JIST NEWS Faces Backlash for Alcohol Promotion

The recent marketing of liquor by the online news channel JIST NEWS has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from various quarters. Promotion of alcohol in any form is illegal and prohibited by the government, making such actions not only unethical but also punishable by law.

A concerning video featuring a female anchor from JIST NEWS discussing ‘Gulab Sharab’ surfaced on Facebook on April 29, 2023. Despite extensive efforts to locate it on the official JIST NEWS platforms like YouTube and their website, the video remained elusive. In the video, the anchor, known as “Maharani Mehansar” from Rajasthan, discusses the preparation and purported health benefits of a concoction called Maharani Mehansar Rose Liquor, which allegedly contains ingredients like black pepper and safed musli.

Video link-https://facebook.com/jist.india/videos/6165703903558056/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=Nif5oz

However, upon investigation, it was discovered that the pink color associated with the liquor was achieved through the addition of approved red coloring, contradicting the claim of using roses for its hue. Additionally, the video implies similarities between Maharani Mehansar Rose Liquor and another brand called “Somaras,” hinting at a sponsored nature.

This apparent sponsorship of alcohol promotion by JIST NEWS is deeply concerning. Despite attempts by concerned individuals, including an email inquiry from foodman.co.in to JIST NEWS for clarification, no response has been received, further raising suspicions about the channel’s integrity.

Such actions tarnish the reputation of journalism in India. While sponsored mentions of products like ‘Chyawanprash’ on television programs have previously raised questions, the promotion of alcohol by a prominent online channel like JIST NEWS is particularly troubling, especially given the rising issue of drug addiction among youth.

In light of these events, foodman.co.in has filed a complaint with relevant government regulatory bodies, urging action against JIST NEWS. Additionally, there have been complaints about alcohol-related content on YouTube, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny of online media and its impact on society, especially considering the influence it holds over impressionable young viewers. Turning a blind eye to such practices for the sake of views undermines the well-being of future generations and the integrity of journalism as a whole

 Traces of Undeclared wheat found in “Vandevi Asafoetida”

V. N. Thakkar Hingwala & Co. (now V. N. Thakkar Hingwala & Sons),  India’s favorite and most reliable manufacturer and exporter of asafoetida for almost 90 years. The company was incorporated into Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd. in 1989 under the leadership of Mr. Mahesh Thakkar.

Vandevi Asafoetida (yellow powder) of Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd. was sent for sale in the American market. But after examining the product, FDA announced the recall of Vandevi Asafoetida on January 10, 2024 due to the possibility of wheat content and violation of labeling regulations and published it on its website on January 17.

In fact, the same factory of Kinjin Food Pvt. which produces and packs Vandevi Asafoetida, also processes wheat products. Due to which there was a possibility of wheat particles being present in asafoetida.
As soon as FDA came to know about this information, FDA ordered the recall of Vandevi Asafoetida from the market. Consumers have also been requested to return the product as ‘they can get the money by depositing Vandevi Asafoetida at the shops where they purchased the product.

Till now, no customer has faced any problem due to allergy due to Vandevi Asafoetida. But the FDA had to take this step for consumer safety.
How is asafoetida made?
Asafoetida is a white and sticky substance that comes out of the roots of a type of plant. Fresh asafoetida is very strong and cannot be used directly. For this, asafoetida has been processed.

Pure asafoetida is mixed with arrowroot or corn flour, rice flour and wheat flour, balanced and packed and sent to the market for sale

Status of Kinjin Food and  likewise Asafoetida in India too

Arrowroot or rice flour is used in most of the compound asafoetida yellow powder (Bandhani asafoetida) available in our country. Some cheap brands use wheat flour in it, which is sold under the name of Strong Asafoetida. This can cause problems to patients allergic to wheat.

Asafoetida is used in cooking in very small quantities, so it is not fatal for wheat allergy patients. But continuous use may cause problems.

Most of the Indian asafoetida products do not have any warning written on the labeling of asafoetida regarding wheat allergy.

Therefore, while buying asafoetida, definitely read the type of asafoetida and its labeling to know what has been added to it.

After allegation of carcinogenic content claim of its cosmetic products .

FMCG major Dabur’s two foreign subsidiaries, Dabur International and Dermoviva Skin Essentials, have been removed as a defendant in multiple lawsuits filed in a US court over charges that the products caused ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and other related health issues among users. However, its third international entity, Namaste Laboratories LLC, would continue to face charges before the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, a filing by the FMCG major on November 15 stated.

