Latest news with #FoodSafetyAct
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos sees spike in agri smuggling as national security threat
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is seeing the recent spike in agricultural commodity smuggling as a national security threat, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday. Tiu Laurel said Marcos already directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing the illicit trade, which affects the country's food security. 'The President has directed the DA to throw the book at the consignees and all those involved in smuggling these agricultural products. By the end of the year, we hope to see many of those responsible handcuffed, facing charges,' Tiu Laurel said in a press release. He said Marcos is concerned about the damage these market-disruptive practices cause to local farmers, fisherfolk, and legitimate businesses. 'This not only harms the economy but fosters corruption at multiple levels,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel said he already met with newly appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre, and representatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ''to devise strategies for targeting smuggling syndicates.'' He added that customs brokers would also face legal consequences as part of efforts to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, the Food Safety Act, and the Customs Code. Imported goods, primarily from the Port of Xiamen, are under heightened scrutiny as most of the smuggled goods are shipped out of the Chinese port, according to Tiu Laurel. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Cafe Goodluck stops ops after FDA suspends licence
City's iconic Café Goodluck on F C Road, a favourite hangout of students as well as those who like to bond over a good cup of tea, had to abruptly stop operations from Saturday after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended its food licence over alleged violations of the Food Safety Act. Routine health check-ups of staff, use of clean utensils, potable water for cooking, and hair covered while handling food are mandatory. (HT) The temporary suspension notice was issued on Saturday following an inspection conducted by FDA officials on Friday evening. 'The café has been ordered to stop operations until it complies with food safety regulations,' confirmed Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner (Food), FDA, Pune region. Established in 1935, Café Goodluck, one of Pune's oldest and most popular eateries, came under the scanner after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing glass shards in its popular bun maska. Though the video went viral, no formal complaint was received, said FDA officials. 'We have taken samples of their bun maska and sent these to the lab for testing. During our inspection, multiple violations of food safety norms were found. The café will not be allowed to operate until the lapses are rectified,' said Annapure. FDA guidelines require hotels and restaurants to maintain hygienic kitchen conditions and ensure staff cleanliness. Routine health check-ups of staff, use of clean utensils, potable water for cooking, and hair covered while handling food are mandatory, the officials said. A senior FDA officer, requesting anonymity, said the inspection revealed several lapses, including no records of staff health check-ups and water testing to certify the place as safe for consumption of food. 'The kitchen tiles were broken, and the dustbin was overflowing and left uncovered,' he said. 'Even the fridge used to store food was found to be unhygienic and dirty.' Despite repeated attempts, Cafe Goodluck's management could not be reached for a comment.
Asia News Network
11-07-2025
- Business
- Asia News Network
Dhaka's rooftops could feed the city, but law keeps getting in the way
July 11, 2025 DHAKA – Deep in the heart of Dhaka, where multistorey complexes rise like concrete forests and parks are a luxury, a quiet revolution is taking root: rooftop farming. This is more than just an attractive concept or a design feature—it is a green, sustainable, and urgently needed solution to food insecurity, urban heat, and air pollution. Yet, despite growing interest and even official recognition, rooftop farming in Bangladesh remains legally unregulated and unsupported. The issue is not a lack of acknowledgement. The National Agriculture Policy of 2018 explicitly references rooftop farming under 'Specialised Agriculture.' It encourages urban citizens to utilise their rooftops for cultivation and recommends incentives for research and development in the sector. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has even offered a 10 percent tax rebate to residents maintaining rooftop gardens—a direct cash incentive from the local government. But recognition does not equate to action. Policies remain fragmented, and the broader institutional and legal frameworks have yet to follow suit. Perhaps the most significant obstacle is the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC 2020). This key document—which dictates how all buildings in Bangladesh must be constructed—fails to mention rooftop farming or green infrastructure even once. There are no guidelines for integrating urban agriculture into building design, no zoning permits, and no regulations mandating that new constructions provide rooftop space for greenery. Contrast this with cities like Paris, where local building codes require solar panels or green roofs on all new commercial developments. Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) grants Green Plot Ratio bonuses to developers who incorporate rooftop gardens and greenery. Without comparable legal requirements, Bangladesh risks lagging even further behind in sustainable urban development. Legal hurdles extend further. Even when rooftop farms are operational, they are not recognised as valid food sources. The Food Safety Act (2013), which governs the quality and safety of food products in Bangladesh, fails to categorise rooftop produce as either distinct or low-risk. This legislation was designed for industrial-scale manufacturers, not for families growing tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs atop a four-storey building in Dhanmondi. As a result, rooftop farmers cannot easily sell their produce through formal distribution channels, despite offering pesticide-free, hyper-local alternatives to chemically grown vegetables sold in open markets. Worse still, the Act has not been updated to reflect the urban agricultural developments encouraged by the National Agriculture Policy. There is no convergence between food regulation and agricultural vision. Bangladesh has made notable progress in promoting digital agriculture through its National ICT Policy (2018). Initiatives like Krishoker Janala and Balainashok Shohayika deliver real-time information on crop diseases, weather conditions, and best practices directly to rural farmers via digital platforms. But urban rooftop farmers are excluded. The ICT Policy makes no mention of them. There is no e-commerce integration for rooftop-grown produce, and no extension services available online. Once again, urban agriculture is left out of the conversation. Then there is the Environment Conservation Act (1995) and its latest update, the Environment Conservation Rules (2023). Despite their importance as cornerstones of Bangladesh's environmental governance, these acts say nothing about the benefits of rooftop agriculture, despite the fact that its environmental value is globally acknowledged. Green roofs help mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and manage rainwater runoff—all pressing issues for a city like Dhaka. Yet rooftop farming is not officially recognised as an environmentally beneficial practice. It is not exempt from Environmental Clearance Certificates (ECCs), nor is it incentivised. Without being legally identified as a 'green activity,' there is no justification for promoting or protecting it. Meanwhile, other countries are adapting their legal frameworks in response to environmental crises. In New York, the Green Roof Tax Abatement Programme offers financial incentives to property developers for installing green roofs. In Singapore, public-private collaborations under the '30 by 30' food security initiative are integrating urban agriculture into everyday life. The solution is not just policy—it is legal reform. Bangladesh already has elements of a visionary framework on paper. But vision without implementation is just an idea. The BNBC must be amended to include rooftop farming in building plans and land zoning. The Food Safety Act must introduce streamlined, tiered registration and inspection processes for urban farmers. The ICT policies must incorporate digital tools and support platforms tailored to urban farmers, who are typically younger and more technologically adept than their rural counterparts. Most crucially, the Environment Conservation Rules must identify rooftop farming as a recognised green initiative—one that enhances climate resilience and deserves institutional support, not neglect. Rooftop farming is not merely planting; it is about reimagining the urban landscape. In a city like Dhaka, where open spaces are vanishing and rooftops are among the last available urban frontiers, rooftop farming offers an environmentally friendly, democratised and scalable solution. All it needs is for the law to catch up.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Kanwar Yatra: Eateries along route must display owner info via QR codes, mandates Meerut administration
Ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra beginning on July 11, the Meerut district administration has mandated that all food joints along the Kanwar Yatra route prominently display critical information, including a list of food items and their prices. The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees, known as kanwariyas, who fetch holy water from the Ganga during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan. (FILE PHOTO) {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Divisional commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod said, 'The district administration is ensuring that a list of food items and their prices is displayed outside all food joints along the Kanwar Yatra route. This ensures Kanwariyas are not overcharged and can make informed choices.' {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} The food safety department has been tasked with ensuring that all food joints display their mandatory food safety registration certificates, which include the owner's name and registration number. To further enhance accountability, each establishment must display a QR code that allows pilgrims to scan and access detailed information about the food joint's ownership and compliance status. 'This is being done to ensure Kanwariyas receive good quality and pure food during their journey,' Dr. Yashod added. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} The administration has warned that strict action will be taken against non-compliant businesses under Section 55 of the Food Safety Act, 2006, which could result in fines of up to ₹ 2 lakh. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} The administration has warned that strict action will be taken against non-compliant businesses under Section 55 of the Food Safety Act, 2006, which could result in fines of up to ₹ 2 lakh. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees, known as kanwariyas, who fetch holy water from the Ganga during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan. This holy water is then offered to Lord Shiva. The yatra draws millions of pilgrims to the region. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees, known as kanwariyas, who fetch holy water from the Ganga during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan. This holy water is then offered to Lord Shiva. The yatra draws millions of pilgrims to the region. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} Meanwhile, in neighbouring Uttarakhand, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and health minister Dhan Singh Rawat have directed the health department to implement a dedicated action plan to provide pure and safe food to devotees during the upcoming yatra, according to an official statement. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} Meanwhile, in neighbouring Uttarakhand, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and health minister Dhan Singh Rawat have directed the health department to implement a dedicated action plan to provide pure and safe food to devotees during the upcoming yatra, according to an official statement. {{/usCountry}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} In July 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered hotels, restaurants, food carts and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. The Uttarakhand government also issued a similar direction, of installing nameplates on board across the Yatra route to facilitate the pilgrims. The Uttar Pradesh government's order came days after the Muzaffarnagar Police issued directives to all the eateries on the Yatra route to display the names of their respective owners to avoid any 'confusion'. The Supreme Court had intervened and stayed the move, noting that there was no government order empowering the police to give directions in this case. The apex court observed that such directions could be issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or the Street Vendors Act, 2014, to ensure 'shudh shakahari' (strictly vegetarian) food is served. The court stated that restaurants should indicate the type of food they serve but not be forced to display the names and identities of owners. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Uttarakhand: Political row erupts as licensing becomes mandatory for food vendors during Kanwar Yatra
New Delhi: The Uttarakhand government has mandated all food vendors catering to Kanwar Yatra pilgrims to prominently display their photo ID and shop license number, in a bid to ensure food safety and hygiene amid the massive influx of devotees. This rule applies across the board, from large eateries to roadside stalls. Violators found operating without the required identification risk heavy penalties, with fines reaching up to Rs 2 lakh under the Food Safety Act. While the move has been welcomed by many as a necessary step to safeguard public health, it has also triggered political criticism, with opposition leaders calling the penalty excessively harsh, particularly for small-time street vendors. Former Samajwadi Party MP S.T. Hasan, speaking to IANS, expressed his disapproval of the steep fine, stating, "We have no objection to putting up nameplates. Islam teaches us not to deceive anyone in business. But if a fine of Rs 2 lakh is imposed on a street vendor, that is excessive. The fine can be of Rs 1000-2000, but the said amount is too much." Countering Hasan's remarks, Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, defended the state government's decision and accused critics of selective outrage. "Hasan did not speak when people were spitting in food or urinating in our juice. The Chief Minister has taken this decision to ensure that our religion is not corrupted. Crores of people from Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal, etc., come to Uttarakhand for the Kanwar Yatra," he told IANS. Food Safety Officer Sanjay Kumar Singh clarified the state's position and emphasised that the measure is rooted in law. "There is a provision for licensing under the Food Safety Act, and individuals involved in food-related businesses are required to obtain licenses. Regarding the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, a video meeting was held with our Hon'ble Commissioner and district officials to ensure proper food safety measures are in place," he said. He added that every food business operator along the yatra route -- including small vendors, hawkers, and street food stalls -- must display their license or registration certificate along with a visible photo ID. Failure to show this identification will lead to immediate action under the Food Safety Act, resulting in a Rs 2 lakh fine. The administration is actively helping vendors get registered. "We are ensuring that the street vendors get their licenses on time. We are doing all to ensure that the devotees do not face any problem of unhygienic food during the Yatra. The number of street vendors increases during the Kanwar Yatra, and hence, all the checks will be taken. If any problem is found, samples will be collected and appropriate action will be taken," Singh added. The directive comes in response to recurring concerns over food adulteration, contamination, and unsanitary practices reported during major religious events.
