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.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Course
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.
|
- 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
Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store
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.
-
- 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.
Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!
24 Jan 2025
