Can your cotton candy cause cancer? Why Tamil Nadu has banned the sweet

Rhodamine B is classified as a carcinogen in California and the European Union.

In a significant move, the Tamil Nadu government enacted a ban on the sale of cotton candy, citing the presence of the carcinogen Rhodamine B.
This decision follows a similar move by the Union Territory of Puducherry a week earlier.

The ban, on February 17, was prompted by the discovery of traces of Rhodamine B in cotton candy samples collected from Chennai's beaches, rendering the product "substandard and unsafe" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as disclosed by the state government. It prohibits the sale of the product at marriage ceremonies and public functions.

What is Rhodamine B?

Rhodamine B, a chemical commonly used as a textile dye, imparts a bright pink colour. It also has various biotechnology applications, such as tracing pollutants in water systems and indicating herbicide usage.

Why is this used in cotton candy?

Rhodamine B, when dissolved in water, gives a bright pink colour, which is the colour of the quintessential Indian cotton candy.

Earlier in October 2023, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a video on the adulteration of sweet potatoes by Rhodamine B. Rhodamine B is used to give the vegetable a bright pink colour.

What are the dangers of consuming the chemical?

While there are limited recorded cases of the chemical's effects on humans, animal experiments indicate potential fatal consequences with ingestion of less than 150 gm. Rhodamine B is classified as a carcinogen in California and the European Union.

“Animal experiments have found that the chemical is harmful to the cerebellum. Long-term consumption can lead to liver dysfunction or cancer, and acute ingestion may result in gastrointestinal side effects,” said Dr Arun B Shah, Director of Neurosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.

Doctors also say that people might not notice the effects of the chemical when it is consumed in small quantities. “The half-life of the chemical inside the human body is two to six months. So, it usually gets excreted without accumulating,” said Dr Azad Irani, Consultant, Neurology - Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai. Long-term, regular consumption could be dangerous, he added.

How does India tackle food adulteration?

The switch from natural to synthetic colouring agents has risen in recent years in the country. “It’s time India puts warning labels on the front of pack labelling and defines ultra-processed foods, which are mostly made of harmful additives and artificial colouring agents,” said Nupur Bidla, Member of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi).

In November 2023, the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Home Affairs proposed stringent measures, including a minimum imprisonment of six months and a Rs 25,000 fine for those selling adulterated food. The current penalty is limited to a maximum of six months of imprisonment or a fine of Rs 1,000.

Is your local cotton candy safe?

The cotton candy ban in Tamil Nadu resulted from routine testing by state officials, with no other states conducting similar tests to determine the safety of products. The move highlights concern over food safety and calls for increased regulatory measures to address adulteration issues nationwide.

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