Safe food, a part of civilized living

A GOVERNMENT laboratory released its test report which stated that over the years consumers of the country continued to eat adulterated foods. The consumers have just no way to know which food items are adulterated and what harmful chemicals and preservatives are used by producers or traders to maximize profits. A vernacular daily on Saturday reported that selling adulterated foods in markets are rampant and the government is not taking effective steps to check the widespread adulteration of food items and their sale which has shocked all; because we are all consumers. If this menace persists for long, consumers of the country have to face a gloomy reality in terms of their future health.
According to the Public Health Laboratory of the Institute of Public Health, 22,431 samples of various food items or their ingredients were tested in the last four years since 2012. Among the tested samples were cooking oils, sweets, milk products, dried fish, lentils, rice, spices, juices, pickles, biscuits, honey, soft drinks, vermicelli and jellies. The annual report for 2015 says that out of 6,746 samples of 54 items tested only seven samples were unadulterated. In other words, the Govt Lab test results confirm most food items are adulterated. This scenario is very alarming as the most needed daily food items either had ingredients missing or were contaminated.
It appears that the current scenario for food consumption is horrendous and no one is interested to save people from adulterated foods. The government at times runs half-hearted anit-adulteration drives, but it does not bear any fruit because unscrupulous businessmen responsible for food adulteration and they are often sheltered by political quarters. Some food producing companies, whose food items are alleged to be substandard or adulterated, have been involved in such dishonest business. But law enforcers shy away from taking exemplary action against them. Where the state machinery becomes the last resort for corrupt businessmen, obviously all mechanisms have failed to combat this menace.
If effective action against food adulteration is not taken, people will suffer from various gastro-intestinal diseases. Besides, such consumption may also lead to cardiac disorders, liver and kidney failures, high blood pressure, diabetes and even cancer. So, there should be an end to this problem by any means. High levels of pollution across the country have wreaked havoc with many supply chains. Comprehensive action is needed across all parts of the supply chain to ensure that food is kept safe and free from contaminants.
Safe food is a civic right. The authorities concerned should not misread it. No civilized nation can tolerate such business dishonesty endlessly. There should be an end to it and that to right now.