Aug 31, 2017
Food safety in city, a myth
It’s a precarious position with only three food inspectors for 30 circles
When Bobbili Kiran Goud, a customer to a high profile restaurant complained about finding an insect in the food to the GHMC Food Safety wing, the answer he received was bemusing. The official concerned replied that he was busy at the moment, and could inspect the food joint only after two days.
In fact, the corporation officials who are to monitor food standards have their hands too busy and overflowing with work to take prompt action as soon as the complaint is received.
For the 30 circles in five zones of the corporation, there are only three food inspectors, and one among them is burdened with multiple responsibilities. This leaves food safety in numerous joints, hotels, restaurants and hospitals in a precarious position. “I have to handle cases pertaining to three zones and within 47 police station areas. Is it humanly possible to conduct field inspections in such wide geographical range ?” an official questions. Apart from ensuring food safety, the officials are also laden with additional responsibilities of attending court cases and RTI queries.
A deputy food controller has been appointed on deputation from Institute of Preventive Medicine to handle two more zones. Nevertheless, the official admits that food served by many restaurants and food joints does not match up to the standards, and at quite a few places, the conditions are “appalling”. It has been more than three months since the Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has sanctioned 26 posts of Food Inspectors, among the total 226 posts which received the nod.
However, the notification for filling up the posts has not been issued so far by the Telangana State Public Service Commission which is the recruiting authority. “After the notification is issued, it will take a minimum of eight to nine months for the recruitment process to be completed. After that, training of the candidates will take a few more months,” says the official.
The file pertaining to recruitments has reportedly been already sent to the TSPSC by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department.
Adulterated ghee floods market
Vijayawada: Ghee, an essential commodity in every household, is now available with imitation brands in adulterated form in the market. The consumers will find it adulated only when aroma of original ghee lacked when the pack is opened.According to an official of Task Force police, the adulteration was going on everywhere, especially in the capital city. Recently, they seized a unit in Nuzvid while raided another outlet in Satyanarayanapuram.
Highlights:
According to an official of Task Force police, the adulteration is going on everywhere, especially in the capital city.
Recently, they seized a unit in Nuzvid while raided another outlet at Satyanarayanapuram in the city
Makers of adulterated ghee use palmolein and vanaspati to prepare it. The mix also contains about 15 per cent original ghee to impress the customerThe makers of adulterated ghee use palmolein and vanaspati to prepare it. The mix also contains about 15 per cent original ghee to impress the customer.Many outlets in the city also sell the adulterated ghee, along with popular brands. The makers have their own packing units and the packets resemble original popular brands. The minor changes in its name are visible only when consumer carefully examines it.
The font of the brand name and appearance of the adulterated ghee is difficult to separate it from original ghee packets. Such was the imitation that is yielding easy money for the adulterators.
Food Safety officials seized lables of about 20 reputed ghee brands during a raid on ghee-making unit at Purnanandampet. They seized 10 kgs of adulterated ghee, five tins of palmolein and one tin of vanaspati.
Three days ago, Ibrahimpatnam police seized 5,000 kg of palmolein to be used for preparation of adulterated ghee while being transported from Vijayawada to Hyderabad. A Srikakulam-based firm purchased the raw material for ghee-making from a Vijayawada firm.
These were only a few examples to know how the adulterated ghee-makers mushrooming everywhere by operating from the capital. Though the police and food officials have been seizing suspicious stocks of adulterated ghee, the ghee-makers have been successfully flooding the market with fake brands.
“The adulterated ghee makers have been supplying the fake brands to kirana shops run in slum localities and other towns to avoid problem from the consumers. As the labels have wrong address, the consumers, who observed the adulteration, are not able to do anything about the product except arguing with the supplier, who also gets a huge margin on the sales,” said an official.
‘Expired’ milk products seized in raid
In a joint raid by Vigilance and Enforcement Department, Food Safety wing of GVMC and Civil Supplies, the officials seized milk products that had crossed the expiry dates, here on Wednesday.
The officials, raided the premises of P. Suryakumari Agencies located in VUDA Colony at Madhavadhara and seized the products and took its owner Ganesh Kumar into custody.
According to DSP of Vigilance and Enforcement Department CM Naidu, the accused was running the store and two godowns without a valid licence. It was an unauthorised store and the expiry dates of some of the products especially milk products such as ghee, milk biscuits, milk chocolates and skimmed milk had lapsed, said Mr. Naidu.
The raid was led by Superintendent of Police of Vigilance and Enforcement Department D. Koteswara Rao.
Do not allow illegal slaughter of cattle on Bakrid, state governments told
THRISSUR: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a directive to all state governments asking the latter not to allow illegal slaughter of cattle in their respective states on Bakrid.
AWBI secretary M Ravikumarhas issued the directive to chief secretaries, director generals of police and directors of animal husbandary departments of all states.
The directive also says that camels cannot be slaughtered for food. "Also, slaughtering of cows should not be allowed in states where the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act is in force," the directive added.
When contacted Ravikumar, said there is no ban on slaughtering of animals whose meats are commonly used as food. But the slaughtering must be undertaken in approved slaughterhouses, and not in public places as is being done in several places.
Also, animals can be slaughtered only for food and not for religious sacrifices. Only approved meth ods could be used for slaughtering, Ravikumar clarified.
He said as per the rules a pregnant animal or an animal with an offspring which is less than threemonthsold cannot be slaughtered.
This directive is issued to prompt the state authorities to take proactive actions to avert animal cruelty,'' said Ravikumar.
