J-K govt warns against banned synthetic food colours in Wazwan, ready-to-eat foods; violators face Rs 3 lakh fine

Srinagar, August 08: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a public notice warning against the use of prohibited synthetic food colours in prepared (ready-to-eat) foods, including Wazwan dishes, biryani, pickles, and other meat-based preparations. The presence of such colours poses a serious risk to public health, officials said on Friday.

According to the public notice, recent analytical reports of National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, reveal that certain food samples of prepared food viz. Kabab, Biryani, Pickles, and Chicken Tikka, have been found Unsafe due to the presence of synthetic food colours, like Carmoisine, Tartrazine, and Erythrosine.

It stated that “In terms of Regulation  3.1.2 and Appendix A of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, use of Synthetic food colours is prohibited in prepared food items such as Wazwan, Biryani, Pickles, and other meat-based preparations(ready-to-eat).The presence of such prohibited synthetic colours poses a serious risk to public health. In terms of Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act,2006, such violations are punishable and may attract Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, and also with Fine which may extend up to ₹3,00,000(three lakhs).”

the notice advised that all Food Business Operators (FBOs) engaged in the manufacture, preparation, processing, sale or service of ready-to-eat food items, especially meat-based products such as Kebabs, Wazwan, Biryani, Chicken Tikka, Pickles, etc, are advised to strictly avoid the use of synthetic food  colours in any prepared food items.

This notice is being issued in the interest of public health and food safety. The cooperation of all stakeholders is solicited to ensure that only safe, wholesome food reaches the consumer, it added