Indian Food Masala

The Unknown Risks Associated with Indian Spices: Is Your Sambar Safe?

Indian Food Masala? Can eating Sambar cause cancer? According to authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong, it can. They have banned some Indian spices due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a chemical linked to cancer. Additionally, protein powders in India often contain pesticides, chemicals, and toxins. Some supplements don’t even have as much protein as claimed.

Baby food in India has 170% more sugar compared to similar products in Europe. This means Indian children are at a higher risk of getting diabetes. These problems raise a big question: Is Indian food safe?

Challenge

Many people think street food is the only unsafe option due to poor hygiene, but even packaged food can be dangerous. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is supposed to ensure food safety, but there are still many issues like insects in chocolate, high sugar in baby food, and noodles containing lead.

Misleading Ads

Companies often make false claims in their ads. For example, Patanjali once claimed their products could cure asthma and heart diseases without any scientific backing. In India, sugary drinks are marketed as health drinks due to weak regulations. The lack of strict advertising standards allows companies to mislead consumers.

Sugar in Baby Food

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against added sugar in food for children under two, but FSSAI doesn’t regulate this in India. An NGO found that baby foods sold by Nestlé in India contain much more sugar than those in other countries.

Food Testing

India has 726 food testing labs, but only 585 meet international standards. State-level labs are often poorly equipped and understaffed, leading to slow and unreliable testing.

Adulteration

Food adulteration is a major issue. In Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, 22% of food samples failed safety tests. The FSSAI found that spices and oils are most commonly adulterated. However, data on these cases are not made public.

Personal Experience

One person shared that they got a throat infection from eating food cooked with adulterated oil at a wedding. This highlights how serious the issue is, as mixed cooking oils can cause health problems.

Agriculture Issues

Indian agriculture faces significant problems. Polluted water and overuse of pesticides lead to contaminated food. Pesticides, often overused, are a major cause of poisoning. This situation calls for stricter laws and better enforcement.

Impact on Health and Economy

Unsafe food, water, and air contribute to rising cancer rates in India. The lack of food safety also affects the economy, as India becomes an unreliable exporter. For instance, Europe banned Indian fruits and vegetables from 2014 to 2017 due to quality issues.

What Can Be Done?

To improve food safety, India needs better food labeling, similar to the Nutri-Score system used in France, which rates food from A (very healthy) to E (very unhealthy). This system encourages consumers to choose healthier options and pushes companies to improve their products.

Conclusion

For real change, India needs stricter rules, better lab facilities, and more transparency. Companies should be incentivized to make healthier products, and those breaking the rules should be publicly identified. Share this information to help raise awareness and promote a safer food environment for everyone.

FAQs

1. Can eating Sambar cause cancer?

Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong have banned certain Indian spices used in Sambar due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a chemical linked to cancer.

2. Are Indian protein powders safe?

Some protein powders in India contain pesticides, chemicals, and toxins. Additionally, some supplements do not provide the amount of protein they claim.

3. Is baby food in India safe?

Baby food in India often contains significantly more sugar compared to similar products in Europe, putting children at risk for diabetes and other health issues.

4. What role does FSSAI play in food safety?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for setting food safety standards and ensuring compliance. However, issues like inadequate lab testing and poor enforcement have been reported.

5. Are advertisements for food products in India reliable?

Many food product advertisements in India are misleading. Companies can make unverified health claims due to weak regulation and lack of enforcement by authorities.

6. How serious is food adulteration in India?

Food adulteration is a significant problem in India. For instance, 22% of food samples in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh failed safety tests. Spices and oils are particularly prone to adulteration.

7. Why is there so much sugar in Indian baby food?

Indian regulations do not limit the amount of added sugar in baby food, leading to higher sugar content compared to similar products in other countries.

8. How reliable are food testing labs in India?

Out of 726 food testing labs in India, only 585 meet international standards. Many state-level labs lack proper equipment and staff, leading to slow and unreliable testing.

9. What is the Nutri-Score system?

The Nutri-Score system is a labeling system used in some countries to rate food from A (very healthy) to E (very unhealthy). This system helps consumers make healthier choices and encourages companies to improve their products.

10. What can be done to improve food safety in India?

Improving food safety in India requires stricter regulations, better enforcement, more reliable lab testing, and transparency. Educating consumers to read labels and choose healthier options is also crucial.