THE SALMONELLA "FORT"-DEFYING EVEN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS!

Salmonella is a deadly pathogenic bug which has contributed to thousands of human death through consumption of contaminated foods, mostly in the US. Its potential for food poisoning is well known and extensively documented. There are hundreds of food poisoning episodes reported every year from all over the world from this food pathogen, in spite of pre-emptive precautions exercised by the industry. It has now been discovered that this monstrous bug has the capacity to defy every destruction technology man has known and it is spreading its tentacles far and wide affecting even dry foods with no moisture for survival! According to new studies Salmonella has acquired this new capability to resist severe processing condition because of a strange phenomenon called biofilm formation. Such biofilms containing these pathogens behave like a cocoon protecting them from harsh environment like high heat or high acidity! Here is a commentary on this new findings with far reaching implications. 

"Over the past five years, more than 900 Salmonella-related illnesses have been linked to dried foods such as nuts, cereals, spices, powdered milk and pet foods. Those foods were previously believed to have been safe from the bacteria, as their dry nature helps halt the growth of bacteria and other microbes. "Most people expect to find Salmonella on raw meats but don't consider that it can survive on fruits, vegetables or dry products, which are not always cooked," Ponder said. Salmonella typically thrive and reproduce abundantly in moist conditions, the researchers said. In dry conditions, they cease reproduction, but activate genes which produce biofilms, thus protecting them from the harsh conditions. "Researchers tested the resilience of the Salmonella biofilm by drying it and storing it in dry milk powder for up to 30 days," the university explained. "At various points it was tested in a simulated gastrointestinal system. Salmonella survived this long- term storage in large numbers but the biofilm Salmonella were more resilient than the free-floating cells treated to the same conditions."  "The bacteria's stress response to the dry conditions also made it more likely to cause disease," they added. "Biofilms allowed the Salmonella to survive the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach, increasing its chances of reaching the intestines, where infection results in the symptoms associated with food poisoning."The researchers believe that their work could help the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shape federal regulations by emphasizing the need for a new strategy to reduce biofilm formation on equipment. With luck, those strategies, along with improved sanitation techniques, will hopefully decrease the likelihood of another widespread Salmonella outbreak in the US".

Microbiologists are already familiar with the ability of some of the bugs to sporulate, how these spores are resistant to destruction under most severe heat treatment and the technology of Tyndalization involving serial high temperature treatment was specifically developed to deal with such a situation. The new development revealing the biofilm forming ability of Salmonella is a challenge to food scientists to go for steps that will have to ensure total destruction of this pathogen present in food both free as well as in biofilm format. Dry foods can no more be taken as free from Salmonella risk since this pathogen can contaminate, form biofilm and stay there till right conditions arrive for their proliferation. Biofilms can pass through the highly acidic environment of the stomach and "wake up" later in the intestine to bring havoc with the attendant consequences. With the discovery of biofilm phenomenon, food scientists are likey to come up with new techniques that can penetrate the biofilms and destroy the bacteria for making the food safer.  

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

"CAFFEINOMANIA"! A NEW AMERICAN AFFLICTION OR ADDICTION?

Coffee, Tea and Cocoa have been the villains during early days of development of food industry as these beverage crops contain the unique ingredient Caffeine, considered a stimulant and addictive. Though these were being consumed for decades, no harmful effect was reported till recently. However during the last few years Caffeine has found its way into many other beverages and foods which trend seems to be growing day by day. Safety of chemically pure Caffeine is mired in controversy and no one is absolutely certain regarding the upper limit of Caffeine that can be tolerated by humans. That it is not a harmless chemical is reflected by the world wide consensus that Caffeine is not advisable for consumption by Pregnant women and children. If recent reports are to be believed Americans are seized with an obsession to consume more and caffeine in any form or through any medium and this trend is being exploited by even big industry giants by launching different types of products containing more and more Caffeine! Here is a critique on this latest development.    

