Following the furore over lead and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) detected in Maggi packets, the spotlight has been thrown on various food products that have high levels of toxic substances, which maybe harmful to one’s health.
Thuppil Venkatesh, Director of the National Referral Centre for Lead Projects in India, said that the controversy around Maggi noodles is only the tip of the iceberg; various other products also have lead. He points out that of 200 food samples tested in the last one and half decades, 85 per cent of unbranded products had lead while branded products were comparatively safer.
How does one trace the manufacturer of the sambar powder sold in the local kirana shop, questions Dr Venkatesh. Tracing the manufacturer is often complex in cases of unbranded food, he says and adds that even if the manufacturer is traced, it is harder to trace the source of lead. Citing an example, he says that the lead in a sweet was traced back to the vessel it was cooked in, which was coated with tin and was found to have lead. Some food products, such as chutney powder, vangi bhath powder and pickles, were found to have other toxic substances such as high levels of mercury and fungi growth.
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Deepthi S., dietician at Victoria Hospital, said that most commercially available instant packaged food comes with additives and preservatives that are harmful to people.
She also said that people from lower income groups are prone to eating such packaged food items and there is a need for inspections in lower economic pockets.
On the consequences of lead, Dr Venkatesh said that it affects the growth of children's central nervous system as well as the skeletal system. He says that it does not spare any organ and could severely damage the kidneys.
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(Reporting by
Tanu Kulkarni)