FOOD ADULTERATION EVERYWHERE

In order to prevent food adulteration we have enough law in our country. We have ministries in Center and in every state to eradicate this destructive tendencies. According to the report by the concerned ministry about a decade back, around 20% of food articles in our country are adulterated and it is considerably increased every year. A report by the FSSAI, about 70% of the milk produced in our country are adulterated. Over and above these, most of the vegetables and fruits sold in our markets are heavily infected by dangerous pesticides.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India is the parent body of FSSAI. As per the data shared by the government in the Lok Sabha, 47.5% cases registered in the whole country from 2015-16 to 2020-21 are in UP alone. Unfortunately, the conviction rate in food adulteration is only 15%.

India has been ranked eighth in cancer preparedness among 10 Asia-Pacific countries. Among the Indian states Kerala has the highest rate of cancer. Wide range of food adulteration in India is the cause of cancer or not can be said by the medical community. 

If the print, visual and social media is pointing out case by case are right it is nothing but the dereliction of the central and state government officials that the food adulteration is rampantly growing in our country. Further failure of the governments may force the people to seek necessary legal protection in this from the judiciary. 

More than these our people do not say a 'no' to anything given to them in the name of food. If any consumer has any suspicion about adulteration it should be referred to FSSAI. If any adulteration is found huge claim should be raised against the manufacturer. Similarly we must ask to our elected representatives to ensure to wipe out adulterated food from the market. We must also understand that the judiciary is always ready to help the people in these issues within the earliest possible time.

K V George