Study finds adulteration in food items

While the State Government continues to claim credit for its efforts aimed at a convenient and safe pilgrimage and tourism experience in Uttarakhand, the alarming problem of food adulteration appears to have remained unaddressed.

According to a survey by the Society of Pollution and Environment Conservation Scientists (SPECS), 84.5 per cent of food items available on the Char Dham Yatra routes were found to be adulterated. Even the ghee offered at Kedarnath shrine was found to be adulterated. The total numbers of samples collected were 1186 from 47 places out of which 1003 samples were found to be adulterated. The society members informed that such adulteration in a wide range of food items can cause various health issues and even serious diseases.

Informing the media at a Press conference here on Sunday, SPECS secretary Brij Mohan Sharma said, “Adulteration in food items has remained a major problem in the state. We have tested samples which are very commonly used- like milk products, pulses, packed food, fast food and others. Around 84 per cent food was found to be adulterated.”

As per the report by the SPECS, 84 per cent adulteration in food materials was found on the Badrinath- Kedarnath routes. On the Gangotri- Yamunotri routes about 84.5 per cent food samples were found to be adulterated. While 81 per cent salt samples were lacking Iodine, 92 per cent adulteration was found in tea, 100 per cent in mustard oil, 92 per cent in coriander powder, 89 per cent in turmeric, 88 per cent in red chilly powder, 87 per cent in refined oil, 75 per cent in milk, 76 per cent in sweets and ghee sold as Rs pure’.

Sharma further informed, “During this period every year, we conduct a sample survey and after testing the samples in our laboratory, we submit the report to the Chief Minister and various officials concerned but no steps have been taken so far to check adulteration and sale of adulterated food items.”

Earlier, the SPECS report in 2017 had highlighted that there was 85 per cent adulteration in food materials sold on the routes to Kedarnath and Badrinath. Food items on the Gangotri and Yamunotri routes were found to be 83 per cent adulterated which is almost the same in 2018 report too.

Apart from the Char Dham Yatra circuit, food samples collected from Haridwar during the Kanwad Mela were found to be 100 per cent adulterated. Out of the 15 samples of milk eight samples were found to contain urea. The SPECS secretary warned that consumption of such adulterated foods can lead to various health issues and even serious diseases.

He said, “Consumption of adulterated materials can lead to joint ache, diarrohea, liver problem, dropsy, glaucoma, respiratory diseases, neurological problems and even cancer in some cases. We are going to submit a letter to the High Court attaching these report so that something can be done about it.”