The Vitamin D trap: How ‘fortified’ oil poisoned Punjab homes

Chandigarh: A medical investigation spanning the states of Punjab and Kolkata finally uncovered the source of a toxic "fortified" oil that left several residents of Punjab in critical condition.Months after TOI reported cases in PGI where several patients with severe Vitamin D toxicity were admitted, health officials in Rajpura, Patiala, traced the fraudulent supply chain back to Kolkata.The alarm was first raised when six residents of Rajpura, including two children, were rushed to PGI's emergency wing. The patients presented with alarming symptoms, including persistent vomiting, extreme weakness, and an altered sensorium—a state of clouded consciousness. Diagnostic tests at the institute revealed life-threatening levels of Vitamin D, a condition known as Hypervitaminosis D, which led to severe hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and acute kidney distress.Subsequent investigation by the Punjab health department and food safety wing exposed a sophisticated web of local-level adulteration and branding fraud. According to officials, the perpetrators utilised raw oil from reputed brands but tampered with the product before it reached consumers.In a deceptive "mixing" operation concentrated in Fatehgarh Sahib and Rajpura, distributors allegedly opened original packages and infused the oil with excessive, toxic concentrations of Vitamin D. "This adulterated mixture was then refilled in loose bottles and sold under a local brand name. To gain public trust, the bottles carried fraudulent labels claiming the oil was ‘Fortified for bone health' and falsely bore the FSSAI approval mark," said Dr Gurpreet Kaur, district health officer, Patiala.The DHO confirmed that the food safety wing moved to file a formal court case against the perpetrators. The crackdown followed results from the state food lab in Kharar, which officially declared the seized samples as substandard and hazardous. In earlier raids, officials had already confiscated over 350 boxes and hundreds of bottles of the suspect oil."We have initiated public announcements across villages near Rajpura, advising residents to immediately cease the consumption of this oil," Dr Kaur said. Dr Divjot Singh, district epidemiologist, confirmed that while a survey was conducted in villages, the retail shopkeeper involved has since closed his shop. Patients in distress, officials on toesSix Rajpura residents, including two children, landed in PGI with severe Vitamin D toxicityPatients showed persistent vomiting, extreme weakness and altered sensorium; tests revealed life-threatening hypercalcemia and acute kidney distressPunjab health and food safety teams traced the source to adulterated "fortified" oil tampered at local mixing unitsRaw oil from reputed brands was allegedly opened, infused with excessive Vitamin D, and repackaged under a fake local brandBottles carried fraudulent labels, including false FSSAI approval marks, to win consumer trustState food lab in Kharar declared seized samples substandard and hazardousOver 350 boxes and hundreds of bottles had been seized in earlier raidsFood safety wing has initiated court proceedings against the accusedPublic advisories issued across Rajpura-area villages to stop usage of the oil immediatelyRetail shopkeeper involved has shut his shop following investigationsMSID:: 126143805 413 |