He appealed to the state authorities to take punitive actions against the violators by invoking the animal welfare laws like the Prevention of Cruelty Towards Animals Act, rules regarding transportation of animal and slaughter houses, municipal rules and the directions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Food Safety officials seizes huge quantity of Contraband tobacco products
Apart from this, today all the seized contraband tobacco products have been properly destroyed by burning at Brookshabad dumping yard by the Food Safety Officials.
The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the travelers who are travelling from mainland to Port Blair by Air or by Ship should not carry the contraband tobacco products with them and also warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband tobacco products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.
All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
Choose your health supplement with care
Fitness today is a far more integral part of daily life than ever before.
We all want toned bodies, firm muscles, right weight and an appealing appearance. For that we do extensive workouts. Working out burns up calories and we need supplements to make up for the energy loss and to avoid exhaustion. A good supplement ensures that you get adequate and measurable essential nutrients. Sportspersons and athletes, especially, need supplements for stamina and post-workout recovery.
There are a number of supplements in the market. But you need to read the label carefully.
Here's what, according to Manpreet Kaur, nutritionist at Proquest Nutrition, one should look out for and what you should guard against, while picking up nutritional supplements.
Look out for:
1) Nutritional supplements help athletes meet their increased protein requirement. Intensive training endurance athletes, athletes trying to gain muscle mass and strength athletes all need high-protein supplements in the initial stages of training. Even though the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends that it is best for athletes to get their protein requirements from their diet, it is not always possible, so supplements are a practical and convenient way to meet the demand. Supplements with whey and casein protein, because of their "high protein digestibility, corrected amino acid score and ability to increase muscle protein mass, meet athletes' post-workout needs.
2) Creatine, in the supplement, aids muscle performance Protein supplements usually contain creatine. Creatine is said to improve strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help the muscles recover quickly after exercise. The European Food Safety Authority reports that, for high intensity workout, athletes who consume 3g of creatine everyday achieve "an increase in physical performance during short-term, high intensity and repeated exercise bouts".
3) Branched chain amino acids promote muscle protein synthesis. Studies have shown that branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in nutritional supplements improve recovery and exercise performance during intense workout. BCAAs are three amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine and valine -- with similar structures that beneficially influence the muscles. They help to promote muscle protein synthesis and minimise muscle protein breakdown without putting any substantial calorie load.
# Guard against:
1) Health risks: Consuming too much protein in nutritional supplements over a period of time can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, cause kidney stones and worsen existing kidney problems. Other side-effects includes: dehydration, constipation, increased bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating, reduced appetite, fatigue and interaction with medication.
2) Not always nutritionally balanced: Protein shakes are often marketed as meal replacements. However, not all of these are nutritionally balanced; excess intake of protein could also lead to nutritional imbalance and harm your digestive system.
3) May contain harmful substances: Many of us take supplements not just to make up for what's lacking in our diet, but also to give ourselves an extra health boost. But, some supplements may contain harmful ingredients which can be detrimental to health. Steroids, stimulants and hormones, sometimes included in some supplements, can result in kidney failure, seizure or heart problems.
Read the label carefully. Pick a reputed brand - one that's safe and provides optimum nutrients for maximum performance!
Market checking squad realizes Rs 15,500 fine
POONCH: A joint team of different law enforcing agencies headed by ADDC, Abdul Hamied with members including Tehsildar Haveli, Jahngeer Khan, AD FSC&CA, Ranjeet Singh and Executive Officer of Municipal Committee, Irshad Ahamad Sofi , SHO Poonch city, Mohammad Ameen, Food Safety Officer, Javid Choudhary, AC Legal Metrology, Pushker Raj conducted market checking of various business establishments & places & punished the violators under relevant laws.
The basic purpose of the drive was to remove encroachments, keep a check on prices and quality of essential commodities including vegetables, fruits, meat and chicken during Eidul-Azha days.
The team of officers conducted comprehensive checking in various localities of Poonch against violators of law. The erring shopkeepers were booked for different violations like non display of rate lists, use of unauthorized weighing scales, non display Legal Metrology Certificates, sale of packaged goods without declaration, overcharging, use of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes, unstamped meat and unverified weighing scale.
A total of Rs 15500 fine was realized from the defaulters under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Essential Commodities Act. Moreover rotten vegetables and fruits were also destroyed on the spot.
Aug 30, 2017
Insect in food infuriates customer
Complaint on social media to GHMC
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Tuesday received a complaint on unhygienic food being served in a high profile restaurant, from a customer who complained of finding a live insect in the ‘biryani’ being served by the hotel.
The customer, B.Kiran Goud, reportedly visited the restaurant ‘Ulavacharu’ in Jubilee Hills, along with his relative Shankar Goud on Tuesday afternoon and ordered for biryani along with mutton fry.
Recorded
“During second serving, we noticed that a live insect crawled out of the biryani, even as the captain who was serving us tried to remove it. We photographed and videographed it, so that we could prove our claim. Despite long wait, nobody from the restaurant turned up, and a captain-rank employee answered carelessly when questioned,” complained Mr.Kiran Goud.
They lodged a complaint with the Food Safety Wing of the GHMC by posting the images through social media application.
Complaint received
“We have received a complaint about unhygienic food, and will inspect the restaurant in a couple of days,” said in-charge Assistant Food Controller of the civic body Sudarshan Reddy.
When sought his version, owner of the upmarket restaurant Vijay Reddy refuted the customer’s charges and said that it was an attempt to malign the name of the restaurant.
Police raids hotels to check food adulteration
Personnel of the Commissioner’s Task Force cracked a whip against the persons involved in the preparation of adulterated food items like ice-creams and pickles in various parts of the town on Tuesday.
