Bengaluru hotel owners oppose ban on artificial colouring in Gobi Manchurian

FSSAI regulations allow the use of red, blue, green, and yellow colours

Ban threatens violators with hefty fines and lengthy imprisonment

Bengaluru hotel owners have opposed the ban on artificial colouring in Gobi Manchurian, contesting the scientific basis of the government’s guidelines. They argue that the FSSAI regulations allow the use of red, blue, green, and yellow colors, contradicting the government’s stance.

The Karnataka government banned the usage of artificial colours and hazardous chemicals in the preparation of Gobi Manchurian yesterday (March 11).

The Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association criticized the decision, claiming it was made without consultation and urged for a revocation. Government authorities collected samples of cotton candy and Gobi Manchurian, with 171 Gobi Manchuri samples tested, revealing artificial colours in 107 of them, including tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carmine.

Interestingly, it was not just coloured Gobi that was banned. Even coloured cotton candy, which is perilous to eat, had been junked by the government. In this regard, as many as 25 samples of cotton candy were also collected. Out of these, 15 had artificial colours.

Some of these artificial colours were deemed unsafe under the Food Safety Act. Despite a 2011 regulation prohibiting the use of colour in Gobi Manchurian, the recent ban was enforced by the government, threatening violators with hefty fines and lengthy imprisonment. The association now stands in opposition to this governmental decision and called for revocation of ban.