The tragic death of a 10-year-old girl in Patiala, Punjab last month shook the entire country. The cause of the girl's death is said to be a cake ordered online to celebrate her birthday. The health of the girl's entire family deteriorated when they ate the cake ordered online for her birthday. Now the new facts that have come to light in this case are raising many questions regarding the quality of food items.
According to a report, the cake was found to contain excessive amounts of saccharin, a sweet-tasting synthetic compound that imparts a sweet taste. Saccharin is usually used in small quantities in food items, but its excessive quantity can rapidly increase blood sugar levels.
According to the TOI report, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Vijay Jindal said that a sample of the cake was taken for testing and the report found that excessive amounts of saccharin, a synthetic chemical that gives a sweet taste, were used in making the cake. Was used. Officials said that action will be taken against the bakery as a case has already been registered against its owner. After this incident, the food ordering app Zomato banned the bakery owner and removed the bakery from its platform.
What is saccharin?
Saccharin is a synthetic sweetener that was discovered in 1879 by Constantin Fahlberg, a chemist working at Johns Hopkins University. It is about 300 to 400 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), but has no calories, which is why it is popular as a sugar substitute in various foods and drinks. Saccharin was widely used during sugar shortages in the early 20th century and became a common ingredient in diet sodas, tabletop sweeteners, and other low-calorie products.
Saccharin's Link to Bladder Cancer
Although saccharin is approved for use as a food additive in many countries, concerns have been raised about its potentially harmful effects on the body. A major concern is its link with bladder cancer, especially in animal studies. Although these findings have not been consistently replicated in humans, some studies suggest a possible link between high amounts of saccharin consumption and an increased risk of bladder cancer, especially in people who consume high amounts over a long period...
Digestive health deteriorates:
Apart from this, saccharin can also disturb the balance of intestinal bacteria, which can have adverse effects on digestive health. Some research suggests that synthetic sweeteners such as saccharin may alter intestinal microbiota composition, potentially contributing to metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance.
