Morgue chemical used by Patna sweet makers for Deepavali

This Deepavali may not be very sweet for the people of Patna, for most of the manufacturing units in the state capital have been found using stale and adulterated items to make sweets.

This bitter truth came to light when the Food Control Department officials raided some of the units recently.

 Some of them were found using formalin, a highly toxic chemical usually used in morgue to prevent decaying of the body, with  food products to keep it fresh and prevent foul smell.

 In some outlets in western Patna, “doda burfis” and milk cakes were being prepared using stale food stuff.  Formalin is used to keep the recycled sweets made of abandoned food substances afresh. It was also used for making desi ghee.  “We have lodged separate FIRs against these people and one of the manufacturers has been arrested under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006,” said Food Safety Commissioner Sanjay Kumar.

The drive against adulterated sweets, refined oil and desi ghee was launched on October 19. 

It was also detected that many food business units are working without proper licence. Nearly 5,000 litres of adulterated ghee was destroyed by the manufacturers before fleeing, sources said.

Samples collected from 40 outlets have been sent to laboratories for testing.

“Once the results are out, cases will be registered against those found guilty.  They may get six-month imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh,” Sanjay Kumar said.

Mandatory for water units to get clearances: NGT

Around 1,000 packaged drinking water units do not have the mandatory consent from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), as per submissions of counsel before the National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench, here on Monday. Only 153 units function with relevant consents, while 200-odd herbal water units without clearances were closed.

Clearances from the Public Works Department, Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration and the Director of Town and Country Planning are essential before applying to TNPCB for getting consent to establish by any unit.

The Bench, comprising its judicial member Justice M.Chockalingam and its expert member Prof. R.Nagendran made it clear that the units must undergo the pre-requisite formalities.

“There is no compromise now,” said Mr.Justice Chockalingam.

Last March, the Tribunal had directed them to file a report after taking cognisance of a news item published in The Hindu revealing violation of basic safety parameters in such units. Later, the Tribunal passed interim orders giving relief to the units to function till the TNPCB took call on their applications.

When the matter came up for hearing before the Tribunal, C.Seethapathy, counsel for Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufactures’ Association, contended that the Tamil Nadu Ground Water Development and Management Act, 2003, was repealed by an ordinance on September 14.

Hence, the units were not required to get clearance from Central Ground Water Authority. He prayed the Tribunal to order the TNPCB to process the pending applications of units.

Samples

Rita Chandrasekar, counsel for TNPCB, submitted that 967 packaged drinking units were functioning in the State. Out of which, only 153 units had valid consent from the TNPCB and the remaining 814 units are without consent. As per the direction of Tribunal, the TNPCB could receive samples from 805 units and other units were closed.

She said the units should fulfil pre-requisite formalities before obtaining a ‘consent to establish’ from the TNPCB. Now units should first approach Public Works Department (PWD), owner of water bodies for clearance and then the units have to get a licence from Food Safety and Drug Administration after certifying the water quality. The units also should approach the Directorate of Town and Country Planning for classification. On satisfying those formalities by the units, the TNPCB can process applications for granting consent to establish to those.

M.R. Gokul Krishnan, counsel for the State government’s Food Safety and Drug Administration, said the Commissioner for Food Safety and Drug Administration had issued closure orders to 247 herbal water units functioning without any clearance.

Adjourned

After hearing the submissions of counsel, the Tribunal directed the water packaged drinking units to approach the respective authority after completing pre-requisite formalities.

The matter was adjourned to November 29.

No proper mechanism in J&K to check food adulteration: HC

‘Complete go-bye to provisions of Act, Designated Officers not appointed’

