Karnataka has imposed a ban on the use of artificial food colours, including Rhodamine-B, in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to health concerns, announced Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday. Flouting this directive could result in a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to INR 10 lakh.
During a press conference, Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the ban, stating that cotton candy and gobi manchurian “across the southern state” were found to be of poor quality due to the use of food colours, which in turn, are “adversely affecting the health of people”.
Out of 171 samples of gobi manchurian gathered, 64 were deemed safe, whereas a staggering 106 were deemed unsafe. Meanwhile, 25 cotton candy samples were collected, with 10 deemed safe and 15 deemed unsafe.
Tartrazine, Carmoisine, Sunset Yellow, and Rhodamine-1B were among the artificial colors detected in the samples.
“Samples were collected from hotels, (and) roadside shops, among others. Many have turned out unsafe. Using Rhodamine as colouring agent is banned. Eateries use this (colouring agent) to make (food items) look more red,” Dinesh Gundu Rao said at the presser.
Taking to X later, the Karnataka Health Minister wrote, “Based on these findings, an order has been issued banning the use of prohibited artificial colours, including Rhodamine-B, in gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Consumption of snacks containing these artificial colours may pose long-term health risks, including cancer. Therefore, the health department has taken this necessary action. I urge the public to prioritise health and hygiene above all else.”
The state commissioner of food safety has issued a statewide directive, ordering the prohibition of all artificial colors in gobi manchurian and cotton candy.
Samples of gobi manchurian were obtained from 3-star hotels in Karnataka, and they too were found to be unsafe.
Karnataka’s move came a month after Goa’s decision. Last month, the Mapusa Municipal Council banned Gobi Manchurian in the region, aligning with several other Goan civic bodies in taking action against this widely popular Indian dish.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry implemented measures against cotton candy last month, following the ban on the food item due to the detection of the cancer-causing chemical Rhodamine-B in tested samples.
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