Chinese garlic is banned in India but continues to be sold across Guwahati, putting consumers' health at risk. Authorities remain unaware of the issue.
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With Uruka just around the corner, all the main delicacies for the night, such as duck curry, pork curry, chicken curry, or fish, will require garlic as a major ingredient. Despite being a vegetable, garlic is considered a spice. The irony is that while Assam witnessed a Chinese invasion in 1962 that even touched Assam, the state is now experiencing another invasion—not by the Chinese military, but by the country’s garlic, which is considered unhealthy by experts and is banned in India.
A professor from a reputed university, who has conducted extensive research on agricultural products, including garlic, told GPlus, “Chinese garlic was banned in India in 2014 because it contains very high levels of pesticide.” The professor added that Chinese garlic is also found to be infested with the fungus Embellisia alli, which leads to its treatment with a fungicide containing methyl bromide to prevent fungal growth for up to six months.
He explained that Chinese garlic typically has bigger cloves and is bleached with chlorine, which is harmful to human health. The bleaching process kills any remaining insects, prevents sprouting, and whitens the bulbs.
“Allicin, an important bioactive compound found in garlic, is present in much lower concentrations in Chinese garlic compared to the Indian variety,” said the professor. He added that allicin helps regulate blood pressure, acts as a natural antibiotic, and boosts immunity. “For all these reasons, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation banned the import of Chinese garlic in India in 2014,” he noted, emphasising that despite the ban, Chinese garlic is still available in markets, and buyers are largely unaware of the issue.
In Guwahati’s retail markets, garlic prices range from Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 per kilogram, with many sellers unaware of the origin of the garlic they are selling.
A vegetable vendor in Lal Ganesh was selling two types of garlic—one costing Rs. 400 per kilogram and the other Rs. 350. The cloves of the Rs. 350 garlic appeared larger with a pinkish tinge, while the Rs. 400 garlic cloves were smaller and white. The vendor did not know why there was a price difference.
The GPlus team visited the Fancy Bazar vegetable market to understand the difference. Ramesh Rai, a vendor, was selling large garlic cloves for Rs. 240 per kilogram and small cloves for Rs. 350 per kilogram. When asked about the price difference, Rai said, “The big cloves garlic is from China and is cheaper than the small cloves garlic, which is produced in India.” He further explained that he buys Chinese garlic from a wholesaler.
Posing as buyers, the GPlus team met wholesaler Sami Ahmed in the Fancy Bazar GMC market, who said he could provide Chinese garlic in large quantities. “Chinese garlic will cost Rs. 180 per kilogram, while Indian garlic costs Rs. 220 to Rs. 250 per kilogram if purchased in bulk,” said Ahmed. He added that Chinese garlic comes to Guwahati from Shillong and Jowai, while Indian garlic is sourced from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
A source in Pamohi market, speaking anonymously to GPlus, said, “Chinese garlic is smuggled into India mainly via Bangladesh through Barak Valley and Meghalaya.” The source added that from Barak Valley and Meghalaya, the garlic is sold to wholesalers in Guwahati and other states. He noted that Chinese garlic is cheaper and larger in size, and he had not heard of any enforcement against the sale of Chinese garlic in Guwahati.
Strangely, the authorities concerned remain unaware of this health-threatening product being sold in Guwahati markets.
A senior official from the Commissionerate of Food and Civil Supplies stated that the Food and Civil Supply Department regulates the sale of essential commodities, not agricultural products. He acknowledged hearing about Chinese garlic but suggested contacting the Agriculture Marketing Board.
When questioned about the issue, a senior official from the Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board said, “We haven’t heard about the issue, but we will investigate the matter and get back to you.”
Like Chinese garlic, other fruits and vegetables sold in the market may also be affecting human health, and authorities have yet to investigate
