The Karnataka Health Department recently banned the use of artificial colours in chicken kebabs, fish and vegetarian foods across the state. This decisive move in the interest of public health and safety has drawn attention to dangerous levels of the artificial colours Sunset Yellow and Carmoisine found in some kebab samples.
So let’s understand all about artificial colours and how to identify them.
What are artificial colors?
Artificial food colors, also known as synthetic food colors, are dyes used to enhance the appearance of foods and beverages. They are made from petroleum-derived chemicals and are designed to mimic natural colors.
Dr Jagdish Katwate, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at Kharadi Motherhood Hospital, Pune, said artificial colours are widely used by various companies and manufacturers to create interest in their brands. “These artificial colours are used in a variety of products including chocolate bars, chewing gums, gems, chips, frostings, bakery items like cakes and cupcakes, popsicles and various sauces,” Dr Katwate said.
He said displaying brightly coloured food items makes it easier to influence customers, especially children, in their purchasing decisions. “These food colours are made with harmful chemicals and additives that can severely harm human health. They contain harmful ingredients like benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl and 4-aminoazobenzene that can significantly increase the risk of developing several types of cancer,” Dr Kaswate said.
Let's decipher these dyes and their health effects
Red 40 – also known as Allure Red or INS129
Yellow No. 5 – A lighter shade of Yellow No. 5 is also known as Tartrazine or INS102.
Yellow 6 – Also known as Sunset Yellow or INS110.
Blue 1 – Also known as Brilliant Blue or INS133.
Blue 2 – Also known as indigo carmine or INS132.
Green 3 – also known as Fast Green or INS143
Azorubin – also known as carmoisine or INS122
Dr Kaswate said artificial colours like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 may contain certain carcinogens and ingredients and are harmful to health. “Food colours like Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2 etc are addictive in nature and have severe effects on the digestive system. They are also associated with hyperactivity in children. Regular consumption of these artificial food colours can be harmful to an individual's health, especially the health of children, and can lead to digestive problems like constipation and indigestion,” Dr Kaswate told indianexpress.com.
Dr Kaswete said studies have shown that long-term consumption of Yellow 5 can cause allergic reactions including rashes, inflammation, worsening eczema and hives.
Always on the lookout (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
To find out if packaged foods contain artificial colors, “look at the back of the packaging to see if it has a list of the ingredients used,” Dr. Kasuwate said. “This will help you understand the ingredients, especially the colors used, and the amounts.”
Choose foods made with natural colours (from vegetables, fruits, spices, algae and/or other edible natural sources such as curcumin, carbon black and caramel) to prevent the risks associated with consuming artificial colours, Dr Kaswate adds.
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First uploaded on: 27 June 2024 15:30 IST
