Food Business Operators asked to use safe, potable water for food preparations

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 05: Commissioner Food Safety today issued an advisory for Food Business Operators (FBOs) wherein they have been asked to use safe water in food preparations and its processing.

“Water to be used for the purpose of drinking, cooking ingredient, processing of food, washing of equipment, utensils, containers and for hand washing should be safe and potable,” the advisory said.

          The advisory further states that water must be stored in sanitary state in closed food grade containers, preferably with taps for withdrawal. Besides, water containers including water dispensers should be regularly emptied and cleaned periodically and dried at the completion of each working day/sale.

          FBOs have also been directed that non-potable water systems including tanks or containers must be properly labelled for easy identification. It should never be connected with, or allowed to reflux into potable water supply.

          “Edible Ice used in preparation and processing of food must be prepared using potable water only. No food or beverages should be stored in the same container used to store the ice intended for consumption,” the advisory added.

          Edible Ice must be transported and stored and used in sanitary manner with prominent labelling.

          As per the advisory, all food business operators engaged in the production or use of edible or non-edible ice must ensure the visible distinction between edible and non-edible ice by using specified food colour in non-edible ice.

          “A food colour, either Indigo Carmine or Brilliant Blue only, up to 10ppm must be used in the production of non-edible ice, including non-edible ice blocks coming into contact with food products during the preservation, storage or transportation of perishable food commodities,” it said.

          Colour to non-edible ice is to be added to enable clear differentiation from edible ice, no colour should be added to the edible ice, and it must remain colourless, the advisory added.