It is the festive season in India right now. At such times, everyone wants to eat their favorite food. People go out to hotels for their favorite food or take the help of online food delivery. However, artificial food colors can spoil the fun of your favorite food. Artificial food colors are being used indiscriminately in the market today. Let us tell you that there is a risk of cancer spreading due to artificial food colors. Recently, the Karnataka Health Department also banned the use of artificial food colors in kebabs, fish and vegetarian foods in the entire state. Let us know what artificial food colors are, how you can identify them and how you can protect yourself.

What is artificial food colour?

Artificial food colors are also known as food dyes. They are prepared from chemicals etc. and are generally used in food and medicine etc. These are a special kind of synthetic colors that make the color and taste of food better. However, artificial food colors also cause a lot of harm to your body.

Where is artificial food color used?

Artificial food colours are used in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The Karnataka government has also banned the use of artificial colours in chicken kebabs, fish and vegetarian food items in the state. Apart from these, artificial food colours are also used in chocolate bars, chewing gum, gems, chips, frosting, bakery items like cakes and cupcakes, popsicles and many types of sauces.

names of artificial food colours

• Red 40 : Allure Red or INS 129
• Yellow 5 : Tardazhin or INS 102
• Yellow 6: Sunset Yellow or INS 110
• Blue 1: Brilliant Blue or INS 133
• Blue 2: Indigo Carmine or INS 132
• Green 3: Fast Green or INS 143
• Azorubine: Carmoisin or INS 122

This can cause harm

Artificial food colors are made from harmful chemicals and additives. They contain many elements that can increase the risk of cancer. Artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 may also contain carcinogenic elements. Consuming Yellow 5 for a long time can also cause allergies like rashes, swelling, eczema and hives on the body. Artificial food colors like Blue 1 and Blue 2 harm the digestive system.

How to protect yourself?

If you are eating out, the food being too bright or colourful can indicate that artificial food colour has been used in the food. Apart from this, to detect artificial food colour in packaged food, look at the back of the packet. The list of ingredients used in making the product is given on the back of the packet. From here, you can find out how much artificial food colour has been used in the product.