‘Hygiene Left India’: Viral Video Exposes Vendors Repackaging Rotten Strawberries, Sparking Health Concerns
A viral video exposes vendors selling rotten strawberries as fresh, sparking health concerns and calls for stricter food safety regulations.
A shocking video has taken over the social media shows an alarming practice by some vendors who are putting rotten strawberries into new packets again and selling them as fresh. This incident has sparked outrage among consumers, raising concerns about food safety and unethical business practices.
A social media user, Urvashi Agarwal, took to Instagram to share the video, accompanied by a strong message: "Food vendors are repackaging old, rotten and fungus-infested strawberries and selling them as fresh. This is not just unethical but a serious health risk. For a little extra money, they are putting people's health in danger, and there is no check by FSSAI or the Food Safety Department."
Check Out The Viral Video
The video serves as a grim reminder for strawberry lovers, including those who enjoy jams and milkshakes. While strawberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit, consuming spoiled ones can lead to serious health issues. Experts warn that if strawberries appear rotten or emit a foul odor, they should be discarded immediately.
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Health Risks of Consuming Rotten Strawberries
Eating spoiled strawberries can result in food poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. These adverse effects are often caused by bacterial contamination from pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, which thrive on decaying fruits. Moreover, moldy strawberries can contain mycotoxins—harmful substances produced by certain fungi. These toxins pose a significant health risk, potentially weakening the immune system, triggering allergic reactions, and in severe cases, causing liver or kidney damage.
Allergic Reactions and Digestive Issues
For individuals sensitive to mold spores, consuming spoiled strawberries can lead to allergic reactions, including itching, swelling, breathing difficulties, and even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Additionally, rotten strawberries can be difficult to digest, irritating the stomach lining and causing bloating, gas, and discomfort, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.
Reactions From Social Media User
Users under the comment section tagged the official handle of FSSAIFood Safety and Standards Authority of India. Whereas one of the users wrote, “Never buy food from street vendors esp at traffic signals , also strawberries are highly sprayed with pesticides!!!” A second user said, “This type of food packed regularly are being sold and most of the traffic signals. For ex : MJ market , karachi bakery signal HYD.”
Although some of the other users claimed that they are frozen and another one wrote, “Are bhyi andhe hokr video bnayi h kya mrko toh ye bss packet khali krke rkh rhe h jo kharb h use fek rhe h (Did you make the video blindly? I can only see them emptying the packets and throwing away the spoiled ones.)’
Preventive Measures for Safe Consumption
To ensure food safety, consumers are advised to take the following precautions:
- Avoid strawberries that are mushy, moldy, or have an off-putting smell.
- Rinse strawberries thoroughly under running water to eliminate bacteria and pesticide residues.
- Store strawberries in the refrigerator and consume them within a few days to maintain freshness.
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