GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2031
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18TH MARCH, 2025
PROHIBITING THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL COLORS IN FOOD TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
2031. DR. AJEET MADHAVRAO GOPCHADE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry is aware that State Government of Karnataka has banned artificial food coloring in kebabs, fish, chicken and vegetarian dishes due to the harmful chemicals that can cause serious health problems;
(b) whether Government is aware of the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations introduced by the Hong Kong Government in 2020, if so, the stance of Government on implementing similar legislation, if not, the reasons for this lack of awareness; and
(c) the measures the Central Government has taken in partnership with State Governments to prohibit the use of artificial colors in food products to protect public health?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. FSSAI is aware about the Colouring matter in Food Regulations of Hong Kong Government published in 2020. FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, wherein the provisions regarding the use of food colors in various food categories are laid down. The safety of food colors and their usage limits are set in alignment with Codex.
Use of any non-permitted color is a violation of the FSS Regulations. Also, Section 19 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 mandates that no article of food shall contain any food additive or processing aid unless it is in accordance with the provisions of this Act and regulations made thereunder. Further, no colour/additive is permitted to be used in prepared foods being sold by vendors such as vegetable, chicken and fish kebabs. By virtue of Section 29 of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, State
Authority may take action to protect public health as per the principle and objectives enshrined under the said Act.
FSSAI through State/UTs and its regional offices conduct surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products to check compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder. In case where the food samples are found to be non-conforming, penal actions are initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per provisions of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder.