nChhattisgarh government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against use of inedible colours in food products.
The department has also made an appeal to the common man not to consume such food products.
Before purchase any such product, enquiry should be made, it said. In case use of inedible colours is found, the complaint can be lodged on helpline number 9340597097. Legal action will be initiated based on the complaint, it added.
Department intimated that inedible food colours are being used by traders, even street vendors, dealing with sweets and other food products, across the state irrespective of the packet or box carrying the warning that colour is not to be used for food products.
Similarly, instead of silver coating aluminum coating is used in many sweets and laddus. Both the colour and aluminum causes health hazard that can even lead to cancer.
As per Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 section 59, the use of inedible colours in food products can draw the punishment of life imprisonment and fine of Rs 10 lakh.
FDA officials stated that maximum traders use ‘Gaay Chaap’ (Cow brand) colour which is generally used for industrial use.
The department also urged the traders to use minimum permissible colours.