If you’ve been strolling down the <keyword id="19967363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dairy" source="keywords">dairy</keyword> aisle and picking up products labelled as A1 or <keyword id="4091644" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="a2-milk" source="Orion">A2 milk</keyword>, you might want to brace yourself for some udderly surprising news. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (<keyword id="20225209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FSSAI" source="keywords">FSSAI</keyword>) has recently directed all dairy companies to stop using these <keyword id="20012156" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="labels" source="keywords">labels</keyword> on products like <keyword id="20068582" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="milk" source="keywords">milk</keyword>, ghee, butter, and curd. But why has the regulatory body suddenly cracked down on these seemingly innocuous labels? Let’s spill the milk on the matter. <h3>What’s the moo-d about A1 and A2?</h3>Before we dive into FSSAI's reasoning, let's break down what these labels actually mean. A1 and A2 refer to two types of beta-casein proteins found in cow’s milk. The A1 protein is predominantly found in breeds that originated in northern Europe, such as Holsteins, while A2 is more common in breeds like Guernsey and Jersey cows. The distinction between these proteins became a talking point in the dairy world when some studies suggested that A2 milk might be easier on the stomach for people who are sensitive to regular milk. However, despite the buzz, the science behind the <keyword id="19898211" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health" source="keywords">health</keyword> benefits of A2 milk over A1 remains inconclusive. Research has not definitively proven that A2 milk is healthier, safer, or more digestible than <keyword id="4091645" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="a1-milk" source="Orion">A1 milk</keyword>. In fact, the European Food Safety Authority and other global bodies have stated that there’s no significant evidence to justify the claims that A2 milk is superior. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109314825" title="DIY delight: Easy steps to make almond milk at home" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h3>No more misleading labels</h3>So, why did FSSAI step in? The <keyword id="20028235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="regulator" source="keywords">regulator</keyword> has deemed the A1 and A2 labels "misleading" and inconsistent with the <keyword id="20915720" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-safety-and-standards-act" source="keywords">Food Safety and Standards Act</keyword> of 2006. The primary concern is that these labels could confuse consumers into thinking that one type of milk is inherently better or more beneficial than the other. According to FSSAI, such claims do not conform to the existing standards, which do not recognize any differentiation of milk based on these protein types. As a result, FSSAI has instructed all dairy companies to stop using these labels on their products and to remove any such claims from their packaging within six months. This directive also extends to e-commerce platforms, which must immediately take down any related claims from their websites. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111319451" title="Why can’t men breastfeed? Because they may spread germs, scientists say" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h3>FAQs: What does this mean for my grocery shopping?</h3><ol><li>Will I still find A1 or A2 milk in stores? <ul><li>For now, you might still see these labels as companies have up to six months to clear out existing stock. After that, these labels should disappear from store shelves.</li></ul></li><li>Does this mean A2 milk is not healthier? <ul><li>The jury is still out on whether A2 milk is definitively healthier. The FSSAI's main concern is that the current labelling practices are not backed by strong scientific evidence and might mislead consumers.</li></ul></li><li>Should I stop buying A2 milk? <ul><li>If you prefer A2 milk and it works for you, there’s no need to stop. Just be aware that the health claims surrounding it are not conclusively proven.</li></ul></li><li>What should I look for in milk now? <ul><li>Focus on buying milk that meets your nutritional needs and preferences. Whether it's organic, full-fat, or fortified with extra vitamins, the choice is yours.</li></ul></li></ol>In the end, the FSSAI’s move is all about ensuring that consumers are not swayed by unscientific marketing. As the A1 vs. A2 debate continues in the research labs, you can rest easy knowing that the milk you’re pouring into your cereal is held to rigorous safety and quality standards.

The FSSAI just ordered Indian dairy companies to remove misleading A1 and A2 labels — here’s what that means for your milk shopping experience

If you’re a <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword> resident, we’re almost certain that you must be coming across vendors frying and selling hot chicken <keyword id="21046095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kebabs" source="keywords">kebabs</keyword> by the sides of the road on the regular. With their rather bright red colours, those things are unmissable, after all. But if you’ve been fighting temptation because of how unhealthy they could be, we have some good news for you. Making kebabs the teensiest bit healthier, the Karnataka government is putting a ban on artificial colours in your favourite kebabs, be they vegetarian, chicken, or fish. This move comes after a series of actions by the <keyword id="19987876" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka-Health-Department" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Karnataka Health Department" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Karnataka Health Department">Karnataka Health Department</keyword> to ensure <keyword id="20000858" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-safety" source="keywords">food safety</keyword> and protect <keyword id="19913584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-health" source="keywords">public health</keyword>. Reports of poor kebab quality due to artificial colouring prompted the department to take action. In light of these concerns about kebab safety, the government tested 39 samples from across Karnataka and 8 variants of kebabs were found to have harmful artificial colours. The presence of sunset yellow and carmoisine colours, in particular, were deemed unsafe for consumption. This isn't the first time the Karnataka Health Department has cracked down on harmful food additives. Following Tamil Nadu and Goa, Karnataka joined the fight for safe treats earlier this year when it flagged the use of artificial colours in cotton candy and gobi manchurian. The survey, conducted between February 12 and an unspecified date, revealed the presence of concerning chemicals in 15 out of 25 cotton candy samples and 107 out of 171 gobi manchurian samples. They found Rhodamine-b, a suspected carcinogen which already has a nationwide ban. This ban extends to sunset yellow and carmoisine in cotton candy, and tartrazine (when not used within approved limits) in gobi manchurian. If any vendors are found flouting these bans, the Food Safety and Standards Act enforces strict penalties: licence cancellation, hefty fines (up to ₹10 lakh), and even jail terms (from 7 years to life imprisonment) for using banned substances. Looking ahead, the government plans to raise awareness among food vendors about safe colouring alternatives, empower consumers and conduct surprise checks to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The success of this initiative might lead to similar scrutiny of other popular street foods, like kebabs, which often use colouring agents. This could pave the way for a future where vibrant colours on our plates come courtesy of nature, not potentially harmful chemicals.

Karnataka Health Department bans use of artificial food colouring in kebabs; imposes hefty fine of 10 lakhs!

The <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court" source="keywords">Supreme Court</keyword> on Monday ordered an interim stay on the directives issued by BJP-ruled <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Uttar Pradesh" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Uttar Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> and <keyword id="19918812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttarakhand" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Uttarakhand" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</keyword> asking <keyword id="21485673" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eateries" source="keywords">eateries</keyword> along the <keyword id="21111319" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kanwar-Yatra" source="keywords">Kanwar Yatra</keyword> routes to display the names of their owners, staff and other details, a move the opposition has claimed is intended to promote religious discrimination. Issuing notice to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, where the Ujjain municipal body has issued a similar <keyword id="20003910" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="directive" source="keywords">directive</keyword>, a bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, however, said eateries may be required to display the kind of food they are serving like they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. A large number of devotees travel from various places with 'kanwars' carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform 'jalabhishek' of Shivlings during the Hindu calendar month of 'Shravan'. Many believers shun consuming meat during the month they consider holy. The significant order comes amid an escalating row over the directives, with even BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) joining the chorus for their withdrawal and opposition parties resolving to raise the issue in Parliament. The opposition has alleged that the orders were "communal and divisive" and intended to target Muslims and Scheduled Castes by forcing them to reveal their identity, but the BJP maintained that the step has been taken keeping in mind law and order issues and the religious sentiments of pilgrims. "We deem it appropriate to pass interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers may be required to display kind of food, but must not be forced to display names of owners, staff employed," the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday. No one appeared for the state governments in the apex court on Monday. The top court was hearing a batch of pleas including those by <keyword id="20034224" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TMC-MP-Mahua-Moitra" source="keywords">TMC MP Mahua Moitra</keyword>, academician Apoorvanand Jha and columnist Aakar Patel, and <keyword id="22504922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NGO-Association-of-Protection-of-Civil-Rights" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights">NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights</keyword> challenging the directives. At the outset, the bench asked senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Moitra, if any formal order has been passed in the matter. Singhvi said a "camouflaged" order has been passed to display names of owners of eateries. He asserted the orders passed by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments is "exclusion by identity" and against the Constitution. Senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, appearing for Association for Protection of Civil Rights, submitted that while the state authorities were claiming the order proposed voluntary compliance, it was being enforced by coercion. "It is not based on any statutory backing. No law gives police commissioner power to do this," he asserted. Asking Singhvi to desist from exaggeration, the bench told him, "These orders have dimensions of safety and hygiene also." Singhvi said Kanwar Yatras have been going on for decades and people of different religious faiths-Islam, Christianity and Buddhism- have been helping <keyword id="22477203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kanwariyas" source="keywords">Kanwariyas</keyword>. He said many vegetarian hotels and restaurants being run by Hindus have Muslim and Dalit employees. "I have been on the Haridwar route many times. There are lot of pure vegetarian restaurants run by Hindus. But if they have Muslim or Dalit employees, can I say I will not go there and eat? Because the food is somehow touched by them (Muslim employees) "These directives are issued without any authority of law, they are being clever. If I disclose, I am damned; if I don't I am damned. What is the rational nexus of giving my name?" he said. Referring to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Singhvi submitted the law does not prescribe owners to name their eateries after their names. During the hearing, the bench asked,"They (Kanwariyas) worship Shiva, yes? Do they expect the food to be cooked and served and grown by a certain community?" Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that a public notice had been issued by the authorities in Uttar Pradesh. In her plea before the top court, Moitra has sought a stay on the orders passed by the two state governments saying such directives aggravate discord between communities. The TMC leader said forcing disclosure of the names of proprietors and staff, on the stated ground of respecting pilgrims' dietary choices, "makes it clear that dietary choices is a pretext, or a proxy, for the compelled disclosure of personal and, in this case, religious identity", the plea said. It alleged this has been done to create a socially-enforced economic boycott on Muslim shop owners and workers, and the loss of their livelihoods. Days after the Muzaffarnagar police asked all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of owners of eateries, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday extended the controversial order across the state. Besides the two state governments, the BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation had directed shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments in the ancient city, home to the famous 'Mahakaal' temple. The month of Shravan starts from July 22 this year and lasts till August 19.

