Come
summer, people flock towards one or the other of the numerous soft drinks
lured by the ubiquitous commercials and a need to the beat the unbearable
heat. This year, as the city faces a heat wave more intense than any in
recent years, soft drinks sales are sure to go through the roof.
However,
Food Safety Wing officials are urging the local populace to be cautious owing
to the proliferation of spurious drinks being sold in the bottles of major
soft drink brands.
A
senior official told The Hindu here on Saturday that the Food Safety
Wing would soon launch a drive against spurious drinks, mainly sold on
roadside shops and eateries.
The
public must remain vigilant even while consuming branded soft drinks in 500
ml/one/two litres PET bottles, as the shelf life was now only two-and-a-half
month from the earlier six months. This change was effected after the Food
Safety and Standards Act came into force. The shelf life for soft drinks sold
in glass bottles, which are sterilised, was six months.
Most
shopkeepers in rural areas failed to check the product for the expiry date,
either by design or mostly because of negligence. However, under the FSSA,
they were liable to face heavy fines and possible imprisonment for selling
food products that had crossed the expiry date, the official added.
Major
soft drink companies have been instructed to keep a close watch on their
supply chain to prevent their bottles from being misused. They have also been
told to watch out for decline in orders. This could indicate that retailers
in that area were buying spurious drinks, which were cheaper, the officials
said.
The
public were also warned against consuming soft drinks sold in sachets, as
they were likely to have been prepared in unhygienic conditions.
A
senior official said that freshly-prepared juices were among the best options
for people looking to stay healthy and dehydration.
The
food safety wing took periodical samples of fruits, vegetables and soft
drinks following a Supreme Court directive to the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) in October 2013.
|
Food Safety officials plan drive against spurious cool drinks
High Court wants Expert Committee to investigate Khyber Agro Milk Farms
SRINAGAR,
Apr 7: Division Bench of High Court has directed Commissioner, Food Safety, to
constitute committee of experts to inspect milk processing unit run by respondent
Khyber Agro Milk Farms and submit detailed report.
Division Bench of the court comprising of Justice Hasnain Masoodi and D S Thakur directed that the committee shall comprise of deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and Diary experts/diary technologists from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.
Experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing, the bench said. Committee has been tasked to file its report elucidating whether Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and Buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed.
In other direction, Division bench directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in place as on date in implementation of the Food Safety Act, to pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.
Respondents shall submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014 to i-e that is first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken, court said.
Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu, the Division bench said, shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.
Commissioner Food Safety shall file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014. Division bench said in order to further clarify previous direction, it is directed that only 05 samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the state.
"We modify direction dated 13th February 2014 to the extent it requires forwarding one pan of the sample to Referral laboratory. The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate.
Food business operators/dealer, therefore, shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory."
As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow's milk, the court directed, respondents -M/s Khyber Agro milk Farms and also other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by diem is not pure cow's milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.
The respondents, the division bench said, shall give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act and that none amongst the Proprietors/Directors etc. of the company(ies) required to be arrayed accused in terms of the Act, ate shielded and complaints filed only against lower rung employees of the company(ies).
"Respondents shall initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, vacant as on date and file status report regarding state of selection process," the division bench said. Division bench directed respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.
Earlier official respondents filed status report, indicating that out of 1663 samples lifted in Jammu Division, 287 have been found substandard/misbranded/unsafe. Prosecution, however, has been launched only in respect of 200 samples. The action taken in respect of 87 samples is not explained. Again in most of the cases, accused have been let off with fine unmindful of the fact that the Act prescribes minimum punishment and punishment below minimum is not permissible under law.
In Kashmir Division, Out of 1405 samples 344 samples have been found substandard /misbranded/ unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused.
Division Bench of the court comprising of Justice Hasnain Masoodi and D S Thakur directed that the committee shall comprise of deputy Controller Drugs, Kashmir and Diary experts/diary technologists from SKUAST, Abdul Wahid, former District and Sessions Judge, amongst its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by respondent Khyber Agro Milk Farms in the first place.
Experts shall submit comprehensive report by next date of hearing, the bench said. Committee has been tasked to file its report elucidating whether Khyber Agro farms has a milk processing plant conforming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk received from milk producers of the area and Buffalo milk imported from outside state and whether milk procured and imported corresponds to volume to the milk marketed.
In other direction, Division bench directed Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and all those involved in place as on date in implementation of the Food Safety Act, to pull up their socks, hone up machinery and speed up lifting and analysis of samples and food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the state without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.
Respondents shall submit comprehensive report regarding samples lifted from 1st January 2014 to i-e that is first quarter of the year, indicating number of samples referred to notified Laboratories/Referral Laboratories and the result of analysis and action taken, court said.
Incharge Food Analysis Laboratory at Srinagar and Jammu, the Division bench said, shall submit information regarding capacity of two laboratories set up to analyse samples and the number of samples two laboratories can handle a year having regard to machinery, infrastructure and manpower.
Commissioner Food Safety shall file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of order dated 13th February 2014. Division bench said in order to further clarify previous direction, it is directed that only 05 samples of milk/milk products marketed by M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, one from each of the districts within its area of operation, shall be lifted on rotational basis in a week and got analysed by Food Analyst and an Accredited Laboratory outside the state.
"We modify direction dated 13th February 2014 to the extent it requires forwarding one pan of the sample to Referral laboratory. The respondent instead shall, while forwarding one part of sample to Food Analyst within State, forward another part of the sample to a Laboratory notified by Food Safety Authority in terms of Section 43, Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, outside the Sate.
Food business operators/dealer, therefore, shall continue to have right to get one of the parts of the sample analysed by Accredited laboratory and in case of variance, even approach Referral Laboratory for analysis of other part of sample and have final word from Referral Laboratory."
As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro and other companies, is pure cow's milk, the court directed, respondents -M/s Khyber Agro milk Farms and also other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by diem is not pure cow's milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the source of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed.
The respondents, the division bench said, shall give particulars of accused in three complaints filed against Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, and the position they hold in the company, so as to enable the Court to examine whether complaint has been filed against all those allegedly involved in commission of offence as provided under Food Safety and Standard Act and that none amongst the Proprietors/Directors etc. of the company(ies) required to be arrayed accused in terms of the Act, ate shielded and complaints filed only against lower rung employees of the company(ies).
"Respondents shall initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, vacant as on date and file status report regarding state of selection process," the division bench said. Division bench directed respondents to submit analysis reports of samples lifted from food items marketed by Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Avon Agro Industries Private Limited and Kanwal Agro Food Industries, in compliance of order dated 13th February 2014.
Earlier official respondents filed status report, indicating that out of 1663 samples lifted in Jammu Division, 287 have been found substandard/misbranded/unsafe. Prosecution, however, has been launched only in respect of 200 samples. The action taken in respect of 87 samples is not explained. Again in most of the cases, accused have been let off with fine unmindful of the fact that the Act prescribes minimum punishment and punishment below minimum is not permissible under law.
In Kashmir Division, Out of 1405 samples 344 samples have been found substandard /misbranded/ unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused.
631 samples fail to food safety, Govt lets off adulterators
Source of milk sold in market not known
Srinagar,
Apr 7:In a criminal act, the Food Safety
Department of the Government is playing with the lives of the people as the
companies, whose 631 food samples have been found substandard, misbranded and
unsafe across the State last year, have either been let off or prosecution has
not at all been launched against them.
A status report filed by the Government before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court reveals that that out of 1663 food samples taken in Jammu division, 287 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 200 samples and the accused have been let off in most of the cases.
The status report revealed that in Kashmir division, out of 1405 food samples taken last year, 344 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe and prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused and majority of them have been let off.
The status report said that 3068 food samples have been lifted during last year, with 1663 samples lifted from Jammu division and 1405 from Kashmir division of the State.
The High Court after perusal of the status report observed that the number of samples taken from Srinagar district is 351, which far below as the district has huge population.
The bench observed that food safety officer of SMC has lifted 351 samples while food safety officer of Food Safety Authority has not lifted even a single sample in Srinagar district. The Court has directed the Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of court orders.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising, Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today pulled up the Government officials and companies for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Court directed the officials to implement the act in its letter and spirit and asked them to pull up their socks and hone up the machinery without showing any leniency.
