Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of cotton candy in the state. This is because cancer causing chemicals were found in cotton candy samples.Taking an important step, the Tamil Nadu government…
Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of cotton candy in the state. This is because cancer causing chemicals were found in the samples of cotton candy. Taking an important step, the Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of cotton candy. This is because cancer causing chemical Rhodamine-B was found in its sample. Cotton candy, also known as “old lady’s hair”, is popular with children and is sold in a variety of colors. According to English newspaper The Hindu, Tamil Nadu Health Minister M Subramaniam issued this directive on Saturday after receiving test reports confirming the presence of harmful substances. The minister said samples of the cotton candy were sent to the food safety department, which tested positive for the presence of “cancer-causing” Rhodamine-B.
“Preparing, packaging, importing, selling and serving food items containing Rhodamine-B at wedding ceremonies and other public functions is a punishable offense as per the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006,” Subramaniam said in a statement. aims to create awareness among candy manufacturers, sellers and consumers about the harmful chemicals present in colored candies. Colored candy may look delicious, but it is harmful to health” What is Rhodamine-B Rhodamine-B It is used in textile industry, this chemical is harmful for human body. When it enters the body through food, it can cause oxidative stress in tissues and cells, which in case of long-term exposure can cause cancer or damage the liver. Cotton candy samples were tested at the government food analysis laboratory, which found Rhodamine-B, which is not approved for use in foods and can be harmful to health. According to the Indian Express newspaper, the team of Food Safety Department of Chennai recently raided the stalls selling cotton candy in Marina Beach and other areas, from where some samples were taken. After this, Rhodamine-B was found in the samples tested.
Tests revealed the presence of industrial dye, which is used as an artificial coloring agent in candy. Ban has been imposed in Puducherry also. Not only Tamil Nadu but Puducherry has also banned the production and sale of cotton candy. On February 10, Puducherry banned cotton candy due to similar concerns about the use of Rhodamine-B. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan had directed to inspect shops selling cotton candy in the state and seize rhodamine-laced products. He also especially warned children against consuming food items with colored adulteration. In the samples tested at the government food laboratory here, it was found that the pink candy contained Rhodamine-B, while the blue candy contained Rhodamine-B and an unknown chemical.
Food analysts described both the samples as substandard and unsafe for human health. Limited cases of the chemical’s effects on humans have been documented, but animal experiments show that ingestion of less than 150 grams can have potentially fatal consequences. Rhodamine-B is classified as a carcinogen in California and the European Union. Earlier in October 2023, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had released a video on the adulteration of Rhodamine-B in sweet potatoes. Rhodamine-B is used to give bright pink color to sweet potatoes.
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