Food regulator asks Parle to recall mango candy

The Maharashtra FDA has asked Parle to recall its entire stock of the candy as it was found to contain buffered lactic acid, which is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

Mumbai, Oct 13: 

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked Mumbai-headquartered Parle Products to recall its entire stock of candy ‘Mango Bite' from the market, terming it ‘unsafe’ for consumption.

A State FDA team that searched the Parle Biscuits factory near Nashik a few days ago seized stock of the hard-boiled candy ‘Kaccha Mango Bite’ and raw material.

Officials of the FDA Konkan Division raided two other locations in Raigad and Bhiwandi, and confiscated more stocks of the finished candy and ingredients.

The FDA has asked Parle to recall its entire stock of the candy as it was found to contain buffered lactic acid, which is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006.

Awaiting info

Commenting on the matter, a Parle Products spokesperson said, “Currently, we are looking into the matter and awaiting information from the FDA authorities pertaining to the recalling of the stocks. Further course of action will be based on that.”

The candy ‘Kachha Mango Bite’ derives its name from the taste of tangy raw mango. The company had earlier launched Mango Bite, and then added a twist to it with the raw mango taste.

In 2002, it had engineered a Single Twist Wrapping and also launched a juice-filled candy variant, Juizy Mangoh.

An industry expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, said lactic acid is added to candies such as gummy bears, hard candy and other confectionary products by most confectionary companies.

“Lactic acid in food products usually serves either as a pH regulator or as a preservative. It is also used as a flavouring agent. While formulating hard-boiled candy with lactic acid, it results in a mild acid taste, reduced stickiness and a longer shelf life. FDA guidelines, however, say companies cannot include it in their candy,” he added.

In another instance, following reports of food poisoning among children in Nanded district, an FDA team searched the Parle Biscuits factory on October 3.

The company spokesperson said the legal team at Parle Products is looking into the matter.