Easy Ways to Spot Adulteration in Food

Shared by Dushyant Krishnan (founder-foodnetindia)

There is a real chance that we are eating a lot of adulterated food daily and while it is hard to check packaged food products, it may not be that difficult to cross-check daily eatables. According to an article in NDTV food, FSSAI has put together a list of foods frequently consumed and how to spot if any of them have been tampered with or adulterated.

Here is a summary of the practices that the article points out

Milk

Put a drop of milk on a polished slanting surface. If it flows leaving a white trail behind, then it’s pure but if it flows without leaving a mark then it’s adulterated. Also synthetic milk has a bitter, soapy taste and turns yellow on heating.

Coconut Oil

Place the bottle or container of coconut oil in the fridge. The oil will freeze and leave the adulterant as a separate layer.

Honey

Honey is often adulterated with water to increase the bottle’s quantity, the best way to ensure that’s not the case, dip a cotton wick in pure honey and light it with a matchstick. If there is water in the jar it won’t allow the honey to burn.

Chilli Powder

Chilli powder is often adulterated with brick powder, so take a teaspoon of chilli powder and stir it into a glass of water. If the water changes colour to something red and earthy then you know your powder was adulterated.