State to go for massive Bixa plantation, extract food manufacturing dye from seeds

Kolkata: The use of artificial colour in food products is soon coming to an end as the state Agriculture department has taken steps to ensure massive plantation of Bixa trees in the state for its seeds.

Yellow-orange dye extracted from its seed is a safe colouring agent for food. The state Agriculture department would also discuss the issue with the state Science and Technology department for using updated technology to process the seeds and extract natural dye from it.

Taking the unique move, the state Agriculture department would initially go for plantation of the same in all the farms and help increase the yield of Bixa seeds.

During a recent visit to Fulia Agriculture Training Centre in Nadia, the state Agriculture minister Asish Banerjee noticed two Bixa trees, which is commonly known as lipstick tree. After getting to knowing the usefulness of the seeds, the minister gave direction to take necessary steps to increase the yield of the same.

Banerjee said: "Direction has been given to increase plantation of Lipstick Trees. At the same time, there will be discussions with the state Science and Technology department in connection with the updated process of extraction of colour from its seeds."

Following the direction of the state Agriculture minister, senior scientists at Fulia Agriculture Training Centre initiated their work to increase its production.

With the immense success of the scientists, around 2 kg of seeds have been kept ready and using the same, lipstick cultivation is possible on a plot 70-bigha. Initially, the state Agriculture department will carry out cultivation of Lipstick trees in all its farms across different parts of the state. The state Agriculture department has also taken steps so that no place in farms is left vacant.

Once the yield of lipstick seeds goes up, the natural yellow-orange Bixa dye would become easily available in the state.

With proper promotion of the Bixa seed dye, it will become popular among food product manufacturers and the tendency of using artificial colour will go down.

Often the use of artificial colour in food products turns out to be an issue in certain parts of the state. Steps need to be taken to check such practice. But with this move, there would be a permanent solution to the menace.

It may be mentioned that Bixa tree has become commonly known as the Lipstick tree as its seeds were used to make lipstick and body paint in certain parts of America.