U.P. Palika Chief/Sanitary & Food Inspector And Ors. v. State Of U.P. And Ors. - WRIT - A No. 35606 of 2000 [2005] RD-AH 4375 (18 October 2005)

This is an UNCERTIFIED copy for information/reference. For authentic copy please refer to certified copy only. In case of any mistake, please bring it to the notice of Joint Registrar(Copying).

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF ALLAHABADHon'ble Vikram Nath J.
The petitioners are working as Sanitary & Food Inspector and Chief Sanitary Inspector under the U.P. Palika Centralized Services. By means of this petition the petitioners have prayed for grant of pay scale as admissible to the Health Inspector Grade III and Grade II working under the Indian Railways. The further prayer sought for is that they may be sanctioned the pay scale of Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500 - 10500/- for the respective post, namely, Sanitary  & Food Inspector and Chief Sanitary Inspector w.e.f. 1.1.1996. This Court cannot determine the pay scale which may be admissible to the petitioner. As the petitioner has made a representation to the Chairman, Pay Revision Committee Government U.P. Lucknow  filed as Annexure-7 to the petition it would be but appropriate that the said representation of the petitioner may be considered and decision may be taken  in that regard considering the basis on which the petitioners have claimed the said relief.
In the circumstances, this petition is disposed of with the direction to the Principal Secretary/ Finance (Pay Eqilisation Section) Government of U.P. Lucknow to consider and decide the representation of the petitioner dated 7.11.1997 filed as Annexure-7 to the petition by a speaking order within a period of three months from the date of production of certified copy of this order. To facilitate early disposal of the representation, the petitioner may submit a fresh representation along with a certified copy of this order before the respondent no.1.
With the aforesaid observations, this petition is finally disposed off.
Dt.18.10.2005
Hsc/35606/2000

Stress on security, hygiene at BIS seminar on food safety through FSMS Tuesday, June 26, 2012 08:00 IST  Archana Aroor, Mumbai A national seminar on Food Safety - Role of Standards for Food Safety through Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) was organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Monday, at Mumbai. The seminar highlighted how food safety was related to the presence of food-borne hazards in food at the point of consumption. The other aspects that it looked at included how food safety hazards could occur in the food chain at any stage, and hence, adequate control throughout the supply chain was essential. It also threw light on how recent studies showed that there was significant increase in illness caused by infected food in both developed and developing countries, which had necessitated the need for establishing a food safety management system by all types of organisations within the food chain. The seminar was inaugurated by K Sankaranarayanan, governor, Maharashtra. K V Thomas, minister of state (independent in charge) for consumer affairs, food and public distribution; Alinda Chandra, director-general, BIS; and Rajiv Agrawal, secretary, ministry of consumer affairs, food and pubic distribution; were also present on the occasion. “One of our major challenges is to ensure food security for this vast population despite the limitations of decreasing area under cultivation and vagaries of monsoon and the limitations with regard to our irrigation potential,” Sankaranarayanan pointed out. He said that the demand for food had also driven major investments in the food processing industry and that it was needed to ensure that the quality of processed food was maintained at all costs adding that as per the results of census 2011 the population of India touched 1.21 billion, which amounted to an addition of 180 million in the last 10 years alone. He said that the increase of population by a whopping 18 crore had added to the burden on our limited agricultural land, water and other natural resources. He mentioned that the cooperation between the private and the public sectors in the food industry would only be a favourable answer to ensure a safer food supply chain. He then quoted some of the issues like water contamination and adulteration in milk, which had been a challenging task for the industry to overcome. Also fruits and vegetables that we consumed also contained harmful chemicals and organic substances, he said. He mentioned that the importance of consumer education in the prevention of food-borne illness could not be overstated and encouraged consumers to be quality-conscious, quantity-conscious and safety-conscious and that could help organisations like BIS to succeed in their motive in the near future. “The street foods and street food vendors sector has shown a phenomenal growth recently,” Thomas said in his speech and explained that food safety was a major concern with street foods where the foods were prepared and sold in unhygienic conditions with limited access to clean water, sanitary services, and garbage disposal facilities.  He concluded that BIS was finalising the standards for street foods and stressed that if implemented efficiently these had the potential to safeguard public health and promote confidence among consumers and the food industry.  FROM; (Food and beverage news)

Foodborne disease outbreaks: guidelines for investigation and control

The investigation and control of foodborne disease outbreaks are multi-disciplinary tasks requiring skills in the areas of clinical medicine, epidemiology, laboratory medicine, food microbiology and chemistry, food safety and food control, and risk communication and management. Many outbreaks of foodborne disease are poorly investigated, if at all, because these skills are unavailable or because a field investigator is expected to master them all single-handedly without having been trained. These guidelines have been written for public health practitioners, food and sanitary inspectors, district and national medical officers, laboratory personnel and others who may undertake or participate in the investigation and control of foodborne disease outbreaks. While the book focuses on practical aspects of outbreak investigation and control, it also provides generic guidance that can be adapted to individual countries and local requirements. At the field level it will be valuable in initial epidemiological, environmental and laboratory investigations, in implementation of appropriate control measures, and in alerting investigators to the need to seek assistance for more complex situations. At national and regional levels, the guidelines will assist decision-makers in identifying and coordinating resources and in creating an environment appropriate for the successful management of foodborne disease outbreaks.

