The old method of using bull/ox’s intestines for preparation of silver leaf — popularly known as “chandi ka vark”— peppered on sweets, paan and fruits will soon be a thing of past. Only veg-processed hygienic silver leaf will be allowed to be sold in the country.
The Union Health Ministry is in the process of issuing a notification in this regard, putting an end to the widely-used unhygienic practice of using animal parts in its manufacture. “Vark” is also used in syrups like that of Kesar (saffron) and as an ingredient in various ayurvedic and herbal products, summer drinks and Chyawanprash, etc.
Presently, “chandi ka vark’ is made by hammering thin sheets of silver in the middle of sheets made of a bull’s intestines. After slaughtering a bull, its intestines are removed immediately and sold to the manufacturers of foils.
Joint Secretary KL Sharma from Union Health Ministry told The Pioneer that to streamline the industry, largely dominated by unorganised sector, a notification is in the pipeline. There have been several complaints against the existing method of manufacturing of the silver leaves, as there are hygiene and safety issues, he added.
The notification aims to streamline the manufacturing process, ensure quality and safety, Sharma said, adding that the Ministry’s nod follows a proposal from the top food regulator, Food and Safety Standard Authority of
India (FSSAI), for ban on the use of animal parts during the manufacturing process of the silver leaf.
As per guidelines, the silver leaf manufactures will have to adhere to norms regarding thickness, weight and purity of the silver leaf. They will also have to follow to the labelling standards like any other food products.
“To regulate the industry, the food regulator has made it clear that under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, relating to other food and ingredients, no material of animal origin shall be used at any stage of manufacture of the silver leaf,” as per the draft notification issued by the FSSAI in April.
The regulation also say that “silver leaf shall be in the form of sheet of uniform thickness, free from creases and folds and that its weight should be up to 2.8 gm/sqm while the silver content shall be of minimum 999/1000 purity.
When enforced, the standards would do away with the widely used method of preparing the silver leaves, wherein the intestines of cattle/ox, obtained from slaughterhouses, are used for making it.
“The foil manufacturer removes blood and stool from the intestines, and cuts them into pieces. Then he puts one piece of intestine over another, making a sheet out of it. At his home, or in the factory, he puts one silver (or gold) foil in-between two sheet and hammers it hard until those metal sheets turn into thin wafers,” explained a manufacturer, on condition of anonymity.
“Old intestines are of no use. Even a one-day-old intestine cannot be used as it stiffens within a few hours,” said the source, pointing out that sometimes, because of the hammering, some tissues of the intestine also mix with the foils.
Welcoming the ban, Shubh Chouksey, Director, Shree Jagannathji Sterling Product’s Pvt Ltd , which is in ‘chandi ka vark’ business, said that have been already using a purely vegetarian process to manufacture the item with the help of fully automatic and computerised machines with new technology.
“Instead of intestines, we use hygienic polyster. The same technology is applied for making gold leaves which is also used for decorating food items like cakes. We adhere to good manufacturing practices as those complied in the EU.”
He said the new standards will curb adulteration as some unscrupulous players are selling health hazardous aluminum leaves too in the name of silver foil.
There are several technologies evolved for silver leaves production like beating over sheets of black special treated paper, polyester sheets coated with food grade calcium powder instead of Ox-guts. Estimated consumption of Varak is 275 tons in India, as per a report.
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