The popularity of traditional sweets is immensely high. Most of the demands are due to any particular festival or during a particular season. For example, rewdi, a common Indian sweet prepared from sesame seeds and sugar syrup is very popular in northern parts of the country. Every local shop has packets of these sweets to meet the demands of the customers.
However, the conditions under which such sweets are prepared have always been a topic of debate. Recently, a video was uploaded on social media platform Instagram in which the user showed the prepared of the sweet from scratch. However, what caught the attention of the netizens was lack of hygiene.
“So many different flavours: dirt, feet, nails, sweat, wall paint, cement. Yummy,” writes one user. In the video we can see the sugar syrup being poured on the ground and prepared on unclean rods.
“Making food on the floor and on the wall,” writes another.
“Im more concerned about the beaten wall and dark iron stick/hook on it,” writes a third user.
The hidden risks associated with such unclean preparation
Food prepared in unhygienic conditions is highly dangerous to the health as it might contain harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances that can cause foodborne diseases. Foodborne diseases range from as mild as some gastrointestinal issues to severe ones like food poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. In extreme cases, foodborne diseases may result in hospitalization or death.
Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe complications.
Furthermore, unsanitary food preparation may provide ways for the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever or cholera. Cross-contamination, poor handling of raw and cooked foods, contaminated water, and utensils are risky. These habits introduce pathogens that compromise not just individual health but also public safety, especially during outbreaks.
Long-term exposure to unhygienically prepared food leads to chronic health issues as well. For example, food tainted with chemical residues or toxins can impair the performance of the liver and kidney over time. Thus, proper hygiene standards in food preparation need to be maintained for safeguarding health and stopping potentially life-threatening diseases.