Unsafe levels of contaminants found in Indian exports to EU | Fusion - WeRIndia

Recent investigations have revealed that many Indian products exported to other countries have contaminants.

As many as 467 Indian products deemed unsafe by the European Food Safety Authority harbour serious health hazards.

These products, ranging from ayurvedic supplements to seafood, contain dangerous levels of heavy metals and pesticides, some of which the European Union has banned.

The authority’s scrutiny uncovered that over 200 products contained multiple banned or restricted substances.

Specifically, the tests identified carcinogenic pesticides and metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.

Lead was detected in 14 products including turmeric powder, posing significant risks to the kidney, brain, and nervous system.

Similarly, six fish products showed high levels of mercury, a metal harmful to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems.

Additionally, cadmium, which heightens the risk of chronic diseases, was found in 21 seafood products.

The concern extends to products labelled as “organic,” misleading consumers about their safety.

For instance, “organic” moringa powder contained bifenthrin, an insecticide banned in the EU since 2009 due to its adverse effects on human and wildlife health.

In response to the alarming findings, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken measures to ensure the safety of food products.

The FSSAI emphasized its ongoing efforts in surveillance, enforcement, and testing of products under the strict guidelines of the FSS Act.

Despite these measures, the number of contaminated exports highlights significant gaps in regulatory and enforcement frameworks.

Some experts argue that these incidents represent just the tip of the iceberg. They say that contamination issues have been repeatedly raised by experts and need urgent comprehensive action.

With the European Union continuing to flag the safety of exported products from India, the situation calls for stringent checks and a robust response. It is essential to ensure public health and sustain the credibility of India’s export sector.

Image Credit: Kolja21, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EU28-2013_European_Union_map.svg