Quality Check of Imported Food Items

A number of steps have been taken by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for quality control measure for imported food products which are:

       I.            Standards have been developed and regulations framed in different categories of food products and machinery created for their enforcement.

    II.            Pre-arrival Documents Scrutiny (PADS) has been implemented in online Food Clearance System (FICS) from 02.02.2016 which is currently operational in all non-single window ports namely Chennai, Kolkatta and Tuticorin.

 III.            Integrated Declaration form has been developed by Customs on the basis of inputs given by FSSAI.

 IV.            FSSAI has developed its Risk based import prioritisation system and is in touch with Customs, Department of Revenue for its integration with their  system.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that on the basis of International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) alert received on 21^st May, 2015, the matter was taken up by the FSSAI with various State Governments. As per data available in the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), no import of plastic/synthetic rice has been noticed during last three years. The State Governments have also informed that no incidence of imported plastic rice has been reported in their respective states.

Instances of use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits have been brought to the notice of the FSSAI through Action Taken Reports from the Food Safety Departments of the States/UTs. Regulation 2.3.5 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction to  Sales) Regulations, 2011 prohibits  use of Calcium Carbide in ripening of fruits. The health hazards reported due to use of Calcium Carbide in ripening of fruits include carcinogenic effect, neurological disorders and stomach disorders.

The steps taken for checking the use of such practices include:

i)                    All State/UT Governments have been well informed about the harmful effects of calcium carbide as well as the methodology for detection of Acetylene in godowns and storage chambers.

ii)                  All Commissioners of Food Safety have informed about the permitted concentration of ethylene for ripening of fruits.

iii)                 To increase  public awareness  regarding “consuming fruits ripened artificially by Calcium Carbide may pose health problems”, a note has been uploaded on FSSAI website viz. www.fssai.gov.in

The Minister of State (Health), Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.