Common Examples of Food Adulteration

Common Examples of Food Adulteration Food adulteration can be defined as the process of adding unwanted substances to food items. This is usually done to alter the appearance of the food to tempt consumers to purchase it or to add to its volume to make increased profits. This can actually be quite dangerous as the adulterants used can cause serious medical conditions. Given the rising awareness about the dangers of adulteration, food products testing has become mandatory in India for food processors and manufacturers to obtain the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification.

Following are some of the most commonly adulterated foods: - Coffee and Tea Tea and coffee are two of the most popular beverages in India, and unfortunately, also two of the most adulterated ones. Coffee seeds are often adulterated with tamarind and mustard seeds, as well as chicory, all of which can cause gastrointestinal problems. Tea leaves are often mixed with coloured leaves, some of which might not even be edible and that can cause liver infections. Hence, coffee & tea testing is a must.

- Milk and Milk Products Milk is definitely one of the most commonly adulterated food items found in our country. One of the main reasons behind this wide occurrence of adulteration in milk and milk products is that these items are sold in both packaged and branded forms as well as loose by local suppliers. Milk is adulterated with substances like water, detergent, fat, chalk, urea, caustic soda and skimmed milk. Many cases of gastrointestinal epidemics, especially in young children, can be attributed to milk adulteration. Food products testing services are hence made mandatory for milk. Butter is also often adulterated with cheap plant oils like palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil in order to increase profit margins.

- Honey Food nutrition testing is highly recommended for honey as it is very often adulterated with molasses sugar to increase its quantity. Antibiotics residue testing is also suggested for honey products as they have been found to contain varying amounts of antibiotics.

Consumption of such products over a long period of time could result in building up of resistance to antibiotics, as well blood-related and liver disorders.

- Spices and Condiments Just like coffee & tea testing is required to test the authenticity of coffee and tea as some adulterants used in the products might not be visible to the naked eye, the same applies to spices and condiments that are used in large amounts in Indian cooking. There are many instances of adulteration of spices, ranging from brick powder, salt powder or artificial colours being added to red chilli powder to dangerous substances like metanil http://www.dalpl.co.in/

yellow and red oxide of lead being added to turmeric powder. Even the most expensive spice in the world saffron is not spared – Cases of saffron being adulterated by coloured dried tendrils of maize cob have been found across the country.

The problem of food adulteration is a rampant one, and despite the best efforts of the FSSAI, there are still many cases of adulteration that are going unchecked. If you suspect adulteration in any of your food items, you can approach any reputed analytical lab in your city and avail of their food nutrition testing and other testing services.

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