Excessive dye content found in Afghan soda in Uzbekistan

A carbonated drink with pomegranate juice produced in Afghanistan does not meet the quality standards established in Uzbekistan, the Inspection for Control in the Field of Technical Regulation said.

Laboratory tests revealed that the drink contains excessive levels of the dye azorubine E122, which can negatively affect children's activity and attention.

Additionally, the labeling on the drink's packaging does not comply with the requirements of the General Technical Regulations on Food Safety. The following aspects were violated:

•  Requirements for label content
•  Presence of a warning about the presence of dyes affecting children
•  Indication of the manufacturer's name and location
•  Indication of the importer's name and address

At the beginning of July, the Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare Committee under the Ministry of Health reported that every batch of Royal drinks imported into Uzbekistan undergoes laboratory testing.

All batches of drinks received a conclusion from the SES (Sanitary and Epidemiological Service), but the committee did not find any harmful or toxic substances in them.

After information about the ban on the drink in Kyrgyzstan was disseminated, the committee announced the collection of additional samples of pomegranate drinks. Later, the dangerous dye was also found in Kazakhstan.

In Kyrgyzstan, the pomegranate drink is being withdrawn from sale and banned. Kazakhstan has also warned retailers not to purchase the soda.

No measures against the drink have been reported in Uzbekistan so far.