Food is not just sustenance—it shapes our cultural identity and social fabric. However, health often takes a backseat in food policy decisions influenced more by political and social agendas than nutrition. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) revealed alarming child malnutrition data—35.5% stunted, 19.3% wasted, and 32.1% underweight.
Despite this, food adulteration remains a neglected crisis. From the 1990s tales of diluted milk to the 2011 national survey revealing 70% adulterated milk samples, not much has changed. Today, contaminants like water, detergents, and glucose continue to taint milk—still a dietary staple for children.
Adulteration now spans beyond milk. Reports from metro cities have uncovered synthetic paneer, tainted watermelons, and spices laced with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. Edible oils, a household essential, are diluted with argemone oil and rice bran, compounding India’s health challenges, especially its 77 million diabetic population.
Even Indian spices—our pride and major export—have drawn global scrutiny. In 2024, Hong Kong banned select MDH and Everest products, citing harmful pesticide levels. The EU has blacklisted over 400 contaminated items from India since 2019, threatening the country’s global food reputation.
While FSSAI has taken measures like raids and license revocations, relying solely on public vigilance is insufficient. The real solution lies in strengthening food safety infrastructure, training producers, and redefining food literacy to ensure safe, nutritious consumption for all.
Read also: