THE MENACE OF

FOOD ADULTERATION
FOOD ADULTERATION
 FOOD ADULTERATION
 Adulteration is intentional or accidental contamination of food
material with low quality, non edible and toxic substances
 The substance that lowers the quality of food material is called an
Adulterant.
TYPES OF FOOD ADULTERATION
 FOOD ADUTERATION
INTENTIONAL ACCIDENTAL

 Includes addition of  Is contamination of food

inferior substances to the due to carelessness n lack
food like addition of of proper hygiene during
papaya seeds to pepper the overall processing of
seeds, chicory mixed up food.
with coffee or addition of
harmful artificial colors
to food e.g. Metanil
Yellow in turmeric
Powder.
INTENTIONAL FOOD ADULTERATION
ACCIDENTAL FOOD ADULTERATION
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 1. Turmeric, dals &

pulses such as moong or
channa
 Adulterant: Metanil
yellow & Kesari
Dal( Added to enhance
the yellow colour of a
food substance)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: Dissolve half a spoon full of besan or turmeric
powder in 20 ml of luke warm water. Add a few drop of
hydrochloric acid or any acid available at home. If the
water turns pink, violet or purple, it shows the presence
of metanil yellow.
 Harmful Effects: Its highly carcinogenic and if
consumed over a continuous period of time it can also
cause stomach disorders.
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 2. Green Chillies, Green

Peas & other vegetables
 Adulterant: Malachite
Green(To accentuate the
bright, glowing green
colour of vegetable)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: Take a small portion of the sample and place it over
a moistened while blotting paper. Colored impressions
on the blotting paper indicate the presence of malachite
green.
 Harmful Effects: it’s the colored dye that has proven to
be carcinogenic for humans if consumed over a long
period of time.
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

3. Mustard seeds &

Mustard oil
 Adulterant: Argemone
Seeds(Used to add bulk
& weight)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: When pressed or crushed argemone seeds are white
inside and have a rough outer surface whereas mustard
seeds are smooth on the outside and yellow on the inside.
 Harmful effects: The consumption of these seeds could
cause epidemic dropsy & sever glaucoma. Young
children and senior citizens with poor immunity are
more susceptible to this.
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 Paneer , khoya,
Condensed Milk and
Milk
 Adulterant: Starch
(used to give it a thick,
rich texture)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: Take the small sample of the product in the test
tube, add 20 ml of water and bring it to a boil. Cool to
room temperature and add a drop or two of iodine
solution. If the solution turns blue, it marks the presence
of starch.
 Harmful Effects: Unhygeinic, unprocessed water and
starch can cause stomach disorders. Starch greatly
reduces the nutritional value of the ingredient.
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 Icecream
 Adulterant: Washing
powder ( used to add a
bright sheen and lightness
of flavor)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: Squeeze a few
drops of lemon Juice on the
Ice cream. If it starts to froth
and bubble, it marks the
presence of washing powder.
 Harmul Effects: It can

cause severe stomach

and liver disorders
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 Black Pepper
 Adulterant: Papaya Seeds
(used to add bulk)
 Test: Float the sample in
alcohol. Mature black
peppercorns will sink whereas
papaya seeds will float to the
surface
 Harmful effects: Papaya seeds
can cause serious liver
problems and stomach
disorders.
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION

 Coffee powder
 Aduterant: Tamarind
Seeds, Chicory powder
(used to add bulk and
colour)
 KITCHEN TRICKS TO
EXPOSE FOOD ADULTERATION
 Test: Gently sprinkle
Coffee powder on the
surface of water in a
glass. The coffee will
float wheras chicory
will start to sink within
a few seconds. Also
the falling of Chicory powder will leave a trail of colour
behind due to large amounts of caramel it contains.
 Harmful effects: This can cause diarrhea, stomach
disorders, giddiness and sever joint pains.
 WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO AS
HOMEMAKERS

 Avoid buying food

prepared in unhygienic
conditions, as there are
greater chances of
contamination.
 Always buy food from a
certified/ registered shop.
 WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO AS
HOMEMAKERS

 Make sure the shop from which

you are buying food allows
required hygienic conditions.
 Go for ISO certified products
as these certifications indicate
that all necessary standard
hygienic conditions are strictly
followed by the manufacturer.
 Keep yourself updated about
food standards, law by reading
magazines, newsletters etc.
TOGETHER WE CAN