SC stays UP, Uttarakhand govt directive for displaying names of eatery owners on Kanwar Yatra route

New Delhi, On the second day of the Budget Session of Parliament, 27 Bills passed during the fourth session of <keyword id="10690651" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="seventeenth-lok-sabha">seventeenth Lok Sabha</keyword> will be tabled in the Lower House on Tuesday along with various Standing Committee reports that include steps taken by the Union Ministry of <keyword id="365819" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Home-Affairs">Home Affairs</keyword> during Covid-19 pandemic. Soon after the House will assemble at 4 p.m., <keyword id="6355187" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh will table these 27 Bills that were assented to by President <keyword id="6354561" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-nath-kovind">Ram Nath Kovind</keyword> after these were passed in the previous session of Parliament. Congress leader of the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and BJP MP Satya Pal Singh will later present the reports of the <keyword id="81545" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-accounts-committee">Public Accounts Committee</keyword> that includes 21st report on the 'Implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006'; 22nd report on the action taken by the government on the recommendations of the committee contained in their 110th report (16 Lok Sabha) on Examination of Accounts of ICAR, 'Non Achievement of Stated Objective' and 'Blocking or Funds or Coconut Development Board'. The leaders will also present the 23rd Report on action taken by the government on the recommendations of the committee contained in their 114th report (16 Lok Sabha) on 'Design, Development, Manufacture and Induction of Light Combat Aircraft'. Besides, reports of the Standing Committee on Coal and Steel, <keyword id="6363870" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="home">Home</keyword> will be presented in the Lower House. These reports were virtually presented through video conferencing to the Rajya sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on December 21 last year and were forwarded to Lok Sabha speaker <keyword id="232126" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Om-Birla">Om Birla</keyword> on the same day. Reports of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare will also be laid on the table. The reports were presented to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on November 21 last year and forwarded to the Lok Sabha on November 25. Reports of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will be presented in the House later. These reports were presented to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on December 24 last year when the House was not in session. These reports were also forwarded to the Lok Sabha Secretariat on the same day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will move a motion so that the House does agree with the Eighteenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee presented to the House on Monday. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/markets-on-fire-post-union-budget-2021-sensex-zooms-over-22000-points-nifty-reclaims-14000-mark/articleshow/80630163.cms">Markets on fire post Union Budget 2021: Sensex zooms over 2,200 points, Nifty reclaims 14,000 mark</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/fm-nirmala-sitharaman-announced-the-vehicle-scrappage-policy-to-phase-out-6-8-million-old-and-unfit-vehicles/articleshow/80632143.cms">Budget 2021 will push 6.8 million vehicles to fitness tests, possible scrappage</a>