The dismissal was based on the lack of personal jurisdiction, as neither Dabur nor Dermoviva had any involvement in manufacturing, marketing, distributing, or selling hair relaxer products in the US.

Whereas, Namaste Laboratories LLC will be facing 5,400 cases in the federal and state courts in the US, alongside other industry players such as L’Oreal, SoftSheen/Carson, Luster Products Inc, Avion Industries, Inc., PDC Brands (Parfums de Coeur, Ltd), and Revlon, among others.

According to the information received and sources, three foreign subsidiaries of Dabur India, Dabur International Limited, Darmo Viva Skin Essential Inc., and Namaste Laboratories were facing lawsuits in the state courts of America and Canada. Many products of these companies have been accused of containing cancer causing substances. 

Dabur India, the largest company of Ayurvedic products in India, was again in controversy regarding the composition and labeling of the product  three month before. The dispute did not happen in India but on foreign land. Many Dabur consumers in the US and Canada have filed a lawsuit against Dabur over claims that its hair relaxer product contains cancer-causing ingredients.

Earlier Dabur India and its foreign subsidiary company have claimed that allegations made by the consumers are not scientific and these cases have been filed on the basis of incomplete research reports.

Dabur further said: “We would like to reiterate that Namaste is confident in the safety of its products and believes that these lawsuits have no legal merits hence denies any liability and has retained counsel to defend it in these lawsuits as these allegations are based on unsubstantiated and incomplete study published in the journal of the National Institute of Health, which study has already been held to be redundant by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association in the European Union.”

According to its latest report, Dabur India has 27 subsidiary companies, which contributed to 26.60 per cent of the consolidated revenue from operations in FY 2022-23. Its revenue from international business was at Rs 2,867 crore, recording a growth of 11.1 per cent in constant currency terms in FY23.

Dabur is a name to be taken with pride among Indian companies in India. But it is not that there have been controversies regarding Dabur India products on foreign soil. Even before this, there has been a controversy in India regarding Dabur honey and it has also been proved that Dabur honey is adulterated.
August 03/2023 This year, Zee News Bihar Jharkhand published its news by describing Dabur honey as poison.
Although it was true that Dabur’s honey was found adulterated, it would be too early to call it poisonous. In the month of August, with the reporting of Dabur honey, it was reported that possible cancer causing elements were found in honey but it was not told which elements were found and how effective they are. There was an uproar regarding cancer or just on the theory. going.

Before Dabur, allegations of sugar adulteration have been proved on Saffola Honey and Baidyanath and Patanjali honey also. But till now no action has been taken by FSSAI. In such a situation, the question arises that despite having a competent food law in our country, why has not a single case been registered against any company? Whereas outside India, 5400 cases were registered on the defect of a product of an Indian company.
Former CEO, FSSAI, Pawan Agrawal  had during his tenure provided great relaxation to Patanjali products, where many samples found adulterated and sub standards in India and abroad. He gave a reason in the name of some amendments and revisions of rules and regulations. Sarkari Tantra well played by Bureaucracy in India. Here question marks arise on our administrative systems.

The allegations against Dabur India will be monitored in America and Canada. But we also have to consider whether such a system exists in our country or not. Or the system has been so frightened by bribery and corruption that a common man is not even able to fight against the deception done to him.
Customers are defined as Cut Ke Mar Customers on Indian soil. Our customers Die and forget but never go to the root cause of analysis.

Administration silent on dirty water vegetables

Dirty water vegetables .Vegetables from dirty water are a reality in the markets of every city today. In the name of fresh vegetables, these poisonous vegetables are easily available from the markets to our fridge, kitchen and food. Vegetables from dirty water do not have any special characteristics.

Dirty water vegetables means growing vegetables using water from gutters, drains and factories for irrigating vegetables and also using dirty water to wash vegetables. But it is very dangerous for health. Every day crores of people of the country are forced to use these vegetables.
Your offering to you.
Outside every city, where there is a drainage or treatment plant for the city’s dirty water, the land around it is purchased by the land mafia. In which vegetables are grown by farmers or laborers and the vegetables from the dirty water of the cities are sent for sale in the same city. It is not that only farmers grow vegetables in dirty water. This is highly sponsored and the result of collective profit and collective indifference.

Such vegetables are grown in the areas around cities. It is associated with some influential person or land mafia. Due to which the common citizen does not even try to deal with them and even if he complains, the decisions are taken and sold in the market and the administration gets headlines in the newspapers by destroying crops of a few bighas for show.
Generally, dirty water drainage or treatment plants are installed away from the city or in deserted areas of the city. Due to which the common man has very little or no access to visit there. And treatment plants are also in the hands of government or private companies which have to clean the dirty water and send it forward for irrigation.

