Mumbai Street Vendors Serve White Cotton Candy Following FDA Crackdown
Street food in Mumbai is undergoing a noticeable transformation as food establishments face intensified scrutiny over the use of artificial food colours and unauthorised additives, following enforcement drives led by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Since the IAS officer took charge of the FDA, food outlets across the city have been placed under tighter checks regarding hygiene, food safety, and compliance with food colouring regulations. The impact of the regulatory action has become visible in popular street-side delicacies, most notably cotton candy, traditionally known as buddhi ke baal.
The nostalgic sweet treat, widely recognized for its signature bright pink hue, has recently surfaced on social media in its natural, colourless form. A video circulating online showed the spun sugar treat being sold in its original state, appearing almost completely white without added synthetic dyes.
The unusual sight caught widespread attention online, prompting surprise and discussion among residents who were accustomed to its artificial colouring. Many social media users noted that the white appearance represents the original form of the spun sugar treat before synthetic dyes became standard.
The shift has sparked wider conversations regarding the prevalence of artificial additives in everyday foods, particularly items consumed by children. While vibrant colouring has long been used to make treats visually appealing, growing concerns over the health implications of unauthorised or unsafe food colours have brought food safety standards to the forefront.
Online reactions to the change have been largely supportive of the regulatory drive. Commenters noted the return of the untreated snack, with one observing that the "original Buddhi Ke Baal is back," while others expressed appreciation for the FDA's enforcement measures under Mundhe.
Cotton candy is not the only food item to undergo a visual change under the recent safety checks. Several other street-food staples across Mumbai, including brightly coloured Manchurian and Schezwan chutney, have also been spotted with altered, less vibrant appearances as vendors adjust to the FDA's compliance standards.
