Ahmedabad: Two samples of tomato ketchup substitute products collected from food manufacturing units in Behrampura and Gota have been declared unsafe by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) public health laboratory. Tests found synthetic colours such as Sunset Yellow, Ponceau 4R, Tartrazine Yellow, and Carmoisine, along with starch, in the samples.An AMC official said the samples collected from both units were found to be unsafe and posed a risk to public health. “Consumption of such products could lead to health problems. Police cases would be registered against manufacturers found producing or selling food items that are hazardous or unsafe for consumption,” he said.Officials said the seized stock at both units will be destroyed, and police cases will be registered against the operators under the Food Safety and Standards Act.The action follows raids conducted by AMC’s health and food department on Oct 15 and Oct 17 at units in Behrampura and Gota that were allegedly manufacturing and selling tomato ketchup without using tomatoes. Samples collected during the raids were sent for laboratory analysis.At the Behrampura unit — MJF Food on Pirana Road — a sample of “Snack Touchup” tested positive for synthetic colours and starch, leading to it being classified as substandard and unsafe. AMC seized around 2,000kg of Snack Touchup, tomato powder and other raw materials from the premises.At the Gota-based I Shree Khodiyar Gruh Udhyog unit, a Snack Touchup sample was found unsafe due to the presence of starch. Analysis of a tomato paste sample found acidity levels higher than prescribed standards and the presence of starch, leading to it being declared substandard. A potato paste sample also failed quality parameters related to soluble solids and acidity, resulting in a substandard classification.Ahead of Diwali, AMC has intensified inspections of sweet and farsan manufacturing units across the city. Under the drive, 29 samples were collected from 12 units and sent for testing. These include products such as Kaju Katli, Mohanthal, cashews, almonds, ghee, besan, barfi, Topra Pak, oil, and Rasgulla.Namkeen unit sealed over used oil lapsesAMC has sealed Jain Super Namkeen in Naroda for failing to maintain proper arrangements and records for disposal of used cooking oil. The department collected samples of burnt oil and besan from the unit and seized about 1,000kg of namkeen, besan and maida. Officials said the unit consumes around 125kg of cooking oil every day but lacked records to show disposal through an authorised used cooking oil collection agency. A sample of the used oil has been sent for testing, and further action will be taken after the report is received.FSSAI guidelinesAccording to FSSAI guidelines, cooking oil with Total Polar Compounds (TPC) above 25% is considered unsafe for human consumption. Repeated use of such oil has been linked to health issues including high blood pressure, arterial blockages, liver ailments, and Alzheimer’s disease. Food businesses using more than 50kg or litres of oil daily for frying are required to maintain records of oil consumption and disposal and hand over used oil to authorised agencies.
