The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has urged consumers to check the authenticity of Moong Dal before buying as a cheaper lentil known as Moth Dal is being dyed with artificial colour and sold as Moong Dal in markets.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, BFSA said many traders are mixing the unauthorised yellow food dye Tartrazine with Moth Dal to make it resemble Moong Dal and deceive buyers.
Tartrazine is not approved for use in lentils and may pose serious health risks if consumed, it added.
Citing import data, BFSA said the volume of Moth Dal imported in the last fiscal year was double that of Moong Dal.
However, no products labeled as Moth Dal are available in the market.
Laboratory tests by the authority found that more than half of the samples sold as Moong Dal contained artificial color.
Unauthorised use of food color, import, processing, storage, supply or sale of such adulterated food is a punishable offense under Section 27 of the Safe Food Act, 2013, it added.
BFSA instructed all food business operators to immediately stop importing, processing, storing or marketing lentils with added color.
It also advised consumers to remain cautious and confirm the purity of Moong Dal before purchasing to avoid health risks.
