Two Indian-Australian journalists, Manpreet Singh and Shamsher Kainth, originally from Punjab and living in Melbourne, carried out an investigation that reveals that several food items available in Australian markets and imported from India are “unfit for human consumption”.
The investigation was carried out by SBS Radio, which also commissioned independent lab testing of these products. The tests include 18 products which were purchased at Indian Specialty stores across Greater Melbourne. The products were then sent to National Measurement Institute.
Some Major Findings of the Study
The results of the tests revealed that Buprofezin, which is an insecticide banned in Australia, was found in the Kohinoor brand of basmati rice.
Additionally, the Indian spice brand MDH was found to contain pesticides above the accepted limit in Australia. Along with these findings, it was also concluded that betel nut, which is a banned substance in Australia, was readily available.
Along with food products which did not meet the FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) standards, Cerelac, Complan and Verka Ghee were some of the other products manufactured in India that were found to be unsafe.
Similar Findings in 2014
Indian products had run into troubled waters in Australia in a similar manner with a study in 2014 when Australia issued a warning to India regarding the violation of laws pertaining to processed food exports to the former country.
This fresh investigation by SBS seems like a repetition of a similar incident in the past. It is interesting to note that all of these products continue to be sold in Indian markets.
(The entire story can be found at SBS.com.With inputs from Business Standard.)
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