The court directed that officials of the Food Safety Department to speed up lifting and analysis of samples of food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.
The bench observed: “A cursory look at the status report would reflect lack of understanding of provisions of the act and machinery envisioned under the Act on part of respondents.”
The court expressed its anguish over the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards not making the Act operational as large number of posts are vacant in the department.
The court directed the in charge food analysis laboratory both at Jammu and Srinagar to submit information regarding capacity of laboratories, machinery and manpower. It has directed them to initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.
The court while expressing disappointment over functioning of the Government regarding the Food Safety observed: “In case of companies like M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Zum Zum, Snow Cap, Haleeb, the number of samples lifted is less than five during the year, and samples lifted during 2013 is far less with regard to population of State and volume of food items sold and consumed. The overall performance of the staff, therefore, is dismal and disappointing.”
Regarding the compliance report about lifting of samples on regular bases of M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Agro Food the court observed: “Compliance does not give the dates when samples were lifted, so as to enable the Court to find out whether samples were lifted once in a week or not.”
Compliance report reveals that prosecution has been launched against three companies – M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Spices – in the court of Munsiff Budgam, CJM Anantnag, and Municipal Magistrate Srinagar respectively.
The Court directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a committee of three to four experts with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Dairy Expert, Dairy Technologist from SKUAST and former District and Sessions Judge, Abdul Wahid, as its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/s Khyber Agro Milk. The court has asked for a comprehensive report.
The direction came after counsel for M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Advocate Zaffar Shah, informed the court that the company does not have a dairy farm and the milk and milk products are processed in the milk processing unit of the company and what is sold in the market is processed milk.
The court in response observed: “The statement made raises a number of important issues whether M/s Khyber Agro Farms has a milk processing plant confirming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk, whether company has a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder.”
Court directed the companies to inform the general public through print media that the milk sold by them is not pure cow milk but processed milk. “As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro Farms and other companies, is pure cow milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms and other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the sources of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed”, the court order reads.
A status report filed by the Government before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court reveals that that out of 1663 food samples taken in Jammu division, 287 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe. However, prosecution has been launched only against 200 samples and the accused have been let off in most of the cases.
The status report revealed that in Kashmir division, out of 1405 food samples taken last year, 344 samples have been found substandard, misbranded and unsafe and prosecution has been launched only against 231 accused and majority of them have been let off.
The status report said that 3068 food samples have been lifted during last year, with 1663 samples lifted from Jammu division and 1405 from Kashmir division of the State.
The High Court after perusal of the status report observed that the number of samples taken from Srinagar district is 351, which far below as the district has huge population.
The bench observed that food safety officer of SMC has lifted 351 samples while food safety officer of Food Safety Authority has not lifted even a single sample in Srinagar district. The Court has directed the Commissioner Food Safety to file an affidavit, explaining reasons for disobedience of court orders.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising, Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today pulled up the Government officials and companies for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Court directed the officials to implement the act in its letter and spirit and asked them to pull up their socks and hone up the machinery without showing any leniency.
The court directed that officials of the Food Safety Department to speed up lifting and analysis of samples of food items, transported, manufactured, stored and marketed in the State without showing any leniency to big players in the market so that food items free from adulteration are made available to consumers.
The bench observed: “A cursory look at the status report would reflect lack of understanding of provisions of the act and machinery envisioned under the Act on part of respondents.”
The court expressed its anguish over the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards not making the Act operational as large number of posts are vacant in the department.
The court directed the in charge food analysis laboratory both at Jammu and Srinagar to submit information regarding capacity of laboratories, machinery and manpower. It has directed them to initiate process to fill up various posts provided under the Act, and file status report regarding state of selection process.
The court while expressing disappointment over functioning of the Government regarding the Food Safety observed: “In case of companies like M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Zum Zum, Snow Cap, Haleeb, the number of samples lifted is less than five during the year, and samples lifted during 2013 is far less with regard to population of State and volume of food items sold and consumed. The overall performance of the staff, therefore, is dismal and disappointing.”
Regarding the compliance report about lifting of samples on regular bases of M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Agro Food the court observed: “Compliance does not give the dates when samples were lifted, so as to enable the Court to find out whether samples were lifted once in a week or not.”
