In a shocking revelation, food safety officials' random raid disclosed adulteration of spices in the Ghaziabad mill.
On Thursday, a random raid was conducted at a spice mill in Modinagar, Ghaziabad. It revealed that industrial dye which is used for clothes was reportedly mixed with turmeric and chilli powder to make them appear brighter.
According to the Food Safety Department officials, they discovered multiple packets of synthetic colors that had clear warnings of “for industrial use only” and “poisonous”. The mill named Annapurna Flour Mill, is owned by a businessman Ashok Garg.
The food safety officials seized around 200 kg of turmeric and 150 kg of red chilli powder from the premises of the mill and the officials were yet to lodge any complaint against the owner till late on Friday evening.
Food safety officer Meera Singh said that when they took the spice samples in their hand, they could feel the extra gritty texture between their fingers. They don't even allow food color in spices because they have their own color. She also said that adding synthetic colors, which are only for industrial use, is a serious offense. It can be toxic.
The spices manufactured at Annapurna Flour Mill were not sold under any brand name but they were mainly supplied to small dhabas and roadside eateries. During the raid, a total of 3.5 quintals of spices were seized from the mill. With the shocking revelation, the officials said that they would carry out inspections in roadside eateries and restaurants to find if they were using the same adulterated spices. They also said that eateries frequently use spices mixed with color as only a small quantity is needed to prepare any dish.
Food safety officer Meera Singh said that samples will be sent to Lucknow for testing, if the spices are found to be adulterated legal action will be taken against the owner. They are now waiting for the reports. According to the sources, cases of misbranded and sub-standard products result in a maximum financial penalty of up to Rs. 5 lakh.
The Annapurna Flour Mill was registered as a flour mill, it did not have the license to manufacture or grind spices in bulk. Meera Singh said that initially, the owner tried to mislead them, saying he produced only small quantities of spices. But when they went inside the mill they found three grinding machines.
The officer said that the mill operated out of three rooms and they also suspected that the mill owner might have hidden some of the stock as he might have been tipped off concerning the raid. The owner may have been vigilant because recently a few more factories were raided in the surrounding area.
Purity test for the spices according to FSSAI and Ghaziabad Food Safety Officer Meera Singh;-
1. Red Chilli Powder: Mix a teaspoon of chilli powder in a glass of water. Take a small amount of residue and rub it between the palms. If it feels gritty the chilli powder is adulterated with brick dust or if it feels soapy it is adulterated with soapstone. If the chill powder is in a darker or brighter shade then it is adulterated with synthetic color.
2. Turmeric: Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of water. If it turns pale yellow and settles at the bottom then it is pure. If it turns dark yellow when mixed with water then it is adulterated turmeric.
3. Cumin: Take some cumin seeds and rub them between palms. If the palms turn black then the cumin seeds are adulterated.
4. Coriander: Mix a teaspoon of coriander powder with water and mix it well. Sawdust and dung powder are the most common adulterants in coriander. The sawdust or dung powder will float in the water and can be found easily by a foul smell if it is adulterated.
5. Asafoetida: When the water test is performed soapstone or other adulterants in the asafoetida powder will settle at the bottom.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)