Meerut: The results of some food samples, that were sent to the food testing laboratory in Lucknow and which arrived on Thursday, have revealed shocking amounts of carcinogenic chemicals and non-permitted food colours. The samples were sent by officials of the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) after a raid at several sweet shops during Diwali.
Sudan, a colouring dye that is prohibited under law, was used in food colour and Rhodamine B, a carcinogenic element, was used for making sweets at a local shop in Meerut. “As many as 102 food items were sent for testing. It was found that 31 items were substandard, one was misbranded, 11 violated regulations and eight were found unsafe for consumption,” said Archana Dheeran, designated officer, FSDA Meerut.
The laboratory reports of the eight unsafe items included a sweet sample that used Rhodamine B and which was taken from the shop of one Mohd Aslam in Kithore. Meanwhile, a sample of food colour taken from Bhagat Ji Sweets in Pallavpuram had Sudan II – a banned dye.
A laddoo manufacturing shop belonging to one Salman in Jamuna Nagar on Hapur road used the non-permitted Metanil yellow colour. Experts said that this colour is neurotoxic, which can damage the central and peripheral nervous system in human body, and hepatotoxic, which can cause liver damage.
Meanwhile, silver vark used in sweets taken from the shop of one Randhava in Meerut’s Mussourie area was found to be toxic aluminium.
“A case will be filed against all the sweet shops which flouted norms under the Food Safety and Standards Act and action will be taken against them,” said Dheeran.
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