Food Manifest Major Shift in Licensing Delhi has removed the requirement for restaurants to obtain a health trade licence from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), streamlining regulations and boosting ease of doing business. Previously, the MCD health department issued these licences, which were mandatory for three to six years. Now, the responsibility will shift to the
READ MOREWhy the Suspicion? Coconut oil prices have skyrocketed, prompting the Kerala Food Safety Department to suspect sellers of mixing palm kernel oil to boost profits. This oil, derived from palm seeds, costs about ₹150 per litre on average. Officials noted a sharp rise in its sales in recent weeks, raising concerns about adulteration. Detecting such
READ MOREOverview A food safety scare erupted at Chendamangalam Government LP School near Kochi in Kerala after staff served rice suspected to be stale during Tuesday’s midday meal. Several children developed stomach discomfort and went to hospitals for treatment. Parents inspected the school’s rice stock on Wednesday and discovered insects and maggots in the stored sacks.
READ MOREReport The Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA-Kisan Swaraj) has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) not to revoke relaxations that allow original organic producers and aggregators selling directly to consumers to use the organic logo without strict compliance. Exemptions Under Threat In an open letter to the FSSAI Chairperson,
READ MOREReport Several sweet shops in Pune have stopped displaying key details like manufacturing date, best-before date, and even price tags on their mithai. This move follows the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) decision in November 2023 to make date labelling voluntary for loose sweets, reversing its 2020 rule that had made such
READ MOREReport India and the European Union (EU) remain locked in a dispute over Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)—rules governing food and animal safety—during ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. These standards are critical for agricultural trade and have emerged as a major sticking point, according to an EU status report released after the 12th round
READ MORERising Prices Raise Red Flags Soaring coconut oil prices in recent months have strained household budgets and opened the door for spurious edible oils to enter the market disguised as coconut oil. These cheaper alternatives pose significant health risks, prompting officials to act. Food Safety officials in Kerala have launched Operation Nalikera, a three-day statewide
READ MOREOverview The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new natural blue food colouring made from gardenia fruit, marking another step in replacing synthetic dyes. Alongside this approval, the FDA urged the food industry to speed up efforts to eliminate Red No. 3 from products. The agency announced on July 14 that manufacturers can
READ MOREOverview The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) will replace traditional plastic milk packets for its flagship brand Nandini with eco-friendly alternatives, taking a major step toward sustainability in dairy production and distribution. The new packaging uses plant-based materials such as corn starch and sugarcane. These biodegradable sachets decompose within 90 days and convert into organic fertiliser,
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