Hyderabad: Two persons were arrested for adulterating edible oil by melting buffalo, cow fat and carcass. The south zone task force police seized 69 tins containing adulterated oil on Friday.
Oil made from animal carcass and fat is in huge demand especially by fast food vendors as it is cheaper. Although dangerous to health, it is used. There are over 800 roadside fast food vendors in Hyderabad.
One of the accused, Mohd Mateen Qureshi was caught preparing the oil at a rented open plot near Bahadurpura. The duo with the help of a boiler used to burn the carcass and fat to extract oil. The sales were through an agent, and would cost Rs 200 for a 15 kg tin (while one litre of edible oil used for cooking costs between Rs 80 to Rs 100). Mohd Mateen Qureshi, (30) and Mohd Sahad Alam, (20) were arrested.
Despite the city witnessing a rise in infections caused through food and air, there is no check on such illegal activities.
The GHMC had sealed one firm in 2013 following complaints and none in 2014. Several manufacturers still operate on the outskirts.
The demand is huge; there are agents that supply adulterated oil to hotels and there is also a nexus between carcass transporters and the manufactures.
Nutritionist Ms. Sujatha Stephen said, “The first sign of food made from animal fat would be the smell. We call it rancid (stale) smell, food made of this oil would be sticky and one can easily find out for it would stick to the palm and palate, while it does not happen with vegetable oil. Since the hoteliers add a lot of spice and flavour to cover up, the taste would change accordingly. Normally intestines cannot take this kind of food, so even if it is taken in small quantities one would feel heavy and unable to digest. Citizens should also look at the site where the food is being prepared, avoid road side vendors or hotels offering food at cheaper rates.”
A GHMC senior official, said, “If anybody finds that restaurants are using animal fat, they can send an SMS to the GHMC and our food inspectors will immediately check it out.”
Edible oil adulterated:
Oil made from carcass and animal fat is in huge demand especially by fast food vendors as it is cheaper. Although dangerous to health, it is used
What the law says: According to the Food and Safety Act, use of animal fat for preparing food products is prohibited since it cannot meet the required hygienic standards for cooking oil. Animal fat also contains high levels of chemical pollutants.
69 tins of adulterated oil were seized by south zone task force at Bahadurpura.
IN 2014: GHMC sealed factories at Alinagar city in the old city that was engaged in extracting animal oil. A factory in Shankarnagar was closed down.
IN 2013: RGIA police raided a firm in Gagan Pahad in Rajendranagar where oil was being allegedly extracted from animal carcasses and was being supplied to hotels. The police found bones of animals being heated to extract oil.
Where it is used: Industrial animal fat is mai-nly used in making soap. The manufacturing process of animal fat lets out toxins as they burn the skin and bones at a very high temperature. Residents should keep an eye on activities on open plots.
How to spot it: One can experience rancid (stale) smell. Food made of this oil would be sticky, to the palm and palate. Since hoteliers add a lot of spice and flavour to cover up, the taste would change accordingly. Normally intestines cannot take this kind of food, so even if it is taken in small quantities one would feel heavy and unable to digest.
