The Hindu Business Line : Standard method to check dyes in export chillies lacking

MOST of the reports from the European Union on the presence of prohibited carcinogenic dye, Sudan-1, in Indian chilli consignments, except the initial two rapid alert reports received from France in May last year, are not true, according to Mr C.J. Jose, Chairman, Spices Board.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Jose said given the colour values of Indian varieties of chillies, adulteration in excess of few grams per kg will be required to convert the varieties with low colour value to high colour value varieties. "Therefore, reported presence of Sudan-1 in 2,000 ppm (particles per million) or below cannot lead to perceptible colour changes in the product, cannot be deliberate nor a result of adulteration but attributable to other reasons such as absence of standardised methods or analysis, equipment defects or false positives," he said. There could be variations and hence, there should be minimum tolerant levels, he said.

He said the European Union was inventing new problems. The Board had been using the High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) method, a system of French Health Authorities, which could detect up to 10 ppm. This was later improved by standardisation to detect up to 5 ppm. But the European Union now wanted the Board to set up a method HPLCMS, which could detect parts per billion (ppb) levels. "We have already placed orders for it costing around Rs 1.5 crore and it would be in place soon at the Board's headquarters here," he said. Besides, it would cost around Rs 5 crore per annum for analysing the samples, though the industry would partly share it, he pointed out.

According to Mr Jose, analytical tests conducted at different laboratories have shown negative results or the presence of Sudan-1 at below the acceptable levels. "This could be because the machines could have a margin of error. Why should one add one gram of Sudan-1 in one tonne of chilli," he asked.

Even the European Spice Association, in a letter addressed to the European Commission, has said "as far as we know, there is no validated analytical method for determination of Sudan colours in food. This has led to many false-positive results and the destruction of products, which were fit for human consumption. These economic losses damage the industry without having any benefit for the consumer".

Mr Jose said based on the first report from France on the presence of Sudan Red of 3.8 to 4.6 gram per kg in hot chilli pepper exported by two Mumbai-based exporters, the Board had suspended the certificate of registration of the involved exporters in June 2003 and introduced mandatory sampling and analysis for Sudan-1 of chilli and chilli products irrespective of destination of export. From November 7, 2003 to April 15, 2004 out of 1,878 samples received 1,824 were analysed and the results were "negative", he said.

The samples from export consignments of chilli powder and other products containing chillies were analysed for presence of aflatoxin also, he said.

Now the authorities in the US and Europe were strict about the presence of aflotoxin in the chillies. The tolerance limit for chillies fixed by the European Union was 10 ppb, while it was 15 ppb in the US, he said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Sugar price spiral defying supply fundamentals?

Palm oil may move up before dipping

Cereal output may rise on enlargement of EU

CITU demands scrapping of packaging order

Standard method to check dyes in export chillies lacking