JAMMU, Oct 7: Notwithstanding widespread complaints of food adulteration, there is no proper mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir to check the menace and authorities concerned have given complete go-bye to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
This has been observed by the Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub before the Srinagar Wing of the High Court seeking implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act and Rules.
“The mechanism of taking sample(s) by the Food Safety Officers in the State is absolutely un-satisfactory”, the DB remarked in the order written by the Chief Justice M M Kumar after going through the latest status report filed in compliance to its earlier directions dated August 22, 2013.
“The Designated Officers within the meaning of Rule 2.1.2 of the Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 have not been appointed”, DB observed.
According to the provisions, a Designated Officer has to be a whole time officer not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer or equivalent. He must possess minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Chemistry as one of the subjects or at least one of the educational qualifications prescribed for the Food Safety Officer. Moreover, he is also required to undergo training within a period of six months from the date of his appointment as Designated Officer.
“However, Health Officers of the Municipal Corporations are discharging the duties of Designated Officers like in the case of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, who may or may not answer the qualifications given in the rules”, the DB said, adding “it appears that our earlier observations that the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 are observed in breach rather than in compliance stands fortified”.
Stating that there is complete go-bye to the provisions of the Act and the Rules as has been revealed by the procedure adopted for taking sample(s) and testing of the stock in respect of food which has been found misbranded/adulterated, the DB said, “there is no effective mechanism in place for confiscating the adulterated foods, which after testing have been found non-consumable”, adding “the provisions of the Act and the Rules have not been implemented in letter and spirit”.
Keeping in view the slackness in the implementation of the Act, the DB has directed the Chief Secretary to take a complete review of the ground realities, officers performing the duties under the Act, method of sampling, testing and further follow up action on the basis of misbranded samples.
“A complete and comprehensive report be submitted to the Court showing compliance of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 along with the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 within a period of four weeks”, the DB directed the State.
It is pertinent to mention here that in its earlier status report the Government had mentioned that Controller (Drug and Food Control Organization), who was also appointed Commissioner Food Safety J&K, has now been replaced by Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department as Commissioner in addition to his own duties.
The Government expressed its inability to appoint an independent officer as Food Safety Commissioner viewing that there were number of issues common under the Food Safety Act and the Rules within the Health Department. With regard to Food Safety Tribunal replacing the mechanism adopted by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1994, the Government stated that the matter was taken up with Finance Department for creation of post of Presiding Officer of the rank of District and Sessions Judge with the allied staff and the same was under active consideration of the Government.

No food safety officers in Navi Mumbai; Hygiene issue in city eateries

Despite several requests by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has not appointed a single food safety officers (FSOs) to check whether the 200-plus food businesses operating in the satellite city – which include hotels, restaurants and caterers – adhere to the prescribed hygiene norms, and whether the quality of food served in these establishments meets the standards.

Although NMMC's health department has issued the gradation certificate and license to each eatery, it has failed to test the samples of food prepared in their kitchens. Manoj Haldankar, Shiv Sena corporator from Airoli and leader of the opposition in the civic body, confirmed that the city has no FSOs, because no post of FSOs has been sanctioned to it, unlike other municipal corporations.

Jagannath Sinnarkar, deputy commissioner, NMMC, said, “As a result, the civic body has to rely on FDA Thane. And this is the reason NMMC and FDA are not able to enforce mandatory hygienic conditions in eateries.”

“There are scores of dhabas operating in Navi Mumbai's rural and urban areas. Even after ensuring safe food, the municipality is unable to ensure the required quality. This is not only because of the absence of FSOs, but also the fact that the staff is untrained. Moreover, the food samples collected by NMMC's health officials have to be sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine and other food labs for quality testing, but they are not,” he added.

Dr Ramesh Nikam, municipal officer health (MOH) in-charge, NMMC, said, “We have already made several representations to FDA Maharashtra, apprising them about the need for sanctioning of the posts of FSOs.”

”The department agreed to sanction the posts. But we have been waiting for a long time, and FDA is yet to come up with any concrete solution. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, restaurateurs, mess owners, caterers and even canteen owners have to follow the stringent norms to ensure that the quality of food which is served to the customers is not compromised,” he added.

“The FDA officials have neither collected any samples for the last two years, nor inspected any eatery in the city. The FSOs are supposed to collect at least two samples every month from each sanitary division in the city,” a source from NMMC, on the condition of anonymity, informed FnB News.

A official from Thane FDA, who did not wish to be named, said, “In order to effectively monitor the food samples and hygiene in restaurants and hotels, additional posts should be created and the vacant posts should be filled, otherwise effective checks are not possible. We just have four FSOs for the entire Thane district. Of these, two were deputed a few months ago. The real cause for concern is that six posts – namely two assistant commissioners' posts and four supervisory posts – are vacant. We expect that one of them would be filled soon.''

