9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ

Introduction

Food is more than just a source of nourishment; it carries deep emotional significance. It connects people to their roots, evokes memories of home-cooked meals, and shapes experiences that stay with us throughout life. Many fondly recall the dishes their mothers made during childhood, even long after they moved away from home. However, these personal experiences sharply contrast with the sobering reality highlighted by global reports. According to , 733 million people faced hunger in 2023. In alone, 1 in 5 people struggle with hunger, and globally, it affects 1 in 11.

Adding to this concern, the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2024 reveals that 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste were generated in 2022—amounting to one-fifth of all food available to consumers. While there is food wastage in one hemisphere of the globe, there is unavailability of food and hunger in the other, or perhaps it is because of food waste in the North that hunger prevails in the South.

People in Haiti have been eating ‘. Also called ‘dirt cookies’ or ‘bonbon te,’ these are essentially made up of mud or clay and vegetable oil. Oil makes the mud smooth, which makes it easy to swallow. These are eaten just to curb hunger by tricking the stomach into feeling full. A similar instance of curbing hunger with scrap is evidenced by people consuming ‘’ in the Philippines. Pagpag is a food made from collecting the leftover and discarded food in plates and bins. It is washed and recooked. It not only fails to provide any nutrition, since it is the already cooked food that is washed and recooked again, but it is also infested with germs which makes it hazardous to consume. This food is and also poses serious risks to the .

This piece calls for urgent and decisive action to address the silent hunger crisis, where people are forced to feed on scraps, compromising their dignity in the fight for survival, and dives into examining the nutritional risks and human rights violations caused by this.

Nutritional risks of consuming scraps

Mud has no vitamins, fats, proteins or other essential nutrients required for the proper development of the body and mind. While it is rich in iron and minerals, our bodies are these nutrients from the mud. can lead to blocked intestines, damage to the lining of the stomach, and severe digestion issues. It can further lead to the spread of new diseases in humans from parasites and microorganisms found in the soil. Also, exposure to toxic substances like lead and other heavy metals found in contaminated soil can lead to stunted physical and mental growth and infections in children and adults. Furthermore, the lack of essential nutrients , making individuals even more susceptible to diseases and infections. Pregnant women who consume mud biscuits may face of anaemia, complications during childbirth, and their unborn children suffering from developmental issues due to severe deficiencies in iron, calcium, and other vital nutrients. Therefore, consumption of mud biscuits not only puts the life of an individual in peril but also compromises the nutritional requirements of .

The primary concern with pagpag is that it is too contaminated, having been exposed to unsanitary conditions, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses. People consuming pagpag are at high risk of contracting illnesses like gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, food poisoning, and other infections. Even if the discarded food is washed and reused, it often contains parts of spoiled food, which risks having mould on it. This might lead to due to the consumption of such food. If this is relied upon as the main source of food, it might lead to in growing children. It will also lead to malnourished pregnant women. The elderly population which is already vulnerable due to age is at a greater risk of contracting parasitic and fungal foodborne diseases, due to weakened immune systems.

Human rights violations and the fight for dignity

People having to fill their stomachs with mud and oil are in no way leading a dignified life. Being denied the is a of human rights. The practice of relying on pagpag for sustenance strips individuals of their dignity, as they are forced to eat food that others have thrown away. It perpetuates a cycle of stigmatization, social exclusion, and marginalization, further entrenching the divide between the wealthy and the poor. Relying on mud, which is not even considered to be food, does no good either. Eating mud biscuits is just a way to curb hunger and does not provide them even with basic nutrients that can aid their bodies in fulfilling their daily chores.

The widespread consumption of these foods originating from scraps not only affects individuals but also poses a public health challenge. The risk of spreading is higher, especially in densely populated areas where sanitation is already compromised. Eating mud also leads to . Furthermore, lead to humans being treated as entities with no future. People do not consider possible illness because their primary concern is being able to feed themselves at least once a day.

Conclusion

Mud biscuits and pagpag are a stark reminder of food insecurity and the global neglect of impoverished communities. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to improve food security, healthcare, and socio-economic conditions. Creating a seems to be a far-fetched idea. For many people living in urban slums, it is a grim necessity, highlighting deep socioeconomic inequalities and insufficient support for impoverished communities. This necessitates setting realistic goals with respect to tackling hunger and famine situations, as evidenced by ongoing famine and in places like Gaza and , by making informed decisions based on actual reports of the number of people who either go hungry to bed or depend on scraps to fight hunger.

Shreya Jindal is a student at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law and is interested in commercial laws and constitutional law. Ask her about a story, and she will regale you with tales of the lost glory of the Maharajas of Punjab.