எடுத்துச் சென்ற ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், பெருந்துறை தாலுகா, தயிர்பாளையம் தியாகராஜ், மணிகண்டன் நகர் சண்முகம் என்ற முத்துசாமி, திடியூர் பாஸ்கர் ஆகிய மூவரும், கைது செய்யப்பட்டனர். தலைமறைவான பால் பண்ணை உரிமையாளர், தனசேகரை தேடி வருகின்றனர். ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து, கலப்பட பால் எடுத்து வந்ததாக, பெங்களூரில் மூவர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டதையடுத்து, ஈரோட்டில் கலப்பட பால் குறித்த ஆய்வை, தீவிரப்படுத்தும் நடவடிக்கையில், தமிழக அதிகாரிகள் இறங்கியுள்ளனர்.

30 மாதிரிகள் ஆய்வு : பெங்களூரில், மூன்று மாதத்துக்கு முன் இதேபோல், ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்திலிருந்து கலப்பட பால் சப்ளை செய்ததாக சிலர் பிடிபட்டனர். அப்போது, ஈரோடு பண்ணைகளில், தீவிர ஆய்வு நடத்தப்பட்டது. 30 இடங்களில் பால் மாதிரிகள் எடுக்கப்பட்டு, சோதனைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டது. இதில், இரண்டு மாதிரிகள் தரம் குறைவாகவும், இரண்டில் லேபிள் தவறு என, நான்கு மாதிரிகளில் மட்டுமே, குறை கண்டறியப்பட்டது. மற்ற நிறுவனங்களின் பால், தரமானதாக இருந்தது. கலப்பட பால் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டதாக, இதுவரை எந்த மாதிரியும் பிடிபடவில்லை. தற்போது மீண்டும், "கலப்பட பால்' எனக் கூறி, பெங்களூரில் பால் பிடிபட்டுள்ளது, அதிர்ச்சி ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. முறையான லாரி அனுமதி, உணவுப் பாதுகாப்பு சட்ட அனுமதி போன்றவற்றை பெறாமல், சிலர் தமிழகத்திலிருந்து பால் சப்ளை செய்கின்றனர். அனுமதியின்றி சென்று, பிடிபடும் லாரிகள் மீது, சம்பந்தப்பட்ட குற்றத்துக்கு தான் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும். ஆனால், அதை, "கலப்பட பால்' என்று முத்திரை குத்துவதற்கே அதிகாரிகளும், போலீசாரும் ஆர்வம் காட்டுகின்றனர் என, தமிழக பால் பண்ணையாளர்கள் குற்றம்சாட்டுகின்றனர்.

......................................................................................................................................................

Respondent to petition cannot act on impugned FSSA provisions: Madras HC

It has been yet another eventful week for the Madurai-based Tamil Nadu Food Grains Merchants' Association (represented by S V S S Velsankar, its honorary secretary), who filed a petition against the Union of India (represented by the ministry of health and family welfare's secretary to the government) before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

In an e-mail sent by R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA), it is seen that the Madras High Court has passed an order of an ad-interim injunction constraining the respondent (Union of India), its men and agents from giving effect to the impugned provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006; Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, and the respective Regulations, 2011. "They cannot act on Sections 3 (1) (u); (za); (zf); 5 (1) (a); 13; 14; 23; 31; 40; 50 to 65 and 77 of the FSSA, 2006," he said.

Of late, this battle for justice for small food business operators in the south Indian state has taken other interesting turns too. "Assem Chaudhary, director, administration, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), arrived in Madurai this week and we had a fruitful discussion. In fact, he said the FSSAI would like to be a co-respondent to the petition we filed," Velsankar told over the telephone.

He added, "We have invited Chaudhary to visit Madurai again, accompanied by K Chandramouli, the chairman of the authority. He has agreed to come here and engage in talks with different trade bodies from across the state." Before signing off, Velsankar stated that he and a trade delegation from Tamil Nadu, accompanied by the members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, are headed to New Delhi next month to meet FSSAI officials.

......................................................................................................................................................

Licensing Alert

Conversion of existing Food business Licenses to new Licenses under FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulation 2011, is to be completed on or before 4th August 2012.



List of Documents to be enclosed with application for Conversion to new license

1. Any change in document or information provided during grant of previous license - Applicable for all categories of Food business.

2. Certificate or plan of Food Safety Management System or an affidavit to that effect - Applicable to manufacturing & processing units.

3. Name, Qualification and Details of technical personnel in charge of operation – Applicable to manufacturing & processing units.

NB: For any further clarification / details, please dial toll free number 1800112100, visit fssai.gov.in for advisories available on FSSAI Portal or call designated officer of your district / Food Safety Commissioner of the State or Director Enforcement FSSAI at (011- 23220994).

......................................................................................................................................................

பெருகி வரும் ரோட்டோர உணவு கடைகளால்ஆபத்து உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் மெத்தனம்-தினமலர் செய்தி

காரைக்குடியில் நாளுக்கு நாள் ரோட்டோர உணவு கடைகள் பெருகி வருகின்றன. காரைக்குடியில் உள்ள கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள், சுற்றுலா தலங்களுக்கு தினந்தோறும், ஏராளமான மாணவர்கள், சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் வந்து செல்கின்றனர்.
பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டை சுற்றி, ரோட்டோரா தள்ளுவண்டி கடைகள் பெருகி வருகின்றன. இங்கு சில்லி சிக்கன், பிரைடு ரைஸ், நூடுல்ஸ் என வகைவகையாக சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. 30 ரூபாய் முதல், 40 ரூபாய் வரை விற்கின்றனர்.
இவர்கள் கொடுக்கின்ற உணவு பொருட்களில், சிக்கன் இருக்கிறதோ இல்லையோ ஆனால், சில்லி (காரம்) உள்ளது. இதை சாப்பிடுபவர்கள் பாதியை கொட்டிவிட்டு, செல்ல வேண்டிய நிலை உள்ளது. பயன்படுத்திய எண்ணெய்யையே மீண்டும், மீண்டும் பயன்படுத்துவதால், அவற்றை சாப்பிடுவோருக்கு, அஜீரணக்கோளாறு ஏற்படுகிறது.
சுகாதாரமற்ற ஓட்டல்களில் ரெய்டு நடத்த அரசு உத்தரவிட்டு, அதற்கென உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர்கள் மாவட்ட அளவில் நியமனம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர். கடை வைப்பவர்கள் இவர்களிடம் கண்டிப்பாக அனுமதி பெற வேண்டும். அனுமதி பெற்றாலும், தரமான உணவு பொருட்களை விநியோகம் செய்ய வேண்டும். ஆனால் காரைக்குடியில், இதன் விதியை ரோட்டோர கடைகள் பின்பற்றுவதில்லை.
காரைக்குடி உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலர் செல்லத்துரை கூறியதாவது: ரோட்டோர கடைகள் “மொபைல் கார்ட்’ என்று ரிஜிஸ்ட்ரேஷன் செய்ய வேண்டும். ஒரு முறை பயன்படுத்திய எண்ணெய்யை மறுமுறை பயன்படுத்த கூடாது. தற்போது லைசென்ஸ், ரிஜிஸ்ட்ரேஷன் மட்டுமே செய்து வருகிறோம். விரைவில் இதற்கான நடவடிக்கை எடுப்போம், என்றார். 

.....................................................................................................................................................

 Corpn seals its canteen - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation on Monday sealed its canteen after officials found that adulterated food was being sold. The move comes after Mayor Saidai Duraisamy and a team of officials inspected the canteen, run by the employees’ cooperative society.
    Duraisamy said that food was served in unhygienic conditions and the price was high. "The canteen would be renovated and will be opened after 15 days,” he said. The canteen was sealed under the Anti-Food Adulteration Act.

......................................................................................................................................................

Police crackdown finds milk being mixed with sewage water in Mumbai

Mumbai: Mumbai police said on Tuesday that they had arrested and charged four men who are accused of selling milk mixed with sewage water in plastic packets scavenged from garbage bins.The four vendors, arrested on Monday, are suspected of adulterating milk for the last six months and are accused of putting their customers' health at risk by selling it in a western suburb of the city."Cops caught four milk vendors red-handed selling milk packets mixed with sewage water to customers," the Mid Day newspaper reported.

