food is poison

The evergrowing demand for food, a variety of processed food stuffs and junk food are, to some extent, a cause of slow poison1g·lThe world's agricultural land is under pressure to raise more and more crops~. Chemical fertilisers have to be added to meet this demand. There are food additives, which include sweeteners, colouring agents, flavours and preservatives. As scientific research is advanci.ng many additives earlier declared to be safe, are now being considered harmful. . It is believed that additivesysed to preserve fats and oils can remain in the body fat for years.IThese may be released gradually due to some physical disorder or slimming. Small regular doses of toxic substances can be more dangerous than one, comparatively larger dose. Food additives should not be used in baby food and food for invalidslJunk food gives you an additive-loaded diet1which deprives
 you of essential vitamins and minerals.  "
In many areas, drinking water contains toxic levels of fluoride. Excessive intake of fluoride causes a disease called fluorosis. Heavy pollution of rivers, with waste material from factories, (especially those using toxic chemicals) and human sewage, contaminate food and drinking water, leading to food poisoning. When chemicals like malathion, BHC and DDT are liberally and carelessly sprayed over plants and water, it harms the animals that eat these plants and also the fish living in such water reservoirs. When these animals are eaten by man, he too is harmed in turn. Of all poisonous mushroom, those called "Amanita phalloides" also called the "death angels," are the most poisonous. Such mushrooms should never be eaten. Fish like mackerel, sardines and tuna contain a compound called saurine, which causes allergies in some peopl(In the summer, saxiton, a poisonous compound, is found in oysters and mussles. Poisoning caused by these leads to paralysis of parts around the mouth and finger tips)
Lead has also been proved to be hazardous to human health. Although, a natural component of many foods fue excessive intake of lead is dangerous. A lead alloy is used for sealing the seams of tin cans. At times, the lead seeps down into the preserved food. Cardboard packaging, made of recycled paper, has been found to contaminate food. Similarly recycled plastic bags cause contamination to a large extent.
Care should be taken while using utensils. Copper and brassware tarnish easily in air and also when in contact with most fruits and vegetables. The acid in the food dissolves the tarnish and this leads to food poisoning .
. International adulteration of food products is a common problem in our country. . Coal tar dyes are often used to make used tea leaves appear better.\A colour called metanil yellow, a coal tar pmEl.uct;-tii..a.popular aQl:Iitive. If is  the cheape;t and freely available colouring agent.
Products like pulses, sweet-meats, saffron, and turmeric are found adulterated with this dye. A cheap and a poisonous dat called kesari dal is often mixed with other pulses like chana dal and arhar dal. Commonly adulterated foods'in our COWl try include milk and its products, salted products, puls'es, edible fats arid oils and squashes.

The Indian Standards Institution ,and Agmark have laid specific standards to be acl1ieved by a food producing organisation. 'fIley question the cl1emicat physical and biological properties of the product. they look into the method adopted for manufacturing and processing.All food colours, flavours and preservatives have to conform to the standards laid by law. Any additives not carrying seal of IS! or Agniark should not be used.