Rhodamine B
Daily Highlights (2 min series)
24th January 2025
Rhodamine B: A recent ban issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2025 further reinforces these restrictions, prohibiting the use of Rhodamine B in any food-related applications due to increasing evidence of its carcinogenic properties.
- About: Rhodamine B is a synthetic dye known for its bright pink hue, commonly utilised in industries such as textiles, paper, and leather, causes DNA damage, mutations, and cancer (liver, bladder tumors observed in animal studies).
- Growing Concerns in India: Illegal Use in Foods: Enhances visual appeal in candies, street foods, and other consumables, violates Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- State-Level Actions in India: Banned sale of cotton candy with Rhodamine B, states includes:
- Tamil Nadu (Feb 2024), Karnataka (Mar 2024), Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh (May 2024).
- Expert Opinions on Synthetic Dyes:
o Carcinogenic Risk: Due to DNA damage and oxidative stress.
o Vulnerable Groups: Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
o Skin Reactions: Allergies, redness, pigmentation changes with long-term exposure.
- EU Ban: Initiated in the 1990s over skin sensitization and carcinogenic risks.
