Urban News

Source : The Times of India Date : 08.07.2009

Waxed apples seized from top RETAILERS IN TAMBARAM

Nearly 700 Kg Seized On Tuesday From Branded Outlets By Food Inspectors Of The Municipality

D Madhavan | TNN

Chennai: And you thought fruits and vegetables were safe for consumption if you bought them from the swanky retail outlets.

On Tuesday, health inspectors of Tambaram municipality seized nearly 700 kg of wax-coated apples from some of these retail outlets and supermarkets. This was the second seizure in the past two days. On Monday, a similar raid was carried out by municipal health inspectors who seized and destroyed nearly one tonne of wax-coated apples.

While on Monday, the apples were seized from street vendors along Shanmugam Road near the Tambaram bus stand, Tuesdays seizure was made from supermarkets and retail outlets such as Reliance Fresh, Spencers and More in Tambaram. As many as eight such outlets and supermarkets were raided on Tuesday and health inspectors found almost the entire stock of apples to be coated with wax. It is a known fact that wax-coated apples pose a serious health hazard. But even branded outlets and super markets sell them these days. Such raids would act as an deterrent , a health official of the Tambaram municipality told TOI.

In fact, Tambaram municipal chairman E Mani had a tough time explaining to shopkeepers who had come to the municipality office on Tuesday demanding that such seizures be stopped as they affected their livelihood that their apples were wax-coated and posed a serious health risk.
A coat of wax increases the shelf-life of apples, which perish within three-four days and cause huge losses to the shopkeepers, to about 15 days. Such apples are usually dipped in wax and dried and then shined before being put up for sale.

On their part, supermarkets and retail outlets deny that they sell hazardous wax-coated apples. The staff of these outlets argue that the apples in their outlets are imported, especially from Washington (such apples have Washington stickers pasted on them). We dont buy apples from the local market. These apples are imported from Washington and they have labels pasted on them, says S Chandrasekar , manager of a branded outlet whose apples were seized by health inspectors on Tuesday.

However, health inspectors of the local body say none of the apples seized from these outlets and supermarkets imported. Rather, they are grown in India and waxed and bought from the wholesale market in Koyambedu. If apples sold in these outlets are imported and genuine , then why did they not raise objections when we raided them asked a health inspector .

Consumption of the wax-polished apples could cause health problems, especially in children below 10 years of age. In the short run, they can cause stomach pain, vomiting and headache. In the long term, accumulation of wax in the stomach might cause cancer.

How To Spot Adulteration



Item: COFFEE POWDER



Adulterant:

Ground tamarind seed, date seed

Home test:

Sprinkle coffee on filter paper and add sodium carbonate. If paper turns red, the coffee is not pure.

Harmful effects:

Digestive problems

Item: CHILLI POWDER



Adulterant:

Artificial colours

Home test:

Sprinkle the powder in a glass of water. The artificial agents descend down the glass as coloured streaks

Harmful effects:

Causes cancer

Item: TURMERIC POWDER



Adulterant:

Non-permitted colourants like metanil yellow.

Home test:

To a little of the sample add a drop of hydrochloric acid and dilute it with water. If the powder turns red, it is adulterated

Harmful effects:

Causes cancer

Item: HONEY;



Adulterant:

Sugar and water

Home test:

A cotton wick dipped in honey will burn. If adulterated, it wont

Harmful effects:

If the water is impure, it can bring water-borne diseases that cause vomiting and diarrhoea