Food Safety Is National Security

 

Food Safety Is National Security

The growing concern over food adulteration is not confined merely to frozen meat, fish, milk or sweets. Vegetables, fruits, spices, edible oils, grains, packaged foods, bottled drinking water and practically every other item consumed in our daily lives must be brought under regular and effective scrutiny. Anything that reaches the dining table has a direct bearing upon public health and must therefore satisfy the prescribed standards of purity, hygiene and safety.

Food inspection cannot remain an occasional exercise undertaken only after a scandal, public complaint or medical emergency. It must become a continuous and routine administrative responsibility. Surprise inspections should be conducted at markets, cold-storage facilities, warehouses, processing units, restaurants, sweet shops, dairies, slaughterhouses, bottling plants and distribution centres. Samples must be collected scientifically, tested by accredited laboratories, and the results—along with the action taken—should be made publicly available wherever legally permissible.

The use of prohibited colours, harmful preservatives, industrial chemicals, contaminated water, artificial ripening agents, pesticide residues or other toxic substances may expose consumers to serious health risks. Some hazardous contaminants are associated with cancer and other chronic illnesses, although the rise in cancer cases cannot responsibly be attributed to food adulteration alone without reliable scientific and epidemiological evidence. That is precisely why surveillance, research and transparent publication of data are urgently necessary.

I apprehend that food adulteration on such a scale may not always be the work of isolated and petty offenders. Wherever intelligence or evidence indicates the existence of an organised network, unlawful financing, deliberate sabotage or external involvement, the competent agencies must investigate it thoroughly. However, no conspiracy—international or otherwise—should be declared as an established fact without credible evidence. Suspicion must initiate a lawful inquiry; it must never replace proof.

Every citizen of Bharat—irrespective of religion, language, region or political belief—has an equal right to safe food and clean drinking water. Any attempt to poison or weaken a section of society would be a grave crime against the entire nation. The investigation must therefore focus upon conduct, evidence, financial trails and statutory violations, and not upon a person’s religion, identity, political opinion or lawful exercise of freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is a constitutional value and must be protected. At the same time, no constitutional freedom provides immunity for financing criminal activity, spreading deliberate disinformation, obstructing lawful investigation or encouraging violence. If any individual or organisation is suspected of supporting unlawful activities, the authorities must proceed strictly on the basis of admissible evidence, due process and equal application of the law—not merely because that person is vocal on public issues.

Those attempting to destabilise our institutions often depend upon organised funding, logistical assistance and networks of influence. Where credible indications exist, the agencies should lawfully examine the money trail, supply chain, beneficial ownership, procurement records and digital evidence. Honest businesses and innocent citizens must be protected, while habitual adulterators, corrupt officials and organised syndicates must face swift prosecution and proportionate punishment.

The Central and State Governments, food-safety authorities, municipal bodies, police, health departments and accredited laboratories must act in coordination. Accountability should extend not only to manufacturers and sellers but also to officials who ignore complaints, manipulate reports or permit offenders to continue through corruption or negligence.

This is not a matter for communal suspicion, political sensationalism or unsupported allegations. It is a matter of public health, consumer protection and national security. Let our agencies be strengthened, our laboratories modernised, our inspections made routine, and our laws enforced without fear or favour.

Safe food is not a privilege—it is the fundamental expectation of every citizen. Protecting the nation begins with protecting what its people eat and drink every day.

Joy Hind!

— Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court at Calcutta