Who in India doesn’t love eating dal? Whether had for lunch, dinner, in salads, or as soups – lentils are an intrinsic part of Indian cuisine known for their immense nutrition. Loaded with protein, vitamins, fibre, and a host of other macro- and micronutrients, dals help you meet your daily nourishment. But what happens when you get to know that they are causing more harm than benefits?

Yes, you read it right. A recent social media video has sparked controversy after an influencer shared a video of black dal, which she soaked overnight. In an Instagram video, RJ Neha Sharma shared the shocking experience she had after she saw the black colour from dal come off and get mixed with water. The lentils had then turned green.

And so, it was evident that a black dye was mixed with green moong dal, and as soon as it came in contact with water, the colour disappeared. Take a look at the video:

According to experts, adulteration is common in lentils across the country. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, synthetic dyes like Metanil Yellow are used to make pulses look brighter, which is extremely harmful to health.

Doctors say Metanil Yellow is a known neurotoxin and its long-term exposure can affect your nervous system, leading to memory loss, headaches, behavioural change, and reduced motor coordination. The additive is also a carcinogen, which increases the risk of cancer as its metabolites damage DNA, contributing to carcinogenesis. Prolonged ingestion of Metanil Yellow can overload the detoxification process in organs like the liver and kidneys, leading to liver and kidney damage.

Apart from Metanil Yellow, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 also contain contaminants that are known cancer-causing substances. Benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, and 4-aminoazobenzene are potential carcinogens that have been found in food dyes.

Experts say some artificial food dyes also lead to severe allergic reactions, causing hives and asthma symptoms. In a study conducted on people with chronic hives or swelling, 52 per cent had an allergic reaction to artificial food dyes.

While most allergic reactions are not life-threatening, if you have symptoms of an allergy, it may be beneficial to remove artificial food dyes from your diet.

In a report, FSSAI mentioned that consumers should not buy pulses if:

• They have an unpleasant odour
• Are bitter in taste
• Look gritty
• Are full of insects
• Are being sold loose

Always prefer pulses in packed form, under AGMARK, and also check the FSSAI license number. Also, pure lentils will always have a uniform size, texture, and appearance without any unnatural shine or residue. If the lentils appear glossy or leave a coloured residue on your hands, it may be a sign of surface treatments or colouring agents. Real lentils should look natural and have a consistent colour and shape in quality, with no added gloss or residue.

Grind a small amount of lentils into a coarse powder and add it to hot water. Stir and observe the water’s colour. If the water turns a bright yellow or other unnatural shades, it may indicate the presence of artificial colours. Pure lentils will not significantly alter the water’s colour when soaked or boiled.

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