To reduce the cost of cleaning water, gutter water is spread around so that it dries quickly. In such a situation, farming starts in the surrounding lands. There is an agriculture department in every city to monitor the quality of irrigation water. But then irrigation is being done with moderately clean water released from the treatment plant.
Not only are the vegetables in the gutter water harmful, but the crops growing in the water released due to negligence of the treatment plant that cleans the gutter water are also poisonous.

How to avoid vegetables from gutter water ?
(1) Generally only crops like spinach, cabbage, radish, green onion and leafy vegetables are grown in gutter water. Avoid using these.
(2) Wash such vegetables by keeping them in hot salt water for some time and then wash them with clean water.
(3) Avoid eating such vegetables raw.

Cooking does not reduce the toxins and heavy metals in gutter water vegetables. But food contaminants (bacteria and fungus like E-coli) can be reduced. State governments and the Center will have to make strong laws to protect vegetables and crops from dirty water. Strict laws will have to be made not only for farming in dirty water but also for the drainage and cleaning of dirty water in the city.
Foodman has always been in the forefront regarding cleanliness in food and natural farming. And has been working to educate its readers about the dangers of market food as well as to bring awareness among the public for prevention and making a collective effort.

Hydrogen water is being said to be miraculous.

Hydrogen water is the new entrant in the market. 

There are many types of systems and machines available in the market regarding water. Alkaline water, alkaline ionizer, RO system, and water purifier etc.

What is hydrogen water?

Hydrogen water is made by adding extra hydrogen gas to normal water. For this, many methods and machines are available in the market. It is believed and said that hydrogen water has many benefits for the body.

It is said to be beneficial for athletes and elderly people to improve their health and stay healthy. However, no scientific claims have yet been made regarding the benefits of hydrogen water. Currently, it is said to be beneficial only on the basis of beliefs.

Hydrogen water is currently being sold only in Europe and America. But there is a possibility of it coming to India soon. But due to its machines being expensive, its trade in India will be limited only to the capitalist class.
Even before this, these machines regarding Alkaline water have been advertised and marketed in many ways. But it is mostly outreach to the common customers in India.

Many companies have tried to sell Alkaline water machines in different areas. But most of them failed. The biggest reason for which was that the claims of these technical machines were never proven authentically. Their use and benefits were proved only on beliefs. No reference to any scientific research or report was given.

Regarding Alkaline water, many Ayurvedic and so-called Babas and Yogacharyas also try to sell their products in the market by making home remedies of their own kind of alkaline water. Some people make medicine to alkalize water with cucumber, lemon and other vegetables. Some people claim to alkalize water by adding a few drops of their product to water. Whereas there is no scientific research or evidence regarding the properties of alkaline water and its effects on health. Rather, its disadvantages are definitely coming to light.

Similarly, RO Technology was also launched in the Indian market. But its side effects also came to light. Many experiments were done regarding drinking water. But this could not be converted into marketism. Even today, most of the Indians give importance to government water for drinking, some people and people suffering from diseases today give importance to water purifiers and very few people give importance to RO.

In such a situation, except the hyper capitalist class of India, no one will pay attention to the machines and provisions of Hydrogen water. 

Water is necessary for life. But which water is beneficial? This question has been asked only after looking at the economic situation.India is facing the problem of impure water and lack of water. In such a situation, the tricks of the European market cannot be sold in the Indian market. Still, machines of fraud in the name of water have their own separate market in India.

Today drinking water is not available in many parts of the country. People are forced to drink contaminated water. The situation is very bad in many districts of the country. The responsibility of ensuring that citizens drink drinking water of the best quality is one of the primary responsibilities of the state government and the central government. Whichever party the government belongs to, providing clean water is one of the primary duties of the government.

Is the sudden decision to ban Halal certificate a crackdown on fake certification companies or an election gimmick?

Halal certificate has been banned by the Uttar Pradesh government. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken this decision after Shailendra Kumar Sharma, a businessman from Hazratganj, lodged an FIR regarding fake Halal certificates distributed to some companies.

This matter is about Halal certification not being certified by the Indian law and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or by any government institution and distributing certificates arbitrarily. But this news is being shown or told by newspapers and media as if the Islamic belief of Halal has been cancelled.

Halal is a belief in the religion of Islam. According to Muslim religion and scriptures, the food and drink that is prohibited is ‘Haram’ and the food that is allowed is ‘Halal’. 

