Claims regarding the ability to dissolve fat cells may seem like an attractive proposition for a weight loss product, but they have led to issues for FatX Solution with the country's regulator.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) revoked the registration of this product after discovering that it was advertised with claims not permitted for cosmetic products.
Furthermore, in December, CDSCO found over 160 samples of medicines that did not meet quality standards.
Maharashtra has adopted stringent measures following the discovery of cases involving the resale of food products with expired or spoiled dates. Commissioner of the Food and Drug Control Authority (FDA), Tukaram Mundhe, issued a new order requiring companies to provide irrefutable proof of the complete destruction of expired and unfit-for-consumption products. Simply presenting a paper certificate of destruction will no longer be considered sufficient.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized that the administration's goal is not only to conduct inspections but also to ensure strict adherence to established regulations. To guarantee the quality and safety of food products, the FDA has implemented 22 regulations covering areas such as the hotel industry, milk and dairy products, vegetable oil, products supplied to schools, and other food processing enterprises. These rules define the responsibilities for all participants in the food business, including traders, companies, license holders, distributors, and relevant officials.
Previously, reports surfaced of instances where, despite receiving a certificate of destruction for expired goods, they were not actually destroyed completely. In some cases, these goods were subsequently rerouted to the market through agents. Attempts to alter the expiration dates on food products were also reported.
As part of the fight against the resale of expired products, the FDA conducted large-scale inspections in the districts of Bhiwandi and Wadpe over the past fifteen days, confiscating food supplies from various locations. In Bhiwandi, initially, about 80 thousand rupees worth of goods were seized, and later, another 2.6 million rupees in stock was discovered. In the Wadpe area, licenses of food trade-related establishments were suspended following inspections at two sites. According to the FDA commissioner, approximately 50 million rupees worth of goods were seized during this entire campaign. Furthermore, two cases were registered after 10 inspections, naming owners as defendants.
According to the rules, expired and spoiled products must be stored separately from marketable goods. However, inspections revealed that appropriate separation measures were absent in some locations. Although companies involved in product destruction provide certificates, this alone is insufficient proof of actual destruction. Tukaram Mundhe stated that preparation for this campaign took place over the last two months, during which a thorough analysis of storage methods for expired goods, returned products, and ways they could re-enter the market was conducted. Subsequently, new directives were developed to ensure strict compliance with food safety standards.
The FDA Commissioner clearly stated that if an expired product enters the market, the responsibility does not lie solely with the seller. The manufacturing company, distributor, wholesaler, license holder, and everyone involved in the food supply chain must fulfill their duties. Tukaram Mundhe stressed that every company, regardless of its size, must ensure that expired and spoiled products do not reach the market for further sale. He sent a clear signal that not a single package of expired product should enter the market.
The FDA asserts that the main objective of the new directives is to ensure the public has safe and quality food. Companies and individuals violating the rules will be held accountable according to the law. The process of destroying expired and spoiled products will now be under close scrutiny, and companies will be required to provide not only documentary confirmation but also convincing evidence of the actual destruction of the goods.
Tukaram Mundhe also noted that the Food Control Department's actions against counterfeit vegetable oil are ongoing and will continue. He emphasized that it is currently the Diwali festival period, accompanied by special culinary traditions, making it crucial to use clean and high-quality oils for cooking. A campaign against adulterated oil is being conducted to protect people's health. Mundhe reported that 1089 inspections concerning vegetable oil have been carried out so far, resulting in the cancellation of 80 licenses and the seizure of 28,753 centners of goods. He confirmed that the campaign against fake oil will continue.
A significant change is about to be implemented for those who use meal or food vouchers issued by companies such as Alelo, Ticket, VR Benefícios, Pluxee, Flash, or Swile. Starting in November, these cards must be accepted at any payment terminal enabled for this type of benefit, concluding a transition phase that began in May and expands the possibilities of using the benefit.
This determination is part of a set of new guidelines from the Worker Feeding Program (PAT), which was announced by the government in February of this year. In November, the adaptation period ends, and the rule that guarantees that any card belonging to the program can be used at any machine capable of receiving the benefit comes into full effect.
The main transformation introduced is called interoperability, which simplifies the operational scenario. In practice, this feature eliminates the requirement for restaurants, supermarkets, and other points of sale to maintain specific agreements or equipment for each meal or food voucher brand.
Although the integration between systems began in May, the adjustment period was completed last Saturday. Previously, some companies were still in the migration process. At the beginning of September, g1 reported that more than one hundred companies had been notified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) to provide documentation and clarifications regarding possible failures in complying with PAT rules.
With full interoperability, the worker gains the freedom to use their card at any commercial location that accepts this benefit, without depending on the company that issued the card.
There will be no change in the amount of the meal or food voucher provided by companies to employees under the new rules. Furthermore, the use of these resources for purposes other than food remains prohibited. Thus, the amounts remain exclusively intended for the purchase of ready meals or food items, according to the benefit modality. The change aims to broaden the options for using the benefit and foster competition in the sector, without increasing the amount received by the worker.
Even though full interoperability only starts to apply in November, other regulations have been in force since February. Among the most relevant changes are: a maximum limit of 3.6% for the fee applied to sales processed with meal and food vouchers; a ceiling of 2% for the exchange fee; and a maximum period of 15 calendar days for the sales money to be transferred to the establishments.
Previously, merchants frequently complained about high fees and long waiting periods to receive payments, which could exceed 30 days. The government justifies these rules as an effort to reduce costs and make the acceptance of benefits more advantageous for businesses of all sizes.
After the disclosure of the new rules, some operators have challenged the decree legally. These companies argue that the government exceeded its authority by establishing tariff limits and promoting structural transformations through a decree.
Contracts and operations linked to the PAT must strictly adhere to the guidelines established in the decree. Non-compliance with these rules can result in various consequences, such as fines, sanctions, de-registration from the program, and the requirement to return tax benefits previously enjoyed. Penalties may fall on the operators, the companies participating in the PAT, and the businesses, depending on the nature of the infraction found.
