Jan 4, 2018

DINAMALAR NEWS


DINAKARAN NEWS


DINAKARAN NEWS


Administration warns of strict action against food adulteration

Sellers asked to ensure food packets labels contain all details as mandated by law
The district administration and the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has asked sellers to ensure food packet labels contain all details as mandated by law and warned of stringent actions if violation found.
A joint press release from Collector S. Prabhakar and T. Kalaivani, Designated Officer, said that producers’ manufacturers of cooking oil, traders involved in re-packaging and selling it for Pongal and persons involved in retail sale of the packages should ensure quality is maintained. As per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, the package should contain, brand name, vegetarian symbol, manufacturing date, details of manufacturer with address and contact details, batch number, quantity, MRP, best before use, specific edible oil details and nutritional information.
If traders are involved in mixing two-edible oils and selling, they should have obtained Agmark certification. If the packets are sold without these details, action will be taken against the seller, the release warned. Consumers were also asked to purchase the product that carries all these details.
Likewise, jaggery and brown sugar producers and sellers were asked not to use chemicals beyond the permitted level. The bright yellow jaggery is obtained after mixing chemicals that are harmful to health. Only jaggery in page and dark colours, produced without adding white sugar and chemicals, are good for consumption. As per the FSS Regulations (Food Product Standards and Food Additives), a maximum of 70 ppm sulphur dioxide is allowed while making jaggery. Hence, consumers were also asked to buy only unadulterated jaggery.
Complaints regarding adulteration or related to food items can be lodged at 0424-2223545 or WhatsApp number 94440-42322. Also, they can visit the office functioning at the premises of District Headquarters Hospital, the release added.

Workshop on food hygiene conducted for sweet shop owners

JAMMU, Jan 3: One day workshop on food hygiene was conducted for the members of Halwai Association of Jammu (sweet shop owners) by a team of food safety under the supervision of Controller, Drug and Food Control Organization here today.
On the occasion, the food safety team led by Dr Parvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Jammu and assisted by Ajay Khajuria, Daleep Singh, Jai Inder and Hans Raj, Food officers asked the participants to maintain the norms of Food Safety and Standards Act. Dr Parvesh Kumar asked them to wash hands before making any sweet item, keep watch over the raw material being supplied to them, prepare sweets apart from selling area, buy good quality khoya, sugar, milk, saffron, ghee, silver foil, keep good utensils properly stored and not to sell expired sweets. He requested them to use dustbin for waste materials, maintain personal hygiene and proper dress code. The participants were taught ways to maintain food quality and also informed about how this will help to boost their income by providing good quality food to the customers. The members of the Sweet Shop Association raised various issues including use of inferior material by some sweet shops, to which Dr Parvesh Kumar assured them that strict action will be taken against those indulging in use of inferior material and playing with the lives of the people.
He ascertained that medical certificate is mandatory for workers working in sweet shops and vendors. Dr Parvesh Kumar asked the participants to get their licences registered within two weeks and maintain norms as per Food Safety and Standards Act, otherwise action will be initiated against them.

Rs 60 L fine on 43 firms whose food samples failed lab test

Greater Noida, Jan 3 (PTI) Food safety officials today said a fine of about Rs 60 lakh has been imposed on more than 40 firms whose samples failed lab test.
Gautam Buddha Nagar food safety department designated officer Sanjay Sharma said the additional district magistrate has levied the fine of Rs 60 lakh on 43 firms whose food samples failed in lab tests.
The fine amount ranged between Rs 5,000 to Rs 3 lakh, he said.
The food samples that were taken included paneer, pizza, cooking oil, milk, pulses, spices and bottled water, he said.