Inspections must be conducted across retail channels including e-commerce platforms where such products are sold, said FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed states to conduct inspections and sampling of roasted chana and similar products for presence of a synthetic die auramine.
This comes after the food safety regulator in a recent order said it has received complaints that this non-permitted synthetic food colour is being used in roasted chana products.
Product unsafe
“It may be noted that Auramine is a non-permitted synthetic food colour under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Since, its presence in any food renders the product unsafe…. it is directed to conduct targeted enforcement actions including inspections, sampling, testing and subsequent actions of roasted chana, and other similar food products which are vulnerable to such adulteration,” FSSAI has stated in its recent order.
It said, states should conduct these inspections across both organised and unorganised sector who are involved in manufacturing , processing, storage, distribution and transportation of such food products. It added that inspections must also be conducted across retail channels including e-commerce platforms where such products are sold.
“Accordingly, the Commissioners of Food Saftey of all States/UTs and Central Licensing Authorities shall initiate appropriate actions against defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) under their respective jurisdictions,” it added.
The food authority has also asked for action-taking report on the surveillance activity.
Published on December 8, 2025
