Dec 2, 2015

These greens could be loaded with arsenic - Veggie alert!


50 per cent of basic essentials in Maharashtra are procured from Punjab and Haryana — two states that are in the red on arsenic content in foods
A report tabled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) last month, calling attention to high arsenic content found in vegetables and rice produced in 12 states of the country, has sent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Confederation of Indian Horticulture and All India Vegetable Growers Association aflutter. All three bodies are now pooling their energies to come up with a plan to cap the damage caused to consumers. Alarm bells have gone off closer home as Maharashtra is known to procure 50 per cent of the goods from Punjab and Haryana — the two states that top the suspicious list. The state depends on Punjab for vegetables such as potato, lady's finger and green chilli. Other states on the list are Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.
Following the alarming report, FDA is planning to rope in officials from the agriculture department and conduct awareness workshops and seminars. Avisit to New Delhi has also been planned. President of the Confederation of Indian Horticulture's Maharashtra chapter, Sopan Kanchan, said that a meeting to discuss the issue with Dr Ayyappan, director general of ICAR, has been scheduled for December 18, in the hope of finding remedial measures. "This is rather frightening. The common man's basic food platter seems to be in threat as large amounts of arsenic have been found in the produce from Punjab. We will discuss this with the ICAR officials," said Kanchan. He also added that both the ministry of agriculture and FDA must be watchful of the goods travelling into Maharashtra.
Southern India has been known to receive 400 trucks of potatoes every day between July and October, of which 50 per cent is dropped off in Maharashtra. "Potato is an essential item in every dish and we have been discussing the rise in the use of pesticides by Punjab and Haryana for the last two years. But, the government has not heeded our pleas. Now, with ICAR's recent find, I hope an action plan will be drawn up immediately," said Shriram Gadhave, president of All India Vegetables Growers Association, asserting that the association has been conducting awareness workshops for farmers and market yard associations on the presence of high arsenic contents in certain states. "We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states. But, we did not have proof like ICAR does now," he added.
Taking a leaf out of Gadhave's book, Uday Vanjari, state joint commissioner of FDA, drove home the point that when Mahesh Zagade was the chief commissioner, many seminars had been conducted on arsenic content in water and vegetables, given the rise in the numbers of lifestyle disorders like cancer and skin diseases, which are related to an inadvertent intake of arsenic. "Now that our suspicions have come true, thanks to the recent report, we will again conduct similar workshops to educate people about the illnesses caused by the intake of food laden with arsenic," said Vanjari.
Said Dr S Ayyappan, "Given the heightened presence of arsenic in states that are known to produce vegetables and whole grain in large quantities, we feel that FDA and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) must also intervene and help to come out with remedial measures." He stressed that a close watch be kept on goods arriving from the blacklisted states.
A senior officer from the state FDA, who did not wish to be named, said, "We would like to urge the officials from the ministry of agriculture to collect samples of materials and vegetables, sought from states that have crossed the permissible limit of arsenic content so that we can take some precautionary steps. Maharashtra's green produce is lush. But we need to know for sure if we must look within to fulfil our daily diet needs."
DOCSPEAK
According to Dr Vijay Ramanan, head of haematology at Ruby Hall Clinic, "Arsenic poisoning can lead to liver damages cardiac illnesses, leukaemia, low platelet count and so on." He said that the medical fraternity was witness to many patients who came with such illnesses that were known to be rooted in high arsenic levels. "Those who consume basmati rice and sea food are normally seen as being susceptible to some of these ailments. This is because to elongate the rice, farmers use pesticides beyond the permissible limit. A long-term intake of arsenic poison can cause various illnesses." Dr Abhijit Lodha, specilatist in toxicology and an infectious diseases expert, said, "We recently had three cases of sudden numbness and paralysis of limbs — all were rooted in the consumption of foods highly laden with arsenic. Arsenic content can lead to illnesses such as convulsions, mental agitation, encephalopathy, cancer, skin disorders, lack of concentration, insomnia, blood disorders among others."
█ We have always known that banned pesticides or high levels of chemicals were being used by certain states, but we did not have proof like ICAR does now
- SHRIRAM GADHAVE, President, All India Vegetables Growers Association

