Recent research suggests that people who consume less red meat live longer, apart from having lower cholesterol levels

Initiated in November 2011, the Indian government’s scheme to provide subsidized sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in rural areas is yet to begin in Jammu division, while as in Kashmir the major portion of the supplied stocks are lying undistributed.

It was supposed to cover 10 districts – Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.

“The scheme has been initiated to increase awareness among adolescent girls about menstrual hygiene and increase accessibility of high quality sanitary napkins at affordable cost, especially for girls in rural areas,” said Dr Yashpal Sharma, the Mission Director of India’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Indian administered Kashmir.

According to officials, the girls and women in the age group 10 -19 in these districts were supposed to get a pack of six sanitary napkins for INR 6.

“In the three districts of Kashmir valley, the scheme has been started but for Jammu, it will be started soon,” said Dr. Manoj Bhagat, facilitator NRHM posted in Jammu. “Since we have dispatched the supplies to Kashmir, the volunteers have sold some of it.”

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Seafood exports for the European Union are headed for murky waters if the Exports Inspection Council of India’s latest initiative is any indication.

In a notification issued on March 15 and effective the same day, the EIA has said that fishing vessels who have not registered with EIAs (Export Inspection Agency) in their respective states will not be granted health certificates or permits to export to the EU.

Kerala fishermen and exporters are on the warpath against the move as not a single one of the state’s fleet of 5,500 mechanised is registered with the EIA. Neither are the four-odd landing harbours on the state’s coastline. An official of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) declined to comment on the development, saying that talks to resolve the issue between exporters and the EIC are on.

However, exporters said though coming into effect from March 15, the EIA has agreed to keep it in abeyance till it hears the views of exporters and boat owners in the next few weeks. EU is the second largest market for India’s marine exports after South East Asia with a share of 22.02%, followed by US with 19.17%, Japan at 14.09% and China at 7.06%.

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K Chandramouli, chairperson, FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India), has indicated the Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Ltd that a change in the August 5-implemented Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011 could be possible after due consultation with the government, scientific committee and scientific panels.

He gave this assurance while speaking to the association representatives at a protest organised by them in Chennai on Wednesday. While the association is keen for an early solution to the issue, the entire consultation and review process for the amendment is likely to take at least 19 months.

Shankar, secretary, Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Ltd, explained FnB News over the telephone, “The Act will force small and medium level food business operators out of their business. Hence, we are seeking few changes in the Act, so that it will help small food business operators.”

He added, “In the current format, the Act will only help multinational companies. Further, India is a vast country and climatic conditions differ from region to region, so the food and agricultural products will differ. Therefore, there should be changes made to the Act.” The association is also seeking a shorter and quicker review process.

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“By doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come to the truth.”

Its useful to weigh yourself once a week on the same day, at the same time, with the same scale in order to help you truly estimate where you are going.

The Central Regional Director of the Food and Drugs Board, Mr. Joseph Bennie, has said the Board would not hesitate to “battle” matrons together with their kitchen staff who prepare school meals under unhygienic conditions.

The Board, he said, had observed that some school kitchens prepare meals under unhygienic conditions and that food-borne diseases could be reduced by 80% if washing of hands with soap among other good practices were adhered to.

At a day’s workshop on “hygiene, hand washing and the need for regular check-up for heads of kitchen staff in the second cycle institutions” in Cape Coast, Mr. Bennie said food cooked in schools must be hygienic from the kitchen to the dining hall

The Board would therefore carry out a rigorous monitoring exercise to check insanitary conditions in school kitchens and dining halls and ensure that those found culpable were punished to check the spread of communicable diseases among students.

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The day two of the Images Food & Grocery Forum India 2012 saw an interactive session between food importers and an official of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Called “The FIFI Conclave: The Force Behind Unifying Gourmet Food Importers and Alignment with Modern Retail,” the event saw the FSSAI Deputy Director AIS Kumar discuss the latest food safety regulations and FBO registrations with the importers and retailers of imported food.

