Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 11: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo on Monday termed food adulteration and the mixing of harmful chemicals in consumables as a serious health concern, warning that the government will take strict action against those involved in the practice.
She said that rising incidents of cancer, liver ailments, tumours, and sudden heart attacks—particularly among young people—are being linked by health experts to the widespread consumption of adulterated food.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Amar Singh College, Srinagar, the minister, said the issue has reached alarming levels. “Some people are playing with our health by giving us food items that are adulterated and laced with harmful chemicals. This is not only unethical but life-threatening,” she said.
According to health officials, Jammu & Kashmir currently has around 51,000 registered active cancer cases, besides a growing number of patients suffering from chronic liver diseases, tumours, and cardiac complications.
Itoo expressed concern that sudden heart attacks among otherwise healthy young individuals are becoming increasingly common. “We often hear of sudden deaths due to heart attacks in young people, and we used to wonder why this was happening. It now seems that adulteration and chemical contamination in food could be one of the major reasons,” she added.
To tackle the menace, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday convened a high-level meeting in which all three concerned ministers and top officials participated. The meeting decided on a multi-pronged action plan to stamp out adulteration from the market.
As part of the plan, testing laboratories will be established in every district headquarters, enabling on-the-spot checking of all edible items to determine their safety for consumption.
“The government will act firmly. There will be strict checks, punishments, and continuous monitoring. No one will be allowed to indulge in this dangerous practice in the future,” the health minister said.
Sakeena also called for maintaining public trust in the medical fraternity. “Both patients and doctors are our own people. We must strengthen the bond between them. However, wherever there is any negligence on the part of doctors, the government will not leave any stone unturned in taking action,” she said.
The minister assured the public that the government is determined to curb the menace once and for all. “Whosoever is involved will face the music. This is about safeguarding public health, and we will not compromise,” she affirmed.
Health experts have long warned that the consumption of contaminated and chemically treated food is directly contributing to the rise of life-threatening illnesses.
