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New Delhi:
The Karnataka government has banned the use of artificial coloring agents in the preparation of vegetarian, chicken and fish kebabs in the state.
The action was taken after the state's Food Safety and Standards Department received various complaints that eateries across Karnataka were using artificial colors in their kebabs.
The department tested 39 samples of kebabs in laboratories and found that eight of them were unsafe due to the use of artificial colouring.
Seven samples were found to have artificial color “sunset yellow”, another sample was found to be “sunset yellow” and “carmosine”.
Why did Karnataka ban the use of artificial colors in kebabs?
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said his government has banned the use of artificial colors in kebabs keeping in mind the “safety” of citizens.
Artificial colors are harmful to the body and can cause adverse health effects, he said in a post on X on Monday.
He also said that “severe action” would be taken against food vendors violating the rule, including imprisonment for seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Keeping in mind the safety of our citizens, Karnataka Government has banned the use of artificial colors in vegetable, chicken and fish kebabs.
Recently 39 samples of kebabs were tested in the laboratory and harmful artificial colors were found in 8 varieties of kebabs. pic.twitter.com/0N1EmVNQCM
— Dinesh Gundo Rao/Dinesh Gundoorao (@dineshgrao) June 24, 2024
The use of any artificial color in the preparation of kebabs is not permitted under Rule 16 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
Earlier this year, the state government banned the use of food coloring agent, Rhodamine-B, which was widely used in dishes like 'cabbage manchurian' and 'cotton candy'. The government said that its use has negative effects on public health, especially on children.