In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Secunderabad city police along with the commissioner’s task force raided a ginger and garlic paste manufacturing unit in Khammam district to seize 960 kg of fake paste worth 1, 32 lakh Rs. According to news reports, Telangana Food Safety Commissioner task force teams conducted inspections in Khammam district on Monday at Magic Ginger Garlic Paste Unit in Ricca Bazar.
This raid was conducted following the instructions of Telangana State Food Safety Commissioner RV Karnan, Task Force team headed by Assistant Zonal Food Controller V Jyotirmayi comprising Food Inspectors P Rohit Reddy, P Swathi, P Manoj Kumar and B Ratan Rao, which carried the removal of inspections.
Reports state that many violations were found at the Magic Ginger Garlic Paste manufacturing plant and the facility not only lacked FSSAI license and errors in labels but many major things were missing from the facility such as batch numbers, logo FSCI, repackaging, address. , and the lack of correct details that are required for any packing unit.
Authorities suspected that the ginger-garlic paste was improperly kept close to detergents and other chemicals such as phenol, leading to cross-contamination and an off-odor in the paste. Similarly, many such raids in the past have identified various fake and adulterated foods that include spices as well as other packaged foods.
Although market-bought ginger and garlic paste is flavorful, it can easily be prepared at home using equal amounts of ginger and garlic, oil (vegetable or olive, depending on preference) and just salt, which acts as a preservative.
To make ginger-garlic paste at home, combine minced ginger and garlic in a blender or food processor. Add the oil and mix until you get a smooth paste. Transfer the paste to a sterilized, airtight container and refrigerate. For extended shelf life, add a thin layer of oil on top before sealing. This paste can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
By making ginger-garlic paste at home, you will know its purity and you will know that you are saving your health, not to mention the flavor enriched by such a paste in your dishes.