Food coloring in products can lead to major health concerns, according to an expert. Washing may not effectively remove harmful dyes, which can penetrate food.
A video of a person washing kala chana is circulating on social media, raising questions about the safety of packaged products consumed daily. The video, shared on May 26, shows a yellow pigment in the water used to wash the chickpeas.
Also Read |
The person stated that they purchased the packet of Whole Farm chickpeas from an Indian quick-commerce company. In their caption, they tagged the company and criticized the quality of their products. “Please implement a proper quality-check process before listing products on your platform. Otherwise, consumers will lose trust in your platform,” the caption said.
The video garnered millions of views, with social media users criticizing the quality of products sold in the market. However, what alarmed many was the packaging label on the back, which did not mention any food coloring, raising the question of how companies often mislead consumers.
To understand the harmful effects of food coloring used by companies to make their products more appealing, an expert was consulted.
What are the harmful effects of food coloring in daily consumables?
According to the expert, food coloring in daily consumables can lead to behavioral and cognitive issues, including hyperactivity in children, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and aggression. It may also cause allergic reactions and hypersensitivity, including skin and respiratory symptoms.
Moreover, in some cases, it can lead to gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Certain dyes, such as Red 3, have also been found to cause cancer in animals.
Does washing the product really help?
Like the content creator who shared the video, many might resort to washing the products to remove the dye and then consume the food. But does that really help? The expert says, “Washing removes only superficial unbound colorant or dye. Water-soluble dyes such as Red 40 and Tartrazine penetrate the food matrix and cannot be completely rinsed off once bound. Chemicals such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite), which is a strong oxidizing agent, can break bonds in dyes.”
What precautions can one take?
The expert suggests people read the ingredient labels on food products and check for harmful dyes. Doubtful food products should also be tested by concerned agencies. “Consumers should stay aware of the ingredients present in food products and be cautious about products containing harmful dyes,” they stated.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. The claims have not been independently verified and are not endorsed.
Whole Farm chickpeas
Whole Farm chickpeas
Related news
High Court reprimands bank for cutting widow’s pension, orders refund.
Planned for 10 years, escaped in 2 hours: How a family of 9 fled North Korea.
Meeting of ‘One Country, One Election’ committee to be held today.
WhatsApp’s new feature introduces a dedicated section for business messages.
