CONSUMER AWARENESS
Every tablet to carry expiry date and more
Life imprisonment for food adulteration
Food Safety Act 2006 to cover dietary supplements
Will it cure an ailing pharma industry?
The Union Government may take it mandatory on pharma companies to emboss the batch number and the expiry date on every tablet instead of the present practice of printing the details with ink on each strip which can easily be erased. The likely step has been prompted by the massive re-circulation of expiry drugs in the market.
Going by the growing number of cases in re-usage of expiry drugs and the absence of a law to curb the menace, the All India Chemists and Distributors Federation with its State associations, including those of Karnataka and Kerala, is scheduled to meet the union Health Minister, Gulam Nabi Azad.
The estimated value of expiry-dated drugs is Rs. 720 crore.
Parallel and developing industry
The Union Government may take it mandatory on pharma companies to emboss the batch number and the expiry date on every tablet instead of the present practice of printing the details with ink on each strip which can easily be erased. The likely step has been prompted by the massive re-circulation of expiry drugs in the market.
Going by the growing number of cases in re-usage of expiry drugs and the absence of a law to curb the menace, the All India Chemists and Distributors Federation with its State associations, including those of Karnataka and Kerala, is scheduled to meet the union Health Minister, Gulam Nabi Azad.
The estimated value of expiry-dated drugs is Rs. 720 crore.
Parallel and developing industry
Life imprisonment for food adulteration
Beware, food adulterators
In view of the impact of adulteration in food items, medicines and soft drinks on public health, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved a proposal to make food adulteration punishable by life imprisonment and, maybe, fine. The proposal would be sent to the Governor and the Union Government for issuing a Notification.
The Government would amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) from Sections 272 to 276 to include life imprisonment for adulteration. States like West Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, in consultation with the Centre, have already provided for life imprisonment and fine.
No tears to shed
In view of the impact of adulteration in food items, medicines and soft drinks on public health, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved a proposal to make food adulteration punishable by life imprisonment and, maybe, fine. The proposal would be sent to the Governor and the Union Government for issuing a Notification.
The Government would amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) from Sections 272 to 276 to include life imprisonment for adulteration. States like West Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, in consultation with the Centre, have already provided for life imprisonment and fine.
No tears to shed
Food Safety Act 2006 to cover dietary supplements
All is not well
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will implement the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 through the State Governments, municipalities and panchayats to bring dietary supplements – "nutraceuticals, which also include functional foods" – under the purview of food laws. A notification to this effect is expected soon.
The FSSAI, set up under the FSS Act, will lay down science-based Standards for food items. Dietary supplements for losing and gaining weight, and health improvements have flooded the Rs. 4,500-crore ‘nutraceutical’ market in the country. Until recently, these food items were imported.
Also, ayurvedic formulations will be brought under the Act, and standards will be developed in order to make it safe for domestic and international markets.
Weren’t they safe so far?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will implement the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 through the State Governments, municipalities and panchayats to bring dietary supplements – "nutraceuticals, which also include functional foods" – under the purview of food laws. A notification to this effect is expected soon.
The FSSAI, set up under the FSS Act, will lay down science-based Standards for food items. Dietary supplements for losing and gaining weight, and health improvements have flooded the Rs. 4,500-crore ‘nutraceutical’ market in the country. Until recently, these food items were imported.
Also, ayurvedic formulations will be brought under the Act, and standards will be developed in order to make it safe for domestic and international markets.
Weren’t they safe so far?
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