The initiative taken by the government to crack down on the use of formalin in fruits is a welcome move. However, the drive has been lacking in the organisation and rigourous scientific standards required of such an operation.
Experts have argued that the method being used to check the amount of formalin in fruits does not conform to scientific standards, and is simply adding to the wastage of food products. Moreover, this system is subjecting many innocent fruit vendors to undue harassment and punishment.
After the tardiness shown by the government in initiating such a drive – despite the alarming degree of food adulteration in the country – it is concerning that the operation does not even have a team of experts to oversee it. The inefficiency with which this project is being conducted not only allows for wastage of food and undue penalties, food prices have reportedly soared as a result.
This lack of scientific standards will only work as a counterproductive element in an initiative meant to serve the public good. Ensuring food security is one of the foremost responsibilities of the government, and this includes the duty of providing knowledge about the effects of chemicals in foods and how to detect them.
We hope the authorities will take into account the scrutiny the ongoing anti-formalin drive is generating, and modify the operation to hold food safety to a higher standard.
