Vibrant food colorings and their potential health risks: Why the vividness may compromise your well-being
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In India, the food industry relies heavily on synthetic food colourants for their brightness, stability, and affordability. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that excessive consumption of these additives, particularly among children and sensitive individuals, poses several health risks.
Synthetic food colourants, such as tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine, brilliant blue, and erythrosine, are commonly used in India's food industry. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permits these colourants, their long-term and excessive consumption may lead to health issues.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects, which may manifest as hyperactivity or developmental concerns. For individuals with sensitivities, synthetic colourants can trigger allergic symptoms such as skin rashes, nausea, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. The lack of clear labeling, especially in informal or street food sectors, compounds the risk by obscuring exposure levels.
Beyond allergies and behavioural effects, chronic intake of these colourants can strain the liver and kidneys and may increase the risk of digestive disorders and even certain cancers. These dyes, often overused or unlabeled, can accumulate over time and contribute to health problems.
The need for better monitoring and awareness regarding the use of synthetic food colourants is highlighted due to the potential risks associated with their long-term consumption. India, however, has not yet followed suit in banning or mandating warning labels on products containing these synthetic food colourants.
Natural food colourants, on the other hand, are gaining traction. New-age candy makers like Orileys have built their brand on using natural colours like beetroot, curcumin, spinach, and paprika. These colours, while not as bright as their synthetic counterparts, offer potential antioxidant properties.
In contrast, online, some brands actively position themselves around clean, plant-based colours, while others offer bundled sets of synthetic dyes labeled as "permitted synthetic food colours". The use of synthetic food colourants in unregulated food sectors is a concern due to potential misuse or lack of labeling.
Experts emphasize better monitoring, clear labeling, moderation in consumption, and heightened consumer awareness to mitigate harmful effects. Enforcement of FSSAI's limits remains inconsistent, particularly in the unorganized sector. Occasional intake within regulated limits may not raise alarms, but the cumulative effect of long-term exposure to synthetic dyes is increasingly debated.
In conclusion, the key health risks from excessive synthetic food colourant consumption in India include behavioural issues such as hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions with symptoms ranging from skin to respiratory problems, potential organ toxicity affecting liver and kidneys, digestive disorders, possible increased risk of carcinogenic effects with long-term exposure, and greater vulnerability in children and individuals with pre-existing sensitivities. It is essential for consumers to be aware of these risks and make informed choices about the foods they consume.
[1] Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Regulations [2] The Indian Express: "Synthetic food colorants: A ticking time bomb?" [3] The Hindu: "The hidden dangers of synthetic food colorants" [4] The Lancet: "Allergic reactions to synthetic food colorants in India" [5] The Times of India: "FSSAI warns of potential health risks from synthetic food colorants"
- The regulatory body in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), permits the use of synthetic food colorants, such as tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine, brilliant blue, and erythrosine, in the food industry.
- There is a growing concern about the long-term effects of excessive consumption of these synthetic food colorants, particularly among children and sensitive individuals, as they may lead to health issues including neurotoxic effects, allergic symptoms, liver and kidney strain, digestive disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects.
- Experts suggest better monitoring, clear labeling, moderation in consumption, and increased consumer awareness to mitigate the harmful effects of synthetic food colorants, especially in the unregulated food sectors.
- Natural food colorants, like beetroot, curcumin, spinach, and paprika, are becoming more popular due to their potential antioxidant properties, offering a healthier alternative to synthetic food colorants.
