Adulteration in Sweets at New High

[suchandra 1]

Adulteration of Ghee with Animal Fat

http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:nvxiaRouzWwJ:timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/26902758.cms+india+Adulteration+of+Ghee+animal+fat+2007&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2

 

AHMEDABAD: A whopping 20 per cent of the samples of Diwali sweets collected by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation have failed the health test.

The results come just as residents have begun thronging sweets shops for the festive purchases. In fact, the situation could be even more grim than what the tests suggest, sources said. This is because corruption in the AMC’s health department could be letting a lot of sweets sellers off the hook.

Compared to 2001 when cases of adulteration of ghee with animal fat were filed against leading sweets shops, this year artificial food colour used in sweets have raised a stink. Failure of samples tested by Public Health Laboratory (PHL) indicates the kind of sweets Amdavadis are consuming. The government-run PHL examined 1009 samples till October 31, out of which 181 failed the test — indicating a 17.9 per cent failure rate. Interestingly, the failure rate was 8.88 per cent in 2000, and 11.16 per cent in 2001.

But corrupt practices, especially among health department officials, have been alleged by councillors. Municipal recreation and culture committee deputy chairman Jawhar Bhatia resigned from his post last month protesting against corrupt AMC officials.

“What is the point in continuing as elected office-bearers when civic officials openly demand bribe from small businessmen,” said Bhatia. He added that shops owners generally do not complain about such cases because there is a fear of their license being cancelled, and if the test is positive there is a provision for jail term too.

On October 17, officials from AMC health department swooped on a milk shop in the stadium ward area and allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 2000 as ‘Diwali bonus’. It is said that the owner, Pahar Singh, as usual offered Rs 500 but officials in the raiding party insisted on the amount demanded. When Bhatia intervened, the food control officials charged him with obstructing public servants from performing their duty. The milk shop owner lodged a written complaint at the Naranpura police station and made a representation before then health committee chairman Narendra Brahmbhatt.

“Milk and its derivatives can be easily adulterated, without the consumer knowing anything about the purity,” said PHL Ahmedabad public analyst A S Soni, adding that milk products topped the adulteration charts this year.

“Bhatia’s allegations were completely unfounded after an independent inquiry was made into the case,” said deputy municipal commissioner (health) Vinay Vyasa refuting large-scale corruption in the department. “I cannot assure 100 per cent corruption-free set up, but it is well under control compared to previous years,” added Vyasa. Allegations are quite often levelled against hundreds of officials of the health, octroi, TDO and estate departments during Diwali season over collection of money from traders.

[suchandra 1]

http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4074#more-4074

 

This is just unbelievable, all these years there was ghee being used in Krishna Balaram Mandir which was mixed with animal fat. Hard to believe that no one couldnt find out. When buying ghee from the karmis to be used for the Deities, the first thing would be to carefully check if this ghee is 100% pure.

To offer to the Deities preparations which contain fat from slaughtered animals, even cows, what is your excuse?

[Jahnava Nitai Das 2]

The ghee is labeled as 100% pure and vegetarian. The only way to actually verify it would be through laboratory testing, which is not possible for most people.

 

There are actually two problems. One is illegal aldulteration by the companies. And the second is printing of fake brand name packaging and filling with adulterated ghee by unrelated sellers. So you may think you are buying a pakage of ghee from the cleanest and best company in India, but actually someone printed a fake package and filled it himself with who knows what.

 

I don't know of any solution to this for devotees to know whether they are purchasing authentic ghee or not. Based on the general corruption in India, I would estimate that a lot of the ghee is probably adulterated and better avoided.