Visakhapatnam: Despite regular raids and warnings, usage of artificial food colouring agents and monosodium glutamate (tasting salt) is rampant at eateries and restaurants in Vizianagaram district.
Recent raids at eateries by officials of vigilance and enforcement and food safety departments have exposed excessive usage of colouring agents and the chemical in the food.
“We found tasting salt in over 80% of the eateries and restaurants in Vizianagaram town, Parvathipuram, Saluru and few other areas in the district, where the floating population is high. Tasting salt is not permitted to be used in food as the chemical can cause several health problems like ulcers, and intestine problems, said sub-inspector of vigilance, K Kiran Kumar.
The use of certain artificial colors have been banned under the Food Safety Standards Act of 2006 as they can, in the long run, cause cancer and tumours.
Kumar further revealed that a majority of complaints against use of synethic food colours, which contain chemicals like erythrosine, carmoisine, indigo carmine, brilliant blue FCF and others, are associated with non-vegetarian dishes. Some consumers have also complained that the use of colours has been so high that the colour residue remained in their hands, he added.
“Although we have suggested to restaurateurs to use natural food colours, they have been turning a deaf ear, citing that consumers wouldn’t like if the food is not attractive,” said vigilance inspector Ch B Swami.
The raids also revealed that some restaurants kept stale and leftover food in their freezers to sell them the next day.
Explaining why people brazenly break rules with regard to food safety, food safety and vigilance officials said that as there is no proper punishment laid down for those caught selling stale and dangerous food items.
“Unless the culprits are put behind bars for years, it is difficult to curb food adulteration in restaurants and eateries,” they said.
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