Food adulteration in India has become a very serious public health issue, and the day-by-day deteriorating quality of food items is affecting all of us in one way or another. Adulteration of food items is not confined to one type of food or one section of society; however, it affects the urban population as well as the rural population. It is affecting rich as well as poor people alike, thus affecting the overall population and thereby putting all of us at huge risk. The cheap practice and habit of mixing inferior and harmful food items has been prevalent for decades, but it has assumed alarming proportions in recent times. Due to the burgeoning population and growing demand for food items, dishonest and unethical traders/dealers indulge in this cheap practice of mixing food items, as they prioritize profit over public health. Some items like milk, oil, pulses, rice, and spices are no longer safe from this menace of adulteration of food. Some reports reveal that synthetic milk containing detergents and urea, mustard oil mixed with argemone oil, or turmeric laced with industrial dyes highlight how food that forms the backbone of the Indian diet is being tampered with. Even packaged food items are not safe for consumption, as many government surveys reveal that there is adulteration in them as well.
Recently, in Jammu, several inspection drives conducted by the Food Safety Department and local police seized adulterated cheese. A large quantity of adulterated cheese (paneer) was seized in late August and early September from a godown and a vehicle, respectively, highlighting concerns about food safety and the effectiveness of regulatory checks. Authorities are continuing to conduct inspections and collect samples to identify and prosecute food business operators involved in the adulteration of cheese and other food products in the region.During the raids, 21 quintals of suspected synthetic paneer emitting a foul and putrid smell and 78 times of expired mustard oil were found, that too in insanitary conditions. Further, the recent seizure of rotten meat, chicken, and fish in Jammu & Kashmir has highlighted the problem of food adulteration - a silent, yet lethal assault, on public health. The health implications of food adulteration are enormous, as it causes serious health issues. Mild adulteration causes digestion issues, stomach upset, or allergic reactions that may affect our eyes, skin, and brain. And extreme consumption of adulterated food items can severely cause kidney disorders, liver damage, heart diseases, and even cancer. These are long-term health complications due to consumption of adulterated food items.
It is to be seen that more vulnerable are the children, expecting ladies and old aged People who are already suffering from some other ailments. For instance, young children who consume chemical-adulterated milk suffer stunted growth and development, and the oils that have been adulterated with various substances can cause irreversible damage to the body’s most vital organs. Worse yet, many forms of adulteration contain poisonous substances acting slowly, adversely affecting the body over a period of time and having no immediate symptoms, and by the time they are identified, the effects of the poisonous pollution are often serious.Repeatedly, action by food safety authorities has brought to light horrific truths - milk with soap, spices with non-permitted and harmful coloring, and food oils with industrial oils - all being used in the homes of families. None of these are isolated incidents but rather part of a cycle that demonstrates deeply rooted adulteration within the food chain in India, going from small vendors to large suppliers within cities, all contributing to a fake and corrupt economy. What is even more alarming is the audacity with which these offenders operate and the various ways they find to go back to business in a matter of weeks after receiving a punishment. Each incident may get a one-day headline, but the frequency and continuation of it on the back side highlight significant holes within the enforcement system and the irresponsible complacency to prioritize profit over the lives of others.
Food adulteration in India is no longer only a concern for the consumer; it is a public health crisis. It denies citizens their right to safe food, sickens future generations, and undermines trust in the very system that is supposed to protect them. More stringent laws can help with accountability, and harsher penalties can be a deterrent—but if there is no enforcement, no accountability of manufacturers, and no ongoing vigilance on the part of consumers, these laws will be powerless. The movement against adulteration must feel like a movement of all government, industry, and citizens. Only then can we reclaim the purity of what goes on our plates. And know that the food we work hard for does not represent hidden poison, but rather health, strength, and dignity. In a nutshell, adulteration of food items in India represents a grave threat to public health and social welfare. Food adulteration is not just a violation of consumer rights; in fact, it is a serious crime with significant public health consequences, leading to illnesses, chronic diseases, and even death, and violating the fundamental consumer right to safe food.
While raising awareness increases acceptable practices, laws must be more stringent, and inspections should be performed regularly. However, the responsibility does not fall solely on the government and industry.Citizen engagement and advocacy are essential.Consumers also must remain vigilant by asking questions and holding entities accountable. A safe, trusted food supply can only be achieved through collaboration between government, industry, and consumers.
(Writer: Vivek Koul)
Links to some older posts:-
https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/02/with-its-countless-meadows-holding.html
https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/03/halflong-mini-switzerland-of-india.html
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