The Task Force police raided a popular hotel Shivas Biryani House and seized huge quantity of rotten and contaminated non-vegetarian food items - mutton and chicken and other materials used for preparation of biryani. The authorities seized the samples and sent them to food safety testing laboratory in Hyderabad and registered case against the hotel owner.
The police also raided ‘Quality Fun’ company in Ramnagar locality for the manufacture of adulterated ice-creams with cheap quality material for earning profits.
They also raided a house in Kothirampur locality and destroyed 5,000 kilograms of fungus infected pickles. The raids were conducted by Task Force Inspector Ghouse Baba, SIs Kiran, Santosh and Nagaraju, Food Inspector Amrutha Sri and others
Officials inspect hotel after finding lizard in vada
Officials attached to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) carried out inspection at a hotel in Thoothukudi, on Monday, after a lizard was found in a vada served in the hotel recently.
Lizard that was found in a vada in a hotel in Thoothukudi recently
Madurai:
The incident happened on Saturday night when one of the customers while eating a vada in the hotel, situated near Thoothukudi South Police station, found a lizard in it. Immediately, he raised the issue with the hotel management. The authorities immediately apologised to the customer.
The customer warned them that such carelessness can also cause death. Following that there was a minor tension at the hotel and vadas were not supplied to customers that night.
However, the issue was brought to the notice of the officials attached to FSSAI and a team headed by Thanga Vignesh, designated officer, FSSAI Thoothukudi district, carried out an inspection at the hotel. The officials found many irregularities during the inspection at the food outlet.
Speaking to DTNEXT, Thanga Vignesh said that while his team was carrying out inspection, the owner of the hotel accepted his mistake and said it a totally unexpected incident. “Never has such a thing happened before in our hotel,” said the owner.
However, the officials completed the inspection and seized the flour that was used to make the vadas. They sent it as a sample for further tests in the lab.
The FSSAI team also detected more lapses in the hygiene in the kitchen. The owner was directed to maintain better hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen. According to the powers vested on them they had served a legal notice. Further action will be initiated against the hotel and the owner based on the results of the lab test, said Thanga Vignesh.
Surprise raids by Food safety team; Contraband tobacco products seized from various parts of city
Port Blair Aug 29: Continuing the strict action against illegal sale of contraband tobacco products, on 29/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Dairyfarm, Haddo, Junglighat, Bathu Basti, Garacharma, Aberdeen village wherein large quantities of contraband tobacco products were seized from Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Shri. K. Kannan, R/o Austinabad, Smti. Janakiamma, R/o Haddo, Smti. Panchavarnam, R/o Garacharma, Smti. T. Adilaxmi, R/o Garacharma, Shri. R.N. Bhakta, R/o Garacharma and Smti. Jagadeshwari, R/o Dairyfarm.
In another cases, Shri. B. Jeevan, R/o Haddo caught red handed with 485 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Veer Savarkar International, Airport, Port Blair with the help of SB, CID, Port Blair and Shri. Mohmmed Firdose, R/o Round Basthi caught red handed by the Food Safety Officer with 80 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Marina Park, Port Blair.
All the contraband tobacco items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 30 premises have been sealed for the violation.
The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the travelers who are travelling from mainland to Port Blair by Air or by Ship should not carry the contraband tobacco products with them and also warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband tobacco products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.
All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
This is regarding continuing the strict action against illegal sale of contraband tobacco products, on 29/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Dairyfarm, Haddo, Junglighat, Bathu Basti, Garacharma, Aberdeen village wherein large quantities of contraband tobacco products were seized from Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Shri. K. Kannan, R/o Austinabad, Smti. Janakiamma, R/o Haddo, Smti. Panchavarnam, R/o Garacharma, Smti. T. Adilaxmi, R/o Garacharma, Shri. R.N. Bhakta, R/o Garacharma and Smti. Jagadeshwari, R/o Dairyfarm.
In another cases, Shri. B. Jeevan, R/o Haddo caught red handed with 485 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Veer Savarkar International, Airport, Port Blair with the help of SB, CID, Port Blair and Shri. Mohmmed Firdose, R/o Round Basthi caught red handed by the Food Safety Officer with 80 pouches of Baghban 69 brand tobacco (each 40 gram) at Marina Park, Port Blair.
All the contraband tobacco items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 30 premises have been sealed for the violation.
The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the travelers who are travelling from mainland to Port Blair by Air or by Ship should not carry the contraband tobacco products with them and also warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband tobacco products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.
All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
FSDA raids synthetic milk factory; 2 held
AGRA: A special squad of Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) on Tuesday raided a synthetic milk factory in Tundla near Bansidhar Degree Collegeand seized thousands of litres of spurious milk from the spot. Hydrogen peroxide and several other unidentified chemical adulterants were also found from there.
Earlier, FSDA had uncovered a major synthetic milk racket in which the accused were working in connivance with officials from the department and were using adulterants like hydrogen peroxide, detergent and urea for production. A team of FSDA, Agra district administration and police had conducted a raid at three houses in Kukhreliya village on May 25 this year and had seized adulterants in large quantities. The team had arrested a woman manufacturing synthetic milk and an FIR was registered against five people.
FSDA assistant commissioner Vineet Kumar, who headed Tuesday's raid, said, "We had got a tip-off regarding a synthetic milk factory being run in Tundla. Acting on that information, we formed a joint team of FSDA officials, Firozabad district administration and police, and raided the factory premises. The information was found to be true and we arrested two persons from the factory."
