Not Just Food, Even Yellow Paint Can Kill

Health experts warn of high lead content in yellow paint which is used in school buses, schools and homes; mull sending a proposal to State to ban it

COIMBATORE:Soon after Maggi was banned due to its high lead content, several health experts came up expressing that its not only Maggi that has lead content in it but most food items and the environment, a common man comes in touch with, are also have lead content in it and also poses a threat to the health of public.

Health experts derided even the Tamil Nadu government’s decision that made it mandatory to have yellow paints in all school buses, as they cited that yellow paint is a rich source of lead. Experts also demanded a close watch on the food items an average Tamilian eats everyday, and said that steps should be taken to have a lead-free diet for all.

Dr MK Appunni, retired Communicable Disease Control Officer said, the more a paint shines, the higher will be the lead content in it. “I will soon send a proposal to the State to ban the use of yellow paints in schools bus, schools and houses. I have study reports to prove high lead content in yellow paint. Constant touch with shining painted material in houses, schools and vehicles will also lead to be more lead contamination in blood,” said Appunni.

He said, at a time when all the developed countries promote the use lead-free petrol, in India, there is no restriction for petrol with high lead content. “The impure petrol airs lead, and it automatically reaches the human body. This is a big source of lead and the government has been turning a blind eye to this issue,” added Appunni.

The public is also of the view that by just banning Maggi, the government cannot make people safe. The food we consume everyday is toxic with the presence of lead in it. “The use of pesticides, insecticides, weedicides etc., are rich sources of lead. Consuming them regularly will result in excess amount of lead in blood,” said Dr Hazeena M, a Coimbatore-based dietitian.

The carbon and other lead contained mixtures that the farmers use for artificial ripening of fruits is also dangerous. “Consuming such fruits will increase lead content level in blood. The fast food culture and ingredients food traders add for better taste is also a rich source of lead,” added Hazeena.

Ensure Fool-proof System to Monitor Food Safety: Say Experts

Allegations are on the rise that the present monitoring system to safeguard people from food hazards is very poor. Health experts and the public demand a fool-proof system to ensure food safety across Tamil Nadu.

The situation had put the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in a hot spot. The FSSAI was formed as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, to promote public health through regulation and supervision of food safety.

However, with the Maggi issue, consumer activists allege that the FSSAI has failed to ensure food safety, and thus safeguard public health.

“Maggi had a booming sale for years, and it is just a few days since the Food Safety officials realised that Maggi was hazardous. The entire population in the country was consuming this hazardous food. It has taken years for them to realise this. But more puzzling is the kind of food safety that these officials have been talking about,” said Mohan Kumar, a consumer.

However, consumer activists and consumer organisations consider the ban on Maggi a positive development, and expects similar action from the government in the case of other hazardous food items also.

“Usually, people think that big corporates cannot be touched by the government, but the government by banning Maggi has proved it wrong. The government has shown guts to act in line with their assessment without any fear or favour,” said R Desikan, Chairman (emeritus) Consumer Association of India.

Desikan also urged people to forget the past and consider the Maggi ban as the beginning of a new era. “The Maggi ban has shaken the country, and the common man expects similar kind of action from the government. By banning Maggi, the consumer has become the real king and their rights have been protected,” added Desikan.

When asked about the development, designated officer of the Food Safety Wing (Coimbatore)
R Kathiravan, said that the measures taken by the food safety department would ensure a fool-proof monitoring system. “These are policy decisions, and the Food Safety Commissioner would be the right person to answer it,” he added. The Food Safety Commissioner was unavailable for comments when contacted.