Safety guidelines for juice shops in Kerala

The Commissioner of Food Safety has issued a set of guidelines to be followed necessarily by juice shops across the State, as prescribed by Section 30 (d) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.

The Commissioner said the guidelines had been issued as many food poisoning cases were being reported by customers of juice shops. A majority of these shops were using milk, ice and water of suspect quality.

All juice shops should have FSSA licences or registration, which should be displayed prominently. The water and ice should be safe and of the prescribed quality.

The fruits, sugar, nuts and other additives used to make juices or milk shakes should be bought only from shops or outlets or traders who had a FSSA licence and the purchase bills should be kept. All packed food items should have the necessary label information. The details of purchase — name of the shop/trader, quantity, price and so on — should be entered in a register systematically and should be produced for inspection.

The water being used should be from a source of impeccable quality and the quality of the water source should be tested every six months at a government-approved analytical laboratory. These reports should be kept in the shop.

Store properly

All food items, including water, in the shops should be stored in covered containers of food-grade quality.

The fruits should be of good quality, with no trace of fungus. The fruits should be washed and refrigerated. Ice should not be stored in polystyrene boxes, but in freezers or ice boxes. Prepared juice should not be stored for long in the fridge.

Food safety officials pointed out that most of the shops were storing milk in freezers well beyond the expiry period for use in milk shakes. This was an unsafe practice.

All employees in juice shops should have medical fitness certificates. They should strictly follow hygienic practices in handling food. Those with any skin conditions or infectious diseases should not be allowed as employees in food businesses.

The environment in which juice was prepared should be clean and the implements used for preparing juices such as mixers, juicers and strainers should be cleaned after every use. The refrigerator and freezer should be cleaned regularly and the last date on which it was cleaned should be displayed on the fridge.

The Food Safety officials have warned of cancellation of registration/licence if these conditions are violated. A period of three weeks has been allowed within which all juice shops should ensure that they are equipped to follow all FSSA guidelines.

Food Safety wing will start inspections on December 1 and juice shops which are found to be failing in hygiene and safety standards will have to face legal action, the Food Safety Commissioner has warned.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/

Poor hygiene in Trivandrum eateries gives rise to typhoid fears

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

The district has had an explosion of typhoid cases this year, including two suspected typhoid deaths, pointing to poor levels of food safety. The district health administration, which went on an intensive drive across the district on Tuesday as part of the SAFE Trivandrum initiative, examining eateries, bakeries, juice shops and ice factories, found that hardly 25 per cent of the food handlers in these outlets had health certificates.All those who eat out regularly are at serious risk of contracting the infection, health officials said.Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, transmitted directly through contaminated food and water and at times, through someone who is infected or is a chronic typhoid bacilli carrier. Sewage contamination of drinking water in poor sanitary conditions is a clear risk.

“Last year, the district reported 411 cases of typhoid. But this year so far, we have had 857 cases and two deaths (one confirmed), following which we have put our entire health field staff on alert. This should serve as a warning to all those running food businesses because the way food is handled in their eateries and the hygiene habits and the medical fitness of all the food handlers are seriously under question,” District Medical Officer K.M. Sirabuddin said.

In Tuesday’s inspections, health officials examined 1,783 institutions. Of the 2,197 food handlers in these institutions, only 431 had health cards. Of the 315 migrant workers employed as food handlers, only 71 had health cards.

No follow-up

“All of these institutions, except 222, had FSSA licences. But given the unhygienic conditions in which food is handled in many of these eateries, it is clear that there have been no follow-up measures after the issue of licences. We issued closure notice to six shops – in one of these, we found the cook with a major, festering burn on his hand continuing to handle food,” a health official said.

The district has been reporting at least eight to 10 cases of typhoid every day. There have been no outbreaks and all the cases are scattered. This makes it all the more difficult to identify a common source of infection.

Chronic carriers

Typhoid can lead to dangerous complications if it is not treated early. Though it is curable through the use of antibiotics, a certain percentage of people continue to harbour the typhoid bacilli even after they recover and are fully free of any symptoms. These people remain chronic typhoid carriers because the bacilli are present in their intestinal tract and are shed through stools.

Health officials said such healthy carriers were more dangerous than those with active typhoid fever as there was no way to recognise a typhoid carrier except by culturing their blood or stool samples.

“This is why it is so very important that all food handlers should have health cards, which should be renewed every six months after proper medical investigation. A healthy but chronic typhoid carrier engaged as a food handler can give typhoid to several people if he handles food with unwashed hands after using the toilet,” a public health official said.

FSSAI won't relax stand on labelling

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put its foot down and said “labeling requirements will not be relaxed” for any packaged food supplier as these are very “sensitive” products. It also maintained that the law mandates printed or inseparable labeling on such products. “The law of the land is valid for everyone - for domestic suppliers as well as importers – and all are expected to follow it. A regulator’s duty is to implement the law and not violate it…Food is so sensitive and there is no question of relaxing the labeling requirements for pre-packaged food products,” FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Dillip Kumar Samantaray told Business Standard. The food regulator’s comments comes in the wake of several containers of packaged food products carrying imported chocolates, crispies, gourmet cheese, olive oil, biscuits, noodles, pasta, jams, honey, oats and sauces etc being blocked at various ports and airports across the country in the absence of a clearance from FSSAI. The regulatory agency, which supervises import of food items to ensure quality, refused permission to these products citing labelling requirements as per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011.
According to Samantaray, these products were refused permission during visual inspection conducted to primarily check the labeling requirements etc. He said most of these products were carrying stickers with various information, whereas stickers are allowed to differentiate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian products, and to specify the name and address of the importer. “The law of the land requires all other information to be printed on the pack,” Samantaray insisted.
He said that food is a sensitive commodity and especially products like jams and chocolates are mostly consumed by children and therefore quality and specifications cannot be compromised by any means. “Law should be equal for everyone. Even if domestic manufacturers export products to other countries, they are required to abide by the law of that country. Then why should India not ensure health of its citizens,” Samantaray said.

U.S. FDA moves to ban trans fats, citing health risks

The FDA said reducing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) from the American diet could prevent 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year.
If its proposal becomes final, the oils, the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat, would be considered food additives and could not be used in food unless authorized.
The ruling would not affect naturally occurring trans fat that occurs in small amounts in certain meat and dairy products, the agency said.
The FDA's proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment period.
Trans fats are common in a wide range of processed foods including crackers and cookies, frozen pizza and refrigerated dough, coffee creamers and ready-to-use frosting, said Mical Honigfort, a consumer safety officer at FDA.
The American Heart Association lauded the actions as a step forward in battling heart disease.
"We commend the FDA for responding to the numerous concerns and evidence submitted over the years about the dangers of this industrially produced ingredient," the AHA's Nancy Brown said in a statement.
Hydrogenation is a chemical process that converts liquid vegetable oils into solid or semi-solid fats, which are preferred for baking and have a longer shelf life.
The dominant vegetable oil used in the United States is soybean oil. The FDA's announcement sparked a rapid sell-off in Chicago soyoil futures prices by creating uncertainty about its impact on vegetable oil demand. Soyoil fell by about 1.5 percent to 40.52 cents per pound, its lowest level since October 29, in heavy trading.
Source:http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/07/us-usa-fda-transfat-idINBRE9A60VN20131107

Food Safety Act: 107 prosecution cases in Punjab, no conviction

Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab
A total of 107 cases have been registered under the Food Safety Act, 2006, in Punjab in the past two years, but the prosecution proceedings are moving at a snail's pace, and that too in the absence of any FIR (first information report).
Even if a sample test reveals that the 'varak' (foil) on a piece of 'barfi' is made of low-purity aluminum rather than high-purity silver, the culprit for such hazardous adulteration can continue in the food business, besides buying time to challenge the authorities concerned.
Besides the use of hazardous chemicals in sweets and other food items, the cases are also related to the manufacture or supply of synthetic milk and adulterated edible oil or ghee.
The fate of such sampling and testing cases has not changed much after the implementation of the Act, as the accused continue in the food business despite the prosecution proceedings underway against them.
The legislation, which has no provision for immediate cancellation of the licence after the sample failure, was partially adopted in the state in August 2011, when the government initiated the process of mandatory registration of all those in the food trade, right from hawkers to owners of hotels and restaurants.
Of the 107 prosecution cases sanctioned for the courts of local subdivisional magistrates (SDMs) across the state, 33 are in Amritsar, 17 in Ludhiana, 11 each in Patiala and Mansa, eight in Gurdaspur, seven in Tarn Taran, four each in Rupnagar, Sangrur and Jalandhar, three each in Ferozepur and Muktsar, and one each in Bathinda and Moga.
Licences of none of these 107 accused parties have been cancelled so far, a senior official in the Punjab directorate of health here confirmed on the condition of anonymity.
"There is no such provision (to cancel the licence) in the Act before the conviction (in court)," he pointed out.
These cases have been bracketed as fit for judicial prosecution out of the 2,700 food samples that have failed adulteration norms tests since August 2011.
The remaining 2,593 cases were labelled as "substandard" and sent to the respective adjudicating officers in the districts concerned for the imposition of penalties.
There is, however, no fixed amount of the penalty to be imposed on the violators. Thus, it is up to the officers concerned to decide the amount.
Talking to HT on the phone, Bathinda district's adjudicating officer Rajiv Prashar said he had announced penalties ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 in cases such as 'substandard' edible oil or 'khoya' with low fat content.
Significantly, all cases in which the food samples fail tests to the extent of being hazardous to health or unsafe for human consumption are sent to the state's commissioner for food.
The nodal officer concerned, Husan Lal, managing director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), told HT that the state government was upgrading its sole testing laboratory in Sector 11, Chandigarh.
A couple of assistant analysts are undergoing advanced training so that the lab meets the standards of the four labs enlisted in the Act. These labs, certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), are located in Kolkata, Ghaziabad, Mysore and Pune.

The Punjab health authorities acknowledged that samples from the state were also being sent to labs in Kolkata and Ghaziabad, whenever required.

Test reports in 14 days
Under the Food Safety Act, samples are to be sent for testing in labs within 48 hours, and the test reports must reach food safety inspectors concerned in districts within 14 days. Under the Act, adjudicating officers have to pronounce the penalty to be imposed on the violators within three months.

