Govt. should be held responsible for allowing unhealthy eatables in the market without checking their contents

BY K.G BEHL (President, All India Consumers Council, Uttarakhand)

It is surprising that Maggi came into to market as back as 1983 but Govt. machinery which is supposed to check and control the quality of the product and ensure it follows the laid down standards never came into action.  The products are required to be cleared by the Institutions of Standard or  other recognized bodies constituted for
the purpose. No one noticed whether the contents were the same as mentioned on the wrapper of the packet or it contained anything which is not mentioned on the packet. Govt.  failed  to examine its contents whether they were of  the laid down standard or not.  Since then its business is flourishing as it has endeared itself with children and has become a household name. Govt. should thoroughly examine all the products in the market, leave aside maggi as such noodles are being sold under different  brand names of different companies.  The lead content  varies from product to product. Govt. must ask all these companies to take back their products from the market  and get those examined. The products coming to market should not be allowed till a quality control is made by the authorities.
Ajinomoto (Monosodium Glutamate) which is commonly  used in chowmein, cooked openly and sold in the market which is supposed to make the noodle tastier is also harmful for health and they say makes bones brittle besides other damages. All India Consumers Council had been reporting from time to time that many of the advertisements which are appearing in press and electronic media do not give the correct version of the items being advertised.
All those need to be examined before screening so that a wrong information is not conveyed to the people. It may be added here that once  an advertisement is screened on the Television people take it for granted, specially youngsters, that the product has all the qualities which are being shown. For example the advertisements for Pan Masala and like products which are shown as creating magical sensation the moments those are consumed. Similarly there are many
advertisements for different products which are apparently wrong but those are being screened. Govt. must take immediate action against those advertisement  before they do the damage. All India Consumer Council brought to the notice of the authorities about the adulteration being done in different products specially the milk products and specially milk which is very essential for the children. Since there is shortage of milk the chemical milk is being
produced and mixed with other milk to overcome the shortfall. This chemical milk is injurious to health specially the children. Inspite of the repeated complains no strict action has been taken against culprits. Govt. should take immediate strict action to bring out all such adulteration which are openly being done under the very nose of
the officials. God knows how much damage has been done  by maggi to children and others unknowingly  during this long period. It is strange to note that cases are being filed against the  bollywood actors for advertising maggi who are ignorant about the contents of the product, but no action is contemplated against the channels who had been
showing these  advertisements or the manufacturers of  the products.