Food adulteration in India and its health implications: A serious public crisis
The recent cases of “fake paneer” that have surfaced in India have raised serious questions about the quality of our everyday food. This is not just a matter of purity of a food item but a deeper issue related to our health, safety and the effectiveness of the government machinery. When harmful substances are deliberately or carelessly added to the food available in the market, this situation affects not only the health of the consumer but also the nutrition system of the entire country.
Food adulteration: A growing challenge
“Synthetic paneer”, also called analog paneer, looks similar to the real thing but has a completely different composition. It is cheaper and costs almost half as compared to real paneer. But the non-dairy ingredients used in its manufacture can prove fatal to our health.
A recent inspection conducted by FSSAI found that out of 168 samples tested, about 28% i.e. 47 samples were adulterated. This figure speaks volumes – it is not just about Noida or one state, but is indicative of a serious problem spreading across the country.
Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows that between 2021 and September 2024, 22% of food samples tested in Tamil Nadu did not meet the standards. This figure reached 15% in Telangana and 13% in Kerala. According to these figures, one in every seven food samples in five states of South India was found to be adulterated.
Health problems caused by adulterated food
Adulteration is not just a matter of taste, colour or texture; it directly affects our body. When water is mixed in milk, minerals are added to oil or colours are added to sweets, then all these actions slowly harm our health. These effects may seem minor at first, but over time they can lead to serious illnesses.
A study conducted globally revealed that about 57% of people suffered health problems due to adulterated food. In India, the situation becomes even worse where food is already not nutritious due to limited resources, and adulteration makes it even more harmful.
Diseases caused by adulterated food include stomach upset, skin allergies, malnutrition, weakening of the immune system, cancer, liver and kidney failure. This effect can be even more dangerous in children, as their body is in a developing stage.
According to NFHS-5, 32.1% of children in India are underweight, 35.5% are stunted and 19.3% are wasted. This fact indicates that children in the country are not getting proper nutrition, and even if they are getting it, it is not pure.
Fraud in the name of purity: Examples of honey and milk
Even the honey available in the market today is not completely pure. It is often adulterated with sugar syrup or glucose. In a country like India, where diabetes cases are rising rapidly—according to a report, the number has reached 212 million—such adulteration can prove to be fatal for health.
Similarly, the process of diluting milk may seem normal, but this minor adulteration increases the rate of stunted growth and malnutrition in children.
Role and challenges of FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the main body monitoring and controlling food safety in the country. It periodically checks the quality of food products, especially those products which are consumed in large quantities among the general public such as milk, oil, cheese, sweets, etc.
FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Though it has the legal authority, the lack of clear labelling and inadequacy of testing laboratories limits its functions. Even today, most consumers do not know whether the food they are consuming is organic or artificially produced.
Organised versus unorganised sector: The double challenge of adulteration
While local shopkeepers or vendors sometimes indulge in adulteration due to ignorance or profit, big companies are also not untouched by this scourge in the race to make profits. According to reports, three out of every five brands are found to be involved in misbranding or adulteration, but very few of these are punished.
Problems such as low conviction rate against culprits, lack of expert food analysts and labs, and delay in inspections further aggravate the situation.
Need for consumer awareness and legal solutions
The fight against adulteration is not just the responsibility of the government or regulatory bodies. Consumers also need to be vigilant—reading labels, checking quality and reporting if in doubt. At the same time, the government will have to implement different policies and strict laws for both organized and unorganized sectors.
While education, training and monitoring are necessary for the unorganized sector, strict penalties and accountability are necessary in the organized sector.
Clear labeling and control on GM food
The rules in India are quite vague regarding organic and genetically modified (GM) foods. In most cases, companies do self-declaration based labelling, which can confuse the consumer. If a consumer is not aware whether the food he buys is natural or modified, how will he make the right choice?
This problem becomes even more severe in rural areas, where the consumer has neither information nor choice.
What should India do? Suggestions
1. Expanding food testing facilities: More certified food testing laboratories should be set up across the country.
2. Expert training: Food safety officers should be given continuous training so that they can identify and take action against adulteration.
3. Provision of stringent penalties: Strict penalties and fast judicial process are necessary for adulterators.
4. Public awareness campaign: People should be informed about the identification, dangers and reporting process of adulteration through media and schools.
