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Bitter Truth: Survey Uncovers Alarming Rise in Food Adulteration Across India

A nationwide survey conducted by LocalCircles, a community engagement platform, has thrown up worrying insights. Cases ranged from centipedes in ice cream tubs to dead frogs in snack packets, and even rodents in medicinal syrups. Consumers also flagged incidents of fungus in bread and bugs in flour from leading FMCG brands.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Apr 07, 2025

News

On World Health Day 2025, food safety emerges as India’s most pressing concern, exposing gaps in regulation and rising public anger over contaminated packaged goods.

Rising Alarm on World Health Day

World Health Day 2025, observed annually on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO), brought into sharp focus a brewing national crisis: food adulteration. This year’s theme zeroed in on food safety, with special emphasis on the health hazards posed by contaminated packaged products. As the risks multiply and public outrage grows, recent surveys and regulatory responses have laid bare the scale of the problem gripping India.

Survey Paints a Disturbing Picture

A nationwide survey conducted by LocalCircles, a community engagement platform, has thrown up worrying insights. The study drew over 40,000 responses from consumers in 341 districts, covering metros, mid-sized cities, small towns, and rural regions. A staggering 38% of households reported buying packaged foods—well within expiry—that were infested with fungus, insects, or foreign objects.

More concerning were the types of contaminants reported. Cases ranged from centipedes in ice cream tubs to dead frogs in snack packets, and even rodents in medicinal syrups. Consumers also flagged incidents of fungus in bread and bugs in flour from leading FMCG brands.

Public Trust Eroding

Consumer reactions have been swift and severe. About 59% of those surveyed said they would permanently stop purchasing from a brand that sold them contaminated products. Another 25% indicated they would boycott only the specific product but remain open to trying other items from the same company.

The trust deficit underscores how vulnerable the average Indian consumer feels. One survey respondent, summarizing a popular sentiment, said: “Once trust is broken, it's hard to regain. Especially when our health is at stake.”

Real Health Threats Behind Adulteration

Experts warn that the presence of pests like rodents, flies, and cockroaches in packaged food is not merely a hygiene issue—it carries real health consequences. These contaminants can introduce dangerous bacteria, parasites, and toxins into the food chain, causing anything from food poisoning and allergic reactions to parasitic infections and long-term gastrointestinal issues.

Medical professionals have flagged the risk of organ damage, neurological complications, and chronic illnesses caused by consumption of adulterated foods. Vulnerable groups—infants, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions—are especially at risk.

The Accountability Gap in the Supply Chain

While manufacturers often get the spotlight, the survey indicates that storage and distribution channels are equally to blame. Moisture, leaks, and poor temperature control in warehouses attract pests. Retailers and e-commerce warehouses, where products often sit for weeks, are often bypassed in routine quality checks.

“Inspections are mostly symbolic, done when licenses are due for renewal,” a food safety activist said. “But day-to-day monitoring is practically non-existent.”

The Push for Stronger Regulation

Nearly 88% of survey respondents called for tougher enforcement by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and state food departments. They demanded strict checks across the entire supply chain, as well as an easy mechanism for consumers to report complaints and receive timely redressal.

On April 7, LocalCircles shared its findings with the FSSAI and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, recommending a robust roadmap that includes regular audits, public awareness campaigns, and rapid grievance response systems.

Past Warnings Ignored

Food adulteration in India isn’t new. In fact, the issue has been festering for years. Back in 2016, then Union Science Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan told Parliament that two out of every three Indians consume milk tainted with chemicals like detergent, caustic soda, urea, and even paint. The statement, based on multiple field reports, revealed the depth of malpractice in the dairy industry.

Further confirmation came from the National Survey on Milk Adulteration 2011, which showed alarming levels of synthetic additives in milk, including detergents and formalin—used to increase thickness and shelf life. These chemicals are linked to serious health hazards including cancer and kidney damage.

Recent Incidents That Shocked the Nation

Chinese Garlic in Chennai: On April 1, 2025, the FSSAI received complaints about the sale of banned Chinese garlic in Chennai markets. The product had been prohibited since 2005 due to fungal contamination. Yet, government agencies seized over 1,000 tonnes of it in the past two years alone.

