MP govt to act tough against artificial fruit ripening trade

After launching a drive against milk adulteration, the Madhya Pradesh government on Monday announced to end the menace of artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables.

State Health Minister Tulsi Silavat told reporters the state government would invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against those people who are involved in adulterating milk and other food products.

The government is also mulling to prescribe life term for food adulteration.

"Now we are going to launch a drive against those people who add adulterants to fruits and vegetables. How come a small gourd turns huge overnight? Such adulteration is causing many diseases," Silavat said.

"We are also seeking opinion on how to go about in punishing the people who add adulterants to food with life imprisonment," he added.

The Health department has been running a drive against adulteration of milk and other products since July 19.

"We are going to invoke National Security Act (NSA) against people adulterating milk and other food stuff," the minister said.

He said diseases related to kidney, blood pressure, diabetes, cancer etc. are on the rise due to consumption of adulterated liquids and food.

The minister said adulteration was taking place to meet the demand for milk.

"While production of milk is 375 gram per person per day, its consumption is 480 gram per person per day in the country. The shortfall of 105 gram is being met through adulteration," he said, adding that toxic synthetic milk which is supplied in market is causing various diseases.

The Congress leader alleged the erstwhile BJP government failed to act against adulteration of food during its 15-year rule between 2003 and 2018.

"In fact this adulteration business flourished when the BJP was at the helm," he said.

The minister said officials have been directed to check food adulteration and take stern action against culprits.