Highlights
- Authorities said that the family had purchased mustard from the open market in the neighbourhood and got its oil extracted from the crusher.
- Argemone, commonly known as prickly poppies, grows with the mustard crop and since the seeds look almost identical, the non-edible ones also get harvested.
- When chewed, consuming argemone can cause instant discomfort and irritation to the lips, mouth, and tongue.
One person was killed in Jawalamukhi of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on Friday after allegedly consuming mustard oil mixed with argemone seeds.
According to Kangra district authorities, Vijay Kumar, a resident of Khundian, died of epidemic dropsy after consuming the contaminated oil.
Here is what happened
Epidemic dropsy is a clinical state resulting from the use of edible oils adulterated with Argemone mexicana oil.
Three other family members of the victim who suffered diarrhoea, vomiting and swelling and redness on parts of their body have been admitted to a hospital.
The family members informed the doctors that they became ill after consuming the mustard oil, following which samples were collected and sent for tests.
Mustard purchased for open market
Authorities said that the family had purchased mustard from the open market in the neighbourhood and got its oil extracted from the crusher.
An investigation into the incident found that a wholesaler sold the mustards in Paragpur, and there is a fear that the seeds may have been sold in other areas as well.
Don’t use mustard from open market
Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr Nipun Jindal has appealed to people to refrain from using open mustard and oil extracted from it. He urged that anyone who bought mustard from the open market should not use it or the oil extracted from it.
He said that health officials had been directed to find out the source of contamination and until it has been confirmed, people who have bought mustard from the open market in the past should not use it or the oil extracted from it.
What is Argemone?
Argemone, commonly known as prickly poppies, grows with the mustard crop and since the seeds look almost identical, the non-edible ones also get harvested.
When chewed, consuming argemone can cause instant discomfort and irritation to the lips, mouth, and tongue.
They can cause breathing problems in severe cases by creating swelling in the mouth and throat.
How to identify contamination?
In February, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shared tips to identify such contamination.
“Adulteration of food deceive the consumer and can cause risk to their health. The purpose is to list out common methodologies available for food adulterants generally found in India,” said FSSAI on its website.