The beliefs of Halal are slightly different in every Muslim country, hence differences are also found in the Halal certificate of every Muslim country. But due to ignorance and lack of information, there are many misconceptions about Halal among common Indians Like associating Halal only with meat. 

However, the Uttar Pradesh government has not banned Halal, only Halal certificates and certified products. This ban will not have any impact on licensed small butchers and traders involved in meat trade. Only the products of corporate and food related Halal certified companies and factories will be affected.

But in Uttar Pradesh the solution to many technical problems in this ban passed by the government has not yet been revealed, due to which this ban can be called only an election ban.

For example the following questions are still unclear-

(1) When has the ban on Halal certificates come into effect?
(2) Which business classes will be included in this ban; corporate, middle class industry sector or micro and micro industries, small and cottage industries?
(3) Which category of meat trade will this ban apply to?

(4) After the Halal ban, will all Halal certified products be recalled?
(5) Will Halal ban also apply to imported products which come to Uttar Pradesh from other countries?
(6) How will the loss of shopkeepers and manufacturers be compensated for the goods seized or destroyed due to Halal ban?

There is confusion among traders, customers and importers regarding the above questions. According to many food policy experts, this is just an election propaganda. Because the state government does not have the right to change any policy rule regarding food, process and packaged food products.

The Central Food Safety and Standards Authority is appointed for this. In such a situation, imposing such restrictions by the state government is like showing an eye to the central government. Even in the state government, such a rule can be brought only through a bill or ordinance. The state government cannot impose this rule without any debate. In such a situation, the news of Uttar Pradesh Government’s action of seizing or confiscating Halal certified products in shops and malls is also being shown loudly in the media, which is not justified in any way.

The country may once again remember demonetization. Which was suddenly implemented overnight. Similarly, in a fake and arbitrary manner, the elections are being polarized by the media by portraying the proceedings on Halal certificates as being against a particular religion. Whereas this action is in favor of Muslims. 

Because an arbitrary Halal certificate is an attack on Muslim religious beliefs and many such religious certifications will also be targeted like Satvik and Satvik India. Satvik certificate has been issued to the food of train Vande Bharat run by Indian Railways.

Halal certified products are being seized or destroyed by the Uttar Pradesh government. And it has not yet been told how the shopkeeper and the manufacturer will be compensated for this. Whereas FIR has been filed only against the companies issuing Halal certificates, and now only FIR has been filed.

 No decision has been taken by the court. In such a situation, will the government’s action of banning and confiscating Halal without any hearing in the Assembly be called dictatorial or an election gimmick? However, after the elections, foodmen will keep an eye on whether this order of the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh will remain permanent or will it be removed.

 Why silence on benzene by the Indian government and monitoring agencies?  

Benzene is considered a cancer causing element. A few months ago, Dove Dry Shampoo and Tresemme Dry Shampoo were recalled from the market by the US Food and Drug Administration after they found more than the prescribed amount of benzene.

Regarding this, the news was publicized and broadcasted in the Indian media and print media at their own level. This has been seen very rarely. Usually the news of recall or defect of any big brand is suppressed. Because the advertisements received from these brands are a major part of the media house’s earnings.

Dove dry shampoo and TRESemmé dry shampoo have a nominal market in India and are available in big malls and online markets. This dry shampoo is commonly used by celebrities to look good in gym culture and in the photo and video broadcasts posted on social media. Whose market is not very big even in America.

But in this news only elements like benzene have been targeted. Actually benzene is one of the many petroleum based products which cause cancer. Among which the products most used for aroma and fragrance are. Especially in perfumes, deodorants, and creams and lotions used in cosmetics, these elements are used to maintain fragrance.

Making benzene is also a natural process in the plastic industry. And cold drinks or any other thing packed in plastic bottles Liquids or foods can become contaminated with benzene when plastic is heated. In March 2006, Britain’s Food Safety Agency reviewed 150 soft drink brands and withdrew the affected brands from the market after they were found to contain benzene above the limit. If seen in the Indian market and society, there is an abundant amount of benzene element. It can be easily found in ordinary to upper class houses.

It is common to have benzene in water, juice, liquid food items, cosmetics, wall paint, cleaning chemicals, plastic toys etc. But this is not known among the common people. Every country has different limits on benzene. That means it is decided by the government and administration only. How much cancer do we have to give to the public?

In a developing country like India where the public does not properly understand the product label and the information written on it. The irony is that not only the illiterate but even the graduated youth face difficulty in understanding the information printed on the product label. There, knowledge can be imparted about the harm of benzene. But one cannot be educated on the prevalence of benzene. Benzene does not necessarily cause cancer.

