Cotton candy banned over cancer fears: Indian state rules treat loved by children around the world is dangerous
- Tamil Nadu imposed the ban after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Rhodamine-B
An Indian state has banned cotton candy after ruling that the treat loved by children around the world is dangerous.
Last week, Tamil Nadu, a state in the south, imposed the ban after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the carcinogen Rhodamine-B in samples submitted for testing.
Earlier this month, union territory Puducherry banned cotton candy, while other states have started testing samples. BBC News reports.
The treat, also called buddi-ka-baal, which means an old woman’s hair, is loved by children all over the world and shows up at fairs and amusement parks.
However, some Indian officials say it is deceptively harmful.
Last week, Tamil Nadu, a state in the south, imposed the ban after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the carcinogen Rhodamine-B in samples submitted for testing (File Photo)
P. Satheesh Kumar, food safety officer in the city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, said The Indian Express newspaper that the contaminants in the delicacy “could lead to cancer and affect all organs of the body.”
His team infiltrated candy sellers on one of the city’s beaches last week. Kumar said the cotton candy sold there was the product of independent sellers and not registered factories.
A few days later, the government banned the sale of the delicacy after laboratory tests detected the presence of Rhodamine-B in the samples.
The chemical compound produces a bright pink color, which is also used in cosmetics, dyeing textiles and inks.
Studies have shown that Rhodamine-B may increase the risk of cancer. It is illegal to use it for dyeing food in Europe and California.
When the ban was implemented in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said in a statement that the use of Rhodamine-B in “packaging, importing, selling food or serving food containing it at weddings and other public events would be punishable under the Food Safety Act. and Standards Act, 2006′.
Neighboring state Andhra Pradesh is also said to have started testing cotton candy samples to determine whether or not they contain traces of Rhodamine-B.
The New India Express newspaper reported earlier this week that food safety officials in Delhi were also increasing pressure for a ban on sweets.