Food Adulteration

Criminal proceedings concerning 2001 allegations of adulterated beverages to move forward

Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday said the government will build 100 food testing labs and 50 food irradiation centres as part of its efforts to boost processing levels and ensure quality. The minister asked the industry not to compromise on the quality of products as this will affect not only brands but the country's image as well. He said the ministry will set up 100 food testing labs to ensure that products meet standard norms set by regulators. The minister assured the industry that he would try to address any issues and challenges affecting the growth of the food processing sector. Addressing a Ficci seminar, Paswan emphasised the need to minimise wastage and promote value addition. The minister also exhorted industry players to make India a global food basket. "Indian food products should become popular globally. Indian food standards should be recognised as global standards," Paswan said. To boost processing levels, Paswan said as many as 50 food ...

The Union Health Ministry has written a letter to all the states and directed to take samples of laddus and investigate them, as well as to investigate the ghee sold in the market

Amul on Monday requested a woman customer in Noida to return the ice cream tub, in which she claimed to have found centipede, for further investigation and asserted that it offers superior quality dairy products in both India and global markets. A woman in Noida has claimed she has found a centipede inside an ice cream tub she ordered through an instant delivery app, said food safety officials, who have launched a probe into the matter. In a post on X on June 15, the woman, who identified herself as Deepa Devi, shared a picture showing the insect inside the ice cream tub. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under Amul brand, regretted the inconvenience caused to the woman customer in Noida. Noida's food safety department has launched a probe into this matter. In a statement, Amul said it immediately responded to the complaint on social media. "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to her because of this incident," the statement

A parliamentary panel has recommended a minimum imprisonment of six months for those selling adulterate food or drinks along with a minimum fine of Rs 25,000. In view of the serious health issues that can result from the consumption of adulterated food, the punishment provided for the offenders under this clause is inadequate, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs headed by BJP MP Brijlal said. "The committee recommends that a minimum punishment of six months be provided for the offence under this clause along with a minimum fine of Rs 25,000," it said. Referring to the sale of noxious food or drinks, the panel said the offence has the potential to affect the public at large and that the punishment provided for the offenders under this clause is also inadequate. "The committee recommends that a minimum punishment of six months be provided for the offence under this clause along with a minimum fine of Rs 10,000," it said. At present, the offence of food adulterati

FSSAI will test paneer, ghee, ice cream and other products sold by organised and unorganised sectors

Paper-based portable device can also used to test water, fresh juices, and milkshakes

This technique can be used to detect starch adulteration in milk up to 0.005% weight by volume of starch

Food regulator FSSAI's CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao has asked states to increase surveillance and random sampling of food items to curb adulteration. Rao also emphasised that in cases where the food samples are found to be non- conforming, the appropriate measures are required to be taken. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) "encouraged states/UTs to increase the regular surveillance, monitoring, inspections and random sampling of food products and their compliance with the laid down standards", according to a statement. He made the remarks at the 39th Meeting of Central Advisory Committee (CAC) held under his chairmanship on March 9, 2023, at Panaji, Goa. More than 60 officials, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from states/UTs, senior officials from FSSAI and nodal ministries, and the members representing the Food Industry, Consumers, Agriculture, laboratories and research bodies attended the meeting. The ke

'Irreparable damage' to Indian pharma's global image, drug regulator writes to WHO

At least 27 per cent of the 56 samples of cooking oil and other food items collected from four companies in Maharashtra's Thane district have been found adulterated or with false claims, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials said. The FDA's (Foods) Joint Commissioner, S R Kekre, said the samples tested revealed that palmolein oil was mixed in products sold as sunflower and soyabean oils, rice bran oil was mixed in a product sold as mustard oil and vegetable oil was mixed in products claimed to be milk cream and ghee. Based on complaints, the FDA had carried out raids and inspected the four units located in Dahisar Mori, Bhiwandi, Kalher and Koparkhairne areas of the district, it said in a release. Kekre asked customers to be cautious while purchasing these items. The FDA was in the process of verifying as to whom the wholesalers and manufacturers had sold these adulterated products, he said. Kekre also appealed to the citizens to contact the FDA if they find any ...

In view of the festive season, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday directed officials to run a special campaign to check adulteration of food items, especially sweets, milk products, edible oils and flour. In a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence here, he also said that the food and supplies department, medical department and food safety department should work with better coordination to ensure people get pure products. During the special campaign, priority should be given to testing of milk, mawa, paneer, sweets as well as flour, gram flour, edible oils, ghee, dry fruits and spices, he said. The state government will take strict action against those who play with the health of people adulterating food items, the chief minister warned. He also directed officials to effectively use mobile labs for checking and testing food items on the spot Gehlot said that seven new labs are being set up for sample testing in the state. It was informed in the meeting that since

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day

Since the release of our investigation into the adulteration of honey, we have received textbook responses - possibly what is discussed and taught in business schools across the world, writes Narain

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that there have been media reports about sale of adulterated spices in the domestic market

Chinese companies have "designed" the sugar syrup which is used to adulterate honey so that it can pass the Indian laboratory tests

When the issue concerns people's health, it's more than just a clash of brands, says experts

CSE's report on honey points to the need for better standards

Environment watchdog Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) food researchers selected 13 top and smaller brands of processed and raw honey being sold in India to check their purity.

Food safety regulator FSSAI on Friday said it has collected 4,500 samples of edible oils from across the country for quality testing, a move aimed at curbing sale of adulterated cooking oils in the market. The result of this nationwide quality survey is expected within a month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in a statement. The regulator said it has decided to intensify crackdown on the sale of adulterated edible oil with a pan-India surveillance of edible oil, both for the branded and unbranded oil samples. A quality survey was conducted during August 25-27 across all the states and Union Territories. "This nationwide survey, (was) carried out for the first time with over 4,500 samples covering a total of 16 varieties of edible oils, including mustard, coconut, palm, olive, and blended oil," the statement said. Various hilly as well as difficult terrains, including Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu as well as Andaman (UT) have been included as