Govt mulls Rs 1750cr proposal for FSSAI, state food regulators

New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Faced with criticism from industry over approval system for food products, the government is mulling a Rs 1,750-crore proposal to strengthen central food regulator FSSAI as well as state bodies.
Addressing a CII conference, Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma said there is shortage of manpower and skill at both the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the state food & drug departments. The government is working on strengthening the FSSAI and state FDAs through capacity building that includes setting up of new testing laboratories and upgrading the existing ones, he said, adding that the focus is also on increasing awareness about the importance of food safety. "We have formulated a scheme for that (capacity building) and that scheme was for both food and drug. The drug part has been approved by the Cabinet recently in the month of August and there is a similar proposal for the food which is likely to be approved by the competent authority soon enough," Sharma said. He said the proposal, once approved, would definitely give a strong fillip to the capacity building of the laboratories and other food regulatory set-ups. According to sources, the Health Ministry has moved a proposal for granting Rs 1,750 crore, which includes about over Rs 800 crore for the FSSAI and the remaining amount for the state food regulators. The Secretary said there are about 160 labs for testing of food in the country, out of which 72 are in the government sector and 80 odds are private accredited labs. The ministry has evaluated all the governments labs to find out the deficiencies, Sharma said. Sharma also mentioned that the FSSAI only sets standards for different food products and the implementation is done by the state governments.
The states give licences and they enforce the Act and all the prosecutions, he added.
The FSSAI has come into limelight after it imposed the ban on Maggi in June this year, which was later lifted by the Bombay High Court.
In August this year, the Supreme Court junked the FSSAIs advisory that asked manufacturers to get clearance for products even if the ingredients were already approved or deemed safe.
After Maggi ban, industry as well as Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticised the FSSAI.
Badal had said that the FSSAIs decision created "fear psychosis" in the food processing industry.
Food regulator FSSAI, which comes under ambit of Health Ministry, lays down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

FDA to check quality of liquor too for New Year celebrations

Pune: For the first time on this New Year’s Eve, liquor will be added to the list of consumable products that will get tested for quality according to guidelines that will be laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the supreme food safety regulatory body, is all set to initiate the quality checks starting December 30 and is currently finalising the rules and guidelines before setting quality standards for liquor in the country.
“We are awaiting the guidelines for testing liquor that FSSAI is drafting. They have invited suggestions from the general public seeking opinions and suggestions before implementation by this month-end,” a senior State official from the FDA, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times.
Until now, the State Excise Department was in charge of keeping track of the sale and storage of liquor. Also, the department is the statutory body of the government to provide licences to sell liquor.
However, there was no regulatory body to check the quality of alcohol that was being sold in the market.
This move by FSSAI is also of greater significance as several fatal and critical cases have been reported from all over the country after people reportedly consumed spurious and illicit liquor.
“Now onwards, along with the Excise Department, the state-level Food and Drugs Authorities will be responsible for keeping a check of the quality of liquor, particularly the country-made ones. The many parameters will be the colour of the alcohol, the percentage of alcohol, among the many others,” the official said.
The guidelines to check the quality of liquor will be ready in the third week of this month, added the official.

DINAMALAR NEWS



அரியலூர் வணிக நிறுவனங்களில் 2 லட்சம் காலாவதியான உணவு பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் உணவுத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் அதிரடி

