FSDA collecting mustard oil samples from across district

LUCKNOW: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has launched a massive drive to protect people from dropsy -- a condition that causes accumulation of fluid beneath the skin and in body cavities, leading to swelling. A major cause of dropsy is consumption of adulterated mustard oil.

Officials are collecting mustard oil samples from across the district. They said legal action would be initiated against oil mills / companies / traders found operating in violation of rules.

“Cases of dropsy are on the rise. Our drive aims at curbing the problem and also the causes that are leading to it,” said Dr TR Rawat, designated officer (DO) FSDA. Speaking of the disease, he said, “Dropsy can affect any body part, however, it is commonly seen in ankles and legs. Adulteration of mustard oil with argemone oil (to increase quantity and earn bigger profits) is what primarily causes this condition,” said the officer who is a part of the raiding team. “So far, we have collected 16 samples that include brands like Patanjali, Metro Drops, Kamal, Tiger, Shikhar, Panghat, Dalda, Bail Kolhu, Fortune and others,” he said.

The FSDA team has also collected samples from general merchant shops and oil mills. “We took samples from ‘kirana’ stores in Indira Nagar, Jankipuram and other locations,” he added. The officer said that traces of argemone oil and colour were suspected in some samples, but “it would be confirmed only after the lab test”.