Liquor chocolates, popular as Diwali gifts and otherwise, may soon be withdrawn from shop shelves as the government is planning a crackdown on sale of these chocolates.
Maggi may have returned to the market but Delhiites are in for another disappointment soon. Liquor chocolates, popular as Diwali gifts and otherwise, may soon be withdrawn from shop shelves as the government is planning a crackdown on sale of these chocolates. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), liquor chocolates are strictly prohibited in India and its sale is illegal.
The FSSAI said it would pick up samples to conduct quality check and if alcohol content is found in these chocolates, action would be initiated against the manufacturer and the seller. During festive season, markets in several Indian cities, particularly the metro cities, get flooded with liquor chocolates. The sale goes up by almost two to three times during Christmas and New Year.
The sale of liquor chocolates is also in violation of the Delhi Excise Rule. An excise department official said it is mandatory to procure license to sell any commodity containing alcohol in Delhi. In addition to this, consumption of liquor is prohibited for those below 25 years of age in the Capital. In a crackdown, the Mumbai Police had arrested a woman for making liquor chocolates without obtaining license from the excise department. In Mumbai, it is also mandatory to have an alcohol permit to buy these chocolates, violation of which can lead to penalty or arrest under the Bombay Prohibition Act.
In response to an RTI query, the FSSAI said even imported chocolates containing alcohol is not permitted in Indian markets. "The FSSAI does not permit alcohol in chocolates. Hence, liquor chocolates imported from other countries are not allowed to be sold in Delhi's markets," said the RTI reply. The food safety regulator admitted that it has never conducted any quality check of these chocolates and hence there has been no penalty against violators. "It is a serious matter. Consumption of liquor chocolates could be injurious. We will take strict action against the manufacturers and sellers if the samples are found to have alcohol content," said a senior FSSAI official. "If ingredient lists of imported chocolates contain alcohol, the entire consignment is immediately rejected," said the official.
The RTI applicant had also sought information on the countries from where liquor chocolates are imported in India and penalty imposed on these sellers. However, the department had no information in this regard. Sources said liquor chocolates are also available in duty-free shops at various airports in India.
In Delhi, not only are imported chocolates mostly from Belgium sold, but a large number of local chocolate manufacturers openly operate. Liquor chocolates are also sold through online portals like amazon.com, craftsvilla.com, candywarehouse. com, germandeli.com and many more. The popular liquor chocolate brands being sold in Indian markets include VooDoo and Anthon Berg.
Local manufacturers told Mail Today that these chocolates are preferred by youths in the age group of 20 to 30 years. "Liquor chocolates are manufactured on a large scale in Delhi. Orders are generally placed online. The price varies between Rs 20-25 per piece or Rs 1,000-1,500 per kg," said a Delhi-based seller of liquor chocolates. Another seller in Gurgaon said local chocolates are in demand due to easy availability. These chocolates come in the shape of tiny edible bottles made of chocolate and filled with liquor.
Doctors and experts have also warned against consumption of liquor chocolates. Doctors said liquor chocolates contain hydrogenated fats or the trans fats that can lead to a host of lifestyle illnesses like coronary heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Hydrogenated fats are fatty acids created while making these chocolates.
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