Compliance report reveals that prosecution has been launched against three companies – M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, M/s Avon Agro and M/s Kanwal Spices – in the court of Munsiff Budgam, CJM Anantnag, and Municipal Magistrate Srinagar respectively.
The Court directed Commissioner Food Safety to constitute a committee of three to four experts with Deputy Controller Drugs Kashmir and Dairy Expert, Dairy Technologist from SKUAST and former District and Sessions Judge, Abdul Wahid, as its members to inspect the milk processing unit run by M/s Khyber Agro Milk. The court has asked for a comprehensive report.
The direction came after counsel for M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms, Advocate Zaffar Shah, informed the court that the company does not have a dairy farm and the milk and milk products are processed in the milk processing unit of the company and what is sold in the market is processed milk.
The court in response observed: “The statement made raises a number of important issues whether M/s Khyber Agro Farms has a milk processing plant confirming to prescribed standards to process the milk, whether the plant is equipped with necessary laboratory to test the milk, whether company has a plant satisfying required prescribed standards to convert milk into milk powder.”
Court directed the companies to inform the general public through print media that the milk sold by them is not pure cow milk but processed milk. “As there is a general impression that what is sold in the market by M/s Khyber Agro Farms and other companies, is pure cow milk, M/s Khyber Agro Milk Farms and other companies, engaged in marketing milk, shall inform general public through print media that what is sold by them is not pure cow’s milk but processed milk. They shall also notify the sources of milk marketed as well as mode and manner in which marketed milk is processed”, the court order reads.
What all licenses are required to run a Restaurant business?
The restaurant industry is one of the fastest growing industry
verticals in the recent times, reason being, people prefer to dine
outside due to taste, preferences and the changing lifestyle. Restaurant
business is a lucrative idea but one must thoroughly investigate the
prerequisites to avoid legal complications.
If you are in the process of setting up a restaurant then you need to
check the following licenses/NOCs issued from different regulatory
bodies in order to comply with the norms:
- Food License: It is one of the primary requirements to a obtain a license under FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. Every restaurant owner has to first register their business with FSSAI as running a restaurant business without a license will be treated as a legal offense and this would invite penalties. One can check the eligibility criteria for Registration, State Licensing & Central Licensing. Please refer the following link for Central Licensing Procedure.http://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/UserLogin/Login.aspx?
- Health Trade License: The restaurant owner has to obtain a health / trade license which is issued by the municipal corporation or the health department of the concerned state.
- License for Eating House: The restaurant owner has to apply for the Eating House License under the city/state police headquarters and the police commissioner – Licensing.is authorized to grant this license. In most of the cities the applicant can apply online for grant of the registration certificate. For Example in Delhi, one can apply through: (http://delhipolicelicensing.gov.in/eating/eating-house.htm#section1)
- Fire Security Certificate: The restaurant premises should have proper fire security arrangements and for this one has to acquire NOC from the fire department. Once you apply, the inspection would be carried out and the decision will be taken by the officials of the Fire Department for the grant of the NOC.
- Liquor/Bar license: The Liquor license L-4 (L-17 as per new excise rule) is required if Liquor is served in the restaurant. The Liquor license can be obtained from the Excise Commissioner of the city/region of the state. (http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_excise/Excise/Home/Licences/)
- Approval/Re-Approval of Restaurants: If restaurants are looking to acquire L-4 license then they have to take prior approval from the department of Tourism of the Govt. of India in the concerned state.
- Lift clearance: The restaurants with multi story building premises shall have to get clearance from the electrical inspector of the office of the labor commissioner, to ensure that the lift operations comply with the safety norms.
- License for playing music/video: If recorded music or video is to be played in the premises then one has to obtain a license in compliance to the Copyright Act of 1957 and the license can be obtained from Phonographic Performance Limited or Indian performing Right Society. The links for your reference:http://www.pplindia.org/licctg.aspx, http://www.iprs.org/cms/
- Environmental Clearance: A NOC from the pollution board of the city/state is required by the restaurants for ensuring that their activities are not violating pollution norms.
- Insurances required: The restaurants have to take insurance for public liability, Product liability, fire policy & for building & Asset. Insurance policies can be obtained from any insurance company providing such insurances.