Nearly 30 Bills passed earlier will be presented in Lok Sabha today

<ul><li>The Delhi government is formulating a policy to curb <keyword id="622388" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-wastage">food wastage</keyword> at extravagant weddings after the matter was flagged in a <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> order rolled out on 6 December, PTI reported. </li><li>The bench, headed by Justice Madan B Lokur, has marked 31 January, 2019 as the last date for Delhi government to formulate the policy and enable its implementation, to benefit citizens. </li><li>Usually, all of the leftover food from such weddings goes to waste. It is alleged that stale food in consequent weddings leading to major health problems.</li></ul>Amid the high wedding season in India’s capital, Delhi government is working on formulating a policy to curb food wastage at extravagant weddings along with limiting the number of guests at such functions after the Supreme Court’s directive, PTI <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-contemplating-limiting-number-of-guests-manage-food-wastage-at-weddings/story-ZipvMC8cyaHkPvsF1oQhHN.html">reported</a>. A bench directed by Justice Madan B Lokur was formed. Vijay Kumar Dev, Delhi Chief Secretary, reportedly told the bench that the issue has been discussed after it was flagged in a court order rolled out on 6 December. According to one Delhi government official, Dev also said that there was ‘artificially enhanced demand’ to have such outrageous wedding functions in Delhi, said the report. To address the issue, the government has suggested that wedding organisers should work with with NGOs that provide food to the needy, under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The bench said that the first step should be to formulate a policy followed by its implementation. The council for Delhi government said that it took eight weeks to roll out the policy and register caterers under the Food Safety and Standards Act. A policy is expected by the end of January. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/an-indian-electricity-tribunal-has-a-bizarre-job-requirementyou-must-not-have-been-married-twice/articleshow/67055748.cms">An Indian electricity tribunal has a bizarre job requirement—you must not have been married twice</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-supreme-court-approves-round-the-clock-witness-protection-scheme/articleshow/66964318.cms">India's Supreme Court approves round-the-clock witness protection scheme</a>

India’s Supreme Court wants the Delhi government to crack down on big, fat Indian weddings to curb food wastage — and a policy could be in place by next month

Chandigarh, Mar 1 () The Punjab government's Food and Drug Administration on Sunday said it has prohibited online supply of food from Food Business Operators (FBOs) not possessing hygiene rating. Issuing the prohibition orders, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner K S Pannu said invoking provisions under the Food Safety &amp; Standards Act, 2006, keeping in view the interest of public health, the distribution/supply/sale of articles of food through Online Food Supply Aggregators (OFSAs) related to those FBOs who have not got their hygiene rating done has been prohibited. "The orders also prohibit OFSAs from sourcing the food from FBOs which are not hygienically rated and also where such rating is less than three out of five," a Punjab government release said. The prohibition orders would be effective for one year beginning April 30, 2020. The orders state that in Punjab, information technology-driven OFSAs have been distributing/selling/ supplying food to the consumers after sourcing the same from FBOs. "This food delivery through an IT based platform is a very recent phenomenon in which the direct and primary contact between the consumer of food articles and the manufacturers of food articles, especially the hot cooked food articles, has snapped. "This mechanism of distribution/sale/supply of food by OFSAs has obliterated the system of responsibility of maintaining the quality of food, which till now was being directly verified by the consumers from the food business operators at his counter," the release said. It further stated that with the introduction of OFSAs, it has become important to ensure that these aggregators supply only good quality and properly hygienic food articles to the consumers. "Although, it is the moral responsibility of FBOs and OFSAs to ensure quality and hygiene of food delivered, the duty is also cast upon the State authorities to ensure safe food to public under the Section 18(1)(a) of food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," said Pannu. He said that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued instructions vide which the system of hygiene rating of the food business operators has been introduced. FSSAI has empanelled various agencies to conduct the hygiene rating of the FBOs. Pannu said the office of the Food and Drug Administration, Punjab had asked all the OFSAs to ensure that the FBOs from where they are sourcing food for distribution to consumers should get the hygiene rating of their business done. The date of getting the hygiene rating of the FBOs done was earlier extended till October 31, 2019, Pannu said. "However, it has been observed that even after creating awareness regarding the importance of hygiene rating, OFSAs have not taken the matter seriously, resulting in consumers continuously facing the potential of delivery of unsafe/unhygienic food..," he said. SUN ABMABM

Punjab prohibits online supply of food from FBOs not possessing hygiene rating

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51717008.cms" /> Online retailers dealing with food products or its business will have register under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 with the food regulator <keyword id="154680" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="FSSAI">FSSAI</keyword>, regulator's Chairman Ashish Bahuguna told PTI. 

