An essay on Food Adulteration part 2

METHOD OF DETECTION OF COMMON FOOD ITEMS

            Many a times, we would have observed our food items in an unusual way. We would have noticed that, this particular item bought from the store looks suspicious. What would we have done? Either we would have used the food item or returned it back to the shopkeeper. But, now, we have gathered a solution.

SOME EXAMPLES .....

            1 - Studies conducted by scientists at the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow (2006) found that silver foil used for sweets and in pan masala contain carcinogenic (cancer causing) nickel, lead, chromium and cadmium. Silver metal is transformed into the thin foil used in sweets by workers by workers in small factories who fill the metal in a leather bag and beat it with a wooden club. No purification process is carried out before making foil. By law, silver oil with a purity of 99.9% can be used edible form.

            2 – A survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found high residues of pesticide in cow and buffalo milk. Also, they found metal arsenic, cadmium and lead in infant formula, canned products and turmeric.

            3 – An  article in August 13, 2007 issue of The New Yorker states that major Italian shippers routinely adulterate olive oil and that only about 40% of olive oil sold as “extra Virgin” actually meets the specification. In some cases, colza oil with added color and flavor has been labled and sold as olive oil. Canola oil, rapeseed oil is also added to olive oil and sold as pure olive oil. This extensive fraud prompted the italian government to mandate a new labeling law in 2007 for companies selling olive oil, under which every bottle of Italian olive oil would have to declare the farm and press on which it was product, as well as display a precise breakdown of the oils used, for blended oils.

            FRUITS AND VEGETABLES : NATURAL OR COLOURED ?

            Have you observed fruits and vegetables in the market to be brighter and shinier? Have you been tempted to buy those? Beware ! This also could be a trick by the retailer to sell off unripened fruits and veggies. To get bananas and mangoes ripen fast they are exposed to carbide which generates ethylene gas which gives out heat that in turn helps the fruit ripen fast, confirms Grahak Peth, a local consumer body in Pune. If the stem of the banana appears green, instead of a shiny yellow, it has been probably ripened by calcium carbide.

            Green vegetables like bitter guard (karela) and ladies finger (bhindi) are dipped in copper sulphate solution to make them look greener. Similarly, brinjals are coated with oil that makes them shine and apples are coated with wax to make them look fresh from outside. Take a sharp knife and try scraping the apple with a light hand. The wax layer will peel off. These process ripen the fruit only from the outside while they remain raw from within. The consumer is cheated by the false appearance and buys the product. He falls in trap and then follows a list of health problems.

            BUREAU OF INIDAN STANDARDS (BIS)

            The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegies of ministry of Consumer Affairs. Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. It certifies products for domestic consumer usage with ISI mark. These products include items such as packaged water, milk products, vegetable oils, cement, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and food colouring. Indian importers and foreign manufacturers of such products are permitted to use ISI mark provided their product passes certification test.

            AGMARK

            Agmark is used for agricultural products that need to be exported as well as for domestic trade. There are varied grading standards for different agricultural commodities like wheat, pulses, cereals, vegetables oils, fruits, vegetables, noodles, fibre crops, animal products and spices. Products that are certified with an ISI mark or an Agmark are considered as to be of good quality and standards.

            WHAT YOU CAN DO ?

            Food Adulteration occurs in rural as well as urban areas. So the first option is to buy branded and ISI marked products. Even if these branded items cost a little extra, it is worth paying extra amount to safeguard your health.

            If you have purchased any branded item and doubt its quality, you can approach the company concerned. Always remember to preserve your grocery bills so that the company can take the necessary steps regarding the complaint. If any person sells imports or distributes any article of food which is adulterated or misbranded, he is liabled uner PFA act to be punished with imprisonment and fined. If you find that any food is adulterated, then do not keep silent. Complain about it to the department of prevention of Food Adulteration in your city/town/district and report to the newspaper and make more and more people aware to take joint action.

            In this vast world, we face many challenges today. Food is a major challenge for us as we never know what quality of food we are consuming. The food items purchased from outside could be good or bad, the above actions must be implemented against food adulteration.