Key Update

Karnataka has banned artificial food colours in kebabs, chicken, fish, and vegetarian dishes, the Union Health Ministry confirmed. Authorities imposed the ban, citing serious health risks from harmful chemicals in these colours.

India’s Food Colour Standards

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, regulate food colouring in India, allowing only approved colours within prescribed limits. The Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, prohibits non-permitted colours in food and restricts adding colours or additives to ready-to-eat items such as kebabs, chicken, and fish. Section 29 of the FSS Act empowers State Authorities to inspect food products and curb hazardous additives, giving them the mandate to act against unsafe practices.

Monitoring and Enforcement

To ensure compliance, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with State and Union Territory governments, carries out regular inspections, surveillance, and random sampling of food items. When food samples fail to meet the standards, authorities take strict action against the businesses involved.

Wider National Concern

This issue is not limited to Karnataka. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Food Authority also banned synthetic food colours, highlighting a growing national concern over the health risks linked to such additives.

Source: FoodTech News