Mixed with harmful dyes, chemicals, loosely sold spices flood Valley markets

Srinagar, Mar 08: Most of the unbranded spices supplied to Kashmir Valley contain chemicals and dyes that are banned to prevent their harmful effects on health.
While the Food Safety Department (FSD) booked a few local suppliers the last month, a mafia is believed to be controlling the business in different districts and towns.
In a recent case, FSD in February busted a gang of two suppliers in Rainawari and Bagi Ali Mardan Khan, and confiscated 45 quintals of adulterated spices from them.
A laboratory examination of a few samples last month found high concentration of synthetic colours in the spices like chillies, saunf, turmeric, and coriander powder.
For instance, the FSD found Sundan-3, a synthetic dye (chemical) in chilli powder, Metanil Yellow, a non-permitted food colour, in turmeric powder, and Melchet Green, also a harmful chemical, in saunf.
All these adulterated spices are currently sold loose in different markets of Srinagar despite an advisory from various state government departments.
These synthetic dyes, as per research, are highly carcinogenic, if consumed over a period of time.
A research by University of Punjab in Pakistan has claimed that Sudan-3 can lead to cancer.
Similarly, researches reveal chemicals like Metanil yellow and Melchet Green can lead to severe gastrointestinal disorders.
Currently, these chemicals stand banned in various countries like the United States of America and many European nations.
A casual visit to the markets here is enough to know that the adulterated spices are readily available at Batamaloo, Rainawari, and Maharaja Bazar.
The spices are on display in large, unbranded bags, and cost around 50 per cent less than the branded ones.
In comparison to branded chilli powder, which costs nearly Rs 370- 400 per kilogram, its unbranded equivalent is sold at Rs 150 per kilogram.
Similarly, loose turmeric is sold at Rs 180 per kilogram compared to a specific and approved brand costing Rs 240 a kilo.
Loose saunf is sold for Rs 100 a kilogram, which a registered brand sells at nearly Rs 300 per kilogram.
The consumer of these spice as per the sources are mostly the poor sections of the society, particularly in old Srinagar and rural Kashmir.
The sellers often keep their stalls hidden in the interiors of the city markets and lure consumers by claiming it as handpicked from UP or other states.
A trader at Batamaloo told this newspaper that the spices, particularly cumin seeds, have been brought from Aligarh where this variety is not grown even.
The vendor, who identified himself as Akbar from UP showed multiple varieties of spices for humans as well as for domestic animals.
On examining and enquiring the quality spices, the vendor had kept few samples at display and rest hidden under his cart.
The stock of his spices included chilli, turmeric, saunf, coriander and a few verities for horses and cows.
“These spices have been brought from UP and they are pure in nature. We never cheat people; entire Kashmir buys from us,” he said.
On confirming whether these spices were pure, the vendor uttered few names of standards without any documental evidences.
“These spices are of 555 standard and you can confirm it from people around,” he said.
Loose spices are also sold in shops at Batamaloo and Maharaj Bazar, without any brand name or label.
Though many people have been booked by the FSD, the outside state based suppliers of these adulterated have not been identified yet.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmad Mir, told The Kashmir Monitor that the source of these adulterated spices remains untraced as no billing is being done by the suppliers.
“The loose spices are banned here in Kashmir under Food Safety Act. These spices are transported to Kashmir without any label or bill. So it is becoming difficult for us to identify the supplier,” he said.
He said that “a mafia” was active within the region in mixing substandard powder with spices to sell it at cheaper rates in the markets.
“We are acting tough against the violators and our teams do tour to various markets to counter adulteration,” he said.
He said the registered companies from outside state and those of Kashmir are going quality check and have been declared good for consumption.