Tests suggest unpacked haldi, chilli powder in rural areas not fit for consumption Manmeet Singh Gill Amritsar, May 13 The recent tests on the samples collected by the ‘lab on wheels’ of the Health Department in the district have revealed that the quality of haldi and chilli powder being used in rural areas is adulterated. But the quality of milk and milk products in the rural areas is far better than that of the city. The department had flagged off the ‘lab on wheels’ van to provide food testing facility at residents’ door steps. Of the 91 samples of haldi and chilli powder tested by the lab in rural areas from May 1 to 12, a total of 29 samples (31.8 per cent) failed on quality parameters. Health officials said most of the samples had carcinogenic substances in them. In the city, only nine samples (15.7 per cent) of spices and condiments, out of 57, flunked the lab test. On the other hand, only three (8.57 per cent) of the 35 milk samples and eight (8.69 per cent) of the 92 milk product samples faired badly. The three failed milk samples were adulterated with water while eight milk products had added starch. In comparison, of the 118 samples of milk tested in urban areas last month, 77 samples (65.2 per cent) were found adulterated with water or had low fat. Even the quality of water in rural areas is better as only three (3.7 per cent) of the 81 samples have failed on quality parameters. Of the 219 samples tested last month, 91 (41.5 per cent) were declared having total dissolved solids (TDS) less than 50, thus unhealthy for consumption. The lab tested 328 samples in rural areas in 12 days, out of which 43 samples (13.1 per cent) failed on quality parameters. Out of the 505 samples of food items and drinks tested by the lab in city areas, 180 (35.6 per cent) failed the quality test. District Health Officer Dr Lakhbir Singh Bhagowalia said, “Milk and its products being sold in rural areas have better quality than that being sold in the city because most of the villagers either have their own milch animals or buy milk from their neighbours. Same is the case with water as most of the people don’t have RO machines which lower the TDS.” He said most of the rural people buy unpacked haldi and chilli powder and the trend was worrisome. Loose products are mostly adulterated. In city, people buy branded and packed spices and condiments, he added.

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