Aug 11, 2016

Pesticides in food

Nurturing healthy dietary habits among young adults is considered to be very important as this is the critical period of their growth and development. It is often advised that college students should stay away from fast foods that have high amounts of salts, sugars and trans-fatty acids. Nutritionists advocate that fruits and vegetables should form an important component of the diet as these are rich in various substances and contain minerals, fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants. These are also referredto as nature’s fast foodsas these can be grabbed anytime and are portable tocarry and eat. However, in the last few years reports are coming that many of these fruits and vegetables considered safe and good for health are actually laden with pesticides and harmful toxic chemicals. Studies conducted by national laboratories and independent private institutes have found that there is an alarming percentage of pesticide residues in the fruits and vegetables. The concentration found is much above the permissible limits prescribed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
According to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Delhi, high levels of pesticide residue are present in milk as well as fruitjuices available in the market. KeralaAgricultural University (KAU) reported dangerous levels of pesticide residues in cauliflower, cabbage, curry leaves, green chillies and red onions. Apple, the legendary health food, has been found to contain pesticides such as Bavastin and Dichlrovas. Banana has been found to be contaminated with Chlorodane 45% above the FAO (Food and Agricultural University)safe limits. Besides that vegetables such as okra, cauliflower, spinach and other vegetables growing along the Yamuna banks in Delhi and adjacent vegetablefarms in National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) are also reported to be highly contaminated with pesticide residues of cypermethrin, heptachlor and malathion.Acephate, bifenthrin, acetamiprid, triazofos, metalaxyl, acetamiprid, carbosulfan, profenofos and hexaconazole, among others, have been also been detected in many of the samples collected in various parts of Delhi and NCR. It has also been found that vegetable growers that claim to use organic farming practices also use some pesticides that can have harmful effects on human health. The studies conducted by CSE have also found that various fruit samples especially apples sold in markets are heavily laden with pesticides. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu recommended 19 pesticides forapple, of which two pesticides Benomyl,and Imidacloprid were not registered by CIBRC (Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee).
Epidemiological and laboratory studies have clearly demonstrated the pesticide exposure can cause adverse health effects. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pesticides have active ingredients that are potential human carcinogens. Besides that Hodgkins disease, multiple myelonema, leukaemia and skin cancer can be caused by excessive use of DDT, organo chlorine containing pesticides and endosulphan. Some pesticides have high residence time in the environment and damage the nervous system. People exposed experience psychiatric and neurological problems such as agitation, irritation, weakness, forgetfulness and depression. Workers who are in constant contact with the pesticides also show poor performance, motor skills and loss of memory. Compromise of immune response in a person exposed to pesticides is also observed.
Students and young adults are more susceptible because of the varied diet they consume including milk and juices. Besides, this age group is more energetic and have high rate of breathing and spend more time outdoors due to which they are more likely to show negative health effects. It is therefore essential for the young generation to be more aware of this pesticide menace and follow certain precautionary measures. It is also important that our food basket should include diverse food stuffs so that there is no accumulation and magnification of a particular chemical pesticide in the body. These things will serve a long way in protecting the younger generation from these deadly toxins.
(The author is a faculty at Hansraj College, University of Delhi)

DINAMALAR NEWS


DINAKARAN NEWS


DINAKARAN NEWS


Energy drink Red Bull found ‘unsafe’

Meerut: With caffeine levels higher than the permissible limit found in a sample of energy drink Red Bull, a team of Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) based in Meerut declared the drink "unsafe" for consumption. The team had taken a sample of the drink from Best Price store, owned by Walmart India, six months ago and the laboratory report, which arrived on Tuesday, found the drink "unsafe".
The FSDA team has seized the entire stock of Red Bull from the store, numbering 1,572 cans, including 972 cans of 250 ml capacity each and 600 cans of 350 ml capacity each, on Tuesday afternoon.
"We had collected a sample of Red Bull from Best Price shop in Meerut six months ago and sent it to the Lucknow laboratory for checking, where it was found 'misbranded' and 'misleading'. The report was challenged by Red Bull and samples were further sent to the Kolkata laboratory - the referral lab. The report that arrived on Tuesday from Kolkata found that besides 'misbranding' and 'misleading', the caffeine levels in the drink were higher than the permissible limits and was thus declared as 'unsafe'," said JP Singh, chief food safety officer.
The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011, allows a limit of 145 parts per million (ppm) of caffeine in carbonated beverages, but 'energy' drink manufacturers have a cap of 320 ppm. The lab test of Red Bull samples found 382 ppm caffeine in the drink.
"We have seized 972 cans of 250 ml capacity each and 600 cans of 350 ml capacity each worth Rs 1.83 lakh from Best Price store. Also, two samples each of the 250 ml can and 350 ml can have been sent to the Lucknow-based laboratory again. We will intensify our drive and seize the entire stock of the drink from Meerut district," said Singh.
Meanwhile, another sample of Red Bull can was collected from Easy Day outlet on Garh Road.
Red Bull, in an official statement to TOI, said, "Red Bull energy drink is in compliance with all local food safety regulation standards. It is available in more than 166 countries and fully complies with regulations from the authorities in India and wherever it is on sale."

