Telangana State Food Laboratory officials have confiscated a quantity of cotton candy that was found to contain a harmful carcinogen at the Medaram Jatara festival site. The officials discovered the presence of Rhodamine B, an industrial dye that is banned for use as a food color due to its potential for causing cancer. The enforcement team utilized the Ethyl acetate method for spot testing and spectrophotometry for quantifying the amount of Rhodamine B present. The State intends to take action against the use of this industrial dye in food items, given its immediate and long-term health effects.

This is the first known instance of Telangana State cracking down on the use of the fluorescent pink color commonly used in cotton candy. Although there is currently no statewide ban, the authorities have stated their commitment to take action whenever the banned industrial dye is found in food, due to the significant health implications it poses.

In recent weeks, other states in India have also taken measures against the sale of cotton candy colored with this industrial dye. Tamil Nadu became the first state to impose a ban on such products, with Puducherry subsequently following suit. In Andhra Pradesh, surveillance has been heightened to detect the presence of the dye in food coloring.

However, wholesale establishments that sell essences and colors have stated that they do not carry stock of this banned dye in Hyderabad. Although a shop in Begumpet does stock pink water-based and gel-based food color, it does not sell the oil-based pink variety, which is more commonly used due to its affordability.

The Telangana State Food Laboratory officials have assured that they will continue to take action whenever they come across this prohibited industrial dye in food products.