Praziquantel (PZQ) - side effect and pregnancy

Praziquantel (PZQ) is a medication used to treat a number of types of parasitic worm infections in mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. In humans specifically, it is used to treat schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, tapeworm infections, cysticercosis, hydatid disease, and other fluke infections. It should not be used for worm infections of the eye.

The majority of side effects develop due to the release of the contents of the parasites as they are killed and the consequent host immune reaction. The heavier the parasite burden, the heavier and more frequent the side effects normally are :- 

Central nervous system (CNS)

Frequently occurring side effects are - 

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Malaise
• Drowsiness, somnolence, fatigue, and vertigo have also been seen. 
• Almost all patients with cerebral cysticercosis experience CNS side effects related to the cell-death of the parasites (headache, worsening of pre-existing neurological problems, seizures, arachnoiditis, and meningism). These side effects may be life-threatening and can be reduced by co-administration of corticosteroids. All patients with cerebral cysticercosis are strongly recommended to be hospitalized during treatment.

Gastrointestinal tract: -  About 90% of all patients have abdominal pain or cramps with or without nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea may develop and may be severe with colic. Sweating, fever, and sometimes bloody stools may occur together with diarrhea.

Liver: - Asymptomatic and transient increases of liver enzymes (AST and ALT) are noted frequently (up to 27%). No case of symptomatic liver damage has been seen so far.

Sensitivity reactions: - Urticaria, rash, pruritus and eosinophilia in white blood cell counts

Other locations/body as a whole: - Lower back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, sweating, various cardiac arrhythmias, and hypotension.

 

Pregnancy

The WHO states praziquantel is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. Praziquantel is effective in reducing schistosomiasis during pregnancy. Another trial found that treatment with praziquantel did not increase the rates of low birthweight, fetal death, or congenital anomalies.

Can pregnant women be treated with praziquantel?

Praziquantel is extremely safe and WHO recommends that pregnant women infected with the disease should be treated. But as a general precaution, WHO recommends treatment should be taken after the first trimester.

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Weight Loss

Whether your weight-loss goals involve trying to lose 5 pounds or more than 50, the same principles determine how much weight you lose and how fast your weight loss will occur. Remembering the following simple healthy eating diet tips and putting them into practice can lead to weight reduction without the aid of any special diet plans, weight loss programs, fitness books, or medications.

Our body weight is determined by the amount of energy that we take in as food and the amount of energy we expend in the activities of our day. Energy is measured in calories. Metabolism is the sum of all chemical processes within the body that sustain life. Your basal metabolic rate is the number of calories (amount of energy) you need for your body to carry out necessary functions. If your weight remains constant, this is likely a sign that you are taking in the same amount of calories that you burn daily. If you're slowly gaining weight over time, it is likely that your caloric intake is greater than the number of calories you burn through your daily activities.

What Should Eat During Weight Loss Diet

Every adult is in control of the amount of food he or she consumes each day, so our intake of calories is something we can control. To a major degree, we can also control our output of energy, or the number of calories we burn each day. The number of calories we burn each day is dependent upon the following:

Our basal metabolic rate (BMR), the number of calories we burn per hour simply by being alive and maintaining body functions.

Physical activity For Weight Loss

For some people, due to genetic (inherited) factors or other health conditions, the resting metabolic rate (RMR) can be slightly higher or lower than average. Our weight also plays a role in determining how many calories we burn at rest -- the more calories are required to maintain your body in its present state, the greater your body weight. A 100-pound person requires less energy (food) to maintain body weight than a person who weighs 200 pounds.

Lifestyle and work habits partially determine how many calories we need to eat each day. Someone whose job involves heavy physical labor will naturally burn more calories in a day than someone who sits at a desk most of the day (a sedentary job). For people who do not have jobs that require intense physical activity, exercise or increased physical activity can increase the number of calories burned.

