ALL NON-EDIBLE ICE TO BE IN BLUE COLOUR

How many times have you doubted the quality of the ice used in food and juices or say ice golas being sold in the open market? From June 1, however, you will be able to distinguish edible ice from non-edible ice as the latter will have a blue tinge.

Taking cue from Maharashtra, the country’s top food regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed the food controllers across the States to ensure that manufacturers use blue colour in manufacturing industrial ice to differentiate it from edible ice which remain colourless.

A month ago, Maharashtra Government, taking into consideration that 70 per cent of the edible ice used by the food vendors in the State was found to be contaminated, directed the businesses involved in the manufacturing of industrial ice to use blue colour to differentiate it from the edible ice.

Now, the FSSAI has decided to replicate the order pan India, a senior official from the Authority said. Prone to harmful bugs like E-Coli, contaminated ice can leave one sick.

E-coli can cause problems in lungs and intestines and some people can contract pneumonia as well, said the official.

“The use of non-edible ice which is made from non-potable water for edible purpose is a health hazards. Similarly, incorrect use of non-edible ice for preservation/storage or transportation of food commodities may lead to contamination of such food commodities.

“It has been observed that in the absence of any visible distinguish between the edible and non edible ice, the latter is being diverted for the edible purpose,” said the FSSAI circular issued two days ago.

With a view to check the use of non-edible ice as edible ice, it has been decided that food colour (indigo Carmine or brilliant blue upto 10 ppms must be used in production of non-edible ice and non-edible ice blocks coming in contact with food products during preservation and transportation of perishable food items to give it a bluish look so as to enable clear difference between the two, it added.

State food collectors have been asked to ensure that the order is enforced from June 1.

Industrial ice is used for preservation of dead bodies, and in medicines and cement factories, amongst others.

As per the regulations, edible ice is considered as food under the Act However, it has come to the notice that both the edible as well as non-edible ice are made from the same water, which sometimes is contaminated and harmful for human health, the official added.