Ban cotton candy pan India
Why only Tamil Nadu and Puducherry? The entire country, should ban pink cotton candy that contains Rhodamine-B, as it causes cancer. In UP for instance seeing cotton candy or guddi ke baal getting sold outside public places, at melas and in markets is common.
EXPLAINER: Here is what Rhodamine B is and how it can cause cancer.
Rhodamine B is a water-soluble chemical compound that acts as a dye, known for its bright pink colouration. It is well known for its stability and is widely used in the textile industry, leather, paper printing, paint, coloured glass, and plastic industries.
Even though it looks green as a powder, when mixed with water, the chemical changes to a pink colour.
Consuming this dye can cause immediate issues like stomach fullness, itching, and breathing problems. Long-term ingestion of the dye can lead to its presence in the body for up to 60 days, where it can accumulate in the kidneys, liver, and intestine. This extended exposure may impair kidney function and result in irreversible damage.
It can also impact liver function and lead to non-healing ulcers in the intestine that can turn cancerous. It can also result in neurotoxicity.
The FSSAI allows certain synthetic and natural food colourings that are considered safe when consumed in appropriate amounts.
Rhodamine-B as a food additive in manufacturing, packaging, import, sale of food or serving food containing it at weddings and other public events would be punishable under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
A ban was imposed after numerous cotton candy samples collected from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were found to contain Rhodamine B, which is not permitted for use in food products. more