Eliminate adulteration

Although food adulteration has become rampant, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) have literally done nothing to combat the problem. Hence, the claim made by officials that food adulteration is on the wane is hard to consider as having credibility. Consumers, more practically housewives, who are directly involved in cooking daily meals have been frequently encountering cases of food adulteration everyday. The adulteration virtually extends to all essential ingredients. From turmeric powder to oil, almost all food items bear the mark of adulteration. Interestingly, consumers, food inspectors and merchants are not oblivious to the incidents of food adulteration. Still, there have hardly been any move to take action against the unscrupulous traders.

Time and again, public protests have surfaced. Sadly, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. In a country like ours where the majority of people are deprived of  even the basic health facilities, impure or contaminated food can invite serious health hazards. Undoubtedly, this situation can be attributed to gross negligence and the frivolous approach of responsible quarters. Just reprimanding those unscrupulous businessmen will not discourage this trade.

While the health of the public is at stake, it is business as usual for the unethical merchants. Surprisingly, no effective measures have been implemented to curb such illegal practice. However, the blame cannot be placed entirely on the government. Consumer consciousness is very much lacking.There are a handful of consumers' forums, and they do make noise once in a while. But just issuing statements will not solve the grave problem. Unless they are active and sincere about fighting for the rights of consumers, nothing will going to happen. The consumers should also stand up for their rights and force the government to crack down on traders who adulterate. 

Take last year's oil racket for instance. A lot of hue and cry was raised to protest the contaminated cooking oil, the chief cause of the Dropsy epidemic which hits some areas of the Terai. But surprisingly, the protests faded away rather abruptly. There was no persistent and sincere follow-up action. Ever year, incidents of food adulteration emerge, but they are not addressed. Had the government and public taken stringent measures in favour of consumers last year, the problem of food adulteration would have declined considerably.

Better late than never. Food adulteration is  a serious     problem and  therefore, calls for concerted efforts. Mere endorsement of rules and regulations, no matter how good they may appear, are meaningless, if they are not enforced appropriately. Random selection and food testing may not be reliable.

Hence, food tests must be conducted regularly and these tests must be extended to areas beyond Kathmandu Valley. For, although many incidents of food adulteration in rural areas go unreported, the gravity of the situation cannot be undermined. There is  an imperative need for well- equipped food laboratories and  experts across the country, and the government would do well   to take steps to establish these.