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Studies have shown that milk is the most common form of adulteration in India
After Maggi, the quality of vegetables, milk and milk products sold at various places might also be tested for adulteration. The Department of Consumer Affairs is planning to approach the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to run a pilot project in this regard, starting from Delhi.
Officials said the pilot might start in the next few months to check these edible items for adulteration. The presence of harmful matters beyond permissible limits would also be assessed in the process.
The pilot project might be expanded across the country if it is successful. “We are talking to various agencies and seeing if this can be worked out in a manner that mobile testing labs are sent to various localities to test the quality of milk and vegetables,” said a senior official.
If adulteration is confirmed, an appropriate action can be initiated against the concerned, under various provisions of the law.
According to officials, the department will ensure the issues of public health and safety do not remain on paper. They say Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, too, is keen on such a pilot to protect health of the consumers.
An earlier nationwide survey done by FSSAI in 2011 had found addition of water and presence of harmful chemicals including detergents in milk and milk products.
“Addition of water not only reduces the nutritional value of milk, but contaminated water may also pose health risk to consumers,” the study had noted. It had also found the powered milk was reconstituted to meet the demand, which is against the law.
“Consumption of milk with detergent may cause health hazards and indicates lack of hygiene and sanitation in the milk handling,” the FSSAI study had said.
Studies have shown that milk is the most common form of adulteration in India, followed by edible oil.
That apart, vegetables have been found to be containing harmful chemicals and toxic materials.
A study done by M S University of Baroda in 2013 had found arsenic above “critical limits” in cereals, pulses, vegetables, roots and tubers. Similarly, cadmium above critical limits was found in cereals, fruits and curd.
“All these goes on to show how rampant adulteration is in India and what harmful impacts it might be having on consumers,” the official explained.
The proposed new amendments to the Consumer Protection Act seek to give power to a group of consumers to file suits against the seller.
“In issues related to adulteration of food, the government should take a proactive role. Till now, Delhi did not have a state food authority, but now that they have it, it should be properly involved,” consumer policy expert Bejon Mishra told Business Standard.
“Samples of vegetables and milk were tested earlier, too, but no one knows what action was taken against the offenders. In fact, a section of the industry is in favour of action against people who cheat as it creates a level-playing field. I think it (to seek FSSAI help to test adulteration in vegetables and milk) is an excellent move and would build the confidence of consumers in the system,” Mishra added.
In the case of Maggi, the consumer affairs department has filed a complaint against Nestlé India under the unfair trade practices with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
It has also sought the help of the country’s additional solicitor-general to prepare a water-tight case against Maggi.
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