He added, “The department routinely conducts inspections. We collect food samples from restaurants and get them tested at public health laboratories in Navi Mumbai and Thane. An inspection report is sent to the corporation which issues licences to the hotels.”

Food price issues not over despite market lull: FAO's director general

The world’s food price problems are not over despite the current market lull. This was stated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) director general José Graziano da Silva at a ministerial meeting on international food prices in Rome on Tuesday. It was attended by 30 agriculture ministers.

He acknowledged that this year’s meeting was taking place in a less troubled climate than the inaugural essay, which took place last October. On that occasion, ministers came together to respond to the third hike in international grain prices in five years.

“The outlook for international food commodity markets finally looks calmer this year,” Graziano da Silva said, adding that the grain production had rebounded, and higher stock-to-use ratios are expected to bring greater stability to prices. He informed that FAO's cereal price index was 20 per cent lower than it was a year ago.

However, although the prices have stabilised, he cautioned against dropping the guard. “International prices may have declined, but they are still above their historical levels. And the prices are expected to remain volatile over the coming years,” he warned.

Lasting solutions

Graziano da Silva also underscored that while lower food prices brought relief to poor consumers, higher prices were not necessarily bad, as they came after three decades of stagnant prices that negatively affected the agricultural sector in many poor countries.

He urged countries to take advantage of the comparative calm to prepare for future market turbulence and find lasting solutions to the issues surrounding the food price volatility. “If higher and volatile prices are here to stay, then we need to adapt to this new pattern,” he underlined.

“The two critical issues for countries to address are how to help poor small-scale farmers benefit from the higher food prices, and how to protect low-income families who suffer as a result of them,” Graziano da Silva said.

“The current situation offers an opportunity for farmers to reinvest in agriculture,” he continued, calling a set of policies that would ensure that small-scale farmers have the means to take advantage of it.

Social protection

“Low-income families must, meanwhile, be shielded by strengthening social protection programmes (including cash transfers to extremely poor households) and creating new ways to link social protection and support for agricultural production,” Graziano da Silva said.

“Countries throughout the world have great success when they use this menu of social protection and productive support to fight hunger and poverty,” he added.

Global governance

FAO's director general stated that improved global governance has played an important role in warding off additional food price hikes since July 2012.

“In particular, the agricultural market information system (AMIS) created by the G20 in 2011 has proved to be an effective new weapon in the arsenal to fight excessive price volatility, provide reliable information and increase transparency in the international food market,” he said.

India's maize yield this year could touch 25MT due to adequate monsoon

Maize production in India is likely to touch the 25-million-tonne (MT) mark this year, as adequate monsoon rains trigger higher acreage across growing states. According to data available from the ministry of agriculture, the area under cultivation maize rose by 11 per cent to 82.24 lakh hectare at the beginning of October 2013, as against 74 lakh hectare in the corresponding period of last year.

Higher than normal rains in major growing states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are likely to further push the rabi acreage this fiscal. As per the first advance estimates by the ministry, the maize production is expected to be 17.8MT, compared to around 16MT, the fourth estimates for 2012-13.

“Maize production is likely to surpass all records this year. We expect a bumper crop, as the kharif production may have crossed 18MT by the time the ministry comes out with the second advance estimates, as first estimates are usually very conservative,” Raju Choksi, vice-president, agri-commodities, Anil Nutrients Ltd, said. He added that last year's rabi production stood at around 6.25MT despite bad monsoon, and so this year's rabi production too is likely to be higher.

“Maize prices have been firm for the last couple of months, due to a scarce supply in the market. With the first kharif crop likely to arrive in the markets next fortnight, the prices are expected to fall by seven to 10 per cent,” Choksi said. The prices would also be impacted because of the higher global supply.

“The global supply of maize is likely to rise following record crop in Argentina, Brazil and the Black Sea Region; which are the major exporters to the world markets. India is currently outpriced in the international markets, as Indian corn is being offered at $270-275 per MT FOB Kakinada/Vizag, compared to corn of Ukrainian origin, which is being sold around $235 per MT CNF South Korea,” Choksi informed.