Weight Loss Calories For Woman

As a rough estimate, an average woman 31-50 years of age who leads a sedentary lifestyle needs about 1,800 calories per day to maintain a normal weight. A man of the same age requires about 2,200 calories. Participating in a moderate level of physical activity (exercising three to five days per week) requires about 200 additional calories per day. 

More strenuous exercise programs, such as those with cardio focus, can burn even more.

Weight Loss Diet

Healthful meals and snacks should form the foundation of the human diet. A simple way to create a meal plan is to make sure that each meal consists of 50 percent fruit and vegetables, 25 percent whole grains, and 25 percent protein. Total fiber intake should be 25–30 grams (g) daily.

Eliminate trans fats from the diet, and minimize the intake of saturated fats, which has a strong link with the incidence of coronary heart disease.

Instead, people can consume monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are types of unsaturated fat.

Weight Loss Food

The following foods are healthful and often rich in nutrients:

fresh fruits and vegetables

• fish
• legumes
• nuts
• seeds
• whole grains, such as brown rice and oatmeal

Foods to avoid eating include:

• foods with added oils, butter, and sugar
• fatty red or processed meats
• baked goods
• bagels
• white bread
• processed foods

In some cases, removing certain foods from the diet might cause a person to become deficient in some necessary vitamins and minerals. A nutritionist, dietitian, or another healthcare professional can advise a person how to get enough nutrients while they are following a weight loss program.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a pattern of eating that involves regular short-term fasts and consuming meals within a shorter time period during the day.

Weight Loss Fasting

Several studies Trusted Source have indicated that short-term intermittent fasting, which is up to 24 weeks in duration, leads to weight loss in overweight individuals.

The most common intermittent fasting methods include the following:

Alternate day fastingTrusted Source (ADF): Fast every other day and eat normally on non-fasting days. The modified versionTrusted Source involves eating just 25–30 percent of the body’s energy needs on fasting days.

The 5:2 Diet: Fast on 2 out of every 7 days. On fasting days eat 500–600 calories.

The 16/8 method: Fast for 16 hours and eat only during an 8-hour window. For most people, the 8-hour window would be around noon to 8 p.m. A study on this method found that eating during a restricted period resulted in the participants consuming fewer calories and losing weight.

It is best to adopt a healthy eating pattern on non-fasting days and to avoid over-eating.

Get off to the best possible start on the NHS weight loss plan with these 12 diet and exercise tips.

Do not skip breakfast

Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry.

Eat regular meals

Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.

Eat plenty of fruit and veg

Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.

Get more active

Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone.

Drink plenty of water

People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need.

Eat high fibre foods

Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.

Read food labels

Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.

Use a smaller plate

Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.

Do not ban foods

Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance.

Don't Eat Junk food

To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.

Should I Cut down on alcohol For Weight Loss

A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.

Plan your meals

Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.

Diet For Weight Loss In USA

A healthy weight is an important element of good health. How much you eat—and what you eat—play central roles in maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight. Exercise is the other key actor.

For years, low-fat diets were thought to be the best way to lose weight. A growing body of evidence shows that low-fat diets often don't work, in part because these diets often replace fat with easily digested carbohydrates.

Hundreds of diets have been created, many promising fast and permanent weight loss. Remember the cabbage soup diet? The grapefruit diet? How about the Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle diet, the caveman diet, the Subway diet, the apple cider vinegar diet, and a host of forgettable celebrity diets?

The truth is, almost any diet will work if it helps you take in fewer calories. Diets do this in two main ways:

Getting you to eat certain "good" foods and/or avoid "bad" ones.

The best diet for losing weight is one that is good for all parts of your body, from your brain to your toes, and not just for your waistline. It is also one you can live with for a long time. In other words, a diet that offers plenty of good tasting and healthy choices, banishes few foods, and doesn't require an extensive and expensive list of groceries or supplements.