FROM THE FOODSAFETYAUTHIRITYINDIA.BLOGSPOT.INSPOT

Thursday 16 June 2011

New food safety law likely to cost India over Rs 15,000 cr

June 16, 2011

Health ministry wants allocation to be doubled; Planning panel expected to meet on June 22.

India will need Rs 15,000-17,000 crore in four to five years for implementing the Food Safety & Standards Rules, 2011, according to estimates by the health ministry.

The Planning Commission is expected to take a call soon on the expenditure, which will be a component of the health ministry’s 12th plan allocation. The ministry is expected to pitch for doubling the allocation for the overall health sector, it is learnt.

Health allocation, excluding grant for areas like sanitation and potable water, is a meagre 1.1 per cent of the gross domestic product, according to officials. The commission is expected to deliberate on allocation to the health ministry for the 12th plan on June 22 at a high-level meeting. Food safety aspects will be covered under the five-year plan for the first time. The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) was formed years after the 11th plan was formulated.

FSSAI chief executive officer V N Gaur told Business Standard the expenditure, for both the Centre and states, to implement the new food safety law would include the cost of additional manpower, modern infrastructure and laboratory upgradation.

The Food Safety & Standards Rules, 2011 would replace the 50-year Prevention of Food Adulteration Act from the first week of August. But manpower shortage and dearth of quality infrastructure were major hurdles for the law to be enforced in a meaningful manner, indicated officials. India has 2,100 food inspectors or three inspectors to a district.
Under the new law, Gaur said the proposal was to have 8,000 to 9,000 food safety officers, rather than inspectors, or at least 10 officers per district. Apart from upgradation of existing laboratories, the authority wants to increase the number of state labs to 250-300 from 72 at present.
The integrated food safety law was passed by the government recently. Rather than having six to seven separate food laws for meat, milk, edible oil, fruits and vegetables, etc, the integrated food law would lay down uniform standards and a central mechanism on safety. The Centre, states, municipalities and panchayats will implement it.

A top FSSAI official had recently highlighted the need for such an integrated food law, saying food science had changed beyond recognition. “The focus of safety must be on the entire supply chain: production, processing, distribution, and marketing. For the first time, the law puts the responsibility of food safety on the manufacturer. So far, it was the inspector going and inspecting and prosecuting a person. Now, that will not work at all.” It’s a very complex industry, where millions of people and processes were involved, he added.

SANITARY REQUIREMENT FOR FOOD IN FOOD LAW

There are various sanitary and hygienic measures required to be adopted as per food safety and quality management system.Some of them may be taken as voluntary,but there are some sanitary and hygienic requirements prescribed under various orders like FPO-related to fruits and vegetables products, MMPO-related to milk and milk product, MMPO-related to meat and meat product which are mandatory in nature.A manufacturer of any food product covered sanitary and hygienic requirement .The requirements relate to location of the factory,machinery and equipments,internal layout,personal hygiene and facilities relevant to sanitary and hygienic conditions.It is necessary to protection against physical,chemical and biological hazards of food should maintain sanitary and hygienic conditions of manufacturing premises as per parameters laid down in the order.present food safety officers of Uttar Pradesh have no knowledge of sanitary and hygienic conditions.Localbodies sanitary and food inspector have all of knowledge of food ,but they are awaitig for thier notification as food safety officers by food and drug commissioner of uttarpradesh.

to notify them will be better result of FSSA.

ROLE OF SANITATION ON FOOD SAFETY.

The food chain begins from agricultural farm or animal rearing unit,It is necessary that the step to prevent hazard should begin there itself to stop this by sanitation and hygienic condition.Environment hygiene,Hygienic production of food,Hygienic: handing ,storage and transportation,sanitation: cleaning,maintenance and personal hygiene at primary production.

Sanitation design and facilities in the establishment of a food unit.sanitation:internal structures and fitting of a food unit like walls,floors,ceiling ,windows,doors,floor drain,ventilation ect.