5. Digital monitoring: Use technology for QR codes, tracking systems and labelling.
Food adulteration in India is no longer a simple consumer complaint but a public health emergency. When the development of our children, our body’s immune system and the health of future generations are being affected by this crisis, it is not just the responsibility of FSSAI but of all of us to take collective steps to tackle this challenge.
Food Adulteration in India: A Serious Health Challenge and its Solutions
Food adulteration in India has become a problem that not only harms the trust of consumers but also poses a serious threat to their health. In recent years, cases such as fake paneer have highlighted the gravity of the issue, raising questions about the effectiveness of the food safety mechanism. This article highlights the causes of food adulteration, its impact on health, and the steps required to control it, along with answers to the given questions.
Food Adulteration: A Worrisome Trend
Food adulteration occurs when food items are deliberately or negligently added materials that reduce their quality or are harmful to health. Recently, cases of fake paneer have come to light, which looks similar to real paneer but is actually made from non-dairy ingredients. For example, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Noida tested 168 food samples, of which 47 paneer and khoya products were found to be contaminated. These products are not only cheap but also serve to deceive consumers.
This problem is not limited to paneer alone. Between 2021 and 2024, 22% of food samples in Tamil Nadu, 15% in Telangana, and 13% in Kerala were found to be adulterated. These figures show that every seventh food sample in India does not meet safety standards, which shows the prevalence of this problem. Adulterations such as water in milk, sugar syrup in honey, and mineral oil in edible oil have become common, extending from small vendors to large companies.
Effects of adulteration on health
Consumption of adulterated food leads to many health problems. Short-term effects include stomach pain, allergies, and digestive problems, while long-term effects are far more serious. Globally, 57% of people face health problems due to adulterated food. These include nutritional deficiencies, weakened immunity, and serious diseases such as cancer or liver damage.
The impact on children in India is particularly worrying. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 32.1% of children are underweight, 35.5% are stunted, and 19.3% are wasted. Milk, which is the main source of protein in the Indian diet, when diluted with water or other substances, does not provide children with the necessary nutrition. This affects their physical and mental development. Similarly, adding sugar syrup to honey increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, which already affects 212 million people in India.
Role and Challenges of FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for ensuring food safety. Set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, the FSSAI regularly checks and enforces standards for food products. However, its effectiveness is questionable, as cases of adulteration continue to rise. A major problem is that many products lack clear labelling, leaving consumers unable to understand whether they are buying organic or adulterated products.
The nature of adulteration differs in the organised and unorganised sectors. The unorganised sector, such as local milk vendors or sweet shops, often adulterates to reduce costs. On the other hand, large companies in the organised sector mislead consumers through misbranding. According to health ministry data, three out of every five companies have been found guilty of adulteration or mislabelling, but the problem persists due to low conviction rates.
Impact on consumer choices
The lack of clear labelling for organic and genetically modified (GM) foods confuses consumers. At times, consumers are not able to know whether what they are buying is truly organic or not. The self-declaration system for GM foods is particularly problematic, as companies can declare their products as “organic” or “safe” without any strict scrutiny. This erodes consumer confidence and leads them to unknowingly purchase adulterated products.
A multi-pronged approach is needed to tackle food adulteration:
1. Strict laws and enforcement : Different regulations should be made for organised and unorganised sectors. The focus should be on awareness and incentives in the unorganised sector, while strict penalties and regular audits are necessary in the organised sector.
2. Expansion of testing facilities : There is a need to increase the number and quality of food analysis laboratories. Currently, inadequate testing facilities and lack of trained staff are a major challenge.
3. Clear labelling : Mandatory and transparent labelling regulations should be implemented for organic and GM foods. This will help consumers make informed decisions.
4. Awareness campaigns : It is important to educate consumers about the dangers of adulteration and ways to choose safe food. This is especially important in rural areas, where awareness is low.
5. Improving conviction rates : Quick and stringent action against adulterants can discourage the practice.
Food adulteration is a serious public health challenge in India, affecting everything from child nutrition to chronic diseases. FSSAI’s role is important, but strict regulations, better testing infrastructure, and consumer awareness are needed to make it more effective. Adopting different approaches for the organised and unorganised sectors can help root out this problem. Ultimately, food safety is not just a matter of laws, but also a question of consumer awareness and social trust.
Reference from
Ministry of health
Read more Information
The predictions for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 June 18 matches are made based on how the teams might perform based on recent form and player availability.
Pingback: Operation Sindhu: After Iran, now safe return of Indians from Israel also begins on 18 June - THE FAVOURIC TIMES