The Silicon Review ^Asia

The US analytical laboratory American West Analytical Laboratories conducted a test on varioussalt brands in India. The test report found that the processed iodized salt sold by top brands in India contains many harmful chemicals and carcinogenic components such as cyanide in dangerous quantities. The report revealed that famous brands like Tata Salt contained 1.85mg/kg cyanide which indicates that the levels are alarming.

Reportedly, other iodized salt brandssold in India have alarminglyhigh levels of potassium ferrocyanide like Sambhar Refined Salt has 4.71 mg/kg cyanide, and the level is1.90 mg/kg in Tata Salt Lite.

“Leading firms in the edible salt manufacturing industry are simply repackaging industrial waste laden with hazardous chemicals like iodine and cyanide and marketing it as packaged edible salt, making people vulnerable to diseases like High Blood Pressure, hyperthyroidism, cancer, obesity, impotence, and kidney failure,” said Shiv Shankar Gupta, Chairman, Godhum Grains and Farm Product. Gupta took the initiative to get the tests conducted on many Indian salt manufacturing companies. He mentioned that many salt brands adopt dangerous methods such as bleaching and adding a high amount of hazardous chemicals like iodine and cyanide for refining. Cyanide is freely used by many salt manufacturing industries despite knowing the health hazards associated with it. Iodine, which is naturally present in salt in abundance, is added artificially which is pushing it to the verge of being poisonous.

He also said that nowhere in the world potassium ferrocyanide is allowed to be used in any food item. This is one of the worst cases of corruption and adulteration which is putting consumers’ life at stake.