Ajinomoto banned in two weeks

The importation of monosodium glutamate, commonly known under the brand name ‘Ajinomoto’ will be banned as from April. The relevant regulations will become effective within a fortnight. This statement was made on Tuesday 15 March by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Ashit Gungah, at the opening of a national workshop on “Antibiotics off the Menu – A Responsible and Prudent use of Antibiotics in Food Production” organised in the context of the World Consumer Rights Day 2016. A new legislation on consumer protection is currently being drafted. The emphasis will be laid on education, information and proper mechanism to be set up for timely redress of consumer complaints. Consumer empowerment will be given its proper weightage in the new Consumer Protection Framework. Speaking about the misuse of antibiotics, Minister Gungah underlined that it is important to inform and educate farmers, planters and all those engaged in food production to adopt a prudent approach to the use of antibiotics. It is reported that about half of the antibiotics produced in the world are used in agriculture to promote further growth and to prevent, rather than, treat disease. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock, aquaculture and crops are major contributors to antibiotic resistance,” he said.