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Food Safety Standards – FSSAI, food fortification, etc.

Auramine O Adulteration in Food: A Persistent Food-Safety Challenge in India

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields,Food Processing & Related Industries In India

Why in the News?

  • Recent inspections by state food-safety departments and laboratory analyses by academic institutions have once again detected the presence of Auramine O — a banned industrial dye — in sweets, savoury items, and brightly coloured chickpeas sold in public.

What is Auramine O?

  • A synthetic bright yellow industrial dye.
  • Uses: textiles, leather, printing inks, paper, microbiological staining.
  • Not permitted as food colour in India, USA, EU, or most countries.
  • IARC Classification: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Why is Auramine O Harmful?

  • Toxicological risks:
    • Liver & kidney damage
    • Spleen enlargement
    • Mutagenic effects
    • Potential carcinogenicity
    • Organ lesions even at low doses

How Does Auramine Enter the Food Chain?

  • Cheap industrial dyes are sold informally in markets.
  • Used by small vendors to mimic:
    • Saffron
    • Turmeric
    • Approved synthetic colours
  • Usage spikes during festivals when brightly coloured sweets/snacks are in demand.
  • Lack of awareness and cost pressure lead to misuse.

Commonly Adulterated Food Items

  • Bright yellow chickpeas
  • Laddus, peda, halwa
  • Namkeen, mixtures
  • Pickles and condiments

Regulatory Framework – India

Food Safety and Standards Act (2006)

  • Defines adulteration.
  • Penalties: fines + imprisonment (for injury/death).

FSSAI Initiatives

  • Sampling & crackdown during festive seasons.
  • Seizures of illegal dyes and prosecution.
  • New order: bold, larger nutritional information on labels.
  • Awareness programs for:
    • Micro and small enterprises
    • Street vendors

 

Consider the following statements: (2018)

  1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 
  2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only 
  2. 2 only 
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

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