PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the owner of an ice-cream parlour in Pune district for using saccharine, an artificial sweetener banned in certain food products including ice-cream. "Samples of two different flavours taken from an ice-cream parlour at Yelse village in Maval taluka did not conform to set standards of quality. A laboratory test found the presence of saccharine in both the samples," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division.
As an adjudicating officer, Kekare imposed the penalty under section 50 and 47 of the Food Safety and Standards Act ( FSSA) 2006. Saccharin is 300 to 500 times sweeter than table sugar. Due to its bitter aftertaste, it is often blended with other artificial sweeteners. It is widely used in diet foods and beverages as it provides no calories and passes through urine. "Studies have shown that use of saccharine in inappropriate amount can have harmful effects on human body," Kekare said.
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