Rhodamine-B

• The Tamil Nadu government banned the sale and production of cotton candy in the state after it was found that the chemical Rhodamine-B was being used for making it, which is harmful for health.
• Samples of cotton candy were sent for testing by the food safety department, which found the presence of ‘cancer-causing’ Rhodamine-B in it.
• As per the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006, preparation, packaging, importing, selling and serving food items with Rhodamine-B in wedding ceremonies and other public events is a punishable offence.

ABOUT RHODAMINE-B

• Rhodamine-B or RhB is a water-soluble chemical compound commonly used for dyeing in the textile, paper, leather, and paints industry as a colouring agent that helps in attaining the red and pink spectrum.
• Although in powdered form the chemical is green in colour, upon being added to water, it turns pink.
• According to studies, even if consumed in small quantities, the chemical is highly toxic and carcinogenic.
• If consumed regularly, Rhodamine-B can cause severe damage to the cerebellum tissue in the brain and to the brainstem that connects the brain to the spinal cord.
• It can also lead to cancer and tumour over time.