|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kerala food safety commissioner’s strong stand against synthetic ice creams
|
|
Thursday, 25 August, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Irum Khan, Mumbai
|
It has come to the notice of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that synthetic ice creams made of petroleum products are being sold in most parts of the country.
This was informed in a circular issued by the food safety commissioner of the Kerala state to district food inspectors.
It said that ice cream was supposed to be made from milk, egg and sugar and that stabilising agents like pectin, agar and propylene are allowed at 0.5%. But manufacturers were making ice creams only by mixing all these stabilising agents and selling them in the market. These ice creams were injurious for health.
The circular has asked the inspectors (food safety officers) to be alert against these malpractices and to take urgent action against these manufacturers.
“People should be aware of these kinds of synthetic ice creams in the market,” it said.
However, the circular said that no such complaints were received so far in the state of Kerala.
Even Maharashtra FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has confirmed that no such case has been received by the Authority yet. However, according to an ice cream consultant, most of the manufacturers are doing so, in order to reduce the input cost and improve the texture of ice cream by making it smoother. ”Stabilisers are like petroleum jelly, which give firmness to the ice cream, without the obstruction of sugar granules,” he said.
Ice cream is a by-product of milk. As per present provision of food law, there should be at least 10 per cent of milk fat and milk protein in the ice cream made from cow milk and buffalo milk. The additives, colours and preservatives used if any, should be clearly mentioned on the label.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|