Pune : In the aftermath of Tamil Nadu’s FDA cracking down on the sale of cotton candy due to the discovery of carcinogenic substances, Maharashtra’s FDA is poised to follow suit, initiating testing on cotton candy sold in the district. Recent inspections by Tamil Nadu’s FDA revealed the presence of Rhodamine-B, an industrial dye known to be carcinogenic, prompting a ban on the popular treat. Suresh Annapure, Joint Commissioner of FDA Pune, expressed the need for caution and urged citizens to be vigilant about consuming foods containing such coloring agents.
Annapure stated, “Building on this initiative, we intend to pursue a similar course of action. I have already reached out to Tamil Nadu’s food safety officials to gather more information and conduct further research on the matter. This crackdown serves as a wakeup call, and we urge citizens to exercise caution when consuming foods containing such coloring agents.” He emphasized the need for scrutiny not only on small vendors but also on the larger supply chain involved in the sale of cotton candy.
“Recognizing that it’s not only small vendors selling cotton candy on the roadside but also a larger supply chain that needs scrutiny, we have already started taking efforts in this regard now,” shared Annapure.
Abhimanyu Kale, State FDA Commissioner, commended Tamil Nadu’s efforts and confirmed that Maharashtra would adopt a similar framework, conducting thorough laboratory testing and research to determine if similar cancer-causing agents are present in cotton candies sold within the state. “We will surely be taking actions, but they all will be based on thorough laboratory testing and research,” stated Kale.
Both officials emphasized the importance of caution, noting that “Buddhi ke baal or cotton candy, as it is commonly known, is a beloved treat among children and adults alike. We urge the public to exercise caution when consuming these treats and remain vigilant about products containing harmful dyes and colors. Such unhygienic manufacturing practices not only pose a risk of cancer but also increase the likelihood of infections and other diseases in the public.”
