Even after the ban, Chinese garlic is available in the country. This is being said to be playing with people's health. On Friday, a hearing regarding this matter was held in the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. While hearing the case of sale of Chinese garlic, the High Court has sought answers from the Central and State Governments.
The High Court has asked both the governments as to how Chinese garlic is being available even after the ban. The double bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Om Prakash Shukla will now hear this case on October 1. The Lucknow bench of the High Court has asked the Central and UP governments as to why Chinese garlic is available in the market even after the ban?
Chinese garlic is cheaper. Looks better than local garlic. It is easy to peel and use. Despite the ban, it is being sold secretly in the market in Lucknow. Many shopkeepers are also accepting the fact that despite the ban, Chinese garlic is being sold indiscriminately in the market. Some customers who are in the know refuse to buy it, but those who don't know buy it silently.
Now when it is cultivated with drain water, it has a direct impact on your health. Heavy metals in Chinese garlic can cause bone cancer or other types of cancer. Infectious and non-infectious diseases can occur, while methyl chromium can cause shortness of breath or problems in the nervous system.
It is clear from the report that Chinese garlic is a big threat to health, but the question is how will you be able to differentiate between desi and Chinese garlic in the market. The biggest difference between Chinese and local garlic is colour. Chinese garlic looks absolutely white, whereas desi garlic is light yellow. Even in size, Chinese garlic is bigger while desi garlic is smaller.
Along with this, there is a difference in the taste of both the garlic. Chinese garlic has no taste and desi garlic has a spicy taste. The smell of local garlic is very high, and the smell of Chinese garlic is negligible, but the main reason why Chinese garlic is heavy on your pocket is its white appearance and large size.
A person named Motilal Yadav has filed a PIL before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court regarding Chinese garlic. Yadav said that despite the ban, Chinese garlic is being sold in abundance in the market. The Government of India had banned it in the year 2014 itself. Yadav had also reached the court carrying half a kilo of Chinese garlic with him. Now it has been sent to the lab of the Food Safety Department for testing. It may take 15 days for the report to arrive.
