Consumer panel calls for action against food adulteration in Hanamkonda

Marking World Food Safety Day, consumer rights activists and food safety officials in Hanamkonda urged consumers to remain alert against food adulteration, misleading discount offers and questionable online food licences. They also called for stronger measures to curb adulteration and protect consumers.

Hanamkonda: The Southern States Consumer Coordination Committee called for measures to curb food adulteration and advised consumers to exercise caution regarding discounts and free gifts.

The committee president, Dr Pallepadu Damodar, along with Food Safety Officer Brahmaji and Consumer Confederation of India (CCI) National General Secretary Sambharaju Chakrapani, conducted an awareness programme for consumers at various business establishments, hotels and supermarkets in Hanamkonda on Saturday, marking World Food Safety Day.

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Dr Damodar highlighted the prevalence of adulteration in cooking oils, chilli powder and ginger paste through the mixing of inferior-quality oils with cooking oils, the use of harmful dyes and stalk powder in chilli powder, and the practice of mixing potato starch with ginger in ginger paste.

He urged consumers to be vigilant about the mixing of low-quality oils under the guise of blended oils and the charging of exorbitant prices for refined or double-refined oils.

Chakrapani noted that multinational companies selling essential commodities often arbitrarily print MRPs while simultaneously promoting 30 to 40 per cent discounts or ‘buy one get one free’ offers, ultimately selling cooking oils at inflated prices.

Food Safety Officer Brahmaji also urged consumers to remain vigilant and lodge complaints if they harbour any suspicions regarding food adulteration. Immediate action would be taken on the complaints submitted by consumer council representatives on Saturday, and the samples would be sent to the laboratory for testing, he said.

Some uninformed internet centre operators had issued 685 temporary food licences last month. Consumers should be aware of temporary licences for online food supply and exercise caution when ordering food online, noting that some licences were issued without official involvement. Taking action on complaints was feasible only when valid licences were in place, he said.