A major crackdown on food adulteration was executed in Bingawan this week, where authorities confiscated a massive stock of illegally processed gram. The operation led to the seizure of goods valued at lakhs of rupees, highlighting serious public health concerns.
Details of the Bingawan Raid
Acting on specific intelligence, a special team from the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department conducted a surprise raid at a trader's shop in Bingawan on Wednesday. During the inspection, officials discovered and seized approximately 1,240 bags of roasted gram. The total estimated value of the confiscated stock is a staggering Rs 33.48 lakh.
Illegal Use of Industrial Dye in Food
The raid revealed a dangerous malpractice. The seized roasted gram was found to be artificially coloured with Auramine dye, a chemical strictly meant for industrial purposes. An assistant commissioner of food safety confirmed that this dye is commonly used in the textile industry for dyeing cloth and fabric. Unscrupulous traders use it on food items like gram to enhance their visual appeal, making them look unnaturally bright and fresh to attract consumers.
The consumption of food products contaminated with industrial dyes like Auramine poses severe health risks. These chemicals are not meant for human ingestion and can lead to long-term health issues, including organ damage and increased cancer risk.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Safety
The case originated from a tip-off received by the department, which prompted the swift action. The use of non-permitted and hazardous colours in food items is a blatant violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act of India. This seizure underscores the vigilant efforts of food safety authorities to curb such malpractices and protect consumers from harmful adulterated products.
Authorities have taken the trader into custody for further investigation and legal proceedings. This incident serves as a stern warning to other traders involved in similar illicit activities and reminds consumers to be cautious, especially with brightly coloured food items that may appear suspicious.
