PARADIP: Panic has gripped several areas of Paradip town following complaints of sale of plastic atta (wheat flour). On Thursday, locals of Paradipgarh alleged that plastic atta is being sold by traders in the local market. After consuming the adulterated atta, they have developed indigestion, stomach pain and other ailments, the women claimed.
Bipin Behera of Paradipgarh claimed that local businessmen are selling atta packets of a popular brand which contain plastic. It is difficult to make the dough as 70 per cent of the atta is not blending with water properly. Moreover, the dough can be stretched like rubber and it burns if set on fire, he alleged.
Echoing similar concerns, housewives Manjulata Mandal and Rasmilata Singh alleged that plastic atta is being sold in packets of a reputed brand. This adulterated atta is available in Paradipgarh Bazaar and other markets of the town. Children have developed stomach pain and other health issues after consuming the atta of a particular brand, they complained.
Satya Ranjan Sahu, a businessman who has a shop in Paradipgarh Bazaar, confessed that he has received complaints regarding presence of plastic atta in packets of a popular brand available in local market. “We are not producing atta in the locality but selling packets of various brands. However, after getting complaints, we have decided not to sell the particular brand of atta,” he added.
Doctors opined that if plastic is consumed on a sustained basis, it will lead to hormonal imbalance, indigestion, absorption problems, birth defects and even cancer.
Food Safety Officer Amita Das said the Health department has received allegations regarding sale of plastic atta in different markets of Paradip town. “We have collected samples of the wheat flour and will send it to the Food Safety department for tests to know the quality of the atta,” she added.