Spices Board on Wednesday issued an alert on the possible import of star anise and cinnamon from Vietnam containing carcinogenic chrysoidine.
Star anise is a natural flavour used for flavouring Indian dishes including ‘Pulao’ and ‘Birayani’, while imported cinnamon is used mainly by the extraction industry to add flavour. Indian industry is known to import the products from Vietnam mainly for re-export in the extraction and curry powder sector. Chrysoidine is a non-approved colour and is known as genotoxic carcinogen. The communication from the state-run board, based on information received from European Commission (Health and Consumers Directorate -General), Brussels reports that ‘whole star anise’ and saigon cinnamon meant for dispatch to India has been contaminated by the non-permitted food colour.
