Health dept finds presence of harmful food additives in cotton candy, gobi manchurian

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Following reports of harmful artificial colours and chemical compounds being used in eatables like cotton candy and gobi manchurian, tests ordered by the Karnataka Health Department have revealed the presence of rhodomine-B in the former, and sunset yellow and tartrazine in the latter.

The Health Department has procured reports from all districts through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which point to the presence of harmful chemicals in cotton candy and gobi manchurian.

The government is expected to take a major decision regarding banning the use of at least three food additives used in gobi manchurian and cotton candy.

When asked, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “I won’t say anything now. I will talk in detail about it at a press conference on Monday”. Previously, the Tamil Nadu government had ordered the 'Bombay Mithai' tested, which revealed the presence of rhodomineB, following which it was banned there.

RhodomineB is a carcinogen and can cause heart diseases. Hence the Karnataka government too is expected to take some firm steps.

Sunset yellow, a colouring agent, has attracted attention because of its effect on children’s behaviour. It can also cause nausea, hives (rashes), nasal congestion, rhinitis (runny nose), kidney swelling and chromosomal damage.

The E110 food additive is often a cause of indigestion, vomiting, stomach pain and food rejection. Tartrazine, another common additive in foods and drugs, is known to often cause adverse reactions like recurrent urticaria, angioedema and asthma and is frequently implicated in hyperkinesis.