FSSAI sets Feb 4, 2014, as final deadline for registration & licensing

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set the final deadline as February 4, 2014, for the food business operators to register and obtain licenses under Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. There will be no further extension to FBOs operating in the country to comply with the rules. “The advisory regarding extension till Feb 4 next year is now being legalised. The FBOs, new and old, have to get licence and register by Feb 4, 2014, otherwise they would get penalised,” said P Karthikeyan, assistant director, FSSAI. He said that there shall be no extension as much time had been given to the FBOs to either obtain licence or register themselves. The first deadline was August 4, 2012, that is one year after the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. This was extended by six months to Feb 4, 2013, and then again extended further to Feb 4, 2014.  According to the new draft under the Sub-Regulations of 2.1.2 related to licence for food business, it proposes two changes in Clause I wherein the term “within one year” in first proviso, is changed with “thirty months” and in second proviso the word “otherwise” is changed with “the new FBOs who started food business after 5th August 2011.” The present regulations under 2.1.2 were as follows; no person shall commence any food business unless he possesses a valid licence -Provided that any person or Food Business Operator carrying on food business on the date of notification of these regulations, under a licence, registration or permission, as the case may be, under the Acts or Orders mentioned in the Second Schedule of the Act shall get their existing licence converted into the licence/registration under these regulations by making an application to the Licensing/Registering Authority after complying with the safety requirements mentioned in the Schedule 4 contained under different parts dependent on nature of business, “within one year” of notification of these regulations. In case of difficulty, the licensing authority with the approval of the food safety commissioner in the state will determine the advisability of applying any specific condition keeping in view the need to ensure safety of food and public interest. No licence fee will have to be paid for the remaining period of the validity of the earlier licence or registration granted under any of the said Acts or Orders.Non-compliance with this provision by a Food Business Operator will attract penalty under Section 55 of the Act.The second part of the Clause I says -Provided further that any food business operator holding Registration/License under any other Act/Order as specified under Schedule 2 of the FSS Act, 2006, with no specific validity or expiry date, and “otherwise” entitled to obtain a licence under these regulations, shall have to apply and obtain a Registration/Licence under these regulations “within one year” from the date of notification by paying the applicable fees. Further the regulations also propose to omit Clause 4 that defines the late fees for delay in applying for renewal under Sections 2.1.7 of the regulations, which defines Validity and Renewal of Registration and License. That means no late fees of Rs 100 each day after delay, if any FBO does not applied within 30 days before the expiry date.When contacted K G Burman, food safety commissioner, Delhi, said that FSSAI on its part did come up with the regulations as and when required.
He stated, “The FBOs however needs to get licence and registrations well within the stipulated time.” 

Source:http://www.fnbnews.com

E.coli contamination in food

Chicken biryani is one of those ubiquitous dishes immensely liked by most. The possibility of faecal contamination — human or animal — in your favourite lunch order certainly cannot be a relishable thought.It thus comes as a shocker that five out of six samples of chicken biryani, collected from across the State and tested by the Food Quality Monitoring Laboratory at Konni, have been found to be contaminated by high levels of E.coli bacteria.The presence of E.coli in food is a general indication of direct or indirect contamination by faecal matter and a sure-fire indication of the poor hygiene practices of food handlers.The results of the evaluation of microbial quality of various ready-to-eat foods in Kerala, done by the Konni-based Food Quality Monitoring Lab, was presented at a seminar on Safe Food Business Practices, organised by the Commissionerate of Food Safety here on recently.The study, carried out between September 2011 and May 2013, evaluated the microbial load in 44 ready-to-eat food items from various food business operators across the State.Of the 134 samples of food items analysed, 22.38 per cent (30 samples) were found to have the presence of E.coli bacteria above the tolerance limit.

E.coli is an organism which is normally present in the intestinal tract of mammals and is thus a faecal indicator organism. Its presence in ready-to-eat foods – fully cooked or raw edible foods like salads – is an indication of poor hygiene and sanitation or inadequate heat treatment.The tolerance limit for E.coli is less than 100 cfu/g for raw food and less than 10 cfu/g for cooked food.Some of the popular food items tested by the lab included green salads (all samples of which were contaminated by E.coli), fish curry, chicken curry, parotta, puffs, pizza, vada, dosa, sambar, chutney, among many other such items.

The samples were purchased from hotels across Kerala, in packets provided by eateries, which were immediately transferred to sterile polythene bags and to insulated chilled boxes and transferred to lab immediately.The researchers have pointed out that poor sanitation is largely responsible for much of the contamination in food from food handlers.The levels of hygiene and sanitation inside hotel kitchens is of prime importance because the presence of a toilet near the hotel kitchen poses a serious risk of E.coli contamination in food preparation.Food handlers need to be made aware of the importance of maintaining personal hygiene as well as hygienic habits. 

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

SC directs FSSAI to conduct periodic checks of soft drinks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the government to conduct periodic checks of soft drinks manufacturing units.
A Bench of Justices KS Radhakrishnan and AK Sikri asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to rigorously monitor manufacturing of soft drinks, saying the issue pertained to citizens' fundamental right to life.
The court, however, refused to issue directions to cola makers to list their ingredients on labels, a demand raised in a PIL by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
The 2004 petition also asked for the setting up of a seperate committee to evaluate the alleged harmful effects of soft drinks.
The plea had alleged that the ingredients of carbonated drinks have "serious deleterious effects on human health" and no action has been taken to test and assess the risk posed by such beverages.
Soft drink major Pepsi had opposed the PIL, saying the Food Safety and Standards Act, which laid down regulations and standards for beverages, was sufficient and no further guidelines were required.
In 2011, the court asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to constitute independent scientific panels to look into the ingredients. The panel concluded the ingredients, under prescribed limits, posed no health hazards. The Indian Council of Medical Research reached the same conclusion.
Taking note of the experts' opinion and the new Act, the court deemed it appropriate to dispose of the PIL, but directed the FSAAI to ensure stringent implementation of the provisions in the law in public interest.

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com

FSSR amendment on ice cream: Industry hit by frozen dessert by 5-10 pc

The ice cream industry already hit by eroding market share following the emergence of frozen desserts sector in the country during the last few years, is facing another major setback in recent times following an amendment to the Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011.
The amendment, introduced about two months ago, allows manufacturers of frozen desserts to mention “vegetable-based or non-dairy-based ice cream” on the packs thus blurring the fine line between ice cream and its similar but cheaper counterpart frozen dessert as far as labelling is concerned.
Suleman Hafizi, chairman, Pastonji Brands and Holdings Pvt. Ltd, observed, “ As the amendment requiring the frozen dessert manufacturers to mention vegetable oil-based ice cream or non-dairy-based ice cream, the manufacturers are following that rule. But in the process we the manufacturers of ice cream are losing business. Our company has incurred a loss of Rs 50 lakh in comparison with previous year due to more sale of frozen desserts.” Another source from the company stated that the impact of the recent amendment on the ice cream industry comes to 5-10 per cent.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Gandhi, managing director, Vadilal Industries Ltd, felt that the frozen desserts industry had impacted the ice cream industry by at least 30 per cent. “While there are no official estimates of the volumes of the two sectors, I think both are roughly the same size.”
However, he did not see any direct impact from the amendment. Gandhi stated, “Frozen desserts are in the country for the last 20 years, but the definition came two years back and the amendment was brought in force by FSSAI two months back.”
He explained, “The amendment states that frozen dessert manufacturers can mention on the packs that it is vegetable-based or non-dairy based ice cream. But milk is used in both the products. There is no impact on the ice cream industry after the amendment because the consumers who do not compromise on the price would go for ice cream and the consumers who look for affordability in prices would choose frozen desserts.”
R S Sodhi, managing director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), had a slightly different take, “They don't check the product's nutritious value. They just go for it because it is cheaper than ice cream. Frozen dessert has impacted the ice cream industry, but Amul is a big player in the ice cream sector, and has, therefore, not faced the heat.”
“The companies which are just focussing on frozen desserts are misguiding the consumers by calling it ice cream,” he felt.
While ice cream is made from milk fat, frozen dessert is made from vegetable oil fat and prior to the amendment, manufacturers of frozen desserts could not use the word ice cream but had to do by mentioning just “frozen dessert” and also needed to state that the product was made from “vegetable oils” somewhere on the pack.
Traditionally, the contention has been that though frozen desserts look and taste similar to ice creams, they have an advantage over the latter as they are cheaper and the buyer is not aware of the difference between the two.
Interestingly, even as the debate over impact of frozen dessert industry over ice cream sector continues, a report by Euromonitor International points out that in the five years ended December 31, 2012, Amul's share of India's frozen treats fell to 31 per cent from 35 per cent, while Unilever's rose to 21 per cent from 17 per cent.
“Unless there is greater awareness among consumers that frozen desserts do not contain milk fats, Unilever will continue to grow,” the report stated.
“The sales of all frozen treats more than doubled in India between 2007 and 2012, and are likely to do so again in the five years ending in 2017, reaching Rs 68.6 billion,” the report concluded.
Source:http://www.fnbnews.com

Rats Found In Red Chilly Packet

ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കളിലെ മായംചേര്‍ക്കല്‍; ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷാ നിയമം കടലാസില്‍ മാത്രം

വടകര: ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാനിയമം വന്നിട്ടും പച്ചക്കറികള്‍, മത്സ്യം, മാംസം തുടങ്ങിയവയില്‍ മായം ചേര്‍ക്കുന്നതും രാസവസ്തുക്കള്‍ കലര്‍ത്തുന്നതുമായ പരാതികള്‍ വര്‍ധിക്കുന്നു. ആവശ്യത്തിന് ജീവനക്കാരും നിലവാരമുള്ള ലാബുകളും ഇല്ലാത്തതാണ് നിയമം നടപ്പാക്കാന്‍ തടസ്സമാകുന്നത്.
ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കളുടെ ഉത്പാദനത്തിലും വിതരണത്തിലും അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര നിലവാരം പുലര്‍ത്താനുദ്ദേശിച്ചാണ് ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ ഗുണനിലവാര നിയമമുണ്ടാക്കിയത്.
മുമ്പ് നിലവിലുണ്ടായിരുന്ന എല്ലാ നിയമങ്ങളും ഉത്തരവുകളും ഏകോപിപ്പിച്ചാണ് പുതിയ നിയമം നിലവില്‍ വന്നത്. ശാസ്ത്രീയമായ ഗുണനിലവാര മാനദണ്ഡങ്ങള്‍ നടപ്പില്‍ വരുത്തുക ഇതിന്റെ പ്രധാന ലക്ഷ്യമായിരുന്നു. ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി സ്റ്റാന്‍ഡേര്‍ഡ്‌സ് അതോറിറ്റി ഓഫ് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ മാതൃകയില്‍ സംസ്ഥാന തലത്തിലും അതോറിറ്റിയും രൂപവത്കരിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ജില്ലാ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തില്‍ ആധുനിക സൗകര്യങ്ങളുള്ള പരിശോധാ ലാബുകള്‍ സ്ഥാപിക്കാതെ നിയമം പ്രാവര്‍ത്തികമാക്കാന്‍ പറ്റില്ലെന്നാണ് ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടവര്‍ പറയുന്നത്.
ഫുഡ്‌സേഫ്റ്റി ഓഫീസര്‍മാര്‍ എന്ന് പുനര്‍ നാമകരണം ചെയ്ത ഫുഡ് ഇന്‍സ്‌പെക്ടര്‍മാര്‍ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയോ മറ്റോ ഉണ്ടാകുമ്പോള്‍ മാത്രമാണ് രംഗത്ത് വരുന്നത്. പ്രാഥമിക ആരോഗ്യ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളുടെയും ആസ്​പത്രികളുടെയും കീഴില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന ഹെല്‍ത്ത് ഇന്‍സ്‌പെക്ടര്‍മാര്‍ വിപണിയില്‍ നിന്ന് പഴകിയ ഭക്ഷ്യ വസ്തുക്കളും മറ്റും പിടിച്ചെടുത്ത് നശിപ്പിക്കുന്നുണ്ടെങ്കിലും ശാസ്ത്രീയമായ പരിശോധനകള്‍ നടത്താത്തതിനാല്‍ കുറ്റക്കാരെ ശിക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നില്ല. നിസ്സാരപിഴ വസൂലാക്കി കുറ്റക്കാരെ വിട്ടയയ്ക്കുകയാണ്.
കോഴിക്കോട്ടെ പബ്ലിക് ഹെല്‍ത്ത് ലബോറട്ടറിയില്‍ പൊതുജനങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് സാംപിള്‍ കൊടുക്കണമെങ്കില്‍ ഒരുമാസം മുമ്പേ അപേക്ഷിക്കണം. ജീവനക്കാരുടെയും പരിശോധനാ ഉപകരണങ്ങളുടെയും കുറവ് ലബോറട്ടറികളുടെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനത്തെ ബാധിക്കുന്നു.
സംസ്ഥാന ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി കമ്മീഷണറുടെ വെബ് സൈറ്റില്‍ ഇത്തരം കാര്യങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ച് വളരെ പരിമിതമായ വിവരങ്ങളേയുള്ളൂ. സാംപിള്‍ ശേഖരിക്കല്‍, പരിശോധനാഫലങ്ങള്‍ തുടങ്ങിയവയെപ്പറ്റി വെബ്‌സൈറ്റില്‍ പേജുകള്‍ ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും പ്രസക്തമായ വിവരങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ല. ജീവനക്കാരുടെ സ്ഥാനക്കയറ്റം സംബന്ധിച്ച വിവരങ്ങളാണ് ഏറെയും.
Source:http://www.mathrubhumi.com

Live rat pups in dry chilli packet

Live rat pups have been found in a sealed packet of dry chillies a man bought from a supermarket at Pallimukku in the city.