"They were playing with the lives of their customers, especially children. It is not just adulteration but a slow poison for consumers," a police officer told the newspaper from Vile Parle, where the men were caught.
They appeared before magistrates charged with several counts, including the sale of noxious food or drink, and were remanded in custody until May 31, Mumbai police spokesman Nisar Tamboli told Agence France Presse (AFP), confirming the Mid Day report. Police, who seized 181 adulterated milk packets and 160 litres of adulterated milk from the vendors, are now investigating if the men were part of a larger racket.They said one of the vendors' methods was to rummage through garbage bins and collect empty milk packets, which they would fill with 60 per cent milk and 40 per cent gutter water, before sealing the packet with a burning candle.The raid comes after a meeting of dairy farmers this month called for strong legislation to curb the malpractice of adulterated milk being sold to consumers.A study by a government watchdog published in January showed that more than two-thirds of milk in the country was contaminated with substances including salt, detergent, skimmed milk powder, fat, glucose and water.The survey across 33 states by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India found that 68.4 per cent of 1791 milk samples contained adulterants.

......................................................................................................................................................

Gutkha ban may not have long term impact on market

Mangalore, May 25: 

A ban on Gutkha by some States may have a temporary impact on the arecanut market. But it will help the commodity in the long run. Some arecanut growers and cooperatives feel that the ban on ‘paan masala' is a little worrisome.

Kerala became the second State after Madhya Pradesh to impose a ban on gutkha and paan masala on Friday.

Mr Ravish Hegde, Managing Director of the Sirsi-based Totagars' Cooperative Sale Society (which is actively involved in arecanut trade), told Business Line that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified arecanut as a food item.

According to Food Safety and Standards Act, tobacco or nicotine should not be mixed with food items. In ‘gutkha', tobacco and arecanut are the main ingredients.

He said that the volatility in the arecanut market is because of some manufacturers of ‘gutkha' who have imported inferior quality arecanut to manufacture ‘gutkha', thus affecting the domestic market. 

Pure ‘paan' ban not good

Stating that pure ‘paan masala' is devoid of tobacco, he said that it should not have been banned. He said that the ban may be because some ‘gutkha' manufacturers unscrupulously add tobacco to ‘paan masala' to market their products.

Mr K. Padmanabha, President of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd, said that the ‘gutkha' ban in Madhya Pradesh a month ago had temporary impact on red arecanut price. (Red arecanut is used in gutkha manufacture). But the demand has not come down.

Added to this, FSSAI has identified arecanut as a food item, and it cannot be banned, he said.

Mr M. Srinivasa Achar, President of All-India Areca Growers' Association, said that Governments should ensure that harmful elements such as tobacco and chemicals are not added to arecanut in any form. When arecanut import is allowed in the country, the Government should look at increasing its consumption through some value additions, he said.

Mixed cropping pattern

Mr Ramesh Kaintaje, a grower from Bantwal taluk, said arecanut farmer is at crossroads with some States on a banning spree of arecanut-related products. It is time for the grower to think about mixed cropping pattern than focusing on arecanut alone, he said.

On Friday, the Agricultural Marketing Committees of Channagiri, Davangere, and Sagar quoted a maximum price of Rs 134.69 a kg, Rs 136.50 a kg, and Rs 132.59 a kg, respectively, for red variety of arecanut.

......................................................................................................................................................

Second illegal notice: Thiruvallur FSO now harasses cold storage unit

Tuesday, May 08, 2012,Our Bureau, Mumbai

Thiruvallur's food safety officer (FSO) has issued an illegal statutory notice to a cold storage unit on Thiruvallur High Road in Kodavuli, a village in the district. It stated that the owner of the unit has not obtained a licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, despite reminders via mail and text messages.

Claiming that he had paid frequent visits to the cold storage unit and handed over the licence documents to its owner in person, the FSO said every correspondence had gone unheeded and that a number of provisions of the Act were contravened. And for that, he warned the owner of the cold storage unit that he would impose hefty fines and sentence him to imprisonment.

Informing FnB News about the incident via e-mail, P Subash Chandra Bose, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants' Association (TNFMA), said the FSO threatened to book the owner of the cold storage unit under six Sections of the Act: Sections 55; 56; 58 (under which contraventions carry a liability of Rs 2 lakh); 59; 61 and 62 Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

 Himachal: Date of Registration of Food Licenses extended

Monday, May 7, 2012 - 18:15

SHIMLA: The period for registration of Food Licenses for commercial establishments and petty traders had been extended till 31st May, 2012.


A Spokesman of State Government said here today that due to demand from traders and other business establishments, the time period for registration of licenses had been extended under the provision in Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006. 


He said that further information can be obtained from District Health Officers and Director Food Security and Regulation, Government of Himachal Pradesh.  Source: punjabnewsline

......................................................................................................................................................

Jail plus fine: FSO threatens Thiruvallur shopkeeper in illegal notice

Monday, May 07, 2012,Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

Despite obtaining injunctions against the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, food business operators (FBOs) across Tamil Nadu continue to be harassed by food safety officers (FSOs).

Determined to make a quick buck at the hapless traders' expense, the inspectors have turned a deaf ear to the fact that August 5, 2012, is the last date for obtaining the registrations and licences.

The latest incident involves the FSO of Thiruvallur District, Ellapuram Block. Although P Subash Chandra Bose, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants' Association (TNFMA), informed FnB News of the same, he did not name the officer in question or his victim.

“The FSO visited several shops in the area under his jurisdiction and demanded that their owners obtain licences immediately, although they have about three months in hand to do so,” he said.

“They were obviously upset and refused to pay any heed to his demand, which angered him. He issued an illegal statutory notice to the owner of a shop on Tamaraipakkam Junction Road, Ammanapakkam, Thiruvallur District,” said Bose.

“The FSO threatened to book the trader under six Sections of the Act: Sections 55; 56; 59; 61; 62 and 63. Each of these pertain to penalties. In fact, he told him that he would have him imprisoned for twice the time and levy five times the fine stipulated in Section 62,” Bose said.

“Let me remind you that Section 55 carries a penalty of Rs 2 lakh for failing to comply with the FSO's directions; under Section 62, an FBO is liable to be imprisoned for six months and pay a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for obstructing or impersonating an FSO,” Bose said.

He added, “Under Section 56, if food is manufactured or processed in unhygienic or unsanitary conditions, it attracts a penalty of Rs 1 lakh; if he prepares unsafe food, he would be liable to pay Rs 10 lakh under Section 59.”

“Under Section 61, furnishing false information carries a term of three months in prison and a penalty of Rs 2 lakh; and under Section 63, a person found carrying out a business with a licence is liable to spend six months in prison and pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh,” Bose said.

“Wouldn't it be impossible to revert to the FSO – who called this his final notice – within the stipulated 15-day deadline,” asked Bose. Incidentally, the time he granted the trader elapsed a couple of days ago.Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

Puduvayal rice millers forced to cough up hefty bribes for 'licences'

Monday, May 07, 2012, Our Bureau, Mumbai

Puduvayal, a town about 12 km away from Karaikudi, in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga District (Sakkottai Union), is famous for two reasons: it is close to the birthplace of P Chidambaram, union home minister, and it has over a hundred modern rice mills.

Last week, the latter bore the brunt of Muthamizh's [the local food safety officer (FSO)] high-handed ways. He allegedly threatened the millers to part with an amount ranging between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 per unit.

He also told each mill-owner to obtain a central licence by paying a fee of Rs 7,500 to the government; and warned them that if they failed to pay anything above the specified amount, he would not permit them to run their establishments.

The shocked millers claimed that the penalties levied on them could range between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. Mohamed Nazar, manager, Puduvayal Rice Millers' Association, said that if the FSO in question was not transferred at the earliest, the traders could resort to a one-day bandh.

Further, the traders are deeply disturbed by the fact that Dr Arulnambi, the designated officer and an honest man, is unfairly being dragged into the matter. “The FSO is using his name to demand bribes from the millers,” Nazar claimed.

The situation is no different in the bazaar. The traders alleged that grocers; medical shop-owners who sell baby food; canteens; small hotels; tea stalls; bunk shops and bakeries were all victims of this. In fact, the grocers were threatened not to sell dal and other packed products.

According to one account, “A baker, Arunachalam Nadar, was forced to pay a bribe of Rs 20,000. He fell down while trying to cough up the specified amount, which the FSO said was the fee to obtain a licence.”

Despite obtaining an interim injunction from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the food business operators in the southern state are an unhappy lot; but they are certainly not out.  Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

அழைக்கிறது… ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. SANITATION FACULTY , Gandhigram Rural University (GRI)

Dear Friends,

The Faculty of Rural Health and Sanitation (FRHS), Gandhigram Rural University (GRI),

Gandhigram is planning to form an Alumni Association.

