FOOD TESTING-NEPAL'S NEW INITIATIVE

The problem of food adulteration is assuming serious proportions in many countries including many economically wealthy ones and it is becoming more and more acute in most of the third world countries including India. The root cause of such a disturbing situation is under developed infrastructure for monitoring, inadequate testing personnel and poor analytic facilities. Bureaucratic and legal delays in processing the food adulteration cases further compound the problem. Against such a background it is pleasing to hear from Nepal that the government there, in spite of the current political instability, is taking progressive steps to tackle food safety problems. Here is a take on this new development which must be applauded.

"The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has decided to put its mobile inspection van on the road by the end of this week. The vehicle is equipped with advanced equipment enabling department inspectors to test the quality of a food sample instantly on the spot. The DFTQC will use the van to test for adulteration like inedible colours and unwanted micro-organisms in food sold in the market. "We will be using the van to check the quality of food items being sold in the market," said Pramod Koirala, spokesperson for the DFTQC. "It will help food inspectors to test the food on the spot and take immediate action," he said. The DFTQC has rolled out its lab on wheels amid growing cases of adulteration of food stuff. Last year, the department found 20.83 percent the food items it checked to be adulterated or substandard. According to the DFTQC, bottled water, milk and milk products, ghee and edible oil and sweets products are among the substandard products found in the market. Currently, the department needs to send the food specimens collected from the market to its laboratory situated at the DFTQC's central office for tests. This has delayed identifying impurities in the food items and punitive action against the wrong doers. This has also made its food quality control ineffective. "Thevan will allow us to file a case or recommend action against offenders immediately," said Koirala. According to him, there will be two food testing officers in the van . Although the DFTQC plans to test 1,000 food samples every year, its inspection effort has been ineffective due to lack of manpower and other resources. Currently, the department has been conducting inspections only once a week. With the use of the labvan , the DFTQC has planned to increase the frequency of market inspection. "As the using the van is cost effective for the purpose, we will also increase the number of food samples for cross checking," said Koirala.
The department acquired the van , which has a price tag of Rs 10 million".

With almost one fifth of the food products made in Nepal being found adulterated, one outdoor van for on-the-spot testing may be too few to cope up with the situation. It is possible the government may expand this type of facilities by investing more money in acquiring such modern mobile outdoor labs in the coming years after gaining experience with the first one currently launched. Unless the manufacturers and traders involved in food related activities are sure about severe consequences of playing around with the lives of consumers through unsafe products, the ever increasing number of food related health episodes cannot be checked satisfactorily. Nepal is setting a fine example to other countries to follow with such new initiatives.

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

TACKLING AFRICAN FOOD PROBLEM-A NEW INITIATIVE BY THE INDUSTRY

Big industrial groups dominating the food processing sector are invariably labeled as inimical to the interests of the consumers and the bitterness between the two is so severe that recently there was even a suggestion to bracket food industry with tobacco industry. Possibly such an attitude is gaining ground because of the presumed association of most products churned out by this industry with obesity and many health disorders common in wealthy countries where processed foods constitute more than 80% in every day diet. The so called "junk foods" with empty calories and practically no useful nutrients are becoming staple foods of many consumers because of the low price and massive promotion by their manufacturers. Against this background it is refreshing to hear about the positive role being played by a few food giants in helping to tackle the poverty and malnutrition problems in the African continent. Here is the interesting story coming out of the US with support from the government.

"For General Mills, a key way for us to have an impact [on global poverty] is by sharing our food technology expertise," said Powell. "I am honored to accept the Global Citizenship Award on behalf of General Mills, and specifically, the more than 300 volunteers who have stepped up to make this effort a reality. Through their work, and the meaningful support of our partners, we are making a measurable difference." Powell went on to highlight the passion of several employee volunteers and shared excitement about his upcoming trip to Africa to meet with food processors and small-holder farmers involved with PFS. Also in attendance at the event were several Minnesota dignitaries, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Erik Paulsen, Rep. Keith Ellison and Rep. Betty McCollum. Powell thanked each of them for their engagement in fighting hunger and addressing human rights issues in Minnesota and around the world. PFS is curren"tly working with 30 food processors on 77 projects in Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi. As these food processors grow, they are able to hire more workers and buy more raw materials from small-holder farmers. With more income, the farmers can pay school fees, access better medical care and start businesses. During his remarks, Powell thanked Cargill, DSM and TechnoServe. All work collectively with USAID and General Mills to fight hunger in Africa through PFS. Cargill and DSM joined PFS in 2011 and are critical partners that have helped expand the nonprofit's reach and depth of technical expertise. TechnoServe, a U.S. based nonprofit, helps facilitate and manage PFS projects locally in Africa".

USAID, one of the largest public supported food assistance programs in the world, has done yeoman service to bolster up the hunger fighting efforts of the developed countries and has already poured billions of dollars to make its presence felt in many poor countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Though it has been criticized for its bias in favor of American interests while carrying out these programs, the fact still remains that it has helped saving thousands of human lives through significant financial and other inputs from that country which is definitely a sacrifice measured by any yardstick. Having wealth is one thing but having the "spirit of giving" is another thing and the US deserves some appreciation from the world community for this gesture. What is surprising is the involvement of the private sector in this program under the PFS flag and financial and technical contributions from much maligned companies like Cargill, DSM, General Mills and many food processors in the US in executing several projects in Africa may give them an image make-over among consumers.    

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

GLOBAL HUNGER-A NEW INITIATIVE IN THE OFFING?

No doubt the massive food aid to poor countries by some of the well to do nations has been able to reduce the pain of hunger to some extent, there cannot be a giver-receiver relationship of permanent nature. The designs of some of the multinational seed giants are too obvious in that they want poor African countries to be their permanent clients for buying seed, especially GM varieties year after year ensuring improved bottom line for their business. Against such a dismal picture, it is like fresh whiff of air when the new US administration is unfolding its new policy of helping poor countries to stand on their own legs through infrastructure and capacity building instead of doling out alms.

Read about what the new policy is all about. "Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton unveiled a food security initiative launched by the Obama administration to combat hunger worldwide. Clinton spoke about a new approach from the Obama administration in dealing with hunger issues, a food security initiative that attempts to help people around the world grow, buy and sell the food they need instead of focusing primarily on emergency food aid in times of crisis," .

What is needed is to usher in a green revolution in the African continent, which were net exporters of food grains not too long ago, to reverse the present situation where food imports have become common. Though the greater inputs of resources like fertilizers, pesticides and other ingredients for technological upgrading will be a feature of increased land productivity, till adequate base is created for self-reliance, this is inevitable. The million dollar question is whether what man proposes (read US government), God will dispose( read multinationals). One has to see to believes it, as and when it happens!

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