Bengaluru food items contaminated with dangerous chemicals

In Bengaluru, there is a growing concern about food items being adulterated with harmful chemicals. Recent inspections by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) have revealed dangerous substances in everyday items like milk, spices, and tea. This can lead to serious health risks, including cancer and food poisoning. The situation affects various foods, from milk and paneer to turmeric and cooking oil. Recently, inspections found unsafe idli samples tainted with carcinogenic substances. Now, the FDA is conducting statewide checks on hotels, messes, and bakeries. They discovered low-quality tea powder and spices being used in food preparation. Officials reported that some tea vendors reuse dried tea leaves to save money, leading to health problems such as food poisoning and stomach infections. The re-steeping of these leaves can also introduce harmful chemicals into the tea, increasing the risk of side effects. Common spices like turmeric, chili powder, and coriander are also facing widespread adulteration. Turmeric may contain harmful dyes such as metanil yellow or lead chromate to enhance color. Chili powder is often adulterated with Sudan red, a known carcinogen. The health impacts of these additives are serious. Metanil yellow can harm the nervous system, leading to memory issues and liver damage. Lead chromate poses risks such as kidney failure and increases cancer risk. Additionally, Sudan red is linked to serious illnesses like bladder and stomach cancer and can cause skin and respiratory issues. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious about the food they consume and are stepping up efforts to ensure food safety.