அரி ய லூர், டிச.2:
அரி ய லூ ரி லுள்ள வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப்பு காலா வ தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை உண வுத் துறை அதி கா ரி கள் பறி மு தல் செய்து அழித் த னர்.
அரி ய லூர் நக ரில் உள்ள பல் வேறு மளிகை மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் காலா வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் கள் விற் பனை செய் யப் பட்டு வரு வ தாக கிடைத்த தக வ லின் பேரில் அரி ய லூர் சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் களை மளிகை கடை கள் மற் றும் சூப் பர் மார்க் கெட் டு க ளில் ஆய்வு செய்து கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை பறி மு தல் செய்ய உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் என 13 குழுக் க ளாக பிரிந்து ஒரே நேரத் தில் நக ரில் உள்ள நூற் றுக் கும் மேற் பட்ட கடை க ளில் ஆய்வு செய் த னர். இதில் உற் பத்தி மற் றும் கால வா தி யா கும் தேதி குறிப் பி டா மல் விற் ப னைக்கு வைத் தி ருந்த உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருள் பாக் கெட் டு கள், தடை செய் யப் பட்ட வெளி நாட்டு சாக் லெட் டு கள் மற் றும் தமி ழக அர சால் தடை செய் யப் பட்ட புகை யிலை பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யின்றி விற் ப னைக் காக வைக் கப் பட் டி ருந்த வெடி பொருட் கள் உள் ளிட்ட ரூ.2 லட் சம் மதிப் பி லான பொருட் களை உணவு பொருள் பாது காப்பு அலு வ லர் கள் பறி மு தல் செய் த னர்.
மேலும் கால வா தி யான உணவு பொருட் களை விற் பனை செய் யக் கூடாது என கடை உரி மை யா ளர் க ளுக்கு உத் த ர விட் ட னர். பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை பார் வை யிட்ட சார் ஆட் சி யர் சந் தி ர சே க ர சா க மூரி அனைத்து பொருட் க ளை யும் அழிக்க உத் த ர விட் டார். இத னை ய டுத்து பறி மு தல் செய் யப் பட்ட உணவு பொருட் களை நக ராட்சி துப் பு ரவு பணி யா ளர் கள் லாரி க ளில் ஏற் றிச் சென்று அழித் த னர். இந்த ஆய் வில் உணவு பாது காப் புத் துறை அலு வ லர் செல் வ ராஜ் மற் றும் வரு வாய்த் துறை, ஊரக வளர்ச் சித் துறை, நக ராட்சி ஊழி யர் கள் என 65 பேர் பணி யில் ஈடு பட் ட னர். அப் போது தடை செய் யப் பட்ட பொருட் கள் மற் றும் காலா வதி பொருட் கள், அனு ம தி யில் லாத பொருட் கள் ஆகி ய வற்றை வணிக நிறு வ னங் க ளில் விற் பனை செய் வ தற்கு தடை செய் யப் பட் டுள் ளது. இது போன்று தொடர்ந்து ஆய்வு நடத் தப் ப டும் போது பொருட் கள் இருப் பது கண் ட றிந் தால் அவர் கள் மீது உரிய நட வ டிக்கை எடுக் கப் ப டும் என எச் ச ரிக்கை செய் த னர்.

கோட்டார் சவேரியார் ஆலய விழா மிட்டாய் கடைகளில் அதிகாரிகள் சோதனை


நாகர் கோ வில், டிச. 2:
கோட் டார் சவே ரி யார் ஆலய திரு விழா கடந்த 24ம் தேதி தொடங்கி நடந்து வரு கி றது. திரு விழா வை யொட்டி 100க்கும் மேற் பட்ட தற் கா லிக கடை கள் அமைக் கப் பட் டுள் ளன.
இதில் சுமார் 50க்கும் மேற் பட்ட மிட் டாய் கடை க ளும் இடம் பெற் றுள் ளன. நேற்று மாவட்ட உணவு பாது காப் பு துறை அதி காரி சாலோ டீ சன் தலை மை யில் நாகர் கோ வில் நகர உணவு பாது காப்பு துறை அதி கா ரி கள் குமார பாண் டி யன், சங் கர பாண் டி யன், மற் றும் அதி கா ரி கள் முரு கே சன், பிர வின் ஆகி யோர் தற் கா லிக மிட் டாய் கடை க ளில் சோதனை நடத் தி னர்.
இதில் கெட் டு போன மற் றும் உண் ப தற்கு தகு தி யற்ற மிட் டாய் களை தரை யில் கொட்டி அழித் த னர். மேலும் அந்த பகு தி யில் உள்ள ஒரு மளிகை கடை மற்றும் 2 ஓட் டல் க ளிலும் அதிகா ரி கள் சோதனை நடத் தி னர்.

