Shops raided, retailers told to take thinners, removers off shelves

Bengaluru: Found in almost every small cosmetic store and stationery shop, inexpensively priced thinners and nail polish removers continue to be inhaled by youngsters due to their intoxicating fumes. Implementing an order by the state food safety commissionerate last September which banned the sale and production of bottled correction fluids and thinners, nearly 20 officials raided stationery stores and fancy gift shops in the commercial market area of Kumbarpet on Thursday.

Four notices were issued to retailers in Kumbarpet, who were educated about the adverse effects of using the products. They were told to remove them from the shelves.

"In September 2016, the production and sale of whiteners and thinners along with nail polish removers were banned in the state t implement a central government notification. There are four dangerous chemicals in these products that have an adverse effect on the mental and physical wellbeing of the consumer after prolonged use. They are extremely addictive and their easy availability needs to be restricted," said Srinivas Gowda, joint director of food safety.

All store owners pleaded ignorance of the ban and also about the ill-effects of such products. Inhalation of the fumes has a huge impact on the mental state of the users, mainly in late teens, like drug consumption. They contain chemicals like toluene, bromopropane, methyl chloroform and trichloroethylene, and extended usage can also lead to heart arrhythmia and heart attacks.

"Due to their easy availability and low pricing in small neighbourhood stores, there is almost no control over who can buy these products. Ragpickers are also known to abuse these items and indulge in criminal behaviour by finding half-used bottles and getting intoxicated," said Harshavardan B, deputy commissioner, food safety and standards authority.

Even big brands continue to sell and supply these products to Karnataka despite the ban. Tracing a distributor using sale receipts and bills submitted by shopkeepers, food safety officials were able to zero in on Vishwanath, proprietor of Girishri Enterprises in VV Puram, who supplies branded cosmetic products across the city.

"I had no idea that nail polish removers were banned. We have been getting them regularly from the company and distributing them. We will immediately recall all stocks of the products and send them back to the company," he said. His company was issued a notice and a warning as it was a first-time offence. Harshvardan said most large manufacturers had central licences and would need a central notification restricting them from selling or transporting the items to Karnataka.

"We will conduct a follow-up raid next week. Repeat offenders will be fined Rs 25,000 and the establishment will be closed. There needs to be more awareness on the adverse effects of such products among schoolgoing children," said Harshvardan.