Nov 26, 2014

Can’t stomach their indifference

After an RTI was filed by DC only nine zones out of 15 responded to petition . one zone Tondiarpet had a report of an inspection, while the rest are yet to respond
Chennai: There are no records of the raids and inspections conducted by the city corporation at various malls, beaches and other food outlets in the city. In a response to an RTI petition filed by DC, as many as nine zones out of the 15 under the Chennai corporation responded to the petition out of which only one zone Tondiarpet had a report of an inspection, while the rest are yet to respond.
The report states that inspection was done in four wards (35, 36, 37, 45) and shops, which prepared food on the roadsides, were penalised Rs 2,000. Meanwhile, every other zone, which responded to the petition, pointed out that the food safety department regularly inspected the shops while corporation health officials inspected the eateries once a month. However, there were no reports on the inspections generated.
Meanwhile, there is a cold war on between the corporation and food safety department over the right to inspect eateries in the city. Officials in the food safety and drug administration department find the city corporation to have poorly equipped labs to analyze samples of foods and complain that they are conducting independent raids without coordinating with the food department.
The corporation meanwhile finds the food department to be understaffed to carryout mass raids and often raids the city’s eateries for hygiene to avert any outbreak and relieve its health officials from stress.As per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 of the Government of India, the TN government had established the Food Safety and Drug Administration department (FSDA) from August 5, 2011, to ensure standards of food items sold.
“But the corporation, though having no authority to seal shops, often conduct inspections without any intimation to us. As a result, raids done by the corporation and food safety department in consecutive days are considered as harassment by food vendors,” said Mr S. Lakshmi Narayanan, designated officer, FSDA, Chennai.
So far the FSDA has identified 12,400 eateries out of which 5,229 have been inspected and four shops have been sealed. “The corporation does not have dedicated labs to test the samples. But coordination among the two departments must improve,” Mr Narayanan added.

DINAMANI NEWS


Shopkeeper caught selling flood-contaminated goods with tampered labelling

Poultry birds found slaughtered in toilet; FCO starts 9596089227, 9419601090 helpline
Srinagar, Nov 25: The next time you visit a grocery store do check the labeling of the goods you buy because the lot could be flood-contaminated and labeling tampered.
In the latest the authorities on Tuesday caught a provision store selling flood-hit goods with tampered labeling.
“One provision store namely Jan Provisions(at Regal Chowk) had displayed flood affected food articles with tampered labels of date of packing as November 2014 in his shop. Whole stock was seized and prohibition orders were issued on spot,” said an official handout from the office of Drugs & Food Control Organization(FCO).
The FCO under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmed Mir inspected various areas of Srinagar. “During the course of inspection two poultry shops M/s Pattoo poultry and M/S Bhat Poulty at Koker Bazar were found selling /slaughter the poultry birds in total unhygienic conditions. Toilet of the building was converted into slaughtering point wherein the condition was pathetic,” the official handout said.
“Moreover some of the slaughtered birds were found in suspicious conditions. The operation of these shops had become nuisance for public in general and for the shopkeepers of that area in particular. In the interest of public health, the sale/slaughtering of poultry birds by M/s Pattoo poultry and M/S Bhat poulty has been prohibited immediately and Station House Officer of the Maisuma Police Station has been intimated to ensure the implementation of prohibition order,” the official handout added.
“In addition a huge quantity of flood-affected food articles including spices, skimmed milk, ghee, confectionery, tea, coffee, edible oil, salt and other ready to eat foods amounting more than Rs seven lakhs were seized from the various shops operating in the area of Lal Chowk and Koker Bazar, for further disposal as warranted under law.”
“Also some of the tea stalls and restaurants were found in insanitary conditions. They were put on five days’ notice to meet out the requirements as laid down in Food Safety & Standards Act 2006.”
Meanwhile the department of Drugs & Food Control Organization has started a helpline. “The public at large is informed to be careful enough while purchasing food articles. In case of any complaint please inform on the following Nos 9596089227, 9419601090,” the official handout said.
Meanwhile people have hailed the organization for the inspections and appealed them to continue with the efforts. Shabir Ahmed Lone Food Safety Officer said the drive could continue

DINAMALAR NEWS


DINAMANI NEWS


DINAMALAR NEWS




Drives conducted at Food Stalls of Sangai Fest

Imphal, November 25 2014: Designated Officer Food Safety cum Chief Medical Officer Imphal West Dr S Bimola Kumari in collaboration with team of Food Safety and Standards Enforcement Wing under the aegis of Department of Health conducted a survey of the food stalls within the Sangai Festival 2014 venue today.
The survey was conducted to not only to check food items but the health condition of the concerned Chefs.
Dr Bimola Kumari said that Rules and Regulations of Food Safety Standard Act, 2006 was implemented on August 5 in 2011 in India.
She continued that it is the duty for the department to survey food stalls of the Sangai Festival to serve the festival crowd safe and hygienic eatables.


Drives conducted at Food Stalls of Sangai Fest

She noted that it is necessary to check every step how the foods are prepared to maintain food safety and hygiene.
She said the survey also renders awareness as part of implementing the Rules and Regulations of the Act.
Disposable plastic gloves, mask and caps were distributed freely by the surveying RMO to every food stall.
However some of the food stalls were already equipped with essential safety and hygiene standards.
During the survey, food stalls were checked whether they have Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FSSAI certificate.