The Office of the Assistant Food Controller and Designated Officer, Visakhapatnam district, on Monday issued an advisory prohibiting the use of hazardous synthetic colours, particularly Rhodamine B, in cotton candy.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified Rhodamine B as carcinogenic, permitting its use only in industrial dyeing of textiles, paper, leather and plastics. Officials said the chemical, widely used by street vendors to lend cotton candy its bright pink colour, poses serious health risks, including liver damage and memory loss, particularly to children.

While colours such as Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow are permitted within prescribed limits, Rhodamine B and Metanil Yellow are banned outright. The department also flagged the excessive use of tasting salt (MSG) in food preparation.

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, violators face imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh. The public may report violations to the district Food Safety Department.