FOODS AT BUS STAND AND RAILWAY STATIONS-SERIOUS SAFETY QUESTIONS

It is elementary common senses that dirty foods can cause havoc with the health of people. The whole science of hygiene and sanitation is built upon the principle that man needs to be protected against vectors like bacteria, fungi, viruses and insects and pests many of them being either directly harmful or carriers of diseases. Awareness about the linkage between vectors and diseases is supposed to be directly proportional to the level of education and literacy and more backward a country is in terms of development, more dangers the citizens will face. The food safety agencies under the government are vested with the task of supervising the food handling facilities to ensure that adequate precautions are taken by the industry to keep their places hygienic and follow sanitary practices. In countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other developing countries the administration of safety protocols is grossly neglected either due to sheer callousness, lack of consideration for the well being of the citizens, malpractices or mismanagement. Those who travel frequently in these countries cannot but notice the hopeless quality and unsafe nature of foods prepared and served in many places including bus stands and rail stations. The situation in Pakistan seems to be as bad as or worse than that prevailing in India as reflected by a recent report emanating from that country.  

"Sale of unhygienic food and drinks at higher rates is on the rise at Railway Station and Peerwadhai and Faizabad Bus Stand, besides there is no quality control system from Pakistan Railways at Rawalpindi Railway Station, leaving passengers at the mercy of vendors. It has been observed that vendors selling food items, including samosas, pan cakes, pakoras, tea and other common food items prepare these at smelly open places, whereas no sanitary arrangement or hygienic measures are kept in mind while preparing these items. The vendors were of the view that they could not afford to consider the cleanliness of the items as their margin of profit was shrinking due to inflation. As if the preparation of the unhealthy food item was not enough, the serving is also disgraceful, as the plates and glasses used for the purpose are not properly cleaned. Sometimes drinks are served in used plastic bottles that can transmit different diseases to the consumers. Health experts say that substandard drinks and edibles may cause diseases like typhoid, hepatitis, diarrhea and different kinds of infections. They advised the people to take food along with them as the food available at the Railway station and the bus stand is hazardous for human consumption".

What is shocking is that these "bare truths" have been known for years to those who "rule" the country but nothing seems to have done to rectify the situation through deterrent policies and severe punishment regime for defaulters. Look at the report above and one can see the audacity of the violators when they say that they would not be able to improve the situation because of thin margin of the business! Interestingly the lousy foods served in these "transit" places are charged exorbitantly as the traveling public has no option but to eat them. The administering agencies which award contracts for setting up eateries in these places are often in collusion with the vendors and monopoly vending contracts without competition gives the eventual contractor full liberty to exploit the customers. Reports of consequences of serving such foods to consumers rarely get the attention they deserve because the consumers as most of them are not aggressive enough to take the vendors to task for the heinous crime they are committing. Such an attitude must have arisen because there is no credible mechanism for complaining and getting justice. Only mega food poisoning episodes catch national or local attention while individuals affected by food related disorders suffer them silently!

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

SUNDAY BAZAARS-THE PAKISTAN "EXPERIENCE"

With increasing emphasis on consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables which are considered protective foods, the logistics of making them available at affordable cost to the citizens must receive priority in every country that cares for its population. In a country like India there is practically no access for the consumer to the farm gates to buy their small daily needs directlyand most depend on retail markets which are set up in almost all urban and semi-urban areas at strategic locations. As for the villagers there are weekly shandies or rural market gatherings where fresh produce is offered to population from nearby villages. In contrast there are the so called wet markets in some countries like Malaysia which converge in assigned areas every day opening for business in the mornings. In Pakistan there is the phenomenon of Sunday Bazaars which congregate once a week at designated places for the people to buy their needs of fresh foods. The experience in Pakistan shows that unless the civic bodies actively support and render assistance to these markets, they could become places shunned by the consumer unable to bear the mental and physical strains in accessing to such markets.

"The Sunday bazaars are losing their vitality, as there is a minor difference of food items prices at these bazaars set up to provide relief to the citizens and other markets of the city. The visitors told Daily Times that after paying high transport fare to arrive these weekly bazaars they found a minor difference in bazaar prices as compared to markets close to their residences. A comparison of prices at Sunday bazaars and fruit and vegetable markets showed that the Sunday bazaars' market authorities did not check the fruit and vegetable market rates while fixing the prices of different items. Moreover, the weekly bazaars have failed to provide quality food items, especially vegetables and fruits to the residents at reasonable prices. During a visit Daily Times found that the prices of most of the items in bazaars were only Rs 3 to 5 less as compared to other city markets. A customer Tariq Hussain said the provision of essential commodities to the masses at controlled rates was the main purpose to establish these bazaars, but the government was paying no attention to control the rates and they just issued lists and never bothered to implement the price list.He said in Rawalpindi bazaars the stalls had been set up near drains, which was dangerous for public health and sanitation was in worst condition at these bazaars. The visitors also complained of traffic mess on the roads leading to these bazaars due the apathy of traffic wardens"

