Tamil Nadu has prohibited the sale of cotton candy due to the alarming presence of a cancer-causing substance. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced the ban on Saturday following a food lab analysis.
The Food Analysis Laboratory had found Rhodamine-B in cotton candy and various other coloured sweets, terming them unsafe and substandard for consumption.
Describing it as a punishable offense, Mr. Subramanian announced that any participation in the production, sale, distribution, or packaging of products containing Rhodamine B would lead to strict repercussions.
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Directives have also been issued to food safety authorities to carry out comprehensive inspections and impose strict measures against those who violate the regulations.
The neighbouring Union territory of Puducherry has already enforced a prohibition on cotton candy.
The ban is bound to affect the livelihood of hundreds of cotton candy vendors and manufacturers across the state.
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