	"These e-commerce players at their platforms are also selling food products or dealing in one or another form of food business. And food and food businesses come under the ambit of FSSAI so they have to just register," he said. 
 

	The regulator said that without registration it would be "illegal" for these companies to deal in food products or food business and "an appropriate action as per the Food Safety and Standards law could also be explored" for violation. 
 

	He also informed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had invited these companies and held a meeting in this regard. 
 In coming days, food specific startups Foodpanda India, Zomato, Swiggy and Peppertap and e-commerce giants like <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword> and Amazon may have to register with the regulator. 

	FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said registering with the FSSAI will also be in the interest of ecommerce players. 
 

	"By following the regulations of the food safety act, the e-commerce players can ensure the quality of food products or even services to their consumers. And which will help these companies also," Agarwal told PTI. 
 

	Agarwal added that there transactions are electronic but if they are selling food products or dealing in food business, then that comes under the FSSAI ambit. 
 

	FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 that have hitherto handled food related issues.

	 
	 
	(Image credits: indiatimes)

Online food retailers will have to register with FSSAI now

A district court slapped <keyword id="6356684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="patanjali">Patanjali</keyword> with a fine of Rs 11 lakh for misleading advertisements, misbranding and misrepresentation of its products. 
 Haridwar's additional district magistrate <keyword id="2489561" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lalit-Narain-Mishra">Lalit Narain Mishra</keyword> stated Patanjali is guilty of releasing misleading advertisements by selling certain products with its labels although they were being manufactured by some other firm. 
 
Patanjali was fined under Section 52 (misbranding) and Section 53 (misleading advertisement) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 as well as Section 23.1 (5) of Food Safety and Standard (Packaging and Labelling Regulations, 2011) Act. 
 
Patanjali has to pay the fine within a month and the court also told the district food safety department to take appropriate action if there is no improvement in the products in future. 
 
A case was filed against Patanjali in November 2012 after samples of products, including honey, salt, mustard oil, jam and besan (gram flour) picked up for sampling on August 16, 2012, allegedly failed quality tests. 
 
The tests were conducted at Uttarakhand's only FSSAI-certified drugs and food testing lab located at Rudrapur. The case had been ongoing ever since. The order regarding the fine imposed on the company was given by the court on December 1, but became public a day ago.

Patanjali to pay fine of Rs 11 lakh within a month for misbranding, misleading ads

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48438685.cms" /> 
Nestle’s Maggi noodles were found to be unsafe for consumption and the company was ordered to recall its noodles, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Health+Minister+JP+Nadda+">Health Minister JP Nadda</a> said on Tuesday. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Maggi+">Maggi</a> noodles samples were found to be containing more than permissible limits of lead. "Samples of Nestle's Maggi noodles were found to be having more than the permissible limit of 2.5 ppm of lead and also violating the labelling requirements about presence of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Monosodium+Glutamate+">Monosodium Glutamate</a> (MSG),” PTI reported, citing Nadda’s written reply in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Rajya+Sabha">Rajya Sabha</a>. 
 
On June 5, an order was issued by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Food+Safety+and+Standards+Authority+of+India+">Food Safety and Standards Authority of India</a> (FSSAI) directing <keyword id="6356830" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nestle-India">Nestle India</keyword> to recall its Maggi Noodles. The order was based on the test results taken from different states, confirming presence of lead beyond permissible limit, Nadda said. 
 
The FSSAI, on May 25 advised all the states and UTs to draw samples of the Maggi Noodles and get the same tested from authorised labs. 
 
The minister said that the FSSAI had also advised the Commissioners of Food Safety of all the states and UTs on June 8 to draw and test the samples of Noodles and allied products of other brands as well. 
 