"The traffic on the congested road of the Committee Chowk weekly bazaar, Shamsabad, Chungi No 22, Satellite Town and Dhoke Kala Khan weekly bazaars was also not different. The traffic police authorities deployed only few wardens at the weekly bazaars and they failed to maintain smooth flow of traffic. The bazaars also lacked proper parking facility. Most of the customers parked their vehicles on the main roads hindering the traffic flow. "You go to bazaar for shopping and could not return without paying fine on no parking violation, said Nazir Ahmed, a visitor to Shamasabad Sunday bazaar. "I don't mind but my question is where should we park our cars for shopping," he questioned, adding, has the city district government allocated some place for car parking and if not then why police impose fine."

While the concept of Sunday Bazaars is a sound one, its planning and location call for great care. Besides focusing on the convenience of the consumers, its location should also make it easy for farmers to reach the place for offering their produce. In the US Farmers' Markets are thriving and the support extended by the local authorities goes a long way making them an attractive place to go for shopping. Unlike the fresh produce offered by the Super markets, Farmers' Market really sell farm fresh products brought direct from the cultivation area with minimum time lapse. Ideally all countries must strive for such vibrant Farmers' Markets that will serve the interests of both the grower as well as the consumer.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

INDP-PAK BHAI BHAI-THE DOSA REVOLUTION

Food can be a medium for creating kinship or fellowship amongst people and in almost in all societies many ethnic foods play a crucial role in networking between people with different background. Practically in all religions and faiths foods are offered to God during prayers followed by distribution of the same amongst the followers as a symbol of blessing. Therefore it does not come as a surprise that Indian foods are making waves in the country most hostile to it, Pakistan, if a recent report from that country is to be believed. What is forgotten in this euphoria is that Pakistan, after all was a part of India before the Britishers left the continent and it might not be easy for their population to forget these foods though it could be alien to them politically. Probably the consumers are getting emboldened by the new freedom they are enjoying under the civilian government and do not get scared being seen in an Indian restaurant whether in Karachi or Islamabad.

"Vegetarian restaurants are mushrooming in Karachi, Pakistan's melting pot. Mirchi opened three weeks ago, exclusively catering to those wishing to partake of the veg experience. Such has been the response to its chana chaat, golgappas and dahi bhalle that owner Rehan Musa plans to soon introduce masala dosa, which is both the craze as well as the defining element of Indian cuisine here. Patio in Karachi is a creation of Sunita Acharia and Wafah Hassan, who have together carved a niche for themselves. There's also Dum Pukht, Chatkharay...the list is expanding everyday".

The distinction between India and Pakistan is hardly felt once the people originating from these bitter neighbors meet out side the sub-continent and there are many Pakistan restaurants in Europe and the US offering almost all types of Indian foods with the customers never bothered to know about the origin of the eateries, focusing only on the quality of foods offered. While food preparations of northern India like roti, nan, parotha and various curries of Punjabi origin may be easily accepted by Pakistanis, popularity of southern dishes like dosa, vada, idli etc adds another dimension to the "food diplomacy" and this trend needs to be pushed further. It can be aptly called "striving for love through the stomach" of the people!..

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

FOOD INSECURITY IN PAKISTAN-A DISASTER IN THE MAKING?

Land is critical when it comes to attaining self sufficiency in food and there is great inequity in distribution of land within a country and between the countries. The irony is that those having plenty of land have neither the investment resources or the technological prowess to to put it to most optimal use and derive the benefit fully. Such a situation has led to many rich nations to buy or lease out land in less affluent countries through economic allurement, the intention being to take back the harvested crop to feed their own population or for trading in the world market. The indigenous population in the countries which lease out land to foreigners is invariably left high and dry with no access to the harvest. Pakistan is a typical example where the people are groaning under varying degree of food insecurity due to perennial supply-demand gap and critics attribute this to the inefficiency of the government there.

