awareness on consumer rights

AWARENESS ON CONSUMER RIGHTS(UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES & ADULTERATION OF

FOOD)

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (1986) enacted in 1986 to protect interests of consumers in

India makes provision for the

establishment of consumer councils and other authorities

for the settlement of consumers' disputes and for matters connected

OBJECTIVES OF CENTRAL COUNCILTo promote and protect the rights of the

consumers such as:-a) - the right to be protected

against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and propertyb) - the right to be informed

about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practicesc) - the right to be assured

access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices

OBJECTIVES OF CENTRAL COUNCILd) - the right to be heard and to be

assuredthat consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums

e) - the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers

f) - the right to consumer education

OBJECTIVES OF STATE COUNCIL

The objectives of every State Council shall be

to promote and protect within the State the rights of the consumers laid down in clauses (a) to (f) in central council objectives

UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES

Using various deceptive, fraudulent or unethical methods to obtain business

Misrepresentation, false advertising, tied selling and other acts that are declared unlawful by statute

Ex: Advertisements of Fair & Lovely fairness cream, Garnier Fructis shampoo, Nirma washing powder

ADULTERATION OF FOOD (RIGHT TO INFORMATION)

Adulteration of food consists of substituting it wholly or in part

by a cheaper or inferior substance or

removing any of its constituents, wholly or in part, which affects the nature or quality of the food adversely

TYPES OF ADULTERANTS INTENTIONAL ADULTERANTS

EX: sand, marble chips, stones, water, etc INCIDENTAL ADULTERANTS

Ex: pesticide residues, droppings of rodents, larvae in foods etc

METALLIC ADULTERANTSEx: arsenic from pesticides, lead from water effluents from chemical industries, tin from cans etc

DETECTING ADULETRANTS IN FOODS

Food adulteration apart from deceiving the consumer often results in disorders or diseases.

Adulterants found in food items can be detected by some simple tests at home.

NOW LET US KNOW ABOUT ADULTERANTS AND THEIR DETECTION IN SOME COMMON FOOD ITEMS………..

RICE

ADULTERANT: Marble or other stones TEST: Place a small quantity of rice on

the palm and gradually immerse it in water.

OBSERVATION: The stone chip will sink.

WHEAT, BAJRA ETC ADULTERANT: Ergot ( a

fungus) TEST: Add 20% common

salt solution to the sample and shake.

OBSERVATION: Grains affected with impure ergot float on the top.

MAIDA ADULTERANT: Cheap

flours TEST: When dough is

prepared, more water is used.

OBSERVATION: Taste is insipid.

PULSES ADULTERANT:

Coloured with dye stuffs

TEST:Keep the sample immersed in water for an hour and stir.

OBSERVATION: Colour separates.

DALS

ADULTERANT: Clay, stones, gravel

TEST: Can be detected by visual observation.

RAVA

ADULTERANT: Iron filings

TEST: By Moving a magnet through it.

OBSERVATION: The iron filings separate.

MILK ADULTERANT: Water TEST: Allow milk to flow

over a vertical polished surface.

OBSERVATION: When water content is more, the milk flows freely without leaving a trial. Pure milk will leave a white trail.

BUTTER AND CHEESE

ADULTERANT: Starch TEST: Add a little

water to the sample and boil for a few minutes, cool and add iodine solution.

OBSERVATION:Blue concentration shows the presence of starch.

ICE CREAM ADULTERANT: Non-

permitted coal tar dye (metanil yellow)

TEST: To the sample add hot water and to the separated matter, add a few drops of HCl.

OBSERVATION: Pinkish red colour indicates the presence of metanil yellow.

GHEE ADULTERANT: Mashed

potatoes and other starches.

TEST: Add a little of iodine solution to the melted sample.

OBSERVATION: Blue colouration shows the presence of starch.

EDIBLE OILS

ADULTERANT: Castor oil, mineral oils

TEST: Add alcoholic potash and warm for 10 minutes, Then add water.

OBSERVATION: Turbidity shows the presence of adulteration.

TEA LEAVES ADULTERANT: Used tea

leaves, husk of dals. TEST: Sprinkle tea

powder on a wet filter paper.

OBSERVATION: Colour separation shows the presence of adulteration.

SUGAR ADULTERANT: Chalk

powder TEST: Dissolve sugar in

water. OBSERVATION: Chalk

powder will not dissolve.

JAGGERY

ADULTERANT: Washing soda

TEST: Add a few drops of HCl.

OBSERVATION: Effervescence shows the presence of washing soda.

HONEY

ADULTERANT: Sugar plus water

TEST: Dip a cotton wick in honey and burn.

OBSERVATION: The wick does not burn or burns with a crackling sound when mixed with water.

TURMERIC POWDER ADULTERANT: Chalk

powder, yellow soap stone powder, artificial colours

TEST: Mix a little turmeric powder with water and add a few drops of Concentrated HCl.

OBSERVATION: Appearance of effervescence , change of colour and separation of colours indicates presence of impurities

CHILLY POWDER

ADULTERANT: Brick powder, artificial colours

TEST: Add water to the sample and shake well.

OBSERVATION: Brick powder will settle down and added colour will seaparate.

COMMON SALT ADULTERANT: Chalk

powder or white powdered stone.

TEST: Dissolve a little sample in water.

OBSERVATION: The solution turns white indicating the presence of impurities.

GRIEVANCE & REDRESSAL Whenever any adulteration in food is

confirmed, complaints may be lodged at1. Municipal Council – Municipal Health Officer2. Town Panchayat – Medical Officer – PHC3. District Level – Dy. Director of Health

Services4. State Level – Director of Public Health &

Preventive Medicine

SO BE INFORMED & BE AWARE!!

THANK YOU!

Eat pure!!

Be happy!!!!