Canteen sealed

The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department on Wednesday sealed a private canteen at the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
“We received a complaint from a medical student who suffered food poisoning. On inspection, officials found the kitchen in an unhygienic condition,” said an official. An improvement had been issued last week.

செவ்வாய்பேட்டைக்கு வெல்லம் வரத்து பாதிப்பு தட்டுப்பாடு ஏற்படும் அபாயம்

சேலம், அக்.31:

சேலம் செவ்வாய்பேட்டை வெல்ல மண்டிக்கு வெல்லம் வரத்து குறைந்துள்ளதாக வியாபாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.
சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் ஓமலூர், தேக்கம்பட்டி, வட்டக்காடு, கருப்பூர், மூங்கில்பாடி, காமலாபுரம், தின்னப்பட்டி, தீவட்டிப்பட்டி உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் வெல்லம் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகிறது. இந்த பகுதியில் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படும் வெல்லத்தை விவசாயிகள் செவ்வாய்பேட்டை வெல்ல மண்டிக்கு ஏலத்திற்கு கொண்டு வருகின்றனர். இங்கு வரும் வெல்லத்தை வியாபாரிகள் ஏலம் எடுக்கின்றனர்.
இந்நிலையில், கடந்த செப்டம்பர் முதல் வாரத்தில் சேலம் உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் வெல்லம் உற்பத்தி செய்யும் ஆலைக்கு சென்று ஆய்வு செய்தனர். அப்போது வெல்லம் தயாரிப்பில் கலப்படம் செய்து இருப்பது கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டது. இதனால் சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் பல ஆலைகள் இயங்காததால், வெல்லம் வரத்து குறைந்துள்ளதாக வியாபாரிகள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.
இது குறித்து சேலம் செவ்வாய்பேட்டை வெல்லம் வியாபாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:
சேலம் செவ்வாய்பேட்டையில் தினசரி காலையில் நடக்கும் வெல்ல ஏல மண்டியில் 120 முதல் 150 டன் வெல்லம் விற்பனை நடக்கும். கடந்த செப்டம்பரில் சேலம் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள், வெல்லம் உற்பத்தி செய்யும் ஆலைகளில் ஆய்வு நடத்தினர். இந்த ஆய்வின்போது வெல்லத்தில் கலப்படம் இருப்பது தெரியவந்தது. உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரியின் கெடுபிடியால், சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் வெல்லம் உற்பத்தி செய்யும் ஆலைகள் பல இயங்கவில்லை. வெல்லம் உற்பத்தி குறைந்ததால், சேலம் செவ்வாய்பேட்டை வெல்லம் மண்டிக்கு வெல்லம் வரத்து பாதித்துள்ளது.
தற்போது 30 முதல் 40 டன் வெல்லம் மட்டுமே வருகிறது. இவைகளும் வந்தவுடன் விற்பனைக்கு சென்றுவிடுகிறது. பல மளிகைக்கடைகளில் வெல்லம் விற்பனைக்கு இல்லை. வரத்து குறைந்ததால் வெல்லத்திற்கு தட்டுப்பாடு ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. நேற்று நிலவரப்படி 31 கிலோ கொண்ட சிப்பம் முதல் ரக வெல்லம் ரூ.1000 முதல் ரூ.1200 எனவும், இரண்டாம் ரகம் ரூ.850 முதல் ரூ.1000 என விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகிறது. இவ்வாறு வெல்லம் வியாபாரிகள் கூறினர்.

Trade group seeks to reinvigorate US-India agri partnership

Thursday 30th October, 2014

                                         A leading US-India trade group has suggested how India could enhance food safety, foster innovation, boost the competitiveness of local industry, and increase the speed of introducing new products to market.
The suggestions were discussed during the US-India Business Council (USIBC)’s just concluded first Food and Agriculture Executive Mission to India since 2011, according to the group comprised of 310 of the top-tier US and Indian companies.
The three-day mission entitled Reinvigorating the US-India Agricultural Partnership, “was an important milestone in efforts to “advocate for policies and regulations that improve agricultural productivity, enhance food safety, and ensure food security in India,” it said.
In meetings with US and Indian officials, USIBC members also discussed ways to partner with the Indian government to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which calls for greater foreign investment in production and manufacturing in India, the group said.
“Our meetings this week were open, frank, and extraordinarily encouraging” said DuPont Pioneer President and Mission Co-Lead Paul Schickler.
“The officials we met with at all levels in the Indian Government were interested in gaining a better understanding of how they can partner with industry to generate greater investment at every level of the farm-to-fork food chain,” he said.
“There is a real sense in New Delhi that the government is serious about the reforms that we have all heard so much about,” Schickler added.
During the trip, USIBC members were able to strengthen ties with government and corporate leaders and reinforce the US industry’s position as a collaborator with shared interests in advancing India’s agriculture economy and food industry, the group said.
Siraj Chaudhry, chairman of Cargill Foods India and mission Co-Lead said the group has already outlined “several areas for collaboration between the US and Indian private and public sectors that will build capacity and enhance private sector engagement in policy and regulatory decision-making.”

