Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 25: A widely circulated social media video has triggered fresh anxiety over food adulteration, this time involving one of the country’s most commonly consumed snacks roasted chana. The Instagram clip, posted by content creator @experimentalbhaiya and viewed more than 20 million times, alleges that some vendors are using an industrial yellow dye to give roasted chana a brighter colour and artificially crisp texture. The revelation has set off alarm bells among consumers, food safety activists and lawmakers.
According to the viral video, an industrial colouring agent called Auramine O is being illegally mixed with roasted chana during packaging. The dye lends the snack an unnaturally striking yellow hue a look that is nearly impossible to achieve when roasting chana naturally at home. The creator claims that the adulteration is aimed at making the snack more visually appealing and increasing sales.
Food safety experts have confirmed that Auramine O is not permitted for use in food products in India. Traditionally used in textile and leather industries, the dye has been linked to severe health risks. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences warns that long-term exposure to Auramine O could increase the risk of bladder and lymphatic cancers. Earlier research has also associated the dye with liver and brain damage, reproductive toxicity and central nervous system suppression.
The seriousness of the allegations caught the attention of Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who termed the claims “extremely distressing” in a post on X. In a strongly worded letter to the Union Health Minister and the Food Processing Minister, she stressed that Auramine O is banned under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and recognised as a potential carcinogen by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Chaturvedi criticised weak market surveillance, inadequate routine testing and delayed public warnings, stating that the episode reflects glaring lapses in regulatory enforcement. She urged the Centre to issue a nationwide health alert, launch extensive testing of roasted chana and similar products, and initiate strict punitive measures — including cancellation of licences and imprisonment for offenders. She also called for an internal audit of the FSSAI’s practices to identify systemic failures.
The incident has reignited concerns about rampant food adulteration in the country, especially after recent contamination scares involving other household food items. With roasted chana being a staple in millions of homes, the alleged use of Auramine O has intensified demands for swift corrective action and stronger consumer protection mechanisms.