The man, who claimed buying it on Thursday, found the pups on Friday when he heard squeaks from inside the packet.

Following a written complaint from him, the Chief Food Safety Officer at Kollam, A.K. Mini, has written to the State Food Safety Commissioner seeking permission to initiate prosecution proceedings against the supermarket authorities. Ms. Mini has also ordered the closure of the super market’s packing centre following an inspection there.

The customer says the packet has not been opened and has been handed over to the Food Safety authorities. The pups can be seen through the plastic packet. But the supermarket authorities say that the claim of the man is hard to believe.

The label on the packet shows that it was packed on October 15. The man had purchased it on October 17 and noticed the pups on October 18. The supermarket authorities say it is simply not possible for the pups to be alive in an airtight packet for four days and that too without being fed.

They allege mischief behind it. The supermarket with several branches is the one that had earned a reputation in the city over the years, they add.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

Food safety training for noon meal, Anganwadi staff

Tamil Nadu Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Jayanth on Tuesday ordered the Designated Officers (DOs) of Food Safety Wing to train the staff at noon meal and Anganwadi centres across the State in safe and hygienic cooking practices.

In a video-conference, he instructed the DOs of all 32 districts to provide training on handling different types of food materials, safe cooking practices and maintaining hygienic conditions, an official who participated told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The noon meal scheme at schools was a State Government project. Anganwadi centres are run by Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Central Government-sponsored social welfare scheme to tackle malnutrition and health problems in children and their mothers.

Apart from cooking, emphasis will also be placed on storage of different food materials. The objective was to bring in more professionalism in the process within the resources available to the staff, the official said.

The training will be conducted at the block-level, where the Block Development Officer will coordinate the effort with the DOs. Training for the first batch was likely to commence in a week’s time. The Food Safety Commissioner has written to all the district administrations seeking their cooperation.

Even though nearly three months have elapsed since the Food Safety Commissioner directed all DOs to test samples from noon meal and Anganwadi centres, no sample had been taken in Coimbatore so far, sources said.

Mr. Jayanth had issued a circular on July 19 in the wake of more than 20 children dying after taking the mid-day meal at a school in Bihar on July 16. It was found that food was contaminated as a result of the cooking oil having been placed in a container formerly used to store pesticides. While initially the process was held-up in Coimbatore due to the microbiologist post at the Government Food Analysis Laboratory here lying vacant, it was yet to take off even though the post was filled, a few weeks ago. The process of lifting samples and testing them was likely to be taken up after the training programme for the cooks conclude, an official said.

Coimbatore had one of the six Government food analysis laboratories in Tamil Nadu that are approved under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The others are in Chennai, Salem, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli and Madurai.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

ഹോട്ടല്‍ പൂട്ടിച്ചു, ബിരിയാണിയില്‍ നിന്ന് ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ; ഏഴ് പേര്‍ ചികിത്സ തേടി

 Source:http://www.mathrubhumi.com
തിരുവനന്തപുരം: പഴവങ്ങാടിയിലെ ഹോട്ടലില്‍ നിന്ന് ബിരിയാണി കഴിച്ച ഏഴ് പേര്‍ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയേറ്റ് വിവിധ ആശുപത്രികളില്‍ ചികിത്സ തേടി. ഇരുപതോളം പേര്‍ക്ക് അസ്വസ്ഥത അനുഭവപ്പെടുകയും ചേയ്തു. നെയ്യാറ്റിന്‍കര സ്വദേശികളായ സുധ, അജിന്‍, ഹരിപ്രസാദ്, രാഹുല്‍, കരമന സ്വദേശിനി സഫീറ, വര്‍ക്കല സ്വദേശിനി ബിജി, ആറ്റിങ്ങല്‍ സ്വദേശിനി അനൂജ എന്നിവരാണ് ചികിത്സ തേടിയത്. മൂന്ന് പേര്‍ നഗരത്തിലെ സ്വകാര്യ ആശുപത്രിയിലും രണ്ടു പേര്‍ നെയ്യാറ്റിന്‍കരയിലെ സ്വകാര്യ ആശുപത്രിയിലും ഒരാള്‍ അറ്റിങ്ങലിലെയും മറ്റൊരാള്‍ വര്‍ക്കലയിലെയും സ്വകാര്യ ആശുപത്രികളിലുമാണ് ചികിത്സ തേടിയത്. ഇവര്‍ എച്ച്.ഡി.എഫ്.സി ലൈഫിലെ ജിവനക്കാരാണ്. ഇവര്‍ ഭക്ഷണം വാങ്ങിയ പഴവങ്ങാടി ആസാദ് ഹോട്ടല്‍ ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ വിഭാഗം താല്‍ക്കാലികമായി പൂട്ടിച്ചു.

Food safety officer held on graft charge

A food safety officer of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration department was trapped and arrested on graft charges, on the premises of the Vellore  collectorate on Tuesday.
The sleuths attached to the Vellore unit of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVAC) Wing caught food safety officer of Anaicut block K Vinayaga Murthi (33) while he was receiving a bribe of  Rs 12,000, to renew the licence of a hotel.
P Arumugam, manager of Aryabhavan Hotel at Erayankadu, had lodged a complaint with the DVAC on August 27 stating that Vinayaga Murthi had demanded a bribe of `12,000, after bargaining, to renew the hotel’s licence. Murthi had asked Arumugam to hand over the money on Tuesday inside the Vellore Collectorate. The complainant immediately alerted the DVAC officials. A police team led by the DSP of the unit M Balasubramanian handed over chemical coated currencies to Arumugam. The DVAC sleuths arrested Murthi within a flash after he received the bribe.
Police registered a case against him under the provision of Prevention of Corruption Act and produced him before the Chief Judicial Magistrate  Court in Vellore. Following this, Vinayaga Murthi was remanded to Vellore Prison for Men.
Source:http://newindianexpress.com

മനഃസാക്ഷിയില്ലാത്ത മായം ചേര്‍ക്കല്‍

Source:http://www.janmabhumidaily.com
ഭൂമുഖത്തെ ഏഴ്‌ ശതകോടി ജനങ്ങളെ തീറ്റിപ്പോറ്റുവാനുള്ള ഭക്ഷണ ലഭ്യത ഉറപ്പാക്കാന്‍ രാജ്യങ്ങള്‍ പരിശ്രമിക്കുമ്പോല്‍ നമുക്ക്ലഭിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കളിലെ മായം ചേര്‍ക്കലിനെക്കുറിച്ച്‌ നാം വിസ്മരിക്കുകയാണ്‌. അതിവേഗത്തില്‍ അമിത മിച്ചം ലഭിക്കുവാന്‍ മനുഷ്യന്‍ മനുഷ്യനുതന്നെ പാഷാണം ചേര്‍ത്ത്‌ ഭക്ഷണ പദാര്‍ത്ഥങ്ങള്‍ വിറ്റഴിക്കുകയാണ്‌. മധുരപലഹാരങ്ങള്‍ ഭക്ഷ്യഎണ്ണകള്‍, പാല്‍, പാല്‍ ഉല്‍പ്പന്നങ്ങള്‍, ആട്ട, പാനീയങ്ങള്‍, പയറുവര്‍ഗങ്ങള്‍, മസാല, അരി, ചൊറുക്ക, കറിപൗഡറുകള്‍, മറ്റ്‌ രുചി വര്‍ധിപ്പിക്കുന്ന വസ്തുക്കള്‍, ചായ, കാപ്പി, ബേക്കിംഗ്‌ പൗഡര്‍, പച്ചക്കറികള്‍, പഴങ്ങള്‍ പച്ചക്കറികള്‍, ടിന്നിലടച്ച ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കള്‍ എന്നിവയിലെല്ലാം മായം ചേര്‍ക്കല്‍ തകൃതിയായി നടന്നുവരികയാണ്‌. അറക്കപ്പൊടി, മാരകനിറങ്ങള്‍, സോപ്പ്‌, വ്യാവസായികമായി ഉല്‍പ്പാദിപ്പിക്കുന്ന സ്റ്റാര്‍ച്ച്‌ അഥവാ അന്നജം, അലൂമിനിയം ഫോയില്‍, ആസിഡുകള്‍, ആല്‍ഡിഹൈഡുകള്‍, ഇഷ്ടികപ്പൊടി, കല്ലുകള്‍, മണ്ണ്‌, ചോക്ക്‌ പൊടി, പപ്പായക്കുരു തുടങ്ങി വിലകുറഞ്ഞ എണ്ണിയാലൊടുങ്ങാത്ത പാഴ്‌വസ്തുക്കള്‍ മായമായി ഭക്ഷണ പദാര്‍ത്ഥങ്ങളില്‍ ചേര്‍ത്ത്‌ അമിത ലാഭത്തിനായി വില്‍പ്പന നടത്തുന്നത്‌ ഇന്ന്‌ പതിവായിത്തീര്‍ന്നിരിക്കുന്നു. നിലവിലെ നിയമത്തില്‍ ഒട്ടനവധി പഴുതുകള്‍ ഉള്ളതിനാലും നിയമം നടപ്പാക്കുന്നതിന്‌ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ സംവിധാനങ്ങളും പരാജയവും ശിക്ഷാ നടപടികളിലെ അപര്യാപ്തതയും മായം ചേര്‍ക്കലിന്‌ ഒത്താശ ചെയ്യുന്ന കാര്യങ്ങളാണ്‌.

ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷത്തിന്റെ രുചിക്കൂട്ടുകള്‍

 

Source:http://www.janmabhumidaily.com
ഈയടുത്ത കാലത്തായി ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കളിലെ മായം ചേര്‍ക്കലും കേടുവന്ന ഭക്ഷണ പദാര്‍ത്ഥ വില്‍പനയും അളവിലും തൂക്കത്തിലും നടക്കുന്ന തട്ടിപ്പും മറ്റും വാര്‍ത്തയില്‍ നിറഞ്ഞുനില്‍ക്കുകയാണ്‌. കൊച്ചിയില്‍ പിടിച്ചെടുത്ത ആയിരത്തിലധികം കിലോ ചീഞ്ഞളിഞ്ഞ സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി തന്നെയാണ്‌ ഇതിരെ താരം. സമൂസ, പഫ്സ്‌, ബര്‍ഗര്‍, കട്ട്ലേറ്റ്‌, ദംബിരിയാണി, ഷവര്‍മ, ഹോട്ട്ഡോഗ്‌, പിസ, സാന്റ്‌വിച്ച്‌ തുടങ്ങിയ ന്യൂജനറേഷന്‍ ഭക്ഷണപദാര്‍ത്ഥങ്ങളിലെല്ലാം ഉപയോഗിക്കാനാണ്‌ സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി ഉപയോഗിച്ച്‌ വരുന്നതെന്നാണ്‌ പറയുന്നത്‌. ഇറച്ചി പൊടുന്നനെ ചെറിയ കഷ്ണങ്ങളാക്കി വിഭജിക്കുവാന്‍ സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി നല്ലതാണത്രെ! പട്ടിയും വന്യമൃഗങ്ങളും വരെ തിന്നുവാന്‍ മടിക്കുന്ന ഇറച്ചിയാണ്‌ സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി. രോഗാണുക്കളുടെ വിഹാര രംഗമാണിത്‌. ഒരു വിഭാഗം ഈ ഇറച്ചികൊണ്ട്‌ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയാല്‍ അത്‌ വിറ്റ്‌ തീരുന്നതുവരെ ആഴ്ചകളും മാസങ്ങലും ഫ്രീസറിലും ഓവനിലും മാറിമാറി വെച്ച്‌ ഫ്രഷ്‌ ആക്കുന്ന പതിവും കൊച്ചിയിലുണ്ട്‌. മെട്രോ നഗരമായി വളരുന്ന കൊച്ചിയുടെ നാറുന്ന മുഖത്തിന്‌ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ ഉദാഹരണം. ആധുനിക ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി ഫ്ലാറ്റ്‌ നിവാസികളും വില്ല നിവാസികളും നടത്തുന്ന പുറത്തെ ഭക്ഷണ ഭ്രമമാണ്‌ വില്‍പനക്കാരുടെ ടാര്‍ജറ്റ്‌. ന്യൂക്ലിയസ്‌ ഫാമിലികളുടെ ആഴ്ചാവസാനമുള്ള ഔട്ടിംഗ്‌ മുതലാക്കുകയെന്ന കച്ചവടക്കണ്ണും ഇതിന്‌ പുറകിലുണ്ട്‌. അജിനോമോട്ടോ ചേര്‍ക്കുന്നതോടെ വിഭവങ്ങളെല്ലാം രുചികരമാകുന്നു. രാസപരമായി ഒരു മയക്കുമരുന്നായതിനാല്‍ അജിനോമോട്ടോ ചേര്‍ത്ത ആഹാരത്തിന്‌ വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും ആവശ്യക്കാര്‍ വര്‍ധിക്കുന്നു. കാന്‍സറിന്‌ വഴിവെയ്ക്കുന്ന വിഷാംശം കലര്‍ന്ന ഈ രാസപദാര്‍ത്ഥം ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തുക്കളില്‍ ചേര്‍ക്കുന്നത്‌ നിരോധിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും ആഡംബര ഭക്ഷ്യശാലകള്‍ മുതല്‍ തട്ടുകടകള്‍ വരെയുള്ള വഴിയോര ഭക്ഷ്യവസ്തു വില്‍പന കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളില്‍വരെ അജിനോമോട്ടോ ചേര്‍ത്ത ഭക്ഷണപദാര്‍ത്ഥങ്ങള്‍ സുലഭമാണ്‌.

ട്രെയിനിലെ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ; ആഹാരം ഭക്ഷ്യയോഗ്യമല്ലെന്ന് ലാബ് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്

കാസര്‍കോട്: അജ്മീര്‍ മരുസാഗര്‍ എക്‌സ്പ്രസില്‍ വിതരണം ചെയ്തത് ഭക്ഷ്യയോഗ്യമായ ആഹാരപദാര്‍ഥങ്ങളായിരുന്നില്ലെന്ന് പരിശോധനയില്‍ തെളിഞ്ഞു. കോഴിക്കോട്ടെ ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി റീജിണല്‍ അനലറ്റിക് ലാബില്‍ നടത്തിയ സാമ്പിള്‍ പരിശോധന ഫലത്തിലാണ് യോഗ്യമായ ഭക്ഷണമല്ല യാത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് നല്‍കിയതെന്ന് തെളിഞ്ഞത്. റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് കാസര്‍കോട് റെയില്‍വേ പൊലീസിന് ലഭിച്ചു. രോഗകാരിയായ ബാക്ടീരിയ ഭക്ഷണത്തിലുണ്ടായിരുന്നതായി റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടില്‍ പറയുന്നു. റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടിന്റെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തില്‍ ഇവര്‍ക്കെതിരെ തുടര്‍നടപടി സ്വീകരിക്കുന്നത് നിയമവിദഗ്ധരുമായി ആലോചിക്കുമെന്ന് കാസര്‍കോട് റെയില്‍വേ പൊലീസ് പറഞ്ഞു. പാന്‍ട്രി നടത്തിയ എബിസി എന്റര്‍െ്രെപസസിന്റെ ലൈസന്‍സ് റദ്ദാക്കണമെന്നാവശ്യപ്പെട്ട് റെയില്‍വേ ബോര്‍ഡിന് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് സമര്‍പ്പിക്കും. ട്രെയിന്‍ പുറപ്പെട്ട സ്ഥലത്ത് ഭക്ഷണം കഴിച്ചവര്‍ക്കാണ് ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയേറ്റത്. ഇതുകാരണം കേസ് ചിലപ്പോള്‍ രാജസ്ഥാന്‍ പൊലീസിന് കൈമാറും. ഇക്കാര്യം നിയമവിദഗ്ധരുമായി ആലോചിച്ചേ തീരുമാനിക്കൂ. ആഗസ്ത് 17 നാണ് മരുസാഗര്‍ എക്‌സ്പ്രസില്‍ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയേറ്റ് 50 പേരെ ജില്ലയിലെ വിവിധ ആശുപത്രികളില്‍ പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ചത്. പാന്‍ട്രി കാറില്‍ ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി ലൈസന്‍സും ജീവനക്കാരുടെ മെഡിക്കല്‍ ഫിറ്റ്‌നസ് സര്‍ടിഫിക്കറ്റും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ലെന്ന് പ്രാഥമികാന്വേഷണത്തില്‍ തെളിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ട്രെയിനില്‍ ഭക്ഷണച്ചുമതലയുണ്ടായിരുന്ന പാന്‍ട്രി ജീവനക്കാര്‍ മുന്‍കൂര്‍ ജാമ്യത്തിനായി തലശേരി സെഷന്‍സ് കോടതിയെ സമീപിച്ചു.
Source:http://www.deshabhimani.com

Tsunami meat' reporting gets Rs 1 lakh reward

The Bakers Association Kerala (BAKE) has offered a reward of Rs 1 lakh for those who report the presence of ‘Tsunami meat’, which is being sold in Kerala after being brought from Tamil Nadu. The information can be handed over to the BAKE, food safety officer, Corporation/municipality/panchayat health inspectors. BAKE had sumbitted a memorandum to the Excise Fisheries Minister K Babu seeking intervention of the Crime Branch in tracing the sale of Tsunami meat.
State president P M Sankaran, organising secretary Royal Noushad, state secretary A Noushad, state committee member Royal Mohanan were part of signing the memorandum. The public should raise a hue and cry about such meat being sold in the market, the association members stated.
The meat is known as Tsunami meat as it contains meat waste and meat leftovers including cattle head, liver portions and intestine parts. The meat is mixed with good meat and sold at a lesser price.

Source:http://newindianexpress.com

Kerala’s safety net over street food soon

Street food is an inevitable part of urban living in all metros and cities, anywhere in the world.

The USP of these food-vending units is hot food, served quickly and hassle-free, which one can pick up while on the move.

However, safety, cleanliness and hygiene are aspects of this food business which often go sacrificed, partly because customers never insist on these and vendors themselves are not aware of any specific guidelines they have to follow to ensure food safety.

Mobile joints

The Food Safety wing is now in the process of setting this right, by drawing up a set of guidelines that street food vendors, especially mobile fast food joints, have to follow so that safety and hygiene aspects of the food business are not compromised.

“What we are attempting to do is a branding exercise - those mobile fast food joints which follow the essential food safety guidelines will have our (food safety wing’s) seal of approval. We propose that these mobile vans may sport a uniform colour and a neon display board, sporting the insignia of food safety wing’s approval. In short, this branding becomes the USP of the vendors, while at the same time promoting the concept of food safety among the public,” says Commissioner of Food Safety Biju Prabhakar.

Discussions held

He had already held a preliminary round of discussions with some mobile food business operators, to impress upon them the need to put food safety first and get their feedback on the branding exercise

The proposal will be submitted to city corporations/ municipalities, so that they can own up the programme and ensure its proper implementation, he added.

While there are a handful of these mobile fast food joints in the city, these are not yet ‘legalised’ and the city Corporation has not exactly given them permission or a licence to operate these mobile vending units.

The only stamp of officialdom that these vendors have at present is a food business operator (FBO) registration from the Food Safety wing.

Local bodies will have to step in and issue these vendors a licence or a permit, before the proposed scheme of the Food Safety wing can be implemented.

Though many of these mobile fast food joints do roaring business, often these function from unhygienic premises and from within shabby, rusty vehicles. Clean and safe storage of cooked food, raw food, serving vessels, safe handling of food, safe drinking water and proper waste disposal are all issues which need to be addressed as far as the street food business is concerned.

Grading

“We have drawn a 22-point guidelines draft for mobile fast food joints, including a set of basic guidelines which cannot be compromised. Depending on the rate of compliance, we will grade these joints and give our approval. We could even think about discussing with the KSEB on providing these joints power connections with meter at certain designated areas,” Mr. Prabhakar, said.

The attempt is to encourage all vendors to sell safe food rather than discourage them from selling food on the street, he added.

Guidelines proposed

*Mobile fast food joints may be operated only from clean premises, free of open drains.

*The inside of the vehicle, including the floor, used to sell/ cook food should be lined with seamless aluminium or fibreglass sheets that can be cleaned easily.

*Vehicle to be clean, washed daily.

*Food to be stored only in clean, un-dented stainless steel vessels with covers.

*Safe, potable water should be provided as drinking water and for washing hands.

*Food waste and waste water should be collected in vessels and disposed of properly elsewhere.

*Those handling food should necessarily wear clean clothes, head cap, apron and gloves.

*All food handlers should be given training in handling food and should compulsorily avoid smoking/ chewing tobacco during business hours.

*Health certificates must for all food handlers.

*Exhaust fans mandatory. Clean kitchen wipes/clothes to be used.

*Only food-grade plastic covers or aluminium foil for packing food.

*In case food being sold in the van is cooked elsewhere, the place of food preparation should have a registration certificate and fulfil conditions of food safety.

*Meat, egg and poultry should be bought from licensed suppliers and a register of the details of suppliers and the daily supplies should be maintained.

*Use of mini-refrigerator, microwave ovens will be encouraged for food safety.

*Cooked meat and uncooked/ ready-to-be-cooked meat should be clearly separated. These cannot be kept unrefrigerated for more than three hours.

*Temporary clean roofing material should be drawn up if food is cooked outside the van. 

