May 31, 2017
9 including 8 minors die, 200 fall ill at after-church feast
Shillong, May 30 (PTI) Nine persons, including eight minors, died and nearly 200 people were taken ill after eating rice and pork at an after-church feast in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, officials said.
"Eight persons, including seven minors, died today due to food poisoning at Nongkya village," district Deputy Commissioner CP Gotmare said.
Another minor died yesterday at Umsning, a senior Health department official said.
Four persons died at the Ganesh Das hospital in the state capital here, one at the Shillong Civil Hospital, one at a private hospital at Nongpoh, two in Nongkya village and one at the Umsning CHC, the official added.
Nearly 200 others from nearby villages fell ill after consuming the food at the Sunday feast, he said.
Of them, 80 were admitted to the Nongpoh Civil Hospital, 33 to the Umsning CHC, 23 to the Bhoilymbong health facility and the rest to the Shillong Civil Hospital, NEIGRIHMS and Ganesh Das Hospital, he added.
Following a preliminary enquiry, Food Safety officials did not rule out that the packed rice and pork served after the church service was stale and unfit for consumption.
Samples of the food were collected today and sent to the Guwahati-based Public Health Laboratory, Joint Commissioner, Food Safety, SN Sangma said.
The victims are residents of 10 adjoining villages.
Nestle reduces salt, adds iron to make Maggi noodles healthy
Nestle’s move to cut salt content and increase iron content in Maggi noodles is a response to consumer and FSSAI push to make instant noodles healthy
The new, fortified Maggi noodles will be available over the next few weeks across the 3.5 million retail outlets in India where Nestle products are sold.
New Delhi: Nestle India Ltd, the local unit of Swiss packaged foods maker Nestle SA, is adding iron and cutting salt content in one of its most successful brands—Maggi noodles. The company is responding to a consumer and government push for healthier products, said Nestle India, which will also reduce salt content in other Maggi-branded products such as soups and seasonings.
The new, fortified Maggi masala noodles will be available over the next few weeks across the 3.5 million retail outlets in India where Nestle products are sold, and the non-fortified versions will be phased out. Pricing will not change.
The plan to reduce salt content in Maggi noodles is part of Nestle’s global strategy to cut sodium, saturated fats and sugar in its products. By 2020, Nestle wants to reduce salt content across all Maggi-branded products by 10%, and add more vegetables and other nutrient-rich ingredients. The company claims that it has brought down the sodium content in its Maggi products by 32.7% in the past 10 years.
“It is a step where we want to introduce products which offer healthier choices to our consumers as we simplify our ingredients and encourage home cooking. At the forefront of this drive is the commitment to reshape Maggi brand’s products to emphasize the use of familiar and common ingredients that people know and use for home cooking, from their own kitchen cupboard,” said Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director, Nestle India, in a statement.
In India, Nestle is starting by adding iron to Maggi masala noodles, aiming to provide about 15% of the recommended dietary allowance for consumers of the product. Nestle claims to sell about 2.5 billion portions of Maggi masala noodles, its single largest revenue earner in India, every year.
“Given the scale and popularity, Maggi masala noodles offer a powerful platform to address iron deficiency through the iron-fortified variant,” the company statement said.
Nestle’s move comes within four months of the country’s food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) setting up a scientific panel on “food fortification and nutrition”.
The panel is to come up with guidelines to fight malnutrition in the country by making supply of fortified food mandatory for government-backed schemes such as mid-day meals at schools, integrated child development services and the public distribution system.
FSSAI will implement these guidelines in collaboration with the Union ministry of women and child development.
Multinational food and beverage companies such as Mondelez International Inc., Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc. and Unilever Plc. have announced plans to reinforce their product portfolios with healthier products globally. Some governments have already started levying sugar taxes and putting a cap on sodium levels in food items.
In India, consumers have been opting for more healthy packaged foods, including organic food products.
In 2016, food companies refurbished about 180,000 products globally, according to a joint survey by consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd and industry body The Consumer Goods Forum. The number was about 23,000 in 2014.
“This is a general trend worldwide. This is more of how companies are responding to changing consumer demand triggered by health consciousness. This is completely market driven. Almost all companies in the food sector are looking to continuously innovate and they’ll do such things where there is scope. And consumers get healthier products at the same cost, thus better value,” said Dhanraj Bhagat, partner, Grant Thornton India Llp.
Does your breakfast cereal lie to you?
New Delhi [India], May 31 : Breakfast cereal is a food item made from processed grains and consumed as the first meal of the day.
It involves processing of the grains into fine flour before cooking. The flour may be mixed with water, sugar or chocolate. This is followed by a process known as extrusion, which shapes the cereal at high temperatures using a special machine. The cereals are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be flaked, shredded or puffed during processing.
They can be coated with chocolate or frosted with sugar before drying and packaging, says Dr Saurabh Arora, founder of Food Safety Helpline.com.
What nutrients does your breakfast cereal contain?
It is said that our breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is indeed true, as consuming a wholesome breakfast packed with nutrients in the morning boosts our energy and keeps us pepped-up till lunchtime.
As per the data published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a 100 g serving of a typical breakfast cereal provides nearly a fifth of the daily calorie intake (based on a daily diet of 2000 calories). The nutrient content of breakfast cereals is briefly discussed below:
- Fats: Total fat contained is 7 g which is 10 percent of the daily intake. The levels of mono and polyunsaturated fats are double that of saturated fats, making it a healthy option, coupled with the fact that there is no cholesterol.
- Carbohydrates: It is high in carbs, accounting for 22 percent of the daily intake. Sugar content can be high in some cereals due to chocolate coating or sugar frosting.
- Dietary Fiber: It is rich in dietary fibre that takes care of 40 percent of the daily needs.
- Protein: Approximately 26 percent of the daily protein needs are met by a typical breakfast cereal.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Regarding vitamins and minerals, it is rich in iron and magnesium, moderate in calcium and vitamin B6, and low in sodium and potassium. It does not contain vitamins A, C, D and B12.
Is your breakfast cereal as healthy as claimed - or does it lie?
