Ice Cream Scare This Summer: Alarming Rise in Adulteration Raises Health Concerns
As the summer heat intensifies, ice cream sales across India spike—but so do health risks, with recent reports exposing a dangerous surge in food adulteration practices. A raid by the Health Department at an ice cream manufacturing unit in Ludhiana's Hambran industrial area has sparked public concern, revealing disturbing levels of uncleanliness and food safety violations.
Ludhiana Raid Uncovers Shocking Hygiene Violations
According to a Tribune India report, the factory was found in a deplorable state: cluttered with waste, lacking basic sanitation, and teeming with houseflies. Raw ingredients were left uncovered, and some ice cream flavours discovered on-site had already expired. These expired products were immediately destroyed by officials.
The factory was issued a challan (legal notice) for operating under unhygienic conditions. Authorities have since urged consumers to exercise caution, advising them to buy ice cream only from trusted vendors and perform basic authenticity checks before consumption.
Karnataka Raid Unveils Use of Detergents in Ice Cream
This is not an isolated incident. In April, Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) raided 220 retail outlets. Shockingly, 97 of them were served notices for improper storage and other violations.
What’s worse, many were found mixing detergent powder into ice cream to simulate a creamier texture. Additionally, phosphoric acid, a chemical used to boost fizz, was found in various soft drinks. According to The New Indian Express, a Rs 38,000 fine was levied on one of the companies involved.
Dangerous Additives in Common Summer Treats
Investigations across various regions have found that some ice cream and beverage manufacturers are using:
- Synthetic milk made from detergent, urea, and starch.
- Saccharin and non-permitted dyes instead of natural sugar.
- Contaminated or non-potable water for making ice candies and cool drinks.
- Excessive amounts of flavouring agents, well beyond the permissible safety limits.
These practices, driven by cost-cutting and profit motives, pose a direct threat to public health.
What Happens If You Consume Detergent Powder?
Detergent is a chemical cleaning agent, not meant for human consumption. Its ingestion can cause:
- Severe digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Burns and damage to the throat, esophagus, and stomach lining due to strong alkaline components.
Even small quantities, if consumed over time, can lead to chronic gastrointestinal problems.
What Is Phosphoric Acid and Why Is It Harmful?
Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless acid widely used in fertilizers, rust removers, and food items like colas. While permissible in small amounts, excessive intake—especially via adulterated beverages—can result in:
- Kidney stones and kidney disease, particularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions.
- Weakened bones and osteoporosis, due to calcium loss.
- Tooth decay, because of its high acidity.
Repeated consumption of such tainted products could lead to long-term health complications.
What Can Consumers Do?
In light of these revelations, health officials recommend the following precautions:
- Buy only from reputed and licensed vendors.
- Check expiry dates and product packaging.
- Avoid suspiciously creamy or overly coloured ice creams.
- Watch for unusual taste or aftertaste, especially bitterness or excessive sweetness.
- Report suspicious food vendors to local health authorities.
A Broader Food Safety Crisis?
These incidents point to a broader food safety crisis that often flies under the radar during peak summer months. From Ludhiana to Karnataka, the increasing frequency of adulteration cases in ice cream and beverages suggests systemic failures in quality control and regulation enforcement.
Consumer awareness and strict regulatory oversight are the need of the hour to prevent such practices from continuing unchecked.
While ice cream may be a delightful way to beat the summer heat, recent findings indicate that consumers need to be more vigilant than ever. Adulterated treats not only spoil the joy of the season but also pose a serious risk to health. This summer, ensure that your scoop of joy doesn’t come with a scoop of danger.