In a faulty system like ours, it is not uncommon to discover that most foods are adulterated.
Food adulteration is an act of intentionally debasing the quality of food offered for sale either by the admixture or substitution of inferior substances or by the removal of some valuable ingredient. Adulteration in food is normally present in its most crude form, prohibited substances are either added or partly or wholly substituted. The adulteration in food is done either for financial gain or due to carelessness and lack of proper hygienic condition in processing, storing, transportation and marketing. This automatically mean that the consumer is cheated and also becomes vulnerable to diseases. Adulteration are common in developing countries and it is a serious crime against humanity which has stiff penalties for defaulters.
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A good example of an adulterant is arsenic sprayed on apples which eventually leads to dizziness, chills, cramps, paralysis and eventually death. Milk has been diluted with water, cocoa with sawdust, butter preserved with borax, egusi mixed with soy beans, palm oil mixed with groundnut oil etc.
Most adulterated food are hazardous,and sometimes constitute food allergies. Some people have suffered fever, rashes and respiratory problem because they ingested adulterated food.
Consumer should thoroughly examine food before buying them, label on packed food should also be critically observed for knowing the ingredients and nutritional value(always buy branded food stuffs) It also helps in checking the freshness of the food and the period of best before use. The consumer should avoid taking food from an unhygienic place and food being prepared under unhygienic conditions, such types of food may cause various diseases. Also, consumption of cut fruits being sold in unhygienic conditions should be avoided.
in conclusion, it is difficult identifying adulterated food but being vigilant, noticing slight changes in
colour, odour,taste,and feel can rat out an adulterated food. Be mindful of what you consume and don’t always choose the cheap foods,because they might be adulterated.
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