Govt conducting study to find if plastic food packaging is harmful

The government is conducting a study to ascertain whether the use of plastic for packaging food has any harmful impact on human health, Union health minister JP Nadda told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
He, however, said there is no harm if plastics are used as per the standards laid down by the regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI).
“There are various theories about it (plastic). We have not reached any conclusion. The study is still going on. If plastics are used within a level, then there is no danger,” Nadda said during the Question Hour.
There are different types of packaging — paper, tin, plastics and glass. Globally, 42% of packaging is done in plastics as they are temper-proof and there are less chances of adulteration, the minister said.
FSSAI has laid down 10 standards for use of plastics in packaging of food products. If the quality of plastic is as per the FSSAI standards, then there is no problem, Nadda said.
To a suggestion on banning plastic for packaging medicines, the minister said “there is no such plan”.
“If the quality of plastic is below the standards, then there is no problem,” he said.

Mechanism to test fast food

As per information provided by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the term ‘fast food ‘is not defined under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations made thereunder.
The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 primarily rests with State/UT Governments. Random Samples of food items are being drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and sent to the laboratories recognised by FSSAI for analysis. In cases where the samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, recourse is taken to the provisions for penal action against the offenders under Chapter IX of the FSS Act
FSSAI is operating food import clearance facilities at six locations viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin and Tuticorin. The imported food consignments referred to FSSAI for clearance by the Custom Authorities are subjected to inspection and sampling by Authorised Officers of FSSAI. The samples so collected are subjected to testing at notified food laboratories as per the parameters laid down in the various FSS Regulations, 2011 for safety aspects. Based on the laboratory reports, NOC (No Objection Certificate) or NCC (Non Conformance Certificate) is issued for the consignments.
The materials imported for the preparation of products sold under Fast Food Business include:
a) Food ingredients: Paste, puree, sauces, spices, seasoning mixes, pasta, noodles, vegetable extract powders, batter mix, edible oils and fats, frozen vegetables, etc.
b) Food Additives: Emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickening agents, flavours, humectants, leavening agents, colours, preservatives, antifoaming agents, sequestering agents and buffering agents, etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Study on to ascertain whether plastic food packaging harmful

Government is conducting a study to ascertain whether the use of plastics for food packaging has any harmful impact on human health, Health Minister J P Nadda said today. He, however, said there is no harm if plastics are used as per the standards laid down by the regulator Food Safety and Standards 
Government is conducting a study to ascertain whether the use of plastics for food packaging has any harmful impact on human health, Health Minister J P Nadda said today.
He, however, said there is no harm if plastics are used as per the standards laid down by the regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI).
“There are various theories about it (plastics). We have not reached any conclusion. The study is still going on. If plastics are used within a level, then there is no danger,” Nadda said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
Normally, there are types of packaging — paper, tin, plastics and glass. Globally, 42 per cent of packaging is done in plastics as they are temper-proof and there are less chances of adulteration, he said.
FSSAI has laid down 10 standards for use of plastics in packaging of food products. If quality of plastics is as per the FSSAI standards, then there is no problem, Nadda said.
To a suggestion on banning plastics for packaging medicines, the Minister said “there is no such plan.” If the quality of plastics is below the stanards, then there is no problem, he said, adding that a committee has submitted a report on this issue. “We are considering it,” he said.
On another query on banning use of plastics to serve hot tea, the Minister said “This comes under the Environment Ministry. They give specifications and each state have to notify accordingly.”

FSO team carried out special drive, fined 13 Food Business Operators

Port Blair, Aug 09: A team of Food Safety Officers under the guidance of District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman carried out a special drive at Sunday Market, Junglighat on 07/08/2016, wherein 13 Food Business Operators were fined for violation of Section 26(2),(iii), (v) and 26(3)of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
A sum of Rs. 13000/- (Rupees Thirteen Thousand Only) is realized as fine for violation of the Offence committed by them. Meanwhile, during the drive approximately 200 Kg of substandard ripened Mangoes, 30 Kg of Oranges and 20 Kg of Pumpkins were seized from the Food Business Operator and destroyed after following all formalities.

Telangana Govt. To Act Tough Against Milk Adulterators

Hyderabad: Following the directives given by Supreme Court, Telangana government is going to treat milk adulteration as a non-bailable offense giving life term as the maximum punishment to the offenders.
IPM officials said that the state government can implement Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with maximum punishment of three months, while under section 59, Centre’s Food Safety and Standards Authority Act prescribes jail term of seven years and maximum of life term along with a fine of Rs 10 lakh in cases where the person has died due to adulteration. Meanwhile, where it doesn’t lead to injury, punishment given is six months jail term along with Rs 1 lakh fine
Following directions from the apex court, the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) have been asked to send proposals for stringent punishment to milk adulterators .
IPM officials said that the state government can implement Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with maximum punishment of three months, while under section 59, Centre’s Food Safety and Standards Authority Act prescribes jail term of seven years and maximum of life term along with a fine of Rs 10 lakh in cases where the person has died due to adulteration. Meanwhile, where it doesn’t lead to injury, punishment given is six months jail term along with Rs 1 lakh fine.
It may be recalled that few months ago police busted milk adulteration racket in Ghatkesar and Special Operations Team, Malkajgiri arrested a milk vendor in Neredmet on charges of adulteration of milk.

DINAMALAR NEWS