"The Wall Street Journal reports companies are taking the obsession with caffeine to a new, more chewable form. From jerky to candy and even condiments, companies are cashing in on a caffeine-crazed nation. Frito-Lay, for example, now offers Cracked Jack'D Power Bites in Cocoa Java and Vanilla Mocha flavors. In 2007, Jelly Belly came out with caffeinated Extreme Sport Beans. There's even Perky Jerky, Wired caffeinated waffles and DoubleKick brand hot sauce. While the industry of caffeinated food products is still small compared with energy drinks, The Wall Street Journal reports sales in the U.S. have increased nearly 50 percent to $1.6 billion since 2008. Amped-up food is a unique challenge because of caffeine's bitter taste, but the real challenge for companies' may be bigger in that health regulators will look at the industry in a new way, according to The Wall Street Journal. There's also concern caffeinated snacks will be more desirable to children".

What is surprising is the utter insensitivity on the part of the health authorities in that country who is doing precious little to arrest this disturbing trend. The industry is not being asked to prove the safety of such high Caffeine containing products and in the absence of evidence to the contrary these products are "making merry while he sun shines"! what is forgotten in this charade is that Caffeine in natural products may act in a different way compared to that of pure isolated Caffeine and unless conclusively proved through clinical trials regarding the safety of the existing products containing chemically pure Caffeine their manufacture and marketing must be stopped forthwith.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

LOCAVORE MOVEMENT-THE "BRANDING" INITIATIVE IN SOME CITIES

Locavore movement that is catching up in the US is a product of intense citizen awareness about the damage brought about by the modern industrial agriculture, the fast food industry culture and mindless tinkering with the food processing operations by the intensely profit driven food industry. The damage is caused to the environment as well as the health of the citizens who are forced to accept the situation as a fait accompli with a sense of helplessness. The present initiatives taken by some people with a missionary zeal, aims to persuade people to shun foods from far away markets and in stead patronize those which are produced or made locally. The urban gardening phenomenon presently seen is an outcome of such efforts and with increasing demand for locally sourced foods, more and more cities are looking for policies that will help expanding the local production base. Here is a case with the famed city of Chicago in United States which is trying to introduce an exclusive brand with appropriate iconic symbol that will distinctly show, when labeled, as the product raised within the city limit. Here is a take on this new initiative.

"Chicago Grown envisions a just, sustainable, and prosperous Chicago food system, cultivated by Chicago's diversity of cultural traditions and its residents' passion for growing, producing, cooking, and eating local foods. Chicago Grown promotes foods grown and processed in the city of Chicago by: Raising awareness of fruits, vegetables & other products grown in the city. Supporting established local growers and providing support and encouragement to new farmers and food entrepreneurs. Increasing demand for prepared and processed foods that use Chicago Grown ingredients. Highlighting the economic and community benefits of a local food system, including jobs and youth development. Celebrating and connecting diverse food cultures throughout the city. Partnering with all others who share our vision and support our mission"

It is a proof that the city-grown food movements in the US are gnawing at the mainstream food production system with a potential to outpace them in the coming years. Chicago is the latest example. This city wants to launch immediately a new program that will see that all food products raised within the city limits are labeled with the phrase "Chicago Grown". According to the definition, all fresh foods and processed foods containing at least 50% local ingredients will be deemed to be eligible for such labeling. For this new idea the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council, has to be applauded and when launched this label will be the first one from a local city intended to boost local agriculture. According to some reports others are also are jumping into this band wagon such as Marin County, California where local producers now have the option of using a "Grown Local Marin County" on their goods for a fee of about $65. Similarly  in Asheville, North Carolina, residents can look for the "Appalachian Grown" label, which denotes items that have been produced within 100 miles of the city. This new initiative is almost similar to the geographical identity protection under the IPO regime to famed products like Scotch Whiskey which needs to be produced in Scotland while Darjeeling Tea provides another example of such locally produced materials gaining international recognition. The above initiatives are really forward looking which if pursued efficiently can change the face of America eventually. 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

THE "GUTKA" POLITICS-KARNATAKA EXCELS!

