Love munching on some crunchy mixture with your tea? Just be careful when buying this beloved snack from stores next time. A popular allergen has been found to be used as a dye in mixture sold in shops across Kerala's Kozhikode, raising concerns about potential health risks. Tartrazine, the artificial colouring in question, is widely used in various food products, and its presence in this popular snack underscores the importance of being vigilant about what you eat.
Tartrazine is a chemical that imparts a yellow colour to food items and is commonly found in products like ice cream, toffees, soft drinks, and chips. However, its use has been regulated in countries such as Canada, the US, and parts of Europe. While generally regarded as safe, tartrazine is known to cause several side effects and can trigger allergic reactions, especially in mixtures.
A recent raid by the Department of Food Safety in shops across Kozhikode district revealed the presence of tartrazine in the mixture. Samples collected from Vadakara, Perambra, Koduvally, and Thiruvambadi circles were sent for laboratory testing, confirming its presence. As a result, authorities have begun taking action against the offenders.
Although tartrazine can be permitted in certain food items, its use in mixtures is prohibited due to potential health risks, including allergic reactions. While it is an approved artificial food color, there are specific restrictions on its usage. Tartrazine can be used in a designated list of packaged food items, with prescribed limits. However, it cannot be used in freshly prepared food items
What is tartrazine?
Tartrazine is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye primarily used as a food colouring in processed foods, drinks, and pharmaceutical products. By mixing it with other edible chemicals, colours like green and orange can also be produced. Known as E102, it is commonly used in cool drinks, ice cream, jelly, packaged foods, chewing gum, sauces, and toffees.
Beautiful but not beneficial
Artificial colours like tartrazine can make food items more visually appealing. However, for those who are sensitive or prone to allergies, it can cause side effects. Individuals with aspirin sensitivity or asthma may experience skin rashes, breathing issues, and itching.
The use of artificial food colours, including tartrazine, can worsen symptoms in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Even in healthy children, it can lead to behavioural issues like hyperactivity, as revealed by a study published in The Lancet in 2007.
In some individuals, symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea have been reported after consuming food containing tartrazine. Others have reported headaches.
Long-term impact
Research on the long-term effects of consuming synthetic colours is still ongoing. Some laboratory studies suggest that tartrazine may cause oxidative stress in cells and DNA damage, potentially leading to conditions like mumps, cellular damage, and cancer. In studies conducted on rats, long-term consumption of tartrazine has been linked to cancer, though this has not yet been confirmed in humans.