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news

Mumbai faces shortage of food safety officers

Even as Maharashtra is ahead of other states in maintaining food safety standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and regulations 2011, it is facing an acute manpower crunch of food safety officers (FSO) in Mumbai and hence has roped in 33 FSOs from local bodies across the state.
“It’s a challenging task to implement the act. The money spent by the government on the medical bill will be reduced by its effective implementation,” said Pradip Chakraborty, director IEC, FSSAI, while speaking at the third National Health Writers and Editors’ convention organised by Heal Foundation recently.
According to Mahesh Zagade, till August this year, the FDA had recorded data of 3.98 lakh food business officers (FBO) out of which approximately 1.25 lakh are licence holders and 2.72 lakh are registered. Around `75 crore has been collected from them.
The ones who have their annual turnover above `12 lakh need a licence, while those with turnover below that are registered, including street vendors. “We have conducted workshops to educate and train them. Till now, we have also prosecuted 1,600 FBOs, including around 800 for selling gutka,” added another official.
The official said there are only 204 FSOs for Maharashtra with districts like Gondia and Gadchiroli having less than four FSOs. Mumbai has just 17 FSOs out of the sanctioned strength of 66. “There needs to be one FSO for a 1,000 vendors which simply means the number of sanctioned strength needs to increase over two-fold,” he added.
The FDA has written to the state government in this regard. Meanwhile, 33 FSOs from local bodies across Maharashtra have been roped in. The FDA plans to set international food standards for Mumbai and will start with FBOs at Juhu and Girgaum beaches soon.
Source:http://www.asianage.com

Ice cream Vs. Frozen dessert - The chilling truth

As a consumer, whether I am buying a shirt that claims to be linen, or whether it's a face cream, I like to know whether I am getting my money's worth. And it's no different when it comes to food.  So how do you think I felt when I got a carton of ice cream and in a small, inconspicuous corner, I see the label - frozen dessert. And it only got worse from there.

Today, in India, frozen dessert has taken over as much as 40% of the ice cream segment. Is that such a bad thing?

Before going into great detail, the big difference between ice cream and frozen dessert is this. Frozen desserts are made with vegetable oil. Also, this is usually the vegetable oil that we want to avoid in our diet like coconut oil or palm oil. Ice-cream on the other hand, is mainly made from milk and dairy fat.
To do a fair comparison, I randomly picked up a box from each - a frozen dessert and an ice cream carton. Here is what I saw.

The Label Comparison

Ice Cream

Claim: Labels it as Ice Cream on the top of the carton.

Ingredients: Water, milk, solids, sugar, permitted stabilizing and emulsifying agents (412, 410, 407, 471, 466). Contains added vanilla flavors (artificial flavoring substances).

Frozen Dessert

Claim: The larger font says - Creamy Delights: Strawberry. In a corner on the side of the box, it says - Frozen Dessert.

Ingredient List: Water, sugar, milk solids, edible vegetable oil, liquid glucose, vegetable protein, emulsifier - 471, stabilizers - 410, 412, 407 Acidity regulator - 330. Contains permitted synthetic food colors and added flavors. Nature identical and artificial milk and strawberry flavoring substances.

Case filed against tea manufacturer

In a first step towards initiating legal action against those involved in manufacturing and distributing of misbranded and unsafe tea powder, officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India filed a case in the Omalur court here on Tuesday.

Accused

The accused were mentioned as vendor V. Selvam of Omalur, his wife S. Bagyalakshmi, who is the licence holder and the manufacture V. Nibhana of Ayanavaram, Chennai. A case was filed on behalf the FSSAI under Section 52 (misbranding) and 59 (unsafe) of The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Adulterated tea powder

A team led by T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, during an inspection in Omalur found 250 kg of adulterated tea powder packets kept for distribution in the region.

Samples confirmed

Samples confirmed that the tea powder was unsafe for human consumption and notice was served to the three. If they were found guilty for misbranding, they would be liable to a penalty of less than Rs. 3 lakh and if found guilty for distributing unsafe food, they would be served with six months imprisonment and Rs. 1 lakh. This is the first case to be registered in a court of law for initiating action under the act since implementation, authorities concerned said. 

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu

ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷാ ജോ. കമ്മീഷണര്‍ക്ക് ദുബായ് മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റിയുടെ അംഗീകാരം

തിരുവനന്തപുരം: ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷാ ജോയിന്റ് കമ്മീഷണര്‍ കെ. അനില്‍കുമാറിന് ദുബായ് മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റിയുടെ അംഗീകാരം. കെ. അനില്‍ കുമാര്‍ മലയാളത്തില്‍ തയാറാക്കിയ ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷ സംബന്ധിച്ച കൈപ്പുസ്തകം കേരളത്തില്‍ നിന്ന് ദുബായിലെത്തി ഭക്ഷ്യമേഖലയില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നവര്‍ക്ക് ഉപയോഗപ്രദമായിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഇത് ദുബായ് മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റിയുടെ ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷാ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് കൂടുതല്‍ സഹായകരമാകും എന്ന സാഹചര്യത്തിലാണ് അനില്‍കുമാറിന് അംഗീകാരം നല്‍കുന്നതെന്ന് ദുബായ് മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റി ഫുഡ് കണ്‍ട്രോള്‍ ഡിപ്പാര്‍ട്ടുമെന്റ് ഡയറക്ടര്‍ ഖാലിദ് മുഹമ്മദ് ഷെരീഫ് അല്‍ അവാധിയുടെ അറിയിപ്പില്‍ പറയുന്നു. ഒക്ടോബര്‍ 10ന് ദുബായ് നഗരസഭാ ഓഫീസില്‍ നടക്കുന്ന ചടങ്ങില്‍ അനില്‍കുമാറിന് അവാര്‍ഡ് സമ്മാനിക്കും
Source:http://www.mathrubhumi.com

Food Adulteration And How It Affects You (Part 1)

Food Adulteration And How It Affects You (Part 2)

Dead snake found in Green Peas Curry at Kerala

6 more tonnes of gutka seized in Chennai

A routine vehicle check during a traffic jam led to the seizure of nearly 6 tonnes of banned chewable tobacco products from a lorry near Vaidiyanathan bridge on Ennore High Road in Tondiarpet on Thursday. The seizure was the second such instance in less than a month after the consignment confiscated near the bridge on August 12. However, the volume of the seizure this time was almost double that of the previous occasion.

Police said that the consignment might have been heading to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where there is no ban in place, via Chennai port.

On Thursday, around 1 p.m., a team of policemen from the R.K. Nagar police was checking vehicles amidst the chaotic traffic. They stopped a lorry bearing a Tamil Nadu licence plate and found gutka packed in 160 gunny bags, each containing 40 kg of the banned product. The police immediately seized the vehicle and questioned the driver, M. Aruldoss (40), a resident of New Washermenpet. During the interrogation, the driver stated that the consignment was being transported from a warehouse in Tondiarpet to Mint Street in north Chennai. However, police officers expressed doubts regarding his account and said that it was unlikely that the consignment was being transported across such a short distance, that too within the city limits where there is a ban on the transport and sale of gutka. Police officials suspected that the consignment was instead being transported to the islands.

The police then informed officials of the Food Safety and Drug Administration department. A team of food safety inspectors led by S. Elagovan took possession of the banned products and the vehicle.

“The seized products will be destroyed at the Kodungaiyur dumping yard along with another tonne of gutka that was seized from Sowcarpet last week,” said an official. The Tamil Nadu government banned the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of carcinogenic chewable forms of tobacco in May. Ever since, the contraband has been smuggled into the city through various means. On August 3, officials seized over 16 tonnes of products at Central Railway station on a train that had come in from Nizamuddin.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

Medical college patient gets dead snake in curry

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: A woman got the shock of her life on Wednesday morning when she found an unusual and nauseating ingredient in her pea curry: a dead snake hatchling.
The finding led to the closure of the Medical College Teachers' Co-operative Society canteen, which served the dish. After finding worms and millipedes from food items, it is the turn of snake.

The dead snake was found in the appam-curry set ordered (as parcel) by a patient at Medical College hospital here for the breakfast.Food safety officials closed down Medical College Teachers' Co-operative Society canteen following a complaint.
Nedumangadu-based V Omana found the snake in the curry only after her son ate some portion of the curry and left the rest for her. Shocked to see the worm-like creature in the curry, Omana approached a doctor at the hospital. The doctor informed that it was a young snake. Soon, Omana informed food safety officials.
The food safety wing led by Satish Kumar collected the samples and sent them to laboratory. "It looked like a worm at first. Later we confirmed that it was a young snake. We have inspected the canteen and sealed it. The samples and the snake were sent to laboratory for analysis," Satish Kumar said.
A food safety official said that the matter was serious and they won't allow the canteen to open. "Once we get the lab report, we will file a detailed report to food safety commissioner and Medical College superintend," the official said.
Barring the mental shock, Omana and her son did not complain of any health problems, the official said.
A senior doctor at the Medical College hospital said that some private parties were functioning under the name of Medical College teachers' society, but the teachers had no role in it.
"A number of unauthorised canteens is functioning on the campus. Most of them function with the support of local politicians. When Usha Titus was the special health secretary, some steps were taken to regularise canteens. The Medical College Teachers' Co-operative Society has nothing to do with Medical College teachers. Some local politicians are behind the canteen. The Medical College is planning to give IRCTC the contract to run the canteen on the campus," said a doctor on condition of anonymity.
The canteen was functioning near the old superintend office on the campus. The food safety official said the hygienic condition of the canteen and the premises was not satisfactory.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Meat seizure could blow up in civic body's face

Did the corporation blow the chances of nailing a stale meat seller by playing the lone ranger?

It seems so. A senior official of the Food Safety Authority has come out against the recent seizure and sampling of 1000kg of suspected stale meat by the civic authorities. A senior official of the Food Safety Authority said the corporation officials didn’t have any legal authority for collecting food samples, calling it an “unauthorised act”. Going by the provisions of the Food Safety Act, only a qualified food safety officer can collect food samples. Certain mandatory procedures will also have to be followed for collecting statutory food samples. The samples collected in violation of the provisions of the Act will not have any legal backing.“There are chances that such cases could fall flat in courts when the procedural formalities are flouted,” he said. The corporation authorities had been inspecting hotels and collecting food samples by invoking the provisions of the Travancore-Cochin Public Health Act 1954. But with the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, only the Food Safety Authority officials can act and collect samples in these cases. With the new legislation coming into play, the role of the civic authorities had been bracketed into checking sanitary and hygienic conditions in eateries, he said. Considering the legal implications of the Act, the corporation officials should share intelligence and plan joint operations for curbing the sale of low quality foodstuff in the city, he said. The secretary of the Kochi Corporation wrote to the Food Safety Commissioner on Wednesday requesting the Authority to take up the case.

The officials of the Authority were sceptical about the outcome of the case as sampling was not done as prescribed by law. A health official of the corporation said the meat samples were collected in the presence of a veterinary doctor of the civic body. The non-availability of the officials of the Food Safety Authority for collecting food samples had been a drag on the efforts of the civic body.Recently, a health official and the chairman of the Health Standing Committee of the corporation had to wait at a hotel for nearly two hours for the Food Safety Authority officials to arrive and collect samples. The Kochi corporation would take into account the concerns raised by the Food Safety Authority officials regarding sampling and seizure of stale food, the civic administrator said.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

Two TN ghee brands banned by food safety department

KOCHI: The food safety department on Wednesday banned two brands of ghee for substandard quality. According to officials of the department, the banned brands are A1 SKG Ghee and Amritham Pure Ghee, both manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based companies. The squads had collected samples of these brands from Tripunithura and Muvattupuzha during an inspection on September 5. They were later sent for lab tests, which proved that ghee of both the brands were of substandard quality. Based on the lab tests, food safety commissioner Biju Prabhakar issued orders banning the brands.