No view taken on IIT non-veg food issue: Govt.

A HRD Ministry source said: “… no such direction can be given as this is an administrative matter to be decided by respective IITs which are autonomous.”
The Ministry of Human Resource Development wrote to directors of all the16 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on Thursday saying that no view has been taken on segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian messes.
The Hindu had reported on Thursday that the Ministry had forwarded a letter of a Madhya Pradesh based grain-trader to IITs on October 15. The letter from one SSK Jain of Katni, who described himself as a ‘swayamsevak’ and BJP supporter, and others demanded the segregation of vegetarian messes as students are influenced by Western culture through non-vegetarian food.
The Ministry’s covering letter had asked IITs to inform the Ministry of action they may take in this regard. Non-vegetarian food has been stopped in IIT Delhi this year and IIT Madras has a separate vegetarian mess for the last couple of years.
In the letter on Thursday, Under-Secretary AK Singh of Technical Section-I wrote, “… the representations were forwarded to the Institutes in routine manner, without any view having being taken thereon.”(sic)
A Ministry source said, “Jain’s letter along with a score others on same issue were sent to the IITs as a routine matter. In RTI age, this is done routinely. Add to this the pressure of Modi’s MyGov portal inviting ideas. Further, no such direction can be given as this is an administrative matter to be decided by respective IITs which are autonomous.”

Ban on non-veg food: Will govt force IIT to act?

According to a report in the Hindu, the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development has asked all 16 Indian Institutes of Technology in the country to “take action” on a request by an RSS member for separate dining halls for vegetarians. The request, made by one S.K Jain of Madhya Pradesh, is based on the belief that the consumption on non-vegetarian food is a bad culture of the West. The letter, which the Hindu says it has a copy of, claims that “children who have started practicing non vegetarianism have saddened their parents by their ‘tamsic’ behaviour. It is the call of the parents of India that IITs and other institutions segregate their dining halls for vegetarians.” Mr Jain, who has no connection to any IIT in any capacity whatsoever, told The Telegraph the UPA government had earlier rejected his appeal saying the IITs were not meant to promote religious ideologies. But the Modi sarkar appears to be more receptive to this demand. In his cover letter to the IITs, HRD ministry A.K Singh said “Please take the trouble to inform the ministry about whatever actions you take,”. Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Jain claimed “Non-vegetarian food is not part of Indian culture. It affects our value system and enhances aggression. The crime rate is increasing because of such tamasic food.” Tamasic food are the list of items that Hindus are not supposed to eat – including things like onions and garlic. In his interview with the Hindu, Mr Jain said “We see many families which are all mixed up. There are Sindhi fathers and Punjabi mothers in the same family and their children get married to Muslims. It all starts when you mix up food. Wrong food spoils one’s mind. That’s why I made this request as I am a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and a supporter of the BJP. I knew that this government would understand,” While the idea to have separate dining halls for vegetarians is rational, and many IITs already provide this facility, it is strange that the Union Ministry would base its action request on Mr Jain’s request, with its calls to end ‘anti-Indian’ behaviour. The HRD Minister – Smriti Irani, is yet to comment on the letter. The students of the IITs have not been consulted over this move. In any case, a large percentage of them invariably end up leaving the country for the West where vegetarian food of any kind, let alone separated from meats like beef and pork, is a rarity. In a strange twist, though the Hindu broke the story, the banning of non-veg food in canteens based on religious beliefs is nothing new to the Hindu newspaper. As per this notice from the Hindu’s Human Resource Department, the bringing and eating of non-veg food is banned in the Hindu’s canteen.

