KFC to train street food vendors in city

In the first phase, KFC would train about 500 street food vendors in city during the next five months.

PTI  |  October 04, 2017, 17:03 IST

KFC will train 500 street food vendors in the city under the 'Clean Street Food' campaign of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and be the first quick service restaurant to take up the initiative.

"this initiative is aimed at capability building among the unorganised sector which will disseminate content of FSSAI's Clean Street Food campaign..", a company statement said.

In the first phase, KFC would train about 500 street food vendors in city during the next five months.

"We consider food safety as a shared responsibility among food regulators and industry players. Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to the larger objective of ensuring health, hygiene and safety standards for consumers," KFC IndiaManaging Director, Rahul Shinde said.

"..we are looking at training 500 street vendors in Chennai over the next five months", he said.

Shinde said the company would consider expanding the programme to other States based on the response from Tamil Nadu.

On the initiative taken by KFC, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said, "I am happy to see several responsible businesses are coming on-board to support FSSAI's larger set of capability building priorities".

The training would focus on key aspects of hygiene, food handling, waste disposal and pest control to help street food vendors adopt food safety practices while serving safe food to consumers.

Upon completion of the training, the food vendors would receive a certification of completion of FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training, the release added.

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FSSAI constitutes scientific panel on food fortification and nutrition

Wednesday, 15 February, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has constituted a scientific panel on food fortification and nutrition.  The apex regulator stated, “The panel will identify critical nutritional gaps in the Indian diet in general as well as specific target groups based on diet surveys and credible scientific evidence, define strategies to address nutritional needs of the general population and vulnerable groups, and review the standards for all suitable food fortifying vehicles, in addition to the healthy dietary intake of fat, sugar and salt.” “It will also address regulatory and elated technological issues, review proposals from industry using modern risk assessment methods, and prescribe standard sampling and test methods for effective monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the relevant regulations,” it added. The scientific panel has eleven distinguished experts and scientists and includes 10 members from various research institutions. Apart from these, members from scientific panels dealing with fortification of food such as wheat flour, refined flour, rice, milk, edible oil and salt will also be a part of this panel.  In addition, the ministries of women and child development and health and family welfare,the department of biotechnologyand the Indian Council of Medical Research will also be working with the panel.  It is pertinent to mention here that FSSAI had earlier brought out draft regulations for fortified food, namely Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulations, 2016. These were operationalised at the National Summit on Food Fortification held inOctober2016. Based on the comments received on the draft regulations, the panel will finalise the regulations.  Ashwin Bhadri, chief executive officer, Equinox Labs said, “Since food fortification has a huge opportunity to adding vital nutrients to the daily diets of the masses.” He stated, “Many times, people show a deficiency of particular nutrients. This might be due to regional obstacles or due to the simple absence of a particular food product in the day-to-day diet.” “The salt disputation programme was one of the first food fortification programmes that were a tremendous hit, in terms of reducing the rate of goitre. A few state governments, with aid from certain public health program mes, are implementing wheat fortification with iron and colic acid.” However, experts see some drawbacks as well. Bhadri said, “This law can sway public opinion towards a particular product which might misguide the customers.” “Hence, products that claim to be fortifiedshould have a valid test report (done by a third-party lab) to prove the same. This will help in their brand equity, more demand for their product and a high value for the consumers,” he added. Meanwhile, four zonal consultations for states/Union Territories (Its)- covering the northern region in Delhi, the western region in Bhopal, the eastern region in Bhubaneswar and the southern region in Bengaluru - have been convened jointly with the ministry of women and child development, other line ministries/departments and development partners such as the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), World Food program (WFP) and Micronutrient Initiative (MI) with continued engagement with staple food manufacturers. The fifth consultation with the north-eastern region is slated to take place in Guwahati on February 15, 2017.  FSSAI also unveiled a logo for fortified foods which may be used by food businesses. This logo comprises of a square encompassing an F with a ‘+’ sign with a ring around it, which signifies the addition of extra nutrition and vitamins to daily meals to provide good health, protection and an active life.  “Several food businesses have already started using this logo,” the statement said. source

FSSAI logo cannot be used to sell products or denounce rival products

Monday, 13 February, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

With many brands using the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) logo to sell their products, notably Patanjali and Dabur, the apex regulator has issued a clarification that its logo can’t be used to sell any product, and that it is not a means for rival companies to denounce their competitors’ products.  The apex food regulator has issued an order directing all food business operators (FBOs) to refrain from using its logo to justify their products, and reiterated that all products manufactured, stored, distributed, sold and imported were required to conform to the standards prescribed by it.  FSSAI added, “It is directed that the display of FSSAI logo and name in labels and advertisements in any form should not be used to misrepresent the regulator or to suggest that it endorses any particular FBO, company, organisation or product.” It further says that the logo is only allowed to be used as per the food safety standards packaging rules and regulations.  According to a senior official with FSSAI, “There have been numerous representations made to FSSAI with regards to such acts wherein companies were involved in justifying their products with the display of FSSAI’s name and logo and that their products were approved and endorsed by FSSAI.”  “However, it wasn’t the case, and according to the rules and regulations, putting the logo and license number on packaged food commodity is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.”  It has been learnt that FSSAI has been working on the subject for several months.  source

Hain Celestial, Future Group launch India joint venture

By Katy Askew | 20 January 2017

Hain Celestial, Future Group launch India joint venture
US natural food maker Hain Celestial has entered into a joint venture to expand its brands in the Indian market with Future Consumer Ltd (FCL), the consumer products division of Indian conglomerate Future Group.

Hain Celestial, via its local unit Tilda Hain India , and FCL will work together to pursue "joint interests" in food marketing and development in the country. The US group has a presence in India with products including Tilda rice.

The joint venture will manufacture, market and distribute "better-for-you" natural and organic products across "various categories" including snacks, plant-based alternatives and toddler and kids foods. The business will utilise existing Hain Celestial brands, such as Terra, Garden of Eatin', Sensible Portions, Dream and Earth's Best. Hain Tilda will continue to manufacture and market brands under the Tilda brand.

Announcing the tie-up, Hain Celestial stressed that Future Group operates "multiple retail formats" in India and suggested that the deal will help the company expand distribution in the market.

"Rajnish Ohri, our managing director in India, and his team will work together with Future Group to provide us with an opportunity to grow distribution of Hain Celestial's brands and products throughout India with its growing population and our focus on families in a more meaningful way," Hain Celestial founder, president and CEO Irwin Simon suggested.

Kishore Biyani, group CEO of Future Group, added the venture will expand its offering of "healthful" products in the natural and organic sector. "Hain Celestial is one of the most respected companies in the organic and natural segment, and we are excited to establish this partnership with Hain Tilda in India. Together, we will be able to provide Indian consumers with products that set the standards for good taste and are healthful too," he commented.

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FSSAI lists FBOs who have withdrawn or modified misleading advertisements

JUNE 18, 2016 BY FSH TEAM 

On 17 June 2016 the FSSAI published a list regarding withdrawal or modification of misleading advertisements by Food Business Operators (FBOs) after the intervention of the FSSAI. These misleading advertisements have been withdrawn or modified from/in all sources of media.

The first name on the list is that of M/S Jivo Wellness Pvt Ltd. The misleading claim made by the firm was that their Canola Oil prevents diabetes and heart diseases and they even claimed that Fortis Hospital (C-Doc) has put their seal on these two claims. The FBO has withdrawn the entire misleading advertisement.

Chemical Resources, Maharashtra claimed that their product ‘Furocyst’ had therapeutic benefits or had a positive effect on 94% patients as it either dissolved their cysts or reduced them in size. They also claim that it was US patented and showed no side effects.  The company has now modified these claims.

KC Food Products Pvt Ltd of Jammu and Kashmir claimed that their ‘Digestive biscuits’ were the best in India. They said it was India’s best digestive biscuits because they used the highest content of wheat flour as compared to similar biscuits in the market. The advertisement has been withdrawn by the FBO.

