Vijayan accuses Centre of adopting negative stand towards Kerala
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Kasaragod (Kerala) (PTI): Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday made a scathing attack against the Centre, accusing it of wanting to see the 'destruction' of the southern state and adopting a negative approach towards its efforts to survive during time of difficulties.
The state had to face several challenges in recent times including the worst flood of the century and the landslide tragedy that had rocked Wayanad, he said.
Unfortunately, the Centre, which has the responsibility to support the state and help it to survive, has provided no assistance at any stage, the CM alleged while inaugurating the fourth anniversary celebrations of the LDF government in this northernmost district.
"The Centre has adopted a completely negative approach in this matter. They even tried to block the assistance offered by others using their power," he alleged.
"Let Kerala shatter...shatter more. The union government was led by that destructive mindset," Vijayan further charged.
The Left veteran further said when the state suffered the massive deluge years ago, the entire world thought how it would survive the impacts of the natural disaster.
However, both the country and the world have got amused at the way the state survived it, he claimed.
"How could we survive like this? There is only one reason for this. The unity of our state and its people. It has become our strength to survive all difficulties and challenges," he said.
Though the Centre has wished for the "destruction" of Kerala and adopted a negative stand for the same, Kerala has not been shattered, Vijayan further said.
The same union government even had to give many awards to the state recognising it's achievements in various fields and acknowledging that it is number one in the country in those areas.
During his address, Vijayan also listed out various achievements of his government under its consecutive rules and development initiatives implemented it during the period.
He asked what would be the condition of Kerala if the LDF government had not come to power in 2016 and if it had not receive the people's mandate to continue in 2021 as well.
Over 4.5 lakh houses have been handed over to deserving beneficiaries under the government's ambitious LIFE Mission project, he said adding that four lakh title deeds have been distributed.
The arrears of welfare pension have been cleared and the amount has been enhanced, the CM further mentioned.
On national highway development, he said Kerala has now become a state which can equally boast of natural beauty and infrastructure development.
"There is only a picture of change and advancement everywhere in the state now," the Chief Minister added.
Besides Vijayan, various cabinet ministers were also present during the inauguration of the government's fourth anniversary celebrations.
The government, earlier, announced that its fourth anniversary would be celebrated from April 21 to May 23, with district- and state-level events.
However, opposition UDF boycotted the event alleging extravaganza at a time when the state is reeling under acute financial crunch.
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Eggs safe for consumption, cancer risk claims unfounded: FSSAI
New Delhi (PTI): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has categorically dismissed recent claims linking eggs to cancer risk, terming them "misleading, scientifically unsupported and capable of creating unnecessary public alarm".
In a statement issued on Saturday, the food safety regulator clarified that eggs available in the country are safe for human consumption and that reports alleging the presence of carcinogenic substances in eggs lack a scientific basis.
The clarification comes in response to media reports and social media posts claiming detection of nitrofuran metabolites (AOZ) -- substances purportedly linked to cancer -- in eggs sold in India.
FSSAI officials emphasised that the use of nitrofurans is strictly prohibited at all stages of poultry and egg production under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.
The regulator explained that an Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) of 1.0 µg/kg has been prescribed for nitrofuran metabolites -- but solely for regulatory enforcement purposes. This limit represents the minimum level that can be reliably detected by advanced laboratory methods and does not indicate that the substance is permitted for use.
"Detection of trace residues below the EMRL does not constitute a food safety violation nor does it imply any health risk," an FSSAI official said.
FSSAI said India's regulatory framework is aligned with international practices. The European Union and the United States also prohibit the use of nitrofurans in food-producing animals and employ reference points for action or guideline values only as enforcement tools.
Differences in numerical benchmarks across countries reflect variations in analytical and regulatory approaches, not differences in consumer safety standards, the authority noted.
On public health concerns, FSSAI cited scientific evidence indicating that there is no established causal link between trace-level dietary exposure to nitrofuran metabolites and cancer or other adverse health outcomes in humans.
"No national or international health authority has associated normal egg consumption with increased cancer risk," the regulator reiterated.
Addressing reports related to the testing of a specific egg brand, officials explained that such detections are isolated and batch-specific, often arising from inadvertent contamination or feed-related factors, and are not representative of the overall egg supply chain in the country.
"Generalising isolated laboratory findings to label eggs as unsafe is scientifically incorrect," the statement said.
FSSAI urged consumers to rely on verified scientific evidence and official advisories, reiterating that eggs remain a safe, nutritious, and valuable component of a balanced diet when produced and consumed in compliance with food safety regulations.