Those who are studied SI COURSE/D.S.Sc.,/DSI/PGDSI/MPHW(M) COURSE in FRHS of GRI,

Gandhigram are cordially invited to join as a member of the proposed

SANITATION FACULTY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

All old students of FRHS, GRI are eligible to become a member of the Association.

They are solicited to provide us their details through the registration form

which is attached herewith for creating the relevant Data Base.

Anticipating your earliest response for the registration.

Kindly take Xerox copy of the attached Registration form and circulate it to your colleagues/friends

those who are studied at FRHS, GRI.

The filled in application should be sent to the following address through post or in person along with prescribed fees.

MR. S. PANDIARAJAN,

HEALTH INSPECTOR,

FRHS, SF CAMPUS,

AMBATHURAI, GANDHIGRAM POST – 624 302

DINDIGUL DISTRICT, TAMILNADU.

CELL: 9865416204

With regards,

Adhoc Commitee,

SF Alumni Association, Gandhigram

......................................................................................................................................................

Paramakudi FSOs raid bakeries, demand money; throw fresh goodies in trash

Friday, April 27, 2012 08:00 IST ,Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

Bakers in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, witnessed Inspector Raj at its worst on the morning of Thursday, when a team of food safety officers (FSOs) visited their establishments and threw freshly-baked bread and decorated pieces of cake in a heap of rubbish along the road. They have decided to take up the matter with the local government authorities on Friday.


R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA), told FnB News, “The FSOs’ conduct was extremely unprofessional. They quarrelled with the bakers; gave them challans and levied arbitrary charges ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. Those who paid were let off, but those who couldn't had to suffer considerable damage. This has caused them a great deal of distress.”


When asked why the bakers were forced to pay the money, Kaleeswaran said, “The FSOs wanted to merely fulfil their selfish needs. They would point out that the bakers weren't dressed in clean clothes; the bakery wasn't clean; there were no wash-basins, etc. These are just excuses to make money. However, there is a set of rules about cleanliness in the Act, which all FBOs are expected to comply with.”


“The bakers will ensure that action is taken against the FSO for their illegal acts. The Tamil Nadu Bakers Association will meet the district revenue officer (DRO), who is the adjudicating officer; the collector and the designated officer at the district headquarters, Ramanathapuram, and complain to him. After all, the food business operators' (FBOs) interests have to be protected,” he said.


Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court also granted the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry interim injunction restraining the state food safety commissioner from enforcing the licensing rules. Several petty food manufacturers' and traders' associations across the state, including the KBOA, have moved court in the past week.Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

குறிப்பிட்ட சில சங்கத்தினருக்கு மட்டுமே பொருந்தும் இடைக்காலத்தடை பற்றிய செய்தித்தாள் வெளியீடு

......................................................................................................................................................

MEETING NOTICE

Seventh Meeting of Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI on 27th April, 2012 (Friday) – reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer the subject cited above and to say that seventh meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) is scheduled to be held on 27th April, 2012 (Friday)at Ashoka Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, 50-B Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, under the chairmanship of Shri K. Chandramouli, Chairperson, FSSAI. Agenda for the meeting is enclosed herewith. 

LIST OF CONTENTS

S. No.	Agenda Item	Pages
1.	Confirmation of minutes of the last meeting of CAC held on 18th January, 2012	1-25
2.	Progress of the States/ UTs regarding implementation of FSS Act, 2006.	26
3.	Progress regarding online licensing and Registration in States/ UTs.	27
4.	Status of Public labs functioning in States/ UTs.	28
5.	Status of Trainings for different categories of Regulatory Staff (DOs, FSOs & AOs)	29
6.	Awareness generation among different categories of Stakeholders especially FBOs	30
7.	Presentation on Street Foods	31
8.	Any other item with the approval of Chairperson.	32

18) TAMIL NADU:
„« Additional Commissioner of Food Safety has taken charge on 5th January 2012
„« Total 584 posts of FSOs have been created and 32 DOs have been notified on a full time basis and 32 Adjudicating Officers are also notified
„« State has 6 food testing laboratories and 6 Food Analysts have been notified
„« Laboratories are NABL Accredited
„« There is no mobile laboratory facility
„« Training will be imparted to DO.s in the 1st week of February 2012 and they will be sent to FSSAI for training
„« System for registration and licensing of Food Business is under process
„« The state is keen to take up online licensing system
„« Helpline is yet to be started
„« NRHM has a strong structure especially AIDS control programme in the state

For more details download the PDF file  by click here

......................................................................................................................................................

Karaikudi bakers body to move court for injunction; seeks inclusive FSSA

Thursday, April 26, 2012 08:00 IST Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

The interim stay on the enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, granted by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently, has boosted the confidence of other traders' bodies in Tamil Nadu, including the Karaikudi Bakery Owners' Association (KBOA). In fact, the KBOA has decided to move court for an injunction in licensing and registration cases, and seems confident that many more writ petitions will follow suit.


“We would appreciate it if the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, is simplified, and more importantly, made more inclusive. However safe we try to make our products, we are no match for the multinational corporations and large-sized producers who are members of the panel formed to implement the Act. We face the threat of being wiped out of the industry, and that could affect the livelihood of lakhs,” R Kaleeswaran, honorary secretary, KBOA, said.


“Not only is the nomination process to this panel flawed, but vests in the food safety officers powers that they will misuse. We (small- and medium-sized food business operators) would like to run our businesses without having to resort to any unethical practices, but obtaining a licence or registration without paying an arbitrary penalty, which is often very high, is impossible. And to top it all, we have to become compliant in less than four months,” he said.  Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

TN traders’ writ on FSSR: Madurai Bench grants interim stay on regulations

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 08:00 IST Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted R Viduthalai, senior counsel, and G Sankaran, advocate, – who argued a writ petition on behalf of a group of traders' bodies in the southern city against certain provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, last week – interim stay on the regulations. This was known through a statement sent via e-mail by Ganesh Jeyaraj, member, Madurai Managar Anaitthu Vanigargal Nala Sangam, to FnB News.

Incidentally, the body is one of many associations from all over the country opposing the contentious provisions. Its president, L Thangavel, also heads the Madurai chapter of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peramaippu – whose parent organisation is led by A M Vikramaraja. Another body from the state that had submitted its objections to the regulations to the Central government was Tamil Nadu Food Grains Association Ltd, headed by S P Jeyapragasam.

The regulations of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, have been stayed pending disposal of the writ petition; and the Bench also granted an interim injunction restraining Tamil Nadu's food safety commissioner, his subordinates and officers from enforcing the FSSR's licensing and registration regulations against the petitioners, who are petty manufacturers.

P Arivarasu was Madurai Managar Anaitthu Vanigargal Nala Sangam's co-petitioner. The co-respondents named in the petition were the Union of India (represented by its secretary to the government, ministry of health and family welfare) and the state food safety commissioner. S R A Ramachandran was the counsel for the respondents. Justice K Venkataraman was the judge. Source: FNB News

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

Artificially ripened mangoes seized-Hindu News

Calcium carbide had been used to ripen these mangoes

WAGING A WAR:Officials checking artificially ripened mangoes in Tuticorin on Thursday.

Food safety officers busted a racket and seized mangoes that had been artificially ripened in Tuticorin on Thursday.

A metric tonne of mangoes that had been stacked in a godown at market area and ripened by using calcium carbide, a prohibited substance, were destroyed by the officials. A team led by M. Jagadish Chandrabose, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Act, Tuticorin, warned of stringent action against those who indulge in such unlawful activity.

He pointed out that the chemical residue of the carcinogenic substance can easily penetrate in to the mangoes leading to severe health disorder.

Stringent action

He warned that if any consumer was hospitalized after consuming artificially ripened mangoes, the vendor responsible for this would have to undergo five years of rigorous imprisonment besides a penalty of Rs. 10 lakh under the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006.

Pointing out that many vendors use this dangerous substance also to add colour to the mangoes so that it could fetch high price, he said the unscrupulous vendors take advantage of ignorant consumers, who just look for size and colour of mangoes. The consumers should be cautious as intake of such artificially ripened mangoes can lead to ulcer, insomnia, brain dysfunction, nervous failure and also liver problem.

Mangoes with black spots or any visible abnormality should not be preferred at all.

All vendors and those in the food industry must possess a registered license otherwise they would face serious penality, Dr. Chandrabose added.

......................................................................................................................................................

