EU: Over 400 Indian Food Products Are Contaminated
Dangerous Levels of Pesticides, Fungicides, Toxic Heavy Metal
Newsreel Asia Insight #218
May 11, 2024
The European Union has issued a warning about the safety of over 400 Indian food products following an extensive review from 2019 to 2024, according to media reports. These Indian products, earmarked for export, have been found to contain dangerous levels of contaminants, including carcinogens and toxins that pose serious health risks.
A comprehensive examination by EU inspectors revealed that 14 of these products contained hazardous substances such as mercury and cadmium, as reported by Deccan Herald. These elements are known to cause significant damage to the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Among the contaminated products were fish, where mercury levels were notably high, and other items where cadmium presence was detected.
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body, particularly in the kidneys, where it can cause damage over time. It affects the kidney’s ability to filter out waste and can cause the excretion of essential proteins. Chronic exposure to cadmium can also lead to bone softening (osteomalacia) and loss of bone mineral density (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures.
Further analysis uncovered the presence of tricyclazole, a fungicide banned within the EU for its carcinogenic and genotoxic effects, in essential commodities such as rice, herbs and spices. Alarmingly, more than 52 products were found to contain multiple pesticides or fungicides, with some items housing up to five different chemicals.
Pesticides and fungicides, which are chemicals used to kill or control pests and fungal infections in agriculture, can have various harmful effects on the human body, especially when exposure is high or prolonged. These effects depend on the type of chemical, the amount of exposure and individual susceptibility.
Many pesticides, especially organophosphates and carbamates, are known to affect the nervous system. They inhibit cholinesterase, an enzyme essential for the proper functioning of nerve impulses, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures or paralysis.
The EU inspectors also found the presence of 2-chloroethanol, a toxic by-product of ethylene oxide treatment, in around 20 products. Additionally, ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin banned for its adverse health effects, was detected in 10 products including chillies, coffee and rice.
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain types of fungi, and their presence in food can have serious health implications. High levels of mycotoxins can cause acute poisoning, which may result in severe illness or death shortly after ingestion. Symptoms of acute mycotoxin poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions, and in severe cases, acute liver failure.
Further, salmonella was found in organic products like shatavari, ashwagandha and sesame seeds, which were among 100 other contaminated products. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food and is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness.
Furthermore, groundnut kernels and nut crackers were found to contain aflatoxins, potent carcinogens known to cause liver damage and cancer.
Additional contaminants identified include chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide found in rice flour and coriander seed powder, which is linked to a range of health issues including neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adverse effects on reproductive health. Moringa leaves and pods were reported to contain monocrotophos and imidacloprid, pesticides that are also classified as neurotoxins.
These findings call for stricter quality control and regulatory oversight within India’s food export industry as well as by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority of the Commerce and Industries Ministry.