Food Safety – A collaborative effort of Government and Industry partners

Confederation of Indian Industry as a part of its capacity building initiatives had organized the 10th National Food Safety and Quality Summit. Science plays a vital role in making Food Safety System more effective, transparent, accountable and trustworthy. New science-based approaches to food safety provide an effective way for governments to protect consumers against food-borne diseases.
Mr Bhanu Pratap Sharma, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare emphasised that a multi-sectoral approach with involvement of all stakeholders in PPP model would result in effective implementation across the supply chain. It was important to include the entire value chain starting from agriculture, processing, transportation and end consumption. The FSSA compared to PFA regime has brought in the concept of self-regulation, scientific approaches to risk assessments. FSSAI has been currently focussing on release of various standards and around 80% will be released during December 2015, however some speciality foods will require product approval. He stated that the capacity of FSSAI lab infrastructure in terms of manpower and their skills , needed improvement and suggested issuance of appropriate SOPs to ensure transparency and effective enforcement.
Mr. Jagdish Prasad Meena, IAS., Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industry mentioned that food processing sector is on a growth path and has an immense potential for generating employment, alleviating agriculture economy, raising farmer incomes and creating export earnings. He further stressed that Industry can take the responsibility of creating awareness on difference in the nutritional value of fresh and processed food. He also emphasized the importance of backward integration for better traceability of primary produce to ensure food safety.
Dr V Prakash Distinguished Scientist of CSIR – INDIA & Hon. Director of Research, INNOVATION and Development, at JSS – MVP & Chair, Scientific Panel on Nutraceuticals, Nutritionals, Functional Foods and Dietary Supplements, FSSAI, Govt. of India emphasized the three key words food, safety and quality and mentioned that while safety is a regulatory concern, quality is a consumer concern. He mentioned that nearly 72% of the produce gets processed minimally whereas only 2 % is packaged. He suggested the regulation has to be dynamic in the larger interest of consumers and the food safety. He stated that the product approvals should be based on the ingredient approval just like any other country. He commented that the regulation should be flexible, adaptable, affordable and one which involves innovations of healthy and nutritional food. He emphasized that the onus of implementation of Food Safety is on the Industry and the government only plays the role of monitoring.
Mr Piruz Khambatta, Chairman, CII National Committee on Food Processing & Chairman & Managing Director, Rasna Ltd. highlighted how food processing can catalyse growth and the importance of food safety in the food processing sector. He highlighted the work being undertaken by CII national committee of food processing like creating a robust infrastructure, enabling regulatory framework, focussed fiscal environment, skill development and promote Made in India brand. He briefed on the various capacity building initiatives of CII including National Food Safety and Quality Summit, National Food Safety Awards program and most recently Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan, a National Campaign on safe food in line with “Jago Grahak Jago”, in partnership with Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Body VOICE, NASVI and industry partner Cargill. This campaign is also aligned to the countrywide mission “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”
Mr Ravi Mathur, Chairman, CII Expert Group on Food Safety & Quality & CEO, GS1 India emphasized the importance of traceability domestically and internationally to ensure food safety. He quoted the example of Grapenet by APEDA which increased exports of grapes by 25%.
Other eminent speakers included Dr. Mathew T. Thomas, Director, USFDA – India Office, Mr. Dean Rugnetta, Deputy Director, USFDA- India Office, Mr Patrik Jonasson, Director – Public Policy International, GS1 and Mr. John Figgins, Technical Specialist for Food, BRC Global Standards
More than 200 Food Safety & Quality professionals and more than 50 speakers of national and international repute gathered for the Annual Flagship event supported by the Industry partners to discuss the various ways through which Food Safety and Quality can be improved in the Food Chain. This 2 -day event focussed on deliberation on Food Safety Regulatory regimes, framing and implementing food safety standards and scientific approaches to risk assessment. This Summit will serve as a platform for sharing Capacity Building Initiatives and insights of other countries and sharing of views about current food safety and quality trends while providing extensive networking opportunities with industry peers and domain experts.