Now, free-of-cost milk testing facility
Collector S Natarajan launching the testing unit in Ramanathapuram.
Consumers can check quality of milk; available in the district till September 6
Close on the heels of the labour department installing a weighing machine for the public to check underweight, the district unit of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has made available an electronic milk adulteration testing (EMAT) unit to check the quality of milk.
Launching the facility at a special camp at the municipality here on Monday, Collector S Natarajan said consumers could check the quality of milk free of cost at the computerised automation machine. In case of adulteration, they could lodge complaints with the food cell officer. The District Revenue Officer, who is the adjudicating officer, would act on the complaints and initiate necessary action.
The district became the second in the State, after Madurai, to make the facility available to the general public. The machine would be available in the district till September 6, he said and appealed to the public to make the best of it. The consumers could give 300 ml of milk and test the solid, solid not fat (SNF), density, sucrose (sugar in milk) and other chemical substances, if any, in the milk.
Food safety officials would help them to match the quality of the milk they had purchased for their daily use with the prescribed parameters for fat, SNF, density and sucrose. All classes of cow and buffalo milk could be tested, Dr. M.J.C. Bose, district designated officer, Food Cell, said.
EMAT would be available for testing in Kilakarai (covering Thirupullani block) on Tuesday and Paramakudi (covering Bogalur and Nainarkoil blocks) on Wednesday.
On September 1, the machine would be available in Kamudhi for the benefit of people in Mudukulathur and Kadaladi blocks, and on September 4 in Rameswaram. On September 6, EMAT would be available in RS Mangalam before it would be taken to other districts, he said.
Aug 29, 2017
Midday Meal Authority asks FSDA to inspect food being served in schools
Meerut: In an attempt to check adulteration in food being served as midday meal to government school students, the Midday Meal (MDM) Authority has instructed the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) to inspect cooked meals in schools and take samples of the same to ensure that children are not served substandard food.
While FSDA is supposed to carry out these checks routinely, the fresh set instructions have been issued as some of the districts were found to be not complying with the set guidelines.
“FSDA has been instructed to take samples of cooked food prepared as midday meals to check its quality and submit a report to the task force formed for this purpose and also to the respective basic shiksha adhikaris,” read the order issued by Abdul Samad, director, Midday Meal Authority.
It should be noted that the state’s annual work plan submitted to the Centre also includes a report on the quality of midday meals prepared in government schools.
“All food safety officers are instructed to take samples of cooked meals from schools. These samples should be taken in a way that in one month at least 10 schools are covered. The report should be presented before the basic shiksha adhikari and the task force set up for this purpose,” read the order issued by Samad.
The letter further stated that food samples should be checked for adulterants and biological contamination.
Virendra Kumar, divisional midday meal coordinator, said, “The main problem with FSDA officials in Meerut is that though they take samples of food prepared in midday meals, their reports are delayed. For instance, the report of a sample of food that was taken in December has not arrived even till date.”
Tobacco sellers now use kids to sell banned gutkha
Police have deployed decoys to check illegal sale
Gone are the days when someone could buy a packet of gutkha or a packet of ‘maava’ (powedered tobbaco) easily. With police raids intensifying, regular stockists are now afraid to sell the banned substances in their shops. The sellers have now roped in school drop outs to sell the addictive substance for a higher price in some pockets of the city, say police sources.
So far this year since January 1, over 1.85 lakh gutkha packets worth nearly ₹70 lakh have been seized. Over 2,300 persons have been arrested in this regard. Out of this nearly 1.60 lakh gutkha packets were seized from June 19 to August 27, said a police source.
Apart from this, over 9,000 kg of ganja have been seized from the beginning of this year from people selling the banned tobacco products. “The sale through shops has completely stopped. But there are reports of individuals selling them in the black market,” sources add.
According to food safety officers, a packet of gutkha now costs around ₹40, while it was priced much lower earlier. They feel this indicates that the supply of gutkha has definitely reduced compared to the demand. “Now, the shop keepers purchase the banned tobacco products from Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border for normal price and then bring them in small quantity into the city,” said a food safety officer.
The gutkha is then put in smaller packets and then given to school dropouts in their locality. They stand near the shops and sell it to regular customers for a higher price. “The shop keeper earns up to ₹3,000 per day this way. Out of this, he gives a small percentage to the boys,” he added.
The police have now deployed decoys to check this illegal sale. “This is reported mostly in areas where there are migrant labourers. We have ensured that tobbaco is not sold near educational institutions,” explained a police officer. Food safety officers said that complaints of gutkha sale can be sent to their Whatsapp number 9444042322 or to the police control room 100.
More FBOs booked for sale of banned tobacco products
Port Blair, 28 Aug 2017
Continuing its crackdown on illegal sale of tobacco, a team of Food Safety Officials led by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman on Monday conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Ograbraj, Chouldari, Port Mout, Haddo, Austinabad, Nayagaon, Bathu Basti and Haddo wherein a large quantities of contraband products were seized from nine Food Business Operators (FBOs). All the nine FBOs premises were closed and sealed. The contraband items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 24 premises have been sealed for the violation.
The Commissioner Food Safety has warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection find any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses. The general public has been requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
High Court seeks updated info on accreditation of Food Testing Laboratories
Directs Govt To Appoint Full-Time Food Safety Commissioner Under FSS Act
The High Court on Monday directed the state government to inform it by September 23 about the accreditation of food testing labs with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar sought an updated status report on the authentication and accreditation of the two food testing labs - Public Health Lab Dalgate Srinagar and Public Health Lab Patoli Jammu.
