1998 Delhi oil poisoning
In 1998, adulterated mustard oil poisoning in Delhi resulted in widespread dropsy and deaths of 60 people and illness of more than 3000.[1][2][3] It was revealed that white oil, a petroleum product, was mixed with edible mustard oil.[4] Sale of mustard in loose quantity was banned by a court order, to prevent more health hazards.[5] In September 1998, the ban on packed mustard oil was removed after a Cabinet decision with a condition that the date of packing should be prominently displayed.[6] Even though mustard oil is banned as an edible oil in countries like USA, Canada and EU due to its erucic acid content,[7] the oil is widely used as an edible oil in North India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Legal action
[edit]In 1998, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Department booked one trader for adulteration of mustard oil. After a prolonged legal battle, the trader was found guilty and in 2008, was sentenced to just two years imprisonment and a mere ₹5,000 fine.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Verma, S. K.; Dev, G.; Tyagi, A. K.; Goomber, S.; Jain, G. V. (1 January 2001). "Argemone mexicana poisoning: autopsy findings of two cases". Forensic Science International. 115 (1–2): 135–141. doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(00)00322-4. ISSN 0379-0738. PMID 11056284.
- ^ Kumar, Sanjay (12 September 1998). "Outbreak of dropsy in India linked with adulterated mustard oil…". The Lancet. 352 (9131): 884. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)60012-8. ISSN 0140-6736. S2CID 205941647.
- ^ Aggarwal, K. C.; Prasad, M. S.; Salhan, R. N.; Yadav, D.; Pandit, N.; Goyal, P. C.; Garg, M. (October 2001). "A two-centre collaborative study on clinico-epidemiological profile of a recent outbreak of epidemic dropsy in New Delhi (India) with special emphasis on its cardiac manifestations in pediatric patients". Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 47 (5): 291–294. doi:10.1093/tropej/47.5.291. ISSN 0142-6338. PMID 11695729.
- ^ "Police focus on cooking oil container in Bihar mass poisoning case". Reuters. 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "Sale of loose mustard oil banned". The Tribune. 27 August 1998. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ PTI (20 September 1998). "Delhi Govt to lift ban on mustard oil sale". The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Mustard oil has health risks". The Times of India. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Trader gets 2 years' RI for selling adulterated mustard oil". The Times of India. 27 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
