Page 7 - Fssai

FSSAI asks traders, not to use banned 'calcium carbide' for fruit ripening

Food regulator FSSAI has asked traders and food business operators not to use the banned product 'calcium carbide' for ripening of fruits. In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has "alerted traders'/fruits handlers/Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season". FSSAI has also advised Food Safety Departments of states/UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action and deal stringently against person(s) indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, and rules/regulations made thereunder. "Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. "These substances, also known as 'Masala', can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, ...

Trouble mounts for MDH, Everest as New Zealand checks for contamination

Regulators in India have inspected MDH and Everest plants and sent samples for testing after the global scrutiny, though the results have not yet been made public

'If spice makers found guilty, govt will not hesitate to cancel licence'

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which has 237 testing labs, has collected over 1,500 spice samples from around the country

Regulating the regulators

Govt must strengthen accountability

Troubled spice route

FSSAI's action is welcome but belated

FSSAI 'corruption': CBI arrests assistant director red-handed taking bribe

The CBI on Monday arrested an assistant director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) posted at Mumbai along with the director of a private testing lab and two others in a bribery case of Rs 1.20 lakh, officials said. The agency arrested Amol Jagtap, Assistant Director, FSSAI, Regional Office, Mumbai; Vikas Bhardwaj, Director of Reliable Analytical Laboratories Pvt. Ltd; Harshal Chougule, senior manager of the company; and a company representative in the case, they said. The searches conducted at the residence of the accused resulted in the seizure of Rs. 37.3 lakh cash, about 45 gram gold and documents pertaining to various immovable properties and other incriminating documents, the officials said. Jagtap was allegedly receiving the bribe of Rs 1.20 lakh for clearing pending bills of the Thane-based Reliable Analytical Laboratories Pvt Ltd. The company runs a chain of chemical laboratories notified by the FSSAI which is engaged in analysis of samples forward

Spice controversy: Norms for pesticide residue stringent, says govt

In India, pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC)

Stringent norms adopted for max pesticide residue limit in food items: Govt

The government on Sunday asserted that India has one of the most stringent norms for pesticides residues in food items and rejected reports suggesting that food regulator FSSAI allows high level of residues in spices and herbs. The clarification comes amid a ban imposed by the Hong Kong food regulator on certain spice mix of two leading Indian brands MDH and Everest on alleged presence of pesticide Ethylene Oxide in their samples. The Singapore food regulator too ordered a recall of one spice product of the Everest brand. FSSAI is currently collecting samples of branded spices, including that of MDH and Everest, sold in the domestic markets to ensure they comply with its quality norms. It does not regulate the quality of exported spices. In a statement, the Union Health Ministry clarified that maximum residue limits are different for various food products based on risk assessment. "Some media reports are claiming that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allows

FSSAI relaxed pesticide norms in April, allowing 10x more residue in spices

Activists had warned against the policy relaxations, pointing to potential health hazards linked to pesticides

Spice row: FSSAI orders compulsory testing of spice brands across India

The decision was taken following the suspension of sales of certain spice blends from two leading brands, MDH and Everest, by Singapore and Hong Kong

FSSAI to launch quality check of food items like dairy products, spices

After starting a probe into alleged violation of norms in branded spices, food regulator FSSAI plans to launch surveillance on other food items like fortified rice, dairy products and spices sold in the domestic market. According to sources, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning surveillance on food items like fruit and vegetables, salmonella in fish products; spice and culinary herbs; fortified rice; and milk and milk products. FSSAI is already taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across the country in view of quality concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong. "In view of the current development, FSSAI is taking samples of spices of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from the market to check whether they meet the FSSAI norms," a source had said on April 22. FSSAI does not regulate the quality of exported spices, sources said. Early last month, Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) asked ...

Added sugars in Cerelac within limits, charges untrue: Nestle India CMD

Narayanan reiterated that according to FSSAI, the maximum permissible limit for added sugars is 13.6 gram per 100 gram of feed, while Nestle is at 7.1 gram of sugar per 100 gram

'No cancer-causing agents in our products': MDH on quality claims

Ethylene Oxide is a chemical used to preserve spices for longer and is also used in pesticides. Its consumption beyond permissible limits can be carcinogenic

A weak food chain

Recent controversy points to poor regulation

FSSAI commissions nationwide quality check on MDH, Everest products

This move comes after Hong Kong and Singapore food departments recalled some variants of spice mixes from both companies

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

Spice Board of India tells Everest, MDH to give details of quality checks

The companies' products are hugely popular in India and are exported to countries in Europe, Asia and North America

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

HUL rebrands Horlicks as 'functional nutritional drink', removes 'health'

Rebranding offers clearer and more transparent representation of the product category, says company

CCPA asks FSSAI to probe claim of Nestle adding sugar to baby products

Consumer protection regulator CCPA has asked Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) to look into the claim of a Swiss NGO, Public Eye and International Baby Food Action Network, that Nestle was selling baby products with higher sugar content in less developed countries like India. "We have written to the FSSAI to take cognizance of the report on Nestle's baby product," Consumer Affairs Secretary and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) chief Nidhi Khare told PTI. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also taken note of the report and issued a notice to the FSSAI. According to findings by the Swiss NGO, Public Eye and International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Nestle sold baby products with higher sugar content in less developed South Asian countries including India, Africa and Latin American nations as compared to markets in Europe. Meanwhile on Thursday, Nestle India had said it never compromises on compliance and it has reduced .