Because the Maharashtra FDA crackdown on unhygienic meals continues to make headlines, social media has been abuzz with reviews and movies suggesting that some eateries have stopped utilizing pink dye or meals color in dishes resembling rooster lollipops. Check out this tweet.
Restaurant homeowners are actually serving Hen Lollipop and Manchurian with out color on account of worry of Tukaram Mundhe. pic.twitter.com/r47NCW0cr2
— Bewda babloo 🧉 (@babloobhaiya3) August 6, 2026
Pink meals color or “pink dye” refers to colouring brokers added to meals to make it look extra engaging and interesting.
“Pink meals colouring is the identify given to substances that give it a vivid pink or reddish look; these may be both artificial or obtained from pure sources. Each meals producers and eating places use them primarily to reinforce the visible look of the meals, to make sure that it has a constant color and, at occasions, to make up for color that has been misplaced throughout processing or cooking,” mentioned Montu Saini, former chef, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
DISCLAIMER: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
Whereas there was no official affirmation from FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe’s workplace, we requested consultants about pink dye and permitted pink meals color.
“Pink meals colors have been banned for a very long time. FSSAI or the Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India lists the permitted meals colors that can be utilized. Even the use is barely restricted to bakeries and candy retailers. So, it needs to be a food-graded, FSSAI-approved color for it for use,” Saini advised indianexpress.com.
The necessary level is that not all pink meals colors are the identical. “As a chef, I’m not in favour of including any such colors to meals, however then it’s permitted by FSSAI. Some food-grade artificial colors are legally permitted, however they should be used solely in permitted meals and inside prescribed limits. Unauthorised or industrial dyes are a very totally different and critical food-safety concern,” mentioned chef Shipra Khanna.
Dr Shankar Zanwar, senior marketing consultant gastroenterologist, Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, additionally burdened that they’re generally utilized in objects resembling sauces, sweets, drinks, desserts, marinades and a few processed meals. “In eating places, extreme use of vivid pink colouring can generally be a priority, notably when the ingredient will not be clearly disclosed or when non-permitted colors are used,” mentioned Dr Zanwar.
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Some individuals could have intestine points (Picture: AI Generated)
Dr Saiprasad Lad, marketing consultant gastroenterology, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central mentioned that including an artificial pink meals color typically gives no dietary benefit; its most important perform is beauty in that it makes meals seem extra interesting or provides it a constant look.
Dr Zanwar concurred and mentioned that the primary concern is which color is getting used, in what amount, and whether or not it’s permitted for meals use. “Extreme consumption of sure artificial colors could trigger reactions in delicate people, resembling stomach discomfort, nausea or allergic-type signs. Some individuals may expertise complications or different signs after consuming specific meals components. Utilizing industrial or non-food-grade colors is particularly unsafe as a result of they might comprise contaminants that aren’t meant for human consumption,” mentioned Dr Zanwar.
Shoppers ought to take a look at meals labels and keep away from merchandise with an unusually intense or unnatural color, notably when the color seems extreme. “At eating places, it’s cheap to ask whether or not synthetic colouring has been added,” asserted Dr Zanwar.
Reasonably than an outright ban on all pink meals colors, the main focus must be on strict regulation, permitted food-grade colors, protected limits, correct labelling and enforcement in opposition to unlawful dyes. “Moderation and consciousness are necessary, particularly with continuously consumed processed foods.”
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Khanna famous, “The main focus must be on strict regulation, testing, right labelling and nil tolerance for unlawful or industrial dyes. The place color isn’t essential, cooks ought to ideally let the pure color of the substances shine.”
‘Pink meals color’ has been trending on Google for the previous 24 hours.
DISCLAIMER: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