Adulterated Paneer Cases Soar: Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi recently wrote to the Health Minister urging urgent action against fake paneer being sold in fast-food joints and markets. Joshi cited multiple consumer complaints on the National Consumer Helpline portal, noting that such cases are triggering public anxiety and pose grave health risks.

Spice Brands Face Global Ban: In June 2024, Singapore and Hong Kong banned the sale of MDH and Everest spice products due to quality concerns. India’s food regulator has since launched an internal investigation into the brands’ compliance with safety standards.

Tirupati Laddu Scandal: In September 2024, devotees were shocked after suspicions of adulteration surfaced in the iconic “Tirupati Laddu.” As a religious offering with deep spiritual value, the news shattered public faith and sparked national outrage over food quality in even the most sacred spaces.

Adulteration Across Everyday Items

Food safety experts routinely warn that many commonly consumed items are prone to adulteration. Here are just a few:

Milk – Laced with urea, detergent, and starch

Honey – Mixed with glucose and sugar syrup

Turmeric – Tainted with chalk powder and lead chromate

Ghee – Cut with vanaspati and starch

Red Chilli Powder – Brick powder and artificial colors used

Vegetables – Ripened with chemicals like calcium carbide and dyed with oxytocin

Salt and Rice – Often contain chalk powder or pebbles

Pulses – Coated with synthetic colors for visual appeal

The Economics and Ethics Behind the Crime

Adulteration is largely profit-driven. Unscrupulous sellers substitute cheaper materials or bulk up quantities with inedible fillers to cut costs. WHO defines adulteration as the deliberate addition of prohibited substances or removal of essential elements to mislead consumers.

“Food adulteration is a silent epidemic,” said a public health expert. “You don’t fall sick instantly. But over time, these contaminants damage internal organs.”

The losses are not just medical, but economic. Unsafe food costs low- and middle-income countries over $110 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare costs, WHO estimates. Foodborne diseases also reduce consumer confidence, hurt tourism, and damage India’s image in global trade.

WHO's Food Safety Roadmap (2022–2030)

The World Health Organization has outlined five key strategies to improve food safety:

Strengthen national food control systems

Respond to emerging challenges from changing food systems

Use scientific risk assessment to guide decisions

Enhance stakeholder engagement and communication

Integrate food safety into domestic and international trade policies

India, while having a robust legal framework in the form of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, struggles with implementation. Despite FSSAI’s efforts, enforcement remains patchy and reactive.

FSSAI's Push for Systemic Change

In January 2025, FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao urged state governments to set up inter-ministerial committees to tackle the growing problem of pesticides in food products. At a national workshop, he called for model “food streets” where quality and hygiene could be showcased.

Rao emphasized reducing added sugar and harmful additives, encouraging manufacturers to use food-grade plastics to avoid microplastic leaching. He also flagged the issue of pesticide residues in products like tea, coffee, and spices, and pushed for self-compliance by businesses. “Food safety is a shared responsibility,” he said, warning that offenders would face strict penalties.

Are We Doing Enough?

While high-profile cases like Maggi noodles and Nestlé controversies spark temporary public scrutiny, India lacks long-term monitoring and strong deterrence. Issues like adulterated mid-day meals in schools continue to resurface. Yet, serious penalties and preventive measures remain elusive.

One senior food inspector admitted, “We catch the culprits, but the penalties are too weak. They’re back in business the next month.”

The Way Forward

India must act decisively. This includes:

Implementing continuous audits and surprise inspections

Cracking down on supply chain violations

Empowering consumers with easy grievance systems

Launching mass awareness drives

Strict criminal penalties for offenders

Public pressure is mounting. With growing awareness and support from civil society platforms, the demand for safer food is becoming impossible to ignore.

As World Health Day reminds us, good health starts with safe food. In India’s battle against food adulteration, it’s no longer just about policy—it’s about political will, corporate accountability, and consumer vigilance.