Parl panel raises concern over preparation of desi drinks

Local beverages like Feni — Goa’s traditional cashew brew — and mahua, an alcoholic drink made out of flowers of the mahua tree in Chhattisgarh may have their own fans but a parliamentary panel has flagged health concerns over their preparation process.

The panel headed by Rajya Sabha member of Parliament, Ram Gopal Yadav has asked the top food regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to formulate standards and monitor the production process of Goa’s State drink Feni, Mahua drinks and those made of other spices that have long been popular among the tribal people and now finding acceptance among urban masses too.

The suggestions follows the panel’s observation that such local beverages were being commercialised and sold by private companies without ensuring any safety norms.

“In a large country like India, there is diversity in food, beverages and eating habits. Different regions of our country serve different kinds of local beverages that is a reflection of their local culture and flavours. Local drink such as “feni” of Goa has been accorded heritage drink status by the State Government. Drinks made from Mahua flowers and other local spices have been popular among the tribal people and its popularity is also growing among the urban masses.

“Such local beverages have been commercialised by private companies and are being sold in the market,” said the panel in its report submitted in Parliament recently.

The panel has taken exception that there were no uniform standards for the formulation of such traditional drinks/beverages neither any guidelines for regulating and monitoring their production process.

“Standards for the alcoholic content in the traditional beverages will ensure the supply of quality drinks and prevent instances of alcohol poisoning. There is a need to standardise the ingredients use and regulate the production especially for local traditional heritage drinks so that these local drinks are safe for consumption and at the same time commercially competitive and at par with international drinks,” said the panel.

The Committee also observed that States are famous for their local food items which are produced by small scale industries generally in households. There is a growing demand for these food items in other States. In view of absence of regulations for such food items, it is imperative that to ensure safety food products of different States should adhere to basic standards of food safety.