Edible Oil Units Must Ensure FSMS Compliance Needs

Olive Oil
With the implementation of FSS Act, 2006, the edible oil industry is governed by FSS Act, Rules & Regulations for issue of license, safety and ensuring standard parameters. However, for licensing, the producer or manufacturer of vegetable oil, edible oil and other products needs to have his own laboratory facility for analytical testing of samples as it is one of the conditions of the license.
Another stipulation under the regulations is that every manufacturer [including ghani operator] or wholesale dealer in butter, ghee, vanaspati, edible oils, solvent extracted oil, de-oiled meal, edible flour and any other fats shall maintain a register and present the same for inspection by the food authorities. The register must show details of
the quantity of manufactured, received or sold oil
nature of oil seed used
quantity of de-oiled meal and edible flour used etc. as applicable
destination of each consignment of the substances sent out from his factory or place of business.
Food Business Operators must also be careful that they do not sell or distribute, offer for sale or deliver to any person for the purpose of sale any edible oil that is not packed, marked or labelled as specified in the regulations. They can be exempted these conditions only if there is a public interest notification by the Food Safety Commissioner in the official Gazette and that too under
specific circumstances,
for specific period of time
for reasons recorded in writing.
Location and Layout of the establishment
In keeping with regulations and to prevent contamination edible oil manufacturing units are to be located away from those industries that emit harmful gas, chemicals or obnoxious odours. Machinery in the factory must occupy only 50% of floor space so that there is no obstacle to continuous production.
The factory must have a permanent roof like R. C.C, asbestos or iron sheet. Similarly the flooring must be either tiled, cemented or pakka stone laid. The production area walls are required to be smooth and should not be less than five feet height and the junctions between the walls and floors are curved. The factory premises must be whitewashed and painted and should also have adequate lighting and ventilation. To take care that no effluents could contaminate the oil, the factory requires proper refuse disposal and drainage facility.
To prevent infestation from flies and insects, all doors must have automatic door closures, while windows and other openings must be fitted with secure mesh or screens. For hygienic purposes entrances must have antiseptic/ disinfectant foot mats. Toilet facilities must be adequate for all workers and located away from the factory premises. Factory owners need to adopt a CIP (clean-in-place) system.
Equipment and Fixtures
Manufacturing plant owners must provide adequate facility to disinfect and clean equipment and instruments used in oil production. Equipment made with stainless steel/ galvanized iron or other non-corrosive material is most suitable for use. Temperature and pressure/vacuum in the processing vessels require proper maintenance. Edible oil must be transported in clean transport particularly if the same transportation is used for non-food items. The transport must be equipped with temperature control facility if required.
Processing plants must carry out only
Approved processes in the factory
More than 180° C temperature is required for de-odourisation
Post neutralization must be carried out for hydrogenation/ interesterification units
Packaging and Storing
Packaging material must be adequately available and while place for storage must be clean and free from pest and rodent infestation. Packaging section must be clean, tiled, covered and free from contaminants like flies and insects. Use only food grade containers or those made of prime quality material for packing edible oil and fats. Tin containers must be rust free. If required, manufacturing units must provision for cold storage facility. Follow all labelling norms on packs along with correct batch numberings so consumers are safe.
Personal hygiene
To ensure that edible oil and fats are not contaminated through workers manufacturing unit owners need to provide adequate
Aprons, headgear, disposable gloves and footwear
Provision for hand wash, detergent/ bactericidal soap
Nail cutters
Hand drying facility
Toilets with disinfectant foot mats
Water Supply
You must ensure that there is adequate supply of potable water and facilities to store water in a clean and safe manner. Make sure that potable and non-potable water pipes are easily identifiable by marking them appropriately.
Food Testing Facility
All edible oil manufacturing units should have a well-equipped laboratory for testing of vegetable oils/fats with provisions for necessary chemicals and supporting facilities. The laboratory must employ qualified chemists. Raw oil or finished products must be all tested within standard parameters and quality control records must be satisfactorily maintained.
All packaged edible oils that are being sold in all retail outlets would now be marked with the newISI standards. BIS has been working on new standards for edible oil.

வெண்மை நிறத்துக்கு ரசாயனம் கலப்படமா? சேலத்தில் 648 ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகள் பறிமுதல் உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் நடவடிக்கை

