In one of the worst food poisoning case in India thousands of people have been taken ill while consuming adulterated buckwheat flour ( with one death ) . Most affected states has been Delhi , U.P , Punjab , Haryana and Himachal Pradesh . Buck wheat flour is used during religious ceremonies where people do not eat their normal meal and observe fast for nine days worshipping goddess Durga called Navratras in this part of India .This could be compared to Dropsy case of adulterated mustard oil with argemone in year 1999.
The flour has been found to be adulterated and has caused nausea , vomiting , stomach ache and severe gastro related problems . Samples has been taken from shops and we all are waiting for results. Main reasons could be manufacturers mixing flour with chalks powder or the flour might be stale with bacterial or fungal growth . One Nandu Masala Mill has been source of this unpacked adulterated flour.Mill owner has been arrested by Delhi Police.
This episode has highlighted the poor co -ordinations and failure of authorities to check these frequent violation of PFA act ( read synthetic milk , spurious sweets , fats etc ) . Governments have been slow in issuing advisory against these contaminated flour and enforcing proper labelling . Most of these people are illiterate or semi literate often buy things in loose unbranded buckwheat flour.Question need to answered for whether this has been case of rancidity or stale flour .Could be because of pesticides . Contaminated by other ingredient added to make few quick buck. Contaminated by aflatoxin generated by microbes such as fungi or molds.
There has been regular violation of food laws in various states as because laws are very lenient and culprits are let off with smaller fines hence encouraging others to go for adulteration of food products without any fear . New Food safety act 2006 is yet to be implemented if done has stringent law with maximum fine is of Rs 10,00,000/- or life imprisonment as maximum punishment for the offenders .
The flour has been found to be adulterated and has caused nausea , vomiting , stomach ache and severe gastro related problems . Samples has been taken from shops and we all are waiting for results. Main reasons could be manufacturers mixing flour with chalks powder or the flour might be stale with bacterial or fungal growth . One Nandu Masala Mill has been source of this unpacked adulterated flour.Mill owner has been arrested by Delhi Police.
This episode has highlighted the poor co -ordinations and failure of authorities to check these frequent violation of PFA act ( read synthetic milk , spurious sweets , fats etc ) . Governments have been slow in issuing advisory against these contaminated flour and enforcing proper labelling . Most of these people are illiterate or semi literate often buy things in loose unbranded buckwheat flour.Question need to answered for whether this has been case of rancidity or stale flour .Could be because of pesticides . Contaminated by other ingredient added to make few quick buck. Contaminated by aflatoxin generated by microbes such as fungi or molds.There has been regular violation of food laws in various states as because laws are very lenient and culprits are let off with smaller fines hence encouraging others to go for adulteration of food products without any fear . New Food safety act 2006 is yet to be implemented if done has stringent law with maximum fine is of Rs 10,00,000/- or life imprisonment as maximum punishment for the offenders .
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