He said that the implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 primarily rests with the state and UTs. 
 
FSSAI regularly takes up the issue of enforcement of the provisions of the act with the state authorities through written communications and interaction during the meetings of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC). 
 
The CAC also comprises the Commissioners of Food Safety of all states and UTs for effective implementation of the Act and the rules and regulations there under, he said. 
 
Nadda added that surveillance, monitoring, inspection, random sampling and testing of food products are undertaken by the officials of food safety departments of states and UTs to ensure compliance with the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

Government of India justifies Maggi ban. Says, it exceeded lead content and violated labelling rules

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56736577.cms" /> PM <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> has formed a group of secretaries consisting of 11 members who have been asked to recommend “imposition of additional taxes on foods with added sugar, salt and saturated fats.” 
 
Well, let’s explain it to you in a better way. There would be a very few people who can say no to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">burger</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">pizza</a> or food that are cheese laden or some fries. Now these people may require to pay a tax popularly called ‘<keyword id="102432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fat-Tax">fat tax</keyword>’. 
 
The reason is simple. 
 
The additional revenue from this Fat Tax on junk food would be added to the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">health budget</a>. This will help the government to increase budget in health sector, which is just 1.16% of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">GDP</a> now. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">ALSO READ: Cigarettes to cost more?</a> 
 
The only thing that is deterring the government from finalizing the decision is a nod from the Prime Minister. However to believe the experts, this ‘fat tax’ may be finalized on the budget this year. 
 
However the term ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">junk food</a>’ term isn’t yet included under Food Safety and Standard Act as of now. 
 
Well intended 
The move is definitely well intended. That’s what the group feels like. Consumption of junk foods, rich in sugar, salt and started fat is one of the reasons why young India is suffering from several lifestyle ailments. And this move is meant to discourage people from eating too much junk food. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/your-air-travel-might-get-expensive-after-the-budget-speech-in-february-heres-why/articleshow/56647465.cms">ALSO READ: Air travels to get dearer?</a> 
 
Will this work? <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword> has already introduced a similar tax in the state. So if you buy junk food, you would require to pay <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/statutorywarning-cigarettes-to-cost-more-after-budget/articleshow/56726842.cms">14.5% </a>as fat tax. Restaurateurs say, while the government coffer is getting richer, the people are still making a beeline at the places that serve junk food.

You may have to pay an extra tax for eating pizza and burgers
after budget, if PM Modi says a yes

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50138919.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" />Two ayurvedic firms including yoga guru <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ramdev">Ramdev's</a> <keyword id="672744" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Patanjali-Ayurved-Ltd">Patanjali Ayurved Ltd</keyword> have been served notice by the government for violating food safety norms in manufacturing atta noodles, Health Ministry JP Nadda said. 
 
"The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FSSAI">FSSAI</a>) has issued a notice to M/s Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and M/s Akash Yog Health Products Pvt Ltd on November 19 asking them to show cause as to why action should not be taken against them for violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act...for manufacturing, relabelling and marketing <keyword id="3138088" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Patanjali-Atta-Noodles">Patanjali atta noodles</keyword> without obtaining valid approvals," Nadda said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. 
 <keyword id="6369109" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ramdev">Ramdev</keyword> had launched the product with the aim to capture the noodle market by branding his product as healthier and more affordable than other instant noodles available to consumers. 
 
Instant noodle <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Maggi+">Maggi</a> was banned earlier this year for five months after some samples were found to have dangerous levels of monosodium glutamate and lead. However, it returned to shops after a clean chit from labs. 
 
(Image credit: BCCL)

Atta noodles: Ramdev's Patanjali among 2 firms served FSSAI notice

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51643984.cms" />After the recent ban on around 300 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=medicines&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">medicines</a> by the health ministry took a toll on drug makers, another regulation is likely to impact the <keyword id="1595684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="nutraceuticals-industry">nutraceuticals industry</keyword>, such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=health+supplements&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">health and food supplements</a>, which is a Rs 20,000-crore sector. 
 