Phytotech Extracts Pvt Ltd claimed that their product ‘Proteqt’ was capable of removing morning blues after a party and the user remained fresh. They claimed it was natural and so there were no after effects of a party and so there was no dullness in the morning. The product was to be taken 10 to 15 minutes before the party and it was the ‘first time ever’. They claimed the product was enriched in flavonoids, polyphenois, tannins and Vitamin C anti oxoidants etc. The company has submitted to the FBO that they have stopped the manufacture and marketing of such a product and so no advertisement is being published presently.

According to the Food Act 2006 no food can be advertised that misleads or deceives or which contravenes the provisions of the FSS Act and the rules and regulations made under it whether orally or in writing. Advertisements cannot falsely claim that foods are of a certain standard, quality, quantity or grade composition. It cannot make a false or misleading representation about the need for or the usefulness of the product.

The FSS Act also has a provision for imposing penalty for misleading Act. Any person that falsely describes any food or misleads consumers about the nature, substance or quality of any food, or gives false guarantee can be liable for penalty up to Rs.10 lakhs.

In 2015 the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) found the advertisement of Dabur India Limited misleading. The advertisement made unsubstantiated claims that Dabur Chyawanprash gives three times more immunity which makes kids strong from within.

Presently some of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved products are under ASCI’s scanner among which is their advertisement of mustard oil. The ASCI says that the claims about Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil were unsubstantiated and misleading. The advertisement claims that most other edible refined oils and mustard oils are made using neurotoxin Hexagon solvent extraction process, as many companies mix cheap palm oil in mustard oil, to make profits at the cost of consumers’ health.

FMCG major ITC has also come under flak from ASCI because the advertisement claim that Aashirvaad Multigrain Atta is “India’s No. 1 Atta”, is misleading by ambiguity as the claim was for the mother brand Aashirvaad and not for the variant -Aashirvaad Atta with multi-grains.

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FSSAI scraps existing approvals process, move leaves industry confused

Shambhavi Anand  |  28 August 2015, 8:21 AM IST

The food safety regulator has done away with process of product approvals in line with a recent Supreme Court order and now plans to reintroduce the procedure through regulations.

NEW DELHI: The food safety regulator has done away with process of product approvals in line with a recent Supreme Court order and now plans to reintroduce the procedure through regulations.

The move, however, has left the industry confused about pending applications and new product launches.

The Food safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in a circular said, "It is no longer possible for FSSAI to continue with the process of product approvals, which was facilitated through the advisory dated 11 May 2013, in view of the order dated 19 August 2015 of the Supreme Court, whereby the judgement and the order dated 1 August of the Bombay High Court has gained finality and the said advisory has ceased to remain operative."

The court ruled that the process introduced through an advisory had no legal standing and asked FSSAI to get the government to change the regulations to enact the procedure.

In its circular FSSAI said, "Every endeavor will be made to expedite the regulations governing Section 22 products."

Products specified under Section 22 include food supplements, food for special dietary uses and functional foods.

While the move to quash the advisory was welcomed, industry association All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) has raised concerns over lack of clarity on what will happen to pending applications and new product launches as it will take some time for the regulation to be put in place.

"The regulator is now trying to convert the advisory on food approval into regulations but this will take some time," said Amit Dhanuka, president of AIFPA.

"There is no clarity on what will happen till then. FSSAI did not clarify on new product launches or applications which are already in the pipeline. It may be the case that product launches may not be allowed at all until a fresh regulation comes in," he said.

Under the earlier regime, product approval was required only if there was a new ingredient or additive being introduced.

ET VIEW: Needed, Clarification by FSSAI The food regulator has been constrained by the Supreme Court to upgrade its advisory on food product approvals to a regulation. What are food companies supposed to do in the interim? Hold all new product launches? Launch products anyway? The regulator should clarify what food companies should do, on the applications already in the pipeline and will accumulate till new regulations are framed. Launching on trust would be a good idea, with the FSSAI cracking down on any product that it finds harmful, ex post, with heavy penalties that consumers can augment with class action suits.

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Focus: What impact will Maggi scare have on Nestle?

Dramatic scenes emerged from India today (5 June) as television cameras showed rowdy consumers burning Nestle's Maggi branded noodles in a bonfire. Nestle has witnessed the rapid deterioration of consumer trust in the country as a food safety scare that started in the state of Uttar Pradesh spread throughout India.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) in Uttar Pradesh claimed high lead levels were found during "routine tests" in two dozen packets of instant noodles. The state authorities also said they found the flavouring MSG, which must be labelled if it is used in production.

State governments throughout the country then began carrying out tests of their own. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, a further two states have also confirmed the presence of lead and MSG in samples collected.

While Nestle has repeatedly insisted Maggi is safe – and apparently questioned the validity of the state's tests behind closed doors in discussions with the FSSAI – the immediate impact on Nestle's reputation in India has been startling.

"Detection of lead in a food product as a heavy metal contaminant beyond permissible levels renders the food product unsafe and hazardous," the FSSAI insisted today. The body required Nestle to pull all nine varieties of Maggi noodles from the shelves. In fact, Nestle had already initiated a voluntary recall. The company conceded consumer trust has been dented and said it is pulling products from the shelves until the "confusion" surrounding Maggi's safety can be clarified.

"The trust of our consumers and the safety of our products is our first priority. Unfortunately, recent developments and unfounded concerns about the product have led to an environment of confusion for the consumer, to such an extent that we have decided to withdraw the product off the shelves, despite the product being safe," the company said in a statement. "We promise that the trusted Maggi noodles will be back in the market as soon as the current situation is clarified."

Speaking during a press conference in India, CEO Paul Bulcke – who has flown in to try to contain the situation – reiterated his belief Maggi noodles are safe. The issue, he suggested, was one of communication – with both the authorities and consumers.

The fact Bulcke has swept in to contain the damage speaks to how seriously Nestle is taking the situation. He insisted Nestle remains committed to India, highlighting how the company has operated in the market for a considerable period of time. "Nestle has been in India for 100 years. Nestle is part of India," he told reporters.

Nestle said it was "too early" to comment on what impact the scandal and recall will have on sales in the market. According to MainFirst analyst Alain Oberhuber, Maggi sales comprise around 29% of Nestle sales in India. The loss of this revenue stream would represent a "significant hit" to Nestle in the country.

Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Jon Cox believes the issue could affect Nestle's total organic growth in the current quarter. "India is a small part of group sales... [but] India is a major growth driver (particularly given weakness elsewhere in BRICs and emerging markets) and we presume the issue could knock ten to 20 basis points from Nestle’s organic sales growth in Q2, which we already expected to be a somewhat soft quarter," he wrote in an investor note.

The issue could also prove detrimental to Nestle's broader strategy in the Indian market. According to Euromonitor International analyst Lianne van den Bos, India is an important country for Nestle's Maggi brand, representing its second-largest market with retail revenue of US$623m.

"Nestle’s strategy in India has been to provide affordable products that cater to a wide consumer base (including tier three and four cities). By building a strong image in an affordable product such as noodles, Nestle has been able to broaden the Maggi brand’s remit, and extend into products with higher margins such as cooking sauces and meal solutions for the more affluent consumers. This strategy has, however, been dependent on the trust that consumers have in Maggi and this is what is at risk," van den Bos noted.

Another risk factor for Nestle is the scandal could spill over into other international markets. Singapore has already moved to block the sale of noodles imported to the market from India while the UK has confirmed it is testing Maggi noodles for lead and MSG.

Nevertheless, commentators by and large believe the issue will be a short-term bump in the road for Nestle. Pundits have highlighted Nestle's strong food safety and compliance record, on the one hand, and the short memories of consumers, on the other.

As van den Bos summed up: "This scandal is very damaging for Nestle in the short run as it affects its whole business strategy in India. It should be pointed out, however, that Maggi has been around for a very long time in India and food scandals are frequent in the Indian market. It will not be long until another comes along and distracts consumers (and the media) from the Maggi food scandal of 2015."

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