7 outlets found selling substandard, unhygienic food in Srinagar

Rs 1.52 lakh fine imposed on operators
Food safety officials reluctant to publicize name of brands, shops
The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday imposed a fine of Rs 1.52 lakh on seven food outlets in summer capital for selling sub-standard food articles and processing of food items under insanitary conditions.
Officials said the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Nazir Ahmad Baba has imposed a fine of Rs 152000 on seven food business operators for violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.
“The offences include selling/ manufacturing sub-standard food articles and processing of food items in insanitary conditions,” they said.
The team of Food Safety Officers, headed by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir also inspected various restaurants in Lalchowk and Dalgate areas.
“During the inspection many restaurants and bakery shops were found using synthetic colours in many popular food items including chicken and mutton preparations,” Mir told Rising Kashmir.
He said more than one quintal of such preparations were destroyed on spot and the owners were warned to desist from such kind of malpractices in future.
“If we found them indulging in any such activity we will take strict action against them under relevant provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act,” he said.
When asked about the names of food outlets and brands, every official was reluctant to share the details.
“It doesn’t look good. Their offense is not so grave that we will publicize their names in the media,” said Mir.
Similar were the comments by the concerned Food Safety Officers. “I don’t think we need to name the business operators. I’m not authorized also to speak on the issue,” said Shabir Ahmad Lone, a Food Safety Officer.

Stop Illegal Slaughter


‘Walking down the local market, I see a chicken pecking on the wire mesh of his cage. Stuck there with 7 other birds, barely moving, he seems to be breathing heavily. His feathers, plucked out by the other birds leave his skin bare, vulnerable to bloody wounds due to rubbing against the mesh. He has some trouble balancing his weight, curious, I venture forth to take a closer look – the stench of fecal matter all around is nauseating,there’s no food or water, and the gouging eyes show a lifetime of pain and suffering – almost awaiting a quick death through this journey of hell.’
Rucha Mehta, Campaigner, Jaipur Chicken Shop Campaigner
 
FIAPO advocates and works to end animal exploitation – and the largest number of animals impacted are those raised for food. While we reach out to the public to go vegan, we also actively work with enforcement agencies to provide better protection to animals in current systems of production.
The chicken shop campaign was set up with the view of providing some respite to these animals living in cramped conditions.An investigation of the meat shops of Jaipur revealed deplorable conditions, with food, water, shelter all being denied to animals.
Today, only 5 months later, the farm animals of Jaipur fare much better. In this time, we have covered 8 areas of Jaipur, inspecting and regulating 88 meat and chicken shops, leading to the destruction of meat and the rescue of several animals. Continuous follow ups have meant permanent change, and activities such as illegal slaughter have now completely stopped.
Overall, this has impacted the lives of hundreds of animals on a daily basis.
What’s the Strategy?
The campaign works in tandem with local regulatory authorities and animal protectionists to enforce existing laws, spread awareness and take action to prevent illegal slaughter.
Tangible Change Achieved
While in its’ pilot phase, our efforts were geared at working with various authorities ranging from the Municipal Corporation, the Police, the Pollution Control Board, as well as the Food Safety and Standards Authority. After 6 months of inspection and research, we have safely concluded that working with the Food Safety authority officers in tandem with reaching out to people has helped bring about long term sustainable change for farmed animals, especially chickens in Jaipur.

Expanding our Work
Presented as a successful example of an institutional campaign during the National Living Free Bootcamp – the campaign sought an instant buy-in from enthusiastic activists across India.
Piloting the campaign is Jaipur also gave us the blueprint for the path to follow and we are now looking forward to launching the campaign across India! To begin with, we will be launching the campaign in Chennai and Coimbatore – all with the help and support of our young brigade of activists.