Toxic Holi colours in Mumbai: FDA does not know what to do about them

Despite the health issues faced by people owing to the chemicals in colours used to play Holi, the food and drugs administration (FDA) in the state is unable to regulate it. Reason: FDA officials are unaware of the guidelines for use of chemical components in the colours.

As the state gets ready to celebrate Holi on March 2, the state FDA plans to write to the central drug authority, seeking details about the standards for use of chemical components in colours. “We will release a public notice to caution residents about spurious colours. We will also write to the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) to clarify if the issue comes under our jurisdiction and on what basis can we take action against those who don’t follow the standards,” said an FDA official. 

Colour manufacturers said in the absence of regulation, there is no way to control sale of hazardous chemicals. The only test that can be performed to check the components of a colour is toxicity test, which is conducted at a Dadar-based lab of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 

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