The Hindu Business Line : Spices Board set to install new system to check dye in chilli

THE delegation from the European Commission that visited India last month to assess the control system in place to check the presence of Sudan Red 1 - a prohibited carcinogenic dye - in chillies has said the existing system was inadequate and sought its replacement.

The Spices Board has decided to change the system and has placed orders for procuring the new equipment costing around Rs 1 crore, according to Mr S. Kannan, Director (Marketing).

The board had been using the high-performance liquid chromotograph (HPLC) method, a system of the French health authorities that could detect up to 10 parts per million (ppm). This was later improved by standardisation to detect up to five ppm.

But the European delegation wanted to set up a method called HPLCMS that can detect parts per billion (ppb) levels.

It is satisfied with all the other facilities available in the country, Mr Kannan told Business Line.

The delegation visited the chilli-growing areas and some of the processing units.

It was here on a mission to assess the control system in place for Sudan Red 1 in chillies and aflatoxin contamination in spices.

Mr Kannan said the European Union had mandated that each consignment of hot chilli and chilli products imported into EU accompany an analytical report demonstrating that they do not contain Sudan-1.

Besides, the European Spice Trade Association had also asked the Spices Board to indicate what steps were being taken to ensure a higher degree of reliability and safety to spice products exported from India.

In order to curb the export of contaminated chilli powder from the country, the board has directed exporters to provide details of their consignments and samples for laboratory testing and clearance.

The samples would be analysed for presence of aflatoxin too.

The authorities in the US and Europe are strict about the presence of aflatoxin.

The tolerance limit fixed by the European Union is 10 ppb while it is 15 ppb in the US, said Mr Kannan.

The decision was taken following the detection of Sudan-1 in some consignments of chilli power exported from the country late last year.

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