The "Chicken is coming to roost" for FSSAI-Industry up in arms against this reckless "Authority" with no accountability

When Government of India conceded the demand from the food industry to consolidate the functions of different food regulatory agencies under its wings for reducing the red tapism and delays encountered by them hampering its growth, there was relief all around that better days were ahead for them. Alas, this hope has been totally belied if one goes by the actions and omissions of the new entity created in 2011 under the exalted name of Food Safety and standards Authority of India (FSSA) which is headed by bureaucrats right from the beginning leaving out technical experts who could have made a lot of difference in its functioning. This Blogger published almost half a dozen articles questioning the credentials of the new set up during the last 5 years and now comes the clinching support for his stand from the Supreme Court and the the industry captains as reported recently. Read further: 

"Angered by the autocratic functioning of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India which regulates food business in the Country, eleven leading national organisations related to food business under the banner of National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) have demanded a CBI inquiry in to the affairs and irregularities of the Authority. " The Authority with its self style functioning much beyond the rules & regulations has caused substantial damage to food industry in India​ in past few years​ and has acted like an activist rather than a regulator tasked with smooth working of the industry​ and facilitating services for its growth but it has utterly failed"-said NJAC at a Press Conference held at New Delhi, which will soon file a charge sheet against the Authority with Union Health Minister.  Supreme Court order of 19th August, 2015 which held issuance of advisory of Product approval as unlawful, is a depiction of autocratic working of FSSA​I.​ Repeated extensions since year 2011 ​for​ obtaining registration ​by​ Food Business Operator​s​ under FSSAI Act is yet another example of nepotism in FSSAI. Non-consultation with stakeholders and non-inclusion of actual representatives of trade & industry in Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI indicates undemocratic​ & non-transparent​ working of FSSAI. The high handed method of working and lack of transparency has led to the current situation which has led NJAC to take the task of impressing upon the Government to ​release it from the clutches of rampant corruption & individualism.​ It is deeply regretted that right from the announcement of product approval process in year 2013 till it was struck down by apex court, FSSAI had blocked any scientific process and approval was made on whims and wills of officials. As pr the advisory every FBO was suppose to obtain product approval from FSSAI after paying Rs.25,000-00 for approval of each product. NJAC believe that such amount is in the tune of Rs.80 crore. No account has been rendered as to how this money was received by FSSAI without any permission in the Act or rules. It is also learnt that Comptroller & Auditor General of India had denied permission to use this money as it is not through a sanctioned way of collection of money. It is further learnt that FSSAI has made fixed deposit of this money without any proper sanction. Is their any beneficiary for making this fixed deposit ? It is a disturbing fact that because of lethargic attitude and illegal product approval advisory the food industry suffered loss of hundreds of crores of rupees, production of large number of items were forced to be stopped, exports draw a big jolt and enormous loss of revenue occurred to Government. Should the liability of the officials will be fixed by the Government ? It is most surprising that FSSA​I​ spent Rs.11 crore for creating an online process and a bulk amount of this money was paid to National Institute of Smart Governance. Whether any sanction was obtained prior to paying this money and why no accounts were submitted in FSSA​I​ meetings for three years.Huge amount of money was spent on international travel for various officials without any panel recommendation. Under the circumstances, the NJAC has demanded a CBI inquiry into affairs of FSSA​I​. It has sought time with Union Health Minister J.P.Nadda and Health Secretary to apprise them with the factual position and demanding action against erring officials. It has also demanded refund of Rs.80 crore collected on account of product approval. The NJAC has also demanded the Health Minister to constitute a Special Task Force comprising ​of ​senior officials of Ministry and representatives of stakeholders to make an in-depth study of rules and regulations of FSSAI and to suggest amendments in a time bound period​ which has been pending since long resulting in sufferings of food business operators who are facing harassment and corruption at the hands of officials across the Country."

One of the foolish acts of FSSAI has been banning the marketing of a particular brand of noodles without any foresight regarding its consequences and it is history that it had eggs all over its face by the Supreme Court order. Here is a babu oriented organization in this country with absolutely no clue regarding the dynamics of food processing sector riding roughshod on the industry just because it is drunk with power. Is it not ridiculous that a paper tiger like FSSAI with no infrastructure of its own to carry out its functions except "ordering" and its plush air conditioned office complex in Delhi inhabited by babus with exalted opinion about them selves, trying to to be "vigilante" for the consumer who any how has no faith in it? Is it not unfortunate that the new government in Delhi is as unconcerned as the previous one about the well being of the citizen who is groaning because of sky rocketing prices of foods while safety and quality are suspect with most of them, giving a free run to adulterators and fraudsters? When is the country going to wake up from its deep slumber and force the government to take action to ensure the safety and health of future generation? We cannot leave every thing to God, as most of us with a fatalistic philosophy have the habit to do, to sort out our problems and it is time that concerted action is taken now to protect our future. 

