DigitEye India Fact Checkers
An undated news report clipping going viral on social media claims that premium salt in India contains cyanide. The news report is being shared as an image on Twitter. The claim that is going viral with the image reads,
A research from US Report- Premium salt in India contains deadly cyanide.
Beware.
The post has been in circulation since 2019.
A research from US Report- Premium salt in India contains deadly cyanide.
Beware. pic.twitter.com/8hkBBqlCvJ— Bharat Bhushan (@bharatsingh2913) June 28, 2019
Digiteye India received a request to fact check this viral claim on WhatsApp.
FACT CHECK
The news clip alleges that “According to Shiv Shankar Gupta, chairman of Godhtim Grains & Farms Products, the test by American West Analytical Laboratories has revealed that potassium ferrocyanide levels are alarmingly high in Sambhar Re fined Salt at 4.71 mg/kg, at 1.85 mg/kg in Tata Salt and 1.90 mg/kg in Tata Salt Lite.” The news article refers to an American study that Shiv Shankar Gupta quoted.
The report claimed that potassium ferrocyanide is present in many salt brands and they lead people to life-threatening diseases. We conducted a keyword search on Google to find out more details about the study.
One of the results led us to this report by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India dating back to September 5, 2019. In its report, the national food body has said, “As per FSSAI, common salt can contain up to 10 mg of PFC per 1 kg. of salt. Salt brands like Tata Salt keep the PFC level at 3 mg per kilo, much within the permitted limit, making the salt safe for consumption.” They mentioned that potassium ferrocyanide is a permitted food
additive as per FSSAI.
Ferrocyanides are used as anti-caking agents in processing of salt & are safe for consumption. Test reports quoted in media have shown its presence well within limit of 10 mg/kg, as specified by FSSAI.
This is less than 14 mg/kg specified by Codex (International Food Standards). pic.twitter.com/g4nSu38SSW
— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) June 28, 2019
In June 2019, Tata Chemicals which manufactures Tata Salt released a statement. In their statement, they said, “The use of PFC is allowed in salt and is safe and harmless to the human body when consumed as per approved levels. This is clearly declared in the list of Tata Salt ingredients in a manner prescribed by the regulations.” They also added, “As one of India’s most trusted brand, Tata Salt prides itself on being a reputed and responsible brand and follows rigorous quality control processes to ensure that a safe, healthy and high-quality product is delivered to consumers.”
Pls rest assured; we don't add any harmful ingredients to our products. Potassium Ferrocyanide is different from cyanide, it is completely harmless & allowed by @FSSAIIndia in salt. Pls don't get misled by messages that are incorrectly confusing these two https://t.co/09JUGn6jjG
— Tata Salt (@_deshkanamak) July 10, 2019
Potassium ferrocyanide is used as an anti-caking agent in table salt. This helps the salt remain dry and avoids the clumping together of salt grains.
The claim made by the viral picture is, hence, false.
CLAIM: A viral news report claims that premium Indian salts contain cyanide.
CONCLUSION: FSSAI permits the use of potassium ferrocyanide up to 10 mg per 1 kg. of salt. Salt brands like Tata Salt keep the PFC level at 3 mg per kilo, much within the permitted limit, making the salt safe for consumption. PFC is an anti-caking agent that keeps the salt grains dry. Tata Chemicals has also refuted the claim and has said that they use PFC as per the approved levels.
RATING: Misinterpretation 
