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On Thursday, an unexpected search at a spice factory in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, exposed the unsettling habit of combining turmeric and chilli powder with industrial fabric colours. Food safety department investigators discovered packs upon packets of artificial colouring that were labelled 'poisonous' and 'for industrial use only.'
A businessman named Ashok Garg is the owner of the factory called "Annapurna Flour Mill." About 200 kg of turmeric and 150 kg of red chilli powder were taken from the mill's property by the authorities. The investigation also stated that the spices were being sold in large quantities, mostly to roadside cafes and tiny dhabas.
Authorities have emphasised the magnitude of the offence, even though as of Friday night there had not been a formal complaint filed against the owner. There are severe fines associated with misbranded and subpar items, up to Rs 5 lakh in some cases.
Because this operation was carried out during other comparable raids in the vicinity, authorities believe that the mill owner may have been tipped off about the raid. Fears have been raised that part of the questionable stock may have been concealed before the examination.
Testing will be done in Lucknow on the samples that were taken during the raid to ascertain the level of adulteration; if required, legal action will be taken.
Health Implications
Food adulteration is being talked about across the country right now with emerging reports on the usage of toxic chemicals. It's widely known that the liver and kidneys will suffer harm from this form of poisoning, should it be confirmed. Cancer might develop from it in the long term. The physicians speculate that among other things, immediate symptoms might include allergies, nausea, and diarrhoea.
In related news
India, which is well-known for its diverse range of spices, has recently made headlines when nations like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Maldives banned specific masalas and spices from well-known Indian brands because of worries that their products contained the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide.
The recent controversy over spices has raised awareness of food safety regulations and quality evaluations. In the wake of the big spice brands' recalls, the FSSAI has also said that it will test spices and masalas that are sold in India.