One diet that fills the bill is a Mediterranean-type diet. Such a diet—and there are many variations—usually includes:

• several servings of fruits and vegetables a day
• whole-grain breads and cereals
• healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil
• lean protein from poultry, fish, and beans
• limited amounts of red meat

moderate wine consumption with meals (no more than two glasses a day for men; no more than one a day for women

A Mediterranean-style diet is a flexible eating pattern. People who follow such diets tend to have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and other chronic conditions.

It’s natural for anyone trying to lose weight to want to lose it very quickly. But people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off. Healthy weight loss isn’t just about a “diet” or “program”. It’s about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.

Once you’ve achieved a healthy weight, rely on healthy eating and physical activity to help you keep the weight off over the long term.

Losing weight is not easy, and it takes commitment. But if you’re ready to get started, we’ve got a step-by-step guide to help get you on the road to weight loss and better health.

Even modest weight loss can mean big benefits.

How Time take to Weight Loss

Even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars.

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the “overweight” or “obese” range, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk factors for chronic diseases related to obesity.

So even if the overall goal seems large, see it as a journey rather than just a final destination. You’ll learn new eating and physical activity habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain your weight loss over time.

For example, the National Weight Control Registryexternal icon noted that study participants who maintained a significant weight loss reported improvements in physical health as well as energy levels, physical mobility, general mood, and self-confidence.

The most important component of an effective weight-management program must be the prevention of unwanted weight gain from excess body fat. The military is in a unique position to address prevention from the first day of an individual's military career. 

Because the military population is selected from a pool of individuals who meet specific criteria for body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat, the primary goal should be to foster an environment that promotes maintenance of a healthy body weight and body composition throughout an individual's military career. 

Training For Weight Loss

There is significant evidence that losing excess body fat is difficult for most individuals and the risk of regaining lost weight is high. From the first day of initial entry training, an understanding of the fundamental causes of excess weight gain must be communicated to each individual, along with a strategy for maintaining a healthy body weight as a way of life.

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Do dead bodies cause epidemics?

No, dead bodies from natural disasters generally do not cause epidemics. This is because victims of such disasters usually die from trauma, drowning or fire and do not normally harbour organisms which cause epidemics.

The exception to this is when deaths have occurred from highly infectious diseases (such as Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera), or when the disaster occurred in an area that is endemic for such highly infectious diseases. In these circumstances, the possibility of disease spreading from dead bodies exists.

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What are the health risks for the public?

Unless the deceased has died from a highly infectious disease, the risk to the public is negligible. However, there is a risk of diarrhoea from drinking water contaminated by faecal material from dead bodies. Routine disinfection of drinking water is sufficient to prevent waterborne illness. 

The health risks to those handling dead bodies.

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Is spraying bodies with disinfectant or lime powder useful?

Lime powder does not hasten decomposition and, since dead bodies are generally not an infectious risk to the public, disinfectant is not needed.

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Local officials and journalists say there is a risk to the public of disease from dead bodies. Are they correct?

The risk from dead bodies after disasters due to natural hazards is misunderstood by many professionals and the media. Even local or international health workers are often misinformed and contribute to the spread of unfounded rumours about outbreaks and epidemics. Dead bodies from natural disasters generally do not cause epidemics. The risk of disease from dead bodies is real only in cases where the deceased has died of a highly infectious disease or has died in an area where such infectious disease is endemic. Even then, the risk of disease transmission to a trained body-handler is low.

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Should mass graves be used to speed up the disposal of dead bodies?

The rapid mass burial of victims on public health grounds is not justified. Rushing to dispose of bodies without having taken photographs and relevant information from them, and without keeping track of the location of each body, traumatizes families and communities. If these simple steps to identify the greatest possible number of bodies are taken, serious social and legal consequences for families can be avoided. In exceptional circumstances, the use of communal graves as a form of temporary traceable storage and protection of dead bodies is acceptable if properly managed.

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How urgent is the collection of dead bodies?

