𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙧𝙖 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛, 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙂𝘾𝙒𝙐𝙎
Food contamination is a
global concern, as the high concentration of chemicals present in the edibles
poses serious health risks. It is estimated that 60% increase in global demand
for food is likely to occur by the year 2050. But every year a significant
amount of food is wasted due to contamination. Food contamination is the food
that spoil with microorganisms, such as bacteria or parasites, or toxic
substances that make them unfit for consumption.
Due to food contamination
food web also effected like Pollution from the environment (soil, sediments,
water, and air) gets into the food web by polluting plants or animals that come
in contact with environmental pollution. For example, water pollution may
accumulate and concentrate in fish. Fish may be consumed by birds and other
animals and the pollution gets transferred through the food chains until it
reaches humans. By the time the polluted meat or fish reaches humans, the
pollution may be substantially increased compared to the original
concentration. Thus, human intoxication cases may be serious.
The food contamination could
be due to naturally occurring contaminants in the environment or artificially
introduced by the human. The phases of food processing, packaging,
transportation, and storage are also significant contributors to food contamination.
Nowadays food contamination has become more serious in recent years due to the
development of industries and environmental pollution. The indications of these
chemical contaminants on human health are grave, ranging from mild
gastroenteritis to fatal cases of hepatic, renal, and neurological syndromes.
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed more than 11,000
foodborne infections in the year 2013 with several agents like viruses,
bacteria, toxins, parasites, metals, and other chemicals causing food
contamination. Someone said: "food contamination that occurs in one place
may affect the health of consumers living on the other side of the planet".
To reduce this problem these are following steps:
« Awareness is at top priority through which we can
aware people about harmful impacts of contaminated food due to which people
avoid from contaminated food.
« Environmental pollution is main cause of food
contamination by controlling this we can safe food from contamination.
« For a healthier life and better world, food safety is a
must focused agenda for food producers, traders, policy makers and consumers, which
can be attained collectively by employing hygienic practices, integrated safety
measures and by the use of safe food processing technologies. Use of contaminated
water for irrigation of vegetables, fruits and crops and during processing of fresh
produce should also be considered for healthier life.The government should
regulates such chemicals in the eatables by prescribing minimum limits that are
safe for human consumption.
« Factors, storage condition and processing techniques
have great influence on the safety of food and chances of contamination.
«
Applications of emerging technologies such as gamma irradiation and
cold atmosphere packaging techniques widely recognized as safe alternative to
chemical preservatives for food preservation and processing. Food pollution
risks are everywhere and all we can do is minimize individual exposure to
polluted food by informing ourselves and taking action.
"Eat well and stay
well"
Sidra Hanif
Environmental Science,GCWUS
The Earth Needs love
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