No added colours: food laboratory

The samples of watermelons submitted to the Divisional Food Laboratory in Mysuru did not contain added colours.

Officials of the laboratory situated in Tilak Nagar in the city said six samples of watermelons were submitted to them by the Food Safety Officers of Mysuru during the last one week. “None of them contained any added colours,” a senior chemist told The Hindu .

Food Safety Officer M.S. Lokesh said that officers from different city divisions had submitted around 15 samples of watermelons after Chamaraja Assembly constituency MLA Vasu sought for a laboratory test in the wake of complaints that watermelons were being injected with chemicals and additives for lending a ripened colour.

“We subjected the samples for laboratory examination in view of the suspicion that unscrupulous persons were injecting additives to artificially ripen the watermelons and make quick money,” Mr. Lokesh said.