
The use of artificial colouring chemicals, such as rhodamine-B, in cotton candy and "gobi manchurian," has been outlawed in Karnataka.
If vendors are discovered employing rhodamine-B chemicals in their restaurants, severe measures will be taken, according to Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. A fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and a maximum sentence of seven years in jail might be imposed for breaking this ban.
"Eating snacks with artificial colouring may increase your risk of developing cancer in the long run. As a result, the health department has made this essential move. I implore the people to place the highest priority on hygiene and health," the Karnataka Health Minister stated in a post on X.
What is rhodamine-B?
Bright pink colouring is available as Rhodamine-B (RhB). It is dangerous and has detrimental effects on plant and animal life, in addition to the human body. This textile dye is used to tint wool, cotton, silk, jute, and leather. The cosmetics sector makes use of it as well. It is a common option for food colouring due to its inexpensive cost.
Rhodamine-B is green in colour when it is powdered, but it turns pink when combined with water.
Why is rhodamine-B banned?
It is thought that rhodamine-B is harmful to the body. It puts the cells and tissues under oxidative stress when it enters the body. Specialised cells in the brainstem tissue and cerebellum suffer damage and eventually die due to oxidative stress (the section that connects the brain to the spinal cord).
The US National Library of Medicine states that prolonged consumption of rhodamine-B in food might cause cancer or liver dysfunction, while short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause acute poisoning.
India I was informed today by Dr. Muralidhar S. Kathalagiri, a consultant gastroenterologist, bariatric, and laparoscopic surgeon at SPARSH Hospital in Bangalore. While food colouring enhances the colour of our food, we should be mindful of the potential risks, especially with unapproved food colourings.
"These artificial chemicals, which are frequently hidden in our favourite meals and snacks, might throw off the balance in our bodies. Food colouring agents that are hazardous, such as rhodamine B, are frequently employed in food preparation. According to research, these compounds may cause allergic reactions, hyperactivity in kids, and even long-term health problems like organ damage and cancer," Dr. Kathalagiri stated.
Not only can you find rhodamine-B in cotton candy and "gobi manchurian," but it can also be found in a variety of other foods, including curry powder, sauces, pink-coloured candies, red chilli powder, and chilli oil.
No colouring should be added to food unless specifically authorised by the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, according to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The permitted artificial colouring agents are:
Red: Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine, and Erythrosine
Yellow: Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow: FCF
Blue: Indigo Carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF
Green: Fast Green FCF
Last month, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry banned the sale and production of cotton candy due to the presence of the "cancer-causing chemical" rhodamine-B.