The Hindu Business Line : CERC calls for measures to check microbial contamination in foods

THERE is an urgent need to set standards that check microbial contamination in foods as the existing food laws do not address the same, suggested an Ahmedabad-based consumer organisation.

Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) has made a representation to the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries on microbial contamination for the Food Safety & Standards Bill 2005.

"We have proposed to the Ministry to consider measures to check microbial contamination, among other things," Ms Pritee Shah, Senior Director, CERC, told Business Line.

The problem arose when CERC, as part of its routine test on various products, identified bread as category of study. CERC had to test all brands as per the Canadian Standards for Bakery Products as the Prevention of Food Act (PFA) 1954 and the Bureau of Indian Standards did not cover microbial contamination for bread.

Microbial contamination indicates poor sanitary practices or improper transport and storage. Moreover, bacteria groups like E coli and Coliforms may cause harmful disease as they are found in the intestinal tract of animals.

"Our studies have shown presence of such bacteria in few breads. They gain entry into the food through handlers if they do not wash their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet," Ms Desai said.

The only existing reference to check E coli is a standard set by Mysore-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), which is still in a draft format, she pointed out.

The PFA Act also deals largely with the prevention of adulteration, particularly prosecution for the violation of the Act. It does not deal with the nutritional aspects nor does it provide for compensation to consumers for loss, injury or death because of non-compliance with the Act.

CERC has also made a representation to the Ministry to make provisions for "disgorgement of unjust enrichment" or class action suits against producers or distributors of unsafe, substandard or underweight food products and/or false or misleading advertising, or sale of spurious or counterfeit food products.

It is imperative that the Bill addresses the need for an effective regulatory authority to monitor the fulfilment of food safety, nutrition, labelling and such other requirements by producers and distributors, Ms Desai pointed out.

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