Companies such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=sun+pharma&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Sun Pharma</a>, Abbott Nutrition, <keyword id="129103" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amway">Amway</keyword> Nutrition, Mankind Pharma, Herbalife and GlaxoSmithKline are to be hit after the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=fssai&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Food Safety and Standards Authority of India</a> that has ordered companies to follow strict norms in manufacturing and testing of <keyword id="1193803" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-supplements">health supplements</keyword> launched after 2011. 
 
"It has (been) decided that till the standards of nutraceuticals food supplements and health supplements are finally notified, the enforcement activities against such food business operators may be restricted to requirements given in the draft notification on such products," said FSSAI enforcement director Rakesh Chandra Sharma. 
 
Companies will get an exemption if the supplements were available in the market before the Food Safety and Standards Act came into effect in 2011 or if product approval was pending on August 19, 2015. 
 
The matter started after Patna food and drug regulator banned all health supplements in 2014. 
 
In 2011, FSSAI had set up the product approval committee to give nod to such products using the same parameters as those for drugs. However, last year, the Supreme Court ruled against the establishment of the committee, which FSSAI had to abandon. 
 
"The regulations for health and food supplements are not in place. If there are no regulations, we cannot rely on drafts for enforcement. This is like the ban on fixed dose combinations all over again," RK Sanghvi, head of the nutraceuticals committee of the Indian Drugs Manufacturers' Association, told ET.

After drug ban, another regulation by FSSAI puts nutraceuticals industry in a tight spot

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/49179333.cms" />‘Food’ to have a new meaning in India post Maggi debacle 
 
The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=maggi">Maggi</a> controversy comes as an eye opener for the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=fssai">Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).</a> The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=central">central government</a> has planned to change the definition of food to widen its scope and close loopholes. 
 
The new definition will exclude nutraceuticals, health supplements, functional food and dietary supplements, which will be subject to tougher <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=regulations">regulations</a>, a news report in The Economic Times has suggested. 
"The earlier definition of food had certain loopholes of which some companies, especially pharma companies, were taking advantage," a senior official in the ministry of health told the financial daily. "Since <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=preservatives+">regulations are more stringent for pharma products</a>, companies tried to pass off nutraceuticals and health supplements as food, where regulations are slightly relaxed,” he added. 
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, defines food as "any substance, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, which is intended for human consumption and includes primary food." It excludes "drugs and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances." 
 
Traditional food, which is described as food that has been and is "traditionally being consumed in the country" will be broadened to "food which is prepared in accordance with the knowledge normally transmitted from one generation to another, conforms to the gastronomic heritage of the country, or local area, or region of the country, with little or no processing or manipulation through addition of preservatives or otherwise and retains the sensory property." 
 
As said on its website, the govt plans to review and amend the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. It sought suggestions and comments from stakeholders by September 24. While a ministry can change rules, an act can be amended only in parliament. Representatives of the food industry, citing procedural lapses in the proposed changes, have alleged that the government wants to "sharpen their teeth and extend their reach beyond the normal to targthe industry." 
 
"It is not understood as to how and why all of a sudden an unscientific and adhoc, restrictive definition has been flashed to food industry for comments," Amit Dhanuka, president of the All India Food Processors' Association told the ET. The industry bodies said the government is trying to avoid a discussion on the matter.

‘Food’
to have a new meaning in India post Maggi debacle

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48017036.cms" /> The Food Safety &amp; Standards Authority of India (<keyword id="154680" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="FSSAI">FSSAI</keyword>) along with several states banned <keyword id="75190" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nestle">Nestle</keyword>'s <keyword id="6369404" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maggi">Maggi</keyword> instant noodles in June, but the company did not get some of the test reports based on which authorities banned the popular noodles in the country, a company executive told the Economic Times. 

	Moreover some of the reports were not shared with Nestle before the announcement of the ban and they have now started trickling in, he added. 
 

	A company spokesperson revealed that no test reports were sent to it before June 5, 2015 when the ban was announced, except one from a Kolkata laboratory for a single sample of Maggi noodles sent by the Uttar Pradesh FDA in April. 
 

	"...and for that report, we had made our representation on the improper testing procedure," the spokesperson said in an email, responding to questions from ET. 
 

	The ban proved to be detrimental for the company. Maggi raked in over Rs 2,000 crore in annual revenue for the company. While that has stopped now, it spent Rs 320 crore to recall the product. 
 

