Producer: Mehak Pal Editor: Nisha Dubey
The ban on Gobi Manchurian and cotton candy by the Karnataka government has shed light on the harmful effects of artificial colours in food items.
Health Minister of the state Dinesh Gundu Rao reiterated that while ‘tartrazine’ is permissible in packaged foods within minimal quantities, its rampant use in food preparation by eateries poses significant health hazards.
Here are some side effects of using food colours in food.
Synthetic additives, often found in popular food items like candies, soft drinks, and packaged snacks, roadside snacks have been linked to various health issues, including hyperactivity in children, allergies, intolerance to even cancer.
Industrial dyes like malachite green or metal yellow contain highly toxic substances. It leads to stomach aches, nausea, constipation, and anaemia.
Artificial food colours are also prepared from raw materials obtained from coal tar that can harm health.
Regular use of products with colour additives also leads to some serious health problems they lead to the oxidation of fatty acids, skin irritation, and congestion of the kidneys.
Consumption of more artificial coloured food items can lead to the risk of having problems like sleeplessness, irritability and restlessness.