A drop of this, pinch of that TO TEST TAINTED FOOD

Adulterated Products Can Cause Stomach, Kidney Ailments

    Aman added a drop of a yellow liquid into a jar of milk. The pure white liquid turned blue. It wasn’t a trick at a magic show but a demonstration at the adulterated food testing counter at the Youth Health Mela at Valluvar Kottam.
    The exhibition, organised by Adyar Cancer Institute, aims to educate people about noncommunicable diseases and ways to prevent them. As part of the event, MBA students of Hindustan University have a stall where they demonstrate simple tests to determine whether a food item is adulterated.
    Food products, ranging from milk and vegetables to ice cream, are adulterated, say health experts. “In order to add colour, texture and bulk to food products, manufacturers mix all kinds of additives, most of which cause severe illnesses,” said Saravana Kumar, a professor at the university, who is in charge of the stall. “We can scrub our vessels squeaky clean, wash the veggies several times and sanitize our hands repeatedly but the food we consume continues to be unsafe.”
    To prove his point, Kumar dissolved some jaggery bought from a grocer in water and added a drop of cleaning acid. Immediately, it precipitates and rises. “Detergent is mixed with jaggery to provide bulk. This could cause serious stomach disorders,” he said.
    Doctors say adulterated food is a menace but cannot be curtailed as people are dependent on packaged food products sold in stores. “Additives, artificial colours and products that enhance texture and flavour will cause damage to the body in the long run. If a person is suffering from a
heart or kidney ailment, it will
exacerbate the problem,” said Dr
N Kathiresan from Cancer Institute. “From increased blood pressure to cancer, a range of health problems can be traced to adulterated food,” he said.
    Even vegetables contain harmful chemicals in excess of the permissible limits prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, he said and suggested that people go organic.
    “People should have gardens at home and grow their own vegetables. It can not only be a relaxing hobby but also save time and money and
ensure good health,” he said.
    janani.sampath@timesgroup.com 

Food safety law

The High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notice to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, in connection with a petition filed by the Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurants Association.

The association has questioned the regulations and some of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which were enforced from August 2012, replacing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

The High Court, in July 2013, issued an interim order staying the regulations and the provisions. Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda ordered issue of notice to the authority as the Union government pointed out that the authority was a necessary respondent for adjudicating the plea. Meanwhile, the court extended the interim order until next date of hearing.

HC notice to food authority

The high court has ordered notice to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, New Delhi, in connection with a petition filed by Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurants Association.

Justice AN Venugopala Gowda also extended the stay till the next date of hearing with regard to certain guidelines under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, which are under challenge.

The petitioner has challenged regulations related to licencing, packaging, labelling and registration. It claims a hotelier cannot be expected to test around 150 insecticide residues in the hundreds of items prepared. It also states the Rs 12-lakh ceiling imposed on petty food manufacturers is unrealistic.