Page 2 - Food Safety

US FDA gathering information on Indian spices after alleged contamination

MDH and Everest spices, which are among the most popular names in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America, are also under the Indian regulator's scanner

A weak food chain

Recent controversy points to poor regulation

Everest Fish Curry Masala recalled in Singapore for pesticide concerns

Following a Hong Kong alert, Singapore has recalled Everest's fish curry masala due to high levels of ethylene oxide, a pesticide linked to cancer

Everest denies Hong Kong, Singapore ban; Regulator seeks quality check info

The masala-maker company clarified that only one out of its 60 products have been held for examination in Singapore

FSSAI collects samples of Nestle Cerelac's baby cereals amid sugar row

Regulator says it take 15-20 days to complete the process, responds after news report on consumer goods company

EU flagged cancer-causing chemicals in 527 Indian food products: Report

Recently, MDH and Everest spices have come under scrutiny for allegedly containing traces of ethylene oxide above permissible levels

Supreme Court expands scrutiny to FMCG after Patanjali misleading ads case

Nestle, Bournvita, and MDH have all come under public scrutiny after reports questioning the quality of the consumer goods emerged within the last month

Hong Kong bans sale of Everest, MDH spice mix over ethylene oxide presence

The Centre for Food Safety said there was the presence of ethylene oxide in MDH Group's madras curry powder, sambhar masala powder, and curry powder

PM Modi launches microbiology lab, 17 food testing vehicles for Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually unveiled a new microbiology laboratory and 17 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) vehicles in Assam, collectively valued at Rs 13.11 crore. In a major step towards enhancing food testing infrastructure across Assam, the laboratory was set up by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Guwahati. In addition, 17 mobile food testing laboratories, known as FSWs, have been provided to Assam in a stride towards ensuring food safety to the last mile. All these facilities were inaugurated by Modi through virtual mode from an event at Rajkot in Gujarat, an official release said. "The microbiology laboratory will play a pivotal role in safeguarding food safety by detecting various microorganisms, including pathogens in food products," it added. The FSWs, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and expert staff, will not only enhance testing capabilities but also deliver essential training to strengthen food safety practices, the release

Govt increases authorised capital of FCI from Rs 10K cr to Rs 21K cr

The government has increased the authorised capital of state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore to enhance the operational capabilities and fulfill its mandate effectively, the Food Ministry said on Saturday. FCI is the central government's nodal agency that undertakes procurement of foodgrains at a minimum support price (MSP) to protect the interest of farmers. It also maintains strategic stocks and distributes the grains under different welfare schemes. "The increase in authorized capital is a significant step towards enhancing the operational capabilities of FCI in fulfilling its mandate effectively," the ministry said in a statement. FCI resorts to cash credit, short-term loan, ways and means etc. to match the gap in the fund requirement. The increase in the authorised capital will reduce the interest burden, decrease the economic cost and ultimately affecting the government subsidy positively, it said. With this infusion of capital, th

India's food safety regulator has changed approach, set global standards

FSSAI has improved ease of doing business in food industry as it instills confidence among consumers

BIS, AGMARK certification no longer must for food products: FSSAI

Sources said this decision taken at the meeting will go a long way in fostering ease of doing business in the food business in the country

Govt amends food safety rules, only FSSAI nod mandatory for products

The government has approved various amendments in food safety and standard regulations, under which only one certification from food regulator FSSAI will be required for food products. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will issue a draft notification in this regard and will seek stakeholders' comments before finalising the amendments. For food products, certifications from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and AGMARK will not be needed if these amendments are finalised. In a statement, the Health Ministry said the FSSAI in its 43rd meeting approved various amendments to streamline food safety and standards regulations. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra. The ministry said that "only FSSAI certification would be mandatory for food products following finalisation of the amendments." The move would facilitate ease of doing business through the concept of One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator'. "Various amend

FSSAI directs caterers of airline industry to comply with food safety rules

Food regulator FSSAI has asked airlines and flight caterers to comply with its food safety regulations and provide detailed information about items served to passengers through proper labelling. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a meeting with leading flight caterers and airlines on January 16 to evaluate and enhance the existing food safety protocols within the airline catering industry, the regulator said in a statement on Wednesday. The objective of the meeting was to identify areas requiring improvement and reinforce the commitment to providing passengers with safe and high-quality inflight meals. "Acknowledging a common concern regarding the lack of readily available information for passengers regarding inflight food, the CEO, FSSAI directed all flight caterers and airlines to strictly comply with sub-regulation 5(10) (f) and 8 (4) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020," the statement said. This directive aim

FSSAI issues show cause notice to IndiGo for serving 'unsafe food'

Food safety regulator FSSAI has issued a show cause notice to the country's largest airline IndiGo for serving unsafe food to a passenger, days after a worm was found in a sandwich served onboard a flight. On Wednesday, the airline said it has received the show cause notice and would respond as per protocol. The incident happened onboard flight 6E 6107 from Delhi to Mumbai on December 29. The airline had apologised after the passenger shared a video on social media. On January 2, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) asked the airline to show cause why its licence should not be considered for suspension or cancellation and action be initiated as per Food Safety & Standards (FSS) Act for serving unsafe food to a passenger on the flight, according to the show cause notice. The airline has been given seven days to respond to the notice. An IndiGo spokesperson said the airline is in receipt of a "show cause notice from FSSAI with regard to a food item served on ...

India elected executive committee member of UN's food standard-setting body

India has been unanimously elected as a member representing the Asian region in the executive committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the food safety and quality standard-setting body created by the UN, at its meeting in Rome. The executive committee is an important arm of the CAC and the member countries have a considerable interest in getting its membership. In this capacity, India would not only get an opportunity to contribute substantially in the international standard setting process for different food product categories but will also be involved in the decision-making process, the health ministry said in a statement. The executive committee supports in the management of the commission's programme of standards development by conducting a "critical review" of proposals to undertake work and monitors the progress of standards development. The committee comprises the chair, three vice chairs, six regional coordinators and seven elected representatives from various .

Int'l food safety body endorses India's proposal on standards for millets

India's proposal for development of global standards for millets has been endorsed by members of a leading international food safety and quality standard-setting body created by the UN, the Union health ministry said on Friday. The Codex Alimentarious Commission (CAC) also praised India's standards on millets during its 46th session held in Rome, Italy, it said. India has framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying eight quality parameters, which received resounding applause at the international meet, the ministry said. The CAC, an international food safety and quality standard-setting body created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with 188 member countries, currently has standards for sorghum and pearl millet. India put forward a proposal for the development of global standards for millets, particularly for finger millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet, proso millet and little mil

No appetite for food safety

States must enhance safety mechanisms

US, EU criticise India's rice export ban, request immediate resumption

Representatives from Japan, Australia, Brazil, the EU, the UK, and the US raised concerns over the impact of the ban on the global food market

FSSAI initiates prosecution against FBOs found violating food safety laws

According to the authorities, the prosecution initiated against the FBOs covers different violations committed, including carrying out a food business without a valid license and manufacturing