Assess the knowledge regarding food adulteration among house wife: A study on berhampur city of Ganjam district, Odisha

Abstract

Adulteration of food has occurred if it contains any substance injurious to health; it contains any filthy, putrid or decomposed substance; it is prepared, handled or stored under unsanitary conditions; diseased animals have been used in preparation; the container is made of a poisonous substance which will render the contents harmful; contains colours and preservatives other than those permitted by law; it contains pesticide residues or additives not recognised as safe etc. foods may be adulterated either intentional or incidental at all stages from production to selling. Food is adulterated if its quality is lowered or affected by the addition of substances which are injurious to health or by the removal of substances which are nutritious. The present study focuses on the awareness of the housewives among the consumers on food adulterants and to find out the extent of adulteration of the food stuffs. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge about food adulteration among 100 housewives in selected areas, Berhampur. A survey was conducted to collect the information through interview method. They must be well acquainted with the physical food characteristics such as appearance, colour, shape, texture, touch, flavour, taste etc. The urban and rural women are using the home test method for detecting food adulteration. Some urban house wives are having knowledge about food law and the rest of the housewife’s are not aware about food law. The rural housewife’s are not having any knowledge regarding food law, food standard and consumer protection Act. It can be concluded that some women are not having any knowledge regarding different adulteration programme. So, the government and people should promote the different adulteration programme. The media should take a great role to aware women in an interesting and attractive manner. Hence, it is essential to create community awareness and take interventional measures for the health and wellbeing of the community