Be wary of readymade spices, they are harmful for your liver

KU teachers test unbranded spice mixes for karhai, biryani

KARACHI: Readymade spice mixes have made life easier for many but be wary of their quality as unbranded ones may be causing liver damage or even cancer.

According to a six-month-long study conducted by two teachers and as many students at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at the University of Karachi (KU), the presence of heavy metals in spice mixes can pose health risks. The study was initiated by the institute using its own finances.

“The heavy metals that were found in the locally available spices can cause cardiogenic effects, which cause heart attacks,” said Prof Dr Moazzam Ali Khan, who supervised the study along with Dr Aamir Alamgir. The metals and their high concentration also cause liver ailments, fat issues, joints pains and even cancer, he added.

Research

The team took samples of 40 unbranded spice mixes from five local markets - Jodia Bazaar, Liaquat Market in Malir, Quaidabad, Sohrab Goth and Gol Market in Nazimabad. The samples included masalas for nihari, tikka, chapli kebab and karhai gosht. The team chose these spices due to their extensive use in daily cuisines and their high demand.

“We made sure that the sample was collected from areas with relatively low socioeconomic profile where consumers buy locals spices instead of the branded ones,” said Khan. When the team went to collect the samples, Khan shared that the retailers were hardly following any hygiene protocols. All the spices were sold openly where they are vulnerable to contamination through dust and flies, he added.

In the research, the samples were analysed for the presence of mercury, arsenic, lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium. “These heavy metals are toxic even in their micro concentration,” explained Khan. Due to the huge consumption of spices, it is important to know their aesthetic and chemical quality, he said, adding that these spices contain heavy metals that can lead to several health problems.

“In all the samples we gathered, the highest concentration was of lead,” revealed Khan, adding that the maximum concentration of lead was found in the karhai gosht masala while the maximum amount of cadmium was found in achar gosht masala, which were collected from Jodia Bazaar. The lowest concentration of cadmium was found in nihari and karhai gosht masalas. Meanwhile, nickel concentration was highest in chapli kebab masala, which was collected from Quaidabad.

The use of poor quality raw material, addition of heavy metals as preservatives, improper processing and packaging, poor storage and unhygienic conditions in the processing areas are some of the reasons why these spice mixes can be harmful.

The researchers admitted that branded spices may also contain toxic chemicals with harmful effects but the risks are greater with unbranded products, which are far cheaper and therefore sold more.

The concentration of metals in the spices is relatively low but its continuous intake can be harmful, said Khan, who recommended not using spice mixes at all. Continuous consumption of these heavy metals can lead to chronic disorders, such as illness of human fetus, liver and kidneys dysfunction and mental retardation particularly in children. Initial symptoms of disorders may include fatigue, high blood pressure and kidney troubles, said the research findings.

The KU professor suggested the Sindh government’s food department to become active and regulate the processing and sale of spice mixes. “Whatever food is available should be checked by the department and then allowed in the market,” he said, adding that these checks should be periodical and fair.

Quality check

“There are 13 food inspectors in Karachi who conduct raids and go for quality checks in markets every day,” said an official of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) food and quality control department. However, the food inspectors are completely powerless, he told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

The food department neither conducts research nor detects the metal in the spices available, he said, adding that they only look for what percentage of alteration has been done to any spice. “We take samples and check them through chemical testing in our laboratories,” he explained. “When some alteration is detected, the case is sent to KMC’s legal department on the basis of genuine and non-genuine spices,” he said. The KMC then forwards the case to the court, which decides whether the vendor should be punished, imposed a fine on or if his shop should be sealed.

There is an abundant supply of poor quality spice mixes due to a shortage of food inspectors, he said. It is very difficult for 13 inspectors to visit market frequently, he added.

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Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2016.