Maize has been trading in the range of Rs 1,500-1,600 per quintal across major spot markets, much above the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,175 per quintal, which was fixed the by government last year. This year, government has fixed an MSP of Rs 1,310 per quintal, which is higher than last year's MSP by about 11 per cent.

Radikal basmati rice participates in Grahlaxmi Kitty Party's 6th essay

Radikal Foods Ltd, one of India’s leading domestic and international players in the premium basmati rice segment, participated in the sixth edition of Grahlaxmi Kitty Party and Cookery Workshop 2013.

During the event, Radikal's complete range of products was showcased, and chef Nita Mehta conducted a session on the right way to cook basmati rice and healthy tips.

Besides this, a series of interactive and brain-teasing games was played, and the winner and the audience were given Radically Pure and Radically Fit Premium basmati rice.

Siddharth Chaudhary, managing director, Radikal Foods, said, “We are ecstatic to be part of Grahlaxmi Kitty Party and Cookery Workshop.”

“Since our inception, we have strived to offer rice that can enhance the overall experience of indulgence with an enhanced nutritive value that can inspire a fit life,” he said.

“Rice, which is the staple diet, feeding more than half of the world’s population has always been subjected to a lot of misconceptions,” Chaudhary informed.

“Thus, by being a part of the event, we have tried to bring about positive changes in the lives of consumers by changing their perception about basmati rice,” he added.

“We showcased and offered an unmatched taste and ensured a healthy and happy living by serving health in different ways to suit and fulfill the requirements of every modern-day consumer,” Chaudhary said.

He said, “We are glad to have received an overwhelming response from the participants. We, at Radikal, are delighted to strengthen our relationship with our end consumers by making them aware of the fact that their staple food, rice, is truly the king of meals, and is healthy and beneficial in various ways.”

Saffola Active oil: Same quantity, different level of oryzanol? - Moneylife

Saffola Active oil: Same quantity, different level of oryzanol? - Moneylife

Even branded milk is unsafe

20 lakh litres of milk is consumed every day.

• Salmonella and e-coli bacteria found in samples collected 

• Supreme Court orders not implemented 

Milk, normally consumed as a healthy drink, could prove to be counterproductive if its purity is compromised. Sadly many people in the city have been unwittingly consuming milk that is not only adulterated, but also contains harmful bacteria. So, we get milk that is suspect in terms of quality, purity and fat content, let alone the quantity of milk that we get in packets. 

The quality of milk is so poor in some cases that its regular consumption could affect digestive system and kidneys.  This means that for the companies their business interests override customer safety. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), following a survey done in 2011, had warned that 70% of milk sold in the country is adulterated. In the wake of the report, the Supreme Court directed the central government to take strict action against the adulterators and legal changes were effected in 2011. Yet, most of the dairies have continued with their questionable practices, regardless of laws and regulatory authorities.

About 80 lakh people in the city consume 20 lakh litres of milk ever day. This implies that they are also ingesting harmful bacteria which could cause problems to their digestive system and also contribute to consumers developing other diseases in long run. 

Srinivas, a resident of Uppal, approached the Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (APBHS), complaining that adulterated milk is being sold in the city. The APBHS did independent analysis and found out that some of the milk samples contained harmful bacteria. The APBHS then filed a case with the AP Human Rights Council. 

The council directed the GHMC authorities to look into the issues and take action. Acting on the orders of the Commissioner, Food Safety, the GHMC authorities picked up from various places 30 milk samples representing various brands and sent them to the State Food Laboratory.  The lab found that eight of the samples were unsafe and sub-standard.

Pure milk should not contain bacteria beyond permissible limits, but the samples contained bacteria far beyond permissible limits.  Experts at SFL say that these might have entered the milk through water (a common adulterant). Some of the bacteria found were those that could cause vomiting, diarrhoea and even kidney problems in the long run.

Atchyuta Rao, president of APBHS, told Hyderabad Hans, “We are strongly condemning the sale of sub-standard, unsafe milk of popular brands. We demand that cases be booked against these brands and their products seized as per the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006.”

