Thirst quenchers’ dirty ways

Lahore is home to a variety of locally-prepared food and drinks. The quality, however,  and cleanliness of these delectable beverages is neglected. During the summer season, people see multiple variety of drinks, juices and beverages being sold at roadsides. The local beverage seller,  park their carts and install their stalls on the streets, and at roadsides.

The demand of these beverages tend to rise significantly amidst scorching heat. Mostly in summer months people turn to these locally prepared beverages stalls to quench their thirst. Local summer drinks, such as Badam Ghotta, Imli Aloo Bukhara, sugar cane juice, Sardai, Kanji, Amm Panna and many more are quite popular among masses.

These beverages are mostly prepared under very unnhygienic conditions. They, therefore, pose a great health hazard  to those who consume them. The items and the material present on the roadside’s grimy carts, and stalls, get tainted by the fumes of the passing cars. Stalls and carts on which these beverages are being sold are in appalling condition, infested with insects and germs. Due to low-cost business model and no proper infrastructure, the handlers do not tend to follow the safety and cleanliness measures at all. The makers of these beverages, prepare these drinks while sweating and do not bother to cover their heads. They don’t wear gloves and use their filthy sweaty hands during the preparation. The ingredients used in the making of these beverages are adulterated from the makers as they add many artificial flavors and colors to the drinks to yield a desired taste and colour.

The fruits used for the particular refreshments are not fresh. They are sometimes rotten or they used frozen fruits. The water used in these drinks is not filtered and highly contaminated. Serious diseases like hepatitis B and E are spreading rapidly due to contaminated water. Different injurious ingredients such as special drink spices and artificial flavors are used for the enhancement of taste.These spices can cause gastric issues. The equipments are old and unclean.

The vendors do not use a disposible cups, instead they use glasses. These glasses could be carrier of disease, as they are not washed properly. Unhealthy conditions are a breeding ground for bacteria. This is the reason of many diseases, however, people seem oblivious to the health hazard.

Sharing the details about the various contagious diseases that are casused by the these unhealthy beverages Dr. Hadi from Lahore told Bol News, that, these traditional beverages play a major role in the spread and transmission of the diseases. The drinks which are prepared in unhygienic environments, using unhegenic utensils, increase the risk of following diseases which are most prevalent in Pakistan.

Hep A

Hep E

Gastroenteritis.

Typhoid fever.

Adding to this Dr. Hadi said, there should be a strict check on the quality of water used in the preparation of such drinks, hand hygiene and general cleanliness of the counter. Secondarily these unhealthy and unhygienic drinks play a vital role in development of ‘diabetes mellitus and CVS diseases’ (Cyclic Vomitting Syndrome).

Dr. Hadi further stated, that in the last few years  certain diseases have been increasing rapidly in Pakistan. According to statistics in the last few years almost 90% of children before reaching the age of 14, suffer from Hep A. There have also been sporadic clusters observed of Hep E recently, ‘not to forget we have entered in the multi drug resistant era of Typhoid fever. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by contaminated water which cause nausea,vomiting and diarrhoea.

Expressing his concerns, Dr. Hadi added, that this is a matter of ‘grave concern’ as Approximately, 100,000 people per year and 60,000 people per year die, due to acute HAV and HEV infection respectively.

Bol News visited various carts and stalls offering traditional beverages and spoke to a few customers.

“These traditional drinks are organic and healthy” says 63 year Mehmood Ahmad, “we have been drinking these drinks since our childhood. These traditional drinks have been used by our elders for centuries to counter the hot weather season. Traditional drinks are full of energy and gives strength to survive in this scorching heat. These far better than the bottled soft drinks available in the markets today”.

Echoing the same sentiment, Ifhtikhar said, “these refreshing drinks help us to stay hyderated all day and they are the source of instant energy and strength”.

Another customer at a stall with a glass of Imli Aloo Bukhara blend in his hand said, “for low income people these traditional drinks are the only option to survive in this extensive heat wave. These drinks are affordable and are easily available”.

When the issue of hygene was raised, Zameer Hussain said, “these traditional drinks are popular among the  people, they gather to enjoy their favorite drinks. The makers should realize and ensure cleanliness. Maintaining this, Hussain further added, that, there are flies everywhere where these drinks are kept.

Meanwhile Hammad Younis had a different story to tell, his experience was horrific. Recalling it, he stated “I suffered from stomach problems due to the  kanji sharbat. I started vomiting repeatedly after drinking the beverage.  Since that day I have been very careful about my health and I have stayed away from these drinks”. Adding to this Younis further said, the vendors do not care about the health of the customers, rather, they want to make a quick buck.

Shifa Ali, an eminent dietitian from Lahore shed light on the sensitivity of the concerned health matter and said, the general impression we get while looking at these beverages that are being sold at the roadsides that these drinks are very organic and healthy. The ingredients that are apparently visible to us seem very energetic and hygienic. Our cultural drinks like sattoo, shikanjbeen, sugar cane juice etc, are refreshing and full of engery. Although it is fact the natural ingredients used in these drinks does contain energy, fiber and many other essential carbohydrates and antioxidants.

“We don’t  know, whether the water is filtered or not, and even filtered water is not enough because especially in Punjab the ground water has arsenic so the RO water should be used everywhere” Shifa reiterates. Shifa stated further, that most of the times, the vendors use different flavored colours including textile colouring and various other injurious ingredients which can lead to cancer and kidney diseases. The sugar uses in these drinks are not good quality. Moreover these drinks are served with lot of ice and the water from which this ice is made is usually contaminated. Another dangerous aspect that make these drinks unhygienic is the exposure to dust,flies and insects. The dietitian appealed to the concerned authorities, to take strict action against the vendors and make them to comply with the prescribed safety standards.