KOCHI: The Food Safety Department has issued a new standard for the sale of pickles and salted items in stalls.This decision was taken on the basis of incident where a student got burnt after drinking acetic acid from a shop selling salted beaches in Kozhikode beach.

Pickles must have the quality prescribed by Food Safety Quality Act of 2006. Artificial colors, mineral acids, heavy metals such as copper and lead should not be present. Permissible preservative application should be displayed on the label. Mandatory food safety license and registration is needed for sellers and manufacturers of pickes and salted items. It should be displayed in stores.

Sterile water must be used and its certificate along with sellers medical certificate must be provided. Items must be kept in vinegar or salted solutions.Packaged food items should have a food safety label and regulations.

Customers should only buy items from licensed stores and pay attention to the label on the packet. If you have a complaint, call the toll free number 18004251125.

Synthetic vinegar is made by diluting food grade acetic acid. The acetic acid content of vinegar should be around 3.75-5%. Some retailers make vinegar by diluting non-food grade acetic acid with water. Unsaturated acetic acid should not be stored in stores.