BJP MLA Urges Gujarat Govt for Stricter Laws on Food Adulteration

Senior BJP MLA and former minister, Kishor Kanani, has called upon the Gujarat government to implement more stringent legislation targeting individuals engaged in the production and distribution of adulterated food.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Kanani, who represents the Varachha Road constituency in Surat, advocated for the prosecution of food adulterators under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code, charging them with "culpable homicide not amounting to murder."

The BJP MLA's call for stricter legislation against food adulteration comes in response to the recent discovery of significant quantities of adulterated food items, predominantly spices, in various locations across the state during the past few months.

"Some recent incidents have brought to light the alarming prevalence of food adulteration on a significant scale. The consumption of adulterated food items, including cheese, paneer, bread, cooking oils, spices, and various food products sold by street vendors, poses a serious threat to people's health," expressed Kanani.

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The existing legal measures to punish those responsible for food adulteration are inadequate, resulting in offenders receiving lenient punishments, according to a statement made by a BJP MLA.

The MLA, who previously held the position of Minister of State for Health, expressed concerns over the delayed arrival of forensic analysis results for suspected food samples. This delay often results in the consumption of adulterated food by many people, leading to severe illnesses and even fatalities.

In a letter dated May 25, Kanani expressed the urgent need for stricter laws against food adulteration, suggesting that individuals caught engaging in this practice should be charged with culpable homicide. Kanani emphasized that such severe punishments are necessary to instill fear among the perpetrators and effectively deter food adulteration.

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Officials reported multiple instances of food adulteration uncovered by civic bodies across various cities in Gujarat, with the state's Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) also encountering several significant cases in recent months. One notable operation conducted by the FDCA on May 12 resulted in the seizure of 3,057 kilograms of adulterated spices from a company located in Surat's Kadodara area.

According to an official statement from the FDCA, a company has been found guilty of adulterating spices, including chilli, turmeric, and coriander powders, by adding inorganic colors and materials. The products were being sold with misleading manufacturing labels.

Furthermore, in April, the FDCA conducted raids at two locations in Nadiad taluka of Kheda district. During the operation, they confiscated over 61,000 kg of adulterated spice stock. The manufacturers involved were allegedly utilizing starch powder and ground paper to produce the adulterated spices.

-ThePrint/PTI

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