Novel approach
Sir — There are few things that cannot be delivered using one or the other mobile application these days. But surely one does not expect to have a hard copy of a candidate’s CV delivered to one’s doorstep by Blinkit, which is essentially a grocery delivery app. But this is exactly what a prospective employer received recently. While the candidate seems to have grabbed the employer’s attention for now, if this idea catches on, companies are likely to be inundated with CVs. One hopes that
the value of the CVs, then, is not reduced to that of the potatoes and onions that
are usually delivered using Blinkit.
Ruchita Goswami, Calcutta
Unsafe mix
Sir — It is a matter of shame that some spice blends made by two prominent Indian companies have come under the scanner and have been banned by the food safety authorities of Hong Kong and Singapore (“Safety glare on packaged spices”, April 23). Quality checks have discovered that three or four spice mixes sold by MDH and Everest contain a pesticide named ethylene oxide classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The ban by the two foreign governments has alerted the Food Safety Standards Authority of India, which has now decided to order a probe into these products. Such premixed powders are used extensively in Indian kitchens; have Indians then unknowingly been consuming carcinogens? The authorities concerned should take urgent steps to ensure that products which reach the market are fit for consumption.
M. Pradyu, Kannur, Kerala
Sir — The recent ban by Hong Kong and Singapore on certain spices from India has thrown light on the lack of safety standards in India. Numerous pharmaceutical and ayurvedic companies — Patanjali is one example — have been found wanting when it comes to manufacturing quality products. Food regulatory authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have found carcinogenic pesticides in some Indian masalas. If this is the state of exported items, one shudders to think about the standard of the products being dumped in the domestic market. A lot of hue and cry was raised when children in other countries died after consuming cough syrup made in India. It seems that such horrific incidents have failed to awaken the food safety regulators in India from their slumber.
Vijay Singh Adhikari, Nainital
Sir — In response to complaints by some foreign food regulators, the FSSAI has decided to carry out investigations into Indian spice brands. This is a timely move. The pesticide that has been detected in these spices is categorised as a carcinogen; it can affect people’s respiratory systems and cause headache, nausea and even diarrhoea. Consumers should be assured about the quality of spices that they
are using.
Arka Goswami, Durgapur
Sir — It is disheartening that the country’s food regulatory authorities have failed to ensure food safety (“For regulators, food for thought”, April 25). Poisonous chemicals, such as metanil yellow, are often used as adulterants in spices like turmeric powder. They can seriously damage the health of consumers. Authorities should take steps to ensure that such adulterants are not consumed by
the public.
Niamul Hossain Mallick, East Burdwan
Letters of worth
Sir — Mount Everest was summited for the first time in 1953. Thereafter, hundreds of people have reached the summit. However, the unsuccessful attempt by Goerge Mallory and Andrew Irvine still haunts public memory (“From Everest, with love from Mallory”, April 23). Cambridge University thus deserves to be lauded for
digitising the letters exchanged between Mallory and his wife, Ruth.
Sanjit Ghatak, Calcutta
