India’s food colouring woes and steps being taken to combat recurring issue, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• Auramine O, a banned industrial dye, is recurringly found in Indian food items despite regulations.
• This synthetic yellow dye is used in textiles, leather, and paper, and is not approved as a food colorant in India.
• IARC classifies auramine as possibly carcinogenic, posing risks like liver and kidney damage.
• FSSAI intensifies surveillance and enforcement, especially during festivals, to combat adulteration.

Detailed Insights:

• Auramine O persists in the food chain due to its low cost and easy availability in local markets.
• Small-scale vendors use it unknowingly or to mimic saffron/turmeric, ignoring regulations due to weak enforcement.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 aims to prevent adulteration, but enforcement varies across states due to differing resources.
• Efforts to eliminate auramine O include regulating chemical markets, educating manufacturers, deploying testing tools, and penalizing violators.
• Consumer education is crucial to identify and avoid foods with non-permitted dyes, promoting safer food choices.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Auramine O: A banned synthetic yellow dye used in industries, posing health risks if ingested.
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: Indian legislation ensuring food safety standards and preventing adulteration.
• FSSAI: The authority responsible for setting and regulating food standards in India.