A letter sent by Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has been widely discussed on social media. The MP’s letter raises concerns about the use of harmful colouring agents in food items, including roasted chickpeas.
What the letter says
MP Chaturvedi points out that roasted chickpeas and similar food items are being coloured using Auramine, a substance known to cause cancer. She shared a photo of the letter on X. She also stated that this is a clear violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
I have written to the Health Minister as well as Food Processing Minister regarding the extremely distressing evidence based report that shows that Auramine, an industrial dye used for textiles and leather, is being illegally added to roasted chana besides other food products to… pic.twitter.com/cxQgMwLJn6
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) November 24, 2025
'This is not merely a violation of food safety norms - it is a threat to the health, safety, and trust of millions of Indian citizens, and a failure of regulatory oversight by the FSSAI,' the MP wrote. She urged the Health Ministry to intervene immediately.
She recommended issuing a national health advisory, conducting widespread testing of roasted chickpeas and similar foods, and cancelling licences or taking strict action, including imprisonment, against those violating safety standards.
Auramine: A serious health risk
In her letter, Chaturvedi explained the dangers of Auramine. The substance is strictly prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has confirmed that Auramine can cause cancer. It has been linked to cancers of the liver, kidneys, and bladder, as well as neurological disorders. The MP also pointed out that market surveillance is very weak and routine inspections are insufficient. She urged the Health Ministry to instruct state health departments to strengthen food testing and conduct internal audits of FSSAI protocols.
Video that raised concerns
Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote the letter after a video shared online a month ago came to her attention. In the video, a man claims that harmful chemicals are being mixed into roasted chickpeas sold in the market, posing serious health risks.
The video shows both uncoloured and artificially coloured chickpeas. The coloured ones appear shiny. The video also shows how the colouring is applied—by pouring dye over the chickpeas. When rubbed between fingers, the coloured chickpeas crumble quickly, unlike the uncoloured ones. Chickpeas are a popular snack among people, including Malayalis, and many parents buy them for their children, assuming they are safe.
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