Take a peak into the realities of the F&B industry in India.
The world right now stands at war with the F&B industry on the purity of the products being consumed by everyone. As the days go by, the chart tops for counting people being unhealthy and a huge part of this is because of adulterated food consumed by the world. Starting from staples, raw ingredients, and cooking oil; everything is manufactured in a manner that can affect the health of anyone consuming.
We are here looking into a study conducted by FSSAI on edible oil in the year 2020.
The FSSAI took a total of 4461 samples across 15 different types of edible oil in India. Samples were collected from all the states and Union territories. The samples were analyzed based on the parameters of safety, quality and misbranding. The result of the survey was beyond astonishing.
A total of 1760 samples were deemed unfit for use. Adulteration of food is a very common problem we face in India, but the contents of these failed samples might leave you gaping. These facts might be a little bit hard to digest, but it’s about time the food products we use are put in the limelight.
Aflatoxin is a type of toxin that is produced by certain fungi found on crops in humid areas such as India. Although low levels of Aflatoxin do not do much to the human body, long-term and continued ingestion of it may result in chronic conditions. It may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions and acute liver injury. Long-term exposure may also lead to growth retardation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Aflatoxin may cause sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice and diarrhoea in pets. They may even be fatal.
The effects of pesticides on the human body are not trivial nor is their impact on the next generation. They may cause leukaemia, and brain cancer and cause reproductive harm like stillbirth and infertility.
Long-term exposure to Arsenic is known to cause cancer and skin problems. It has also been associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It may have drastic effects on the cognitive development of a growing child.
Mercury is no saint either. Studies have found that long-term ingestion of mercury, even in small amounts, can cause behavioural disorders along with insomnia, memory loss, and cognitive and motor impairment.
The effects of lead are a much more serious matter than the others. It may cause high blood pressure and even organ failure. The alarming fact is that lead may be stored in the bones and even after the exposure stops, the lead may mix with the bloodstream and continue to wreak havoc.
The above-listed tests are just the tip of the iceberg. But it should give you a vague idea of the products sold on the market marked as “safe”.
As of 2023, India crossed a population of 1.4 billion. Edible oil, being a must-have staple in every Indian household, shows a rising demand. The number of oil products popping up in the market has also shot up. The number of products yet to be tested is piling up and so are the victims.
You have all the facts in your hands. Now it’s time to make a decision.
For the full report, head to the link below.
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Report_Edible_Oil_Survey_27_01_2022.pdf