But is it going to be effective enough Use of genetically modified constituents for processed food will soon have to be mentioned on labels. A gazette notification from the Ministry of Consumer Affairsmakes it mandatory for packaged foods using genetically modified products as ingredients to carry such labels from January 1, 2013. The notification was out on June 5, 2012.
The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) rejected a petition filed by Corn Refiners Association to change the name of ‘High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)’ to ‘corn sugar’. The petition was filed in October, 2010.
The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) banned use of Bisphenol – A (BPA) in baby bottles in July 2012. The ban was announced on the request from American Chemistry Council, the chemical industry’s main trade association in US, to phase out the use of the chemical. The US chemical industry have already stopped using BPA in baby bottles and the request by the council is being seen as a step to establish goodwill among customers.
Within a year of imposing fat tax, the Danish government is planning to roll it back. They have also decided to abandon the proposal of sugar tax that they had proposed to do. The Danish union HK Commerce, Danish Food & Allied Workers Union, and Danish Chamber of Commerce, claimed that the fat tax has threatened jobs in Denmark. As fatty food prices went up, consumers traveled across the border for their fatty fixes instead of giving it up.
Dr Satya Prakash, former director, Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata talks to Environment Health Bulletin on the status of labs in India. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had notified Rules on 5th August 2011 under FSSA Act 2006 to give guidelines to food industry for hygiene and regulations/ standards for safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Khandelwal, the Secretary General of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), speaks on behalf of the traders on the objections they have against the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. CAIT is leading the protests of traders against the Act. What are your main objections about the act?
The Parliamentary standing committee on agriculture came up with its 37th report on ‘Cultivation of Genetically Modified Food Crops – Prospects and Effects’. Basudeb Acharia, the chairman of the committee, presented the report in the parliament on August 9, 2012. The report covers wide range of issues like approval of Bt brinjal and regulations for genetically modified (GM) crops in India.
Kasaragod and Bhopal tackle their waste—differently Kerala initiated Operation Blossom Spring on June 17. The operation to dispose the obsolete stock of endosulfan started at the Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) godown at Periye in Kasaragod district.
FSSAI gives a go ahead
Penultimate meeting held in Uruguay The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) moved an inch closer to preparing a legally binding instrument to regulate mercury on a global scale. The fourth meeting was held at Punta del Este, Uruguay. The six-day meeting attended by over 500 participants began on June 27, 2012.
But keeps it high on caffeine The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have moved ahead with finalizing rules for energy drinks. They seem to have taken the steps in the wake of the rising health concerns of these energy drinks.
Traders say Food Safety and Standards Act rolls out red carpet for multinationals
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is organising a three-day orientation workshop, 'Solutions to pollution and mobility crisis for liveable cities' at New Delhi from August 30 - September 1, 2012. This forum will bring together a select group of grassroot actors/groups from different cities of India and South Asia to learn and share the experiences and action to combat pollution and mobility crisis to make our cities liveable. The objective of this forum is experience sharing and to promote good regulatory practices in air quality and mobility management.
Date: July 25, 2012 Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, SaciWATERs, released ‘Excreta Matters’ – CSE’s 71-city study of how India’s urban centres manage their water and sewage in Hyderabad. Based on an exhaustive survey carried out across India, this study critically analyses current practices in water and sewage management and presents a roadmap for the future. The report was released by Adhar Sinha, managing director, Hyderabad Water Supply Board.
A reflection on 'walkability' in South Asia By: Papia Samajdar Aug 29, 2012 It was that time of the day, when lunch will be served too late to make the hunger pangs wait, as well as to order a small snack, because the canteen fellows are too busy preparing lunch, plus its a bad excuse to let a customer escape from their hardships of the preparation.
The United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the US Exim Bank have evaded any response to the central contention of the recent release from Centre for Science and Environment (http://www.cseindia.org/content/us-using-climate-finance-kill-indian-solar-panel-industry-cse ). Both have chosen to remain silent on use of climate ‘fast start financing’ to give subsidised loans to Indian project developers who buy equipment from US producers, thus undermining the Indian domestic manufacturing industry.