It should be noted that many cereals are high in sugar and refined carbs. Added sugar is a bad component of our modern diet. Importantly, most of the sugar coming in our diet reaches through processed foods, of which breakfast cereals contain relatively higher amounts of sugar.
This can lead to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease and even cancer.
Processed food is essentially any food that has been modified from its normal state, mainly for convenience to the consumer. That is why these are also dubbed as 'convenience foods.'
Breakfast cereals are an ideal example of this type of food. Artificial processing of cereals by frosting with sugar or chocolate-coating, leads to over-consumption of sugar than the recommended dietary allowance. The fact that many young children are becoming over-weight or even obese, indicates that the problem of over-consumption is very real, especially among the economically upwardly mobile classes in India. Moreover, the manufacturers are also producing breakfast cereals as per the consumer's preference, but at the cost of their health.
There are also instances of misleading labelling of the cereal boxes, intended to coax the consumer to buy the product. The cereal package often highlights the presence of 'whole grains,' but on further scrutiny, these are usually in low amounts compared to other unhealthy components.
The consumer should keep in mind that actual healthy foods do not require any health claims. This warrants further studies to ascertain whether the health claims are correct or misleading. Moreover, the manufacturers often adopt shrewd business tactics by displaying cartoon characters, superheroes etc. on the cereal box, thereby attracting the attention of unassuming children, in a bid to increase sales. Sadly, their tactics seem to be actually working. Therefore, breakfast cereals can actually lie to you if you are not careful.
What Can You Do to Overcome These Health Hurdles?
It is important to be aware that your average breakfast cereal doesn't just contain the nutrients discussed above. There are many other artificial chemicals that are used during processing of the cereal. These broadly include the following:
- Binders
- Carriers
- Emulsifiers
- Stabilizers
- Raising agents
- Texturizers
- Fillers
- Colors
- Flavors
While these components can enhance your breakfast experience, they can also be harmful if not added within the maximum recommended levels. For this reason, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 has suggested food additives like Erythritol (max. limit as per GMP) and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (max. limit of 50 ppm) for breakfast cereals.
Therefore, arming yourself with the right information about breakfast cereals will help you choose wisely. Keeping yourself and your family healthy should be your first priority. Therefore, be on the lookout for wild health claims displayed on the cereal packages. Always read the display panel carefully. Pay attention to the following details:
- Nature and amounts of ingredients: Avoid cereals high in sugar and carbs.
- Nutritional information on the label: Ensure that all the nutritional information is displayed on the label; this information will ensure if the product is wholesome and nutritious.
- 'Best before' date or 'expiry' date: Never buy expired food items.
- Vegetarian / non-vegetarian logo: Breakfast cereals should ideally be vegetarian in origin.
- FSSAI logo and license no: This will ensure the high quality of the product.
- Quality of the packaging: Do not buy damaged or torn packages; ensure that the inner lining (primary packaging) is intact and the food is properly sealed.
From the foregoing discussion, it is evident that by-and-large, whole grain breakfast cereals are a healthy option. However, you should keep your eyes peeled and be alert while buying these products. Go for natural, wholesome cereals than artificially processed ones.
This will be a healthy option, with lots of dietary fibers, minus the unwanted components like sugars, thereby ensuring a nutritious breakfast for you and your entire family.
Food safety officers inspect fish centres
IMPHAL | May 30
A team of food safety officers led by Y Satyajeet inspected the fish centres in the markets of Imphal West and took the samples of the fishes today.
The inspection was carried out as part of the 100 days programme of Directorate of Health Service, Government of Manipur of and the team was comprised with food safety officers Dr M Dinesh, Dr Nonglei Pebem, Dr S Purnali and other staffs.
The samples were picked up being in suspicion of containing harmful chemical formaldehyde in the fishes which are brought in from other states.
The officers advised the fish shops to have a proper license for selling fish and to be aware of the food safety acts, and further stated that legal action will be taken up as per law against the supplier of the fishes if the harmful chemical is found in the fishes.
May 30, 2017
‘It’s not a war against tobacco, but a movement towards health
BENGALURU: Reducing tobacco consumption should be the main focus in preventing cancer, and Dr U S Vishal Rao is firm on this. The chief of head & neck services, department of surgical oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, has bagged the prestigious Judy WilkenfeldAward 2017 in the US for International Tobacco Control Excellence. In an interview with TOI, Dr Vishal, who is also the member of a high-powered committee on tobacco control in the state, said this is not a war against tobacco, but a movement towards health. Excerpts:
Almost every second patient you treat has a history of tobacco consumption. How does the activist in you gear up for patient care?
I see the effect and deal with it daily. Tobacco accounts for nearly 50% of 18 types of cancer. In the head-neck region it almost accounts for 90-95%. An important turning point in my life was seeing a 30-year-old engineer, a tobacco user and my patient, die due to advanced tongue cancer. A few days before he died, his tumour had eaten up his carotid vessels (the blood vessel that connects heart to brain). Every time I'd walk into his room over a pool of blood and see his family light candles and pray. He died leaving behind his 2 sisters and fiancee. This brought me to the fundamental question of how could I prevent the suffering of people like him? Because by the time the cases come to me, it's often too late. Why are we just working on a new medicine when I can address the cause of the disease itself? So, I embarked on preventive oncology, with an emphasis on tobacco control.
Despite anti-tobacco campaigns, neither farmers nor the government has put an end to growing tobacco. Why?
Most tobacco farmers are exploited. They do not make big money, despite India being the third largest tobacco grower in the world. Every time our country takes a step to control consumption, invariably the tobacco industry portrays farmers as soft targets. The government cannot own this problem fully as farmers choose this based on the markets created by the tobacco industry. The ideal possibility today is to have government facilitate crops useful in ayurvedic medical herbs which have an increasing global demand and market. This way, farmers can turn healers and save lives. The government simply needs to take this decision and not export poison to other countries to improve its revenues.
Recently, the state government lifted the ban on chewing tobacco. Isn't this move contradictory to the fight against tobacco?
