Fake and substandard sanitisers undermining efforts to fight Covid

At a time when the state and the central governments are taking several steps to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, substandard and fake sanitisers being sold in Prayagraj markets are undermining these efforts.

An excise department team recently purchased a sanitiser from a medical store at Balson Crossing and when it was analysed at its office in Mumfordganj, the team found merely 51% alcohol in the bottle against the label pasted on it claiming it to contain 80% alcohol.

The excise department has been ordered to investigate sanitisers in all districts on behalf of the additional chief secretary, excise. In light of the order, a team of drug control and excise departments is jointly checking the illegal trade.

Recently, a factory manufacturing fake sanitiser was also unearthed at Kautaula area of the district under Pipri police station.

One person was also arrested in this connection.

The excise department has an alcohol meter with them. Although it looks like a thermometer, as soon as it is inserted into the sanitiser sample, it tells the amount of alcohol in it.

District excise officer Sandeep Bihari Modwell said, “The truth of substandard sanitiser has been revealed by the team buying alcohol recently and a letter is being written to all departments concerned for this.

The matter would be investigated at every level. Besides, action against the guilty and an intensive campaign will also be carried out to make the sellers and buyers more aware.”

The department has labs in five districts in the state where alcohol can be checked. These labs are in Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Agra and Meerut districts, say officials.

Excise inspector Indrajit Garg said any company could make crores of rupees by reducing the amount of alcohol in sanitiser by 30%.

“The companies get alcohol for Rs 300-400 per litre but by lowering the alcohol quantity in the sanitiser illegally, they can increase their profit manifold,” he added.

“Viruses do not die if the alcohol content is less than 70% in the solution. By cleaning hands with a substandard sanitiser, the user can get a mistaken sense of security and end up contracting and spreading the virus. Whatever you eat or drink, these viruses will enter the body and there will be a risk of infection”, said Dr OP Tripathi, senior consultant, Beli Hospital.