No proper mechanism in J&K to check food adulteration: HC

‘Complete go-bye to provisions of Act, Designated Officers not appointed’

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Dailyexcelsior

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Oct 7: Notwithstanding widespread complaints of food adulteration, there is no proper mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir to check the menace and authorities concerned have given complete go-bye to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
This has been observed by the Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Ayoub before the Srinagar Wing of the High Court seeking implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act and Rules.
“The mechanism of taking sample(s) by the Food Safety Officers in the State is absolutely un-satisfactory”, the DB remarked in the order written by the Chief Justice M M Kumar after going through the latest status report filed in compliance to its earlier directions dated August 22, 2013.
“The Designated Officers within the meaning of Rule 2.1.2 of the Food Safety and Standard Rules, 2011 have not been appointed”, DB observed.
According to the provisions, a Designated Officer has to be a whole time officer not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer or equivalent. He must possess minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Chemistry as one of the subjects or at least one of the educational qualifications prescribed for the Food Safety Officer. Moreover, he is also required to undergo training within a period of six months from the date of his appointment as Designated Officer.
“However, Health Officers of the Municipal Corporations are discharging the duties of Designated Officers like in the case of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, who may or may not answer the qualifications given in the rules”, the DB said, adding “it appears that our earlier observations that the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 are observed in breach rather than in compliance stands fortified”.
Stating that there is complete go-bye to the provisions of the Act and the Rules as has been revealed by the procedure adopted for taking sample(s) and testing of the stock in respect of food which has been found misbranded/adulterated, the DB said, “there is no effective mechanism in place for confiscating the adulterated foods, which after testing have been found non-consumable”, adding “the provisions of the Act and the Rules have not been implemented in letter and spirit”.
Keeping in view the slackness in the implementation of the Act, the DB has directed the Chief Secretary to take a complete review of the ground realities, officers performing the duties under the Act, method of sampling, testing and further follow up action on the basis of misbranded samples.
“A complete and comprehensive report be submitted to the Court showing compliance of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 along with the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 within a period of four weeks”, the DB directed the State.
It is pertinent to mention here that in its earlier status report the Government had mentioned that Controller (Drug and Food Control Organization), who was also appointed Commissioner Food Safety J&K, has now been replaced by Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department as Commissioner in addition to his own duties.
The Government expressed its inability to appoint an independent officer as Food Safety Commissioner viewing that there were number of issues common under the Food Safety Act and the Rules within the Health Department. With regard to Food Safety Tribunal replacing the mechanism adopted by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1994, the Government stated that the matter was taken up with Finance Department for creation of post of Presiding Officer of the rank of District and Sessions Judge with the allied staff and the same was under active consideration of the Government.

Food Safety Act not implemented in letter, spirit: High C ourt

Srinagar, Oct 7: Observing that the provisions of Food Safety Act are not implemented in letter and spirit, the J&K High Court Monday directed the Chief Secretary to take a complete review of the ground realities-- officers performing duties under the act, the method of sampling and further follow up action on the basis misbranded samples.
 The court asked the Chief Secretary to file in this regard a complete comprehensive report within 4 weeks.        
 Passing directions on Public Interest litigation against food adulteration, a division bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar observed the mechanism as unsatisfactory after asking certain questions to Food Safety Officer Islamabad (Anantnag) Sheikh Zamir.
 “We asked him certain questions and the answer given is unsatisfactory and accordingly we direct the Registrar Judicial to record his statement and place it on the record of the case with regard to prevalence of adulteration in the food items in the state” the division bench said.
 The Court said that the mechanism of taking samples by the Food Safety Officers is absolutely unsatisfactory.
 “There is no effective mechanism in place as has been disclosed by food safety officer Anantnag for confiscating the adulterated food if found inconsumable. The provisions of food safety have not been implemented in letter and spirit” the court held.
 The court termed the status report filed by Special Secretary Health and Medical Education department in compliance of previous directions as far from satisfactory. 
 “The issue which has attracted our attention is that the designated officers within the meaning of Food Safety Act have not been appointed and according to the provisions, the designated officer has to be whole time officer not below the rank of sub divisional officer or equivalent” the court said.
 After Senior Advocate General, J A Kawoosa pleaded that the present Health Officer SMC has been discharging the duties as designated officer, the court said the officer may or may not answer the qualification given in the act attests the fact that the act is observed in breach.
 “It appears that our earlier observations that the provisions of the act and rules are observed in breach rather in compliance is fortified at the hearing today” the court said.
 The court held that there is complete go by to the provisions of act and the rules saying the same has been revealed to the court  by the procedure adopted for checking, taking samples and testing in respect of the food item which has been found misbranded.
 Advocates Sheikh Auoub and Tasaduq khaja pleaded the case as petitioners.

