The most favourite dish for many GOBI MANCHURIAN is banned in GOA due to concerns from the government side. The government has officially announced the ban and reasons for it however there are no such concerns from the public.
As it is the favourite for its taste which has a wide spread across the country, this announcement from the government has disheartened the gobi lovers in the Goa state. This article is about the latest announcement from the government that answers all your questions related to the ban.
Gobi Manchurian Ban In Goa:
On 5th February 2024, the GOA government imposed a permanent ban on roadside gobi Manchurian that costs around Rs50- Rs60 per plate. The Mapusa Municipal Council of GOA has stated the Gobi Manchurian from roadside stalls is banned due to concerns related to synthetic colours and unhygienic conditions. This came after Arolkar (Mapusa Councillor) proposed to stop selling the gobi Manchurian during the SHREE BODGESHWAR TEMPLE festival every year in January 2024.
However, this is now extended to all regions that come under Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) after all the members of the council agree. This is not the first time this meal has faced a ban, in 2022 the State Food and Administration imposed a ban on the number of stalls selling in South Goa during the SHREE DAMODAR TEMPLE festival in Vasco.
Why Gobi Manchurian?:
The Gobi has been a mouthwatering dish for its taste for years which is one among the favourite dishes for many. The head PRIYA MISHRA (chairperson of MMC) stated that the meal was prepared from synthetic colors under unhygienic preparation. The vendors use synthetic colours to look red and poor-quality sauce (has a high amount of sodium and sugar) that is added to give a flavour taste which is not recommended to eat.
The FDA also stated a type of reetha powder is used along with flour in batter and cornstarch to keep the cauliflower crunchy for a longer period. All these constitute unhygienic preparation that accounts for health issues in people. Last week the stalls were stopped from selling the gobi Manchurian with sellers requiring a license from the government to sell the dish.
NOTE: The reetha powder is used in washing clothes as stated by the FDA.
What Is Artificial Color?:
Artificial food colours are substances obtained from petroleum that give food colour which has safety concerns. These powders are added to dishes to give colour that looks attractive and shiny resembling good taste.
Health Concerns With Artificial Color:
- Children are most affected upon eating the artificial coloured substance in food that causes hyperactivity in them.
- Causes allergic reactions in people due to Blue1, Red40, Yellow5 and Yellow6 colouring substances.
- Aggressiveness, irritability and sleeplessness.
- Regular consumption leads to depression, and memory loss in least cases.
- Some artificial substances are even cancer-causing while some do not have any effects even after consumption.
- Asthma symptoms are also an effect of artificial colour.
- They are made of coal than previously but now it is obtained from petroleum.
Even packing this hot gobi Manchurian in plastic or plastic kind of materials leads to the entry of microplastics into the human body which is dangerous. This is possible because the gobi is served hot and the microplastics are burnt into gobi that enter into our body upon consumption.
GOBI MANCHURIAN is also one of the choices of foreigners who visit India.
Conclusion:
In 2023 six stalls have been banned from selling the dish after unhygienic claims from the locals in Ponda’s Kapileshwari and Sateri devi regions the stalls have no proper cleaning, enclosed area and proper disposal and even preparation has been toxic. This ban has come into effect only on stalls but not in restaurants due to the poor maintenance of stall owners which is causing health issues and concerns from the government.
The FDA supported their decision to ban the explanation of the difference between the prices of the same dish “Gobi Manchurian” in stalls and restaurants which is a clear indication for the public to avoid eating roadside dishes in any location across the country.
FACT: GOBI MANCHRIAN was modified and made in India by Chinese travelers after World War.
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To Know More About Health Issues Related To Synthetic Colour Visit – Are Synthetic Food Colors Safe for Humans?