TN Steps Up H1N1 Surveillance Amid Case Rise
The Tamil Nadu government has intensified surveillance and testing for H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, following a rise in reported cases, while assuring the public that there is no need for panic. According to the Health and Family Welfare Department, reported cases in the State have increased from 19 in January to 339…
Formula Prices Push UK Families Into Crisis
United Kingdom: A new Medical Research Council-funded study led by Swansea University has revealed the severe impact of rising infant formula prices on the health, finances and mental wellbeing of UK families, with soaring costs forcing many parents into debt and unsafe feeding practices. Based on surveys and interviews with 281 financially struggling parents, the…
Food Poisoning Rise Exposes Food Safety Gaps
India has witnessed a concerning rise in reported food poisoning incidents, highlighting persistent gaps in food safety surveillance, hygiene practices and regulatory enforcement, according to an analysis by The Hindu. The report, based on official data, notes that food poisoning cases have increased in recent years, with outbreaks frequently linked to contaminated meals served at…
Karnataka HC Backs Probe Into Doctor’s Viral Food Reel
The Karnataka High Court has permitted an investigation into a doctor who posted a viral social media reel alleging the presence of harmful substances in food products, observing that public communication by professionals must be responsible and supported by evidence. During the hearing, the Court remarked that individuals cannot “generate panic like this” through social…
Punjab Cracks Down on Substandard Milk Products
The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu notice of the growing concern over substandard milk and dairy products being sold in Ludhiana, escalating the issue into a major public health matter. The Commission acted after reports revealed that 211 samples of milk and dairy products collected over the past…
8-Year Delay Stalls India’s Food Labelling Reform
India’s long-pending front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) regulation continues to face delays, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India still engaged in consultations nearly eight years after releasing its first draft in 2018, raising concerns over regulatory inertia in addressing public health risks. The issue has now reached the Supreme Court of India, where in…
Bitter Milk: Lessons from Rajamahendravaram Case
The milk adulteration tragedy in Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district has raised serious concerns about food safety, regulatory oversight and the vulnerability of consumers to contaminated dairy supplies. The incident, linked to milk supplied by a local dairy, led to multiple cases of acute illness and deaths, with reports indicating that nine people…
Forensic Probe Confirms Ethylene Glycol in Milk
A forensic investigation has confirmed that milk consumed by residents in Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district was adulterated with ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical commonly used as a coolant, according to district collector Kirthi Chekuri. The contamination is linked to a health incident in which four people died and at least 10 others…