Body collection is not the most urgent task after a disaster from natural hazards. The priority is to rescue and care for survivors. Nevertheless, bodies should be collected and photographed as soon as possible (and preferably before decomposition has commenced), basic information about the bodies should be collected and recorded, unique body codes allocated, and the bodies should be temporarily stored to protect them and to assist possible identification. The earlier this is done, the greater the number of bodies which will be identified. In the presence of an epidemic of highly infectious disease, collection and proper management of dead bodies by trained personnel is an urgent priority.

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What are the minimum steps needed to identify as many dead bodies as possible?

Identifying dead bodies following disasters can be complex. The minimum steps needed to identify as many dead bodies as possible are set out in the Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters manual. In general terms, identifying a dead body is done by comparing information about the person while alive with information about the dead body. Thus, information about those who are missing or presumed to be dead is needed (a list of the missing, and specific individual information about each missing person). 

Also, information about the dead body is needed (photographs, preferably taken before decomposition has started, and information about identifying features, clothing and personal effects). To keep track of this information, the body needs to be given a unique code which must be in all the photographs, and on all the information collected; and attached to the body and the body bag, and any burial site, so that its location can be recorded, and the body retrieved at any time. Ideally, forensic experts should be involved, but this is not always possible.

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Can dead bodies contaminate water?

Yes, they can, as do live bodies. Dead bodies often leak faeces which may contaminate rivers or other water sources, causing a risk of diarrhoeal illness which adequate treatment of water can prevent.

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Is dexamethasone on the WHO Essential Medicines List?

Yes, dexamethasone has been on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) since 1977 for several indications in multiple formulations. Since 2013, dexamethasone (Injectable formulation) has been indicated for respiratory distress syndrome in new-borns. Prednisolone is also on the EML and was included in 1984.

Dexamethasone and prednisolone are included on the EML for the following indications:

• allergic or hypersensitivity conditions, without further specifying the type
• pain and oedema due to malignancy in palliative care
• nausea and vomiting,
• as part of treatment protocols for some blood tissue cancers.

These indications are broad and can also include cytokine-related lung injury and as prevention or treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with severe acute respiratory infections (i.e. viral pneumonia). Both medicines are also recommended in children.

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Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome refers to protein in the urine (proteinuria), primarily albumin, that results in edema and hyperlipidemia (high blood levels of cholesterols, phospholipids, and triglycerides). The proteinuria is due to an increased permeability of the endothelial-capsular membrane, which permits proteins to escape from blood into urine. Loss of albumin result in a decline in the blood level of albumin fails to meet increased urinary losses. 

The edema associated with nephrotic syndrome, usually seen around the eyes, ankles, feet and abdomen, occurs because loss of albumin from the blood cause a decrease in blood colloid osmotic pressure.

This leads to fluid movement from blood into interstitial spaces. among the cause of nephrotic syndrome are diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lymphoma, leukemia, bacterial and viral infections, certain drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, street heroin), heavy metals (gold, mercury), hypertension and sickle cell anemia. 

Treatment is aimed at alleviating the proteinuria.   

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Incontinence and Retention

A lack of voluntary control over micturition is referred to as incontinence. In infants less than 2 year old, incontinence is normal because neurons to the external urethral sphincter muscle are not completely developed. Infants void whenever the urinary bladder is sufficiently distended to stimulate the reflex. 

Involuntary micturition in adults may occur as a result of unconsciousness, injury to the spinal nerves controlling the urinary bladder, irritation due to abnormal constituents in urine, disease of the urinary bladder, damage to the external sphincter, and inability of the detrusor muscle to relax due to emotional stress.

Retention, a failure to completely or normally void urine, may be due to an obstruction in the urethra or neck of the urinary bladder, nervous contraction of the urethra, or lack of sensation to urinate. 

 

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Pyelitis and Pyelonephritis

Pyelitis is an inflammation of the renal pelvis and its calyces.

Pyelonephritis, an inflammation of one or both kidney, involves both the nephrons and the renal pelvis. The disease is generally a complication of infection elsewhere in the body. In females, it is often a complication of lower urinary tract infections. In about 75% of the cases the cause is the bacterium Escherichia coli. 

