The food safety department on Wednesday seized 18 tonnes of adulterated pepper coated with cancer-causing mineral oils.
CHENNAI: The food safety department on Wednesday seized 18 tonnes of adulterated pepper coated with cancer-causing mineral oils such as liquid paraffin and burnt diesel oil in Broadway.
A team of officials raided the godown of a wholesaler on Varadha Muthaiappan Street and seized adulterated pepper worth 1.50 crore and 400 litres of mineral oil. "We sealed the godown of Venkateswara Traders and took samples for checks. The adulterated pepper will be destroyed with the consent of Spices of India," said an official.
The department received a tip about the illegal trade from a retailer in Old Washermenpet. "We seized adulterated pepper from him and traced the origin of the illegal trade after enquires," the official said adding that more raids would be initiated in the next few days.
"The mineral oil was used as a fungicide and polishing agent. We had seized it for the first time even though the practice had been in place for long. The use of any mineral oil in pepper is prohibited according to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act," the official said.
Sources say mineral oils are used to give more weight and dark black colour to pepper. "It is one of the methods to preserve the spice. But black pepper coated with mineral oil gives out a kerosene like smell," said a trader.
Experts say pepper coated with mineral oil is considered carcinogenic.
Santhana Rajan of the Consumer Association of India said few customers checked spices. "Adulterated pepper will have a shiny look due to addition of mineral oils but it can easily be identified by the colour."
He said traders engaged in the malpractices were not aware of the health risks. "No awareness campaigns are conducted to sensitise them."
CHENNAI: The food safety department on Wednesday seized 18 tonnes of adulterated pepper coated with cancer-causing mineral oils such as liquid paraffin and burnt diesel oil in Broadway.
A team of officials raided the godown of a wholesaler on Varadha Muthaiappan Street and seized adulterated pepper worth 1.50 crore and 400 litres of mineral oil. "We sealed the godown of Venkateswara Traders and took samples for checks. The adulterated pepper will be destroyed with the consent of Spices of India," said an official.
The department received a tip about the illegal trade from a retailer in Old Washermenpet. "We seized adulterated pepper from him and traced the origin of the illegal trade after enquires," the official said adding that more raids would be initiated in the next few days.
"The mineral oil was used as a fungicide and polishing agent. We had seized it for the first time even though the practice had been in place for long. The use of any mineral oil in pepper is prohibited according to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act," the official said.
Sources say mineral oils are used to give more weight and dark black colour to pepper. "It is one of the methods to preserve the spice. But black pepper coated with mineral oil gives out a kerosene like smell," said a trader.
Experts say pepper coated with mineral oil is considered carcinogenic.
Santhana Rajan of the Consumer Association of India said few customers checked spices. "Adulterated pepper will have a shiny look due to addition of mineral oils but it can easily be identified by the colour."
He said traders engaged in the malpractices were not aware of the health risks. "No awareness campaigns are conducted to sensitise them."
Well done Chennai team !
ReplyDeleteSpices Board s responsibility to conduct awareness campaigns for traders too.