Srinagar, August 08: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a public advisory warning against the use of prohibited synthetic food colours in ready-to-eat foods, including traditional dishes such as Wazwan, biryani, pickles, and other meat-based preparations. Officials have stated that the use of these additives poses a significant threat to public health.
The advisory follows recent analytical findings from the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, which detected the presence of unsafe synthetic food colours—such as Carmoisine, Tartrazine, and Erythrosine—in samples of prepared foods like kebabs, biryani, pickles, and chicken tikka.
As per Regulation 3.1.2 and Appendix A of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the use of synthetic food colours is strictly prohibited in ready-to-eat food items, particularly in meat-based preparations. The presence of these banned additives not only violates food safety standards but also endangers consumer health.
Violations of these regulations are punishable under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Offenders may face imprisonment for up to three months and a fine of up to ₹3,00,000 (three lakh rupees).
The notice urges all Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the manufacturing, preparation, processing, sale, or serving of ready-to-eat foods—especially meat-based dishes like kebabs, Wazwan, biryani, chicken tikka, and pickles—to strictly refrain from using synthetic food colours in any form.
This advisory has been issued in the larger interest of public health and food safety. Authorities have called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that only safe and wholesome food reaches consumers.