The directions came after the court was informed that trainings have been started before applying for the accreditation under NABL and Dr Lalitha R Gowda, chief scientist (Retd), Central Food Technological Research Institute, has been engaged for consultation on authentication of food labs.
On July 18 this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had told the High Court that the two food testing labs in the state are not accredited with NABL, which is otherwise mandatory.
Before issuing directions, the court today heard at length senior advocate and Amicus curie Bashir Ahmad Bashir and also additional advocate general Muhammad Iqbal Dar.
Observing that though the charge of commissioner food safety is held by Pawan Kotwal, commissioner secretary Health and Medical Education, the court underscored that there should be, indispensably in place, a full time commissioner food safety under Food Safety and Standards Act.
This, the court said, after it was informed that the finance department has already cleared the proposal for creation of commissioner food safety post and full time commissioner would be appointed very soon.
The court also sought status report on appointment of food safety officers by September end, after it was apprised that state Services Selection Board has already conducted examination of the candidates who have applied for the post and the final selection list will be out by September 30.
Counsel, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Mehmood Pracha, today submitted before the court that till the equipments are placed in food testing laboratories, the food officers can be directed to check the labels of packaged food articles under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
“Till the functioning of labs and after the requisite equipments are installed, the food safety officers can check packaged food products and verify as to whether the labels are in accordance with Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Regulations) Act 2011.”
In case of any deviation, court said, appropriate action under the Act as also regulation be taken and sought status report by next hearing.
While the court was informed that Ashok Kumar Koul has been appointed as presiding officer for the food tribunal Jammu, it directed that support staff should be made available for the functioning of the tribunal in Srinagar also.
The court was also informed that the latest equipments have been installed in the food testing laboratory at Dalgate here and for complete installation it will take two to three days.
The court termed the status report filed by M I Dar as satisfactory.
Aug 28, 2017
'ஈ' மொய்க்கும் தின்பண்டங்களால் 'தீங்கு' உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை ஆய்வு அவசியம்
பள்ளி செல்லும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு பெற்றோர் காசு கொடுப்பதும், இடைவேளை நேரத்தில், பள்ளி முடிந்ததும் அருகே உள்ள கடைகளில் விற்கும் தின்பண்டங்களை வாங்கி சாப்பிடுவது வழக்கம். முன்பு பள்ளி அருகே உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில் நெல்லிக்காய், கொய்யா, மாங்காய், நாவல் பழம், இலந்தை பழம், பனங்கிழங்கு, பனியாரம், ஆரஞ்சு, கடலை மிட்டாய் என ஏதாவது ஒரு சத்தான தின்பண்டங்களை மாணவர்கள் வாங்கி சாப்பிடுவர். தரமானதாக, சுவையாக இருந்ததால் மாணவர்கள் போட்டி போட்டு வாங்கி சாப்பிட்டு உடல்நலத்தோடு இருந்தனர்.
லாபம் ஒன்றே குறிக்கோள்இன்று லாப நோக்கை மட்டும் கொண்ட வியாபாரிகளால், கிராமங்களில் உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில், அதிலும் அரசுப்பள்ளிகள் அருகே உள்ள பெட்டிகடைகளில் தான் தரமற்ற சாக்லெட்டுகள், மிக்ஸர், சிப்ஸ், பாக்கெட்டுகளில் அடைக்கப்பட்ட ஜூஸ், வறுக்கப்பட்ட பொருட்கள், செயற்கை முறையில் கலரூட்டப்பட்ட, பேக் செய்யப்பட்ட தின்பண்டங்கள் விற்கப்படுகிறது.
சில கடைக்காரர்கள் காலாவதியான மிட்டாய் மற்றும் தின்பண்டங்களை காசாக்கும் நோக்கில் மனிதாபிமானமற்ற நிலையில் பள்ளி அருகே விற்று காசாக்குகின்றனர். மாணவர்கள் தங்கள் பிறந்தநாளுக்கு சாக்லெட் மற்றும் இனிப்புகள் வழங்குகின்றனர்.
இவ்வாறு வழங்கப்படும் இனிப்புகளில் செயற்கையாக கலரூட்டப்பட்டவை தான் இருக்கின்றன.
போலிகள்
கிராமப்புறங்களில் உள்ள கடைகளில் பிரபல நிறுவனங்களின் பெயரை வித்தியாசம் தெரியாமல் மாற்றி, அதே பெயரில் பேக் செய்து போலி தின்பண்டங்கள் விற்பனை செய்வதும் சில ஆண்டுகளாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. இவ்வாறு போலியாக விற்பனை செய்யப்படும் தின்பண்டங்களுக்கும், நல்ல தின்பண்டங்களுக்கும் வித்தியாசம் தெரியாத குழந்தைகள் போலியை சாப்பிடுகின்றனர்.
இதுபோன்ற போலி மற்றும் சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை சாப்பிடும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு வாந்தி, வயிற்றுப்போக்கு, மயக்கம், வயிறு சம்பந்தப்பட்ட பல்வேறு நோய்கள் தாக்குகிறது.
மாணவர்கள் பாதிப்பு
ஆரம்பப்பள்ளிகளில் படிக்கும் மாணவர்கள் பள்ளி வளாகத்தை விட்டு வெளியே செல்லக் கூடாது, பள்ளி அருகே சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை விற்பனை செய்யக் கூடாது என சட்டம் கூறுகிறது. இதை பள்ளிகள் மற்றும் கடைக்காரர்கள் உட்பட யாரும் கடைபிடிப்பதில்லை. இதனால் மாணவர்கள் அதிகம் பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றனர் என பொதுமக்களும், சமூக ஆர்வலர்களும் கூறுகின்றனர்.
