New FSSAI Rule: Testing Auramine in Food Product

New FSSAI Rule: Testing Auramine in Food Product

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a strict enforcement order addressing the illegal use of industrial dye Auramine in food products, especially roasted chana, across India. This update marks one of the most critical FSSAI enforcement actions under the Food Safety Action 2025 initiative.

What Is Auramine Dye and Why Is It Dangerous?

Auramine is an industrial dye used in textiles and leather, not meant for human consumption. Its use in food qualifies as:

• Food Adulteration India standard violation

• Unsafe food alert

• Non-permitted synthetic food colour violation

• Processed food adulteration offence

  As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, the presence of Auramine renders food “unsafe” under Section 3(1)(zz)(v).This makes Auramine one of the prohibited food colours in India.

FSSAI Order on Auramine: Complete Summary

According to the FSSAI Auramine Order dated 28 November 2025, authorities received multiple complaints that Auramine is being illegally added to:

• Roasted chana (roasted gram)

• Cereal products

• Similar processed food items

The objective of this enforcement is to stop the use of industrial chemicals in food and ensure compliance under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

Enforcement Directions to States and UTs

FSSAI has directed all Food Safety Commissioners to:

• Begin sampling and testing requirements immediately

• Submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) using Annexure A format

• Use only NABL accredited labs that have the scope of testing Auramine

This action is issued under Section 16(5) of the FSS Act.

Responsibilities of Food Business Operators (FBOs)

All Food Business Operators involved in:

• Manufacturing

• Processing

• Storage

• Distribution

• Transportation

• Sale

must ensure compliance with:

• FSSAI compliance rules for roasted chana manufacturers

• Non-permitted colours in food prohibition

Any violation may lead to action under:

• Unsafe food determination FSS Act

• Misbranded food classification

• Sub-standard food classification

• FoSCoS reporting requirements

• FBO compliance checklist items

NABL Labs for Auramine Testing (Annexure B)

The official list includes:

• Shiva Analyticals (India) Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru

• National Commodities Management Services Ltd., Gurugram

• Vimta Labs Ltd., Hyderabad

• Eureka Analytical Services Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru (Processed Foods)

Authorities must ensure:

• Random and targeted sampling

• Proper chain of custody

• Testing at NABL accredited labs

• Reporting results in FoSCoS

This ensures nationwide food adulteration enforcement.

How FSSAI Identifies Unsafe, Misbranded, and Substandard Food

 Food samples may be categorized as: 

• Unsafe Food

Containing Auramine industrial dye.

• Substandard Food

Not meeting regulatory quality requirements.

• Misbranded Food

False/misleading labelling to hide colour adulteration.

• Others

Contamination, adulteration, or chemical residue.

Why Roasted Chana Is Adulterated?

Manufacturers add Auramine to:

• Improve appearance

• Increase brightness

• Mislead consumers

  However, it is a serious safety violation and classified under:

• Illegal food additives India

• Food colour regulation India violation

To access the full FSSAI order and complete guidance document, click here.

Note:
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