Overview

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Karnataka has flagged 31 snack items from Kerala as unsafe after testing revealed harmful substances, including carcinogens. Snacks such as chakli, nippattu, chips, and murukku contained excessive artificial colourants and other dangerous additives.

Unsafe Snacks Identified

FSSAI tested 140 food samples entering Karnataka from Kerala, with 31 failing to meet safety standards. The tests identified harmful chemicals, including Sunset Yellow, Allura Red, and Tartrazine—artificial colours linked to cancer—raising concerns about the health risks, particularly for children. FSSAI found unsafe snacks in several districts along Karnataka’s border with Kerala, including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, and Mangaluru. In response, FSSAI raided hotels, shops, and food manufacturing units in these areas and collected samples for lab testing.

Health Risks Detected

The tests also revealed contamination with harmful bacteria like E. coli and coliform and expired product labels. In light of the findings, Karnataka’s Food Safety Commissioner, Srinivas K., wrote to Kerala’s food safety department, urging immediate action. “We found several harmful substances, including artificial colourants like carmoisine and tartrazine, in the samples,” said Srinivas K. “We are treating this issue with urgency and have filed legal cases against manufacturers whose products did not meet safety standards.” The unsafe snacks are popular in Karnataka’s border districts, and authorities worry they may be distributed to other regions. To prevent the further spread of unsafe products, FSSAI has called for expanded testing across more districts, including Bengaluru and Kasaragod.

Stricter Food Safety Measures Needed

FSSAI is continuing its food safety inspections in the state, and the agency has promised to monitor the situation closely and take legal action against any further violations. These findings highlight the risks of unregulated food imports, and both Karnataka and Kerala are under pressure to enforce stricter food safety standards moving forward.

Source: Mathrubhumi