	Global valuation consultancy Brand Finance estimates another Rs 1,270 crore in brand loss. Nestle claims it did not get a chance to explain its stand before FSSAI and state authorities that banned the product alleging excessive levels of lead in it and mislabeling on the pack. 
 

	According to industry experts, it was unfair not to share the test reports with the company before taking such an action. 
 

	Moreover, the delay in sharing results raised questions on the test procedures, since the UK, Singapore and Canada have found Maggi imported from India safe to eat. 
 "The way the matter played out was unfair to Nestle. The company wasn't given a chance to prove themselves," said <keyword id="2867937" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ashwin-Bhadri">Ashwin Bhadri</keyword>, chief executive at <keyword id="1459500" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Equinox-Labs">Equinox Labs</keyword>, which specialises in food testing and works closely with FSSAI on food safety compliance. 

	"Unfortunately, the issue isn't just about Maggi anymore. The controversy has had a global impact and the world is looking at India brands through the scanner,” he added. 
 

	Nestle executives raised the issue at a meeting they had with FSSAI officials on Wednesday. 
 

	An FSSAI representative present at the meeting said ideally the company should have received a letter informing it about the product not clearing the tests done and the reports of the tests should also have been shared with it. 
 

	Nestle announced that it was withdrawing Maggi noodles on June 5. But, on the same day FSSAI ordered the company to recall and stop manufacturing the product. 
 The company later approached the <keyword id="48485" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bombay-high-court">Bombay High Court</keyword> to seek clarity on the interpretation of the Food Safety and Standards Act. 
	(Image: Reuters)

Foul play with Maggi? Nestle says FSSAI didn’t share test results with it

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47970573.cms" /> After Canada, the British food regulator has declared <keyword id="75190" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nestle">Nestle</keyword>'s <keyword id="6369404" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maggi">Maggi</keyword> noodles made-in-India to be perfectly safe for consumption. The food regulator has tested the tastemaker and the noodles separately like its Indian counterpart. "None of the products tested in the UK so far has given the FSA any indication that EU (<keyword id="6355110" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="European-Union">European Union</keyword>) maximum limits have been exceeded," the Economic Times reported, quoting a <keyword id="2937366" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="UK-Food-Safety-Agency">UK Food Safety Agency</keyword> (FSA) spokesperson. 

	"Some of the samples tested consisted of the noodles and flavour combined and others have been tested separately. Where they have been tested separately the levels of lead reported in the flavouring have not given cause for concern," the spokesperson added. 
 The <keyword id="109212" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Food-Safety">Food Safety</keyword> and <keyword id="179673" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Standards-Authority-of-India">Standards Authority of India</keyword> (<keyword id="154680" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="FSSAI">FSSAI</keyword>), which banned Maggi noodles in June, didn't respond to queries regarding the FSA statement. 

	Due to the Maggi ban, many companies have withdrawn instant noodles from shops, uncertain about regulatory action, while many costumers have stopped buying packaged snacks. 
 

	However, the UK FSA spokesperson said the risks to consumers from lead in food relate to "long-term exposure from the whole of the diet". 
 

	Meanwhile, the permissible lead content is expressed differently in the two countries - 0.2g/kg in the UK and 2.5 ppm (parts per million) in India. 
 

	Besides the UK, four other countries where made in India Maggi noodles were sent have declared the product safe. These are Canada, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. 
 

	Nestle said there is no difference in the noodles meant for export and for the Indian market. "The noodles made for the export market are produced on the same manufacturing lines as those for the Indian market at our factory in Bicholim," the company told ET in an email. 
 

	The company said it follows the same quality standards everywhere in the world - in India, in the US, in the EU, everywhere.
 

	There needs to be greater clarity on the rules in India, said RK Bansal, former director at the food processing ministry and a member of the committee that formulated the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. 
 

	"There are no guidelines prescribed in the regulations unfortunately," he said. "Due to lack of clarity, Maggi noodles can be treated as one product and the tastemaker can be treated as a different product. Since there are no set guidelines, it is totally up to the analysts in laboratories what they want to do and each analyst may have a different take on this." 
 

	Moreover, the British regulator said it didn't test for monosodium glutamate (MSG) content because this is allowed under EU rules. The Indian watchdog had found fault with Nestle over the Maggi noodles packaging bearing a 'No added MSG' message. 

	 
	(Image: Reuters)

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