வேலூர் மாவட்டத்தில் பணியாற்றும் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அலுவலரை வியாபாரிகள் தனது பணியை செய்ய விடாமல் தடுத்ததற்காகவும் தரக்குறைவாக பேசியதற்கும் அவர் வியாபாரிகள் மீது வழக்கு தொடுத்துள்ளார். அதன் தினமலர் செய்தி.

இதனை பற்றிய தொடர் செய்திகளுக்கு PAPER NEWS என்ற பக்கத்தை பார்க்கவும்.

......................................................................................................................................................

Licences issued to food vendors

Newly-formed food safety department hopes to complete process this month

The food you eat, the meat you purchase or the milk products you buy will all now be monitored by the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department that will ensure that they are hygienic for consumption.

Ever since the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 came into force in August last year, the department has been issuing licenses to food-business operators. Around 450 licences have been issued to various food business organisations in the city from the 750 applications it has received so far. The city has around 12,000 food-business operators. Licenses issued to traders under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 expired in March this year, and the businesses need to acquire fresh licenses under the new act.

“We are not rejecting any applications. We are issuing licences to all the applicants. Following this, we will give improvement notices to those who need to make necessary changes,” said Krishna Raj, designated officer of the department in Chennai. “We hope to issue all the licences by the end of April.”

The city at present has 25 food safety officers, who will regularly inspect the outlets and look into complaints. “The food safety officers exclusively ensure the hygiene of food alone,” says Mr. Krishna Raj.

With the new department in place since August last year, hotels say they find the system convenient. “We have applied for licences for all our outlets and hope to get them within 15 days,” says Masilla Esther, senior executive, corporate affairs, Domino's Pizza, Chennai.

“We plan to organise a health camp in specific locations for the employees of our outlets. This way, it will be convenient for them to get fitness certificates.”

While many food business organisations, particularly the packaging industry, have expressed concerns about the tough penalties imposed on violators of the Act, Mr. Krishna Raj says that an improvement notice will be first issued for the business house to work on its deficiencies. “The fine or punishment for the offender will be decided based on the extent of risk involved. For instance, if more people are affected or if the extent of danger is higher, the punishment will be graver,” he said. Roadside eateries and petty shops will also come under the Act. According to officials, the vendors will be educated on following certain norms to improve and maintain hygiene.

We will tell them that they should be aware of the source of the ingredients such as tea dust, which will help us trace out contamination in case of complaints,” he added. Source: The Hindu

......................................................................................................................................................

FSSA -  TAMIL TRANSLATION OF SOME WORDS

Sl.No.	English Version	Tamil Version
1	Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department	jäœ ehL czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò k‰W« kUªJ ãhthf¤ Jiw
2	Food Safety Commissioner	Miza®- czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò
3	Designated Officer	ãakd mYty® (czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò)
4	Food Safety Officer	czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò mYty®
5	Adjudicating Officer	Ô®¥ò mYty®
6	Chair Person	jiyt®
7	Food Business Operator	czÎ tâf®
8	Adjudication	Ô®¥ò tH§fš
9	Food Safety Appellate Tribunal	czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò Kiwp£L Ô®¥gha«
10	Food Safety and Standards Act	czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò k‰W« ju« r£l«
11	Presiding Officer	Ô®¥gha jiyt®
12	Additives	nr® bghUŸ
13	Annual Return	M©L étu m¿¡if
14	Annual turn over	M©L é‰gid msÎ
15	Canteen	Á‰W©oaf«
16	Caterer	czth¡Fd®
17	Chalan	brY¤J¢Ó£L
18	Club	k‹w«
19	Milk Collection and Chilling Unit	ghš nrfç¥ò k‰W« Fë%£L« ãiya«
20	Colouring agent	ãwä
21	Compounding of Offence	F‰w¤Â‰fhd Ïz¡f¤ Ô®Î
22	Co-operative milk producers	T£LwÎ ghš c‰g¤Âahs®fŸ
23	Dabba Wallas	ö¡F¤ ö¡»fŸ
24	Data base	jftš Âu£L
25	Dhaba	rhiynahu cztf«
26	Emergency Prohibition Order	mtru jil Miz

27	Extraneous matter	maš bghUŸ
28	Food Poison	eŠR czÎ
29	Food Processing Unit	czÎ jahç¡F« ÃçÎ
30	Food recall procedures	czit¤ ÂU«g¥ bgW« KiwfŸ
31	Food Safety Audit	czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò jâ¡if
32	Food Safety management system	czÎ¥ ghJfh¥ò ã®thf Kiw
33	Genetically modified food	kugQ kh‰¿a czÎ
34	Hawker	Té é‰gt®
35	Improvement Notice	K‹nd‰w m¿é¥ò
36	Inspection Report	MŒt¿¡if
37	Irradiated  food	f®ŢR czÎ
38	Itinerant Vendor	ÅÂ tâf®
39	Jurisdiction	MSif všiy
40	Liability	bghW¥ò
41	License	cçk«
42	Licensing Authority	cçk« tH§F« mYty®
43	Local Area	tiuaW¡f¥g£l Ïl«
44	Memorandum	ãidΡ F¿¥ò
45	Misbranded	nghè tâf¢ Á‹d«
46	Mobile Food Vendor	elkhL« czÎ tâf®
47	Neuroceuticals	kUªJzÎ
48	Nominee	ãakd« bg‰wt®
49	Notified area	m¿¡if brŒa¥g£l gFÂ
50	Oil refining plant	v©bzŒ R¤Âfç¥ò ãiya«
51	Organic Food	Ïa‰if czÎ
52	Petty Retailer	FW tâf®
53	Prohibition order	jil Miz
54	Proprieratory food	ghu«gça czÎ
55	Registering Authority	gÂths®
56	Registration Certificate	gÂ΢ rh‹¿jœ
57	Repacker	kW bgh£lyäLgt®
58	Repeal	r£l Ú¡f«
59	Risk Assesment	Ï‹dš kÂ¥ÕL
60	Risk Management	Ï‹dš nkyh©ik

61	Sample	khÂç
62	Seizure Memo	if¥g‰Wif F¿¥ghiz
63	Slaughter house	fhšeil Ïiw¢Á¡ bfh£oš
64	Substandard	ju« Fiwªj
65	Surveillance	bjhl® f©fhâ¥ò
66	Sworn affidavit	cWÂ bkhê Mtz«
67	Unsafe food	ghJfh¥g‰w czÎ
68	Surety Bond	cWÂ Mtz«
69	Poultry Shop	nfhê¡ fil
70	Proprietor	cçikahs®
71	Category of Food	czÎ tif

......................................................................................................................................................

New licence norm, Chemists seek exemption

Chemist in the district have sought exemption from taking new licences under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006. All chemist shops are required to be registered licensed in accordance with the procedures laid down in FSS Act. There are about 1,200 chemist shops in Gurgaon.


The Gurgaon Chemists and Druggists Association approached the state health minister over the issue. Members of the association submitted a request to health minister Rao Narender Singh, demanding that they should be exempted from the new licence. GS Pasricha, president of the association, said, "We have already a licence. We sell food products like lactogen and cerelac only. Food licence is to cover the unorganised sector."


CR Rana, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, said, “It will cost them merely R400. We cannot change the law and we want their support in implementing it.”
......................................................................................................................................................

FDA files case against Pune vendor 

The Pune division of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has finally taken action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

On March 16, officials from the FDA, Pune lodged a case under section 31 (1) of the act against a Kothrud-based food vendor for running a food business without possession of a valid licence.

This is the first case lodged in Pune division against a food vendor for doing business without licence under the act, which came into force eight months ago on August 4, 2011.

The vendor was caught during the mass food poisoning incident in September 2011. Hundreds of people on a fast across the state took ill after consuming varai (samo rice) flour. Most of the cases happened in Solapur (222) and Pune (60). While a temporary ban on sale of varai flour was imposed, samples were drawn from food vendors across the city. During investigation, samples were drawn from Anand Trading Company in Kothrud’s Bhelkenagar run by proprietor Ashok Shah.

“Initially the state public health laboratory rejected the sample as sub-standard. The vendor challenged the report and samples were sent to referral laboratory in Mysore where it was found fit.

However during investigation we realised that he didn’t have a valid licence for running the shop,” said AR Deshmukh, food safety inspector.

Deshmukh said Shah earlier owned a shop on the same name on the opposite side of the road that had a licence. “When he shifted location, he didn’t take a licence. We sent a proposal to our seniors for taking action and after we received permission, we lodged a case in the chief judicial magistrate’s court,” he said. \

The registered criminal case number is 0401021/2012 which was lodged on March 16 under section 31 (1) of the FSSA, 2006.