Recipe for Success: Meluha The Fern chef finds kitchen 'most exciting'

Curiosity and excitement about small things may be a naïve thought at the moment, but exploring the  same could have a surreal effect in future. This is evident from the journey of Parimal Sawant, executive chef, Meluha The Fern, Mumbai, which began when he thought the kitchen was “the most exciting place in a hotel or restaurant”, a view he continues to subscribe to

The 37-year-old Mumbai University alumnus, who holds a diploma in hotel management from Sophia Polytechnic, Peddar Road, said, “After all, the kitchen is where everything happens. It is a melting pot of culinary cultures, where an array of flavours, textures, aromas and colours combine, resulting in an experience.”

Although it was an offbeat choice of career, Sawant – whose father worked for Hindustan Petroleum and whose mother served in the navy for 42 years – stuck to what he admitted was “a difficult decision to take” because he was passionate about good food. “Moreover, I wanted to enjoy the freedom to be creative and a role that offered me the opportunity to travel the world,” he added.

He credited the support of his parents for his achievements, and stated that he ensures that his family holds its heads high. He said it was the mutton cooked by his grandmother that inspired him to cook. “Its taste is unforgettable, and it cannot be found in any restaurant. She used to cook the best food I have ever eaten,” he said.

Sawant recalled his first cooking experience – in his childhood, he helped his grandmother make thalipeeth, a Maharashtrian dish. He said, “I helped her prepare the raw material, and would stand beside her and watch it being prepared till its aroma filled the kitchen. I miss those days. I look forward to cooking like her someday, and hope the aroma would make my customers crave for the taste.”
 
While studying hospitality management, he became a trainee and worked at night. He stated that he would complete his assignments by 3am and wake up at 5am to attend classes in the morning, adding that his hard work has borne sweet fruit. “Today, I have about 16 years' experience in the food and beverage industry,” he said.

Sawant began his career with the Taj Group of Hotels, and stated that during his stint there, he was like a baby walking for the first time and then learning to run using a walker. “Ramchandra Iyer, chef at the Taj Hotels, was my first mentor. He taught me all the nitty-gritty, including the styles of cooking, service and how to build and maintain relationships with the customers,” hr added.

He also had stints with the Renaissance Hotel, the Royal Orchid Hotels and the Marriott International Convention Centre (where he was chef de cuisine). He stated that he got the opportunities to work under the best trainers. Not only did they understand his qualities, but they also moulded him well to bring his career to the stage it is in now.

Sawant added that as a trainee, he had to face a fair share of challenges. “I had to put my best foot forward and offer exceptional food with zeal. To be a chef, one has to be an all-rounder and possess the qualities of a leader, a trainer and a client servicing executive. It took me almost a decade to gain the experience of the various roles played by professionals in the food and beverage industry,” he said.

In a bid to gain additional experience, and also to hone his skills, he joined the Ochid, where he was offered the junior sous chef's position. Last December, he was appointed executive sous chef at Courtyard by Marriott in Ahmedabad, where he introduced themes for the buffets at MoMo Cafe and whipped up delicacies at food festivals.

A regular on televised cookery shows and at workshops organised by the Ahmedabad edition of a tabloid, Sawant also shares his expertise by contributing recipes to reputed newspapers and magazines. When quizzed about the qualities needed to be a chef, he said, “One has to have a flair for preparing innovative dishes and presentation skills.”

“Moreover, a chef must have confidence and strong belief to make things work according to a plan. He/she also has to understand the time of action and preferences of the food lovers, and cater to their needs and requests,” he said, adding that his own unique selling point is his jolly and amiable nature, which helps him understand his clients.

