Key Update 

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday raised alarm in the Rajya Sabha over the widespread sale of adulterated food, calling it a serious public health crisis affecting people across age groups, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Speaking during Zero Hour, Chadha urged the government to urgently strengthen the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) by improving testing infrastructure, increasing manpower, and enforcing stricter penalties against violators.

Common Food Items Found Adulterated

Chadha highlighted multiple instances of food adulteration, alleging that garam masala is mixed with brick and wood powder, tea contains synthetic colouring agents, poultry is injected with anabolic steroids, and honey is diluted with sugar syrup and artificial dyes. He also claimed that manufacturers often replace desi ghee with vegetable oil in sweets. Referring to milk adulteration, Chadha said consumers unknowingly feed children milk contaminated with detergent, urea, and chemical neutralisers instead of essential nutrients.

Data Raises Safety Concerns

Citing research findings, Chadha stated that 71 per cent of milk samples tested contained urea, while 64 per cent showed the presence of neutralising agents such as sodium bicarbonate. He added that milk sales exceed actual production, pointing to large-scale adulteration. He also warned that vegetables are frequently injected with oxytocin, a chemical linked to headaches, dizziness, infertility, heart disease, and cancer. Between 2014–15 and 2025–26, nearly 25 per cent of food samples tested failed safety standards, he said.

Products Banned Abroad Still Sold in India

Chadha noted that food products manufactured in India by two major garam masala brands were banned in the US, UK, and Europe for containing cancer-causing pesticides, but continue to be sold in the domestic market. He said food products rejected as unsafe in other countries continue to be sold to Indian consumers.  He said food products rejected as unsafe in other countries continue to be sold to Indian consumers. Chadha urged the government to strengthen FSSAI with adequate laboratories and trained personnel, increase fines and penalties, and introduce a public recall system to identify and remove adulterated products from the market.

Mittal Raises Alarm Over Attacks on Indians Abroad

In a separate intervention, Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashok Kumar Mittal highlighted rising attacks on Indians overseas. He said the Indian diaspora contributes nearly ₹15 lakh crore annually through remittances, accounting for around 15 per cent of India’s foreign exchange earnings.

Calls for Protection of Indian Citizens Overseas

Mittal cited incidents of racial abuse, assaults, and killings involving Indians in countries including Ireland, the UK, Canada, and the US. He urged the government to take stronger diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Indians living and working abroad.

Source: Hindustan Times