A.P. Food Safety department to tighten focus on sale of cotton candy

After Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Puducherry governments banned the sale of cotton candy in the initial months of 2024, there was much discussion on whether the same decision should be taken in Andhra Pradesh as well. However, due to hurdles faced in the collection of samples, the process was stalled then.

Despite containing harmful colouring agent Rhodamine B, the use of which is prohibited in the State, the sale of cotton candy continues in public gatherings in Vijayawada, including the recent Vijayawada Book Festival.

Now, after almost two years, the process is set to take off from next week across the State. “In 2024, the ban on sale of cotton candy in neighbouring States caused fear among sellers in the State, and for three to four months, they were out of sight, making it difficult for our officers to go ahead with the sample collection process,” said A.P. Joint Food Controller N. Purnachandra Rao.

With cotton cany now returning to public places, the State Food Safety department has made a decision to collect the samples, starting with Guntur and Vijayawada. “Most of the sellers come from other States and keep travelling from one place to another, and it is difficult to get hold of them,” explained the State official.

A ban on cotton candy cannot be enforced until a confirmation comes from the laboratories about the presence of the colouring agent, and samples need to be collected from public places across the State for that purpose, Mr. Purnachandra Rao added.

Cotton candy are known to contain Rhodamine B, a common dye used in textile, paper and leather industries and it is used to give the food item a bright pink hue. Mr. Purnachandra Rao explained that another colouring agent Metanil Yellow is also prohibited.

However, not all sythentic food colours are prohibited in the State. Some, like Tartrazine, are allowed to some extent. In sweets or bakery items, 100 parts per million (ppm) of a synthetic colour can be used, while in cold drinks or in paan masala, the same limit can go to 5,000 ppm. However, in hot eatables, such as curries, the use is prohibited, Mr. Purnachandra Rao said.

The official also urged parents to not purchase cotton candy as they are made in unhygienic conditions.