‘Schoolchildren at a greater risk’

By- Dr Swyam Pragyan Parida
Food adulteration is not merely a case of consumer fraud but it is a serious public health concern. From cooking oils to milk products and spices, the presence of harmful chemicals and contaminants in everyday food items can trigger immediate illness and, over time, lead to severe chronic diseases.

The digestive system is the first to be affected by consumption of adulterated food. Some common symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea occur and, in many cases, there are allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching and swelling. Exposure to certain toxic substances can additionally cause dizziness, headaches and blurred vision.

These symptoms can be temporary but the long-term consequences of repeated exposure to adulterated food can be far more serious. Prolonged consumption of contaminated food has been associated with chronic illnesses such as cancer, acute or chronic kidney disease and long-term liver damage.

Some adulterants commonly found in food items are particularly harmful. Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can contaminate food during processing or storage, are known to damage the kidneys. Aflatoxins, poisonous compounds produced by mould growing on poorly stored grains and nuts, are strongly linked to liver cancer.

Certain adulterants can also lead to specific diseases. Argemone oil, sometimes mixed with mustard oil, has been known to cause epidemic dropsy, a condition characterised by gastrointestinal distress, swelling of the body (pitting edema) and severe cardio-respiratory complications.

People across all age groups are affected by food adulteration, but children are among the most vulnerable. Schoolchildren may face higher exposure because they frequently consume outside food or street food, where the use of artificial colours, low-quality ingredients and adulterated products is more likely.

(The writer is additional professor at the department of community medicine & family medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar)