FSSAI bans animal-origin silver leaf in confectionary

There are apprehensions of silver leaf not being of desired purity and containing dangerous metallic impurities.

The glittery delicate silver leaves used on sweets and confectionery will be under scanner as food regulatory body, Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) has asked states, including J&K to ensure the leaf used is not of animal origin.

The order is an extension of its earlier order issued in 2016 which had banned use of materials of animal origin in the manufacturing of chandi ka warq (silver leaf). “It (silver leaf) should not be manufactured using any material of animal origin at any stage and be in accordance with provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011, and Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011” the order had stated, directing states to submit action-taken-report of surveillance to FSSAI at earliest.

There are apprehensions of silver leaf not being of desired purity and containing dangerous metallic impurities. FSSAI has directed states to use its manual to detect the purity of this popular garnish used in confectionery industry.

The regulation has also specified the specifications of silver leaf. “It should be in the form of a sheet of uniform thickness, free from creases and folds. The weight of the silver leaf should be up to 2.8g/sq m, and silver content should be of minimum 999/1,000 fineness.”