சேலம், அக்.29-வெண்மை நிறத்துக்கு ரசாயனம் கலப்படம் செய்யப்பட்டதா? என்பதை கண்டறிய 648 ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகளை உணவு பாதுகாப்பு அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.
ஜவ்வரிசி ஆலைகளில் ஆய்வு
சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் ஜவ்வரிசி ஆலைகள் அதிகளவு செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்த ஆலைகள் சிலவற்றில் ஜவ்வரிசியில் கலப்படம் செய்வதாக வந்த புகார்களை அடுத்து உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் அடிக்கடி ஆய்வு நடத்தி வருகின்றனர். அப்போது ஜவ்வரிசியில் கலப்படம் செய்த ஆலைகளுக்கு ‘சீல்‘ வைக்கப்பட்டு நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருகிறது.
இந்த நிலையில், ஜவ்வரிசி வெண்மையாக மாறுவதற்கு ரசாயன பவுடர் கலப்படம் செய்வதாக மாவட்ட உணவு பாதுகாப்பு நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதாவுக்கு புகார்கள் வந்தன. அதன்பேரில் நேற்று மாலை நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் சேலம் செவ்வாய்பேட்டை நரசிம்மன்செட்டி தெருவில் உள்ள ஷாமதன்ராஜ் என்பவரது குடோனில் ஆய்வு நடத்தினர்.
ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகள் பறிமுதல்
அப்போது அங்கு ஒரு லாரியில் 50 கிலோ எடை கொண்ட 324 ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகள் ஏற்றப்பட்டு வடமாநிலங்களுக்கு அனுப்ப தயாராக இருந்தன. மேலும் 2 லாரிகளில் ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகளை ஏற்ற ஊழியர்கள் தயாராக இருந்தனர். இதை பார்த்த அதிகாரிகள் ஏற்றப்பட தயாராக இருந்த ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகளில் இருந்து பரிசோதனைக்காக மாதிரிகளை சேகரித்தனர்.
மேலும் அங்கிருந்த 648 ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகளை அதிகாரிகள் பறிமுதல் செய்ததுடன், அந்த குடோனிலே மூட்டைகளை பாதுகாப்பாக வைத்தனர்.
அதிக விலைக்கு…
இதுகுறித்து உணவு பாதுகாப்புத்துறை நியமன அலுவலர் அனுராதா கூறும் போது, ‘கலப்படம் செய்யப்படாத ஜவ்வரிசி பழுப்பு நிறத்தில் இருக்கும். வெண்மையாக இருக்கும் ஜவ்வரிசி தான் அதிக விலைக்கு விற்பனையாகிறது. இதற்காக வியாபாரிகள் ஏதாவது ஒரு ரசாயன பவுடரை கலப்படம் செய்து ஜவ்வரிசியை வெண்மையாக்குகின்றனர்.
இதுதொடர்பான புகார்கள் அடிக்கடி வந்ததால் இந்த குடோனில் சோதனை செய்தோம். அங்கிருந்த ஜவ்வரிசிகளை மாதிரிக்கு சேகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதன் முடிவு வரும் வரை பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட 648 ஜவ்வரிசி மூட்டைகளை விற்பனை செய்யக்கூடாது என்று கூறி உள்ளோம். பரிசோதனையின் முடிவில் கலப்படம் ஏதேனும் செய்தது தெரியவந்தால் அடுத்த கட்ட நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்‘ என்று கூறினார்.

Food licence for medical stores painfully slow

MEERUT:

Ever since the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was implemented in August 2011, making it mandatory for medical stores to also receive a licence from the food safety department, the licencing procedure has become exceedingly cumbersome, storekeepers say.
Medical stores keepers and officials in the food safety department accept that only 50% of the licences applied for have been issued.
“The online procedure is troublesome for medical store owners. They have to get their license renewed in five years, depending on the time period for which the medical stores’ license was issued. The online renewal process adds to the woes of medical store owners,” said JP Singh, Chief Food Safety Officer (CFSO).
Earlier, medical stores had to get a license only from the drug inspector. After the Food Safety and Standards Act was implemented in 2011, retailers had to also get a license from the food safety department.
The step came to ensure that food items, including milk powder, honey and chyanvanprash that were sold at medical stores met food safety norms.
Puneet Sharma, a medical store owner in the city, said, “Not only is the online procedure difficult for a person like me, who shies away from technology, it also ends up taking more time than the manual issuing of licences.”
Sharma said he had applied for the license in March 2014. Seven months have passed, but he has still not received the licence, he said. “I visited the department but was told the online procedure takes time,” Sharma said.
When TOI sought details from the CFSO of the numbers of licences applied for and issued, he said, “It is difficult to collate data because it is on different online portals. We don’t have the hard copy of the list of online licenses issued.” He added that the government had given time until February 2015 to issue food licences to medical stores.