Arecanut has indeed high economic importance to the people of Karnataka and it contributes to 50% of country's production. India is the major producer of arecanut, its share in global production being 47%. One of its important uses is in the manufacture of products like Gutka, a concoction of tobacco and this tree nut. Recent ban of Gutka through out the country on the basis of food laws of the country has raised concern regarding its adverse impact of this policy on the livelihood of thousands of Areca farmers in the state. Thus there is a dilemma as to whether farmer's interest should be protected or consumer health is to be safeguarded. According to FSSAI provisions individual states will have to ban gutka initially for one year and then extend every year, though it is not clear as to why this vacillation when it has been proved scientifically to be harmful to health! What is of concern is the tendency of politicians to "over rule" scientific evidence and oppose such a ban on gutka. Here is an instance of a former Chief Minister of Karnataka criticizing the implementation of food safety laws under FSSAI and "certifying" that these products are not injurious!    

"As per the Supreme Court directive, States were asked to file affidavits by June 25. The case was posted for July 26.What was the urgency to decide on the ban, without discussing the matter with all the stakeholders," he sought to know. Gowda was particularly critical of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for what he called "ignoring" the repercussions of the ban. "Farmers have been petitioning the elected representatives from the arecanut-growing regions. It was not expected of the government to ban gutka without providing an alternative to farmers," he said. The ban on paan masala was also "thoughtless." Paan masala has no proven record of being injurious to public health. "The Kerala High Court has, in fact, reversed the government's decision to ban paan masala in that State," Gowda pointed out. BJP MLC Srinivas Poojar said people employed in the gutka industry had been pushed to the streets. In reply, Health Minister, U T Khader said that the government did not have any other option. "We had to comply with the SC directive. Even the Advocate General favoured the ban."

It is true that the matter is being discussed in the state high court on a private petition but the court has not given any direction to the state to stay the ban. Therefore the state administration has no choice but to implement the food law, passed by country's parliament. There are some similarities between tobacco smoking and gutka chewing as both contain tobacco as a common ingredient. The logical question is why there is no ban on making or selling of cigarette or bidi in this country and if the citizens come to the conclusion that the economic muscle of cigarette industry is influencing the government policy, there may be some grain of truth in this. Why not apply the same yardstick to gutka also and leave the farmers and the gutka industry alone by simply insisting on a warning label declaring it can cause cancer and other health problems?  Of course ideally all tobacco based products must be banned with out any extraneous consideration for which no government in the world seems to have the guts! The distinction between chewing and smoking cannot be stretched too far to punish the gutka industry. On a different footing gutka chewers can be hauled up for defacing public places by spitting their blood red saliva juice indiscriminately every where.  

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

INTEGRATED FARMING CONCEPT-WILL IT WORK IN INDIA?

Farmers in India are greatly disadvantaged from many angles compared to their counterparts in developed countries. Constraints include small land holdings, uncertain rains, escalating input costs, financial problems, lack of farm insurance coverage, market distortions etc but in one way the Minimum Support Prices offered by government procurement agencies for at least some crops gives them some solace. No matter what innovations are brought about the lot of the farmers is unlikely to be improved dramatically unless their income is augmented through activities other than cultivation. Land consolidation would have brought about higher productivity but that is not workable in the country due to obsessive attachment to land through generations but on the other hand land fragmentation is pound to continue with successive generations. It is against this background that one has to view with some hope the recent activities of agricultural research and development groups in Bihar to increase farm income through diversification of cultivation practices that is expected to augment the farmer income. Here is a take on this new initiative which can have far reaching impact on farmers of this country. Here is a take on this new development. 

