More guts for our food regulators
food regulators of two popular Indian brands of prepackaged spice-mix products allegedly containing ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic substance — denied by both companies — does raise a flag, and brows. European food authorities reportedly found the same carcinogen in 527 Indian food products. The US FDA, which had raised the issue of salmonella contamination in prepackaged spice mixes, is conducting a fresh probe.
Indian Spices Board, GoI's regulator for spice exports, is working with companies to address the issue.
Between Nestle's 'added sugar in infant foods' for Indian markets controversy, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stopping malted beverages and mixes from being sold as 'health' drinks, and now l'affaire ethylene oxide, food safety is now a hot potato public health topic. Reputational damage that can affect exports aside, reports that we may be routinely consuming harmful products is worrying. More so as growing affluence is changing our food basket and habits.
This makes it more urgent to have a robust food regulator with the right capabilities.
As gatekeepers of the nation's alimentary system, FSSAI needs more guts. It now has a network of more than 200 food testing labs. But more needs to be done given the range of food segments.
