Why in the news?

• Karnataka has become the third state in South India to prohibit the use of specific coloring agents in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to their identified harmful effects.

Context-

• While the Government plans to create awareness among manufacturers, it has also urged consumers to be aware of what they are consuming.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 stipulates a fine of not less than ₹10 lakh and a jail term of a minimum of seven years, extending to life imprisonment, against those using banned chemical substances in food products.

What did the survey results show?/Key findings from the sample testing

• Presence of Harmful Chemicals: Laboratory tests revealed the presence of harmful chemicals in many samples collected from the state.
• Cotton Candy Samples: Out of 25 cotton candy samples collected, 15 were found to be unsafe as they contained added colors, while the remaining 10 were deemed safe as they were made without added colors.
• Gobi Manchurian Samples: Among the 171 samples of gobi manchurian collected, 107 were declared unsafe due to the presence of added colors, while 64 were considered safe as they did not contain added colors.

What were the harmful chemicals?

• Harmful Chemicals: The unsafe samples of cotton candy contained traces of sunset yellow, tartrazine, and rhodamine-b, while unsafe gobi Manchurian samples had tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carmoisine. Rhodamine-b, a suspected carcinogen, is already banned.
• Restrictions on Tartrazine: Although tartrazine is an approved artificial food color, there are restrictions on its usage. It can only be used in specific packed food items, with prescribed amounts. It cannot be used in freshly prepared food items.
• Health Concerns: The Food Safety Commissioner emphasized that prolonged consumption of snacks containing artificial colors can lead to severe diseases like cancer, highlighting the importance of the ban in safeguarding public health.

What are the Penalties?

• Prohibition on Artificial Colors: Rule 16 of the Food Safety and Standards Act prohibits the use of artificial colors in the preparation of gobi manchurian.
• Approved Limits for Food Colors: While certain food colors are allowed within approved limits, non-permitted colors like rhodamine-b should not be used in the preparation of cotton candy.
• Penalties for Offenders: Violators face severe penalties, including cancellation of licenses for commercial activities, hefty fines, and imprisonment. The Food Safety and Standards Act specifies a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh and a jail term of at least seven years, which can extend to life imprisonment, for those found using banned chemical substances in food products.

Way Forward:

• Enforcement and Monitoring: Health safety officials will likely conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the ban on harmful chemicals and artificial colors.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The government will continue its efforts to raise awareness among manufacturers and consumers regarding the risks associated with harmful chemicals and artificial colors in food products.
• Regulatory Review: There might be a review of existing regulations and standards related to food safety to further strengthen controls and ensure comprehensive coverage of potentially risky food items beyond gobi manchurian, such as kebabs, that may use coloring agents.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Collaboration between government authorities, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the food industry will be crucial to implement and enforce the ban effectively. This may include consultations, partnerships, and dialogues to address challenges and ensure compliance with regulations.

Conclusion: Karnataka banned certain coloring agents in response to findings of harmful chemicals in food samples. Strict penalties and enforcement measures are in place, alongside awareness campaigns and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure compliance and safeguard public health.

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