Abstract

QUANTIFICATION OF CARMOISINE (E122) IN MUMBAI’S INFORMAL FOOD SECTOR: A VALIDATED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Shakti Singh Rathore, Aqil Samnani, Aditya Zarapkar, Dr. Mayuresh Joshi*

ABSTRACT

The informal street food sector in Mumbai is a vital socioeconomic cornerstone, providing affordable nutrition, caloric density, and a primary source of livelihood for millions of urban dwellers. However, its largely unregulated reliance on synthetic chemical additives, such as the red azo food color Carmoisine (E122), poses significant and currently unquantified toxicological risks to the public. The current research work presents a high-precision, ICH Q2(R1)-validated UV-Vis spectrophotometric method specifically engineered to quantify Carmoisine in Schezwan chutney, a ubiquitous and complex condiment of the "Indianized Chinese" culinary genre. To ensure a representative urban snapshot, the current research work analyses 20 samples procured across four distinct vendor archetypes: Movable Stalls (M), Stationary Stalls (SS), Small Food Joints (SFJ), and Large Food Joints (LFJ). The findings of the current research work reveal a systemic and catastrophic regulatory failure wherein 100% of analysed local samples exceeded the FSSAI permissible limit of 100 mg/kg. Concentrations reached a staggering peak of 8.209 mg/g, representing a significant deviation from the legal thresholds. Longitudinal statistical analysis identified highly significant seasonal fluctuations (p < 0.05), suggesting that environmental stressors, shelf-life concerns, and festive demand cycles drive a proactive, excessive incorporation of dyes. This paper explores the visual-palatability paradox inherent in Mumbai’s urban food culture and proposes urgent multi-sectoral interventions ranging from handheld regulatory screening tools to consumer education to mitigate long-term public health impacts, specifically regarding paediatric neurobehavioral risks, chronic hepatic burden, and potential genotoxicity.

Keywords: Carmoisine, E122, Method Validation, Food Safety, Mumbai Street Food, Spectrophotometry.