   For producing safe food ,we should consider potential source of contamination from the environment throughout the food chain.In particular,primary food production should not be carried on it areas where the presence of potentially harmful substances would lead to an unacceptable level of such substances in food.who can do this ,it can do only a sanitary and food inspector but they are not notified as food safety officer in uttarpradesh since august 05,2011.about 350 sanitary  and food inspector awaiting for notification by state food commissioner uttarpradesh.

Dirty water being bottled for drinking in Uttar pradesh

With water crisis slowly taking on alarming proportions, substandard packaged drinking water, without proper labels and ISO certification and quality checks, are more freely available in the market, raising risks of contracting water-borne diseases.

With the Water Board failing to supply adequate safe drinking water, residents are forced to buy water from private companies. But water bottles or pouches of many companies are sold without proper labels or adequate quality checks.

The State health institute has received several samples of packaged drinking water without the mandatory ISO certification mark, as prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. nagar nigams/ nagar palika parishad food and sanitation wing have no power since last 05 august  meanwhile, issued showcause notices to  package drinking water plants for not putting ISO certification on bottles they sell, for operating without licence and packaging substandard water.This is may be injurios for health  of urban citizens.To stop this localbodies food inspectors may notify as food safety officers.

========
PROPOSED FOOD SAFETY STRUCTURE IN STATE  BY  FOOD SAFETY & STANDARD AUTHORITY OF INDIA.IN 2 nd CENTRAL ADVISORY COMMETEE.

Foodsafetyofficer scale and promotion suggestion for fssai Central Advisory Committee meeting Agenta -(8.1.2010)

Agenda item No. 3

Taking into account the charter of activities that are to be undertaken by the State/UT Governments and also drawing up the experience of implementation of the PFA Act, the FSSAI has after thorough deliberation and consultation with various stake-holders, has worked out a model administrative structure for the implementation of the FSS Act in the States/UTs.

A note to the same is enclosed. The model structure has tried to cater to build up a scientific cadre in the States that will discharge the function of advising, enforcing, preparing food safety plan, keeping surveillance dealing with cases referred for adjudication or prosecution in courts adequate food testing facility and man power etc, However, the number of officers at each level can be adjusted according to the specific needs of the States.   CAC may consider.

SUGGESTED FOOD SAFETY SET UP IN THE STATES

To ensure achievement of the objectives of food safety, it is advisable to constitute separate department of food safety headed by senior secretary level officer. There will be a Food Safety Commissioner in each State who preferably will not be below the rank of the Joint Secretary of Government of India to plan, structure and implement the food safety initiative in the State. Under Food Safety Commissioner, there will be a cadre of Food Safety Officers/Designated Officers/Adjudicating officers and Food Analysts. The suggested set up of Food Safety Cadre is as under:

Joint Food Safety Commissioner *

(Pay Scale Rs.15600-39100/-, Grade Pay Rs. 7600/-)

(Promotional Post from Deputy Commissioner/ Other officers on deputation)

Deputy Food Safety Commissioner*

(Pay Scale Rs.15600-39100/-, Grade Pay Rs. 6600/-)

(Promotional Post from Designated Officer/ Other officers on deputation)

Designated Officer

(Pay Scale Rs.15600-39100/-, Grade Pay Rs. 5400/-)

(Promotional Post from Senior Food Safety Officer/ Other officers on deputation)

Senior Food Safety Officer *

(Pay Scale Rs.9300-34800/-, Grade Pay Rs. 4800/-)

(Promotional Post from Food Safety Officer)

Food Safety Officer

(Pay Scale 9300-34800/- , Grade Pay Rs. 4200/- ) (as per 6th pay commission)

(Rs. 6500 – Rs 10,500/- as per 5th pay commission)

(By Direct Recruitment)

( Pay scales are indicative and may be decided in accordance with the policies of the states)

Note:-

i) Direct recruitment will be at the level Food Safety Officer though State Public Service Commission.

ii) The officers may be posted anywhere in the State by the State Government depending upon the work load at the District / Zonal/ State level.

iii) Keeping in view the wide responsibilities of Food Safety Officer under the FSS Act, it is considered desirable to have all FSOs from a unified technical cadre of the State/UT. Where food safety functions are performed by Municipal Corporations / Boards and FSOs are required to work under such bodies , even such posts may be

filled up from the FSOs cadre on deputation basis.

iv) At levels above designated officer, it is desirable to have a mix of cadre officers and other officers of appropriate skills to bring in an external perspective, benchmarking vis-a-vis other departments and accountability.

v) State Government may decide:

a) Number of levels and officers indicated in the proposed structure (Annexure- I) taking into consideration the work load in the respective State / Union Territory.