- Signage license: Restaurants can obtain this license from the local civic bodies like Municipal Committee or City Corporation.
- Shop & Establishment Act: Restaurants have to obtain license under the prescribed Act as applicable to the concerned state.
It is the responsibility of the owner of the restaurant to meet all
the requisites like obtaining licenses and their timely renewal.
* It is important to note here that all previous food laws & orders have
been repealed and have been consolidated under one Act i.e. FSS Act,
2006. So if you are carrying a license issued under previous food laws
then you have to transfer you license to the FSS Act and have to comply
with the requirements & provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations.
Impending issue of imported food products may be resolved soon
The talks between FSSAI & Importers could lead to a resolution on the food labelingcompliance
issue, as the representatives from various industry bodies of food
importers like IIA, FIFI are in constant touch with the regulatory body
and are expecting a solution on this matter.
Large stocks of imported food items are lying on the Indian ports
& Airports since the time they had reached the Indian territory
because such food products were found to be flawed on the mandatory
labeling requirements. The regulatory body is strict this time ensuring
the regulatory controls in compliance to the Food Safety and Standards
Act, 2006.
During past 2-3 months, the people might have missed out in acquiring
their favorite chocolates & biscuits on various important
festivals, similarly the importers have also suffered a lot due to their
big investments on the imported food items. There have been many
instances in the past where the substandard or the expiry food products
were being sent to India due to high demand during festive season.
The major festivals are over and the importers are only looking to
take advantage on Christmas this year. As per FSSAI guidelines, every
imported food product has to be strictly approved on 100% food testing of
all items, only then these food products are authorized for further
distribution in the Indian Market. As per sources, there is a long list
of applications which are lying with FSSAI, waiting for product
approvals.
The important information like Product name, Brand, List of
Ingredients, Mfg. Date, Exp. Date etc have to be printed on the label
instead of affixing just a sticker in order to comply the labeling
requirements. Hopefully, a viable solution to the current issue may be
reached at but the food safety needs of the people should not be
compromised.
NEW CODE GOVERNS INDIAN TEA INDUSTRY
Under a voluntary code known as Plant Protection Code (PPC), the
Tea Board of India has announced new guidelines for the Indian tea
planters. It strives on enhancing the quality of tea produced in the
country.
The guidelines under PPC aims at ensuring the controlled usage of
plant protection products, with strong adherence to safety standards as
per the FSSAI, and also minimizing the usage of pesticides in tea
growing.
As per the Tea Board, the code is a mix of Indian realities and
globally accepted sustainability principles, covering every aspect of
tea production and manufacturing.
Reason behind formulating this code is the increased demand of
sustainable produce with an assurance that it would not have any harmful
effect on the environment.
The Tea Board asserted that adhering to the food safety standards as
inscribed by the FSSAI would enable the planters to safeguard the
plantation environment, workers’ welfare, small farmers and also could
guarantee a long term security supply.
In another version the code stressed on the fact that these
guidelines could lead to maintain a competitive environment among the
tea growers, as well as help them abide by the national codes and
international standard of sustainability.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is another striking feature of the
code, which means using suitable methods and techniques in such a way to
minimize the pest incidence level to prevent economic loss of crops.
The code approves the permissible amount of different pesticides,
insecticides, acaricides, fungicides and herbicides to be used in the
tea plantation.
Based on extensive screening, the Central Insecticides Board (CIB)
has listed 33 pesticides to be used in tea production in India.
The Tea research Institute have continuously been screening new
potential chemicals, both for efficacy and residues. The screened
chemicals then sent to the CIB and FSSAI label claim in tea, and
fixation of limits in compliance with the Tea Board.
The motive behind the code is to make the tea growers aware of the
safe usage of plant protection products and convince them to adopt the
methodologies to minimize the pesticide residues in tea.
The code also motivates the farmers to be critical in use of plant
protection formulations, reduce the use of those chemicals where
possible and even if they apply; they must keep in mind the safest
possible way.
Certification deadline for peanut processing units extended to June 30
Monday, April 07, 2014 08:00 IST
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority (APEDA), the apex body for the promotion of
exports, has extended the date for Indian peanut processing and
exporting firms to obtain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
(HACCP) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
certification to June 30, 2014.
