Court orders probe into Alloxan content in maida

Is ‘maida’ mixed with a chemical substance called Alloxan that allegedly triggers diabetes in humans? The MHC on taking cognisance of a PIL moved in this regard, has directed the Commissioner, Food Safety and Standard Authority (FSSA), Chennai to undertake a study on it within the next three months and initiate action if the allegation is found to be true. 

First bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh, while hearing a plea seeking to ban the manufacturing, marketing and consumption of white flour containing Alloxan said, “The petitioner’s representation should be examined by the Commissioner, FSSA, Chennai by making his own research and enquiry in the field and if what is alleged is found to be correct, to proceed in accordance with law.” 

The petitioner, Rajendran of Vedaranyam, had submitted that maida is prepared from wheat by removing the proteins, roughage or dietary fibre and bleached using Benzoic Peroxide or Chlorine Oxide. In a bid to soften it, another subtsance called Alloxan is mixed, which renders maida as a combination of many chemicals.

Further, on pointing out that scientists and research scholars worldwide have opined that Alloxan is present in the bleached white flour called maida, the petitioner said that Alloxan is used in healthy lab animals to induce diabetes, and alleged that the intake of food made from maida containing Alloxan, kills the beta cells in the pancreas affecting insulin production, triggering diabetes in humans. 

He contended that bleaching agents like Chlorine Oxide and Benzoic Peroxide, banned in USA is used here. The first bench in its order held that, “We find the petitioner has no expertise in the field to canvass the effect of some undesirable chemicals as a white agent in maida. The issue is important and our concern is the cause does not get damaged because the petitioner has no expertise in the field.”