Safeguard consumer rights

The recent series of unacceptable aberrations seen in food and sweets products is a matter of grave concern. Reports of widespread use of decaying raw materials along with food products that have exceeded their self-life bespeak the height of immorality and we deplore such activities in the strongest terms possible. In addition, unhygienic production processes and the use of animal fat in sweets, which are popular food item for vegetarians, have caused them serious concern. Such aberrations have exposed consumers to potential health hazards and violated fundamental consumer rights.



We believe these constitute a serious crime, and hence urge the government to deal stringently with the criminals. We laud the proactive action that the Department of Commerce (DoC) and a number of district administration offices have launched to check this criminality.



One can be sure that all these anomalies have flourished because the state and its machinery were completely passive in the past. Neither were there effective market inspections nor did the authorities bring the axe down on the wrongdoers. Food standards are a sensitive matter and flouting quality norms has serious health implications.



However, despite the identification of adulteration in edible oil, serious contamination of drinking water and other hazardous practices, records show that the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) never took any action against the culprits. If the laws had been enforced as per their spirit, many of the wrongdoers would have landed behind bars. Notorious businessmen, whenever they were caught, have been allowed to walk free after paying a paltry Rs 5,000 in penalty. Such easy escape has bolstered their confidence and weakened the rule of law.



Existing laws designate DFTQC, DoC, the National Bureau of Standards and Metrology and the DAOs as the market inspection authorities. As these same authorities are also assigned to carry out security, trade and certification-related activities, market inspection and action against wrongdoers remain low in their priorities. Some of them have specialized cells but most are languishing under a dearth of technical expertise.



Public health and consumer rights are issues that the state should never compromise on. Hence, we urgently urge the government to boost their inspection and enforcement capacity by appointing more food technicians and bringing more logistics to bear.



We believe the existence of multiple agencies to carry out almost the same functions has contributed to weak law enforcement. This has not only given room for the authorities to point the finger at each other and cover their own incompetence but also made it difficult to hold them accountable. We feel it’s high time the government reviewed the structural and legal arrangements and constituted an autonomous body with strong legal powers.

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