b) Number of designated officers to be appointed and their jurisdiction keeping in view the workload, food clusters and consumption centres. A balance should be maintained between Designated Officers and the number of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) under them to avoid excessive work load on Food Safety Officers.

c) Whether the Food Safety Staff presently working under local bodies are qualified to be brought under the cadre or not. To avoid any dislocation of work, it may be advisable to let the existing staff continue food safety work till alternative arrangements are made. Suitable reallocation of jurisdiction may be made so that the entire state is covered.

vi) The State Government may depute Food Safety Officers and other officers in the hierarchy for training in accordance with the policy framed by FSSAI regularly in reputed institutes in order to upgrade their knowledge in the areas of food safety. Such training will also be a precondition for promotion

vii) Several States have identified qualified personnel from the existing staff to constitute a separate cadre. To develop professionalism, adequate promotion prospects and ensure deliverable improvements in food safety, constitution of a separate department and cadre would be advisable. Since the existing food safety structure in states is part of the Health Department, it may be advisable to set

up an expert group to draw up the structure most appropriate and suitable to the state. The proposed structure will not only accommodate existing incumbents but also provide for adequate channels of promotions and professional development.

Work and duties of different ranks under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

1. Food Safety Commissioner:- work and duties as described in Section 30 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

2. Joint Food Safety Commissioner* (Administration/ Enforcement/ Training & Development / legal):-

(i) Joint Commissioner will assist the Food Safety Commissioner in the specific field assigned by the Commissioner.

(ii) Will supervise the work of Deputy Commissioners posted at Zonal level.

(iii) May perform the delegated power of Food Safety Commissioner as defined under article 30 (3) of FSS Act, 2006, if agreed by State Government and approved by Central Government.

(iv) Any other work related to food safety management viz. Food surveillance, Food recall/ incident reporting, Food Terrorism and Rapid Alert System as directed by Food Safety Commissioner.

(v) Management of the cadre of officials , establishment, finance and other administrative matters

* Number of levels and officers to be decided by State Government taking into consideration the work load in the respective state / Union Territory and financial implications.

3. Deputy Food Safety Commissioner* (Administration/ Enforcement/ Training & Development / legal):-

(i) Deputy Commissioner will assist the Food Safety Commissioner in the specific field assigned by the Commissioner.

(ii) Will supervise the work of Designated Officers posted at District level.

(iii) May perform the delegated power of Food Safety Commissioner as defined under article 30 (3) of FSS Act, 2006, if agreed by State Government and approved by Central Government.

(iv) Any other work related to food safety management viz. Food surveillance, Food recall/ incident reporting, Food Terrorism and Rapid Alert System as directed by Joint Commissioner.

(v) Management of the cadre of officials , establishment, finance and other administrative matters

* Number of levels and officers to be decided by State Government taking into consideration the work load in the respective state / Union Territory and financial implications.

4. Designated Officer: Work and duties as described in Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. When posted in Zonal / Regional offices, Designated Officers will function on staff assignments under the control of Deputy Food Safety Commissioner.

5. Senior Food Safety Officer * (Administration/ Enforcement/ Training & Development / legal):

(i) Senior Food Safety Officer will work under direct supervision of Designated Officer in the related field as decided by the Commissioner.

(ii) May work as Food Safety Officer but may also be entrusted with a bigger jurisdiction.

(iii) May perform the delegated power of Food Safety Commissioner as defined under article 30 (3) of FSS Act, 2006, if agreed by State Government and approved by Central Government.

(iv) Any other work related to food safety management viz. Food surveillance, Food recall/ incident reporting, Food Terrorism and Rapid Alert System as directed by Designated Officer.

(v) Identifying, reporting and coordinating the cases of food poisoning, any such issues related to food safety.

* Number of levels and officers to be decided by State Government taking into consideration the work load in the respective state / Union Territory and financial implications.

6. Food Safety Officer: Work and duties as described in Section 37 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The following functions have been laid down in the draft FSSAI Rules/Regulations for the Food Safety Officer:-

i. To inspect as frequently as may be prescribed by the Designated Officer all establishments licensed for the manufacture, storage or sale of an article of food within the area assigned to him;

ii. To satisfy himself that the conditions of licences are being observed by each of the Food Business Operator carrying on business within the area assigned to him;

iii. To procure and send for analysis if necessary, samples of any articles of food which he has reason to suspect are being manufactured, stocked or sold or exhibited for sale in contravention of the provisions of the Act, or rules framed thereunder;

iv. To investigate any complaint which may be made to him in writing in respect of any contravention of the provisions of the Act, or rules framed thereunder;

v. To maintain a data base of all Food Business Operators within the area assigned to him;

