Contamination and Adulteration of food is heinous,we must not tolerate–Dr.Chopra
The recent revelation about a Uttar Pardesh (India) factory in Hathras, where many spices were being mixed with contaminants like donkey dung and inedible artificial colors is quite shocking and should make our heads hang in shame.
As a child two words, namely corruption and adulteration never bothered me. The reason being, I didn’t comprehend their meanings then. Today my eyes swell with tears and heart gets shredded when I learn about these two nefarious practices going unrestrained in my country.
The word ‘Adulteration’ has a deep meaning and has originated from Latin ‘ADULTERARE’ meaning corrupt or defile. Adulteration by adding inferior and cheap materials to increase the quantity of the product to be marketed and earn more profits is rampant. Contamination and adulteration make any edible unfit for human consumption as it plays havoc with our health system.
There is a distinct difference between contamination and adulteration. Contamination in food points out to the presence of harmful chemicals and organisms which can later become a health hazard and even cause FOOD POISONING.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2008 with an aim to place the scientific standards for food products, to regulate and standardize not only the manufacturing and storage but also distribution in the country, sale as well as import and export of food articles. When a food product doesn’t meet the norms set by FSSAI, it is considered as adulterated.
People have become highly materialistic the world over, today the greed is at its zenith and morality at its nadir. Becoming a millionaire overnight is the ambition of tens of thousands. To meet their goal such persons can stoop very low, kill their conscience and jeopardize health of others. Contamination and Adulteration of edible items must not be tolerated at any cost .
The list of food items adulterated in India is long. To name a few—cereals, pulses, flours, milk and its products, sweets, tea/coffee and spices. HONEY is not a new addition to the list but the recent startling revelation of adulterated honey being marketed by the top brands in the country is really shocking.
Since ages honey has been revered as a kitchen product, Ayurvedic medicine and a sacred trickle. This viscous product is full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. It is very useful for burns, wounds, ulcers and helps in the prevention of some infections. Quite soothing for the throat, it controls our waistline too. Texts reveal that not only it enhances fertility in both sexes but also has some anti-cancerous properties. According to ancient AYURVEDIC GRANTHS honey supports life, is beneficial for all age groups (more so for young) and most suitable for those who live in marshy lands rather than dry areas. It is wholesome and quite useful in winter. Due to its low glycemic index it can help in regulating serum glucose level in our body. SO, PURITY OF HONEY AVAILABLE AT THE SHELVES SHOULD BE VERY SERIOUSLY TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND OF COURSE BY FSSAI.
Adulteration should be taken as a heinous crime and it must mete out exemplary punishment by the custodians of law.
DR.SUNIL CHOPRA, LUDHIANA-INDIA
+91 9815574644
24 comments
Thank you so much Dr.Chopra for touching such a vital issue.Adulteration is really an unpardonable offence.Yout description of HONEY is also very informative.
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Well explained by Dr.Sunil Chopra as this practice is very common in our country. Authorities must take honest and sincere actions for those who is doing that so that good quality of food is available to the public. There are some other factors like storage, methods of cooking so that adequate nutrients should be consumed by the people.
As rightly pointed out by Dr. Chopra, laws have been framed to check such practices. However, in our Country, such restrictive laws only add clout to the enforcing agencies, who, then, raise their own price. We need to press for (1) strict enforcement of the existing laws (2) increasing the quantum of punishment by considering the act of adulteration as murder or attempt to murder and (3) strict accountability of the law enforcement agencies, who also need to be taken to task by impleading them as co-accused.
It is also seen that our Health authorities become quite active during the festival season, but all cases detected by them appear to be swept under the carpet. Also, if they can step up their efforts during the festive seasons, then why not around the year?
Sir, this is correct that the law enforcing agencies’ paraphernalia connive with the corrupt and save the guilty.
Only the vigilant consumer and NGOs unitedly can force action against them .
Battle to win over the status-quo of corruption is long drawn,but win we must,if we persist for our rights-particularly right to pure food when we pay for the pure.
Great article
I totally agree with Dr. Chopra that the concerned authorities and officers should look seriously into the acts of adulteration of food items. The immediate official / food inspector should also be prosecuted ,if he is not performing his duties as per law. It’s the right time that Ministery of health and family welfare should take up this matter on priority basis in order to save the health of people of this country.
Thank you Dr.Anil Jyoti for appreciating my views on adulteration and honey.
As an advocate of repute,Mr.Anil Sawhney you know better about the really dangerous practices of contamination and adulteration going on with impunity in our country.Thanks for your valuable views.
Development of strict monitoring programs to screen all food products for safety is the only way to secure food supply and address the growing concern over food adulteration
I think authorities are responsible for the adulteration. There should be strict law against this other wise they will befool the consumer.
Thank you Dr.S.K. Sharma
Your views are really important and meaningful.
Thanks for sparing time to go through the articles posted on…the globaltalk.com .
Thank you Desor ji for your detailed and significant views.
Rightly pointed out by Dr Chopra, food adulteration should not be tolerated. It’s the cause of serious health hazards. We must always report such matters to authorities so that the people can be saved. Article is well presented. Thanks to Dr Chopra to bring awareness about such serious matters.
You have highlighted a very vital point related to food and our eating habits. During my service I have often inspected all kinds of sweet meat shops restaurants and other eating outlets . At times I had been appalled at the magnitude of contamination and adulteration. What was more disturbing was the lack of hygiene while preparing these food stuffs. How many people wash their hands ever time they eat I wonder.
In our country almost everything is adulterated/ contaminated or polluted even the medicines are not spared. Laws are there but implementation is poor. Samples are taken for testing but before the result comes the item has been already consumed
Dr.Chopra you are very much right about adulteration in food products.
Ours is the only country where there is no strict vigil on the food quality.
The seem to be hand in gloves with the adulterators.
Money nd profit is the only target in people’s mind. And it is very difficult to check this nefarious activity nd still in the name of religion we claim to be inheritance of Bhagwan Ram nd Krishan.
Dr. Chopra you are very much right about adulteration in food products. Ours is the only country where there is no strict vigil on the food quality. The authorities seem to be hand in gloves with the adulterators.
Money nd profit is the only target in people’s mind. And it is very difficult to check this nefarious activity nd still in the name of religion we claim to be inheritance of Bhagwan Ram nd Krishan.
Yours. Article is an eye opener rules should be strict and harsh punishment should be given to the culprit
Development of strict monitoring programs to screen all food products for safety is the only way to secure food supply and address the growing concern over food adulteration
Thank you Dr.Salhotra for your most suitable comments.
Dr.Bawa,
You are absolutely right that our laws need further strengthening and proper implementation.
Good
You are correct Dr Chopra that food adulteration is a heinous crime playing with human lives
Authorities should lmplement laws in a stringent way taking action at the earliest