Speech on Food adulteration

           The age of Kali is the age of adulteration. Adulteration is a very serious problem posing serious health risks to many in India.

           What is food adulteration? Food adulteration is an act of adding or mixing of poor quality, inferior, harmful, substandard, useless or unnecessary substances to food. This act of spoiling the nature and quality of food items is considered food adulteration. There are many types of adulteration such as food items, medicines, vegetables, paste, creams, and products of famous brands and so on. I can say more than 20 per cent patients who visit a doctor or any clinic or any hospital are those who had consumed such adulterated food and food products

          Food is one of the basic necessities for sustenance of life. Pure, fresh and healthy diet is most essential for the health of the people. It is no wonder to say community health is national wealth. The worst part is some adulterated food even causes cancer, the most life threatening disease. After the arrival of fast food concept and online order practices, the consumers really do not bother what type of food is being served to them. They totally forget the health aspect and only concentrate to get their order served at their doorsteps on time.

          The central government, on its part, is trying everything possible to control this “crime”. In India, the ministry of health and family welfare is completely responsible for providing safe food to the citizens. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, has laid down guidelines to provide pure and wholesome foods to consumers. But the government is planning to enforce harsher punishment now.

         The FSSAI has issued the draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act; it has proposed to include a new section to crack down on food adulteration.

         People need to be very cautious when they buy products from stores and malls. They should check for standards like ISI standard mark, Agmark for quality products, FSSAI standard mark, date of packing and date of expiry etc. If none of the prescribed standard marks is there, then they should totally avoid buying such products. The government must focus on dealing strictly with those who engage in food adulteration.

    Finally I conclude my speech by saying that It is equally important to regularly check food stuff for adulteration and ensure speedy trials through specific fast track courts. Eat healthy, live long!

Thank you.