Karnataka became the latest state in the country to ban the controversial ‘cancer-causing’ dishes Gobi Manchurian and cotton candy. These two dishes are banned over the concerns of harmful food coloring substances present in them which can cause cancer. On Monday, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced a ban on food coloring agent Rhodamine-B in cotton candy and Gobi (Gobi) Manchurian.
"If anyone is found using Rhodamine-B food coloring agent, strict action will be taken against them under the Food Safety Act," he announced at a press briefing. He said the quality of these food items was poor across the southern state due to artificial colours, resulting in adverse effects on people's health.
Two food items, Gobi Manchurian and the colourful Cotton Candy, have sent alarm bells ringing across health ministries in the country as laboratory tests have shown cancer-causing additives Rhodamine-B and Tartrazine were being used in their preparation.
Of the 171 samples of Cabbage Manchurian collected, 64 were found safe while 106 were found unsafe. Meanwhile, a total of 25 cotton candy samples were collected, out of which 10 were found safe and 15 unsafe. Tardazine, carmoisine, sunset yellow and rhodamine-1b were some of the artificial colors that were used in the samples.
What is Rhodamine-B?
Rhodamine-B is a harmful chemical colouring agent extensively utilised in textile dyeing and the paper industry, known for its original green appearance. Upon introduction to liquids, it undergoes a transformation, turning vividly pink or red.