“The punishment for violation of this section is covered under section 63 of FSSA, 2006 which carries maximum imprisonment of six months along with fine of Rs5 lakh. We want to send out a strong message to all food business operators that we are serious about cracking down on unlicenced or unregistered vendors,” said Chandrakant Salunkhe, joint commissioner (food), Pune. He added that while issuing new licences or registrations is an ongoing process, the last date for businesses to convert to the new law is August 4, 2012.

“After that we will begin a crackdown on old licence holders that haven’t come under the new law too,” said Salunkhe. Source:www.dnaindia.com 

......................................................................................................................................................

Indian Companies Import Foreign Technology to Improve their Products

 Presently Indian companies are allowed to import technologies and use brand names of foreign companies as per mutual agreement between the two companies. Import of technologies and using brand names of foreign companies help the Indian companies to improve the quality of their products and also consumer gets variety of choices, better quality and hygienic products.

Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has been set up to lay down science based standards for articles of food and also regulate, inter-alia, its manufactures. The Authority is also mandated to promote consistency between International technical standards and domestic food standards while ensuring that the level of protection adopted in the country is not reduced. Moreover, to ensure compliance of the laid down standards by the food processing companies, inspection of such units at regular interval is done by the enforcement agencies. In case of any violations, penal/legal actions are taken against the defaulters as per relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

This information was given by Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
......................................................................................................................................................

What a Cruel?

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

 

I have no other words to say unless you avoid this place for your foodies.
Seen Today in Geethanjali Hotel and Bakery at Kazhakkoottam where lot of Techies in TechnoPark depend for sweets .. 

......................................................................................................................................................

New law makes Commissioner of Food Safety licensing authority

The Chennai Corporation will no longer issue food licences due to the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) replacing the erstwhile Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFAA). It has directed hotels, restaurants and retailers in the city to approach the office of the Commissioner of Food Safety for issue of food licences henceforth. The FSSA designates the Commissioner of Food Safety as the licensing authority.

Hotels, bakeries, tea-shops, sweet and savouries stalls, departmental stores, vegetable and fruit vendors, everybody selling food items would be coming under the purview of the new Act, say those in various trade associations.

Associations including the Chennai Hotels Owners Association and Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangakalin Peramaipu have raised objections to provisions relating to fine and penalty clauses, the amount of licence fee fixed under the Act and the standards of various products.

K.T. Srinivasa Raja, president, Chennai Hotels Owners Association, said the uniform licence fee would affect small hotels. “We don't know why the government is treating this as revenue instead of as nominal fee. We have already sent a letter to the Central government in this regard and hope we would hear something positive from them,” he said.

Mr. Raja explained that standards including lighting, drainage, consumer safety, food handling, upkeep of kitchens, ingredients used, source of raw materials, shelf life of food products were prescribed by the new Act. It prescribed penalty up to Rs.10 lakh and 6 months' imprisonment, which was being objected to by the trading community, he said.

“There are just too many things and it will take time for those in the industry to understand. We are holding discussions with association members in this regard,” he added. The city has around 10,000 small and big restaurants and eateries and around 3,000 bakeries.

K. Mohan, State general secretary, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaipu, said that in Chennai alone there were 1.25 lakh traders, wholesales, retailers and petty shops.

“The new Act has standards for items including the common coriander, chutney, sambar, idli. It also states that food items should not be sold unpackaged, which means road-side sundal sellers and idli shops would be affected.”

Those having an annual turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh are also to register with the Commissioner. Though standards have been fixed under the Act, there are very few laboratories in the State to check these, he added.

Source: The Hindu
......................................................................................................................................................

PANI PANI PANI PURI !?

Puneites,look where the pani in your pani puri comes from

	Puneites who want to have some sumptuous pani puri or south Indian food items near the Shaniwarwada chowpatty on Bajirao Road should exercise caution as the water used for preparing these food items is drawn from a nearby public toilet which is in complete shambles. In the pic: A helper employed with a pani puri vendor near Shaniwarwada reaches a public toilet with two cans attached to a cycle
	When the DNA team visited the spot at around 11 am, a boy working for a food vendor was caught filling water in four big cans from the public toilet under the bridge in front of Shaniwarwada. In the pic: A pani puri stall owner taking water from a public toilet at Bajirao Road near Shaniwarwada
	After filling the cans, the boy put the cans on his bicycle and took them to his stall. An employee of a provision store located near the toilet, said, “This is the daily practise of these pani puri vendors and we have been witnessing this since long but no one cares about it.” In the pic: The cans are filled with water from the toilet which is in shambles
	At the stalls, all the cans were kept near the steel water tank to be used as potable water and for preparing food items. In the pic: He takes the cans filled with water and comes out of the toilet
	There are hundreds of street food vendors who get water from filthy places to prepare food items which adversely affects Puneites’ health. In the pic: He puts the cans on the cycle and goes to the stal
	Moreover, it is shocking that street food lovers never think about the hygiene at these stalls. In the pic: He reaches the stall and stops the bicycle

......................................................................................................................................................

Clarification regarding appointment of Food Inspectors employed by the Municipal Corporations/Councils, as the FSO and DO under the Provisions of FSS Act,2006(Dated: 23-02-2012)

......................................................................................................................................................

FSOs in Coimbatore seize nearly 3.2 tonnes of sapotas ripened artificially

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
As part of a drive to ensure compliance with the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, a team of about 20 food safety officers (FSOs) seized nearly 3.2 tonnes of artificially ripened sapotas (chickoos) from two shops, at Ukkadam, Coimbatore, in Tamil Nadu, recently.

“We led the investigation based on the instructions from the collector here whereby about two tonnes of chickoos were seized from the first shop and one-and-a-half tonnes from the second shop,” Dr R Kathiravan, designated officer, Coimbatore, informed FnB News in a chat over telephone.

Kathiravan said that his team found these fruit vendors using calcium carbide stones for ripening by keeping them under plastic trays. He added that fruits ripened with the help of these calcium carbide stones were harmful for consumption as they could lead to gastritis, diarrhoea, food poisoning and ulcers.

Further he informed that using calcium carbide chemical for artificial ripening was not permitted under the new law. The officials then dumped these fruits in the corporation's dumpyard, located in Vellalore where they were crushed and buried.

“The officials have warned fruit vendors of legal action if it is repeated,” said Kathiravan, adding that the officials were also keeping track of mangoes as the season was round the corner.

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

New Chairperson at FSSAI, New Delhi. (Dated : 30-01-2012)

Sh. K. Chandramouli has taken over as the new Chairperson of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. A brief ceremony was held on 27th January, 2012 at FSSAI head quarters, New Delhi. 

Sh. Chandramouli, is an IAS officer (1975:Uttar Pradesh cadre) and has superannuated during October,2011 as Union Health Secretary, Government of India. Sh. V.N. Gaur, CEO FSSAI, welcomed the Chairperson and introduced the officials of FSSAI. He shared the salient features of FSSAI activities and elaborated various points during the presentation made by Director (Admin) about functioning, structure and progress made by FSSAI. 

Sh. Chandramouli made his cherished observations about FSSAI targets which must be clear than just Rules and Regulations. He suggested that we encompass everyone all the time and not for a one time affair. The focus shall remain on all be it Food Manufacturers,big Multinationals and Rediwala ( Small vendors). His vision is to exercise coordination and team work to build even the weakest link as strongest link. In his concluding remarks, Sh. K. Chandramouli thanked all members and welcomed valuable suggestions which shall be helpful in refining the programmes and policies of FSSAI.
......................................................................................................................................................

With 80,000 licences issued, Maharashtra FDA leads licensing under FSSA

Maharashtra is one of the leading states with regard to converting the old licences under Prevention of Food Adulteration, Act, 1954, into those under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Till now over 80,000 PFA licences from the existing 1,07,000, have been converted. This was confirmed by Maharashtra food safety commissioner Mahesh Zagade, in a one-on-one with FnB News.

The new licensing regime was initiated on August 5, 2011, when the FSSA had come into force. It aims to bring the food industry under one umbrella by scrapping all old licences.

Now, Maharashtra FDA (Food and Drug Administration) targets March 31, 2012, for completing the licensing and registration procedure in the state. Although, the work done till now is more than the combined effort put together by enforcement wings across India, claimed a source from the industry connected to the FDA.

However, the fact remains that there are around 16 lakh food business operators (FBOs) in Maharashtra. Reaching out to them, and getting them registered or obtain licences would indeed be a gigantic task.