Kumar reassured the assembled audiences that all problems of the food importers and retailers will be taken care of by the government in due course of time in terms of getting licenses, permits, etc. “Please have patience. We are on your side,” he said.

Amit Lohani, Convener, FIFI (Forum of India Food Importers), noted that modern trade is a still a very small part of India’s retail industry. Of this, gourmet is even a more miniscule part. “Though we are competitors as importers, we approach FSSAI, a single body on the platform of FIFI, to present a united front,” he said, speaking on behalf of the food importers.

Sumit Saran of SCS Group said: “The buzz around the Images Food & Grocery Forum India 2012 shows the growing importance of this sector. India, if it has to feed its people, will have to import food. The sooner we realise, the better for all of us.”

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The National Drug Authority (NDA) has reaffirmed various cases of food poisoning are due to lack of food safety and hygiene especially among the small scale bakers spread across Kampala.

It has emerged that most bakeries’ principal reason, just like any other business enterprises, is to make profits.

Dr. Agaba. E. Friday, the NDA Food Safety Coordinator says bread should not cause illness to customers. “It is our role to create assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared, eaten or consumed,” he said.

Agaba highlighted sources of contamination as human and animal excreta, contaminated hands of the workers handling the food, contaminated water, polluted environment, and dirty equipment, among others.

“Small and medium sized food processing businesses which supply 85% of the population should know that food safety and quality doesn’t just happen, it must be planned for,” said Agaba.

He said the big and renowned manufacturers in the bread and cake business have been found to be complaint, but the small-scale manufacturers reach more people and spread across many suburbs where leading manufactures have no outlets.

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“It’s not the second chance that can make people change. It’s their second choice that can actually change them.”

Drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks can help you avoid gout attacks. 

INDORE: To oppose the newly implemented Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, a number of traders staged protest at Sanjay Setu here in the city on Tuesday. In response to a bandh call by MP Food Products and Producers’ Association, almost all the shops selling food items remained closed for half-a-day. Traders termed the Central government Act as draconian and against the interests of the small traders.

Later, in the evening, a delegation of traders met the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to seek relief. After they were assured of a solution in four days’ time, the delegation postponed its protest till March 31.

“Chief Minister assured us of finding a solution, so that the traders do not feel the heat of the newly implemented Act. After his assurance, the association decided to postpone its protest till March 31,” said Suresh Agarwal, coordinator, MP Food Products and Producers’ Association.

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The Expert’s Thought: We aren’t aware of such laws. Our legal expert is elaborating the facts and we shall update you soon about the law.

Even as the authorities have said they are committed to implement the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSSA) in the district, many applicants have complained about the shortage of staff at the office of the district food inspector.

FSSA makes it mandatory for all those related to food business to get registered with the district administration. But they are running from pillar to post to get licences.

Those dealing in food business that includes restaurants, food chains and even chemists with a turnover of R12 lakh have to get a licence for selling edible products under the Act, while those with less than Rs 12 lakh turnover have to register themselves with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“I have visited the office of the food inspector three times but never found anybody there. They want our business to be registered, but they do not have enough staff to deal with the situation,” said applicant Puneet Sharma (name changed).

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The Expert’s Thought: Staff Scarcity will overburden the current employees and reduce their output. At the same time, they would find hard to implement the new law if the scarcity persists. The Staff Selection commission should intervene in the matter  for more recruitment.

Turning good dental practices into habits very early can prevent cavities and many other problems down the road. “It’s all about making it a routine, which will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Miles Hall, chief dental officer at Cigna. Some tips:

Start early. As soon as a child’s first tooth appears, begin cleaning it with a brush and water — no toothpaste yet — and make a dental appointment.

Introduce toothpaste slowly. Kids usually are ready for toothpaste by age 2 or 3 years old. To keep them from swallowing large amounts, put a pea-sized bead of paste on the brush and squash it down into the bristles.

Let kids pick out their toothbrushes. Opting for a favorite color or cartoon character helps them feel in control.

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The Expert’s Thought: Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems, especially the common dental caries and gingivitis, and bad breath.

“A smile while giving honest criticism can make the difference between resentment and reform.”