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March 12, 2024
In a significant move aimed at safeguarding public health, the Karnataka government has imposed a ban on the use of artificial colors in the popular dishes Gobi Manchurian and cotton candies, following findings that these additives were carcinogenic.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced the prohibition during a session at the Vidhana Soudha, citing concerns raised by the public and media regarding the safety of these food items.
According to Minister Rao, laboratory tests conducted on samples collected from across the state revealed alarming levels of unsafe artificial colors in both Gobi Manchurian and cotton candies. Among 171 samples of Gobi Manchurian examined, 107 contained hazardous artificial colors such as tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carmoisine. Similarly, out of 25 cotton candy samples tested, 15 were found to contain unsafe colors, including Rhodamine-B, a known carcinogen.
Explaining the severity of the issue, Minister Rao highlighted that Rhodamine-B, one of the identified unsafe colors, poses a significant risk of cancer, particularly concerning as children are frequent consumers of cotton candy. He emphasized the illegality of using such colors and announced stringent legal measures to address violations.
A circular has been issued to enforce the ban, and awareness programs will be conducted to educate the public on the risks associated with consuming food containing artificial colors. Stringent legal actions, including fines of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment ranging from five years to life sentence, will be imposed on violators under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The use of artificial colors in food products is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act and its regulations. Minister Rao urged the public to refrain from consuming or reduce their intake of food items containing artificial colors to mitigate the risk of adverse health effects, including cancer.
The ban on carcinogenic artificial colors in Gobi Manchurian and cotton candies reflects the Karnataka government’s commitment to prioritizing public health and safety. By taking proactive measures to eliminate harmful additives from popular food items, authorities aim to ensure the well-being of citizens and prevent the onset of potentially life-threatening diseases.