Where implementation of FSSA is concerned, Maharashtra has taken the biggest leap forward under the leadership of Zagade who joined office only on August 29, 2011. His effort has helped Maharashtra turn into a model state for the rest to follow.

His first initiative was to strengthen the organisation. Creation of six posts of joint commissioners and their redesignation as adjudication officers (AOs) was a vital step for strengthening the judicial infrastructure of the authority. Creation of another 62 posts of designated officers (DO) was the next progressive step.

The FDA is also upgrading the existing ranks of food inspectors working as Class 3 officers to Class 2 officers and redesignating them as food safety officers (FSOs). For the 16 lakh FBOs in the country, Maharashtra would have over 300 FSOs. Their distribution would be based on the regional densities of the FBOs. “We are reorganising the entire jurisdiction of FSOs and DOs and would allocate work on the basis of the number of the FBOs present in a region,” Zagade said.

Zagade is also striving to strengthen the sampling analysis mechanism. For this, the number of laboratories, both mobile and static, would be increased. “We want to have one full-fledged laboratory for every four-five districts and one mobile lab for every district,” Zagade said.

The commissioner now wants to use his long administrative e experience to put things straight at the FDA. One, he intends to connect all FDA offices in Maharashtra and plan a systematic data flow. “We want to streamline the working of all the offices in Maharashtra through computerisation,” Zagade suggested.

One step towards this was launching the pilot software for making licensing procedure on-line in January 2012. “We convinced the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to choose Mumbai and Thane as two regions for launching the pilot project. Now, we are consistently in touch with the NISG (National Institute of Smart Governance), Hyderabad, which created the software, for constant upgrade,” Zagade informed.

Zagade also wants to bring in a permanent solution to the problem of milk adulteration, Maharashtra being one of the leading producers of milk.

“Raids do not work, we need to have a permanent solution in place. Though FDA is monitoring adulteration cases on continued basis, the number of outlets is so vast that complete control is not easy. Things are improving, however. We are trying to have a structured programme that deals with milk adulteration on a permanent basis,” Zagade said.

The task ahead for Zagade is not that easy, however, he is determined and anticipates cooperation from the industry.

“We want to operationalise all regulations,” Zagade encapsulated his ambitious intention into a tiny statement.
......................................................................................................................................................

Madurai's merchant community terms FSSAdetrimental to farmers' interests

The merchant community in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has called the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, (FSSA), detrimental to the interests of farmers and self-help groups in its present form and urged the Centre to postpone the enforcement of the Act.

S P Jeyapragasam, president, Tamil Nadu Foodgrain Merchants' Association, Madurai, told FnB News, “The Act, which came into force from August 5, 2011, would curtail farmers' opportunities to sell their products at competitive prices.”

According to the Act, the farmers who grow the food products and the traders are liable for action for deficiency in the quality of agro products. “The errant farmers and traders would have to pay a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, and the minimum sentence in prison is six months,” he said.

When asked about the maximum term in jail, he said that depends on the offence. He stressed on the fact that the deficiency in the quality of agro products due to the changes in the weather should also be taken into consideration.

Jeyapragasam said the government was selling liquor and tobacco products while admitting that the consumption of these products was injurious to health. “The government that sells these products tends to penalise traders heavily if the product they sell is found to be substandard,” he rued.

After explaining how unreasonable the government was being in awarding penalties to the traders without taking into account the change in the quality of the product due to the changes in weather, he said, “The laws should be universal.”

He also said the products made by members of self-help groups cannot be brought under the purview of the FSSA. “They will be wiped out of business. Sections and clauses of the Act are rather harsh. Moreover, what works in a developed country cannot be implemented in a country like India, where basic sanitary conditions need to be uplifted and seasonal variations need to be taken into account.”

The law had also stipulated that about 250 food testing laboratories be set up across the state before the Act was implemented, but work had not begun on any of these yet, he pointed out. The association reiterated the demand, and said that it would make sure every district had its food testing laboratories.

......................................................................................................................................................

January 31 is last date for registration for food manufacturers in Patiala

The health and family welfare department, Government of Punjab, has made it mandatory for those in the business of manufacturing and selling food products for human consumption to register by January 31, 2012.

During a brief telephonic conversation with FnB News, Dr Virinder Singh Mohi, Patiala’s civil surgeon, said, “The health department is committed to providing hygienic food to the residents of the city.”

He said, “The state government implemented the Food Safety and Standards Act in August 2011 according to the guidelines issued by the Central government. Under this Act, all establishments dealing with food have to complete their registration and acquire the requisite licenses.”

Dr Mohi added, “It is mandatory for every restaurant, bakery, sweet shop, motel, dhaba or confectionery store, whose annual sales exceed Rs 12 lakh, dairy and milk unit whose milk production is between 500 and 50,000 litres a day, processing unit for refined oils whose capacity exceeds two metric tonnes per day, three-star hotel or restaurant whose business is more than Rs 12 lakh per year and slaughter house with 2-10 large animals, 10-150 small animals, 50-1,000 poultry birds and meat processing units whose capacity is 500 kilograms per day to apply for the license and register at the civil surgeon’s office in Patiala.”

“The annual licensing fee ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000, depending upon the size and volume of output of a unit,” he said. He added that the volume of sales a unit registered would be gauged from the annual sales tax or value-added tax (VAT) returns.

Dr Mohi categorically stated that vendors, retailers, hawkers and even those who were itinerant would not be exempt from the rule. “They will have to pay an annual registration fee of just Rs 100 per annum.”

“If any food business operator fails to comply with the rule, he is obviously liable to be punished. We will not be too harsh on the smaller vendors, but if a big player bends the rule, we will have no choice but to initiate action, by way of either a monetary fine or imprisonment, against him,” he further said. 

......................................................................................................................................................

  ......................................................................................................................................................

Food licensing goes online in Mumbai, Thane with launch of new software

The heap of files, signature statement of any government office in India, is soon going to be a thing of the past at least at the headquarters of Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration. This is going to be possible as computerisation is slowly taking over to save the officers from spending ounces of energy browsing through old files.

The software for processing applications for food and beverage licensing and registration was made online on January 12 by Maharashtra FDA. The software was launched for the Mumbai and Thane wing of the FDA. The launch was presided by Maharashtra food safety and FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade.

Software engineer Parminder Singh Saini from Logic Soft Solutions, deputed for the job said up till yesterday, around six licenses and three registrations were done using the software for Mumbai branch while Thane did three registrations.

“This is a big step ahead and soon you are likely to see the speeding up of processes,” said Suresh Deshmukh, designated officer under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

However, there are still clarifications awaited by the FDA from the apex Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), particularly about renewal norms for licenses. Meanwhile, The FDA is asking food business operators (FBOs) to wait for the guidelines on the same.

“This is just the first step. Slowly software modules for modification, renewal, transfer and suspension of the licensing would be added in a phased manner to the software,” Saini said.

However, there are other issues which are likely to pop up in the coming up. One, FBOs who are not that well-versed with computers are doing rounds at the office in search of help in filling the form.

Also, not many FBOs understand English and Mumbai being a hub of businessmen with diverse languages, mostly local ones, are facing difficulties in filling the form. Though an option for Marathi language is also present but in reality not many computers would have keyboards for input of Marathi data.

The applications can be made on http://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in

......................................................................................................................................................

 Govt draws up mega plan to ensure food safety

NEW DELHI: The government, it seems, has finally woken up to the threat of adulteration and contamination in food products and is planning a slew of measure to shore up food safety.

It plans to set up cluster laboratories of accredited standards for every 4-5 districts to carry out basic tests and zonal food laboratories (1 in 10 districts) to perform tests for residues and heavy metals and 10 referral laboratories considering that a network of efficient laboratories is the backbone of a credible food safety initiative.

In addition, mobile laboratory facilities will also be started to cater to large public congregations, natural calamities, disease outbreak and inaccessible areas.

Under the ambitious plan, the government will spend around Rs 6,548 crore on food safety measures during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) that include strengthening of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

For the first time, the government plans to establish food safety offices in every district at the cost of around Rs 2,200 crore to tighten the food safety enforcement system.

There is also a plan to set up a National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre costing Rs 155 crore. The dedicated institution under the direct control of FSSAI will conduct regulatory research and risk assessment, as well as oversee surveillance on the lines of international institutions like Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the US and other countries. The institute is also envisaged to carry out a food safety risk analysis training programmes.

The Centre will be the repository of all food standards and will carry out all risk assessment related work and analyze food surveillance data received from labs and other surveillance organizations.