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

THE DROUGHT-WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, MAN OR GOD?

The water scarcity in Maharashtra seems to be getting worse with each passing day and the government there seems to have no clue as to what must be one to save some of the drought prone districts from ruination. India is not new to droughts and practically every state experiences water shortage periodically, especially when monsoon rains fail or the precipitation is lass than normal but the conditions are never allowed to get out of control with timely ameliorative action. However the present condition in the state of Maharashtra where more than one third of the people are affected by the drought is grave enough to focus the attention of the nation for bringing the much needed relief to the severely stressed people there. According to analysts the drought here is a man made one deliberately brought about by the greediness of sugar industry, wineries, distilleries and banana growing cooperatives blessed by powerful politicians who are at the helm of affairs there. How can the country forgive these powerful vested interests for depriving the agricultural community of the water stored in over 50 dams by diverting the same to the water guzzling industries and government in the state has no moral right to continue in power for allowing this day light robbery! Here is an account of what has caused drought in the state through the eyes of dispassionate observers, development specialists  and economic experts.            

The drought in a large part of Maharashtra, said to be the worst since 1972, may have been triggered by poor rainfall in the last monsoon season - but it has been compounded by mismanagement of the available water. Nearly one-third of the state's population living in the 15 drought-hit districts in and around the Marathwada region is facing a severe scarcity of drinking water, apart from water for salvaging its wilting crops. The paucity of fodder for livestock, the mainstay of livelihood for the small and marginal farmers and landless households, too, is acute. This, paradoxically, is the state of affairs in a state that has the country's largest network of dams. What this has meant is that financially and politically influential farmers and industrialists are managing to corner enough water to irrigate crops and run industrial units, while the poor are deprived of even drinking water. This is evident in various areas where water-guzzling sugarcane and banana farms are in fairly good shape, while the neighbouring fields of less water-requiring sorghum - which belong to resource-poor farmers - wither away. Remember, the Marathwada region, which lies in the rain-shadow zone, is drought-prone. It is, therefore, unfit for the cultivation of water-intensive crops such as sugarcane. It is also worth recalling that the state government had decided in February, when the signs of a water crisis became imminent, to give priority to meeting drinking-water needs before letting water to be used for other purposes. This well-intended resolve has, however, remained largely on paper. Since the bulk of the state's sugar industry is in the co-operative sector and is controlled by politicians, cane crushing, which requires substantial amounts of water, is still going on in water-stressed areas.

Every patriotic Indian has to hang his head in shame when such inequities and crimes are committed openly with no remorse by a group of people elected by them to protect their interests. This is also a reflection of the failure of the Central government to implement existing laws that are supposed to protect the farmers from such gross exploitation. Can any one justify encouragement of water intensive crops like Sugarcane and Banana in areas where there is  perpetual shortage of water? How could the state allow water guzzling industries like wineries, sugar mills and distilleries to be set up in the region without giving adequate consideration for ensuring water supply to the agricultural fields for which the largest net work of dams has been built? Is sugar more important than food grains when the whole world is shunning sugar because of its well established role in health disorders like diabetes, CVD and others? Are alcoholic products like wine, beer and spirits more important than staples like pulses? If God is invoked and blamed for the present drought, the same God will not spare the perpetrators of this crime on humanity by a few political overlords of this country!    

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V.H.POTTY

http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

INDIAN AGRICULTURE-THE WRONG PRIORITIES AND THE CONSEQUENCES

Internationally India is one the top food importing countries in the world  with a substantial portion of its requirements of pulses and edible oils coming from outside its boundaries and though this situation is continuing since 3 decades no palliative steps have been taken by the governments ruling the country at different point of time except for pompous and meaningless statements. It is just laughable that a few private entrepreneurs are globe trotting trying to solve India's food problems through leasing out foreign lands, especially in Africa while the real answer lies within the country. Here is a fabulous critique on the misguided and senseless policy orchestrations being pursued by successive governments with limited farsightedness!  