The government hasn't reversed the order. The enforcement circular has been modified based on technical interpretations and the same have been put before the courts too. The courts will decide the future course of public health. In my perspective, gutka ban was ordered by Justice Singvi in the Supreme Court on the basis of the directives from the Food Safety & Standard Authority of India, which said no tobacco or nicotine can be added to food, gutka being considered to be food. Later, the government of India wrote to chief ministers and chief secretaries of all states to go ahead and ban chewing tobacco as it is considered a food item. At present, 16 states have banned this. With the recent Supreme Court order by Justice Gopal Gowda, it was clear that they didn't want any mixing of pan masala with tobacco to reconstitute gutka. Chewing tobacco contains food items that come under food components such as flavours, condiments which are added to it. Pointing to the rule, the tobacco industry says they cannot add tobacco to food, but can add food to tobacco. But tobacco is not food and I have my reservations with their interpretations. Moreover, these are serious public health matters where right to health prevails over all frivolous arguments. We need to wait and see how the high courts and the Supreme Court view this matter.
What are the challenges in this fight against tobacco?
This is not a war against tobacco, but a movement towards health. We do not see any hatred against any person working for or with this industry, but simply wish that our love for health will win over their unabated desire for wealth, disease or social destruction. The future is filled with optimism where we see a healthier India standing tall to inspire the world. The major challenges that lie before us are: how do we help tobacco farmers move to alternative crops? How do we rehabilitate beedi workers and provide them with alternatives? How do we prevent the youth from marketing tactics of tobacco industry that constantly wants to target teens who are their potential customers?
FSSAI wants edible oil vending machines
In the absence of such an option, people, who cannot afford to buy large packs, are compelled to purchase loose quantities of edible oil, which is often adulterated. File photo. For representation purpose
India’s food regulator has asked manufacturers to set-up automated vending machines to sell good quality edible oil in small pouches.
In the absence of such an option, people, who cannot afford to buy large packs, are compelled to purchase loose quantities of edible oil, which is often adulterated.
“An innovative idea to provide edible oil at nominal prices to consumers is its sale through automated tamper-proof vending machines. In order to provide quality edible oil to small consumers and reduce the unauthorised sale of loose oil, it has been decided to allow the sale of edible oil through automated tamper-proof vending machines,” the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an order issued last week.
The proposal was debated extensively within the government and with the industry before the FSSAI came out with the order.
“Edible oil is still not widely available in small packages like sachets and pouches at prices which are affordable to a large section of consumers, who resort to purchasing loose edible oil which is of suspect quality,” says the FSSAI order.
Tamper-proof pouches
The regulator also made it clear to the industry that such pouches and sachets would have to be tamper-proof and follow the FSSAI standards on packaging and labelling.
A recent consumer survey highlighted the poor quality of loose edible oils being sold in the rural and semi-urban localities.
Case lodged for serving poor quality food
GUWAHATI, May 29: The State Health Department on Monday registered a case against Vivanta By Taj, a five star hotel in the city, for not maintaining quality of its food served to customers. Sources told The Sentinel that the case was registered following an express instruction issued by the commissioner of food safety in the State. The commissioner issued the instruction after the food inspection branch of the Health Department confirmed poor quality in certain food items served by the five star hotel.
Eat healthy: An idea whose time has come - smaller food portions
Controlling portion sizes may help prevent food wastage and rationalise intake at a time obesity-related diseases are the number one killer.
WHO projects that more than two thirds of the world population will be overweight or obese by 2030 unless corrective action is taken.
India has too many balls up in the air when it comes to public health and nutrition. Malnutrition — which includes both undernourishment and overweight-obesity — is the number one problem in the country.
In fact, it is a rising menace as urbanisation contributes to more sedentary lifestyles and poor or wrong eating habits promote obesity across age groups. While under-nutrition rates have stagnated (not reduced), they are still a huge challenge (four out of every 10 children are underweight).
One more associated worrying issue with both forms of malnutrition is multiple micronutrient deficiency. Even if we pull children out from undernourishment by feeding them enough calories, we are not focusing enough on providing them high quality, balanced foods rich in vitamin and minerals. In simple words, even if we achieve food security, attaining nutrition security is a far more complex challenge.
Mineral and vitamin deficiencies (also referred to as hidden hunger) are known to adversely impact human potential. This needs urgent attention as it ties in closely with the productivity and economic growth of the country in the long run.
Thus, translating our vision of nutrition security and sufficiency for all into reality may require multiple strategies and consolidated efforts. The vision resonated recently in one of Prime Minister Modis monthly radio talks. He spoke about controlling or rationalising the size of the portion an individual eats, which in most cases will reduce food wastage.
The related ministries were quick to add their support and talk about guidelines to do so. As of now this has largely been directed towards commercial restaurants and hotel industry.
The content and coverage of the prospective guideline for curtailing food portions should be integrated into the food and nutrition policy of the nation - how will we define portion size and how will we monitor it?
Controlling portion sizes will have the obvious benefit of preventing food wastage, but it may also help to rationalise intake at a time when obesity-related chronic diseases are the number one killer.
The World Health Organisation projects that more than two thirds of the global population will become overweight or obese by 2020 if corrective, evidence-based measures are not urgently sought and put in place.
Worldwide, experts have deliberated and unanimously agreed that overweight-obesity is a complex problem and will need multiple participatory approaches, including awareness building, behaviour change strategies, community interventions, nutrition counselling, improving access to high quality local produce of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, taxation policies for ultra-processed junk foods and sugar sweetened beverages.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a panel in 2015, of which I was a member, which prepared guidelines to tackle the problem of high fats, sugar and salt in our foods (currently put out for public review and comments).
In a country where being overweight is still seen as ‘chubby’ or a sign of prosperity, awareness building and behaviour change interventions are needed. Practices change only when people understand the consequences of this rising menace among our children and population at large. The proposal to control portion sizes is commendable and, if implemented, can go a long way in attaining food security and improving public health in India.
