Society

Boil, Bubble, Toil, Trouble And Toxin

In more ways than we can know, we are being poisoned—and those who sell us food don’t care

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Boil, Bubble, Toil, Trouble And Toxin
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Live larvae in baby food

After Maggi, Nestle’s woes have esc­alated again as dozens of live larvae were found recently in the company’s baby milk powder in Tamil Nadu. A child developed skin allergy and had to be admitted to a private paediatric care centre. The Food Analysis Laboratory in Coimbatore confirmed that the sample contained 28 live larvae and 22 rice weevils.

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Detergent and paint in milk

In 2012, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India tested 1,791 samples of milk from 33 states and UTs, and found they had significant levels of paint and detergent. Over 68 per cent of the tain­ted samples were from urban areas. Other adulterants used are: urea, caustic soda.

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Food colouring in KFC burgers

In 2014, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India found KFC’s Rizo Rice unsafe because of the colouring used. KFC denied this and the authorities confirmed the rice platter was safe. Later, the Central Food Technology Research Institute, Mysore, cleared it.

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Pesticides in aerated drinks

A Centre for Science and Environment study in 2003 found high levels of pesticides and insecticides in aerated drinks like Coca Cola and Pepsi. Batches of soft drinks sold in the US did not reveal any pesticide in them, showing dual standards. In 2006, samples from 12 states showed that Pepsi products contained 30 times more pesticides than found in 2003.

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Lead and MSG in Maggi

What began as a routine inspection of Maggi samples in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, has snowballed into a major controversy with the noodle brand disappearing from the shelves. Food regulators have revealed that Maggi contains lead nearly seven times the permissible limit and significant levels of MSG. The Delhi govt has banned the product, the army has pulled it out of its canteens. Other states have ordered testing or withdrawal.

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Faecal matter in street food

Golgappas, samosas, steaming momos and bun-tikkis, highlights of Delhi street food, came under the scanner recently for high faecal contamination, possibly because of bad water and lack of hygiene. The study conducted by the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Pusa, suggests that these snacks could set off abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, appetite loss and fever.

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Antibiotics in chicken

A study by the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi in July 2014 found that antibiotic resistance in hum­ans was partly because of indiscriminate use of antibiotics in poultry. Treating sepsis, pneumonia and TB is becoming increasingly difficult because of this, the report said.

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Worms in Cadbury

In 2006, Cadbury was ordered to pay Rs 15,000 as compensation to a man who found worms and fungus in his choc­o­late. The company was just recovering from this blow three years ago when worms were found in many of its chocolate bars, hitting sales and calling for a PR campaign.

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Pesticides in bottled water

Bottled water samples from Mumbai and Delhi in 2003 were found to contain a cocktail of pesticide residues.  The quantity of toxins found in the samples was significant enough to cause cancer, liver and kidney damage, disorders of the nervous system, birth defects and disruption of the immune system.

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