Under fire for its mass failure to address food adulteration and sale of substandard drugs, the Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) on Friday impressed upon all the food business operators dealing in processed, partially-processed or unprocessed food substances—intended for human consumption—to strictly adhere to the provisions laid down under Food Product Standards & Food Additives (FSSA) Rules & Regulations.
A DFCO spokesperson said it has come to the notice of the State Government that some vendors dealing in preparations/marketing of Food Articles particularly including traditional “Wazwan” items are using colouring matter in their recipes which is in contravention to the Provisions laid down under FSSA regulations 2011.
The DFCO has asked all such vendors, including all food manufacturers, who manufacture or sell any article of food or through micro-retailers, vendors or temporary stall holders; or distribute foods themselves or prepare food items for any religious or social gathering should besides obtaining mandatory Registration/Licensing whichever is applicable ensure that no colouring matter is used in their recipes.
“Any person found indulging in use of colouring matter in such food articles shall invite action under relevant provisions of Law which can extend to imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life and also with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 10 Lakh, depending upon severity of offence,” the spokesperson said.
He said that the maximum limit of such permitted colours shall not exceed up to 100 parts per million of the final food or beverage offered for consumption.
