Unhygienic, adulterated foodstuff may pose serious health threats in monsoon

Rawalpindi : Unhygienic and substandard foodstuffs being sold in almost all markets of town pose a number of serious health threats to the public and the situation becomes more alarming particularly during monsoon because hot and humid environments help bacteria grow much faster.

Data collected by ‘The News’ has revealed that both the public and the private sector healthcare facilities in this region of the country have started receiving a significantly higher number of patients with gastrointestinal diseases and infections. According to health experts, the major causes behind the extraordinary influx of patients with gastrointestinal disorders are the consumption of unsafe drinking water and contaminated foodstuff.

Experts say that the consumption of rotten fruits, vegetables and highly adulterated daily use commodities including gram flour and spices being sold in almost all markets may pose serious health hazards in monsoon. Also there is almost no significant check on vendors, bakers and confectioners selling ice creams, ice lollies, ‘jalebis’, ‘pakoras’, ‘samosas’, katcoris’ and like items in unhygienic conditions.

Health experts say that individuals must avoid consumption of foodstuff on sale in hygienic conditions. They say that the majority of the vendors in almost all markets in town are preparing dishes from the substandard stuff that is causing the spread of gastrointestinal diseases and infections.

The concerned government authorities have been doing almost nothing to safeguard the poor public from food and water-borne diseases including viral hepatitis (A&E), gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and dysentery. One can witness that most of the vendors keep prepared food in extremely unhygienic conditions or in open along roads that can not be termed as safe for consumption. Majority of the vendors in town are operating in unhygienic conditions while selling unhygienic and substandard foodstuff.

Also a number of local restaurants, fast food centres and vendors in town have not been providing safe drinking water to their consumers. Experts, however, say that individuals should take extra care of what they eat and drink particularly during the monsoon to avoid serious health hazards.

It is important that the population in the region has to face gastroenteritis epidemic every year in monsoon and the number of cases of the infection is already on the rise. Gastroenteritis is water and food borne bacterial infections whose main symptoms generally include vomiting, fever, severe diarrhoea with dehydration and lowering of blood pressure. Experts say that only by adopting the habit of consuming safe water and safe foodstuff, gastro cases can be reduced up to 80 per cent.

Experts suggest that people should avoid drinking water at local restaurants, vendors, bus stops and rail compartments and as well should avoid consumption of unsafe cut fruits and water and milk products from vendors.