We must think creatively and urgently to convert the tons of extra food into safe nutritious forms to feed those who may need it. Systems must be put in place that collect and process the extra food from big and small establishments. Recogn-ising individual responsibility in buying ingredients, preparing required amounts, serving small portions in platters, avoiding over feeding ourselves and our children may go a long way in saving food wastage.
Purabi to fortify ‘Smart Milk’ with vitamins A and D
GUWAHATI, May 29 - To address issues of micronutrient malnutrition and to support the nationwide food fortification initiative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Tata Trusts, Purabi Dairy will fortify its toned milk variant (Smart Milk) with vitamins A and D.
Fortification means deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in food to improve its quality.
FSSAI has set standards for fortification of salt with iodine and iron; of vegetable oil and milk with vitamins A and D; wheat flour and rice with iron, folic acid, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin A and some other micronutrients.
Purabi’s fortified milk is likely to be launched later this week. The new packet will have a logo ‘+F’.
The West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL), commonly known by the brand ‘Purabi’, has extended its support to the fortification initiatives taken by the FSSAI and Tata Trusts to boost fortification, and address the issue of micronutrient malnutrition – a serious health issue affecting all sections of society, said RN Bhattacharyya, senior manager (marketing), WAMUL.
Milk is a rich source of high quality protein, calcium and of fat-soluble vitamins A and D. Many countries have a mandatory provision to add back the vitamins which may be lost during processing as it is easily doable.
Fortification of milk with vitamin A and vitamin D is required in India because of the widespread deficiencies present in the population.
A recent National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) survey and a report of the expert group of ICMR in 2012 stated that India has a very high burden of vitamin A and D deficiencies, amongst both young children and adults, particularly in urban areas as they are physically less active and have a very limited exposure to sunlight. About 70 per cent Indians are deficient in vitamin D and another 15 per cent are insufficient.
Purabi Dairy procures its milk from nearly 200 village-based functional milk producer institutions (MPIs) and dairy cooperative societies in the districts of Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon, Barpeta and Nalbari covering around 5,000 dairy farmers.
Consumption of fortified milk by children in India has shown encouraging results. Studies suggest that the intake not only increased mean serum vitamin D levels but also morbidity rates were decreased (18% lower incidence of diarrhoea, 26% lower incidence of pneumonia, 7% fewer days with high fever and 15% fewer days sick with severe illness). Fortification of milk with vitamins A and D is an effective and safe strategy to reduce related deficiency diseases.
New food packet labels to tell how much dietary requirement is met
Food regulator, FSSAI, is preparing guidelines for elaborate labelling of food packets that must tell a person how much of recommended dietary allowance is met in one serving of that item.
Packaged food labelling is set for an overhaul in India.
All packaged food items will soon have to clearly mention what percentage of your recommended daily nutrients intake is met in a single serving of that particular item.
The country’s food regulator – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is coming up with guidelines for elaborate labelling of food packets that must tell a person how much of recommended dietary allowance is met in one serving to make it convenient for people to keep tabs.
“We are in the process of changing labelling regulations,” said Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.
The initial guidelines are ready and will shortly be sent to the Union ministry of health for approval.
“We have an expert panel working on formulating the guidelines. New labelling methods will help a consumer in knowing the exact percentage of the recommended dietary allowance of say sugar, fat, salt or other micro nutrients that’s met by consuming a serving of that product,” said Agarwal.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) provides a reference range to assess daily nutrient intake in a healthy person that tends to vary by age and gender.
Currently, the food packets broadly mention total calories contained and also the quantity of fat, sugar, salt, carbohydrates and a few other nutrients.
“The label hardly says anything about how much of a healthy person’s daily needs are met after consuming a serving and how much of it is left. The labels are quite convoluted for a common man to understand,” said Agarwal.
The panel that has been working on labelling guidelines is the same panel that worked on formulating country’s food fortification guidelines. The panel is also focusing on defining junk food.
“We broadly term high-fat, high-sugar items as junk that lead to obesity and other complications but this panel is getting into the details and coming up with a standard definition,” said Agarwal.
The food regulator, however, isn’t sure about deadline for implementation of the regulations.
“It will be difficult for us at this level to say when the regulations will be implemented, as the process requires several layers of consultations and approval. We are trying our best to be as fast as possible,” said Agarwal.
Food safety drive
As per the direction of the State Food Safety Commissioner, extensive drives were conducted by a team of Food Safety Officers and Food Safety and Standard Enforcement Wing, Imphal East recently.
The team has shut down Hussain Bakery at Yairipok Bazar, Aafreen Bakery at Yairipok Bazar and New Fast Food Bakery at Yairipok Lai Manai Top Chingtha for violating the responsibilities of food business under Section-26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, rules and regulation 2011.
May 26, 2017
Vendors caught selling water from unlabelled, soiled cans in Chennai
CHENNAI: In the second time in less than a month, food safety officers on Thursday caught vendors selling water unlabelled and soiled cans at two government hospitals in Egmore here.
Based on a tip-off, food safety officers landed at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and found a vendor selling water on the campus at Rs 8 a bottle. Another man was caught selling water on the pavement just outside the Institute of Child Health from a container that had multiple labels. Around 40 cans were seized.
Food safety officer A Chandrasekaran, who inspected the hospitals along with two other officers, said four samples were collected and sent for testing. "Last time, the vendors were just let off with a warning. This time, if the samples are found to be non-potable, the department can take action," he said.
During questioning, the vendors said they had bought the water cans from a dealer nearby for Rs 40. The water was then sold to patients and their attendants.
On May 11, food safety officers caught the same two vendors selling water from soiled cans in the hospitals.
Quality of water sold by tanker lorry operators remains unchecked
There is no mechanism to check the quality of potable water supplied in private water tankers.
Water shortage during the harsh summer has forced many to depend on private water suppliers. However, the quality of potable water sold by tanker lorry operators remains unchecked as there is no mechanism in place for the same.
While quality of packaged drinking water is often checked by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), potable water supplied by private operators in tankers is not checked by the government agency.
‘Not a packaged product’
According to FSSAI officials, potable water supplied in private tankers does not come under their ambit. “Examining the quality of water supplied in tanker lorries does not come under FSSAI as it is not a packaged product. FSSAI examines only packaged drinking water,” said O.L.S. Vijay, designated officer, FSSAI, Coimbatore.
