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Auramine Contamination in Roasted Chana: It has come to light that a chemical called Auramine is mixed in roasted gram available in the market. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has expressed serious concern in this matter by writing a letter to the Health Minister. Research shows that auramine is a carcinogenic chemical, which is used in dyeing clothes and leather. It is very dangerous to use it in food. This chemical can damage liver, kidney and bladder.
Cancer-Causing Dye in Roasted Chickpeas: The business of adulteration in the market has now increased so much that dangerous chemicals are being mixed in most of the food items. You might have heard many times about chemicals being mixed in everything from milk to spices, but now a cancer-causing substance is being added to it, which is difficult to even guess. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has written a letter to the Health Minister and Food Processing Minister saying that nowadays a very dangerous chemical called Auramine is being mixed in the roasted gram being sold in the market. This is not just a violation of food safety, but a direct threat to the health, safety and confidence of millions of Indians.
The Rajya Sabha MP has requested the Health Minister to immediately issue a health alert at the national level regarding the deadly chemical auramine being mixed in roasted gram, the suspicious product should be investigated and strict action should be taken against the culprits. After this case, many people on social media are also claiming adulteration in gram. Now the question is, what is the chemical Auramine which is being discussed everywhere and what is it used for? The question is also that if it is being mixed in gram, then what health problems can it cause? Let us know the answers to all these questions.
What is auramine chemical?
According to health experts, auramine is a yellow colored synthetic dye, which is used in textile, leather, paper and other industrial works. This chemical is soluble in water and gives golden color to things. However, it is dangerous for health and according to law, it cannot be used in food items. It is dangerous to mix it in foods, because it is a carcinogen. It has been identified as a possible carcinogen by IARC, an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is very dangerous to use it in food.
Why is auramine being added to gram?
Auramine chemical is being added to roasted gram to make them appear more bright yellow and crisp. This is a cheap industrial dye and using it makes gram look more attractive. People like the look of such gram and sales increase. Due to this, it is being claimed that the size of gram has also increased slightly. If you also buy roasted gram from the market, then you need to be very careful in it. Always buy gram of good quality and good brand.
What are the major dangers of Auramine?
According to experts, if auramine is used in any food item, it can have an impact on health. Consuming foods containing this chemical for a long time can cause risk of cancer in liver, kidney and bladder. Apart from this, it can also harm the nervous system and other organs. Research shows that regular consumption of foods containing such chemicals can cause toxicity in the body, temporary or permanent damage to organs and multi-organ problems. Therefore people should be careful about this chemical.
