Food Safety.Food Processing Industry in India

Dear All Thanks for keen interest shown by viewer of this FSSAI -Food Safety circle on issue raised by me on food processing industry. The FSSAI-Food Safety Circle is founded by FSSAI India and currently have 41545 members. This important topic was circulated on 3rd March 2017 and till date was viewed by 2003 members with comments from many members.I am surprised that on such important issue none of FSSAI Official have given any comment/clarification,which was expected from them. At least they should constitute expect committee to look into the mater. Now this circle has 41545 resourceful members hence I would like to request all members to utilize their contacts for taking following possible actions. 1. To raise question in parliament by our respected members of Parliament(MP) for clarification from GOI 2.To file PIL in Supreme Court why food grade lubricants are not mandatory to use in food processing industry in India. Why such regulations are not in India by FSSAI and Food Ministry. 3. NGO/Other like minded groups to take up this matter with GOI and experts of food industry to give their unbiased opinion/comments so Food Ministry and FSSAI to take this matter for consideration . 4. Once again I request FSSAI Officials to look into the matter on this very sensitive topic and do the needful which is essentially required for food safety. Dr. J N Pandey. Gurgaon more  

This is a very important issue. Very few certified food grade lubricants are available in India. Most of the available certified food grade grease and lubricating oil are very expensive and some lubricants such as food grade gear oil need more frequent changes compared to normal lubricants.Only major manufacturers who follow QMS and FSMS use them. Medium and small scale units can not afford the lubricants and most probably may not be using them. As most of this lubricants are imported Govt should reduce import duty/other taxes on these lubricants and make them affordable. FSSI should insist on all industries to colour code machinery parts were only food grade lubricants should be used and ensure that the manufacturer maintains a purchase and usage record which can be subject to inspection. All food product manufacturer's should be encouraged to follow QMS and FSMS and get certified. As most of our food products are manufactured by medium and small scale industry FSSI can impart HACCP training to these industry. more  

FSS Act was enacted by parliament in 2006 to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and for matters connected therewith or incidental there of Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 was made on the basis of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) or FSS Act, 2006 and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 91 of FSS Act read with the sections 5,7,30,36,37,38,39,40,41,43,45,46, 47,68,70,71,73,74,75,76,77,78,81,82,83 and 84, Whose objective is “ to consolidate the laws relating to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 2.1.2: 1 QUALIFICATION of the Designated Officer shall be a whole time Officer, not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer or equivalent and shall possess a minimum of bachelors’ degree in Science with chemistry as one of the subjects or at least one of the educational qualifications prescribed for the Food Safety Officer under these Rules He shall Undergo training as may be specified by the Food Authority, within a period of six months from the date of his appointment as Designated Officer. Many others including food officer can be appointed under PF Duties and responsibilities are subjective with QUALIFICATION OF FOOD SAFETY OFFICER: is too wide from medical degree to degree in chemistry with clauses for other ad-hoc ism. Duties include regular inspection Food analyst qualifications similar: role identification and linkages vague Possible Too much procedural norms than technical protocol. 17 Food analyst shall determine if samples size (no norm?) for each food materials or adjunct, prescribed container, time of sending Adjudication, appeal etc. Salary leave , resignation, removal, fee, sitting hours of appellate tribunal, summons, etc. etc, right relax the rules IN NUTSHELL THERE IS MORE EMPHASIS ON REACTIVE MECHANISMS THAN PROACTIVE PREVENTIVE ACTIONS OR ANY PROCEDURE WITH WICH THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW IF THE FOOD BOUGHT BY THEM IS SAFE TO USE. OR ANY PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GET THE MATERIAL TESTED. Adulteration has to be chemically analyzed, presence of toxin by toxicologists, and microbes or its effect through microbiologist. Even in norms HACCP has to be recognized for each product / material. The types of harvesting/ collecting, transport, processing, packing or retail if any etc. etc. more  

i am sumithra .R, Assistant Professor in Vivekananda Collge of Law, Bangalore, pursuing my PhD from Bangalore University. I am grateful to all those who post the comments as I am a regular follower of the same as the same is of utmost importance for my research work. I am exteremely thankful to sri Dr J N Pandey who has posted his copncern about the lubricants that are used in the food processing units. Infact I was worried about the same but was clueless about the remedy. Is it the same JN Pandey who has authored a book on Constitutional Law more  

In view of health hazards that manufacturers are unknowingly incorporating in food items, there is need to promote awareness in Companies specially SMEs and MSMEs which have poor access to information concerning standards and research related to toxicity of various additives that are used by them as well as in the lubricants. Dr Pandey has raised extremely important issue that needs to be widely discussed and brought to the notice of BIS and other statutory agencies and organizations dealing with enacting and enforcing standards and guidelines food and related items for this industry. more