Not all that looks bright is good food: Expert

Chief Scientist of CFTRI delivers lecture on food safety

Not all the food that looks bright is healthy. Only six colours are permitted to be used as additives. The advertisements on food, claiming to boost the growth of your child in no time, aren’t true. Most importantly, there is no total safe food on earth.

These were some among the important points broached upon by Chief Scientist of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Lalitha R Gowda during a lecture on ‘The role of food technological institutions in ensuring food safety to its citizens’, at JSS Law College, in the city, on Thursday.

Recalling her own experience, Lalitha said, once she was served with pudina (mint) chutney looking bright and attractive. When enquired, it came to light that it was not the actual additive but adulterated, only to attract the customers.

Similarly, there could be ice-creams and other food items in different and attractive colours to lure children. But, they are unsafe for consumption. Pooh-poohing the advertisements that dole out promises, Lalitha said, it can be accepted only when there is a scientific evidence and papers published in support of it.

Saying that there is no food that can guarantee complete safety, she said: “Food could be minimal safe that doesn’t cause injury or illness, when consumed as intended”.
Lalitha asserted that the focus on food habits and its concerns has shifted from staples to traditional recipes, using local produce to increased consumer awareness between the 19th century and 21st century.

Before summing up, Lalitha said, there is a shared responsibility between the government, food industry and consumers in ensuring safe food. The students should learn more about food safety and effectively communicate it among their peers.