Chewing gum, contaminant in tomato sauce

by Carol Aloysius

In a raid conducted Tuesday, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) found chewing gum used as an ingredient in tomato sauce which was stored in a four-storeyed manufacturing site at Slave Island.

"This is the first time we have come across such an instance in our raids. Consuming this sauce could lead to serious health effects," Deputy Director Regional, CAA, Asela Bandara told the Sunday Observer.

Two thousand litres of contaminated sauce packed in four-litre cans was found ready for distribution to the city's eating outlets.

CAA officials also found large quantities of chillie powder (1,000 kg) and turmeric powder (500 kg) adulterated with textile dyes in the same factory. Textile dyes are not allowed to be stored in buildings used for food manufacture.

The owner has admitted using the dyes for colouring chillie powder and turmeric powder. He also confessed that he had been using these harmful substances for several years, and selling his products to vendors at cheaper prices.

"Most of the vendors run small eating outlets and take-away food cafes, making pastries and rolls", the CAA spokesman said. A case is to be filed against the owner when the CAA takes him to Court early this week.

Urging the public to stop buying food from unknown vendors and manufacturers, the CAA spokesman said, "Check the labels. Purchase food products only from well-known, registered manufacturing companies and sales outlets", warning them that eating substandard food from unknown vendors and traders could cause serious health impacts including cancer.

Starting from December 1, the CAA has so far carried out 840 raids, earning over Rs 1.5 million as fines, Bandara said.