📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Radosław Botev
Food
Street Vendors Drop Artificial Colours, Turning Chicken Lollipops, Manchurian Balls and Shawarma Yellow
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 22 Aug 2026, 02:36 PM
👁 26
Vendors have stopped using synthetic food dyes, resulting in a noticeable yellow hue in popular street foods such as chicken lollipops, Manchurian balls and shawarma.
The phenomenon dubbed the "Tukaram Mundhe effect" is being observed across several street food stalls, where items like chicken lollipops, Manchurian balls and shawarma are now appearing yellow. The change follows a collective decision by vendors to eliminate artificial colourants that have traditionally been added for visual appeal.
Health advocates have long warned about the potential risks of synthetic dyes, prompting many small‑scale food operators to switch to natural alternatives or to forgo colour additives altogether. By removing these chemicals, the natural pigments of the ingredients become more visible, giving the dishes a pale, yellowish tint.
Consumers have taken note of the shift, with some expressing appreciation for the cleaner ingredient list while others miss the bright hues they associate with street‑food favorites. The move also reflects a broader trend among informal food businesses to align with growing demand for healthier, less processed fare.
Health advocates have long warned about the potential risks of synthetic dyes, prompting many small‑scale food operators to switch to natural alternatives or to forgo colour additives altogether. By removing these chemicals, the natural pigments of the ingredients become more visible, giving the dishes a pale, yellowish tint.
Consumers have taken note of the shift, with some expressing appreciation for the cleaner ingredient list while others miss the bright hues they associate with street‑food favorites. The move also reflects a broader trend among informal food businesses to align with growing demand for healthier, less processed fare.