Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 17: A video circulating on social media has raised concerns over alleged food adulteration in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after a sugarcane juice seller was purportedly seen adding a white powder, identified in the post as saccharin, to the beverage.
The video, shared on Facebook, allegedly shows the seller mixing the powder into sugarcane juice during preparation. The person who posted the footage warned islanders to remain cautious while purchasing food and beverages from outside and to check what is being added before consumption.
The alleged use of saccharin raises food-safety concerns because artificial sweeteners are permitted only for specified food uses and within prescribed limits. Unauthorised or excessive use of such additives can constitute a food-safety violation.
Saccharin is considered safe when consumed within established limits. However, the health concern in this case centres on the alleged use of an artificial sweetener in a beverage without consumers being informed about its presence or the quantity used.
The footage does not establish that the powder was saccharin, nor does it establish the quantity added or whether any prescribed limit was breached. Confirmation would require examination of the substance and verification by the competent food-safety authorities.
The video has nevertheless drawn attention to the risk of consumers being unaware of ingredients added to food and beverages prepared by outside vendors. If the substance is confirmed as saccharin and its use is found to be unauthorised or excessive, the matter could amount to food adulteration and invite action under applicable food-safety regulations.
No official confirmation, laboratory report or enforcement action concerning the incident was provided with the video available for this report.
The allegation remains unverified, but the footage has raised a food-safety issue concerning the preparation and sale of beverages in the Islands.