All peanut and peanut processing companies have to submit documentary
evidence that they have obtained these certificates for exporting.
APEDA stated that no further extension will be given for the
certification.
Earlier, the authority mandated that all peanut exporting units get the certification for HACCP to ensure safety with lesser contamination in the products exported. The strong safety and standard measures were taken by APEDA after several cautions from the European Union (EU), an important importer.
In March, EU published a audit report of its talks with India and assessment of Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts produced in India. European countries are an important importer of Indian peanuts products. It has made serious concerns over the peanuts from India due to its contamination lack of control over the processing units.
EU recommended that India make all peanut farmers aware about the Aflotoxin contamination and work for its reduction. It also wanted India to control and scrutinise the vital processing methods of peanuts that would be exported to EU. In the audit report, EU has observed that contamination is high in level and need to be curbed by effective measures.
The report upheld the measures taken by Indian exporting authorities, but wanted them to be implemented effectively. As per APEDA notifications, recognition of peanut and peanut processing (PPP) units would be mandatory for exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
Vinitha Sudhanshu, assistant general manager, western region, APEDA, said, “Aflotoxin is a kind of fungal infection that affects the quality of peanut produced.”
“Many countries have made the limit for Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts. As concerns raised by EU and other peanut-importing countries, APEDA set up different measures to control such contaminations and ensure quality,” she added.
“Mandatory HACCP certification would ensure the contaminations are below the prescribed levels. The final dates for document submission is extended to ensure the smooth flow of procedures and in convenience of processing units,” Sudhanshu added.
“The units having FSSAI registration and licencing will have to follow Aflotoxin limits as per the norms of importing countries, and in the absence of any specified limits, they would have to follow Codex standards,” stated the report issued by R K Boyal, director, APEDA.
The first deadline was December 2013, which was further extended through Addendum-IV to March 2014. Due to technical reasons, and to help the processing companies to complete the procedures, APEDA has issued Addendum-V, which was signed by Boyal and stated that the date was extended to June.
All peanut processing units, including integrated peanut processing units, peanut shelling units, peanut grading units, peanut shelling-cum-grading units and peanut godowns and storage has asked to get its certifications.
HACCP is a technique for preventing micro-biological, chemical and physical contamination along the food supply chain.
Earlier, the authority mandated that all peanut exporting units get the certification for HACCP to ensure safety with lesser contamination in the products exported. The strong safety and standard measures were taken by APEDA after several cautions from the European Union (EU), an important importer.
In March, EU published a audit report of its talks with India and assessment of Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts produced in India. European countries are an important importer of Indian peanuts products. It has made serious concerns over the peanuts from India due to its contamination lack of control over the processing units.
EU recommended that India make all peanut farmers aware about the Aflotoxin contamination and work for its reduction. It also wanted India to control and scrutinise the vital processing methods of peanuts that would be exported to EU. In the audit report, EU has observed that contamination is high in level and need to be curbed by effective measures.
The report upheld the measures taken by Indian exporting authorities, but wanted them to be implemented effectively. As per APEDA notifications, recognition of peanut and peanut processing (PPP) units would be mandatory for exports to both EU and non-EU countries.
Vinitha Sudhanshu, assistant general manager, western region, APEDA, said, “Aflotoxin is a kind of fungal infection that affects the quality of peanut produced.”
“Many countries have made the limit for Aflotoxin contamination in peanuts. As concerns raised by EU and other peanut-importing countries, APEDA set up different measures to control such contaminations and ensure quality,” she added.
“Mandatory HACCP certification would ensure the contaminations are below the prescribed levels. The final dates for document submission is extended to ensure the smooth flow of procedures and in convenience of processing units,” Sudhanshu added.
“The units having FSSAI registration and licencing will have to follow Aflotoxin limits as per the norms of importing countries, and in the absence of any specified limits, they would have to follow Codex standards,” stated the report issued by R K Boyal, director, APEDA.
The first deadline was December 2013, which was further extended through Addendum-IV to March 2014. Due to technical reasons, and to help the processing companies to complete the procedures, APEDA has issued Addendum-V, which was signed by Boyal and stated that the date was extended to June.
