The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all State/UT Food Safety Commissioners and Central Licensing Authorities to conduct targeted enforcement against the illegal use of Auramine, a non-permitted industrial dye, in roasted chana and similar food items. Auramine renders food unsafe under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Inspections, sampling, testing, and action against defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) are mandated, with Action Taken Reports to be submitted within 15 days.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive regarding increasing complaints of the illegal addition of Auramine, an industrial dye used in textiles and leather, to roasted chana and similar food products for colour enhancement.
Key points include:
- Under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Auramine is a non-permitted synthetic colour, and its presence in food makes the product unsafe as per Section 3(1)(zz)(v) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Accordingly, all State/UT Food Safety Commissioners and Central Licensing Authorities are instructed to undertake intensive enforcement actions, including focused inspections, sampling, laboratory testing, and necessary legal measures across organised, unorganised, and e-commerce supply chains dealing with these products.
- Authorities must take strict action against non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs) and submit a consolidated Action Taken Report (ATR) in the prescribed format within 15 days.
- A list of laboratories equipped to test for Auramine is also enclosed in Annexure B.