அவித்த உணவு
மணிகண்டன், சைல்டு லைன், “அரசுப் பள்ளிகள் அருகே ஈ மொய்க்கும் தின்பண்டங்களை விற்கும் கடைகள் பல உள்ளன. இதை பள்ளி ஆய்வுக்கு வரும் அதிகாரிகள் முதல் பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்கள் வரை யாரும் கண்டுகொள்வதில்லை. இதற்கு ஒரே தீர்வு, இயற்கை விவசாயத்தில் விளைந்த சத்தான பழங்கள், திணை வகைகள், பயறு வகைகள் மற்றும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு தேவையான அவித்த உணவுகளான பனியாரம், புட்டு போன்றவற்றை கடைகளில் விற்க அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். மேலும் மாணவர்களின் உடல்நிலையை சீரழிக்கும் சுகாதாரமற்ற தின்பண்டங்களை விற்கும் பெட்டிகடைகளில் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறையினர் ஆய்வு செய்து கட்டுப்படுத்த வேண்டும்” என்றார்.
Adulterated ghee seized
Amid growing concerns over adulteration of food items in the city, the Ibrahimpatnam police on Sunday seized a huge quantity of adulterated ghee, that was made in the city, at Ibrahimpatnam.
According to the police, a trader in Autonagar of the city was allegedly making adulterated ghee by mixing cooking oil in a small quantity of original ghee. The trader was on his way to deliver an order of 5,800 litres of ghee at Jaggaiahpeta of the district and was transporting the adulterated ghee in a transport van from his unit.
When the van reached Ibrahimpatnam, the police found the unpacked ghee in unhygienic condition and seized the product. Samples were sent to food safety authorities.
Tobacco products seized
Officials of Food Safety and Drug Administration department seized one tonne of banned tobacco products from a house situated along Palladam - Manickapuram Road on Sunday evening.
K. Tamilselvan, the Food Safety Designated Officer, told The Hindu that the tobacco products were kept in the house which was used as a makeshift godown. “We have sent the samples of the items seized to government-recognised laboratories to officially ascertain that the materials were tobacco products,” he said.
Once the report was received, criminal prosecution would be initiated against the house owner, he added.
Surprise raid by Food Safety officials, huge contraband products recovered
Port Blair,, Aug 27: Continuing the strict action against illegal sale of tobacco on 25/08/2017 a team of Food Safety Officials lead by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman conducted surprise raids in connection with storage and distribution of contraband tobacco products at Haddo, Fisheries Jetty, Phoneix Bay, and Mohanpura market wherein large quantities of contraband products were seized from 10(five) Food Business Operators (FBOs).
The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Smti. Hemawati, R/o Garacharma, Smti Hazara Bibi, R/o Phoniex Bay, Shri. Ali Baba, R/o Phoniex Bay, Shri. Velu, R/o Dignabad, Shri. Nathan, R/o Phoneix Bay Jetty, Shri. V. Naga Babu, R/o Haddo, Shri. Chinnamma, R/o Haddo, Smti Mundrika Sahu, R/o Haddo, Smti. P. Venkata Laxmi, R/o Haddo and Smti. Uma Devi, R/o Aberdeen Bazaar. All the contraband items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 15 premises have been sealed for the violation.
The Commissioner Food Safety have warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses.All the general public is hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
Aug 27, 2017
Labelling of GM foods likely to be mandatory
The recommendation was made to the ministry by a scientific panel on GM organisms in food that was formed as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act
The Department of Health and Family Welfare is moving towards a regime to make the labelling of GM foods mandatory and declaring the threshold level of the genetically engineered ingredient on GM products, its Secretary informed the parliamentary panel on climate, forest, science and technology. The recommendation was made to the ministry by a scientific panel on GM organisms in food that was formed as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act.
The panel also informed that the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is collecting evidence on the impact of GM food on humans and that ICMR is soon going to provide leads to the Health ministry. DNA was the first to report in June that, in the absence of any regulatory mechanism, FSSAI was working on a labelling regime to monitor and make consumers aware of GM products in market.
“Any product which has 5 per cent or more of the genetically engineered ingredient shall be labelled. This has gone to their panel and to the authority which will take a view on this and we hope to get a decision on the labelling aspect very soon,” secretary of the Department of Health said.
Is snacking and 'shack-ing' still viable?
With the closure of the restaurant at a popular beach shack in Anjuna having been ordered due to hygiene violations, Café looks at how things need course correction before it’s too late
One major factor that has drawn people from all corners of the globe to Goa has been its coastal attractions. Over the years, the pulling-power of the beaches seems to have diminished, and there can be no doubt that a lot of it comes down to the fact that there is often a very lacklustre approach to how best one can showcase seaside attractions in the state; shacks play a major role in this equation.
Only recently, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) ordered the closure of the restaurant at a popular beach shack in Anjuna, owing to the fact that its inspecting team found it to be running in an unhygienic condition. Approximately 30 deficiencies were noted by the FDA, with hygiene being a mitigating factor in the entire debacle. Food being cooked in the open, rusty fridges that weren’t operating at a required temperature, the kitchen having direct access to washrooms, and the use of food colouring agents, which are unsafe, were some of the charges in question. In addition to all of the above, the restaurant was also unable to produce the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, it was claimed. With this case having come to light, one can only wonder what the conditions may be like at some of these establishments.
Popular chef and restaurateur Vasco Alvares has often worked with properties along the coastal belt, and recalls that on one given occasion, when called upon to work with a private party setting up a beach front affair, having to set-up a makeshift kitchen, owing to the establishment’s deplorable conditions. “The kitchen was in a poor state, and there were flies in many places. At the eleventh hour, we managed to put together a structure that would serve as a kitchen, just so that we could deliver hygienic food that I believe is the diner’s foremost right,” he shares, from experience.
But amidst the chaos and often, uncertainty of what lies beneath, there are some places that honestly stand out, in the best way possible. One such example that can quite literally be classified as ‘gold standard’ when it comes to shacks in Goa is ‘Zeebop by the Sea’, on Utorda beach in the southern reaches of the state. The proprietor of the establishment, Sergio Dias, has gone the whole hog, when it comes to ensuring a great experience all-round, for his clients. From impeccably clean washrooms, to the sand being combed at regular intervals to ensure an untouched feel, to exceedingly pleasant staff, ‘Zeebop’ has nailed their brief.
Reflecting on the endeavours that he has undertaken to meet the standards he sets for himself, Sergio says, “I’m honestly grateful of having an inborn sense of cleanliness. For me, even at a personal level, hygiene takes top priority. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to have travelled and gained exposure in the area of hospitality. My experiences in places like Brazil have been an eye-opener, where beaches are cleaned on a daily basis, in a mechanised method. If it can be done elsewhere, then we can do it here too. It is highly dependent on each one’s culture and mentality, and we all need to do our part.
James Elliott and his wife Barbara have been regular visitors to Goa for over three decades. Over a conversation held in Calangute, they revealed that they have decided to call time on their Indian expedition and move to pastures anew, given that they aren’t pleased with many of the changes that they’ve seen ‘develop’.
“My wife and I have been coming to Goa from England for over 32 years, and I do think that this will be our last trip here. There’s really nothing desirable about Goa anymore. The rates are constantly on the rise, especially when it comes to taxis and shacks. When it comes to eating out, most shacks offer sub-par food at inflated rates, and the local charm is lost, with many staff from other parts of the country being rude. That is a major change we’ve noticed. Even the Goans who worked in these areas appear calloused and jaded, and have lost the warmth that we as tourists associated with them. Hence there is nothing desirable about being by the Goan seaside anymore, and that was a major attraction. Now other parts of the world with that as their primary feature are cheaper and more inviting,” he shares.
Perhaps it’s time that the game was changed and the bar was raised. Perhaps it’s time that we demanded more from our own industry. Licensing bodies should be training shack owners before issuing licenses, to ensure there is compliance within the required norms for decent operation, else, we stand to lose a lot more, as we continue down this slippery slope that we seem to be on.
FDA raids sweet shop in Betim
Panaji: Officials from the directorate of food and drugs administration (FDA) stopped operations of Sunrise sweet manufacturing unit at Malim, Betim, on Thursday as most of the sweets were being prepared in unhygienic conditions. During the raid, FDA officials also found 15 bags of mava stored in unclean surroundings. The unit was later sealed by officials in the evening.
Officials told reporters that the raid was conducted as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and added that FDA is targeting sweet manufacturing units as some of the mixtures used to prepare sweets are stored in unhygienic conditions. FDA officials also told reporters that the mava bags were misbranded. They also found packets of farsan without proper manufacturing and expiry dates which were being stored in unsanitary conditions.
The raiding team comprised of senior FDA officer, Richard Noronha, food safety officer Atul Dessai and others.
Orissa food safety dept may get a facelift
New Delhi, August 26: The Orissa food safety department, often marred with shortage of staff and infrastructure, is likely to get some assistance from the Central government which can help it work towards food safety.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to assist Orissa and other states by boosting their infrastructure and also help them in fulfilling their staff crunch issue.
According to the FSSAI plan, it is likely to infuse more junior food analyst and food analysts’ posts October to fill the gaps in the states which can help increase the food safety magnitude and quality in the state.
As per records, a number of food safety officers’ posts are reportedly lying vacant in the state which makes the work of food testing and action against the guilty a tough task.
The state also suffers from shortage of food analysts who can check the food samples for safety of human consumption.
Moreover, the FSSAI has also planned to start ‘food safety on wheels’ in the state where they can act as multi-purpose vans for food testing, public awareness and other purposes which can help towards ensuring food safety in the state besides linking all the state labs with a Central system termed as Indian Food Laboratory Network.
Meanwhile, plans are also underway to strengthen 45 state food labs by providing state-of-the-art high-end food testing equipment, including microbiology labs.
As per the FSSAI records, Orissa is said to have recorded 61 cases of food safety violations in one single year in 2015-16 and 112 cases in 2014-15.
Aug 26, 2017
Food safety dept lodges cases against 17 outlets
DEHRADUN: The food safety department registered cases against 17 shops and restaurant owners in Dehradun for keeping substandard quality food products. Cases have been lodged in the Additional District Magistrate court in Dehradun against the 17 outlets samples from where had been collected in the last three months.
Recently, oil sample collected from a major supermarket in Rajpur Road was tagged as substandard as it didn’t meet the required iodine percentage as mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines.
Ganesh Kandwal, designated food safety officer in Dehradun, said, “Majority of samples that failed the guidelines were from smalltime shopkeepers, who generally do not maintain the cleanliness norm.” He added that the focus will remain on milk samples.
Said to be a significant drive of the department, collection and testing of samples are being affected due to the shoddy infrastructure. Unavailability of electricity, lack of staff at the Rudrapur-based food safety laboratory is causing a major hindrance to the drive.
