PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Some of the samples of buckwheat flour collected by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) after the recent cases of food poisoning reported in a large number of people in Dehradun have been found to be infected with fungus. These samples were tested by the State Food and Drugs testing laboratory, Rudrapur. In some samples the department has found mycotoxins which are produced by the fungi.
The Health secretary and FDA commissioner R Rajesh Kumar said that orders to file cases against the culprit in the court of chief judicial magistrate under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 have been given.
He confirmed that many samples of buckwheat flour have been found unsafe to consume. As per the department officials, the samples which have failed in the laboratory tests were found to be infected by fungus Aspergillus. This fungus can produce aflatoxins which is a potent mycotoxin which can cause food poisoning, damage to liver and in some cases death of the patient.
The experts are of the view that the severity of mycotoxin poisoning can vary and depends on its type, dose and duration of exposure.
The buckwheat flour (Kuttu ka Ata) is consumed by people during fasting. Its sale increases during the Navratri period. It is general practice that the shopkeepers and dealers store it to be sold during the fasting season. This makes it stale and prone for fungal attack. The humidity and warmth of the flour makes it ideal for fungal growth.
Swinging into action after the food poisoning incident in Dehradun, the State government has imposed a ban on sale of loose (unsealed) buckwheat flour. The flour will now be sold in sealed packets and the packagers will have to compulsorily follow the labelling laws as per the Food Safety Act of 2006. The company should clearly mention the date of grinding of the flour, packaging date and expiry date on every packet.
