Unsafe snack items from Kerala sold in Karnataka, finds Food Safety Department

The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has identified 31 unsafe snack items among 90 samples tested, all of which were manufactured in Kerala and sold in border areas, including Kodagu district.

Over the last three months, the department has tested popular snacks like spicy mixtures, chips, halwa, murukku, and dried fruits sourced from Kerala. Some of the samples contained artificial colors such as Sunset Yellow, Allura Red, Azorubine, and Tartrazine, deemed harmful for consumption.

The department has raised concerns that these items may also be distributed to other districts such as Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada, and Bengaluru, suggesting the need for expanded testing. Some chemicals detected in these samples, including Allura Red, are known to cause gastrointestinal issues like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

The Commissioner of the Food Safety Department has formally requested that the Kerala government take legal action against manufacturers producing these unsafe snacks. Tests conducted on sweets during Diwali showed that 9 out of 151 samples contained harmful artificial colors, posing a health risk.

Testing Garlic for Adulteration

Following reports of artificially treated Chinese garlic being sold across the state, the Food Safety Department collected 154 samples for testing. Out of these, 147 were found to be safe, while seven samples contained fungal growth, rendering them unsafe.

Lack of Labeling on Unsafe Products

The samples tested from Kodagu revealed more than just artificial additives; several packages lacked essential labeling such as the manufacturing date, producer details, and FSSAI registration or license numbers. Some packaging even displayed premature expiry dates, violating food safety standards.