KATHMANDU, Jan 22: People have been requested to be aware as it is found that there is use of potentially harmful, inedible colors to make cotton candy sold at festivals and markets.
According to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, it has been found that colored cotton candy that is being sold and distributed openly contains Rhodamine B, an inedible dye that has serious effects on human health. During the testing of samples of cotton candy in the laboratory of the Department, it was found that the harmful dye Rhodamine B was used to make cotton candy.
Benefits of coloring
Therefore, the Department has issued a notice and requested people not to consume the cotton candy that is sold and distributed openly and also not to give it to children.
In addition, the DFTQC has also asked everyone not to produce, sell and distribute cotton candy using non-edible dyes. If this instruction is not followed, the department has warned that action will be taken according to the rules of the Food Act.
Rhodamine B is a chemical. It is also used to change the color of food, beauty products, fireworks, black pepper and other spices.
Doctors say that its consumption increases the risk of liver and kidney cancer.
