Despite being banned in India since 2014, Chinese garlic continues to be sold fraudulently in markets and mandis. The garlic you may be purchasing, thinking it is local, could actually be Chinese garlic, contaminated with fungus and synthetically produced using harmful chemicals. A resident of Uttar Pradesh has filed a PIL in the High Court, raising concerns about the health risks posed by Chinese garlic.
Chinese garlic has already been confiscated in several parts of UP and Gujarat, with searches ongoing in other markets. To avoid buying this harmful product, experts recommend these five tips to distinguish between local and Chinese garlic.
How to Differentiate Between Local and Chinese Garlic?
While talking to News18 Hindi, Sushil Kumar Garg, a wholesale garlic trader in Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, stated that Chinese garlic is being sold indiscriminately, not only in UP but also in markets across other states. “The main reason behind its sale is that buyers are not able to differentiate between desi garlic and Chinese garlic. However, there is a clear difference between the two,” he added.
By Size: According to Garg, Chinese garlic is typically larger than local garlic. While local garlic cloves are thin and slender, Chinese garlic cloves are much thicker and blooming.
By Colour: Since Chinese garlic is produced using synthetic process and chemicals, it appears bright white, smooth, and shiny. Desi garlic is white with some cream or yellowish tinge.
By Smell: When you open a clove of local garlic, the aroma is strong and pungent, whereas Chinese garlic has a much weaker odour.
Easy to Peel: Chinese garlic is easier to peel, which makes it more attractive to buyers. In contrast, local garlic has finer, tinner cloves that are more difficult to peel.
Why is Chinese Garlic Harmful?
China is a major producer of garlic, and synthetic substances are widely used in its cultivation and preservation, making it dangerous for health. Chinese garlic can cause stomach diseases like ulcers, infection, and it can also have harmful effects on the kidneys. This is why its sale is banned in India since 2014.
Garg also notes that garlic is sourced from several regions in India, including Kota (Rajasthan), Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Garlic from Himachal Pradesh can sometimes resemble Chinese garlic in appearance, but when compared directly, the differences become evident.
Chinese garlic in Delhi
Garg states that no Chinese garlic is being sold within Azadpur Mandi, although there are rumours that some warehouses outside the mandi are secretly importing and stocking it. Retailers are reportedly purchasing this garlic and selling it in the retail market. The wholesale price of garlic in Azadpur Mandi ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 240 per kilogram, while prices are higher in retail markets.
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