The FDA has the responsibility to monitor and control quality of food, cosmetics, and hygienic products, said head of laboratories control at the Food and Drug Administration, Hossein Rastegar.
Soon, all bottled water in the market, drinking and mineral, will be graded based on quality. “Bottled and drinking water supplies will be tested all around the year and graded,” ILNA quoted him saying. He pointed to the proposal within the framework of the Health Reform Plan “to detect and control food contaminants and spurious food items.” The testing of mineral water samples indicates “no health issues in terms of contaminants and level of nitrate so far,” he added.
Food fraud is becoming increasingly complicated and difficult to detect. However, most food items “observe the required standards and pass the health tests,” he assured.
He pointed to the artificial color added to saffron or passing off sugar-containing items as honey-derived products in the vicinity of bee hives during the honey production season as instances of food adulteration. Food products need to be monitored for their “content of heavy metals and the level of exposure to pesticides” using advanced complex gadgets and devices, he noted.
He also warned against exposing foodstuff to direct sunlight. Many consumable items are kept outside the stores and they may release harmful substances from the polymer packaging, the plastics of water bottles and the oil in potato chips or snacks. Keeping water bottles in the freezer also releases harmful matter in the water as well.
The official said the nutritious value of the food and their health impact is in need of constant monitoring.
On the quality of cold cuts, he said “we examine the nutritious value of sausages and salami” and asserted that the products of reliable factories certified by the FDA, are “safe and their consumption will cause no harm.” Rastegar said using poultry paste in production of sausages and cold cuts is banned due to the substandard quality.
Checklist
Mostafa Esmaeeli, the deputy of cosmetics and hygienic products at the FDA said the grading plan would also apply to factories producing cosmetics and sanitary products. To assess the factories, a checklist has been sent to all universities affiliated with the health ministry.
The grading will be carried out based on the assessment and factories will be given A, B, C, and D grades depending on their standards, he said.
Factories which top the list will be granted facilities such as custom clearance permit for their (raw) materials, longer work permits, and less inspections by FDA inspectors.
