NGO protests sale of ‘silent killer’ momos in state

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 29

The Naya Savera, an NGO that has launched a campaign against the sale of momos in the state, today held a protest and burnt an effigy of the “silent killer”.

The campaign against momos was launched by the NGO after it received complaints from different parts of the state about the health hazards posed by consumption of momos. The campaign is spearheaded by BJP MLC Ramesh Arora.

Meanwhile, the report prepared by the Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation, Jammu and Kashmir, after taking samples of Chinese momos, has found excessive traces of chemical MSG, beyond the permissible limits, in the snacks. It has directed its enforcement wing to prevent the sale of momos in the state.

The MLC said the chemicals found in momos were a severe health hazard. MSG (monosodium glutamate) caused cancer. “Tackling China for its mischief is a diplomatic matter which the Government of India is capable of doing. Our concern is only the health of public which is getting severely affected by Chinese momos. There is no politics in it,” said Ramesh Arora.

Today, after receiving report from the office of the Controller Drugs and Food Control Organisation, Jammu and Kashmir, Arora organised a protest at the busy Purani Mandi and burnt an effigy of the the “silent killer”. Mahant Rameshwar Dass of Purani Mandi Ram Mandir and Ramesh Gupta, president, Naya Savera, joined Arora in addressing the public over the health hazards caused by consuming momos. Lotika Khajuria, Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation, said after receiving complaints from the NGO, samples were sent for laboratory test and momos were found “unsafe” for human consumption.