Adulteration

Nature

It is the use of cheaper materials in the production of an article so as to transform it into an inferior article. The consumer or the purchaser can not distinguish this as inferior.

Background

Adulteration emerged as a recognized global concern in the 19th century, when industrialization and expanding trade revealed widespread tampering with food, medicines, and other goods. Public scandals, such as the 1858 "Swill Milk" crisis in New York and Frederick Accum’s exposés in London, heightened awareness of health risks and economic deception. Subsequent international investigations and regulatory responses underscored adulteration’s persistent threat, prompting ongoing scrutiny and cross-border cooperation to address its evolving forms.

Incidence

The criminal adulteration of food by retailers, for example, mixing chalk with flour or dilute milk with water, is not new. In 1981 in Spain more than 600 people died of adulterated rape seed oil.

Claim

Adulteration is a grave and urgent problem that threatens public health, safety, and trust. By contaminating food, medicines, and essential goods for profit, unscrupulous individuals endanger countless lives and undermine society’s well-being. This reckless greed can cause illness, long-term harm, and even death. We must treat adulteration as a serious crime, demand strict enforcement, and raise awareness—because protecting the integrity of what we consume is absolutely non-negotiable.

Counter-claim

Frankly, the concern over adulteration is blown out of proportion. In today’s world, strict regulations and advanced technology make it nearly impossible for harmful substances to go undetected. Most cases are minor and pose no real threat to health. People should focus on more pressing issues rather than obsessing over rare instances of adulteration. Worrying about this is simply unnecessary and distracts from genuinely important problems facing society.