Consider the following statements: Statement-I: India has banned the use of Rhodamine B in food items. Statement-II: The use of Rhodamine B leads to various health issues. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? |ForumIAS

[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

[C] Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

[D] Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanations –

Statement I is correct. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of Rhodamine B in food products under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. Additionally, several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh, have implemented bans on food items like cotton candy and Gobi Manchurian after detecting Rhodamine B in samples.
Statement II is correct. Rhodamine B is a synthetic dye that poses significant health risks, including potential carcinogenic effects (cancer risk), DNA damage, oxidative stress, and other toxic effects on organs such as the liver and kidneys. It is not safe for human consumption and has been linked to long-term health risks like cancer.
Hence, the ban on Rhodamine B in food products (Statement-I) directly stems from its harmful health effects (Statement-II). The health risks posed by this dye are the primary reason for its prohibition in food items.