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Senior medical experts are of the view that cotton candy is not cancer-producing, but the usage of chemicals such as ‘Rhodamine- B’ which gives a pink colour to the candy should be stopped and hence banning the candy itself is not a solution.
CHENNAI/BANGALORE: Following the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to stall the sale of cotton candy, the Karnataka government has decided to prohibit the usage of artificial colours in cotton candy and ‘Gopi Manchurian’, a vegetarian dish made out of cauliflower sold in most hotels across the country.
Interestingly, senior medical experts are of the view that cotton candy is not cancer-producing, but the usage of chemicals such as ‘Rhodamine- B’ which gives a pink colour to the candy should be stopped and hence banning the candy itself is not a solution.
Dr MA Raja, senior consultant, Medical Oncology Director, Oncology services, MGM Cancer Institute while speaking exclusively to The New Indian said that the government should strictly enforce the banning of chemicals such as Rhodamine-B and strict punishment should be given to those who are trying to violate the ban.
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“I don’t feel banning candy is a solution. Instead, strict action should be taken against those using such dangerous chemicals. Rhodamine B is a chemical dye that is being used for a lot of industrial purposes. Hence one cannot ban Rhodamine B either. The point is it should not be used in foodstuff”, said Dr MA Raja to The New Indian.
“Processed foods, which are nothing but chemically modified food to increase the shelf-life are dangerous. Regular consumption of such food from childhood increases the risk of cancer. The point is how often such food items are consumed. Nowadays almost every food is being chemically altered in some or the other manner”, added Dr MA Raja.
However, Dr MA Raja expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s measures and steps to tackle food adulteration.
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“To my level of expectation as a common citizen, government steps are highly unsatisfactory. In my view widespread monitoring and inspection is absent. When today, if the department identifies such adulteration, the very next day the same item comes in a new form”, said Dr MA Raja.
Dr Raja added that Rhodamine-B which is used in the candy gives a bright pink color that entices youngsters and thereby candy sales which are chemical-free can be sold as it does not harm public health. He further added that the public needs to be educated on these issues which is the way forward.
Dr MA Raja is a senior consultant and a medical oncologist at the MGM Cancer Center in Chennai.
