## Policy Summary: Artificial Colors in Food Items - Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3426
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3426, concerning the use of artificial colors in food items, specifically addressing concerns raised about a ban in Karnataka and regulations in Hong Kong.
**Key Points:**
* **Awareness of State and International Actions:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is aware of Karnataka's ban on artificial food coloring in kebabs, fish, chicken, and vegetarian dishes, as well as the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations introduced by the Hong Kong Government in 2020.
* **Existing Regulatory Framework:** FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, which outlines provisions for the use of food colors in various food categories. Safety standards and usage limits are aligned with Codex guidelines.
* **Prohibition of Non-Permitted Colors:** The use of any non-permitted color in food products is a violation of FSSAI regulations. Section 19 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prohibits the use of any food additive or processing aid not in accordance with the Act and its regulations. Colour additives are prohibited in prepared foods sold by vendors, such as vegetable, chicken, and fish kebabs.
* **State Authority Action:** Section 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, empowers State Authorities to take action to protect public health.
* **Surveillance and Enforcement:** FSSAI, through State/UTs and its regional offices, conducts surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products to ensure compliance with the standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated rules and regulations. Non-conforming food samples result in penal actions against Food Business Operators as per the provisions of the FSS Act, Rules, and Regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Karnataka: A state in India that banned artificial food coloring in certain food items.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Union ministry responsible for health policies and programs in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Hong Kong: A city and special administrative region of China that introduced 'Colouring Matter in Food Regulations' in 2020.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): An autonomous body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 responsible for setting standards and regulating food safety in India.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: An act of the Parliament of India that regulates food safety and standards.
Food Safety and Standards Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulation, 2011: Regulations notified by FSSAI that lay down provisions regarding the use of food colors in various food categories.
Codex: Likely refers to Codex Alimentarius, a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations relating to food, food production, and food safety.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3426
TO BE ANSWERED ON8THAUGUST, 2025
ARTIFICIALCOLOURS IN FOODITEMS
3426.SHRIPARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government is aware that State Government of Karnataka has banned
artificial food colouring in kebabs, fish, chicken and vegetarian dishes due to the harmful
chemicalsthatcan cause serious healthproblemsandif so, the detailsthereof;
(b) whether the Government isaware of the Colouring Matter inFoodRegulationsintroduced
by the Hong Kong Government in 2020, if so, the Government's stance on implementing
similar legislation;
(c)if not,the reasons for lackof such awareness; and
(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in partnership with
State Governments to prohibit the use of artificial colours in food products to protect public
health,State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d): 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 colours in various food categories are laid down. The safety of food colours
and their usage limits are set in alignment with Codex. Use of any non-permitted colour is a
violation of the FSS Regulations. Section 19 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006mandates that no article of food shall contain any food additive or processing aid unless it is
inaccordancewith the provisions of thisAct andregulationsmade 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
healthasperthe principle andobjectivesenshrined underthe FSSAct.
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
Regulationsmade thereunder.
********