In a move to prevent adulteration and contamination, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on the sale of loose and unpacked spice powders and mixed spices, making packaging and sealing at the place of production mandatory.
Further, the use of ethylene oxide, a flammable and colourless gas, for spice sterilisation has also been prohibitted.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the state government had issued a comprehensive order covering the production, processing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of spices, with strict compliance requirements for all food business operators.
What does the order mention?
Manufacturers, traders, wholesale and retail sellers, e-commerce operators, hotels, eateries, caterers and institutional kitchens dealing in turmeric, chilli, coriander, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, asafoetida, saffron, poppy seeds, garam masala, curry powder and other spices and spice-based products are covered in the order released by the regulator.
As per Mundhe, the order was released to also ensure the quality and origin of products can be traced. Among the use of harmful and unauthorised colours, Metanil Yellow, Rhodamine B, Sudan dyes and Lead Chromate, in spices are prohibitted.
Additionally, officials insist that spices must not be dried on public roads, tarred surfaces, drains, garbage bins or near cattle sheds. Production and storage premises must be clean, dry and free of pests, while storing pesticides, industrial colours, chemicals and other harmful substances alongside spices would be prohibited.
It is also mandatory that businesses involved in spice production and grinding must possess a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence or registration, as applicable, and cannot operate on the basis of a trade licence alone.
Mundhe also asserted the importance of medical fitness of food handlers. Personal hygiene and training requirements is mandatory, while businesses would be required to implement a Food Safety Management System.
What happens to the offenders?
Officials made it clear that violations could lead to seizure of food products, stoppage of sales, recalls from the market, suspension or cancellation of licences and court cases, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence.
Action would be also taken against those mixing brick powder, chalk, sawdust, foreign starch and other unauthorised substances to increase the weight or quantity of spices, blending inferior-quality raw material or selling spices from which extracts had been removed.
The order also directs food safety officials across the state to inspect spice businesses and ensure compliance.
(With PTI inputs)
