Srinagar, Aug 28, KNT: From plush restaurants to modest roadside stalls, the use of artificial tasting powders to enhance the flavour of food has become a rampant practice across Kashmir. Despite repeated concerns about its health impact, no meaningful checks are being carried out, leaving consumers exposed to unsafe food habits.
Tasting powders, particularly monosodium glutamate (MSG), are commonly used to boost the flavour of soups, gravies, fried snacks and even street-side dishes sold by masala vendors. Though small amounts of MSG are considered safe by global food regulators, doctors caution that excessive or routine consumption can trigger health issues, especially among people suffering from hypertension, kidney problems, or heart-related ailments.
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“Restaurants and even small vendors are liberally using these powders without considering the long-term impact on public health. It may not cause immediate harm, but consistent exposure can be risky,” said a Srinagar-based physician to the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
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Consumers, however, remain largely unaware of what is being mixed into their food. Many admit that they rarely question eateries about the ingredients. “We enjoy the taste, but nobody tells us what is going into the food. It’s unfair that health is being compromised for profit,” said a resident of Barzulla.
The silence of the Food Safety Department has added to public resentment. Despite the widespread practice, inspections remain rare, and no action is being taken against violators. Food safety activists argue that the department has failed to enforce proper regulations.
“Food safety laws exist, but they are not being implemented. The authorities seem unconcerned about what is being served to the people,” said an activist.
Health experts maintain that while MSG in limited doses may not be toxic, its unregulated and excessive use is a matter of grave concern. They urge consumers to exercise caution, avoid eateries that rely heavily on artificial enhancers, and demand transparency from food providers.
With the practice spreading unchecked, critics fear that harmful eating habits may quietly evolve into a public health problem unless authorities step in to regulate the use of such substances. [KNT]