Along with networking of all food testing labs working, Planning Commission's working group on food safety has also recommended upgradation of Central Food Laboratories in Mumbai and Kolkata which will cost Rs 40 crore.

The group recommended that bio-safety should be an integral part of any risk assessment being undertaken by FSSAI. It is of the view that sufficient focus on food safety issues is lacking in the curriculum of MBBS and an appropriate module on food safety and bio-safety needs to be introduced at the earliest.

It also talked of spending Rs 50 crore for nation-wide food safety surveillance network and data collection on regular basis, along with a budget of Rs 669 crore to be spent on creating awareness of food safety related issues in the country.

The government will strengthen national food safety helpline, along with reward scheme to encourage public and employees to give information regarding unsafe food and malpractices within or outside the system.

The helpline will be strengthened to ensure direct communication with all stakeholders in an interactive manner. It will be linked to the emergency response centres in the states.

A National Food Safety Training Institute at FSSAI will be set up which will provide regular training programmes for trainers of food safety personnel and also other stakeholders. A fund of Rs 15 crore is proposed for conducting training programmes during the plan period.

Source: Times of india

 

.....................................................................................................................................................

CHEMICALS PRESENT IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND THEIR HEALTHEFFECTS – FAQ

1. Which chemicals are allowed / banned in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables?

 

                 Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious and form as key food commodity in the human consumption. They are highly perishable due to their low shelf life. These food commodities are reported to be contaminated with toxic and health hazardous chemicals. Chemicals like calcium carbide / ethephon and oxytocin are reportedly being used in fruit and vegetable mandis / farms for artificial ripening of fruits and for increasing the size of fruits and vegetables respectively. Calcium carbide more commonly known as ‘masala’ is a carcinogenic agent and banned under PFA Rules, 1955. Ethephon is a pesticide and so it is not recommended as a ripening enhancer. Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone, used as a drug in veterinary services which is not advised for use in fresh fruits and vegetables.

                 Rule 44-AA of the PFA Rules, 1955 prohibits the use of carbide gas for ripening of fruits.

                 “Rule 44-AA Prohibition of use of carbide gas in ripening of fruits:- No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas. 

                ” Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that the fruits are exposed to ethylene gas (fruit ripening plant hormone) in low concentration of 10-100 ppm exogenously to trigger their ripening. It is considered safe in the concentration varying from 0.001- 0.01% depending upon the crop, variety and maturity. There is no specific provision in PFA for ripening agents.  

                  Many instances have been reported that some unscrupulous elements are following the practise of dipping green vegetables in artificial colours to give them a fresh, attractive and pleasant appearance. PFA prohibits use of colours in fruits and vegetables.  

                  As per rule 48-E of the PFA Rules, 1955, fresh fruits and vegetables shall be free from rotting and also from coating of waxes, mineral oils and colours. However, there is provision for coating fresh fruits with food additive viz. bee wax (white / yellow) carnauba wax or shellac wax as glazing agent in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for use of food additives under proper label declaration as defined in sub-rule (ZZZ) (24) of Rule 42.

2. What are their residue limits?

Bee wax (white and yellow) or carnauba wax or shellac wax are permitted to be used in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for use of food additives.

Since use of carbide gas is prohibited in ripening of fruits under PFA, no tolerance limit for its residue is permitted.

No tolerance limit for colour and mineral oil on fruits and vegetables has been allowed.

The Maximum Residual Limit (MRL) of pesticide residues are given under PFA Rules, 1955 (Rule 65).

The presence of heavy metal in the food item (fruit and vegetables) shall not exceed the value given under PFA Rules, 1955 (Rule 57).

The presence of crop contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances in fruit and vegetables shall not exceed the maximum limit prescribed under PFA Rules, 1955 (Rule 57A and 57 B)

3. Regulation of Food Law:

                   Implementation of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules rests with State/U.T. Governments. The Commissioner Food Safety / Food (Health) Authority of States/U.Ts. have been advised to keep strict vigil to check the use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits and colouring of fruits and vegetables and to take legal action for violation of the provisions of the Act/Rules.
......................................................................................................................................................

FSSAI approved laboratories refusing to test food samples for low fee

Several laboratories approved by the FSSAI for testing of imported and domestic food items have not yet started functioning. These labs are unhappy with the meagre compensation being offered by the body to them. This was stated by a source from a lab that has been empanelled by the Authority.

“The FSSAI is paying us merely Rs 3,000 for testing of an imported food sample and Rs 1,000 for domestic samples. With this amount we cannot afford to test samples so we have decided not to do it,” the source said.

For testing of imported food items the required fee is normally deposited by the food business operators with the Authority, which in turn is paid to the laboratory.

Parameters

 
The Act clearly specifies the parameters needed to be tested. These include quality and safety. Quality is generally related to nutrition content of the product and includes chemical analysis. Safety involves tests for pesticide residue, heavy metals, aflatoxin and microbiological analysis.

“The market cost for this type of testing package would be Rs 10,000, but the FSSAI has not taken that into consideration. No commercial lab would be interested in testing at the cost,” he added.

It was understood that the FSSAI disclosed the costs to labs post their approval. Also, there were no deliberations in this regard.

“The amount paid by the FSSAI will not even cover the direct costs. The instruments itself cost Rs 1.5 crore. Hence, reputed companies would not venture into these tests,” said another source.

Tendering sought

Ideally, the FSSAI should have come out with a tender in this regard, came another opinion from the industry.

However, there is no denial of the fact that the Authority is grappling with lack of funds. Earlier FDA informed F&B News that the microbiological tests needed for testing honey contamination could not be initiated as there were no funds available. However, V N Gaur, interim chairman and the CEO of FSSAI, had assured that “Food Safety” would be a separate head in the Union Budget and some funds were anticipated to flow in.

Imported items

Time required for testing imported food items is another concern. In India, it takes minimum five days. Besides, there is no backup infrastructure like cold chains leading to spoilage of product. It is suggested that the system in Japan can be easily adopted by India as that delivers results within a day or two.
......................................................................................................................................................

All India Food Safety Summit focusses on new licensing procedures under FSSA

Highlighting the achievements and hurdles in the functioning of the food processing industry in India, the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) organised the ‘All India Food Safety Summit — 2011,’ at Hotel Le Meridien, on Friday.
The Summit was organised to address the missing links in the implementation of The Food Safety & Standards Rules & Regulations — 2011 which became operational from August this year.
The Summit had sessions covering the issues and challenges relating to licensing, registration and enforcement. Various aspects about the smooth transition of the industry from the earlier Act/Rules/Orders to the new norms were discussed. Uniformity in implementation of the Rules and Regulations in various states was deliberated upon.
An important part of the Summit was the session on the standards for food additives, packaging and labelling. The Summit highlighted the strategies to make the Regulations more effective by harmonising the essential elements of earlier Food Acts, certain provision of Legal Metrology and some standards of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).
The CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, V N Gaur, delivered the key note address. Also, Dr V Prakash, distinguished scientist of CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) and president, Nutrition Society of India, delivered a special address.
Piruz Khambatta, president, AIFPA and chairman, Rasna, said, “After serving the cause of the industry for more than 60 years, the AIFPA has been taking fresh initiatives to accelerate the industry’s growth.”
Khambatta further said, “Development of food processing industry is of prime importance for food security, controlling food inflation, and for prosperity in rural areas.”
He stressed that the central and the state government agencies should work closely with the industry to ensure this development as food processing could do for rural India what IT has done for urban India.
Khambatta also emphasised that India could rightly become the food factory of the world. What the sector needs is accelerated reforms.
The Summit was followed by an award function, where awards and scholarships were bestowed upon food processors, entrepreneurs and others for their contribution to the development of the food processing industry.
......................................................................................................................................................

FIR lodged in ghee adulteration case

VADODARA: The city seems to be emerging as a hotbed of adulterated ghee supply.
Wadi police have registered an FIR against a man who prepared such ghee and supplied it in the market. On the other hand, the Anand police are also looking for an accused from the city involved in a similar racket from the city.

A huge stock of adulterated ghee branded as 'Amul' or 'Sagar' was seized from the city on October 18, but no offence was registered regarding the seizure as the police claimed that they were waiting for reports of the analysis of the samples of the seized material from Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) that had received the tip-off and conducted the raid along with the Wadi police. It had come to light that one Piyush Patni was behind the racket.

In all, 1,018 kg of ghee was seized from Baranpura area of the city. Labels and material to pack the ghee was also recovered from a godown during the raid.
In the meantime, Anand police seized 15 tins of similar ghee branded as 'Amul' from a shop in Anand earlier this week.