"Many research institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state agricultural universities are currently engaged in this effort. They are conceiving and testing integrated farming to suit their respective regions. At the behest of the Bihar government, Patna-based ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region has come out with some reliable and field-tested comprehensive farming systems, suitable for small and marginal farmers in the state and other nearby areas. Over 75 per cent of the farmers in Bihar have land holdings of less than half a hectare. Worse, most of these tiny holdings are highly fragmented and not suitable for single-enterprise-based agriculture. The blend of enterprises that the Patna centre has found most apt and lucrative for farms of less than one hectare comprises growing crops (grains, vegetables, fruits and fodder) along with poultry and goat keeping. Mushroom production, which does not require much land, can also be a part of this combination. All these activities go well together, and can help farmers meet their household needs, as well as procure enough produce for sale. Going by the research centre's estimate, this combination of enterprises enables a one-hectare land holder earn a net annual income of over Rs 1.42 lakh with an expenditure of Rs 24,250 on inputs. For a two hectare field, experts suggest a blend of cereals, vegetables and fruit crops along with fish-cum-duck farming. The net income from such an integrated farm is estimated at Rs 2 lakh. About half of the field in both cases is recommended to be devoted to crops, including cereals (rice and wheat) and vegetables (cabbage, peas and cauliflower). The bund of fields and ponds can be utilised for planting fruit trees like banana, lemon and guava. Vegetables borne on climbers, such as Cucurbits, too, can be grown on boundaries and built on fences. Separate thatched sheds can be erected for keeping livestock (goats or cows). Ponds - dug on about one-fifth of the farmland - can be used to raise ducks along with mutually compatible fish species that source their feed from different water depths, such as Catla (surface feeder), Rohu (middle-column feeder) and Mrigal (bottom feeder). Duck droppings serve as good manure for fish ponds. Vermiculture, which is recommended as part of all integrated farming ventures, help convert organic wastes into vermicompost with the help of earthworms. Besides being rich in major as well micro plant nutrients, the presence of live earthworms in this compost helps improve the physical structure of the soil and its fertility. Though these models of integrated farming have been devised especially for Bihar's agro-ecological conditions, scientists maintain that these can be used in almost all states with some situation-specific modifications. Apart from being environment-friendly and sustainable, such farming systems ensure optimal and cost-effective use of land and other resources. Up to 20 per cent reduction in production costs has been observed in impact studies. Convinced of the gains from this approach, especially for small and marginal farmers, the Bihar government has begun offering a subsidy of Rs 10,000 to every farmer who adopts this technology. Other states, too, need to consider promoting integrated farming to strengthen the livelihood security of their resource-poor farmers"

Though the concept of integrated farming cannot be considered a brand new one as such activities are in vogue in countries with good results, its relevance is being brought out by these attempts in Bihar. While the concept is relatively simple, its wide scale practice by Indian farmers may depend on adequate training which must be doe by a dedicated extension workers. There needs to be a national crop map based on which the crop mix has to be decided and continuous monitoring and help may be necessary to ensure these new approach to farmer development is implemented at the ground level. There is a wide gap between what the scientists are doing in their laboratory or demonstration plots within the University and translation of their findings to the farmers' fields which needs to be addressed. Indian farmer is in no ay inferior to those in other countries as exemplified by the successive bumper crops being harvested in this country in spite of lot of adversities and they will not be found wanting in implementing the new farming technology as being promoted in Bihar.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

OIL SEEDS AND PULSES-AN ANARCHIC SITUATION COMPROMISING ON NUTRITION SECURITY IN INDIA!

Recent reports about the galloping imports of edible oils and pulses raise several questions regarding the priority of successive governments ruling the country during the last 3 decades in its development agenda. While the balance of trade on a global level is heavily skewed against India, there does not appear to be any concern that the country is spending billions of dollars in foreign exchange to import oils and pulses to meet the domestic needs of the citizens. From time to time tall claims are made by the politicians as well as the Babus at Delhi regarding various projects they "plan" to take up and their past "Herculean" efforts in the past to make the country self reliant on foods. In stead the food dynamics present a sad picture of utter confusion and disarray as manifested by over production of cereals while the production of pulses and oil seeds has been almost stagnant year after year. Is the country, with its much acclaimed achievements in rocketry, nuclear technology and capabilities in space science, running out of ideas when it comes to feeding the nation? It seems so if the latest statistics on imports of edible oils and pulses are to be taken seriously. Have a look at these figures below: 

"Imports of both, edible oils and pulses grew significantly (by 15.5 and 26.21 per cent, respectively) in 2012-13 year-on-year, as India struggled with flat production and rising demand in these two food items.
While imports of edible oils crossed $10 billion in 2012-13 from $9.7 billion, those of pulses were still comparatively less. India imported $2.33 billion of pulses last financial year compared with $1.85 in 2011-12. Analysts blamed the pricing policy of the government in favour of rice and wheat, which do not factor the changing consumption pattern. Oilseed production dropped almost 8.25 per cent to 29.79 million tonnes in 2011-12 (November-October) because of low kharif harvest on account of uneven rains. In 2012-13 too, oilseed production is expected to be only marginally better than last year also because of poor rains in the main growing regions of Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is estimated to be around 30.7 million tonnes".

Food security, according to Government of India, seems to be synonymous with distributing cereals like rice and wheat at throw away prices to the population incurring billions of dollars of subsidy coming out of tax players' money! Government does not lay much importance for nutrition security as reflected by high costs and scarcity of protective foods like protein rich pulses. Added to the woes other healthy foods like fruit and vegetables are priced in the market so high that millions of people find it impossible to access these foods at affordable price. With no sustained, practical, visionary and far-seeing agriculture policies evident, the country is trapped in a regime where more emphasis is placed on commercial crops like Sugarcane and others resulting in locking up of millions of acres of precious and fertile agricultural lands for them, not available for raising health promoting crops like pulses. When will common sense and ground realities guide the government in shaping its policies and action? A disturbing question that may not find any answer in the near future. 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

BRANDING OF VEGETABLES-A TOUGH MARKETING CHALLENGE

Fresh vegetable consumption on a regular basis as part of one's diet can be a game changer when it comes to maintaining good health and protection from many diseases. World over it is recommended that half the dinner plate should be made up of vegetables and fruits though due to many factors people are not able to access so much fresh produce for their regular consumption. Even among vegetables greens and colored ones are preferred because of their better health conferring credentials. Carrot is one vegetable, generally liked by young as well as the old, which provides high levels of vitamin A and carotene having properties to protect eyes and good vision while its other vital nutrients are of immense value to humans. Though India is one of the top fruit and vegetables producing countries in the world, due to highly perishable nature of these horticultural crops substantial damage and waste are caused denying millions of consumers affordable access to their benefits. Probably low intensity technology, improper agricultural practices, sub-optimal inputs, unscientific post harvest handling and storage and lack of infrastructure for delivering them in prime condition to the consumer are all to be blamed for this sorry situation. Against such a background the emergence of an organization taking up the cause of the much loved Ooty carrot is a welcome news and here is a take on this important development in this sector. 

"Ooty and its neighbouring areas are ideal for growing carrots. This region accounts for supplies of about 100 tonne a day to various states and for export. Farmers from Ooty take their harvest to the Mettupalayam mandi, pay the broker a fee and sell the produce at the prevailing rate. However, brokers discount the price for bad produce, sometimes as high as 30 per cent. Thus, many farmers are at the mercy of brokers. Amid these goings-on, P Vijayaraghavan, a resident of Ooty, was keen to improve the lot of farmers and, at the same time, structure a business around this. After working closely with R Manoharan, an established carrot farmer, Vijayaraghavan came up with a plan to collect harvested carrots from farmers, pay for the produce on the spot, clean and segregate the produce according to size, pack these in clean bags and transport it in refrigerated trucks to retail stores in cities and towns. And, Lawrencedale Estates & Farms (LEAF) was formed".

It is not that LEAF is the first organization attempting to achieve what is impossible in a country like India where fresh produce and garbage are treated equally and consumers are denied access to to good quality produce. One of the earlier efforts came from National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, as early as 1984, to organize fruit and vegetable growers into village cooperatives which could feed a centralized processing facility for cleaning, sorting, grading, packing and marketing through air conditioned kiosks in Delhi. Even to day NDDB is continuing this job but failed to make any significant impact nationally during the last three decades of its operation. This is understandable because there are umpteen number of problems in organizing the farmers in this country and unless there is absolute cooperation and  coordination of various players including the government concerned with this sector, precious little of any substance can be achieved.  New attempts by players like LEAF in the private sector may yet succeed because of the dramatic growth of retail sector anticipated as a result of the new policy of investment in retailing where foreign investment is cleared only if 30% of the products are accessed locally and 50% of the gross investment is made for creating back end infrastructure facilities. 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com