FDA warns vs food coloring

CEBU, Philippines - In line with the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month, the Food and Drugs Administration has strongly warned the public on the use of industrial grade coloring dyes by food processors as three products were found to be positive of “rhodamine” sold in grocery stores in Cebu.

These three products were the pink icing candy, dried shrimp and red gulaman sold in two grocery stores and in Carbon Public Market.

FDA acting Director-General Kenneth Hartigan-Go in their advisory dated October 21, 2013 said that “rhodamine” is a fluorescent dye used as tracer in water and air flow studies and in molecular and cell biology studies. It presents as a red to violet powder.

“It has been shown to be carcinogenic in mammalian models. Industrial grade Sudan dye is not permitted for use in food because they are toxic, carcinogenic and likely to contain metals like mercury and arsenic,” the advisory reads.

Sudan dyes, the advisory stated, are used in shoe and floor polish, solvents, oils, waxes and petrol.

Sarah Oriol, food and drug regulation officer of FDA-Department of Health-7, during the Kapihan sa PIA said that consumers has to read labels, look for FDA regulation numbers, the ingredients, the expiry dates and the hotline number before buying any products.

Christy Baritua, also of FDA-7, said that they were instructed by their head office to get at least 250 grams samples of 34 various food products in the region for non-permissible colorants.

“As of now, we are collecting more samples here in Cebu,” Baritua said.

These food products include bagoong, alamang, candies and other sweets with red, pink or violet or purple colors, carbonated drinks, chili powder and sauce, cooking oil, energy/sports drinks, fish ball/squid balls, juice drinks, pre-mixes used for samalamig, kwek-kwek, red sweet potato, rice noodles, sago, salt, tempura, vinegar, preserves like kaong and nata de coco.

The advisory further stated that food processors of the three products found to have used rhodamine which violates FDA Act of 2009 and the Consumer Act of the Philippines on adulterated food products.

All locally manufactured and imported processed food products are required under the law to be registered with FDA in addition to the permits issued by the local government units and other agencies.  (FREEMAN)