The Food and Drug Administration’s Pune division has warned hotels, restaurants, dhabas, sweet shops and farsan manufacturers of strict action for using unauthorised food colours, after suspending the FSSAI registration of a Punjabi Dhaba in Lohegaon with immediate effect.
The recent inspection of the establishment found food safety and hygiene deficiencies, including the use of food colours. The FDA said serious violations can lead to immediate suspension of an establishment’s FSSAI licence or registration, followed by prosecution and court proceedings in accordance with the law.
D V Bhogawade, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division, said the use of any colour in a food product where that colour is not permitted under applicable Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulations would be viewed seriously. The same applies when a permitted food colour is used beyond the prescribed limit.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the FDA said it had specifically directed hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other establishments preparing ready-to-eat food not to use food colour in any prepared product unless its use is expressly permitted for that category of food under FSSAI regulations.
The warning places responsibility on food businesses to verify both whether a colour is legally permitted for a particular product and whether its quantity remains within the prescribed limit. A colour that is allowed in one category of food cannot automatically be used across all prepared items, according to the regulatory position outlined by the FDA.
The action also highlights the role of registration and licensing in food-safety enforcement. The FSSAI registration of the Lohegaon establishment was suspended immediately following the inspection, meaning the regulator used its licensing powers in response to deficiencies identified at the premises. The FDA has also warned that serious cases may proceed beyond administrative action into prosecution and court proceedings.
The department said Indian sweet and farsan manufacturers must have proper knowledge and control over the food colours used in their products. These businesses were specifically mentioned because food colours can be used in a range of prepared items and because compliance depends on product category, permitted substances and prescribed limits.
The Pune FDA’s warning applies to food establishments across the city and division covered by the department, although the statement identified Punjabi Dhaba in Lohegaon as the establishment inspected in the recent action. It did not provide details of any fine, prosecution filing or further inspections arising from that case.
The department’s next steps, as stated in the advisory, include action against establishments that use colours without regulatory permission or exceed permitted limits. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, this may include suspension of an FSSAI licence or registration and prosecution under applicable law.