vi. To carry out periodical inspection of each of the Food Business Operator operating within the area assigned to him and to recommend the grading of each such Business Operator on the basis of parameters laid down for the purpose;

vii. To issue improvement notices to the Food Business Operator whenever necessary;

viii. To maintain a record of all inspections made and action taken by him in the performance of his duties, including the taking of samples and seizure of stocks, and to submit copies of such records to the Designated Officer as directed in this behalf;

ix. To make such inquiries and inspections as may be necessary to detect the manufacture, storage or sale of articles of food in contravention of the Act or rules framed thereunder;

x. To stop any vehicle suspected to contain any food intended for sale or delivery for human consumption;

xi. To recommend to the Designated Officer cancellation of licence issued to any Food Business Operator, if the Food Safety Officer has reason to be believe that the Food Business Operator had violated the conditions for grant of licence;

xii. To carry out food safety surveillance to identify and correct safety hazards;

xiii. To respond to incidents of food poisoning in his area and to send report to the Designated Officer to enable him to initiate corrective action plan for non repetition of such incidents;

xiv. When so authorised by the Designated Officer, having jurisdiction in the local area concerned or the Food Safety Commissioner to detain imported packages which he has reasons to suspect contain food, the import or sale of which is prohibited;

xv. To liase with the Food Business Operators within his area of operation and facilitate the introduction of food safety systems by the Food Business Operator.

xvi. To prepare in consultation with the Designated officer and in consultation with each Panchayat and Municipality a brief food safety plan as per parameters specified in Schedule hereto and to liase with the officials of each Panchayat and Municipality for placing the food safety plan before the Council of Members of Panchayat and Municipality for the purpose of approval and implementation of such safety plan and for allocation of responsibilities for monitoring the implementation of the food safety plan.

xvii. To perform such other duties, as may be entrusted to him by the Designated Officer having jurisdiction in the local area concerned.

Note: Besides above mentioned work, Designated Officers, Deputy Commissioners and Joint Commissioners may also be given Staff assignments and posted at Zonal level and State level as decided by State Government depending upon the work load. These officers will work as coordinators between next higher officers and the

officers working at lower level. Any other work related to food safety management viz. Food surveillance, Food recall/ incident reporting, Food Terrorism and Rapid Alert System may be assigned to them. It would be advisable to ensure periodic rotation of officers between field and office assignments. No officer should remain in a jurisdiction for more than 3 years unless he completes another assignment for at least one year in another area or is promoted to a higher level.

The Annual Confidential Report of Food Safety Officer, Designated Officer and other officers should be based on the work assigned to them. The Food Authority will be proposing draft formats in this regard shortly.

Objectives of proposed set up of unified Food Safety Officer’s Cadre at District / Zonal / State level

(i) Satisfactory promotion career will result better performance / output of all officers.

(ii) Quality recruitment, training and development of a specialised technical cadre of food safety officials.

(iii) Better exposure of work at District/ Zonal/ State level for the skill development of officers.

(iv) Equal opportunity for working in Rural / Urban / difficult areas.

(v) Opportunity for contributing in policy making.

(vi) Working in different sections will result in overall development of officers and will result in shift of emphasis of officers from enforcement & penalisation to development & training.

(vii) Transfer from one department to another or to a local body will ensure that no vested interest develops at one place.

(viii) It will provide manoeuvrability to the department to post personnel according to their aptitude and performance.

Proposed Posting of Food Analyst, Chief Food Analyst and Joint Director at District/Zonal/State Level

It is also proposed that Food Analysts (Grade Pay Rs. 5,400/-), Chief Food Analyst (Grade Pay Rs. 6,600/-)

and Joint Director (Grade Pay Rs. 7,600/-) may be posted at District Level, Zonal Level, and State Level Offices in rotation with their posting in the laboratory. These officers will act as co-ordinators between Enforcement Officers and Laboratory. These officers will assist Food Safety Commissioner in identification food laboratories and research institutions for testing and calibration or any other accreditation agency to be notified by the Food Authority for the purpose of carrying out analysis of samples. These officers will also play a role in policy making, formation of schemes related to development of laboratories including infrastructure , well qualified staff, training of existing staff and may be entrusted with any other work related to food safety management viz. Food surveillance, Food recall/ incident reporting, Food Terrorism and Rapid Alert System as directed by Food Safety Commissioner.

The qualifications, training requirements and work plan for these officers will be notified by Food Authority shortly.

fso notification

In Uttarpradesh different local bodies has well qualified and experienced sanitary and food inspector who fullfill all qualification for food safety officer and working as food inspector under PFA.act in urban area of various city.but up goverment has not notify them as fso.If they will notify as fso fssai work effective and rapidly in uttarpradesh.please give the clear direction to state food commissinor of uttarptradesh to notify that food inspector who fullfill the qualificatin and ability as per fssa.they work very well and effectivly and have 10 year experiance as food inspector

CITIES CHILDREN HAVE MORE FOOD ALLERGIES THAN RURAL.

 Children living in cities tend to have more food allergies than their rural counterparts, says a new study.
"We have found for the first time that higher population density corresponds with a greater likelihood of food allergies in children," said Ruchi Gupta, assistant professor of paediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who led the study.

"This shows that environment has an impact on developing food allergies. The big question is - what in the environment is triggering them? A better understanding of environmental factors will help us with prevention efforts," said Gupta, the journal Clinical Paediatrics reports.

The study included 38,465 children, 18 years and under, who comprised a representative sample of US households. Their food allergies were mapped by ZIP code, according to a Feinberg statement.

Here are the key findings of the study:

-In urban centres, 9.8 per cent of children have food allergies, compared to 6.2 per cent in rural communities, almost a 3.5 per cent difference.

-Food allergies are equally severe regardless of where a child lives. Nearly 40 per cent of food-allergic children in the study had already experienced a severe, life-threatening reaction to food.

A food-allergic reaction sends an American to the emergency room every three minutes, according to a March 2011 study reported by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

(Agencies)

Latest News from Lifestyle News Desk

Tags: Food allergies, Kids’ behaviour, Allergies

WHY IN UTTARPRADESH HAPPEN THIS?

                            office of the Commissioner of Food Safety,
                                     Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu
                                   *****
                                            NOTIFICATION
                                                                                                                       Jammu, August 5,2011
No.DFO/PFA/J/52/ 95 :‐

 In exercise of the powers conferred by sub section (1) of section 37 of Food Safety & Standards Act,   2006   (34 of 2006), the   Commissioner of Food Safety, J&K State hereby appoints the   Food Inspectors working in   Drug & Food Control Organization, Municipal Corporation and Local Bodies    of    J&K State    as Food Safety officers for    the Local areas indicated against    each with immediate effect.:‐
S.No.
                                                                           Food Safety Officer Local Area
1. Food Inspectors of Drug & Food Control
Organization                                                                       All the Local Area of the State of Jammu &
                                                                                                               Kashmir
2. Food Inspectors of Municipal Corporation,
Jammu                                                                                      All the Local areas covered under the
                                                                                                  jurisdiction of the  Municipal Corporation
                                                                                                                              Jammu
3. Food Inspectors of Municipal Corporation ,
Srinagar                                                                                     All the Local areas covered under the
                                                                                               jurisdiction of the  Municipal Corporation
                                                                                                                             Srinagar
4. Food Inspectors of the Directorate of Local
Bodies, Jammu
                                                                                                 All the local areas covered under the
                                                                                                jurisdiction of the Municipalities / Municipal
                                                                                               Councils / Municipal Committee of Jammu
                                                                                                                         Division.
5. Food Inspectors of the Directorate of Local
Bodies, Kashmir                                                                               All the local areas covered under the
                                                                                                              jurisdiction of the Municipalities /                                                                                                                        
                                                                                               Councils / Municipal Committee of Kashmir
                                                                                                                             Division.
                      Sd/‐
                                                                                                                        (SATISH GUPTA)
                                                                                                                   Commissioner of Food Safety,              
                                                                                                                                 J&K, Jammu
        No :‐ FSAJK/ FSO/PFA/J/52/4625‐4678                                                        Dated:‐ 05.08.2011
Copy to the:‐
1. Commissioner / Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department, Srinagar for information.
This is in reference to approval accorded vide Administrative Department Letter No. NHD/Drugs/26/2011
Dated: 03.08.2011
2. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu / Kashmir
3. Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety Standard Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, New Delhi
4. District Development Commissioner (All) ______________________
5. Director, Health Services, Jammu / Kashmir
6. Director, Local Bodies, Jammu / Kashmir
7. Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jammu / Kashmir
8. General Manager, Ranbir Government Press, Jammu for publication in the next Official Gazette.
9. Dy. Controller, Drugs & Food, Jammu / Kashmir
10.Assistant Controller Food (All) _________________
11.Food  Safety Officer (All) _____________________
12.Office File

New law renders Uttarpradesh localbodies powerless against eateries

Uttarpradesh: The new food safety law being implemented has rendered the uttarpradesh Municipal Corporation redundant in the matter of ensuring hygiene and safety in city eateries. That function has now gone to Food and Drugs Administration.

The development has also rendered food inspectors of uttarpradesh local bodies powerless. They will now only be grading the city restaurants and eateries. The development has not gone down well with localbodies health department that used to conduct drives against eateries. The new Food Safety and Standards Act also takes away from localbodies the powers to licence the eateries. localbodies officials earlier  sanitary and food  inspectors used to inspect the hotels and roadside food stalls as per provisions in prevention of food adultration Act in the Cities. FDA was having powers for undertaking such drives but could not do so owing to its own staff crunch. The sanitary and food inspectors  of  u.p. localbodies used to carry out the drives in cities of uttarpradesh.  In uttarpradesh localbodies have 350 qualified food inspectors as per provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act .  These Inspectors were needed to be notified by the State Government. 

The new notification apparently changed the post of food inspectors into food safety officers and required them to be notified by the government. If they will notify as food safety officers it will be better implement of new act.

SC order on sale of safe milk sought

SC order on sale of safe milk sought

Five months after India’s food regulator exposed widespread adulteration of milk all over the country, a group of citizens have approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to ensure sale of safe and healthy milk to millions of Indians.
Referring to a recent survey  by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on adulteration of milk, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the court’s intervention to secure supply of healthy, hygienic and natural milk for the citizens, including babies, diseased and the elderly, who depend on milk as their main source of nutrition.
The FSSAI survey revealed that out of 1,791 milk samples collected on random basis from different cities spread across 33 states, 1,226 were found to be unfit for human consumption. In other words, almost 68 per cent milk samples were found adulterated.Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand accounted for 88 per cent of adulterated milk samples.Alarmingly, the menace has  spread far and wide as the authority found adulterated milk in almost all the states and union territories. In seven states and union territories, not a single sample matched the regulatory standards.
Skimmed milk powder, glucose, fat, solid-not-fats and water were the common adulteration agents though presence of starch, urea, detergents and formalin were also noticed.

Addition of water, however, was the most common form of adulteration, reducing not only the nutritional value of the milk but also posing health risk to consumers if the water is contaminated.
Acting on a petition filed by Swami Achyutanand Tirth and seven others claiming serious health hazard from adulterated milk, a bench comprising  Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar issued notices to Central government as well as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Rajasthan governments for their response.
“Various studies show that urea, detergent and caustic soda used in preparing the synthetic milk are dangerous to human life. Synthetic milk is also termed as white poison and in the opinion of doctors, it can cause serious diseases like cancer,” the petition contended.
“The milk is the only source of nourishment for infants and one of the major diets for growing children in tender age. The havoc which can be created in the health of children by drinking synthetic milk is really terrifying,” the PIL added. It also wanted the apex court to issue direction to rule out sale of ghee, mawa and cheese prepared with harmful materials.
The FSSAI survey further showed that majority of milk samples collected from 19 states and UTs did not conform to the food safety standards “However, it does not mean they are unsafe and dangerous to drink,” FSSAI chief executive officer V N Gaur had stated after releasing the survey in January this year.
While four large southern states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu – together with Madhya Pradesh and Chandigarh were better performers, rest of the country projected a dismal picture.
As much as 14 per cent samples were found to have been contaminated with detergents, which might be coming through poor cleaning of milk containers. Detergent-laden milk samples were reported from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Bengal.
Other states with very high level of milk adulteration include Gujarat, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra.

Source:http://www.deccanherald.com

 From the 6 th central advisory commetee meeting of food safety  & standard authority of India.22.02 2012
________________________________________________________________________________

Actionable Points from the 6th
meeting of CAC: Based on the discussion held during
the meeting the following actionable points emerged.
CEO, FSSAI thanked  all the members of the CAC, for the kind of support
rendered by them and for making the deliberation useful
Shortage of manpower in different states, to be given prior attention, hence State
Government should make efforts, to create more force by straight sanctioning of
posts
It is mentioned clearly in the Act to involve local body in implementation of Act. It
is expected that Commissioner of Food Safety shall, by notification, appoint only
persons having the qualification prescribed by the Central Government, as food
safety officers for such local areas
It is essential to develop a  cadre of food  safety professionals in  the State who
may also work in local bodies on deputation and should belong to the common
cadre with the liability of transfer anywhere in the State which is very important to
prevent developing vested interests

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________________________________________________________________________________

Manpower crunch hurdle in implementing food act:

Manpower crunch hurdle in implementing food act:

