Curbing Spiralling Food Adulteration
Contrary to popular belief, adulteration is a very serious issue. For the human body, nothing can be more hazardous than contaminated food. The disturbing statistics that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has made public highlight the seriousness of the problem, particularly in Hyderabad and the adjacent areas.
Hyderabad tops the nation in food adulteration cases in 2022, per new statistics from NCRB. Andhra Pradesh came in second place, just a little behind Telangana. A total of 291 incidents of contaminated food were recorded from 19 major Indian cities, with Hyderabad accounting for an astounding 246 of those cases. The disturbing trend highlights the urgent need to address the city's food safety.
We also come across incidences from all over the country where people become sick after consuming ‘adulterated prasadam'. On December 27, 135 people were admitted to different hospitals in Hoskote, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, after consuming ‘prasadam' at two temples, distributed as part of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations over the weekend might have been caused due to the suspected food poisoning. In another incident in Odisha in June last year, an elderly woman died and 15 got ill after eating ‘stale' temple bhog.
In October, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) stated that Sabar Dairy, affiliated to Amul Federation, has filed a police complaint in Ambaji police station against Mohini Caterers and other unidentified persons associated with the supply of substandard ghee and falsely representing it as Amul Ghee. The Food and Drug Control Administration seized 180 cans of ghee before the Bhadravi Poonam festival when the samples of ghee from Mohini Caterers, which makes Mohanthal ‘prasad' in Yatradham Ambaji, failed the quality test.
Over time, eating patterns have evolved, with the introduction of new food items and additives, along with the use of modern technology in the food industry. To address these challenges, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI) has initiated surprise inspections nationwide.
To empower consumers to tackle adulteration, FSSAI, on January 7, has released “The DART Book” to check common food adulterations at home with simple tests. Additionally, a mobile food testing van called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) was launched to reach remote areas and conduct training and awareness activities, travelling from city to village to promote awareness campaigns and adulteration testing.
At present, the offence of food adulteration is punishable with a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to Rs 1,000, or both. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs referring to the sale of noxious food or drinks, said the offence has the potential to affect the public at large and that the punishment provided for the offenders is inadequate and recommended that a minimum punishment of six months be provided for the offence along with a minimum fine of Rs 25,000.
The Committee hailed the government for introducing the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS-2023) Bill in August 2023 received the assent of the President of India on December 25 and described as a "welcome step" the introduction of "community service" as one of the punishments under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The Government of India on January 7 also inaugurated the country's 1st Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, ‘Prasadam' at Neelkanth
Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, which receives 1-1.5 lakh devotees daily. Spread over an area of 939 square metres with a total of 17 shops, Prasadam offers convenient and culturally rich dining options for those who visit the Mahakaleshwar temple daily. In addition to enhancing Ujjain's tourism appeal and preserving its culinary traditions, Prasadam will also contribute to economic growth and community. The government is looking forward to setting up such Healthy & Hygienic Food Streets in every city in the coming days to ensure that only healthy food is made available.
Such measures from the government have become necessary and important nowadays as people visiting temple towns have gone up and eating out. These steps will go a long way in curbing food adulteration.