Lok Sabha Question No. 4029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-09
Subject: FSSAI
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4029 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH DECEMBER, 2016

## FSSAI

## 4029. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that harmful chemicals are used to speed up ripening of fruits and vegetables;

(b) if so, what action has been initiated by FSSAI to contain such malicious practices as well as stopping adding of harmful colours which are unsafe for consumption to food materials;

(c) whether FSSAI has conducted inspection of various food packaging units during the last three years across the country; and

(d) if so, the details of such inspection, State - wise and product - wise including the unsafe products identified?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a): A s per information available with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), some reports have appeared in the media regarding use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits.

(b): As  per  regulation  2.3.5  of  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Prohibition  and  Restricti Sales) Regulations, 2011, use of calcium carbide for ripen ing of fruits is prohibited. FSSAI has sent letters to all State/UT Governments/State Food Safety Commissioners emphasising the need to a strict vigil for checking use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits and apprising t methodology  fo r  detection  of  Acetylene  in  godowns  and  storage  chambers.  They  have  also  bee apprised  of  the  approved  concentration  of  ethylene  for  ripening  of  fruits.  State  /UT authorities/State  Food  Safety  Commissioners  have  also  been  impressed  upon  to  conduct  per iodic inspections and monitoring, inter alia, of fruits and vegetables markets.   A document has a uploaded on the FSSAI's Official website i.e. fssai.gov.in to make the public aware about ill effects of consuming fruits ripened artificially by cal cium carbide. FSSAI and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs regularly issue advertisement sin print media to acquaint consumers about the harmful effects of use of carbide gas for ripening of fruits.

(c) & (d): FSSAI IS responsible for making regulations and setting standards, import of food , notifying labs and coordination to ensure cooperation between FSSAI and States. T implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 falls within the remit  of the St Governments and it is discharged throu gh the Commissioner of Food Safety, Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers. The drawing of samples, getting them tested and launching prosecu etc. is the mandate of the State/UT Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring and inspection is undertaken by State/UT Governments to check compliance with the provisions of the Food Safe and  Standards  Act,  2006,  and  regulations  therunder.  However,  separate  information  in  respe inspection  of  food  packaging  industries  carried  out  by  State/UT  autho rities  is  not  maintained centrally by FSSAI.