CHENNAI: The sale of cotton candy has been banned in Tamil Nadu as the laboratory results of the cotton candy samples that were seized by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) have been found to contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced that the sale of cotton candy has been banned in Tamil Nadu as the government food analysis laboratory found that an artificial colorant called Rhodamine-B was added to cotton candy as a colouring agent.

The FSSAI officials raided the cotton candy shops in the city after the samples of cotton candies after a raid in Puducherry revealed the presence of harmful dyes in it. It is under Section 3 (1) (zx), 3 (1) (zz) (iii) (v) (viii) (xi), 26 (1) (2) (i) x (ii) (v) of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and confirmed as unsafe food.

The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 prohibits the manufacture of food products with an artificial colorant called Rhodamine-B. The packaging, importing, selling, serving at weddings and public events of food items with Rhodamine-B is a punishable offense under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Health Minister, in a statement on Saturday, said that all the Food Safety Officers have been ordered by the Commissioner of Food Safety to investigate the matter and take strict action as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.