A officer of the department said, “Even though we try to conduct raids and collect samples as per the set norms, the samples go stale after being kept in the laboratory for days together.”
Though the department has been provided with a special machine from Delhi for checking milk samples, there is still a need for a controlled environment and special arrangements for conducting the tests. Also, just one machine is not sufficient for the entire state.
Visakhapatnam: Hotels violate food safety norms
The food safety officials have raided seven hotels in the last two weeks based on the consumer complaints.
Visakhapatnam: The restaurants or canteens run at the government establishments violating the food safety and hygiene norms are facing the heat, not because of the food safety officials, but consumers who have become proactive in registering complaints. The food safety officials have raided seven hotels in the last two weeks based on the consumer complaints.
A consumer moved Consumer Forum against a hotel at Jagadamba junction for serving chicken kabab fried with substandard oil. As per the direction of the forum, the food safety personnel raided the restaurant and sent the sample for testing. The hotel’s kitchen was also in unhygienic condition. Similarly, a fast food counter at Siripuram was imposed fine as a consumer raised a complaint as he found a fly in the soup served to him. Moreover, a canteen run at the KGH hospital was also raided as some patients complained of poor quality of food. Samples have been collected from four hotels in Gajuwaka for serving stale non-vegetarian food.
“The restaurants we raided in the last two weeks are flouting the food safety norms such as serving stale meat and fish and not maintaining hygiene in their kitchens. We have sent the samples to food testing laboratory and will take action once the reports come in. Consumers can register their call or send email too. The awareness of consumers will help to check the bad practices of the restaurants,” said M. Srinivas, Food Controller at Food Safety department.
“The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has laid out mandatory guidelines for all restaurants and food establishments. Raw chicken should be kept inside the freezer while the cooked meat could be stored for one day. But, the restaurants have been keeping it for more than one day,” he said. “The restaurants should have storage rooms/deep freezer facilities and should be impervious to moisture, clean, free from pest infestation and well maintained. But, some restaurants are found storing the meat and meat products in a normal fridge,” he added. It is learnt that the popularity of ‘Take Away’ parcel food counters is also posing as health hazards for the consumers. Most of them are preparing the food else where and selling at roadside counters. The roadside non-vegetarian eateries are also seen keeping the fried chicken in polythene.
15 FBOs booked for sale of contraband tobacco
Port Blair, 25 Aug 2017
The team of Food Safety Officials led by the District Food Safety Officer, South Andaman, on Friday, raided several shops in the city on Friday at Haddo, Fisheries Jetty, Phoneix Bay, and Mohanpura market wherein a large quantities of contraband products were seized from 15 Food Business Operators (FBOs). The details of the FBOs who premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Hemawati, resident of Garacharma, Smti Hazara Bibi, resident of Phoenix Bay, Ali Baba, resident of Phoniex Bay, Velu, resident of Dignabad, Nathan, resident of Phoenix Bay Jetty, V. Naga Babu, resident of Haddo, Chinnamma, R/o Haddo, Mundrika Sahu, R/o Haddo, P. Venkata Laxmi, R/o Haddo and Uma Devi, resident of Aberdeen Bazaar. The contraband items were seized under the appropriate section of the Act and legal proceedings are being initiated against the offenders under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Till now 15 premises have been sealed for the violation.
On Thursday, the team of Food Safety officials conducted surprise raids in Goalghar, Buniyadabad, Minnie Bay and Dollygunj on Thursday and seized huge quantities of contraband products from five Food Business Operators (FBOs). The FBOs whose premises were inspected, closed and sealed are Ramachandran, R/o Buniyadabad, S. Ramu, resident of Goalghar, Venugoal Pillai, resident of School Line, Paresh Karmakar, R/o Dolly Gunj and Smt S. Rabia, resident of Buniyadabad.
The Commissioner of Food Safety has warned the Food Business Operators not to store/stock/display or sale any contraband products in their premises and storage area and if the enforcement staff on their inspection if found any contraband tobacco products, stringent action will be initiated against the errant FBOs including sealing of premises and cancellation of licenses. The general public have been hereby requested to pass on contraventions found if any on food safety to the Commissioner of Food Safety, A&N Islands at No. 03192-231024/9434280018 or on District Control Room No. 1070 for strict actions against violators.
Aug 25, 2017
No FSSAI licence for Indira Canteen a grave lapse, says Ms Pramila Nesargi
A top BBMP official, who did not wish to be named, said “You have driving licence which is valid all over India.
Bengaluru: BBMP, which should have been a role model for others to emulate, has set a wrong precedent with regard to state’s ambitious Indira Canteens. While the project is started with an intention to feed the poor, it was pushed in a tearing hurry and even without the much needed licences -one from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and trade licence from BBMP Health department.
Senior advocate Ms Pramila Nesargi told Deccan Chronicle, “This is a classic example of fence eating the crop. BBMP and state government officials have forgotten to take the needed licences. It clearly indicates the break neck hurry shown by the Congress led state government to get the project done for Independence Day and get it launched by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.”
Would the BBMP or the state government let a private operator run their business without the needed licences? She questioned. Running canteens and mega kitchens without licences is against the law and the guilty can be prosecuted, she added.
A top BBMP official, who did not wish to be named, said “You have driving licence which is valid all over India. Both the contractors- Mumbai-based Chef Talk and New Delhi NGO Rewards individually have FSSAI. But have to obtain it in Bangalore across all the kitchens.”
“Procedures have been initiated for FSSAI licences and for trade licences too. We shall get all of them by next week and display them at all canteens,” he added.
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