The Anand police registered an offence regarding the incident and it came to light that the stock as supplied by one Pravin Patni from the city. They had conducted raids in the city to nab Pravin, but could not locate him.

The action by Anand police led to the Wadi police here drawing flak. Wadi police had not registered an offence regarding the incident till Friday night.

An offence was registered only on Friday night and attempts are being made to locate Piyush.
Wadi police inspector R G Bhavsar said the FIR was delayed as VMC had not submitted its test report. "We registered the offence because we got it only on Friday," he said. VMC food safety officer Jitendra Gohil filed an offence regarding the seizure.

Bhavsar said both Pravin and Piyush had not been nabbed yet. He added that they were distant relatives, but it was still not clear if they operated the racket together.
Source: The Times of India
......................................................................................................................................................

Packaged Drinking Water- Tamilnadu State- BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS- Total Number of Records: 761. Data For IS 14543 : 2004 (Tamil nadu). To get List of Licences clickhere.


Packaged Drinking Water- INDIA- BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS- Total Number of Records: 3245. Data For IS 14543 : 2004 (All India). Date-20/11/2011.To get List of Licences clickhere.

......................................................................................................................................................

Drive against food adulteration

Keeping in mind large-scale consumption of food items and the consequent increase in food adulteration around Diwali, Delhi Health Minister A. K. Walia on Tuesday instructed the Department of Prevention of Food Adulteration to work towards curbing adulteration by picking up as many food samples as possible.

However, a closer look at the data revealed by the department showed that the number of samples lifted so far was insignificant in a city of over 1.60 crore people.

The Minister directed the department officials to lift samples in large numbers and to expeditiously get them tested from the laboratories so that cases of adulteration can be registered against violators under the new Food Safety and Standard Act.

Focus on sweets

In particular, Dr. Walia directed the officials to concentrate on eliminating cases of adulteration in sweets during the next two weeks.

On the amount of work already put in to curb adulteration, Dr. Walia said 652 samples had been lifted between August 6 and October 17 and results of 539 of these had been received.

Of the tested samples, he said 15 were found to be misbranded, 14 sub-standard and 15 were found unsafe. Hence 15 cases have been filed against adulterators under the new Food Safety and Standard Act.

The Minister said of the samples lifted, 174 were of non-standard items, 159 of dairy products, 82 of salt, spices and related products, 80 of cereals and cereal products, 79 of fats, oils and fat emulsions, and 24 of fruits and vegetables.

The department has in the last three days intensified action against adulteration and lifted 30 samples of sweets, khoya and besan sweets between October 14 and October 16. 
......................................................................................................................................................

Junk food ban plea: Food product makers move court 

The All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court, pleading that the court should hear them before passing any final order on a petition that seeks ban on carbonated beverages and junk food in school and college canteens.

The AIFPA in its application filed before the division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought to become a party in the petition filed by NGO Uday Foundation. The AIFPA told the court that its members were dealing with processing of fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, milk and milk products and biscuits and confectionary products.Senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for the association, told the court that the petitioner had failed to specify as to what kind of foods should be included in the definition of junk food or fast food.

He said the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act did not define anything as junk food or fast food. The NGO sought a ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks within 1,500-foot radius of schools. Petitioners Rahul Verma and Rakesh Prabhakar of Uday Foundation told the court: "It is...time we change the way kids eat in schools. Such a ban will set new standards for healthy food. On the one hand, children are taught in classroom about good nutrition..., on the other, we continue to make junk food available to them."

Rohtagi said that the petitioner failed to clarify the kind of foods to be banned in the vicinity of schools. "The FSSAI has invited proposals from experienced agencies, organisations and institutions in consultation with scientific panel to issue guidelines," said the association. The case would be heard next Dec 21.
In an affidavit, the health ministry earlier said it had written to all states and union territories to consider issuing instructions for withdrawing carbonated beverages and junk foods from school and college canteens.

......................................................................................................................................................

  

No advice on banning junkfood: TN government

CHENNAI: Despite the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) claim that a letter has been issued to all state governments asking them to consider banning sale of junk food near schools, the TN government seems to have not received it. “I don’t think we have received any such letter,” said the state Health Minister Dr VS Vijay, while another senior official in the department vouched for it.

This also means that no directives have been issued asking schools to stay away from junk food and carbonated drinks.

The FSSAI had made this claim in an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court in relation to a PIL filed by an NGO seeking a ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks within a 500 yard radius of schools.
...................................................................................................................................................... 
 

......................................................................................................................................................
FOODSAFETY COMES BEFORE CHICKEN AND EGG

Director of Public Health Roscoe Taylor warned today that unsafe handling of chicken and eggs was causing preventable and sometimes serious illness in Tasmania.

As part of Food Safety Week (7–13 November), Dr Taylor reminded Tasmanians to take the time to prepare, store and transport their food safely.

“The latest national surveillance data shows Tasmania has more than 600 cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis a year – many of which could be avoided by storing and cooking chicken properly,” Dr Taylor said.

“To stop the rapid multiplication of germs, chicken should be kept out of the ‘danger zone’ of between five and 60°C. This means keeping it in a cold fridge, then cooking it right through.

“Cross-contamination can easily occur in the kitchen, so ideally you should keep chicken in a sealed container at the bottom of the fridge, and always wash and dry the cutting board and knife before using for any other food.”

Dr Taylor said counts of Salmonella infection had also increased throughout Australia in recent years, including in Tasmania.

“People can pick up Salmonella infection from various sources, such as the environment, wild and pet animals, other people with the infection and various foods. Some people acquire their infection travelling overseas.

“Most years, we are notified of between 150 and 200 Tasmanians with Salmonella infection – and we have already had over 150 cases this year,” Dr Taylor said.

“One occasional source of Salmonella infection is eggs – especially if they are cracked or dirty.

“Be wary about where you buy your eggs – ideally, it will be from an approved egg producer and include a ‘best before’ date.”

SAFETY TIPS - EGGS

• Store eggs in the fridge.
• Don’t use eggs that are cracked or dirty.
• If you have any doubt about eggs that are past their ‘best before’ date, throw them away.
• Avoid eating raw egg products. An egg is cooked if the white is firm and the yolk is at least starting to thicken.
• Serve hot dishes containing eggs straight away. Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated immediately, and discarded within 24 hours.
• Always wash your hands after handling eggs.

SAFETY TIPS - CHICKEN

• Refrigerate chicken as soon as you get it home, or take a cooler bag to the supermarket to put chilled goods in.
• If you’re not going to cook chicken in the next two to three days, freeze it.
• To defrost, use the microwave – never leave it on the bench.
• Chicken must be cooked right through until the juices are clear. 

......................................................................................................................................................
Now, hospitals must register kitchens with FSSAI

Anyone dealing with food operations needs to have a registration from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This was stressed at the DNA Hygiene for Kitchen workshop at Hinduja Hospital on Wednesday.

Some participants expressed doubts about the need for registration, arguing that they are not commercialising the food cooked at the hospital kitchens.

“So why do we need any certification under the new FSSAI?” they asked. During the workshop, experts on the new FSSAI Act explained that any person involved in food operations needs to have the registration.  The third workshop of DNA Hygiene for Kitchen campaign was attended by many administration representatives of city hospitals. “There is a misconception among hospital administration that they do not need any certification or licensing for their kitchens and food products as they are not commercialising the food content,” said Dr VG Chapke, senior quality manager at the Equinox Lab, an expert on the new FSSAI Act. “But under the new FSSAI Act, the government wants to bring all food operators under a single umbrella to have regulations in control.”  The new FSSAI Act has been implemented for all those in food business and hospital kitchens are not excluded. 

 ”Generally, kitchens servicing food to patients and their relatives are separate. The hospitals feel that the one catering to patients’ kin is commercialised,” said Chapke. “Even in the kitchen that serves patients, the eater is paying for it. Most importantly, it is a kitchen that serves masses and so needs regulation to avoid any contamination. Hence, this has to come under the FSSAI Act.”  He added: “If kitchens that cater to the patients’ relatives have a business of more than 12 lakh, then they need to get the licensing done. If they have a licence, the registration is not needed. However, if the business is below Rs12 lakh, then the hospital needs to get the registration done.”  A participant, who did not wished to be named, said that hospitals were into health services and food service came as a supporting branch. “Hospital kitchens serve food only to the patients. There is another section where patients’ relatives eat, for which they pay. But I don’t think that even that is commercialisation of food services.”
......................................................................................................................................................