Storing and selling these banned brands would invite punishment including imprisonment up to six months or fine up to Rs 2 lakh, officials said. The department had begun intensive checks in the wake of huge demand arising during the Onam season. "We have already collected samples of milk from different parts of the district, which have been sent for lab tests to be conducted at the regional analytical laboratory at Kakkanad. Besides, tests will also be conducted by a government accredited laboratory," said an official of the food safety department. Routine checks and collection of samples will be conducted till the weekend, the official added.As the milk production in the state is not sufficient to meet the demand, milk is being brought from other states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. There are as many as 316 registered cooperative societies in the district involved in the production and procurement of milk.

Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

റേഷന്‍കടയിലെ ആട്ടപ്പൊടിയില്‍ രക്തക്കറ പുരണ്ട ബാന്‍ഡേജ്‌

 

പെരുമ്പിലാവ്: റേഷന്‍കടയില്‍ നിന്ന് വാങ്ങിയ ആട്ടപ്പൊടിയില്‍ രക്തക്കറയുള്ള ബാന്‍ഡേജ് കണ്ടെത്തി. പെരുമ്പിലാവ് ആല്‍ത്തറയില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന റേഷന്‍കടയില്‍ നിന്നുവാങ്ങിയ ആട്ടപ്പൊടിയില്‍ നിന്ന് ആല്‍ത്തറ കൊച്ചുമണ്ണില്‍ കാര്‍ത്ത്യായനിക്കാണ് ശനിയാഴ്ച ബാന്‍ഡേജ് ലഭിച്ചത്. സപ്ലൈകോയുടെ ലേബലോടുകൂടിയ പാക്കറ്റില്‍ ഉള്ളതാണ് ആട്ടപ്പൊടി. ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച രാവിലെ ഭക്ഷണം പാചകം ചെയ്യാന്‍ പാക്കറ്റ് പൊട്ടിച്ചപ്പോഴാണ് ഉപയോഗിച്ച രക്തക്കറയുള്ള ബാന്‍ഡേജ് കണ്ടത്. ഫുഡ് ആന്‍ഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി അധികൃതര്‍ സ്ഥലത്തെത്തി പരിശോധന നടത്തി.

Source:http://www.mathrubhumi.com

സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി വില്‌പന: ജാമ്യമില്ലാ വകുപ്പില്‍ പള്ളുരുത്തി പോലീസ് കേസെടുത്തു

പള്ളുരുത്തി: കൊച്ചി നഗരത്തില്‍ സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി ശേഖരിച്ച് വില്പന നടത്തുവാന്‍ ശ്രമിച്ചയാള്‍ക്കെതിരെ ജാമ്യമില്ലാ വകുപ്പുകള്‍ ചുമത്തി പള്ളുരുത്തി പോലീസ് കേസെടുത്തു. പള്ളുരുത്തി ആനക്കുഴിയില്‍, കൊച്ചുകോയ (48)യ്‌ക്കെതിരെയാണ് കേസെടുത്തത്. പത്തുവര്‍ഷം വരെ ശിക്ഷ ലഭിക്കാവുന്ന കേസാണ് ചുമത്തിയിട്ടുള്ളതെന്ന് പോലീസ് പറഞ്ഞു. കഴിഞ്ഞ ഏഴിനാണ് 1000 കിലോഗ്രാം സുനാമി ഇറച്ചി ഇടക്കൊച്ചിയില്‍ പീലിങ് ഷെഡ്ഡില്‍നിന്ന് പെട്ടി ഓട്ടോറിക്ഷയില്‍ കയറ്റുന്നതിനിടയില്‍ നഗരസഭാധികൃതര്‍ പിടികൂടിയത്. പഴകിയ ഇറച്ചിയില്‍ അപകടകരമായ വിധത്തില്‍ രാസ പദാര്‍ഥങ്ങളും ചേര്‍ത്തിരുന്നു. എന്നാല്‍ നഗരസഭയുടെ ആരോഗ്യവിഭാഗം ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ നേരിട്ട് കേസെടുക്കുമെന്ന് ആദ്യം പറഞ്ഞുവെങ്കിലും അതു നടന്നില്ല. ഇതിനിടയില്‍ ഇറച്ചി നശിപ്പിച്ചു കളഞ്ഞു. തെളിവില്ലാത്തതിനാല്‍ കേസ് ഏറ്റെടുക്കാന്‍ ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി വിഭാഗം ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരും തയ്യാറായില്ല. തുടര്‍ന്ന് ക്രിമിനല്‍ നടപടികള്‍ക്കായി നഗരസഭാ അധികൃതര്‍ പോലീസിനെ സമീപിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇറച്ചി പിടികൂടിയ നഗരസഭാ ഹെല്‍ത്ത് സൂപ്പര്‍വൈസര്‍ ബീനയില്‍ നിന്ന് സ്റ്റേറ്റ്‌മെന്‍റ് എടുത്ത ശേഷമാണ്‌പോലീസ് നടപടികള്‍ തുടങ്ങിയത്. ഇറച്ചിയുടെ സാമ്പിള്‍ പരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് അയച്ചതായി നഗരസഭാധികൃതര്‍ പോലീസിനോട് പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. അതേസമയം യഥാസമയത്ത് പോലീസിന് പരാതി നല്‍കാതിരുന്നതിനാല്‍ ശരിയായ രീതിയിലുള്ള നടപടിക്രമങ്ങള്‍ യഥാസമയത്ത് പൂര്‍ത്തിയാക്കുവാന്‍ പോലീസിനു കഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടില്ല. എന്നാല്‍ നിയമോപദേശം തേടിയശേഷമാണ് കേസെടുത്തതെന്ന് പോലീസ് പറഞ്ഞു. ആദ്യഘട്ട അന്വേഷണത്തിനുശേഷം അറസ്റ്റ് ഉണ്ടാകുമെന്നും പോലീസ് പറഞ്ഞു.

Source:http://www.mathrubhumi.com

FSOs have more tasks, but reduced powers and inadequate infrastructure

Source:http://www.fnbnews.comExactly two years after the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, across the country, Food Safety Officers (FSOs), the personnel who make ensuring food safety possible by conducting raids, collecting samples and enabling punishment or fine in case of non-compliance, are a disillusioned lot. While the FSOs admit that the regulations have given them more teeth compared to the predecessor - the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 – they make no bones about the fact that though their responsibilities have increased multifold under the new regime, their powers have been reduced and work is hampered by lack of infrastructure such as offices and vehicles and absence of adequate number of personnel. FnB News takes a look at some of the states where FSOs are trying to do their duties while facing such issues:

A mere 4 food inspectors for Hyderabad’s 20,000 eateries

Jurisdiction: 625 sq. km. Population: 78 lakh plus. Eateries: 20,000 plus. And the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has just four officers to ensure food safety under its jurisdiction.

Under the Food Safety & Standards Act, the city administration should have adequate number of food safety officers to monitor all food establishments, draw samples for analysis and surveillance, act against unsafe food and ensure that food poisoning or similar such episodes do not occur.

However, against a team of officials with the required assisting staff and other paraphernalia, the GHMC has just four officers. According to Corporation estimates, there are more than 20,000 eateries of varying scope, from roadside pushcart vendors to star hotels. Add to them, other facilities such as school and college hostel canteens, working men and women hostels and canteens at government offices, and the list goes on.

“We are expected to monitor all these facilities and ensure that food and water are proper, that there is no contamination or poisoning, that kitchens and serving areas are clean and hygienic, and that no stale food is being dished out,” says a senior official.

He asks, “Yes, we have to do all of this. But can only four officials with little or no support staff do it?”

The Corporation has been looking forward to having more food safety officers on its rolls. It was also decided to have an officer each for its 18 circles. Even staff strengthening seems a distant possibility, say senior officials.

“It might take a year, two years or more also. We do not know,” says a health and sanitation wing official.

The shortage of staff is obvious from the fact that though the city has such a large number of eateries, Food Inspectors could book only 45 cases in 2010, 54 in 2011 and 135 in 2012. Additional Commissioner (Health & Sanitation) L.Vandan Kumar concedes staff shortage and says that the Corporation is hoping to get 18 Circle-wise officers soon.

“For now, we are focusing on areas with heavy concentration of eateries. Weekly targets are given to our officers, and review held at the weekend,” he says.

Canteens at school and college hostels have been listed out for inspection next week.

“We have some complaints, and we intend acting on them,” Mr. Kumar says.

Incidentally, the civic administration of a happening city like Hyderabad does not even have a laboratory of its own to test food samples collected during raids, forcing it to depend on other institutions.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

NCDEX denies liabilities concerning 900-tonne adulterated black pepper

Under pressure from Kerala's food safety commissioner Biju Prabhakar over the alleged adulteration of black pepper, the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) – one of India's leading agricultural bourses – stated that it does not have any liability regarding stocks of the spice. The exchange added that it is not liable for non-compliance by any member and market participant with all applicable laws on the underlying commodity either.

“NCDEX merely provides a platform for trading in forward contracts, and does not own, deposit or deal with the goods in the warehouses,” the exchange, which has sought official permission to remove the mineral oil coating from the 900-tonne-stock, valued at approximately Rs 350 crore, said, adding that the removal of the adulterant by the holders of the stock and market participants would be in the best interests of the industry, as it would improve the quality of the spice.
The bourse – which is headquartered in Mumbai and promoted by a consortium of shareholders, including the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), ICICI Bank, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) – stated that it has always ensured that the delivery of every commodity is in accordance with its contract specifications.

Seizures in Kerala
Prabhakar recently ordered the exchange to destroy the aforementioned stock of black pepper, and following seizures at six warehouses located in two districts of the southern state (Alappuzha and Ernakulam), those trading in the spice on the exchange made representations to the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) – the commodity market regulator – and the bourse, demanding that either valid goods be delivered to them or the value of the spice be reimbursed.

NCDEX confirmed that the pepper stocks were seized after buyers complained that they contained mineral oil, and added that the warehouses in Kerala were accredited by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's apex food regulator. Since then, FSSAI has been testing the stock with the help of NCDEX and the Spices Board India, and ordered the destruction of 93 lots containing traces of mineral oil.

About 6,000 tonne black pepper was sealed. Prabhakar, who sealed the warehouses, issued a notice to the bourse, stating that it ensure that the spice does not enter the market. Spices Board India was entrusted with the task of examining the black pepper samples. Following the order, NCDEX claimed that the owners were urged to take up the matter with FSSAI and take appropriate action. The lots that meet the standards set by the regulator will be returned to their owners.

Most of the stocks in the godowns sealed by FSSAI were bought by the holders in off-market transactions outside the NCDEX platform. However, the bourse was informed by some industry players that farmers and traders engaged in the cultivation, production and trading of pepper adopt various methods to preserve the spice, including adding a small amount of mineral oil. This is later removed by  steaming.

The adulterant
According to the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954 [which preceded the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006], the use of any mineral oil in pepper is prohibited. The mineral oil used to adulterate black pepper is made of burnt diesel, paraffin oil, white petroleum and other petroleum products, which are neither digestible nor soluble. When black pepper is coated with this adulterant, it becomes unfit for human consumption and could even be carcinogenic.

Hearing in Indore
On September 17, 2013, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court will hear a petition filed by the Kalimirch Vyapari Association, a body that represents traders who have incurred huge losses owing to the non-delivery of black pepper by the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange. The members of the association have reportedly purchased the spice on the bourse by paying a sum of Rs 350 crore. 
Source:http://www.fnbnews.com

After a wait of seven months, FSSAI gets CEO in Dilip Kumar Samantaray

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which was operating without chief executive officer (CEO) for the last seven months, finally got one in Dilip Kumar Samantaray, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1983 batch from Madhya Pradesh.
He was appointed by ministry of health and family welfare under a suggestion from the Madhya Pradesh
government as CEO on July 1, 2013, and took charge on August 5, 2013, according to sources in FSSAI. Earlier, the post was occupied by S N Mohanty, who left it amid a lot of speculation at the beginning of 2013. He is now director-general, supplies and disposal in the ministry of commerce and industry.
The source from FSSAI revealed, “Samantaray is very strict in his work and after taking the charge of FSSAI CEO on August 5, 2013, he has been planning to bring about a lot of changes. He is working on the steps to be taken for the completion of licensing and registration of food business operators well before the deadline – February 4, 2014.” 

