Do you enjoy indulging in pani puri? An expert warned on Tuesday that eating pani puri with artificial colours may increase your risk of several malignancies and asthma, among other health difficulties.

Following many complaints, Food Safety inspectors in Karnataka collected over 260 samples from roadside shops. Of these, 22% of pani puris performed poorly in quality tests. Around 41 samples included artificial colors and cancer-causing chemicals, while 18 were deemed stale and unsafe for human consumption.

This comes after Karnataka’s Food Safety and Standards Department issued an order in late June imposing a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and a sentence ranging from seven years to life imprisonment for using artificial colours in chicken kebabs, fish, and vegetable meals throughout the state.

In March, Karnataka also prohibited the use of Rhodamine-B, an artificial coloring agent found in gobi manchurian and cotton candy.

“Use of an excess amount of artificial food colours and flavouring agents to make the dish look more appealing and increase palatability carries various health risks, especially in those who frequently indulge in outside food,” Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, told IANS.

“Excessive exposure to such synthetic elements in food increases the risk of cancer, and disturbs gut health by increasing inflammation, Instead of artificial agents one can consume foods that are made with “natural colour and flavour using beetroot, turmeric, saffron strands, etc”., she added.

The specialist added that it can also cause hyperactivity in children, allergy symptoms, and asthmatic attacks. Furthermore, tainted water used in pani puri might cause foodborne infections such as typhoid.

Artificial food colorings are added to food products to improve its visual appeal and stability, which increases taste and ensures consumer pleasure. However, the use of dyes such as Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine, and Rhodamine-B in food products poses a number of health hazards.