The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune division, has warned hotels, restaurants, dhabas, sweet manufacturers and farsan producers of strict action over the unauthorised use of food colours after suspending the FSSAI registration of a Lohegaon eatery found with food safety and hygiene deficiencies.
The action followed a recent inspection of Punjabi Dhaba in Lohegaon, Pune. The inspection identified deficiencies including the use of food colours, following which the establishment’s FSSAI registration was suspended with immediate effect, according to the FDA.
D V Bhogawade, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division, said the use of a colour in a food product where it is not permitted under applicable Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations would be treated seriously. The same would apply to the use of a permitted food colour beyond the prescribed limit, he said.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the FDA said immediate action, including suspension of an FSSAI licence or registration, could be initiated in cases involving serious food safety violations. Prosecution and court proceedings may also be filed in accordance with the law, the statement said.
The department has specifically directed hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other establishments preparing ready-to-eat food not to use food colour in prepared food unless its use is specifically permitted for that category under FSSAI regulations. The direction places the responsibility on food businesses to distinguish between permitted applications and unauthorised use during preparation.
The warning also covers Indian sweet and farsan manufacturers, whom FDA officials said must have proper knowledge and control over the food colours used in their products. The department’s action therefore extends beyond the inspected outlet to a wider set of food businesses that prepare and sell ready-to-eat products in Pune.
The suspension of Punjabi Dhaba’s registration demonstrates the regulatory consequence of an inspection finding: an establishment can face immediate action affecting its legal food-business registration, in addition to possible prosecution or court proceedings in serious cases. The FDA has not provided further details in the supplied statement on the duration of the suspension or on any subsequent compliance process for the outlet.
The Pune FDA’s latest warning follows its direction that businesses verify whether a food colour is authorised for the specific food category and remains within the prescribed limit. Further action will be taken in accordance with the applicable food safety regulations, the department said.
