Enable Block: 

The use of the two macrolides antibiotics Spiramycin (S) and Tylosin (T) as growth promoters in animal feeding has been recently withdrawn in the European Union due to a concern about the outbreaks of farmacoresistance fenomena as a possible hazard for humans.

An Act to make provision for prevention of adulteration of the food. This Act may be called the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. It extends to the whole of India. It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Concentrations of trace metals in the flesh of nine fish species commonly found in commercial
catches of a hydro-power reservoir in Sri Lanka (Victoria) were detected using the
Neutron Activation Technique. High concentrations of Al (37.8 - 208.0 μg•g-1 dry wt.) and Rb
(20.90 - 70.75 μg•g-1 dry wt.) were found in all nine species while the concentration of Zn
ranged from 20.29 to 92.00 μg•g-1 dry wt. but was found only in four species. Au was detected
in seven species but the concentration ranged from 0.004 to 0.043 μg•g-1 dry wt. The concentration

The occurrence of organochlorine compounds in the food chain has already been reported in several studies. This class of organic compounds constitutes one of the most important groups of dangerous organic contaminants.

A report of analysis of pesticide residues in soft drinks conducted by Centre for Science and Environment(CSE), was made public on 5th August, 2003. This Report was covered very prominently by both electronic and print media. In the Report it was stated that CSE found pesticide residues, in the samples of 12 soft drinks brands procured by it from open market in Delhi.

To produce the food most farmers use chemical pesticides to control weeds, pests and diseases, and to help them meet the appearance standards imposed by supermarkets. Residues from these pesticides may still be in the food when buy it - about half of all fruit and vegetables tested by the Government contain residues.

At Down To Earth (DTE) we believe that truth withheld is truth denied. Fresh evidence suggests a web of lies and deceit was weaved to declare that the pesticide endosulfan is not responsible for the horrendous mutations and ailments that many in the villages of Kerala’s Kasaragod district are suffering from.

A confirmatory method for 6 penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin G, oxacillin, cloxacillin, and dicloxacillin) in honey is presented that allows determination and confirmation of identity of the antibiotics at trace levels.

This briefing paper on pesticide contamination and food safety makes a strong case for formulating standards for food and drinks and revamping the pesticide regulatory framework in the country. It discusses the need for legally enforceable standards addresses the larger issue of institutional reform in the governance of food safety and standard setting.

A briefing paper on "pesticide contamination and food safety" - The CSE studies on pesticides in water and soft drinks, pesticides contamination and its health impacts, regulatory apparatus and processes, right to clean water and the industrial use of water.

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