February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: The government on Tuesday warned exporters to stop using unauthorized dyes in food products following threats from the European Union (EU) to put a ban on such products.

“Pakistan has been notified several times against using unauthorized colour ‘Sudan-4’ in food products, especially spices, in the past six months by the EU,” Health secretary, Anwar Mehmood, told Dawn.

The ministry of health has also cautioned all exporters of food against the use of colour Sudan-4, prohibited under the Pure Food Rules of 1965, he added.

The government would undertake random checks to ensure that no consignment with unauthorized dyed products makes its way to the European markets in order to save the country’s exports from adverse affects.

“All these steps are being taken to facilitate the exporters and to discourage the use of such dyes either knowingly or unknowingly by some exporters,” Mr Mehmood said.

He said the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) and the ministry of health were working jointly to facilitate the Pakistani exporters.

“Exporters must ensure that all consignments of food products, including spices, meant for exports are in conformity with the prescribed requirements of the importing countries. The EU has laid down the general principles and requirements of food laws, so as to ensure the quality of food items,” a health ministry spokesperson stated.

Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of Chemistry in Karachi have the facility of testing colours in food items. The ministry has advised the exporters to have their products analyzed at these laboratories, he added.

The ministry is also taking steps to strengthen the existing food analytical laboratory of the Nutrition division, National Institute of Health (NIH), to cater for such requirements.

The group of Sudan dyes consists of a number of red colourings including the types Sudan I to IV, Sudanorange-G and Sudanred-B.

Due to this fact the EU does not permit the use of these colourings as food-additives. However, in the third world countries like Pakistan these dyes are still, sometimes used in order to intensify the colour of bell pepper and chilli powder.