Parle 'Mango Bite' sweet unsafe: FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked Parle Products to recall from the market the entire stock of its popular candy “Mango Bite” branding it as "unsafe".

The officials of FDA Konkan Division recently raided two locations in Raigadh and Bhiwandi and seized stock of the finished goods and ingredients, valued at Rs2 crore.

According to FDA, the manufacturer Parle Biscuits Pvt Ltd at Kirkhinde in Khopoli (Raigadh) used buffered lactic acid (adulterant) in the confectionery which is not permitted.

Joint Commissioner of FDA (Food) SK Shere said the seized goods include Sugar Boiled Confectionery (Parle Kachha Mango Bite) packed in jars valued at Rs1,46,68,400. Besides, the team also seized around 8158 kgs of Buffered Lactic Acid valued at Rs10.60 lakh.

The samples of the seized goods have been sent to lab for testing, the officer said.

In addition, the stock of Mango Bite was also seized from the godown at Bhiwandi, FDA officials said.

FDA has directed the company to recall the stock of Mango Bite in the market and a final decision on the matter would be taken only after the test report is received.

Officials said that Lactic Acid was "harmful and unsafe" but cannot be declared as unfit for human consumption. Its use is banned by the Food Authority of India.

Earlier, FDA officials had conducted a raid and seized Mango bite worth Rs60 lakh from a manufacturing unit at  Nashik.

The use of lactic acid (chiefly found in milk products) was banned in foodstuff after a bench found it not good for consumption for its tooth decaying side effects. It has been ruled out in Food Safety & Standard Act of 2006.