Karnataka bans artificial colours in Gobi Manchurian, Cotton Candy

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Karnataka government on Monday banned the use of artificial colours, including Rhodamine-B, in foods like Gobi Machurian and cotton candy, after reports of health concerns due to the poor quality. The state’s move follows a similar ban imposed by Goa, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry last month, all of whom came down heavily on the popular Indo-Chinese dish.
Karnataka Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that such artificial colours were of poor quality and posed harms to public health, and warned of serious action against anyone who continues to use them in food production. Taking to social media platform X on Monday, he said violation of this ban may result in imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

According to the food safety and quality department, samples of 'Gobi Manchurian' and 'Cotton Candy' being sold across the state were collected and analysed in laboratories. “Out of 171 samples collected from Gobi Manchurian, artificial colours were detected in 107 samples. Similarly, out of 25 cotton candy samples collected, artificial colours were found in 15 samples,” a statement from the department said.

Sections of restaurant owners welcomed the order, with Arun Adiga, owner of Vidyarthi Bhavan calling it a good move. “As long as the ban extends to the chemicals and not the actual food product itself, it is the right thing to do,” he said.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotel Association (BBHA) however, took exception to the order, saying that directives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority