Nelli fruit cordial a health hazard

Health Ministry warns unnaturally dark colours indicate excessive pigments:

by Carol Aloysius

The Health Ministry has warned the public against purchasing dark coloured fruit drinks as they contained excessive pigments which could cause serious health problems.

Head of Toxicology Information Unit, National Hospital, Dr Waruna Gunathileke cited the popular Nelli fruit cordial as an example. He said customers were attracted by its dark green colour. “The natural colour of a Nelli fruit is light green. Dark green colour indicates a high level of pigment, which contain chemicals.

“Injecting these high levels of pigment regularly could result in short term health impacts such as allergies, skin rashes, sneezing, coughing and adverse effects on the respiratory system which could lead to exacerbation of bronchial asthma. In the long term, it could affect their body functions in various aspects as it disturbs the body system”, Dr Gunathileke warned.

He charged that certain bottled fruit juices, including Nelli fruit cordial were being sold without certification by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), the country’s premier standards institute. “When purchasing ready made fruit juices check the label, date of manufacture and expiry date. Most importantly see that it carries the SLSI certification mark,” he said.

Deputy Director General Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Nayana Satharasinghe said a list of approved colouring agents and regulations pertaining to them were included in the Food Act 2007 of the Consumer Affairs Authority. “The limit is 100 miligrams (mg) per kg of the product. She said at present there were two types of fruit drink products: ready to serve fruit drinks and nectar. “Nectar is a new product and does not fall within the SLSI mark scheme at present. All fruit drinks, however, must have the SLSI certification which is compulsory under the regulatory powers of the Consumer Affairs Authority. When processing applications for the SLSI mark for a new fruit drink product, the SLSI checks whether it contains the approved colours and has not exceeded the required limit”, she said.

Noting that uncertified fruit drinks continue to invade the market despite such precautionary measures, Dr Gunathilake said stricter regulation and restricted advertisements could avert future public health risks from fruit drinks.