"The reasons for food insecurity in Pakistan are not only external. The government bears a strong responsibility in this situation. Zafar Altar of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council denounces the bad governmental management of agriculture, notably the disproportionate emphasis on wheat, the inefficiencies of fertilizer and irrigation systems, the poor infrastructure in the western provinces, and a lack of innovative knowledge generation. Unfair subsidy policies that disproportionately favour producers and penalize consumers are also to blame. Food insecurity is also due to unequal land distribution. For instance, the availability of, and access to, wheat is very different in poor Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and in rich Punjab. Instead of launching broad-based and efficient land reforms, the government is selling 202,342.8 hectares of farmland to Saudi Arabia, so that it can meet its own food needs. An improved land access would reduce food prices for families and thus would help strengthen food security and reduce poverty, two closely linked issues".
Availability of food grains need not necessarily mean accessibility because lack of purchasing power due to low income make it difficult for a section of the population to buy them at the prevailing market price. In a country like India vastly subsidized grains are supplied through the vast net work of Public Distribution System at prices considered one of the lowest in the world. Land reforms that can make available land for the growers on extended tenure and low interest finance for providing the necessary inputs for cultivation only can spur any meaningful production increase.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

MAGISTRATES FOR FOOD SAFETY-THE PAKISTAN MODEL

India can learn a lesson or two from its neighbor Pakistan when it comes to food safety monitoring. According to a recent report from across the border, Pakistan is using its judicial system to keep an eye on the restaurant sector to pull up those who do not keep their kitchen clean and serve food preparations of suspect safety. How far this system is working is not clear from the report but common sense indicates it must be working reasonably well because when a judicial officer identifies a culprit, the punishment can be quick acting as a deterrent for other violators.

"They told the news channel that Magistrates do periodical checking in their respective areas, the kitchen and food quality of the food suppliers is checked in the inspection process and whosoever is involved in the sale of substandard food item faces the music".

What is uncertain is the extent to which judiciary can be involved in such non-judicial activity, especially in a country like India where millions of judicial cases are pending for decades. Still involving magistrates and judges can have a salutary effect, though coverage of restaurants by such judicial activism may minuscule. Probably judiciary can be suitably compensated for doing this extra duty out side office hours and punishment should be on the spot without recourse to prolonged hearing.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

EUROPE'S BENEVOLENCE-PAKISTAN TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION

Pakistan seems to be a favorable ally of the western world as evidenced by the uninterrupted flow of economic aid for arms as well as alms. The latest in the queue to shower the "aid" is the European Union which is extending financial help to raise agricultural productivity in 17 districts in that country by 30%. This aid is supposed to be for procuring quality seeds, fertilizers, better irrigation management and agricultural machinery. Why Pakistan which is in the forefront in Asia in using modern agricultural technology needs assistance from EU defies logic.

"The EU "Food Facility" is the European Union's 1 billion euros (Rs 113 billion) response to the food crisis, showing Europe's firm commitment to help poor countries boost agricultural production, especially in a time that hunger was on the rise even more because of the global economic crisis. This support comes when Pakistan had just produced a bumper crop of 24 million tonnes of wheat—2 million above its nationwide requirement in food. Yet prices remain stubbornly high, especially in rural areas, where most food insecure people live. The food may be there, but for many, it is too expensive to buy, he maintained".

Whole world knows how 'efficient' Pakistan is in diverting foreign aids for building its armed forces to fight its arch enemy, India in a hypothetical war. No matter how much money is poured into that country, the conditions of the poor are not going to change with staple foods becoming dearer with each passing day. The theory that by bridging the gap between demand and supply of staples the prices can be brought down is a fallacy because food "inflation" in many parts of Asia has many other dimensions, not appreciated by the donor countries.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

CAF POLICY-PAKISTAN'S FOOD INSECURITY

Leasing out agricultural land for foreign operators is a controversial issue and whether it is really beneficial to the countries who offer their land to multinational agri-business companies cannot be predicted. There are no proven legal frame work that can ensure any advantage to the leasing countries and there is no way to force the operators to sell their produce within the country. Pakistan is one of the countries that is offering large tracts of fertile lands to foreign companies with the hope that there will be quantum jump in land productivity through injection of more resources and modern technologies. Many local critics feel that the Corporate Agricultural Farming policy (CAF) of the government would ruin millions of small farmers because modern farming technology is highly mechanized without any dependence on the help of farm hands.

"Expressing serious concerns on the government's growing emphasis on the role of multinational companies in the country's agriculture sector, SAAG said that the involvement of companies in farming sector would increase food insecurity in Pakistan, which has faced serious food shortages over the last few years. According to World Food Program, country's 72 districts are food insecure in one-way or the other".

There is some apprehension that, without proper provisions for controlling the activities of the foreign companies, there could be large scale shift from staples to high value crops creating further food shortages within the country. Lack of progress in land reforms has created large farm holdings by rich land lords employing millions of people and an alliance between the foreign operators and the large land holders under the new CAF policy could put the livelihood of marginal farmers in jeopardy.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com