If pyelonephritis becomes chronic, scar tissue forms in the kidneys and severely impairs their function.  

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Procedure for the import of drugs

(1) If the Customs Collector has reason to doubt whether any drugs comply with the provisions of Chapter III of the Act and Rules thereunder he may, and if requested by an officer appointed for this purpose by the Central Government shall, take samples of any drugs in the consignment and forward them to the Director of the laboratory appointed for this purpose by the Central Government and may detain the drugs in the consignment of which samples have been taken until the report of the Director of the said laboratory or any other officer empowered by him on this behalf, subject to the approval of the Central Government, on such samples is received :

Provided that if the importer gives an undertaking in writing not to dispose of the drugs without the consent of the Customs Collector and to return the consignment or such portion thereof as may be required, the Customs Collector shall make over the consignment to the importer.

(2) If an importer who has given an undertaking under the proviso to sub-rule (1) is required by the Customs Collector to return the consignment or any portion thereof he shall return the consignment or portion thereof within ten days of receipt of the notice.

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Duties of Government Analysts

(1) The Government Analyst shall cause to be analysed or tested such samples or drugs 1[and cosmetics as may be sent to him by Inspectors or other persons under the provisions of  the Act and shall furnish reports of the results of test or analysis in accordance with these Rules.

(2) A Government Analyst shall from time to time forward to the Government reports giving the result of analytical work and research with a view to their publication at the discretion of Government.

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Qualifications of Government Analyst

A person appointed as a Government Analyst under the Act shall be a person who-

(a) Its a graduate in medicine or science or pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry of a [University established in India by law or has an equivalent qualification recognized and notified by the Central Government for such purpose] and has had not less than five years’ post-graduate experience in the testing of drugs in a laboratory under control of (i) a Government Analyst appointed under the Act, or (ii) the head of an Institution or testing laboratory approved for the purpose by the appointing authority, [or has completed two years’ training on testing of drugs, including items stated in Schedule C, in Central Drugs Laboratory], or

(b) Possesses a post-graduate degree in medicine or science or pharmacy or Pharmaceutical chemistry of a {University established in India by law or has an equivalent qualification recognized and notified by the Central Government for such purpose] or possesses the Associateship Diploma of the Institution of Chemists (India) obtained by passing the said examination with ‘Analysis of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals’ as one of the subjects and has had after obtaining the said post-graduate degree or diploma not less than three years’ experience in the testing of drugs in a laboratory under the control of (i) a Government Analyst appointed under the Act, or (ii) the head of an Institution or testing laboratory approved for the purpose by the appointing authority [or has completed training on testing of drugs, including items stated in Schedule C, in Central Drugs Laboratory}-

Provided that-

(i) for purpose of examination of items in Schedule C,-

(a) the persons appointed under clause (a) or (b) and having degree in Medicine, Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pharmacy should have experience or training in testing of said items in an institution or laboratory approved by the appointing authority for a period of not less than six months;

(b) the person appointed under clause(a) or (b) but not having degree in the above subjects should have experience or training in testing of said Schedule C drugs for a period of not less than three years in an institution or laboratory approved by the appointing authority or have completed two years training on testing of drugs including items stated in Schedule C in Central Drugs Laboratory;]

(ii) for a period of four years from the date on which Chapter IV of the Act takes effect in the States, persons whose training and experience are regarded by the appointing authority as affording, subject to such further training, if any, as may be considered necessary, a reasonable guarantee of adequate knowledge and competence, may be appointed as Government Analysts. The persons so appointed may, if the appointing authority so desires, continue in service after the expiry of the said period of four years;

(iii) no person who is engaged directly or indirectly in any trade or business connected with the manufacture of drugs shall be appointed as a Government Analyst for any area :

Provided further that for the purpose of examination of Anti-sera, Toxoid and Vaccines and Diagnostic Antigens for Veterinary use, the person appointed shall be a person who is a graduate in Veterinary Science, or general science, or medicine or pharmacy and has had not less than five years’ experience in the standardization of biological products or person holding a post-graduate degree in Veterinary Science, or general science, or medicine or pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry with an experience of not less than three years in the standardization of biological products :

Provided also that persons, already appointed as Government Analysts may continue to remain in service, if the appointing authority so desires, notwithstanding the fact that they do not ful-fil the qualifications as laid down in clause (a), clause (b) or the preceding proviso.