Source:http://www.fnbnews.com

Crackdown on sale of adulterated milk soon

There is a question mark over the quality and standard of the milk sold in the city. Authorities are checking out complaints received from the public over the sale of adulterated milk.

J.Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, told The Hindu on Friday that raids would be carried out at milk manufacturing and selling points across the city.

“Private dairies, retail suppliers and those who are selling milk packets under different brand names will have to follow Food Safety Standards. There are quality norms governing the production and distribution of branded as well as unbranded milk, and Food Safety Inspectors will start inspection from Monday,” she said.

Milk samples will be collected and sent to the Food Analysis Laboratory to check for the presence of toxic chemicals, additives, starch and whiteners, apart from high levels of water.

Ms.Suguna said Food Safety Wing officials recently caught a popular bakery in Kochadai selling bread and other bakery items past their expiry date.

Eateries, restaurants and other food outlets have been asked to obtain mandatory certification by February 2014, she pointed out.

“So far, we have issued 1,800 licences and about 7,000 registration certificates. Nearly 9,000 food business operators are yet to get food safety clearance from us,” Dr.Suguna said.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com

Pesticide residue found in rice

Excessive amounts of Malathion, a general use pesticide, have been detected in a rice sample collected for inspection from the Food Corporation of India godown at Valiyathura here.

Traces of uric acid, indicating presence of pests, were also found in three to four samples, of a total of nine samples that were collected in raids conducted on August 1.

According to Food Safety officials, the presence of Malathion was detected during tests conducted at the Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Laboratory of the Kerala Agricultural College at Vellayani here while traces of uric acid, which were in amounts that made the rice and wheat grains ‘unfit for consumption’, were found in tests at the Government Analyst Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram.

Officials said the FCI staff had admitted that they used pesticides such as Malathion, DDVP, and Deltamethrine to keep away pests.

“Apparently, the quantity they used was much above stipulated limits, which is why Malathion could be detected in the grains though it was sprayed over the sacks in which the grains are stored. The concentration was very high,” officials said.

The Food Safety Department will shortly submit a report on the issue to the State and Union governments. However, action might be initiated only after Onam, officials indicated, adding that more intensive raids and elaborate examination of samples would be taken up after Onam at the godown and other similar food grain storage installations in the capital district.

Incidentally, the raids on August 1, during which the contaminated samples were collected, had witnessed unruly scenes when FCI employees and loading workers refused to let the Food Safety officials in.

The raid was conducted after the Valiyathura police intervened and both the Food Safety Department and the police had booked cases in connection with the incident.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com

Food poisoning in Marusagar Express

ട്രെയിന്‍ ഭക്ഷണം: ഭക്ഷ്യ സുരക്ഷാ വിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ നിര്‍ദേശം അവണിച്ചു

തിരുവനന്തപുരം : ട്രെയിനുകളില്‍ വിതരണം ചെയ്യുന്ന ഭക്ഷണത്തിന്റെ ഗുണനിലവാര പരിശോധന കര്‍ശനമാക്കണമെന്ന ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ വിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ നിര്‍ദേശം റയില്‍വേ അവഗണിച്ചു. ടെയിനുകളിലെ ഭക്ഷണം മോശമാണെന്ന വ്യാപക പരാതികളെത്തുടര്‍ന്നു കഴിഞ്ഞ ജനുവരിയിലാണു ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ കമ്മിഷണര്‍ ദക്ഷിണ റയില്‍വേ ജനറല്‍ മാനേജര്‍ക്കു കത്ത് നല്‍കിയത്. എന്നാല്‍, ഈ നിര്‍ദേശം അവഗണിക്കപ്പെട്ടതാണു മരുസാഗര്‍ ഉള്‍പ്പെടെയുള്ള ട്രെയിനുകളിലെ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയ്ക്കു കാരണമായത്. വൃത്തിഹീനമായ സാഹചര്യത്തിലാണു പാന്‍ട്രികളില്‍ ഭക്ഷണം തയാറാക്കുന്നതെന്നും ഇതു സംബന്ധിച്ചു പരിശോധന നടത്തണമെന്നുമായിരുന്നു ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ കമ്മിഷണറുടെ കത്തിലെ ആവശ്യം. ഒട്ടേറെ പരാതികള്‍ ലഭിക്കുന്നുണ്ടെങ്കിലും റയില്‍വേ സ്‌റ്റേഷനുകളിലും ട്രെയിനുകളിലും പരിശോധന നടത്താന്‍ സംസ്ഥാന ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ വിഭാഗത്തിന് അധികാരമില്ലാത്തതുകൊണ്ടാണ് ഇക്കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ റയില്‍വേയുടെ ശ്രദ്ധയില്‍പ്പെടുത്തിയത്. 
Source:http://www.manoramaonline.com

ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ ആവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നു: സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ നിസംഗതയില്‍

ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷാ ഭീഷണി വീണ്ടും ശക്തമാകുമ്പോള്‍ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ പതിവ് നിസംഗതയില്‍. സംസ്ഥാനത്ത് ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ കാരണം മരണം സംഭവിച്ച് നാളുകളായിട്ടും ഇതുവരെ ആവശ്യത്തിന് നടപടിയെടുക്കാതെ വീണ്ടുമൊരു ദുരന്തത്തിന് കാക്കുകയാണ് സര്‍ക്കാര്‍. ഭക്ഷ്യസുരക്ഷ നിലവാര നിയമം പൂര്‍ണമായും നടപ്പാക്കാന്‍പോലും ഇതുവരെയായിട്ടില്ല. ജീവനക്കാരുടെ സ്ഥിതിയും വ്യത്യസ്തമല്ല. സംസ്ഥാനത്താകെ 140 ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി ഓഫീസര്‍ തസ്തികയാണുള്ളത്. ഇതില്‍ 60 തസ്തിക ഒഴിഞ്ഞുകിടക്കുന്നു. നിലവിലുള്ളവരില്‍ ചില ജീവനക്കാര്‍ അവധിയിലാണ്. എംഎസ്സി കെമിസ്ട്രിയാണ് ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി ഓഫീസറാകാനുള്ള യോഗ്യത. നിലവില്‍ ഒഴിവുകള്‍ പിഎസ്സിക്ക് റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും തുടര്‍ നടപടികളുണ്ടായില്ലെന്ന് ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ പറയുന്നു. കാസര്‍കോട് ജില്ലയില്‍ നിലവില്‍ രണ്ട് ഒഴിവുണ്ട്. ഒരെണ്ണത്തില്‍ ഓഫീസറുണ്ടെങ്കിലും അവധിയിലാണ്. മലപ്പുറം ജില്ലയിലെ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥനാണ് ഇയാളുടെ ചുമതല വഹിക്കുന്നത്. കണ്ണൂര്‍ ജില്ലയുടെ ചുമതലകൂടി ഇദ്ദേഹത്തിനുണ്ട്. ജീവനക്കാരുടെ അഭാവം നടപടികളില്‍ കാലതാമസമുണ്ടാക്കുന്നു. ഭക്ഷ്യ സാമ്പികളുടെ പരിശോധനക്ക് നിയമപ്രകാരമുള്ള ലബോറട്ടറികള്‍ ഇനിയും യാഥാര്‍ഥ്യമായിട്ടില്ല. മോശമായ ഭക്ഷണമാണെങ്കില്‍ ഇതിനുത്തരവാദികളായവര്‍ക്ക് തടവും പിഴയും വിധിക്കാന്‍ അധികാരമുള്ള സ്‌പെഷ്യല്‍ കോടതികളും ആരംഭിച്ചിട്ടില്ല. ഭക്ഷണം മോശമാണെങ്കില്‍ അഞ്ചുലക്ഷം രൂപ വരെ പിഴ ഈടാക്കാനുള്ള അധികാരം അഡ്ജുഡിക്കേറ്റുമാര്‍ക്കുണ്ട്. നിലവില്‍ എഡിഎമ്മാണ് അഡ്ജുഡിക്കേറ്റര്‍. ഇവര്‍ക്ക് ഇതിനായുള്ള സമയക്രമം നിശ്ചയിച്ച് നല്‍കാനാകാത്തതും പ്രയാസമുണ്ടാക്കുന്നു. 
Source:http://www.deshabhimani.com/newscontent.php?id=341037

ട്രെയിനിലെ ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ: പാന്‍ട്രികാര്‍ സീല്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതില്‍ വീഴ്ച സംഭവിച്ചതായി റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്

കാസര്‍കോട് * ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയുണ്ടായ അജ്‌മേര്‍ - എറണാകുളം മരുസാഗര്‍ എക്‌സ്പ്രസ് ട്രെയിനിലെ പാന്‍ട്രികാര്‍ സീല്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതില്‍ ഗുരുതര വീഴ്ചയെന്ന് അന്വേഷണ സംഘത്തിന്റെ വിലയിരുത്തല്‍. അന്‍പതിലേറെപ്പേര്‍ക്ക് ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധയുണ്ടായി മണിക്കൂറുകള്‍ക്കു ശേഷവും കേസ് റജിസ്റ്റര്‍ ചെയ്യാനോ ഭക്ഷണ സാംപിളുകള്‍ ശേഖരിക്കാനോ റയില്‍വേ അധികൃതര്‍ തയാറായില്ല. ഇതേത്തുടര്‍ന്നു പഴകിയ ഭക്ഷണസാധനങ്ങള്‍ നശിപ്പിച്ചതായും റയില്‍വേ ആരോഗ്യവിഭാഗം അധികൃതരും ആര്‍പിഎഫും ഉള്‍പ്പെടുന്ന അന്വേഷണ സംഘം വിലയിരുത്തുന്നു.

17നു ട്രെയിന്‍ ഗോവയില്‍ എത്തിയപ്പോഴാണ് ആദ്യം ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് ചെയ്തത്. യാത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് ഛര്‍ദിയും വയറിളക്കവും അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടതിനെത്തുടര്‍ന്ന് റയില്‍വേ അധികൃതരോട് പരാതിപ്പെട്ടെങ്കിലും നടപടിയുണ്ടായില്ല. തുടര്‍ന്ന് മംഗലാപുരം കങ്കനാടി റയില്‍വേ സ്‌റ്റേഷനില്‍ എത്തിയതോടെ യാത്രക്കാര്‍ റയില്‍വേ അധികൃതര്‍ക്കു രേഖാമൂലം പരാതി നല്‍കിയെങ്കിലും വിശദപരിശോധന നടന്നില്ല. ടിടിഇ ഉള്‍പ്പെടെയുള്ളവര്‍ പാന്‍ട്രികാറില്‍  എത്തിയെങ്കിലും ഭക്ഷണസാംപിളുകള്‍ പരിശോധനയ്ക്കായി ശേഖരിച്ചില്ല. പിന്നീട് ട്രെയിന്‍ കാസര്‍കോട് റയില്‍വേ സ്‌റ്റേഷനില്‍ എത്തിയപ്പോള്‍ ജില്ലാ ആരോഗ്യവകുപ്പ് അധികൃതരുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ പാന്‍ട്രികാറില്‍ നിന്നു ഭക്ഷണസാംപിളുകള്‍ ശേഖരിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇതേത്തുടര്‍ന്ന് റയില്‍വേ ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി വിഭാഗം അധികൃതരും സാംപിള്‍ ശേഖരിച്ചു.  ട്രെയിന്‍ ഷൊര്‍ണൂര്‍ സ്‌റ്റേഷനില്‍ എത്തിയപ്പോഴും സാംപിള്‍ ശേഖരിച്ചു.