All peanut processing units, including integrated peanut processing units, peanut shelling units, peanut grading units, peanut shelling-cum-grading units and peanut godowns and storage has asked to get its certifications.
HACCP is a technique for preventing micro-biological, chemical and physical contamination along the food supply chain.
68 per cent milk in India non-conforming to food safety standard
New Delhi:
Over 68 per cent of milk in the country does not conform to the
standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI), the Centre has told the Supreme Court on a plea for checking
sale of synthetic and adulterated milk and various dairy products. The
submission has been made by the Centre in its affidavit which referred
to a survey conducted by the FSSAI, which had found that over 68 per
cent of the “non-conforming” milk was found in urban areas, 66 per cent
of which was loose milk.
According to the FSSAI’s 2011 survey, the most common adulterant was
found to be the addition of water, and the main reason for deviation
from the standards was addition of glucose and skimmed milk powder. It
also found that in some samples, detergent was mixed. The affidavit was
filed in response to the notice issued on a PIL by a group of citizens,
led by Swami Achyutanand Tirth of Uttarakhand, seeking a check on sale
of synthetic and adulterated milk and various dairy products.
Notices had also been issued to Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
Uttarakhand and Delhi governments on a PIL alleging that synthetic and
adulterated milk and milk products are prepared using urea, detergent,
refined oil, caustic soda and white paint which, according to studies,
are “very hazardous” to human life and can cause serious diseases like
cancer.
The petitioners’ advocate Anurag Tomar said that the affidavit is
silent on many aspects which allegedly refer to adulteration of milk and
its products. The affidavit said that over 83 per cent of the
non-conforming milk in rural areas was found to be loose milk. The FSSAI
had analysed 1791 samples of milk randomly collected from 33 states and
Union territories to identify the common adulterant in milk, both loose
and packaged.
It had gathered samples from rural and urban areas and after
analysing them at five different public sector laboratories, it had
found that 68.4 per cent of the samples were non-conforming
(adulterated) to its standards. “Total of 1791 samples of milk were
randomly collected from 33 states with a good mix of rural and urban
areas as well as packaged and loose milk… After analysis 565 (31.5 per
cent) samples were found to be conforming to the FSSAI standards whereas
1226 (68.4 per cent) samples of milk were found to be non-conforming.
“The non-conforming of samples in rural areas were 381 (31 per cent) out of which 64 (16.7 per cent) were packet
samples and 317 (83.2 per cent) were loose sample respectively and in
urban areas the total non-conforming samples were 845 (68.9 per cent)
out of which 282 (33 per cent) were packed and 563 (66.6 per cent) were
loose samples,” the Centre said. The PIL said that the alarming
situation and imminent danger to public health requires immediate action
on the part of the central government and the state governments to
ensure supply of healthy, hygienic and natural milk to the citizens of
India.
Food Safety officials plan drive against spurious soft drinks
COIMBATORE, April 7, 2014
Come summer, people flock
towards one or the other of the numerous soft drinks lured by the
ubiquitous commercials and a need to beat the unbearable heat.
This year, as the city faces a heat wave more intense
than any in recent years, soft drinks sales are sure to go through the
roof.
However, Food Safety Wing officials are urging the local
populace to be cautious owing to the proliferation of spurious drinks
being sold in the bottles of major soft drink brands.
A senior official told The Hindu here on Saturday
that the Food Safety Wing would soon launch a drive against spurious
drinks, mainly sold on roadside shops and eateries.
The public must remain vigilant even while consuming
branded soft drinks in 500 ml/one/two litres PET bottles, as the shelf
life was now two-and-a-half months from the earlier six months.
This change was effected after the Food Safety and
Standards Act (FSSA) came into force. The shelf life for soft drinks
sold in glass bottles, which are sterilised, was six months.
Most shopkeepers in rural areas failed to check the
product for the expiry date, either by design or mostly because of
negligence.
However, under the FSSA, they were liable to face heavy
fines and possible imprisonment for selling food products that had
crossed the expiry date, the official added.
Major soft drink companies have been instructed to keep a
close watch on their supply chain to prevent their bottles from being
misused.
They have also been told to watch out for decline in
orders. This could indicate that retailers in that area were buying
spurious drinks, which were cheaper, the official said.
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