State food safety authority in slumber?

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 9: Even as rampant violation of food safety and standards rules is observed in packaged food items being sold in stores daily, the State food safety authorities are yet to check the violations and crack down on the food business operators concerned.
Of the many violations, a more easily observed breach which could have a toll on the health of consumers is the placing of printed label slips inside the package and in direct contact with snacks or food items.
Ignored casually most of the time, many bakery items being sold in stores in Imphal could be seen with labels inside the packages.
Most of the packaged food items bear the FSSAI logo--a hallmark of food safety and standard, but the labels which bear the logo in many items could be seen inside the package in violation of the same FSSAI standard.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) strictly prohibits placing labelling slips inside packages in direct contact with food.
The Food Safety and Standard (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations clearly states that labels for packaged food must always be placed on the outside of the packaging, and the label must be glued or printed so it cannot be easily removed from the container.
While placing the labels on the outside is to ensure informed buying and allow people with food allergies to quickly check for dangerous ingredients, it also guarantees that the food is not contaminated with the ink on the labels.
Paper or loose labels placed directly with snacks or food transfer toxic chemicals like petroleum ink, hydrocarbons, and artificial colours directly onto the food.
Solvents, pigments, and binders in traditional printing inks are not made for food contact. Heat and oils break down these materials, allowing lead and other toxic heavy metals like cadmium to easily migrate from the paper or label into the food. Continuous ingestion of such contaminated food may cause long-term organ damage and nervous system issues.
The same happens when people consume fried snacks or street food wrapped in newspapers.
Significantly, the FSSAI also prohibits the use of sharp metallic objects like staples for sealing packages.
While most of the food business operators (FBOs) now have FSSAI license, their operations seem to have been overlooked, said some conscious buyers.
The food safety authorities of the State must inspect or check the operations of the food business operators for adherence to FSSAI regulations in the interest of public health. The license of those FBOs found violating the regulations may be suspended or revoked, they said.