Illegal Use of Carcinogenic Auramine Dye in Roasted Chana Sparks Alarm Over Public Health Safety in India

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena UBT MP, has raised a serious alarm regarding the illegal use of Auramine, a carcinogenic industrial dye, in roasted chana and other food items in India. In a letter addressed to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, she demanded urgent intervention to address this grave public health concern, emphasizing the dye’s recognized carcinogenicity and the systemic regulatory failures that have allowed this dangerous practice to continue unchecked.​

Auramine is a synthetic diarylmethane dye commonly used in the textile and leather industries to impart bright yellow coloration. It is strictly banned for food use under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. However, recent reports have found it is being added illegally to foods like roasted chana to enhance their appearance, thereby posing serious health risks to consumers.​

Medical and toxicological evidence links Auramine exposure to multiple health hazards. Chronic exposure has demonstrated carcinogenic effects in animal studies, particularly liver and bladder cancers, and it is considered possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Beyond cancer, Auramine exposure can cause mutagenic effects, liver and kidney damage, neurotoxicity, and reproductive harm. It can irritate eyes and skin and may lead to pneumoconiosis upon inhalation of dust. These toxic effects underscore the severity of its presence in food products.​

Chaturvedi highlighted gaps in India’s food safety enforcement, including weak market surveillance, inadequate routine testing, delayed public warnings, and poor accountability among regulators. She called for a national health alert, comprehensive testing of roasted chana and related products nationwide, strict penalties including license cancellations and legal action against violators, and directives for state health departments to conduct parallel enforcement operations. She also urged an internal audit of FSSAI protocols to identify systemic lapses.​

For the public, this issue carries immediate practical implications. Consumers should be vigilant about purchasing roasted chana and similar products, preferably from trusted and certified sources. Regulatory bodies must enhance food safety monitoring to prevent toxic adulterants in the supply chain. Awareness campaigns and food testing can help restore consumer confidence and protect public health from the serious risks posed by carcinogenic dyes like Auramine.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

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