Puducherry Government Bans Cotton Candy: Find Out Why!

The sale of cotton candy has been banned in Puducherry after the usage of a toxic chemical was found by government officials in its making.

The ban was announced by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Thursday in a video.

Cotton Candy ban, here's why

The clip, urging the public to refrain from buying cotton candy for children due to the harmful chemicals present in it, was shared on her official Instagram page. In the video, the presence of Rhodamine-B, a toxic substance, was revealed by Tamilsai Soundararajan, as discovered by food safety officials, reported NDTV Food.

The governor's appeal conveyed that a toxic substance named 'Rhodamine B' had been found to be used in the cotton candies consumed by children and others in Puducherry, urging the public to refrain from purchasing them due to their harmful effects on overall health.

The governor instructed government officials to inspect all cotton candy-selling shops, with instructions to seize those where the presence of the toxic substance is found. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan stated, "Shops selling cotton candies are directed to be inspected, and they will be seized if the presence of this toxic substance is found in the cotton candies."

Urging everyone to make informed choices, the governor emphasized, "People should be aware that food items containing color additives must not be given to children."

In the caption accompanying the clip, she wrote, "Chemical cotton candy affecting children's health should not be purchased...", and concluded with hashtags, "cotton candy", "panchu mittai", and "Puducherry". However, according to the India Today report, those who obtain a quality certificate from the food safety department will be permitted to sell cotton candy.

According to information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH.gov), Rhodamine B, commonly abbreviated as RhB, serves as a chemical dye. It is highlighted that RhB frequently infiltrates the body when combined with food, inducing oxidative stress on cells and tissues.

Prolonged consumption of Rhodamine B in food can potentially lead to serious health complications such as liver dysfunction or cancer. Furthermore, exposure to large quantities of Rhodamine B over a short duration can result in acute poisoning.