As of now, private water tanker operators do not require any licence or permit to supply potable water or water for other purposes. They either draw water from their own water sources like bore wells and open wells or buy water from those who have the sources.
“The water supplied can be potable or for other purposes. Even if we check water in a tanker, the operator may not admit that it is for drinking purposes. It is difficult for us to prove the same,” said a food safety official.
The corporation has no role in checking the quality, according to officials as the local body is responsible to ensure quality of water supplied by it at times when distribution through pipelines is disrupted.
Meanwhile, most of the hotels in the city which buy potable water from private suppliers, are providing filtered drinking water to customers. According to K. Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, it is advisable for the seller to get the sample of water from the collection centre to be tested once in a while.
“This will help them to ensure their credibility and safety of water supplied to the customers,” said Mr. Kathirmathiyon.
“We spent around Rs 5,000 to purchase potable water a day. While reverse osmosis water is served in the pipeline for hand wash, purified water is given for consumption,” said an owner of one of the restaurants in the city.
According to representatives of Private Water Suppliers’ Association, there are about 5,000 tankers operate in Coimbatore.
These tankers supply water to apartments, hospitals, hotels, schools, private enterprises and houses. After regulations were brought in on drawing water from water bodies, private suppliers mainly depend on bore wells in the rural parts of the district.
Nagaland Health department cautions food business operators
May 26, 2017
DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): The Nagaland State Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) issued a notice today prohibiting the sale of all forms of packed food items, beyond their ‘best before’ and ‘expiry date’ timeframe. The prohibition is in effect across the state.
The notification stated that sale of food beyond ‘best before’ and after ‘expiry date’ may be considered as unsafe food and is prohibited under sub-clause (I) and (2) of the Section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and sub-clause (a) clause (2) of Section 27 of the said Act.
Offenders are liable to a penalty not exceeding Rs 25,000 under Section 50 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and punishable with imprisonment for a term of six months to seven years with fine of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 10,00,000 under clause (I) (II) (Ill) and (IV) of Section 59 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The department directed all food business operators in the state to comply with this notification, and cautioned that action shall be taken against defaulters under the appropriate provisions of the said Act.
All designated officers (CMOs) and Food Safety Officers (FSOs) have also been asked to carry out inspection/checking and sampling of food establishments under their jurisdiction and take necessary action against the defaulters.
Further, the department also asked the public to inform the Chief Medical Officers/Food Safety Officers of the districts or Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (Food Safety Cell) if anyone is found selling such food items.
Newspaper for packaging food, banned:regulations
Mangaluru, May 25, 2017: Food retailers can legally no longer pack food in newspapers as it poses serious health hazards, stated a Food Safety Officer, in Mangaluru city.
Under the guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the authorities have now agreed to implement the Food and Safety and Standards Act effectively in the district, the official said. He said that use of newspapers for packing cooked food poses a risk to health and thus the ban is essential.
A press release from the Food Safety Officer said that public should not purchase any food items especially fried eatables wrapped in newspapers. Even mineral water comes under food category. The release stated that can/bottle/containers of water should have BIS standard and ISI mark. It should mandatorily have the date of manufacture and the expiry date on the bottle.
"If the public come across packaged drinking water units that fail to have ISI mark and are being sold in the market, they can bring the same to the notice of the food safety officer," he said.
"The use of calcium carbide for artificially ripening fruits like banana, chikoo, mango, mosambi is also banned. Artificial ripening of fruits is not good for health," food safety and quality officer Dr Rajesh said.
Consumers should verify details on standard mark, nutrition values, importers details, weight of the produce, expiry date and manufacturing date while purchasing food products.
In case of any complaints of food safety and standards, public can contact:
Dr Rajesh B V, Designated officer, Food Safety and Quality officer, Mangaluru (9449843255, 0824-2420466);
H P Raju, senior food safety officer, MCC limits (7019181523/ 8453441763),
Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal, taluk medical officer/food safety officer (9845228689),
Dr K Kala Madhu Taluk medical officer/food safety officer, Belthangady (9845967576),
Dr Subramanya M R, taluk medical officer/food safety officer, Sullia (9449662224),
Dr Deepa Prabhu, taluk medical officer/food safety officer, Bantwal (9845838677),
Sumanth, food safety officer, Puttur (9449505104).
5 RO plants seized
Lucknow: Five reverse osmosis (RO) plants have been seized by the food safety and drug administration (FSDA) in this month till now for anomalies in documentation.
The fifth, in Aurangabad, was seized late Wednesday evening.
According to FSDA district officer PR Mishra, there are eight RO plants in Lucknow approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The seized plants were not registered with either.
The seized RO plants supply around 5,000 litres of water to Lucknow daily. According to FSDA, the manufacturers used to supply bottles to offices and student hostels.
May 25, 2017
பான் மசாலா, குட்கா தடை ஓராண்டு நீட்டிப்பு
தமிழகத்தில், பான் மசாலா, குட்கா போன்ற புகையிலைப் பொருட்கள் தயாரிக்க, விற்பனை செய்வதற்கான தடை, ஓராண்டுக்கு நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.குட்கா, பான் மசாலா போன்றவற்றில், புகையிலை மற்றும் நிக்கோட்டின் அதிக அளவில் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. இவை, உடல் நலத்திற்கு பெரும் பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்துகின்றன. எனவே, குட்கா, பான் மசாலா, புகையிலை, நிக்கோடின் கலந்த உணவுப் பொருட்கள் தயாரிக்க, விற்பனை செய்ய தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.
அது வரும், 23 முதல், ஓராண்டுக்கு தடை நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதற்கான உத்தரவை, உணவு பாதுகாப்பு கமிஷனர், அமுதா பிறப்பித்துள்ளார்.
தரமற்ற உணவு விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாக புகார்: சென்டிரல் அருகே 500 கிலோ சுகாதாரமற்ற இறைச்சி பறிமுதல்
சென்னை சென்டிரல் அருகே தரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாக வந்த புகாரையடுத்து, அப்பகுதியில் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் சோதனை நடத்தி 500 கிலோ சுகாதாரமற்ற இறைச்சியை பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
சென்னை,
சென்னை சென்டிரல் ரெயில் நிலையம் அருகே உள்ள அல்லிகுளம் பகுதியில் உள்ள கடைகளில் சுகாதாரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் மற்றும் இறைச்சிகள் விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவதாக அதிக அளவில் புகார்கள் எழுந்தது. இதையடுத்து உடனடி நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ள உணவு பாதுகாப்பு துறைக்கு மாவட்ட கலெக்டர் அன்புசெல்வன் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தார். அதன்படி சோதனை நடத்த உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை (சென்னை மாவட்ட) நியமன அதிகாரி கதிரவன் உத்தரவிட்டார்.
இதையடுத்து உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் சதாசிவம், சிவசங்கரன், லோகநாதன், ஜெபராஜன், சுந்தரராஜன், ராஜபாண்டி ஆகியோர் கொண்ட குழு நேற்று மாலை அல்லிகுளம் பகுதியில் அதிரடி சோதனை மேற்கொண்டது.
அப்போது அங்குள்ள கடைகளில் தரமற்ற எண்ணெய் மற்றும் மசாலாக்கள் கலந்து மீன், கோழி, ஆடு மற்றும் மாட்டிறைச்சி விற்பனை செய்யப்படுவது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. கெட்டுப்போன இறைச்சியும் அதிக அளவில் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது. மேலும் சில கடைகளில் தடை செய்யப்பட்ட புகையிலை பொருட்களும் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டது.
500 கிலோ இறைச்சி
பின்னர், சென்னை அரசு பொது ஆஸ்பத்திரி முன்பு இருக்கும் கடைகள் மற்றும் அப்பகுதியில் உள்ள நடைபாதை கடைகளில் விற்கப்படும் உணவு பொருட்களின் தரத்தையும் அதிகாரிகள் சோதனை செய்தனர். அப்போது காலாவதியான குடிநீர் கேன்கள், தரமற்ற உணவு பொருட்கள் ஆகியவற்றை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் நேற்று நடத்திய அதிரடி சோதனையில் 500 கிலோ அளவில் தரமற்ற மற்றும் கெட்டுப்போன இறைச்சிகள் மற்றும் புகையிலை பொருட்கள் பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்டன. அடிக்கடி உபயோகப்படுத்தப்பட்ட எண்ணெய் அங்கேயே கொட்டி அழிக்கப்பட்டன.
Spoiled, smelling bun from bakery gets to NVCO
‘Health concerns about food becoming more common in state’
Dimapur, May 24 (EMN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has sought action from the authorities over alleged ‘spoiled and smelling chicken bun’ that a bakery in Kohima town was said to have sold to customers.
According to a press release from the NVCO, it was on the 22nd of May that a student leader by the name Kediseto Tase had bought ‘chicken bun’ from Friends Bakery situated near Mohokhola bridge in Kohima at around 10.30 am.
“However, after reaching village may be within an hour or so the chicken bun was found to be spoiled and was badly smelling. Mr. Kediseto Tase himself went to Friend Bakery and informed them about the spoiled chicken bun but at first the person in the bakery was adamant saying that is was make (sic) only in the morning and not in a position to accept the wrong,” the press release stated.
Tase was stated to have gone back and brought a sample to show it to the person in the bakery ‘asking them smell it.’ Only after that, the NVCO stated, they accepted that the chicken bun was spoiled and was “also smelling badly and they also stated that their products are supplied by Popular Bakery.”
The NVCO stated that the consumer took his grievance to the department of Food Safety besides bringing to the notice of the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO).
The NVCO has taken serious note of the matter expressing worry that the problem was ‘becoming more and more common in our market.’
The organisation stated: “The government of Nagaland had already implemented the Food Safety & Standard Act 2006 in the state and the chief medical Officer Kohima have informed the food business operators including hotels, restaurants, provisions, bakeries, groceries, home based canteens of schools/colleges, office, tea stall, street food vendors, etc. to obtain food safety license/registration and as per the Act the Food Safety Officer should checked all these food business operators.”
Food safety refers to the condition and practices that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination of food borne illness.
The Food Safety & Standard Act 2006 aims to consolidate laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India “for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of sale and wholesome food for human consumption in the country,” the NVCO stated.
Unsafe pulses sold in Valley
FSD asks dealers to stop sale, distribution of polished pulses
Srinagar:
The Food Safety Department (FSD) Wednesday declared polished pulses sold in Kashmir as unsafe and asked dealers to stop selling them in the market.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir told Rising Kashmir that the Department has detected polishing in pulses using soapstone and oil.
The Food Analyst Kashmir found Arhar and Channa Dal samples coated with hazardous soapstone and oily substances, which have been declared unsafe as per the Food Safety & Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.
“If consumed, they can cause a potentially harmful effect on human health,” Mir said.
He said from coloured stones to hazardous Kesari dal, adulterated pulses are being openly sold in the market.
“The cheap and low-quality Kesari dal was banned by the government in 1961,” he said.
According to doctors, most of the polished Dals contain diamino-pro-pionic acid, which could lead to paralysis of the lower body and numbness in limbs and spine.
Officials said traders start mixing Kesari dal with normal variety of pulses after rise in prices of Arhar dal due to a poor harvest.
Mir said he has directed the designated Food Safety Officers in the districts to strictly enforce the order immediately.
“I have also requested the Commissioner Food Safety to issue ban orders as per the Analyst Report,” Mir said.
FDA seals 12 fake plants of packaged drinking water
Pune: Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taken action against 12 packaged drinking water plants operating without licences in 2017.
Seven plants in the Pune division were shut down. Four facilities were sealed in Solapur and one in Kolhapur. "We have shut down the illegal plants after issuing prohibitory orders," the joint commissioner (food) of FDA in the Pune division, S S Sawant, said.
Licences from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are essential for running a packaged drinking water plant.
