COIMBATORE : After the Tamil Nadu government imposed a ban on cotton candy in the state, the migrant workers who indulged in the cotton candy trade here in the Coimbatore district stopped making it. While many of them who were dependent on the candy trade started returning to their hometown in northern India, some said they have planned to start selling ice creams in view of the summer season for their bread and butter.
The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday imposed a ban on cotton candy in the state. The move came after the Food Safety Department identified the presence of Rhodamine-B, a cancer-causing chemical agent in cotton candy and other dyed food products. This has been confirmed as unsafe to consume as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The Food Safety Department Commissioner warned of stern action against those illegally selling cotton candy and instructed the respective Food Safety Department officials to take necessary action with regard to it.
Rajesh Kumar, one of the traders from Agra in Uttar Pradesh, told TNIE, “Our trade has come to a screeching halt now. As soon as the announcement from the government came, we immediately stopped making the candy. Most of the traders who had no idea what to do next after losing their livelihood went back to their hometowns in UP. We have to shell out `50 to `100 per day for the place where we stay and make the candy; some have already left for their hometowns.”
Kumar also said that they have been only using food safety department-approved colours/dyes for cotton candy and that too only in permitted levels and not any other chemicals in its making.
Speaking to TNIE, another trader, Vikash Kumar said that some traders have decided to stay back in Coimbatore and start selling ice creams in view of the summer season. “There are over 50 traders who are into cotton candy-making and selling here. Now many have left for their hometowns. Some of us have planned to get ice cream from the ice cream-making factory at Irugur, Ondipudur, and sell it across Coimbatore as we need to earn and send money to our families who are staying in our hometown,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 90s’ kids termed the ban as the end of an era as many of them have a close connection to the fluffy candies. “Cotton candy is not just a sweet or simple candy but an emotion to the children, especially for a 90’s kid like me. The impact of the cotton candies was so great that movies made songs out of it and even people started identifying clothes and other things by their bright pink colour. Though the candy was close to everyone’s heart, the ban on it is a hard pill to swallow,” said S Subashree of RS Puram.