Karnataka on Monday banned the use of artificial food colours, including Rhodamine-B, in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to health concerns. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said flouting the direction would invite a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the banning at a presser, and said cotton candy and gobi manchurian "across the southern state" were found to be of poor quality due to the use of food colours, which in return, are "adversely affecting the health of people".

Of 171 samples of gobi manchurian collected, 64 were found to be safe while as many as 106 were found to be unsafe. Meanwhile, a total of 25 cotton candy samples were collected, of which, 10 were found to be safe and 15 unsafe.

Tartrazine, Carmoisine, Sunset Yellow and Rhodamine-1B were some of the artificial colours found to be used in the samples

"Samples were collected from hotels, (and) roadside shops, among others. Many have turned out unsafe. Using Rhodamine as colouring agent is banned. Eateries use this (colouring agent) to make (food items) look more red," Dinesh Gundu Rao said at the presser.

Taking to X later, the Karnataka Health Minister wrote, "Based on these findings, an order has been issued banning the use of prohibited artificial colours, including Rhodamine-B, in gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Consumption of snacks containing these artificial colours may pose long-term health risks, including cancer. Therefore, the health department has taken this necessary action. I urge the public to prioritise health and hygiene above all else."

The state commissioner of food safety has issued an order in this regard across the state, directing the banning of any artificial colours in gobi manchurian and cotton candy.

Karnataka's move came a month after Goa's. Last month, the Mapusa Municipal Council banned Gobi manchurian in the region, becoming one of many Goan civic bodies to take such a measure against one of the most popular food items in India.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry took steps against cotton candy last month after both places banned the food item, citing the presence of cancer-causing chemical Rhodamine-B in the samples sent for testing.

Source: India Today