'Pointers on no artificial colour and preservatives should be put to test'
To what extent can we trust the claims made about content by scores of fruit juice companies?
Though 'natural' and 'fresh' juices without 'preservatives' and 'artificial colours' are sold in tens of thousands of plastic containers and bottles daily in the UAE, the claims made by a majority of these companies are said to be false, according to experts in the industry.
"Since this is coming under food, the issue is serious and hence the claims have to be verified and certified by proper authorities," said one of the experts. Talking to The Business Weekly, Jayaram, CEO, Barakat Group of Companies, the leaders in fruits and fresh fruit juice, said it is very difficult for any company to maintain the same colour for natural fruit juices over a long period, even a month, unless food colours are added.
"I don't know how these companies are able to preserve these juice products for weeks and months without the help of preservatives, especially once the cool chain is broken, which will inevitably happen," he added.
He said there are fruit juice companies that import frozen concentrates from abroad and add water in order to bring it back to the liquid form. Experts explained that this process could result in these natural juices ultimately containing 70 to 80 per cent of water.
The expert opinion is that no natural juice can remain fresh for more than three or four days without preservatives. And if the cool chain is disturbed, the life of the juice (of not turning stale) will be even less, according to them.
An expert on fruits and juices explained that the colour of natural juice squeezed from fruits from the same farm tends to change with time. "The colour of orange juice taken from oranges in the initial weeks of harvest would be certainly different from those made from oranges harvested after a few weeks, even if they are from the same farm. Can anyone explain how these companies maintain the same colour for their juice for all consignments and throughout the year?" he asked.
Dubai may introduce the compliance of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP), a systematic preventive approach to food safety, in fruits and vegetable businesses soon, according to sources. There are not many companies that have introduced this in the UAE. "Since HACCP has been made compulsory for restaurants, it is a natural step forward to introduce the certification at the supply chain as well," said an expert.
HACCP involves internal audit to make sure the compliance is in place and this calls for additional expenses for companies going for this certification. "Barkat which introduced the first refrigerated truck to the market years ago has already become HACCP-compliant," Jayaram added.
By CL Jose
© The Business Weekly 2008
