6 harmful ingredients found in fake edible oil
“FSSAI seized 18,000 liters of counterfeit edible oil in Ajmer, Rajasthan, exposing health risks from adulteration. Adulterants like mineral oil, argemone oil, and castor oil pose severe health threats, violating food safety standards. Additionally, unscrupulous producers mix cheap vegetable oils, adding artificial coloring and flavoring agents to deceive consumers. This alarming trend highlights the global rise in counterfeit food products, demanding stricter regulations to safeguard public health.”
The global food industry faces a rise in counterfeit products, including edible oils. Recently, FSSAI seized 18,000 litres of fake oil in Ajmer, Rajasthan, highlighting health risks. The incident involved duplicated labels of known brands and adulteration, emphasizing the threat of food adulteration. Here’s all you need to know about the harmful ingredients added to make fake edible oils. The global food industry has seen a worrying rise in the prevalence of counterfeit products, and edible oil is no exception. The use of fake edible oils, which often contain harmful ingredients, poses significant health risks. Recently, a disturbing incident underscored this threat when 18,000 litres of fake edible oil were seized in Ajmer, Rajasthan by the Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) which highlights the ongoing threat posed by food adulteration.
As per a recent tweet by FSSAI, “The fake cooking oil was being prepared by using duplicated labels of various famous brands by misbranding these items, along with adulteration.” We bring you a list of some of the ingredients that are added to edible oils and can be extremely harmful to your health.
Mineral oil
Mineral oil, a by product of petroleum, is sometimes added to fake edible oils to increase volume and reduce costs. Although used in non-food products, its ingestion can cause serious health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, liver damage, and even cancer with prolonged exposure. The inclusion of mineral oil in edible products is a clear violation of food safety standards.
Argemone oil
Argemone oil is another hazardous adulterant found in fake edible oil. Extracted from the seeds of the Argemone mexicana plant, this oil is toxic and can cause epidemic dropsy, a condition characterised by swelling, glaucoma, and even heart failure. Consuming argemone oil-contaminated products poses severe health risks, making its presence in food products extremely dangerous.
Cottonseed oil
While cottonseed oil is used in the food industry, its unrefined form can be harmful due to the presence of gossypol, a naturally occurring toxin that can cause reproductive issues and liver damage. Unscrupulous producers might mix unrefined cottonseed oil with edible oils to cut costs, disregarding the potential health hazards associated with its consumption.
Castor oil
Castor oil, primarily used for industrial and medicinal purposes, is sometimes added to fake edible oil mixtures. Ricinoleic acid, the main component of castor oil, can cause severe gastrointestinal issues if ingested in large quantities. The use of castor oil in food products is highly inappropriate and poses significant health risks to consumers.
Cheap vegetable oils
Cheap vegetable oils like palm oil or soybean oil are often mixed with higher-quality oils and sold as pure products. While not inherently toxic, the deceptive labelling and lower nutritional value of these oils undermine consumer trust and can lead to health issues associated with excessive consumption of certain fats. The nutritional quality and intended health benefits of pure oils are compromised in such adulterated products.
Artificial colouring and flavouring agents
To mask the adulteration and make fake oils appear genuine, producers often add artificial colouring and flavouring agents. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions, digestive issues, and other health problems. Long-term exposure to certain artificial additives is linked to more severe conditions, including cancer and neurological disorders.
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