Sound food policy should be a priority for India, on track for the world's largest population by 2025. India has also achieved status as a major food exporter with rice, wheat and buffalo beef. Indian policies emphasize minimum support prices for farmers and subsidized crops for the poor, but these in turn spur food inflation, price volatility, overproduction of grains and overworked land. The government purchases about one third of all cereal output, yet pro-cereal policies hinder production of non-cereals like fruits, vegetables and dairy products, which benefits other export nations like Canada or Australia. Despite misgivings by economists, a food security bill guaranteeing low prices for more than two thirds of India's population is winding its way through parliament. "The end result of these policies will be India's forced integration into global agricultural markets, not only as a grain importer, but also as a leading buyer of non-cereal commodities," explains Deepak Gopinath, director of a research service on emerging markets. Global markets won't provide special pricing for India's poor.

Is it not rue that the country is being burdened by unwanted surplus food grains which neither serves domestic food security nor the export business of the country. Endless encouragement to a section of farmers who over utilize the resources of the country on non-priority food as well as non food crops has resulted in gross shortage of health protecting foods like fruits, vegetables and pulses besides raising their price beyond the reach of most citizens. To day in most urban markets no fruit is available, with the exception of Papaya, at a price less than Rs 50 per kg with fruits like apple pomegranate, strawberry etc commanding prices above Rs 100 per kg. Similarly almost all vegetables are sold at prices ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 60 per kg! Ironically the farmers who grow them are reported to be getting only a fraction of the consumer price, a major portion of it being gobbled by the so called middlemen! Unfortunately GOI does not seem to be unduly concerned and there is not yet any evidence that this issue will be addressed seriously in the near future. GOI is obsessed with only grains, formulating schemes after schemes to supply these commodities practically free to the population incurring huge subsidies draining the exchequer. Under these circumstances no one knows what lies ahead for the citizens of this country under political masters who cannot see any thing beyond their nose (or purse?). 

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

FOOD RIOTS-UNIVERSITIES BECOMING VULNERABLE?

Managing a student hostel is fraught with many problems and no one knows this better than a warden who has the experience of running such a set up. While most problems can be solved provided adequate resources are invested, food is a very difficult area in which universal satisfaction can never be guaranteed. In India many universities have their own hostels and canteens and in most cases the running of these institutions are left to private enterprises as the logistics of food service is not amenable to a bureaucratic system of management. While students depending on hostel foods do not expect the same with home taste, at least some modicum of standard is expected from those running mess services in these institutions. The most frequently heard complaints concern hygiene, sanitation, eating quality and monotony of foods prepared and served every day. Price has assumed importance recently because of the run away food inflation being experienced all over the country. It is left to the students of the University of Pune to raise some sort of banner of revolt to sensitize the university authorities about the travails of eating bad food they undergo every day with no solace coming from any where. Here is a take on that development.

Students on the University of Pune (UoP) campus have demanded that nutritious food be served at the canteens in their hostels. Earlier, their agitation against the hike in rates had forced the four canteen operators on the campus to roll back the prices. However, now, the quality of food is poor, they complain. On Monday, over 30 students from various departments, mostly hostelites, met vice-chancellor Raghunath Shevgaonkar and presented a list of demands. The students had planned a morcha, but dropped the idea as the police have issued guidelines against morchas to administrative buildings, said graduate senate member Shashikant Tiokate. Meanwhile, students' representative Vishwajeet Singh told DNA that the food served in the canteens on the campus is not nutritious. "We demanded that private mess operators not be given entry to the campus due to various reasons," he said.

It is the responsibility of organizations like universities to ensure that the health of thousands of students coming from far away places is not affected by bad food service from quality and nutrition angles and legally students can take recourse to remedial measures through judiciary for dereliction of duty. It is difficult to understand why food service does not get the attention it deserves because a gastronomically disgruntled student can never become an "achiever", no matter how many years one has to spent in the university. It is time that teaching institutions invest in creating decent functional kitchens and modern catering facilities to satisfy the student community vis-a-vis their food needs and reap the benefit of a tranquil campus!.

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

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THE ONION "SAGA"-WHO IS TO BE BLAMED?

