Bhubaneswar: There is no presence of toxins in the litchis sold in Odisha markets, a sample test has confirmed. The pink fruits were absolutely safe for consumption, according to the test conducted at the State Public Health Laboratory in Bhubaneswar.
The test findings are as follows:
—As per the safety norms determined by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, no toxic substance found in Litchis sold in markets across Odisha.
—No artificial chemicals like saccharin and Sodium cyclamate used to increase sweetness.
—No presence of calcium substance found on the skin of the fruit.
—No artificial colours applied to make the fruit more attractive.
Acting on media reports that the presence of a toxin in litchi has resulted in the death of more than 100 children in Muzaffarpur district of north Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Das on June 18 had directed the food safety commissioner to constitute a committee of health experts to collect the litchis brought from Muzaffarpur and sold in the markets across the state and conduct the sample test to ascertain the presence of toxins.
