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News Topical, Digital Desk : In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a team from the Food and Drug Administration, led by Assistant Food Commissioner Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, raided the new vegetable market in Mahewa Mandi Transport Nagar. The team seized two truckloads of potatoes dyed with a color known to damage the kidneys, liver, and heart.
At first glance, the Food Department team believes these potatoes appear to be dyed. These potatoes, harmful to health, are reaching every city and every home. Due to the high demand for potatoes during Navratri, profiteers are also compromising people's health in pursuit of greater profits. These potatoes are being transported from cold storage to markets throughout Uttar Pradesh.
Adulterers are making profits by applying color
Profiteers are coloring these potatoes to make them look better. These two truckloads of adulterated potatoes from Gorakhpur's Naveen Mahewa Mandi have been made red and shiny by adding dangerous chemicals. Eating these potatoes can cause liver and kidney damage and skin diseases. People may experience kidney and liver problems, along with skin irritation.
On the instructions of the government, raids were conducted in markets across Uttar Pradesh during Navratri. On Sunday, a team from the Food Safety Department conducted a surprise raid at the Mahewa potato market and seized two truckloads of potatoes. These potatoes were imported from Vellore in Tamil Nadu and Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh.
The team seized adulterated potatoes
The team inspected the potatoes loaded on the trucks and found chemicals mixed in them. The team has seized the cargo from both trucks. Together, the two trucks were carrying over 500 quintals of red potatoes. The team has taken samples from the area, which will be sent to the lab for testing. Until then, the potatoes will remain seized. Further action will be taken after the report is received. If the report confirms the presence of chemicals, the potatoes will be destroyed.
A team from the Food Safety Department, led by Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, arrived at the market. As soon as the team arrived, the traders in the market were alarmed. Some truck drivers parked their trucks and fled. The traders who had ordered the goods also left, despite the seizure.
Bright red potatoes are selling like hot cakes in the market. They're priced higher than regular potatoes, but be careful when buying them. This isn't a natural color; it's dyed with chemicals, the same chemicals used in paint. Even after peeling, they're unsafe because the tiny pores allow the chemicals to penetrate the potato.
The game of adulteration is going on in Ballia
A team from the Food Safety Department in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, investigated this matter. The potato samples sent by the team were found to be adulterated. Iron oxide or ferric oxide was confirmed to be present. A subsequent investigation is underway in Gorakhpur. Continued consumption of this product can lead to kidney and liver failure.
These red potatoes can be seen on every vegetable cart in every market in Gorakhpur. They cost 5 to 10 rupees per kilogram more than regular potatoes. Shopkeepers sell them as fresh and delicious potatoes, encouraging people to buy them, but these potatoes are quite harmful. Peeling fresh potatoes can cause eye irritation. These potatoes have been available in the market for the past six months.
What did the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Department say?
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety in Gorakhpur, says that these potatoes are coming to the Gorakhpur market from cold storages in Kanpur, Unnao, Barabanki, and Kannauj. After being removed from cold storage, they are dyed with chemicals and then sent to markets in different districts. Gorakhpur has a large vegetable market, which is why potatoes are arriving in large quantities. These same potatoes are also being supplied when ordered online.
The Food Safety Department conducted a preliminary investigation. As soon as potatoes were added to the water, the water turned red. A sample was sent for testing. A team from the Food Safety Department also visited the market. Together with the market secretary, they spoke with wholesale traders and warned them not to order these potatoes. For a few days, the supply remained low, but then increased.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety in Gorakhpur, says that these potatoes are coming to the Gorakhpur market from cold storages in Kanpur, Unnao, Barabanki, and Kannauj. After being removed from cold storage, they are dyed with chemicals and then sent to markets in different districts. Gorakhpur has a large vegetable market, which is why potatoes are arriving in large quantities. These same potatoes are also being supplied when ordered online.
Colored potatoes were found in the investigation
The Food Safety Department conducted a preliminary investigation. As soon as potatoes were added to the water, the water turned red. A sample was sent for testing. A team from the Food Safety Department also visited the market. Together with the market secretary, they spoke with wholesale traders and warned them not to order these potatoes. For a few days, the supply remained low, but then increased.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Assistant Food Commissioner of Gorakhpur, said that action is being taken across Uttar Pradesh on government instructions. He advised people to avoid consuming red potatoes sold in the market. They are being laced with chemicals used in paint. This is harmful to health.
He said, "We received information that potatoes dyed with chemicals had been imported. Based on this information, a raid was conducted at the market on Sunday, following which action was taken. Potato samples have been taken and sent for testing. The potatoes will remain seized until then. Further action will be taken after the report is received."
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