|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSSAI issues guidelines on quality of ice blocks used for food storage
|
|
Saturday, 06 May, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Shraddha Joshi, Mumbai
|
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order giving guidelines on the quality of ice blocks used for preservation, storage or transportation of perishable food commodities. The order by the apex regulator dealt with the use of non-potable water, leading to the contamination of food commodities.
It stated, “Often the ice blocks used for preservation or storage or transportation of perishable food commodities are made from non-potable water and are handled unhygienically. This leads to the contamination of the food commodity stored, preserved or transported with such ice.”
The order added that the standards for edible ice have been prescribed in the Food Products Standards and Additives Regulations. However, no standards have been mentioned for ice coming into contact with the food.
“Any ice or ice blocks coming into contact with food products shall conform to the microbiological requirements prescribed for edible ice in the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2011” it stated.
A senior FSSAI official said, “It was noted that the water used for making ice blocks or big ice slabs was unhygienic. This was brought to our notice by traders. Currently, there are no standards prescribed for ice, but standards have been prescribed for edible ice, including ice candy.”
“Therefore, FSSAI has raised concerns and passed the order to crack down on manufacturers using impure water in making ice blocks for the preservation of food commodities, including dairy products, poultry, meat and fish,” he added.
“The technical officer at FSSAI agreed that unhygienic water, which was used for the preservation of food commodities, was unsafe,” the official stated.
However, some traders defied the order, mentioning that they used pure and hygienic water in the process. Sanjay Saini, proprietor, Shri Shyam Trading Company, Rajasthan, said, “The order by the FSSAI for the use of hygienic water while making the ice blocks is valid. However, there are hardly any cases when such contamination is found. As the ice slabs are made in large quantities, manufacturers make it a point that the process is done under observation.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|