Health department probes salt quality amid rising heart attack cases in Karnataka

Alarmed by the rising number of heart attack cases in Karnataka, the state’s Health Department has issued a high alert and launched a probe into a possible link with poor-quality or adulterated salt.

Also Read:Bengaluru police clamp down on 4AM Hoskote biryani craze over safety and law & order concerns

According to recent expert reports, excessive salt consumption has emerged as a key contributing factor to cardiovascular issues, prompting authorities to act. The Food Safety Department has now begun collecting salt samples from various outlets, including supermarkets and grocery stores, especially in and around Bengaluru.

Over 50 locations in the city have already been inspected. Officers are examining whether substandard or adulterated salt is being sold, as complaints have surged in recent weeks. Many consumers have reported that certain brands of salt not only taste unusually strong but also seem impure.

Experts say adulterants or excessive chemical content in salt could be silently endangering public health, especially among those with existing blood pressure or heart conditions.

The collected samples will undergo laboratory testing to determine their chemical composition and overall safety for consumption. If adulteration or poor quality is confirmed, stringent legal action may follow against the manufacturers and retailers.

The Health Department has emphasized the importance of awareness among consumers and has advised people to purchase only FSSAI-certified salt and avoid brands lacking proper labeling.