"There are 810 plants in Maharashtra that have requisite licences and the necessary water testing facilities. However, there are nearly 1,700 illegal mineral water bottling plants," the president of the Maharashtra Association of Bottled Water Manufacturers, Vijaysinh Dubbal, told TOI.
Most illegal plants are located in Thane, Aurangabad, Nashik, Nagpur and Pune, Dubbal added.
While proprietors of standard mineral water processing plants invest around Rs 70 lakh on their bottling units, owners of illegal plants invest only Rs 2 lakh.
"The demand for packaged water is so high," a restaurant owner added, "that it hardly matters whether the bottles are certified or not."
Surprise raids by FS deptt at Junglighat, Shore Point
Port Blair
The Food Safety Officers of District Food Safety Unit, South Andaman conducted surprise raids at Junglighat and Shorepoint/Bambooflat areas recently during which 47 food business premises were inspected. Seven FBOs have been issued compounding and improvement notices for the offence committed. The premises include bakeries, restaurants, petty vendors, hotels, grocery sellers, hawkers, road side eateries, poultry shops, slaughter houses, vegetable sellers and other food business operators (FBOs).
During the inspection, it is observed that slaughtering units at Junglighat were unhygienic and maintained in un-sanitary conditions and FBOs were given on the spot instructions for necessary rectifications. They have been compounded and issued improvement notices and directed to rectify the defects within 14 days. Compounding Notice and Improvement Notice for violator of FSS Act, 2006 for Bambooflat and Shore Point area are being issued separately.
The food business operators have been advised to keep their premises licensed/registered and maintain sanitary and hygienic conditions of their premises and comply with provisions under the Food Safety Act’2006. The general public have also been requested to pass on information relating to violation of food safety norms 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.
Cannot tell number of abattoirs in Uttar Pradesh: CAG
ALLAHABAD: The total number of small slaughterhouses along with other petty food business operations (FBO) in the state cannot be ascertained as a survey for the same has not been carried out by food and drug administration since the inception of food safety and standards act in 2011.Apart from it, 56% of the total 45,868 businesses who duly applied for licences were issued the same without carrying out inspections of safety, hygiene and sanitary conditions, reveals a report released by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) here. The report also blames poor health of the people in the state to the petty businesses.The petty FBO includes abatoirs whose slaughtering capacity includes two large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds. Apart from slaughter houses, dairy units and food production units having turnover less than 12 lakh annually also comes under FBOs.Principal Accountant General PK Kataria said, "There was no assurance that all the petty FBOs running their business in districts were actually registered and licensed under the FSS Act."In the absence of surveys, there was no mechansim available at district level to assess the number and consequently food safety authority was not able to monitor their activities.
The audit team had also carried out inspections randomly across the state apart from seeking documents from Commissioner, Food Safety. The teams found that about 99% licenses were issued to businesses in tested-districts without checking adequacy of safety measures, sanitary and hygienic conditions."The extreme laxity on the part of the department in enforcing the provisions of food and safety standards act resulted in majority of the slaughterhouses and other FBOs running their business without any licence and registration," said CAG report.. .
May 24, 2017
Court directs for appointment of Food Commissioners
Penalty for food adulteration not enough: HC
SRINAGAR, May 23: The High Court today directed the Government to create post for Food Safety Commissioner and other allied post under Food Safety and Standards Act by next date of hearing of the case.
These directions came after the Court has been informed by Controller Food Safety that the charge of Food Safety Commissioner (FSC) is with the Commissioner/Secretary Health Department and the proposal for appointment of FSC was sent to Government but there has been no response till date.
She also informed the court about the allied post in the department. She submitted that there are 106 posts of Food Safety Officers (FSO) and out of it 70 are in place and further 36 have been referred to recruitment board (SSRB) for filling up of remaining posts.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed for filling up of these posts by next date and sought status report in this connection form the concerned authorities. “Posts of Food analyst be also filled up by next date”, DB directed.
Court during the proceedings questioned to Controller Food Safety whether these 76 FSOs are fully qualified for the post to which, she said, they are. Court also questioned about the mobile vans, which were formed in terms of previous directions and in this regard court has been informed that department has received 5 mobile vans but manpower (drivers) for these vans are yet to be appointed.
Court also directed authorities for installation of required equipments in both the labs at Srinagar as well as in Jammu to meet the requirements and in this regard Court directed Chief Executive Officer of Food Authority of India to depute a qualified person to visit both the labs in Srinagar as well as in Jammu to find out as to whether these Labs are fulfilling the requirements under the Food Safety Standards Act. “Learned counsel for State (M I DR) shall communicate the order to CEO FAI for information”.
Meanwhile, Court has been apprised about the steps taken for controlling the food adulteration and in this regard as per status report number of samples have been taken in Jammu as well as in Srinagar and cases filed against those who have been found to be selling sub-standard food and lakhs of rupees have been realized from them as penalty. Court, to this, observed that penalty is not enough and asked “if a child is given substandard food, what would happen to him”?
Court has been informed that Rs 8.5 crores have been received for further up-gradation of two labs.
Court was apprised that from March 2016 to March 2017, 2179 samples have been lifted in Jammu Division and 1806 samples were tested in which 365 samples have been found in contravention of FSS Act and 373 samples are pending for testing. In Kashmir Division, 1594 samples have been lifted and 1150 samples tested Out of them, 241 have been found in contravention of FSS Act and 444 samples are pending for testing.
In Kashmir as well as in Jammu Division, prosecution has been launched against 156 and 260 respectively as also Rs 55,500 and Rs 8,34,500 have been imposed as penalty on food business operators respectively.
Equip food testing labs:High Court directs Government
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday directed state government to install all necessary equipments in food testing labs at Srinagar and Jammu.
A division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey also directed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Food Authority of India to depute a qualified person who would visit the two labs and see if they function in keeping with Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.
As soon as the PIL seeking to curb food adulteration in the state came up for hearing, Amicus Curie Bashir Ahmad Bashir raised the issues related to functioning of food testing labs and deficiency of manpower.
