DEHRADUN: Almost 83% of food samples tested on the Char Dham yatra route were found to be adulterated, according to a recent survey carried out by the Dehradun-based Society of Pollution & Environmental Conservation (SPECS) scientists.
The body, which has been conducting food adulteration sample surveys along the Char Dham routes annually since 2005, surveyed 1685 samples of food stuff which were being sold at various points on the yatra. It found that of the 1685 samples, 1405 were adulterated. Mustard oil had adulteration levels of 97-100%, chilli powder 85-94% and milk products 50 to 62%.
Vinegar was found to be 100% adulterated while 70% of adulteration was found in sweets, 91% in coriander powder and 59% in ghee. Out of the 390 samples of iodized salt tested, 323 samples were found to be without iodine. Out of 243 samples of tea, 197 samples were found adulterated.
On the Kedarnath-Badrinath route, 461 out of 561 samples (82%) and on the Yamunotri-Gangotri route, 387 out of 469 samples (82%) were found to be adulterated. The minimum adulteration level found on the Kedarnath-Badrinath route was 62% at Chopta and Chamoli, while the highest - 100% -- was recorded on the Yamunotri-Gangotri route at Kaudiyala,Gangori ,Bhatwari and Gangnani.
Adulteration levels seemed to be increasing each year on the Char Dham trail, as per SPECS officials. In the first survey in 2005, they point out, adulteration levels were 76% which rose to around 82% in 2008.
Brij Sharma, secretary SPECS said that the rising adulteration levels were a matter of great concern. "Adulteration is a criminal act of the highest order, since it plays with the lives of the people and causes life-threatening diseases. We are advocating the strictest action for those who indulge in such practices," he said.
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