Food Safety test detect use of banned dye

Peren, April 28 (MExN): The Mobile Food Safety on Wheels team has detected use of a banned dye in chilli powder products in Peren town.

According to a press release issued by Food Safety Officer, Chief Medical Office, Peren during the test, the team detected chilli powder, which were sold in the local market, dyed with cancer causing synthetic colour Rhodamine B dye which breaks down Red Blood Cells and adversely cause growth retardation and damages the liver and kidney and Sudan Dye which is highly toxic to liver.

“This was also detected in Dimapur market,” the press release stated.

Different food products like spices, local water, fruit juice and drinks, milk etc were collected from shops in the town and tested in the mobile lab at Peren Town. The team had also conducted an awareness programme along with the testing of food at Peren Town on April 27.

The team consisted of technicians from State Public Health Laboratory, Kohima assisted by the Food Safety Officer and Sanitary Inspector, Peren.

Products such as chilli powder is consumed daily by the public without knowing the harmful affect it can have on the body. “Therefore, it is our concern that higher authorities exercise immediate steps towards these kind of rampant selling of health deteriorating substances found in common place we find and eat,” the Officer added.

Further, the local waters and other liquid products tested were found to be in the permissible range. The Food Safety on Wheels also held a brief awareness programme for the students in the Town Hall in the evening. The ADC, Peren had also visited the Team in the morning. Security was provided by the SP for assisting the team for the whole day. Volunteers from youth and the public eagerly helped the team in performing their work successfully.