LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has advised the federal trade and commerce ministry to impose a ban on import of Carmine (E120), a prohibited food colour.

The PFA has taken the step after it found Carmine (E120) among the ingredients of Chupa Chups jelly and lollipops being sold at different school canteens and stores in the province.

The PFA teams also launched a province-wide operations to remove these jelly and lollipops from stores and school canteens.

Under the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018, meant to ensure Halal certification of imported edibles, Carmine (E-120), shellac (E904) and other colours are strictly banned for use in food manufacturing, processing and ingredients.

Under the law, the coloring matter added to any article of food manufactured in Pakistan will be mentioned in capital letters on the label of the package of such food item.

PFA Director General retired Capt Muhammad Usman said the authority had advised the federal ministry to ban the import of the products that were not Halal.

He said that Carmine (E120), being used for colouring the jelly and lollipop, was not allowed as per PFA regulation because it was extracted from an insect.

He said that banned food items should be checked at shipping points and not allowed to enter the market.

He said labels on imported items were mostly in English language in small fonts and were hard to read.

Mr Usman deplored that a majority of the consumers did not read labels carrying the names of ingredients while purchasing the food items.

He urged the public to read details of the food products before purchasing these, including ingredients, directions for use, manufacturing and expiry dates, storage conditions, cautions etc.

He said the authority would also launch an awareness campaign on a large scale using all mediums to promote label reading habit in the consumers.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2018