This can also cause allergies or any other type of respiratory or blood related problems, damage to specific organs, etc. The maximum emission of benzene comes from smoking, smoke from vehicles running on the roads, garbage smoke, etc.

Benzene is even found in processed food and many types of medicines. Today, benzene is prevalent in Indian society and there is abundance of many elements like benzene, which is not possible to avoid in any way.

In such a situation, removing products from the market that exceed the quantity of benzene prescribed by the government of a country can be sensational news for the media. But it remains to be seen when this news will make a difference to the public and the government’s policies.

Remember, with health insurance, not your health but the expenses of recovery after getting sick are insured. And the treatment of one disease will lead to the other disease. welcome. Therefore, you will have to decide your own responsibilities.

FSSAI issues guidelines for providing information in barcodes.

Now information about the manufacturer of packaged food in the barcode itself.

Barcode means dense information about any product which can be seen in vertical lines. It can be obtained with a special scanner to get all the information about the scanned product. Like what are the ingredients in the product. When was it made? When is its last date of use. Who is marketing it? And who is its manufacturer ? However, apart from the barcode, this information has been written on the back of the product till now.

Now FSSAI has made a new amendment and removed many of the information which were earlier required to be written on the back of the product. The same information is going to be limited to barcode. This means that you will now get the information about the manufacturer written on the back of the food product in the barcode.

FSSAI and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) have now started accepting this. That all Indian have smart phones and all smart phones have been equipped with smart barcode scanner.

So that they can get information about any food and packaged food product by scanning the barcode. And all of them can read, write and understand the English language. In such a situation, efforts are being made to hide the information written on the product. Which is a fraud on the consumer in some way or the other. In such a situation this question also arises. The food items which come in small packing.

Will their barcode work? Or it can be scanned from your mobile. Once again this amendment of FSSAI seems to have been taken in the interest of corporate. Because this does not seem to be a matter of consumer awareness in any way.

Rather, it will keep consumers even more in the dark. The irony is that this guideline will be applicable only to food items sold within India. And for export, all these manufacturers will have to print their product information completely on the product packaging as before. In such a situation, it becomes natural to doubt the intentions of FSSAI officials.

At present, information about the manufacturer of the product has been removed from the packing of packaged food products and limited to barcode. Which will be applicable to many more information in future. Even today consumers depend on advertisements for information about their products.

In such a situation, give information in barcode. Will take the consumer even further into darkness. And such amendments will further widen the gap between consumer and product information. And the existing food safety rules and constitution will be changed with many new guidelines.

Which will create a new problem for any consumer, especially the conscious consumers. And similar guidelines can be applied to other products as well. In which the rule system will be ignored in the name of similar guidelines on electronics, hardware etc.

In such a situation, food public awareness, consumer awareness forums and consumer protection people, NGOs and organizations should come forward to withdraw such amendments and respond to these amendments. Common citizens should also be informed. How common citizens are being deprived of their consumer rights.

Foodmen has always been advocating the use of local language or Hindi language on the packaging of food products. And expresses strong objection to this amendment of FSSAI.

Eating salad with food keeps many diseases away.

Salad is an important part of the diet. Salad can be a mix of many types of vegetables or a single vegetable can be eaten as salad. Eating salad in too much mixture is not beneficial. Salad is usually eaten just before or during a meal.

By eating salad with bites during meals, you can reduce the quantity of your food, which is beneficial for obesity and diabetes patients. People suffering from obesity should consume salad in abundance. Taking salad with food also increases the tendency to chew food. That is, having salad with a bite makes one have to chew the food more.

Which improves both health and digestion. Also, it helps people who want to lose weight. There is a very easy method for this. By reducing the food intake and increasing the intake of salad, hunger can also be satisfied. That too without remaining hungry.
Generally, raw tomato, onion, carrot, radish, cucumber and green chilli are consumed prominently in salad.

Foodmen advise that using only one type of salad at a time is more beneficial. And one should avoid adding salt to salad. Some people also fry the salad lightly. However, it is better to consume the salad raw.
Eating fine pieces of ginger or grated ginger along with salad can reduce the problem of indigestion and gas. Apart from vegetables, do not use fruits, especially sour fruits, in salad. Most vegetables are alkaline. And most fruits are acidic. Having both together in their raw form is considered against foods .

Cancer patients are also advised to eat salad. By consuming only salad once a week, the toxic elements in the body can be reduced by giving rest to the digestive system.
In today’s era, lifestyle diseases are ready to attack the youth. But such small changes adopted in life and food have the potential to save you from many serious diseases. Therefore, definitely consume salad. Stay healthy. Be happy.