Karimnagar: Adulterated food a major concern

Karimnagar : With more and more people preferring eating outside food, the revelations in raids at reputed restaurants and roadside eateries have laid bared what is stored inside the beautifully packed food packets simply killing us day by day.

Surprise raids by food safety and task force officials are continuing on reputed restaurants and hotels. It was found that cleanliness was not maintained and sewage accumulated in the kitchen.

During the raids, the officials found that the biryani was being prepared with rotten meat that had expired, besides making hot dishes with spoiled and stored food items. Moreover, everything including adulterated oils, milk, spices, cereals, flour and besides ice-creams, coffee, tomato sauce, vegetable oils and ghee are adulterated.

The government has issued serious orders in view of the health and safety standards of the people as the restaurants and hotels are not following the food safety standards. But in Karimnagar, it seems that the attitude of the political leaders has retreated.

In a combined district with a population of over 33 lakh, the supervision of the Food Inspection Department is minimal. Two officials have to look after the responsibilities of two districts. There are more than 5,000 hotels, restaurants and more than 6,000 eateries. Of these, the officials have to conduct frequent inspections, but it is not possible due to shortage of staff. Officials are responding only if they receive repeated complaints anywhere. In order to prepare reports that they have done so many inspections in just one year, they are busy conducting searches.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established by the Government of India under the Food Quality and Standards Act 2006 to monitor the quality standards of food items. A license must be obtained from the company for the production and marketing of any packaged food products. Food manufacturers are manufacturing and selling without FSSAI licenses. Food Stuffs Control Act 1947, Essential Commodities Act 1955, Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 Despite the Milk Products Control Act 1992 and other laws are not stopping the food adulteration.

Food adulteration has a serious impact on health. Consuming such food items for a long time is harmful to the body it can damage the heart, kidneys and liver and become fatal. Adulteration causes diarrhoea, stomach ache and joint pain. Some adulterated foods can also damage the brain. Many chemicals are added to adulterated food items to make them attractive and tasty. Due to high amount of aluminum and potassium in adulterated foods, the brain and bones are damaged. Damage to the digestive tract can cause ulcers. Rashes and spots can occur on the skin due to adulterated food.

Locally, ghee, dalda, cooking oils, spice powders, poppy seeds, ginger, garlic, turmeric, chili and other food items are being packed and released in the market without permission. Small size packets of Rs5 and Rs10 are being sold to urban, rural poor and middle class people.

Dr. Kommu Kiran, a nuero physician, told The Hans India that eating adulterated and impure food can cause gastrointestinal diseases, bacterial infection, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, dementia, neurological weakness, and the use of adulterated food can cause heart attacks, stomach related diseases, and cancer.