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Powers of Food Safety Officer

Food safety officer have various powers, those are given below -

(1) The Food Safety Officer may –

• (a) take a sample – (i) of any food, or any substance, which appears to him to be intended for sale, or to have been sold for human consumption; or (ii) of any article of food or substance which is found by him on or in any such premises; which he has reason to believe that it may be required as evidence in proceedings under any of the provisions of this Act or of the regulations or orders made thereunder
• (b) seize any article of food which appears to the Food Safety Officer to be in contravention of this Act or the regulations made thereunder
• (c) keep it in the safe custody of the food business operator such article of food after taking a sample; and in both cases send the same for analysis to a Food Analyst for the local area within which such sample has been taken: Provided that where the Food Safety Officer keeps such article in the safe custody of the food business operator, he may require the food business operator to execute a bond for a sum of money equal to the value of such article with one or more sureties as the Food Safety Officer deems fit and the food business operator shall execute the bond accordingly. 

What is the Powers of Food Safety Officer

2) The Food Safety Officer may enter and inspect any place where the article of food is manufactured, or stored for sale, or stored for the manufacture of any other article of food, or exposed or exhibited for sale and where any adulterant is manufactured or kept, and take samples of such articles of food or adulterant for analysis. 

Powers of Food Safety Officer

3) Where any sample is taken, its cost calculated at the rate at which the article is usually sold to the public shall be paid to the person from whom it is taken. 

4) Where any article of food seized under clause (b) of subsection (1) is of a perishable nature and the Food Safety Officer is satisfied that such article of food is so deteriorated that it is unfit for human consumption, the Food Safety Officer may, after giving notice in writing to the food business operator, cause the same to be destroyed. 

5) The Food Safety Officer shall, in exercising the powers of entry upon, and inspection of any place under this section, follow, as far as may be, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) relating to the search or inspection of a place by a police officer executing a search warrant issued under that Code. 

Food Safety Officer

6) Any adulterant found in the possession of a manufacturer or distributor of, or dealer in, any article of food or in any of the premises occupied by him as such and for the possession of which he is unable to account to the satisfaction of the Food Safety Officer and any books of account or other documents found in his possession or control and which would be useful for, or relevant to, any investigation or proceeding under this Act, may be seized by the Food Safety Officer and a sample of such adulterant submitted for analysis to a Food Analyst: Provided that no such books of account or other documents shall be seized by the Food Safety Officer except with the previous approval of the authority to which he is subordinate. 

Food Safety Officer

7) Where the Food Safety Officer takes any action under clause (a) of sub-section (1), or sub-section (2), or sub-section (4) or sub-section (6), he shall, call one or more persons to be present at the time when such action is taken and take his or their signatures. 

8) Where any books of account or other documents are seized under sub-section (6), the Food Safety Officer shall, within a period not exceeding thirty days from the date of seizure, return the same to the person from whom they were seized after copies thereof or extracts there from as certified by that person in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government have been taken: Provided that where such person refuses to so certify and a prosecution has been instituted against him under this Act, such books of account or other documents shall be returned to him only after copies thereof and extracts there from as certified by the court have been taken. 

Food Safety Officer

9)When any adulterant is seized under sub-section (6), the burden of proving that such adulterant is not meant for purposes of adulteration shall be on the person from whose possession such adulterant was seized. 

10) The Commissioner of Food Safety may from time to time issue guidelines with regard to exercise of powers of the Food Safety Officer, which shall be binding: Provided that the powers of such Food Safety Officer may also be revoked for a specified period by the Commissioner of Food Safety.

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Powers and Duties of Food Safety Officer

In India, Power duties and responsibilities of food safety officer are given below - 

(i) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on him under section 38 of the Act, where the Food Safety Officer is of the opinion or he has reason(s) to be recorded in writing that in the given situation it is not possible to comply with the provision of section 38 (1) (c) or the proviso to section 38(1) for reasons like non availability of the Food Business Operator, the Food Safety Officer may seize the adulterant or food which is unsafe or sub-standard or mis-branded or containing extraneous matter, may seal the premises for investigation after taking a sample of such adulterant or food for analysis.

Powers and Duties of Food Safety Officer

(ii) Where the Food Safety Officer is of the opinion or he has reason(s) to believe that any person engaged in selling, handling or manufacturing any article of food is suffering from or harbouring the germs of any infectious disease, he may cause such person to be examined by a qualified medical professional duly authorized by the Designated Officer. Provided that where such person is a female, she shall be examined by a qualified lady medical professional duly authorized by the Designated Officer. If on such examination the qualified medical professional certifies that such person is suffering from any such disease, the Food Safety Officer may by order in writing under intimation to the Designated Officer direct such person not to take part in selling or manufacturing any article of food. 

(iii) Furthermore, it shall be the duty of the Food Safety Officer-

(a) To inspect, as frequently as may be prescribed by the Designated Officer, all food establishments licensed for manufacturing, handling, packing or selling of an article of food within the area assigned to him.

(b) To satisfy himself that the conditions of licenses are being complied with by each of the Food Business Operators carrying on business within the area assigned to him and report to the Designated Officer.

Powers and Duties of Food Safety Officer

(c) To procure and send for analysis if necessary, samples of any article of food which he has reason to believe or on the basis of information received including from a purchaser are bein manufactured, stocked or sold or exhibited for sale in contravention of the provisions of the Act, or rules and regulations framed thereunder. 

(d) To draw samples for purposes of surveillance, survey and research, which shall not be used for prosecution.

(e) To investigate any complaint which may be made to him in writing in respect of any contravention of the provisions of the Act, or rules framed thereunder; (f) To maintain a data base of all Food Business within the area assigned to him.

(g) To recommend Desidnated Officer to issue of improvement notices to the Food Business Operator whenever necessary.

(h) To maintain a record of all inspections made and action taken by him in the performance of his duties, including the taking of samples and seizure of stocks, and to submit copies of such records to the Designated Officer as directed in this regard; 12 adhkarion ke karya avam dayitava 3 (i) To make such inquiries and inspections as may be necessary to detect the manufacture, storage or sale of articles of food in contravention of the Act or rules framed thereunder.

(j) To stop and inspect any vehicle suspected to contain any unsafe food or food which does not comply with the provisions of this Act and rules, intended for sale or delivery for human consumption.

(k) To recommend to the Designated Officer giving specific grounds, suitable action in regard to licenses issued to any Food Business Operator, if on inspection the Food Safety Officer finds that the Food Business Operator had violated the conditions for grant of license; 

(l) To carry out food safety surveillance to identify and address the safety hazards.

Powers and Duties of Food Safety Officer

(m) To respond to incidents of food poisoning in his area and to send report to and assist the Designated Officer to enable him to initiate corrective action.

(n) To facilitate preparation of Food safety plans for Panchayat and Municipalities in accordance with the parameters and guidelines given in schedule IV of Chapter 3 of Regulations. 

(o) To detain imported packages which are suspected to contain articles of food, the import or sale of which is prohibited.

(p) To coordinate with the Food Business Operators within his area of operation and facilitate the introduction of food safety systems by the Food Business Operators. 

(q) To perform such other duties, as may be entrusted to him by the Designated Officer or Food Safety Commissioner having jurisdiction in the local area concerned.

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