Recent studies have indicated that Rhodamine B can cause DNA damage, leading to mutations and potentially triggering cancerous growths.
About Rhodamine B
- Rhodamine B is a synthetic dye used mainly in textiles, paper, and leather industries but has been illegally used in food products, posing severe health risks.
- It is a water-soluble compound, appearing green in powder form and turning bright fluorescent pink when dissolved in water.
- Applications of Rhodamine BIndustrial Applications: Widely used in textiles, inks, ink formulations, cosmetics, and food coloring to produce vivid colors.
- Fluorescence Microscopy: Valued for its fluorescent properties, allowing precise visualization of cellular structures and molecular interactions in laboratories.
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Effects of Rhodamine B on Humans
- Oxidative Stress: Causes oxidative stress, cell injury, and increased apoptosis.
- DNA Damage: Linked to DNA damage, mutations, and potential cancerous growths.
Colour Additives
A color additive is any dye, pigment or substance that can impart colour , alone or through reaction with other substances, when added or applied to a food, drug, cosmetic or to the human body.
Why are Color Additives Added?
- Enhance Appearance: Color additives improve the visual appeal of food, drugs, cosmetics, and other products, making them more attractive to consumers.
- Restore Natural Color: They compensate for color loss caused by processing, storage, or exposure to light, air, and temperature.
- Standardization: Ensure consistent product color across batches, maintaining brand identity and consumer expectations.
- Improve Identification: Help differentiate products (e.g., capsules or tablets) and improve safety by preventing misuse or confusion.
- Consumer Appeal: Bright and vibrant colors stimulate appetite and influence purchase decisions, particularly in food products.
- Cultural and Functional Uses: Certain colors are used for cultural, festive, or functional purposes, such as color coding or decorative cosmetics.
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- Tumor Development: Prolonged exposure has shown tumor development in organs like the liver and bladder.
- Cerebellum Tissue Damage: Regular consumption can harm cerebellum tissue, impairing motor function and causing brainstem abnormalities.
Permitted Coloring Agents in India
- Regulations: According to FSSAI’s Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulation, 2011, only permitted synthetic coloring agents can be used.
- Permitted Colors:
- Red: Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine, Erythrosine
- Yellow: Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF
- Blue: Indigo Carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF
- Green: Fast Green FCF
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Regulations of Rhodamine B
- FSSAI Regulations: Rhodamine B is specifically banned from use in food products in India.
- Its use is punishable under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
- Recent Actions: In 2024, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, and Himachal Pradesh implemented bans and strict measures to prevent its use in food products.
- United States: The FDA has classified Rhodamine B as unsafe for food and banned its use.
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- In January 2025, the FDA issued a stricter ban due to increasing evidence of its carcinogenic properties.
- European Union: Classified Rhodamine B as a substance of very high concern and banned its use in cosmetics due to carcinogenic and skin sensitization risks.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Regulatory Framework: Enforce stricter regulations and monitoring by FSSAI to ensure harmful dyes like Rhodamine B are not used in food products.
- Promote Research and Awareness: Fund independent research on the impact of food additives and launch public awareness campaigns on the risks of unregulated synthetic dyes.
- Encourage Compliance: Educate manufacturers and vendors on safe practices and impose stringent penalties for violations to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
- Community Engagement: Use digital platforms and social media to spread information on safe food practices, permissible additives, and the importance of checking food labels for safety.
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