Safe packaging

The world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions provider launches a food awareness campaign for mothers to keep their childern and family protected by making the right choices, reports shubhra bhramar
Food processing and packaging company Tetra Pak launched its Right to Keep Food Safe awareness campaign in the Capital recently, targeting mothers to inform them of food safety, nutrition and packaging facts. As per a recent multi-city survey commissioned by Tetra Pak, one in every three mothers surveyed is unsure about the safety of food that she gives to her family. The survey conducted by Research Pacific, Conversations With Mothers, also revealed that mothers are most concerned about the freshness and purity of the food they consume as well as the risks of its adulteration.
Releasing the findings of the survey on World Food Day, Tetra Pak’s Right to Keep Food Safe campaign was an awareness programme to empower mothers with knowledge and facts on food safety and nutrition, and motivate them to spread the word to many more mothers. An integral part of this is Nutrition Quotient (NQ), which is a first-of-its-kind online course on food safety, nutrition and packaging that has been developed by experts from the Indian Medical Association, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Indian Dietetics Association, the National Dairy Research Institute and the National Institute of Nutrition.
“Food safety is a continuing concern with the outbreaks of food-borne diseases due to adulteration, contamination and lack of awareness on how to keep food safe,” said Aditi Gowitrikar, doctor, actor and mother of two who was present at the launch. “It is surprising to learn from the survey that over 70 per cent mothers do not immediately connect serious diseases such as jaundice, cholera, and typhoid with food safety.”
Tetra Pak Asia Markets marketing director, Sumit Khattar said, “The survey shows that while mothers are quite concerned about the food and beverages they consume, there is a clear need for them to have easy access to better information and consequently exercising the right choices.”
The Right to Keep Food Safe campaign comprises several programmes, activities and seminars around ten key cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Vishakhapatnam). It aims to empower mothers to champion the movement around food safety and nutrition and become spokespersons in their own communities to increase awareness on this critical issue.

Administration slaps Rs 20,000 fine on private dairy

LUCKNOW:

A fine of Rs 20,000 has been imposed on Maa Laxmi Dairy, Vishal Khand in Gomtinagar for a sub-standard paneer taken from the shop on September 24, 2013. The laboratory report found the fat to be 41.5%, while as per laid down norms of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 (along with rule of 2011), the fat content should not be less than 50%.
No other contaminant was found. Hence under section 49/51 of the said Act, fine has been imposed on the proprietor Jitendra Pal. Meanwhile, food safety officials took three samples of paneer, curd and besan laddoo from Balaji Sweets & Dhaba in Vibhuti Khand, and have sent the samples for further testing. The department has also urged public to inform them about suspected adulterated or sub-standard food on the helpline number 1800-180-5533.

Packaged water found unfit to drink, but no action taken

GURGAON:

Forget tap water, if you thought packaged drinking water was safe in the city, think twice. Though only four samples of packaged drinking water were collected by the food safety department from two units in Gurgaon in the last three years, analysis showed that all were unfit for consumption, a Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed.
“The cases were reported and they are now before the court of chief judicial magistrate,” said the RTI reply by the food safety officer of Gurgaon.
A separate RTI reply has brought to light the fact that the district pollution control department of Gurgaon has not taken any action or issued any notice to a single water supplier for not maintaining the quality of drinking water in the last five years.
To make it worse, no new permission or licence has been granted to process, operate and fill bottled drinking water in the past five years, the district pollution control board said in its reply to Aseem Takyar, an activist.
“When the pipeline water fails to meet the drinking water requirements of the city dwellers especially in the commercial and industrial areas, people have no choice but to rely on packaged drinking water. But, the authorities have not collected any sample in the past three years barring two. This clearly shows how unsafe the drinking water could be,” Takyar said.
In residential colonies, people tend to use the piped water but only after treating it through RO (reverse osmosis) technology.
“In DLF areas, most people use the water supplied by HUDA but it is treated by the RO system installed in most houses as people are not sure about the quality and in the offices, bottled water is used,” said Sudhir Kapoor, secretary general of DLF City RWA, Gurgaon. No one from the food safety office could be contacted, despite repeated attempts.

