Pakistanis launch hunt for acid-soaked ginger

ISLAMABAD, June 14 (Reuters) Pakistani authorities today raided warehouses in the capital Islamabad, hunting for ginger that traders were suspected to have soaked in acid to improve its appearance and increase its weight.

Reports that traders were soaking the tangy root used in numerous Asian dishes in acid have sparked a health scare in the capital and beyond.

''They were selling ginger soaked in sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid,'' said Fazle Maula, the city's chief health officer.

Six traders were being investigated, he said.

Ginger is imported into Islamabad from China, Singapore, Bangladesh and India and sent out to markets throughout the country.

Another health official said the acid-soaked ginger could cause serious stomach ailments and cancer. ''It's possible the dangerous ginger is being sold throughout the country at great risk,'' the second official said.

Six Islamabad warehouses were raided but traders were believed to have cleared out ginger stocks and no arrests were made, said another city official, Chaudhry Mohammad Ali.

Soaking ginger in acid makes it look clean and makes it heavier, the officials said.

Reuters SY GC2014