While the court was informed that 76 Food Safety Officers (FSOs) were in place out of 106, it directed for filling up of 36 posts lying vacant. The court also said that food analyst post be also filled up by next date of hearing. The court was however informed that 36 posts of FSOs have been referred to Services Selection Board.
After it was informed that Commissioner Secretary Health Department was holding additional charge of Food Safety Commissioner, It asked the concerned authorities to create post for Food Safety Commissioner immediately as it is a statutory post.
The court was however informed that Rs 8.5 cr were provided for further up-gradation of the two labs.
Moreover, the government informed the court that five mobile labs two each for Jammu and Srinagar besides one for Ladakh have been purchased and they will become functional after manpower is available. “Provide manpower for mobile vans meant for food checking,” the court said.
In April 2016, after taking suo-moto cognizance of news reports in Greater Kashmir on food adulteration and rising cancer incidence in the Valley, the High Court treated the reports as PIL.
NVCO condemns selling spoilt food
Kohima, May 23 (MExN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today alleged that a bakery in Kohima sold spoilt chicken bun to a customer.
A press release from the Press & Media Cell, NVCO informed that the customer took his grievance to the Department of Food Safety and further brought it to the notice of the NVCO.
Condemning the act of the food operator, President of NVCO Kezhokhoto Savi asserted the case is to be dealt with very seriously as it concerns “seriously causing harm to our citizens’ health especially the innocent and ignorant consumers which may lead to food poisoning,” the release said. He added that similar problem is becoming more and more common in the market.
The release informed that the Government of Nagaland has already implemented the Food Safety & Standard Act 2006 in the State and the Chief Medical Officer Kohima has informed the food business operators, including hotels, restaurants, provisions, bakeries, groceries, home based canteens of schools/colleges, office, tea stall, street food vendors, etc. to obtain food safety license/registration. As per the Act, it said, the Food Safety Officer should check all the mentioned food business operators.
The Food Safety & Standard Act 2006, NVCO stated, aims to consolidate the law relating to food and to establish the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of sale and wholesome food for human consumption in the country.
Food safety refers to the condition and practices that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination of food borne illness, it added.
FDA sends notices to four illegal units
Pune: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) has sent notices to four Uruli Kanchan-based drinking water packaging units. FDA officials said these four units did not have a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence and a BIS certification.
8,800 litres of water worth Rs 62,612 was confiscated. The FSSAI licence is mandatory to start a drinking water packaging unit. The BIS certification provides a third party guarantee of quality, safety and reliability.
FDA (Food) Joint Commissioner Shivaji Desai told Sakal Times they inspected the four firms, Sai Industries Pure Drinking Water, Navdisha Filter Water, Abhijeet Enterprises and Akansha Industries. Their plants have been sealed and notices issued to them to stop business activities. The investigation concluded on May 12.
Speaking about the investigation process, FDA Assistant Commissioner Sampat Deshmukh said 12 samples were taken for testing.
“We have confiscated 8,800 litres of water which is worth Rs 62,612. Mostly, maximum retail price (MRP) of a one-litre bottle is around Rs 15 to 20,” said Deshmukh.
Desai said legal cases will be filed against these units. “Under the relevant act, once the industry is found guilty, then there will be six months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for not having a legal licence to make packaged drinking water. More such inspections will be carried out by the department in the future as well.”
TN farmers’ body KVVMS seeks ban on trade in chemically-produced sago
Mumbai: Sago (commonly known as sabudana) is again under the scanner after Kalkurichi Vellalapatti Vevasaikal Munnatra Sangam (KVVMS), a Tamil Nadu-based farmers’ body, sought a ban on trade in sago, which has alleged been produced using chemicals, across India.
The association wrote a letter to consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Ram Vilas Paswan, requesting him to ban it. Letters were also sent to other authorities in this regard. These included the prime minister’s office (PMO) and the ministries of commerce and industry and finance.
The farmers also filed a petition in the Madras High Court.
KVVMS’ members alleged that the sago was adulterated with rotten and decayed tapioca starch, adding that the same was being sold to the consumers with the approval of the authorities in Tamil Nadu’s food safety department, the Salem-based starch and sago manufacturer Sago Serve and traders in Tamil Nadu.
R Chandrasekaran, the body’s secretary and petitioner, said, “The manufacturers are selling sago which was manufactured three years ago. It has now expired, and if consumed, is harmful for human health, as it contains fungus and live insects.”
“The production of sago is the highest in the state of Tamil Nadu. Ninety per cent of the sago produced in the southern state is consumed in cities across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur. Ten to 15 per cent of it is consumed in Madhya Pradesh,” he added.
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) came in existences in 2011. Since 2012, KVVMS has been approaching it to look into the matter, wherein chemically-processed sago is being sold to the consumers.
Chandrasekaran said, “In 2015, KVVMS approached the Madras High Court with just one question: Is the processed sago fit for human consumption?”
“The court, in its decision, stated that if any trader was found selling chemically-processed sago, strict action would be taken against him,” he added.
“It urged FSSAI to issue standards and a testing methodology for sago. The apex regulator was ordered by the court to streamline the regulations for sago within two months,” Chandrasekharan said.
He added, “As directed by the Madras High Court, FSSAI issued the draft standards for tapioca or sago. A major part, dealing with testing, was missing in the draft. The method of analysis of sago and the tests that must be conducted to check the safety parameters to ensure that it is safe are also missing.”
FSSAI prescribed new norms for tapioca (sago) in the new draft it released . The draft regulations for starchy foods under tapioca sago or palm sago stated that they should be free from insect infestation, live/dead insects, dirt, extraneous matter, added colouring matter, visible mould growth, bleaching whitening agents or optical whiteners, sweetening agents or any other adulterant.
“In February 2017, the court ordered that the new norms of the government order be adopted. However, no action has been taken in the matter to date,” stated Chandrasekharan.
An official from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra said, “We haven’t received any complaint in the matter so far.”
A food safety officer (FSO) from Nagpur, Maharashtra, denied the receipt of any complaint relating to expired or chemically-processed sago in the region so far.
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