Abstract

There are various types of heavy metals naturally occurring in the atmosphere. Ingestion of such metals even in small concentrations can lead to a variety of health ailments that are problematic to treat and are often irreversible. It is difficult for the human body to escape the slow onslaught of these heavy metals since nearly all types of consumer products sold and bought in the market contain traces of a wide range of heavy metals that somehow always find their way into the products. All of this has increased the burden of diseases of the state, reduced the general efficiency of the workforce and is the latent cause of many unexplained deaths. This paper is particularly concerned with the range of heavy metals that humans ingest through direct consumption of food items. There have been few regulations introduced under the Food and Safety Act, 2006 in India, but the authors have located many studies that reveal the continued presence of heavy metals in both food items and food packaging materials which suggests that the present system is not working as well as is necessary. The article is divided into five sections (I, II, III, IV & V). Section I introduces the concept of heavy metals and how they are omnipresent in the environment and in various things that humans come in contact with. Section II elaborates upon the dark side of heavy metals and explains the various irreversible health conditions resulting from heavy metal ingestion. Section III culls out the relevant provisions from the legal instruments that concern regulation of heavy metals in India. Section IV clarifies how inspite of various laws, the presence of various heavy metals in large quantities is a reality in several food items even today. Finally, Section V concludes and suggests a way out.