എന്നാല്‍ പാന്‍ട്രികാര്‍ ജീവനക്കാര്‍ ഇതിനകം പഴകിയ ഭക്ഷണം നശിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടാകുമെന്നാണ് അന്വേഷണ സംഘം വിലയിരുത്തുന്നത്. ഭക്ഷ്യവിഷബാധ കണ്ടെത്തിയ ഉടന്‍ തന്നെ പാന്‍ട്രികാറില്‍ നിന്ന് സാംപിള്‍ ശേഖരിച്ച ശേഷം സീല്‍ ചെയ്യണമെന്നാണ് ചട്ടം. എന്നാല്‍ അന്‍പതിലേറെ യാത്രക്കാരെ ആശുപത്രിയില്‍ പ്രവേശിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടും ട്രെയിന്‍ എറണാകുളം എത്തുന്നതു വരെ പാന്‍ട്രികാര്‍ പൂട്ടിയിരുന്നില്ല. വെജിറ്റബിള്‍ ബിരിയാണിയും ഓംലറ്റും കഴിച്ചവര്‍ക്കാണ് അസ്വസ്ഥത അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടതെന്ന് കണ്ടെത്തിയതിനെത്തുടര്‍ന്ന് ഇവ രണ്ടും ഒഴിവാക്കി മറ്റു ഭക്ഷണം വിതരണം ചെയ്തതും കുറ്റകരമാണെന്നാണ് അന്വേഷണ സംഘം വിലയിരുത്തുന്നത്. ജയ്പൂര്‍ ആസ്ഥാനമായി പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന എബിസി കേറ്ററേഴ്‌സ് എന്ന സ്വകാര്യ കമ്പനിക്കായിരുന്നു ട്രെയിനിലെ പാന്‍ട്രികാര്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിപ്പിക്കാന്‍ കരാര്‍ എടുത്തത് . സംഭവത്തെത്തുടര്‍ന്നു കരാര്‍ താല്‍ക്കാലികമായി റദ്ദാക്കാന്‍ റയില്‍വേ അധികൃതര്‍ നിര്‍ദേശം നല്‍കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.

ജില്ലാ ആരോഗ്യ വകുപ്പ് വിഭാഗവും ശേഖരിച്ച ഭക്ഷണ സാംപിളുകള്‍ വിദഗ്ധ പരിശോധനയ്ക്കായി  കോഴിക്കോട്ടെ അനാലിറ്റിക്കല്‍ ലാബില്‍ പരിശോധിക്കും. റയില്‍വേ ഫുഡ് സേഫ്റ്റി അധികൃതര്‍ ശേഖരിച്ച സാംപിള്‍ മൈസൂരിലെയോ ഹൈദരാബാദിലെയോ ലാബുകളിലാവും പരിശോധിക്കുക.
പരിശോധനാ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് ലഭിച്ച ശേഷം തുടര്‍നടപടികള്‍ക്കായി കേസ് നോര്‍ത്ത് - വെസ്‌റ്റേണ്‍ റയില്‍വേയ്ക്ക് കൈമാറാനാണ് ദക്ഷിണ റയില്‍വേ അധികൃതരുടെ തീരുമാനം.

പരാതിപ്പെടാന്‍ ടോള്‍ഫ്രീ നമ്പരും ഇ-മെയിലും 
മുംബൈ * പാന്‍ട്രിയിലെ ഭക്ഷണത്തെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള പരാതി ട്രെയിനില്‍ ടിടിഇയെ അറിയിക്കാം. കണ്ടക്ടര്‍ ഓഫ് ദ് ട്രെയിന്‍ ആയി പരിഗണിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന ഏറ്റവും മുതിര്‍ന്ന ടിടിഇ, പാന്‍ട്രി കാര്‍ മാനേജര്‍, ഗാര്‍ഡ്, സ്‌റ്റേഷന്‍ മാനേജര്‍ തുടങ്ങിയവരുടെ പക്കലുള്ള പരാതിപ്പുസ്തകം ഏതു സമയത്തും യാത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് ആവശ്യപ്പെടാം. സ്‌റ്റേഷനുകളിലെ റിഫ്രഷ്‌മെന്റ് റൂമുകളിലും പരാതിപ്പുസ്തകമുണ്ട്. പരാതിക്കൊപ്പം പിഎന്‍ആര്‍ നമ്പര്‍, പേര്, സീറ്റ് നമ്പര്‍, ട്രെയിന്‍ നമ്പര്‍, തീയതി, പൂര്‍ണ മേല്‍വിലാസം തുടങ്ങിയവ രേഖപ്പെടുത്തണം. ഇതിനു പുറമെ, 1800 111 139 എന്ന ടോള്‍ ഫ്രീ നമ്പരിലും  x എന്ന ഇ മെയിലിലും പരാതികള്‍ അറിയിക്കാം്. എന്നാല്‍ ലഭ്യമായ സൗകര്യങ്ങള്‍ യാത്രക്കാര്‍ പലപ്പോഴും അറിയുന്നില്ലെന്നതാണു വസ്തുത.

ട്രെയിനുകളിലും സ്‌റ്റേഷനുകളിലും മികച്ച ഭക്ഷണം ഉറപ്പാക്കാന്‍ റയില്‍വേ നല്‍കുന്ന നിര്‍ദേശങ്ങള്‍ ഇപ്രകാരം:
* കോച്ച് അറ്റന്‍ഡന്റിനോ കണ്ടക്ടര്‍ക്കോ വെയ്റ്റര്‍ക്കോ നേരത്തെ തന്നെ ഓര്‍ഡര്‍ നല്‍കുക.
* പണം നല്‍കുമ്പോള്‍ ക്യാഷ് മെമ്മോ ആവശ്യപ്പെടുക.
* മെനു, താരിഫ് കാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുക.
Source:http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMonline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?channelId=-1073751706&programId=1074439323&contentId=14813059&BV_ID=@@@tabId=11

Food department officials crack down on hostel kitchens

CHENNAI: Private hostels serving unhygienic food will get the boot if the food safety department has its way. Acting on complaints from various parts of the city, the department began raids on hostel kitchens on Thursday.  District food safety officer S Lakshmi Narayan said that they conducted surprise inspections in various hostels in Saidapet and T Nagar. "It was shocking that most private hostels are in a bad condition and serve poor quality food". TOI had recently highlighted the lack of quality food and hygiene in the private hostels in the city. During the raid, officials found that many hostels serve substandard food and water, posing health risks. Other conditions in these hostels were also found to be bad. "Some 16 people were staying in a crammed room in bunker beds without adequate space. There aren't enough toilets for the residents. We have issued notices to these hostels and asked them to improve the quality of food and the living conditions in 15 days. If they don't comply, we will take action," the officer added. Many professionals and students from different parts of the country stay in hostels as they provide cheap accommodation, but there are several complaints about the quality of food. "I don't have the money to pay 12-month rental advance and broker commission for a flat. The hostel owner prepares food for only 25 people, though 35 live here. The quality of food is pathetic," said Anita Rajendran, a resident of a private hostel in Saidapet. "If we complain, they ask us to leave the hostel."
Chennai corporation doesn't monitor the functioning and facilities of hostels. Sources said people who run five to ten hostels in various parts of the city have a centralised kitchen. "Food material is sometimes transported in unsealed containers, and they can get contaminated," said an employee of a private hostel in West CIT Nagar. Residents often have no choice as the monthly rent of about 6,500 is always inclusive of the food. Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Inedible oil flows to Kochi

Kochi: With Onam just a couple of weeks away come rep­orts that huge quantities of inedible and discarded oil from Tamil Nadu is  being widely used  to make the snacks so much in demand during the festival  in bakeries and eateries across the city. The oil transported on trains is allegedly sold to the eateries for as little as Rs. 30 a litre, and so  usually has many buyers. “Except a few, all other bakeries and eateries in the city  no longer prepare their own snacks , but buy them in bulk from catering centres like those in Palluruthy, Edappally and Vypeen, which generously use the cheap oil. And as there is no mechanism to monitor their hygiene  or the ingredients they use they get away with it,” said a trader, adding that the oil trade lobby does brisk business during the festival season, when  chips and fried snacks fly off the shelves of eateries.“With Onam  just a couple of weeks away, there  is a boom in the sale of chips. The authorities need to take stringent measures to prevent the use of substandard cooking oil for making them and other delicacies,” underlined CPM councillor in the corporation council,  P. S. Prakash.While food safety officers and the corporation’s health department appear to be  turning a blind eye to the major public heal­th hazard that the sale of such eatables constitutes,  district food safety officer,  Ajith Ku­mar, when contacted, clai­med he had received no complaints about substandard oil being used by catering centres in the city.“Although we’ve not re­c­eived any reports about substandard oil arriving in Kerala, we will do an intensive check at railway stations and other entry points,” he promised.
Source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com

Adulterated milk - Marimayam

Baba Ramdev ashram's products declared sub-standard

| Video | Baba Ramdev ashram's products declared sub-standard | India Videos | - India Today

Smartphone cradle, app detect toxins, bacteria in food

The handheld biosensor was developed by researchers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A series of lenses and filters in the cradle mirror those found in larger, more expensive laboratory devices. Together, the cradle and app transform a smartphone into a tool that can detect toxins and bacteria, spot water contamination and identify allergens in food. Afraid there may be peanuts or other allergens hiding in that cookie? Thanks to a cradle and app that turn your smartphone into a handheld biosensor, you may soon be able to run on-the-spot tests for food safety, environmental toxins, medical diagnostics and more.Kenny Long, a graduate researcher at the university, says the team was able to make the smartphone even smarter with modifications to the cellphone camera.

Source:http://www.financialexpress.com

http://news.yahoo.com/smartphone-cradle-app-detect-toxins-bacteria-070216903.html 

Tension prevails as FCI staff prevent Food Safety officials from entering godown at Valiathura

A raid by Food Safety officials at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown at Valiathura here on Thursday witnessed unruly scenes when FCI employees and loading workers refused to let the officials in. The raid could be conducted only after the Valiathura police intervened.Both the Food Safety Department and the police booked cases in connection with the incident and samples were collected from the godown with the help of the police.The cases were registered on charges of obstructing officials from discharging their duties and under Section 62 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. The raid was part of a State-wide drive, triggered by ‘widespread’ complaints over the quality of foodgrain supplied through the Public Distribution System of the State. Ration shops, Maveli stores, Labham supermarkets, Nanma supermarkets, Consumerfed stores, and FCI godowns were inspected by special squads led by the respective District Food Safety Officer as part of the drive in all 14 districts, an official release issued here said.On Thursday, 35 samples were collected from 46 ration shops, and 41 Maveli, Nanma, and Labham outlets.The samples will be sent for analysis. Punitive action as per relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act will be taken wherever necessary, the release said. The raids, according to Food Safety Commissioner Biju Prabhakar, will continue and the focus will be on whether the foodgrain and items sold in these outlets are stored in a proper manner and in hygienic conditions.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com