4. FOOD ADULTERATION : Food adulteration is the act of
intentionally debasing the quality of food offered for sale either
by the admixture or substitution of inferior substances or by the
removal of some valuable ingredient.
[source : science direct.com]
Reason for FOOD ADULTERATION
are :
Profit maximization
Weight increase
Increase volume of trade
Practised as a part of the business strategy.
Imitation of other food substance.
Lack of knowledge food intake
Increase the quantity
Increased food demand. 4
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5. Types of Food Adulteration:
Food Adulteration Types :
Food adulteration may be classified into four forms, and they are as follows-
Intentional Adulteration
IncidentalAdulteration
metallic Adulteration
Packaging Hazard
[Ref: researchgate.net]
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6. In recent use—
Formalin
Calcium carbide and Ethopen
Heavy metals
poultry and poultry products
Urea
artificial sweeteners, dye and preservatives
Antibiotic
Banned pesticides(DDT)
Among 791 food samples collected by DCC(south),
293 samples were found adulterated(37%)in 2013
BANGLADESHI scenario on FOOD
ADULTERATION :
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8. In a recent report, 80 percent of all premature deaths to contaminated food and water.
Dr. Keya Ghosh is the head of CUTS, Kolkata, an NGO that fights for consumerrights.
"Food adulteration in India starts from the field itself where fertilizers and pesticides are overused. Therefore one
kind of contaminant that is present across all range of food is very high levelof pesticide residues," she says.
Ref: [Indian food and safety guide-2016]
FOOD ADULTERATION In INDIA
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9. The scenario of “FOOD ADULTERATION” in
Pakistan
An online review highlights and assesses food fraud and authenticity throughout the food supply chain
The Pakistan authorities seized 750 kg of fake tea leaves produced by mixing used tea leaves, soda and non-food
grade colors. Hygiene conditions were not respected as well.
In another operation, 1 ton of substandard tea leaves were confiscated because of preparation with non-food grade
colors. 800 kg of spices adulterated with bran and other unhealthy ingredients were seized by the Pakistan authorities.
[ Ref : PFDA ]
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11. Worldwide view on “FOOD ADULTERATION”
A sample of 384 women over the age of 18 years, who purchase and prepare
various food items in the Volta Region of Ghana were chosen, and presented with a
questionnaire in person by the researchers.
Over 70% of the respondents knew about food adulteration, and the price of the
food item was one good indication especially if it was much lower than usual.
Approximately 57 % of people have developed health problems due to ingestion of
adulterated and contaminated foods. It is estimated that around 22 % of foods are
adulterated every year.
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15. HOW TO STOP & PREVENT FOOD
ADULTERATION :
Strict and stringent laws and government interventions and checks.
Avoid eating dark-coloured, junk and other processed foods.
Washing of fruits and vegetables thoroughly in running water before
they are consumed.
Check for leakages in canned foods and validation of seals in milk or oil
pouches.
Always check and buy products having an FSSAI-validated label,
license number, list of ingredients, manufactured date and its
expiration.
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16. CONCLUSION
:
Food adulteration is a menace. Detection of adulteration in food is an
essential requirement for ensuring safety of foods we consume. Although
sophisticated lab techniques are accurate, precise, and reliable, yet they
are costly and time consuming. It is essential to develop reliable “quick
screening tests” which a common person can perform at the level of
household so as to have a broad picture of status of adulteration in his
food in case of doubt.
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