Probably the whole world could be laughing at the Onion "circus" being orchestrated from New Delhi but the hapless Indian citizen can neither laugh nor cry experiencing the sky rocketing retail prices of the great vegetable onion during the month of December this year. Cannot laugh because the pain is too much for buying this daily need of this essential vegetable and cannot cry because there is no tear jerking onion that is purchasable with their income even to shed a couple of tears! Is it not a pity that the whole political class is carrying out a charade passing on the buck for causing this avoidable agony to the citizens. A callous food minister blamed the rains, another minister accused the traders for hoarding and the traders felt that farmers were responsible for the chaos. The symbolic gestures of banning exports for a few days, after ignoring the brewing troubles on the onion front and abolishing import levy of about 10%, were too little and too late. Probably if such a callous mismanagement happened in China, imagine what would have been the fate of those responsible for this suffering to the citizens!

"Onion prices in the country fell more than 30 per cent after the government banned exports to rein in the cost of the vegetable. Prices had more than doubled in the past week due to a shortage caused by unusually heavy rain in growing areas. Discontent about food price inflation is another headache for the UPA government struggling with a slew of corruption allegations and an emboldened opposition. The agriculture ministry on Monday banned exports until Jan 15, and will import onions from Pakistan, as retail prices jumped to 80 rupees ($1.77) per kg from 35 rupees per kg last week, media reported. "The situation will be normal in two to three weeks. Onion prices rose because of rains in Nasik and other onion growing areas," agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters on Tuesday. "The ban on onion exports should help reduce the prices." Average onion prices at the country's largest wholesale onion trading hub in Lasalgaon, in western Maharashtra state, fell 34 per cent after the ban to 2,500 rupees per 100 kg. "Restrictions on exports today pulled down prices in the wholesale market. They will fall further in the next few days in the wholesale and retail markets," RP Gupta, director at the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), said".

Consumer must consider himself lucky that he is not being blamed for eating too much onion and spared the "disgusting" advice from the ruling elite to sacrifice by cutting down daily onion consumption drastically as a part of his patriotic duty! A Governor of a Southern State had the gumption to publicly exclaim as to why the consumers are so exercised about a few rupees increase in onion prices, conveniently ignoring the fact that the retail cost increased more than 300% in several areas in the country! The least one could expect from the "cool" Prime Minister of the country is to banish the minister in charge of food portfolio, who has been a spectacular failure, from any responsible position with influence on the daily lives of the citizens.

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

NIGHT TIME EATERIES-THE CHANDIGARH VENTURE

Road side vending is often liked by many people because of the taste of foods served, their cost and open environment. But a major criticism against street foods or road side vending is the inadequate hygiene, unsatisfactory sanitary environment and indifferent quality and quantity of water available, making the foods some what unsafe on many occasions. Added to this, in countries like India where roads are never cleaned the polluted environment poses another threat to the health of the patrons who frequent such places. With basic facilities for hand washing, public toilets and other essential ingredients of an eatery absent, street foods can pose serious threat to the population in the long run. Many efforts in the past to institutionalize the street food vending system with a view to protect the livelihood of the entrepreneurs and modernize the food preparations and serving methods have not made any lasting impact on this micro enterprise sector in any meaningful way. Here is the story of such an effort in the city of Chandigarh which makes a sad reading!

"Launched with much fanfare by municipal corporation after taking inspiration from Lahore, the night-food street of Chandigarh has lost its sheen as majority of families prefer not to visit the place. Since most people going there have to wait for food, they prefer sitting inside their vehicles. They end up consuming liquor and smoking openly. Plenty of brawls and incidents of eve-teasing have also been reported from the area during night. All that has almost made the city lose. The taste for reasonably priced, hygienic food that the street was originally provided has also skyrocketed as compared to the beginning and even basic facilities are not available nearby".

Why not India learn a lesson from the Food Truck phenomenon in the US where there are thousands of mobile catering units, working successfully in different urban areas meeting the food needs of millions of people without any major complaints. Of course a truck can be expensive to procure but it has better mobility and more space for installing a functional kitchen with all mandatory requirements for a modern eatery. Some efforts in the past by well meaning people to put in efforts to modernize the push cart mode of food vending have not yielded the desired result. The food court model where vendors are provided with minimum facilities for cooking and serving are working satisfactorily in many Asian countries under the vigilance of local municipal health authorities but why the Chandigarh experiment is facing the problems as reported, must be critically examined. If the problems are successfully addressed, it can go a long way in benefiting the whole country through establishment of centralized food courts in hundreds of towns and cities where there are unorganized road side vendors doing brisk business under unsatisfactory conditions.

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