Turmeric and chillie powder mixed with salt and starch
By Dilanthi Jayamanne
The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council warned that action would be taken against boutiques, shop keepers and whole sale dealers at Manning Market for retailing contaminated turmeric and chillie powder. The CMC Public Health Department official said the two spices were mixed with salt and starch to increase their weight.
Chief of the Public Health Department, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said on Tuesday that they had been inspecting packets of chillie and turmeric powder initially. However the PHD official said, laboratories identified only a few contaminated samples among the packets. A majority of the contaminated spices are displayed in glass boxes and can be purchased in small quantities.
The chillie powder is mixed with salt to brighten its colour and increase the weight. The turmeric powder is mixed with starch to increase the weight. Turmeric is lighter in colour when mixed with starch. Dr. Kariyawasam said that Metanil yellow - a non-permitted food colouring and cancer causing carcinogen was mixed to give turmeric the colour.
He warned consumers to check the colour of the spices when buying them loose.
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