“I believe that food is not just something I always look forward to, but I always try to maintain a healthy diet as well. Whenever I prepare a dish or a recipe, I make sure that my patrons, who love food, do not compromise on their health,” Sawant said, adding that he has a plan up his sleeve, and it could be called his dream project.

“I would like to start a 24X7 restaurant, which would not just provide the patrons their favourite foods, but would also provide information about the foods they need to consume in order to remain in shape. Unlike other restaurants, it would be a detailed concept restaurant. I look forward to winning the hearts of Mumbaikars with my signature dishes,” he added.

Regulatory experts discuss food supplement regulations at Bogota event

Authorities from five South American countries – Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru – met scientific and regulatory experts in Bogota, the Colombian capital, recently to discuss the regulatory changes and current scientific trends in food supplements and their impact on the markets in the aforementioned countries. The meet was organised by ALANUR and supported by the International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA).

The topics covered included the definition of food supplements; safety measures to be kept in mind while using ingredients in supplements; criteria to establish the maximum levels of vitamins and minerals; regulations on the use of and substantiations of health and nutrition claims; good manufacturing practices requirements for food supplements, and systems for market access and monitoring of supplements on the market.

Diana Lievano, coordinator, sanitary registrations of phyto-therapeutic products, homoeopathic medicines and dietary supplements, INVIMA, Colombia, inaugurated the meet, and spoke about the opportunities to share information about dietary supplements in the region. The country's health ministry was represented by Jannet Arismendi. Katty Rojas, head, food safety, National Service on Agricultural Health and Food Safety (SENASAG), represented Bolivia's agriculture ministry.

Other speakers included Gabriela Ferreira Silvero, technical assessor, Department of Evaluation and Registration, National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance, Paraguay; Noemí La Torre Paredes, specialist on health evaluation of dietetic products and sweeteners, General Directorate of Drugs (DIGEMID), Peru, and Veronia Flor Terán, food safety analyst, National Directorate Health Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Public Health, Ecuador.

ALANUR and IADSA were positioned as sources of information and guidance on the dietary supplement framework. In this sense, the two bodies would continue to provide technical support to authorities, and also through the organisation of events that permit the flow of information for building responsible practices through the promotion of science, quality and safety in relation to food supplements. 

“We were delighted to offer this space for communication and exchange of information on regulatory and scientific issues around food supplements, which promotes the cooperation in the work in the region,” Tatiana Pires, chair, ALANUR, said, adding that ALANUR, with the support of IADSA, would continue working on the approximation of criteria to serve as a reference point for food supplement regulations across Latin America.

“This event was a unique platform that brought together authorities, academics and representatives from the supplement sector. During the meet, the bases to continue with the cooperation and organisation of scientific and technical events, aimed at continuing the work on key issues concerning food supplements regulations, were set,” stated David Pineda Ereño, director, regulatory affairs, IADSA.

Taura releases white paper on extending shelf life of foods with fruit

Taura Natural Ingredients recently released a white paper – titled 'Extending the shelf life of products containing fruit' – which would help food manufacturers address the challenges associated with incorporating real fruit into long shelf-life dry products such as biscuits, cakes, breakfast cereals and snack bars.

Penned by Grant Taylor, sales manager, Asia Pacific, Taura, the white paper – which offers advice on how Taura’s ultra-rapid concentration (URC) fruit ingredients can help food manufacturers avoid problems with water activity associated with other fruit ingredients – has been uploaded onto the company's website, and can be downloaded free of charge.

It explains how Taura’s URC real fruit ingredients eliminate these barriers and mitigate the moisture transfer in a range of long shelf-life dry foods, enabling manufacturers to include fruit in products where it would otherwise be impossible without seriously compromising shelf life.

Taylor said, “Significant technical obstacles have previously limited the use of fruit-based ingredients in many products with a long shelf life. Applications such as biscuits, baked goods, cereals and snacks have been especially problematic. Incorporating fruit into dry products like these has presented a challenge, because introducing any additional moisture poses a threat to the texture and shelf life of the finished product.”

“Solutions based on the URC fruit ingredients from Taura deliver all the taste, colour and nutritional benefits of fruit inclusions in products with an ambient shelf life of at least 12 months,” he added.