Page 45 - Tehelka Issue 15 August 2018

health

• taste matters Wheat, pulses, Consumer Affairs elicited nil
rice, spices, etc are among the most response on the gravity of
adulterated products the growing menace of food
adulteration in the country.
Nevertheless, to improve
(FSSAI) has not been helpful the situation greater con-
except that there has been sumer awareness is called
labeling of food items includ- for. Consumer literacy needs
ing processed foods and to be increased for better
soft drinks indicating ‘FSSAI awareness of consumer rights
Approved’ with no further and responsibilities. Regular
and continuous checks and inspection of food outlets
balances. Consequently, to keep premises free from
manufacturers and trad- infestations of food bacteria is
Food adulteration causing irreparable health need of the time. Mass media
ers continues to play havoc
need to be tapped to make
becomes a menace hazards to the people. Food people aware of the menace
adulteration together with
of food adulteration.
air and water pollution in the
Street food vendors are
backdrop of very poor public another source of adulterated
Massive graft in food business has compounded health care infrastructure food because of their expo-
with a rampant collusive culture of corruption at has dented people’s income sure to air and water pollution
over and above the normal
and assets as major portion
all official levels, writes MY Siddiqui of their earnings is spent on food adulteration. Added to
medicare. this, unsafe drinking water is
otwithstanding to persistence of menace of Extent and gravity of food a major health hazards and
with the people’s food adulteration. adulteration can be gauged cause of food adulteration.
fundamental Over-use of pesticides in in the light of massive cor- Woe of food adulteration
right to be free farming, its residue in food ruption in food business is continuing unabated as
N from hunger and chain, poor sanitation in compounded by a rampant 30 mega food parks sanc-
to consume safe food, free food market, cold storage, collusive culture of corrup- tioned long ago are yet to be
from toxics, pesticides, other adulteration of food items tion at all official levels with functional across the nation
micro-biologicals, chemicals including soft drinks, packag- no accountability, whatso- to maintain a modicum of
and physical contaminants, ing and transportation are ever. Both the Union and hygienic and unadulterated
the air we breathe, the water major threats to food safety. State Governments are lax processed food. Even revert-
we drink and the food we eat As a result, there are severe with no public concern in the ing to organic farming is no
contain residues of pesticides. health hazards like rapid in- matter. Unless accountability option as it is not remunera-
Adulteration of food is caused crease in serious diseases like of public servants is fixed by tive to farmers and the cost of
by sand, stone, chalk powder, cancer, ulcers, asthma etc. and amendments in Article 311 of organic food products is too
mineral oil, coal tar, dyes, ar- deaths due to such diseases. the Constitution of India, no high.
senic, lead, mercury, pesticide All these because of unsafe fruitful public good can be There is need for scien-
residues, larvae in food, ram- foods. Common adulterants expected in the present sys- tific studies by the National
pant use of formalin in fish, are urea/detergent powder in tem. At the same time, a law of Institute of Health & Family
infection by rodents, insects milk, animal fat in ghee, brick torts (negligence) be legislated Welfare and Indian Council of
in the form of excreta etc. powder in red chilly powder, to make people in all walks Medical Research to find out
Poor implementation chicory in coffee, papaya of lives accountable as also dimensions of food adultera-
of the Prevention of Food seeds in black pepper etc. safety clauses in all laws tion and remedial measures
Adulteration Act, 1954 and used by unscrupulous traders which protect public servants with the FSSAI taking more
the Food Safety and Stand- for sheer profiteering with for action taken in good faith and more samples for testing
ards Act, 2006 that created the connivance of greedy be abrogated to make them and punitive actions, lest
the food regulator, the Food and corrupt law enforcers accountable to the people it should be continuing all
Safety and Standards Author- that pose health hazards to at large, to stem the rots in hunky dory paper work with
ity of India (FSSAI), coupled consumers. public administration. no end to public suffering
with law enforcers (food Even setting up of a An inquiry in the union from food adulteration!
inspectors) and deficiencies in regulator, the Food Safety and Ministries of Health, Food
the testing laboratories, lead Standards Authority of India Processing, and Food & letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 august 2018 45 www.Tehelka.com