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FDA Maharashtra directs use of blue colour in making of industrial ice
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Wednesday, 04 April, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shraddha Joshi, Mumbai
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has directed the businesses involved in the manufacturing of industrial ice to use blue colour to differentiate it from the edible ice.
Taking into consideration that 70 per cent of the edible ice used by the food vendors is contaminated, FDA has taken this decision, and a proposal in this regard has been approved by the state government.
A senior official from FDA said, “We had sent a proposal to the government, and they seem positive about it. Finally, we have got the nod from the government, and we will implement it across the state.”
Maharashtra is the first state to do so. And in this regard, a meeting with the stakeholders has already taken place.
The official said, “A meeting was held with various stakeholders related to the manufacturing of industrial ice, and it was decided to make the use of blue colour for industrial purposes, whereas edible ice should look crystal clear.”
“We have directed all the manufacturers of industrial ice not to use any other colour but Indigo Carmine or Brilliant Blue FCF [as per regulation 3.1.2(4) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011] till it gets the minimum colour and upto 10 parts per million (ppm). Thus, those using contaminated ice will now be easily identifiable. The necessary action will be taken depending upon the offence,” he added.
As per the regulations, edible ice is considered as food under the Act. However, it has come to the notice that both the edible as well as non-edible ice are made from the same water, which sometimes is contaminated and harmful for human health.
Roadside vendors buy the ice from manufacturers of industrial ice at lower prices and use it in beverages.
With this move by FDA Maharashtra, consumers will be able to find out the kind of ice that has been added to their beverages. Industrial ice is used for preservation of dead bodies, and in medicines and cement factories, amongst others.
“The ice used for consumption should be made from safe and potable water. However, in case of ice for industrial purposes, the source of the water could be anything,” the official stated.
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