Tests confirm presence of harmful food additives in cotton candy, gobi manchurian; ban likely

BENGALURU: After reports of harmful artificial colours being used in eatables like cotton candy and gobi manchurian, tests have revealed the presence of rhodomine-B in the former and sunset yellow and tartrazine in the latter.

The Health Department has procured reported from all district through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which point to the presence of harmful chemicals in cotton candy and gobi manchurian, officials told Public TV. The government is expected to take a major decision regarding the sale of these two food items on Monday like banning the use of at least three food additives used in gobi manchurian.

To a question on whether the government will consider banning the use of the additives, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “I won’t say anything now. I will talk in detail about it at a press conference on Monday”.

Previously, the Tamil Nadu government had got the Bombay Mithai tested, which revealed the presence of rhodomine-B, following which it was banned there. Rhodomine-B is a carcinogen and can cause heart diseases. Hence the Karnataka government too is expected to take some firm steps.

Sunset yellow, a colouring agent, has attracted attention because of its effect on children’s behaviour. It can also cause nausea, hives (rashes), nasal congestion, rhinitis (runny nose), kidney swelling and chromosomal damage. The E110 food additive is often a cause of indigestion, vomiting, stomach pain and food rejection.

Tartrazine, another common additive in foods and drugs, is known to often cause adverse reactions like recurrent urticaria, angiodema and asthma and is frequently implicated in hyperkinesis.