On 25th June 2019, some of the newspapers splashed out an US report stating Indian Salt contains deadly cyanide. IANS Mumbai published a story on the findings of American West Analytical Laboratories, USA stating that Potassium ferrocyanide levels are alarmingly high ranging from 1.85 ppm to 4.71 ppm. The report also attributed Potassium ferrocyanide to be a deadly poison equating it to cyanide. How true are these findings? What is the significance of the test results? Let us deep dive into scientific technicalities of Potassium ferrocyanide.
What is Potassium Ferrocyanide and why is it added in salts?
Potassium Ferrocyanide (ENS 536) is an anticaking agent that is added to salt in order to avoid formation of clumps in the powdered salt. Incorporation of Potassium Ferrocyanide is actually permissible as a food additive as per the requirements laid out by our apex food regulatory authority Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. Table 12 of Appendix A of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 stipulates maximum permissible limits for Ferrocyanides in Salt including edible common salt, iron fortified salt as well as iodized salt as 10 mg/kg. These levels are actually more stringent as compared to the permissible level of 14 mg/kg that are prescribed by Codex standards. FSSR also stipulates the limits of 29 mg/kg in case of dendritic salts. More importantly, Potassium ferrocyanide is not Cyanide per se.
Now, if we benchmark results of the so called American Lab with the regulatory limits prescribed by CODEX and/or FSSAI, it is very easy to arrive at a conclusion that the additive in question is well within statutory limits. Literature suggests no conclusive evidence of toxicological effects of Potassium Ferrocyanide; in fact it is not listed as a carcinogen by The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR) or National Toxicological Program (NTP).
Our standards body – Bureau of Indian Standards has published IS 7224: 2006 Indian Standard for iodized salt, vacuum evaporated iodized salt and refined iodized salt, and Appendix B Clause 4.4 of this IS stipulates an analytical method for estimation of Potassium Ferrocyanide. This method is based on formation of a color based complex and involves color comparison between the standard and salt sample thereby aiding in estimation of Potassium Ferrocyanide expressed as K4Fe(CN)6 at 15 ppm.
In the past too several allegations have been made regarding safety and quality of food, water and air in India. There have been discussions, debates and advisories issued creating panic and concerns that are uncalled for among the citizens as well as visitors to the country. This panic has had its own effect on the Indian businesses and world market dynamics. So we as responsible citizens of the world must be prudent and read the news with a pinch of salt.
If you have concerns regarding Potassium Ferrocyanide content in your products?
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Envirocare Labs has been in the forefront of analytical testing since past 40 years and has state-of-the-art chemical and microbiological laboratories which are accredited by NABL under ISO 17025:2017. Envirocare Labs is also recognized by BIS, EIC, FSSAI, AGMARK, APEDA and GAFTA to undertake complete testing for Food, Air and Water.