New FDA guideline requires non-edible ice to be marked blue

In order to ensure that the ice consumed by citizens is safe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now decided to bifurcate edible ice from non-edible ice. As per the instructions given by the FDA, the non-edible ice will be given a blue colour to identify it so that it is not used in edible substances.

In March, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) public health department collected ice samples from various areas to conduct a survey. According to an official from the department, 98 per cent of the samples were found to be contaminated.

Dr Padmaja Keskar, BMC executive health officer, said, "In March we collected 410 samples from various parts of the city. Out of the 410 samples, 400 were found to be contaminated. We had earlier suggested that the FDA officials should bifurcate the use of edible and non-edible ice so that there will no E.coli microbes found in the ice served at various food joints." The civic body collected samples from March 1 to 31 from different restaurants, hotels, juice centers in the city. "We usually conduct these drives during the summer season," added Dr Keskar.

The FDA came up with the guidelines of colouring the non-edible ice blue from the first week of April. The manufacturers of food-grade ice are not required to makie the distinction. The blue colour ice will only be for industrial and preservative uses.

Dr Pallavi Darade, FDA Commissioner, said, "This rule will be helpful in identification of which is industrial and edible ice. It will definitely be implemented. After a while, we will definitely take a round of checking."