Would you buy a brightly coloured papad?

General
, ,
1

Tamil Nadu has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of artificially coloured papads (appalams) after food safety authorities found the use of non-permitted or excessive synthetic food colours in some products. The move was taken to protect consumers from potential health risks.

Why does this matter?

Many artificial food colours are approved only within specific limits. When these limits are exceeded or non-permitted colours are used, they may increase the risk of adverse health effects, especially with regular consumption. Food safety experts have also raised concerns about long-term exposure to certain synthetic dyes.

This decision reminds us that:

:white_check_mark: Brighter colour does not mean better quality.
:white_check_mark: Reading food labels is an important habit.
:white_check_mark: Strong food safety regulations help protect public health.

As consumers, we often judge food by its appearance.

Perhaps it’s time to give equal importance to what’s inside the food not just how colourful it looks.

:speech_balloon: What do you think?
Should other Indian states also strengthen checks on artificial food colours in processed foods like papads and snacks?

MBH/PS

4 Likes
2

A good step towards food safety. Appearance shouldn’t matter more than what’s actually in our food. Regular quality checks can help protect consumers.

1 Like
3

Very good decision. Indian food industry must be more regulated. Here, many food products don’t contain a proper label and claim anything in the name of marketing.

1 Like
4

My mother never buys colored products. She believes that all coloring is bad, irrespective of its source and chemical makeup.

I personally would by naturally coloured papads. Like beetroot or spinach being used to dye them pink and green respectively

1 Like
5

Yes, artificial food colours should be avoided as much as possible. Not papad and colored fries, even cakes and pastries have so much bright colours in it. I personally avoid all those bright coloured foods that are not natural.

1 Like
6

Definitely! This should be implemented all over India.

1 Like
7

Happy that atleast someone did something good. Food colors are the silent killers present in the food packagings. Even Cadbury GEMS which is a popular snack in India, contains coloring agents which are heavily restricted in European countries.

2 Likes
8

Yes, I think other Indian states should also strengthen monitoring of artificial food colours in processed foods. Food safety regulations and regular checks can help protect consumers, especially children, who are often attracted to brightly coloured snacks.

2 Likes
9

Food safety is something we don’t think about until issues like these come to light. Small regulatory measures like this can have a meaningful impact on public health.

1 Like