UTTARPRADESH: The state government may have notified the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 & Rules 2011 on 05 AUGUST 2011 with the aim of putting an end to poor quality and adulteration, but the Urban development department of uttarpradesh is clueless about how the law will be implemented, given the handful of food inspectors it has at its disposal.At present, there are just 290 food safety officers in the entire state, against a sanctioned strength of 777.The new law stipulates regular collection of samples and testing of food products available in the market to keep tabs on those indulging in adulteration.It’s a daunting task and without food inspectors in place across all nagar nigams/nagar palika parishads in state, the rules will have no meaning at the ground level. In other words, safe food cannot be ensured.Ironically, officials in the food and drugs department did not seem to be aware about how many posts of food inspectors(food safety officers) were lying vacant.“The problem is we still don’t know whether the so-called 387 empty posts have cabinet sanction because the concerned file has been missing for a long time.But it is clear that 70 localbodies food inspector who were notified in P.F.A. act have sanction of uttarpradesh cabinate This could be the reason why localbodies food inspectors have not been notified as food safety officers in all these years, adding that no one was really bothered about adulteration till the law came into effect.To get started,  a proposal to get food inspectors from Urban Development Department . who have hardly been doing any work of late. If  food and drugs department can get the inspectors from urban development, the manpower crunch will be resolved to  appointments of food inspectors cannot be done quickly.there are about 321 food inspector in urban development, but they have no work restict for thier job if they notify as food safety officers by the state food commissioner staff crunch problem solved because they have all qualification and ability for food safety officer according to new Act.They are awaiting for thier notification since last 05 august.

gazetted rank for fso

Gazetted rank for food safety officers in Maharashtra

Responding to the continual complaint of shortage of staff in Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, the state government has announced the creation of several new posts in the organisation in compliance with the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.As per a notification issued recently, at least seven new posts have been created that include adjudication officer and joint commissioners at a salary of Rs 15,600 – 39,100 and grade pay of Rs 7,600.From the existing eight assistant commissioners, seven will be transferred to the above-mentioned posts and one post will be sacrificed / surrendered.Further, the notification announces creation of another 62 new posts of designated officers and assistant commissioners. For filling these, 30 food supervisors would be transferred and their existing posts would be scrapped.In addition 265 new posts of food safety officers will be created, which will also be gazetted officers. The existing 265 posts of food inspectors will be scrapped altogether and these inspectors will function as food supervisors.   

         share this information to all state fso.

JUSTICES FOR LOCALBODIES FOOD INSPECTOR IN UTTARPRADESH

How hygienic is the food you eat out ? Well,there is no way you can tell,as the nagar nigam/nagar palika parishad food inspectors have not been working in uttar pradesh because of a typical bureaucratic procedural delay.

Since August o5 last year,when the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 came into effect replacing the 50 year old Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, the State food commissioner is supposed to notify food inspectors for urban local bodies in uttarpradesh ,But this has not be done.

The result :  City`s food inspectors have stopped inspecting and lifting food samples. Food samples have not been sent for analysis for more than a fortnight.City`s food inspectors who are posted as sanitary and food inspector in nagar palika

parishads/nagar nigams of uttarpradesh having years experiance, all ability and Qualifications as per new Act but their notification pending .other state like maharastra ,tamilnaidu,kerala,J&K etc. where double setup as sanitary and  food inspector already done thier  notification as food safety officers

Till the time a proper communication is not provided to the food inspectors working in the municipal corporations,they would have to complete their pending work under the PFA or restrict their job.They would not seize samples as they have not been given the power to procecute under the new Act.

The question here is whether it is correct to let go an official,having years of experiance and have all qualification and ability as per new act,and cabinate of uttarpradesh already decided for those urban local bodies food inspector who are already notify under PFA act work as a food safety officer in new Act.

To let them go would not be correct given the staff crunch that the uttarpradesh was already facing in taming problem of adulterated food product like milk, khoya ,sweets, ice-cream,pulse,food- grains ect.request to you as depty director (enff.) please tell them who's appoint by public service commission uttarpradesh as Sanitary and Food inspector and posted by goverment of utttarpradesh in various urban local bodies they work as food inspector since many years . when sanitary or hygine is importment part in food safety plan, the commissioner of food and drugs uttarpradesh told them under R.T.I. act information they are not full time officer.please ask to him what is defination of full time officer is thier post is not full timer because thier post is Sanitary and food inspector is not a part time post.They are most effective persons of new act.Fssai told them notification of food safety officer juriduction of state goverment,F.D.A.department uttarpradesh told them they are not full timer officer ,thier mother department urban development uttarpradesh told them they are our officer.they are grinding in triagular grinder.I asking to you what mistake of them food inspector who's restrict thier job,what mistake of public/urban population of uttarpradesh who'facing adultrated problem in every food item.please clear this issue to make unique law of act and give the clear direction for all state food commissioners soon issue notification of local bodies food inspector according to guideline of fssai central advisary commitee.thanking and loking for share this blog for justice them. with regard,