Hey everyone, I wanted to share some important news that came across my desk today. If you’re living in Anantnag or have recently bought Cremica Digestive biscuits, you need to know about this.
Table of Contents
What Happened?
On January 6, 2026, the Food Safety Department in Anantnag issued an official ban on the sale of Cremica Digestive biscuits. This isn’t just another routine recall – the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad found that these biscuits contain sulphite levels way above what’s considered safe for human consumption.
The specific batch involved is Lot No. BD10K25, manufactured by Mrs. Bector’s Food Specialities Ltd. in Himachal Pradesh. The laboratory report (No. JK-794/JAN/26/910) dated January 1, 2026, clearly declared these biscuits “unsafe” due to excessive sulphite content.
| Food Type | Typical Maximum Sulphite Level (mg/kg) |
|---|---|
| Solid foods (e.g., baked goods) | 50–500 mg/kg |
| Liquids (e.g., beverages) | 50–200 mg/kg |
Reference: Click
Why Is This a Health Concern?
Here’s where it gets serious. While sulphites are generally safe in small, regulated amounts, consuming too much can cause real health problems. Let me explain what the science says:
1. Breathing Problems
This is the big one. Research shows that about 3-10% of people with asthma can have severe reactions to sulphites. When you eat food with high sulphite content, it can trigger asthma attacks, cause breathing difficulties, and make your airways tighten up. People who depend on steroids for their asthma are at even higher risk. (Cleveland Clinic)
1. Sensitive Individuals Can Have Adverse Reactions
Some people — particularly those with asthma or sulphite sensitivity — may react poorly to sulphites. These reactions can range from mild to serious:
- Respiratory symptoms (like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing)
- Skin reactions (hives or flushing)
- Gastrointestinal discomfort (abdominal pain, diarrhea)
- Severe allergic-like reactions, including rare anaphylaxis in highly sensitive people
In medical literature, these reactions are well-documented, although they are uncommon in the general population
3. Allergic-Type Reactions
Even if you don’t have asthma, you might still react to sulphites. People have reported:
- Skin rashes and hives
- Flushing and redness
- Severe headaches and migraines
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
EFSA’s latest assessment found that most people who eat a lot of sulphite-containing foods might be consuming amounts that aren’t safe. They calculated something called a “Margin of Exposure” (MOE).
Why Do Food Companies Use Sulphites?
Food manufacturers love sulphites because they’re incredibly effective at preventing:
- Bacterial and fungal growth
- Color changes (that browning you see on cut apples)
- Food spoilage during storage and transport
The problem isn’t that sulphites exist – it’s when companies exceed the maximum permissible limits. Indian food safety regulations are clear about how much is acceptable, and in this case, Cremica crossed that line.
Reading Food Labels: A Smart Habit
This incident is a good reminder for all of us to start reading food labels more carefully.Only the ingredient list will help us to distinguish between what is good and bad. Otherwise, there are no options.
Summary
✔ Sulphites are used to preserve and protect food. (Wikipedia)
✔ Most people tolerate them without any issues.
✔ But in sensitive individuals, sulphites can cause respiratory, skin, or gastrointestinal symptoms. (PubMed)
✔ Asthmatics and people with known sulphite sensitivity are at highest risk.
✔ That’s why regulatory limits exist — and why a sample with excess sulphites (like in the Anantnag ban) is a valid food safety concern.
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Final Thoughts
Food safety is something we often take for granted until something like this happens. While it’s good that the authorities caught this before more people were affected, it makes you wonder how many other products out there might be skirting safety limits.
My advice? Stay informed, read labels, and don’t hesitate to report any concerns to your local Food Safety Department. Your health is too important to leave to chance.
And specifically for this case – if you’re in Anantnag, please stay away from Cremica Digestive biscuits until further notice. Better safe than sorry!
I’m Mehebub Alam Chowdhury, an M.Sc. Organic Chemistry student, and my mission with Decodepure is to simplify complex chemical ingredients in everyday products. With my knowledge of chemicals, I aim to help you make safer, healthier choices by breaking down product labels in an easy-to-understand way.
