CHANGING SCENARIO OF FOOD COLORS IN INDIA

The scenario of usage of synthetic food colours in India is changing. Till recently, eight synthetic dyes were permitted to be added to spec ified food items at the maximum level of 200 ppm. Widespread prevalenc e of fraudulent practices like use of unpermitted colours or misuse of permitted colours and the inherent toxicity of these dyes has led the authorities to revise the regulatory provisions and make the laws per taining to use of synthetic food colours more stringent. To fulfil the ultimate goal of reducing the total exposure to colours, data on diet ary intake of food colours needs to be generated urgently in the count ry. Meanwhile, as the manufacturers are adding colour to food products to improve the appearance and consumer appeal, the consumers can play an important role in reducing their exposure to food colours by deman ding foodstuffs free of artificial colour.