PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration
(FDA) has asked manufacturers and distributors to recall from market
confectioneries that contain lactic acid, the use of which is prohibited
under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The issue came to the fore after FDA joint commissioner in Aurangabad found the presence of the prohibited substance (DL lactic acid) in sugar boiled confectionery product 'Kaccha Mango Bite' in Nanded and Aurangabad. FDA officials across the state swung into action after the incident and seized the confectionery at manufacturing plants and from distributors across the state.
During the first raid conducted at the company's carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded, the FDA officials in Aurangabad seized confectionery worth Rs 4.90 lakh on October 1. A slew of raids and seizures followed soon after across the state.
"Two months ago, we took samples of the confectionery and sent them to the laboratory for testing. The lab report revealed the presence of DL lactic acid in sugar boiled confectionery," said Chandrashekhar Salunke, joint commissioner (Food), FDA, Aurangabad division.
Salunke raided a carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded on October 1, followed by another raid on a firm in Aurangabad and Parbhani, where he seized goods worth Rs 4.30 lakh and Rs 49,000 respectively.
"After I learnt about the use of the banned substance, I informed all FDA joint commissioners, following which a series of raids and seizures ensued across the state," Salunke said.
Nashik FDA officials confiscated confectionery worth Rs 60 lakh at an Igatpuri-based firm in Nashik district on October 4. The product was being manufactured using lactic acid.
The FDA sealed the company's godown after impounding raw material, lactic acid stock and stocks of the confectionery product samples of which have been sent to Pune for examination.
Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune, said, "We have seized confectionery worth Rs 91,000 in Pune division. We have asked all distributors of sugar boiled confectioneries to recall products containing DL lactic acid."
DL lactic acid is an acidulant. Acidulants are additive that give sharp taste to food. According to the Act, DL Lactic acid and L(+) Tartaric acid shall not be added to any food meant for children below 12 months (the lactic acid shall also conform to the specification laid down by the Indian Standards Institution).
The issue came to the fore after FDA joint commissioner in Aurangabad found the presence of the prohibited substance (DL lactic acid) in sugar boiled confectionery product 'Kaccha Mango Bite' in Nanded and Aurangabad. FDA officials across the state swung into action after the incident and seized the confectionery at manufacturing plants and from distributors across the state.
During the first raid conducted at the company's carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded, the FDA officials in Aurangabad seized confectionery worth Rs 4.90 lakh on October 1. A slew of raids and seizures followed soon after across the state.
"Two months ago, we took samples of the confectionery and sent them to the laboratory for testing. The lab report revealed the presence of DL lactic acid in sugar boiled confectionery," said Chandrashekhar Salunke, joint commissioner (Food), FDA, Aurangabad division.
Salunke raided a carrying and forwarding agent in Nanded on October 1, followed by another raid on a firm in Aurangabad and Parbhani, where he seized goods worth Rs 4.30 lakh and Rs 49,000 respectively.
"After I learnt about the use of the banned substance, I informed all FDA joint commissioners, following which a series of raids and seizures ensued across the state," Salunke said.
Nashik FDA officials confiscated confectionery worth Rs 60 lakh at an Igatpuri-based firm in Nashik district on October 4. The product was being manufactured using lactic acid.
The FDA sealed the company's godown after impounding raw material, lactic acid stock and stocks of the confectionery product samples of which have been sent to Pune for examination.
Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune, said, "We have seized confectionery worth Rs 91,000 in Pune division. We have asked all distributors of sugar boiled confectioneries to recall products containing DL lactic acid."
DL lactic acid is an acidulant. Acidulants are additive that give sharp taste to food. According to the Act, DL Lactic acid and L(+) Tartaric acid shall not be added to any food meant for children below 12 months (the lactic acid shall also conform to the specification laid down by the Indian Standards Institution).
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