No strange meat, pony joyride in Sangai Festival: PFA Manipur

Imphal, October 28 2014:

As “animal meat” is defined as the meat which belongs to Sheep, Goat, Pig, Cattle, Poultry and Fish only under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS) 2006 and Food Product Standard and Food Additives Regulation 2011, the People for Animals, Manipur has appealed to managers of food stalls in the upcoming Sangai Festival 2014 to check the food which will be offered by the stall keepers.
A statement issued today by L.Biswajeet Meitei, Managing Trustee, People for Animals, Manipur said slaughtering of animals of any other species other than these animals is not permissible under the act and regulations.
The PFA Manipur also urged the officials who are managing food stalls in the Sangai festival to arrange the food stalls into veg and non-veg stalls separately.
Saying that wildlife meat is to be strictly checked, the statement called upon all concerned that dog, rabbit or any other uncommon animal meat is to be avoided.
PFA Manipur will keep vigil on the food stalls, it said and added that strange food will not impress foreigners, as Manipur is famous for sports, culture and rare wildlife, but not for cuisine.
Selling of cooked meat which are not permitted could be imprisoned up to 6 months and with fine up to one lakh rupees, according to the FSS Act 2006. Selling of wild animals’ meat could also be punished with huge fine under this act and Wildlife protection Act.
The Food Safety commissioner of the state to detail officials to check the food items offered in the festival, PFA urged, while requesting Pony and Polo associations not to provide joy ride of Pony horses in the festival.
In the previous years, staffs of wildlife department were deployed to check sale or offering of wildlife meat or its products.
The PFA statement further suggested the Wildlife department to provide to and fro transport services to access parks, sanctuaries, lakes and gardens of the state.

PFA urges

Imphal, October 28 2014:

People for Animal (PFA) Thoubal is all set to keep an eye on food stalls to check the sale of wildlife meat and other uncommon animal meat during the ensuing Sangai Festival.

A statement issued by PFA Thoubal said Manipur is famous for sports, culture and rare wildlife but not for its cuisines.
It said that strange food would not impress foreigners.
Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS), 2006 and its (Food Product Standard and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 define “animal meat” as meat which belongs to sheep, goat, pig, cattle, poultry and fish only.
Slaughtering of animals of any other species other than these animals is not permissible under the Act and regulations.
So the officials who are going to manage food stalls in the upcoming Sangai Festival are appealed to check the food to be offered by the stall keepers, it said.
It further requested the authority concerned to arrange the food stalls into different groups as vegetarian and non-veg.
Wildlife meat is to be strictly checked.
Dog, rabbit or any other uncommon animal meat is to be avoided.
Selling of cooked wild animals meat is punishable under law, it said.
It also requested Pony and Polo associations not to offer joy ride on ponies during the festival.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in its new regulation, has made it mandatory for imported foods and alcoholic beverages to list ingredients on the label in Devanagari or English. But since, India remains a small market for these international wine producers, they may not be keen on listing out the ingredients exclusively for the market.
This, however, could mean more business for domestic wineries since they will become the biggest beneficiaries in the absence of international players.
Shivajirao Aher, president, All India Wine Producers Association, explained that labeling requirements have hit importers hard and led to a gap in the market, some of which is being filled by domestic winemakers.
Several importers supply wines to hotel chains and would not like to lose an important customer, so they are aiming to fill this gap from other sources.
A number of local wine producers have already started to feel the affect of the new regulations. For instance, Aher’s winery Renaissance Wines that normally sells 2,000-3,000 cases, has received orders for 10,000 cases, something unheard of in the past.
International winemakers have already been suffering because of massive tax rates in India which has stunted their expansion plans in the country.
“The current duty situation is a limiting factor, and I don’t think it’s going to change any time soon,” says Jeffery Davies who runs Signature Selections.
The new regulations issued by FSSAI may add to the woes of these winemakers and is likely to trigger wholesale change in this section.

கலப்பட தேயிலையில் டீ கலெக்டரிடம் புகார் மனு

கோவை, அக். 28:
கோவை கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்தில் நேற்று நடந்த மக்கள் குறை தீர்க்கும் முகாமில் சமூக விழிப்புணர்வு இயக்கத்தின் நிறுவனர் சாக்ரடீஸ் மனு அளித்தார். இதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:
கோவை மாநகரின் பல பகுதிகளில் உள்ள டீகடைகளில் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் தேயிலை தூள் மற்றும் காப்பித்தூள்களில் கலப்படம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. மேலும் பல கடைகளில் காலாவதியான குளிர் பானங்கள், குடி நீர் விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டு வருகின்றது. இவை தவிர பிளாஸ்டிக் கப்புகளும் விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டு வருகின்றது. ஆனால் இது குறித்து மாநகராட்சி சார்பில் எந்த வித நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்க வில்லை. எனவே அதிகாரிகள் விழிப்புடன் செயல்பட்டு பிளாஸ்டிக் மற்றும் கலப்படங்களை தடுக்க உரிய நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ள கலெக்டர் உத்தரவிட வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அந்த மனுவில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.