In today’s fast-paced world, what lands on your plate may not always be what it seems. From glowing vegetables to extra-creamy milk, many seemingly healthy foods may be tainted with harmful substances. Food adulteration is a growing concern in every Indian household, silently threatening our health. This blog uncovers the top 7 adulterants commonly found in Indian kitchens and how you can easily detect them with simple tests.
What Is Food Adulteration?
Food adulteration refers to the deliberate addition of low-quality or harmful substances to food products to increase profit. This not only reduces nutritional value but can also lead to severe health issues, including food poisoning, organ failure, and long-term diseases.
With rising concerns about food safety in India, it’s critical for consumers to stay alert and know how to detect fake food before it affects their health.
Top 7 Adulterants Found in Indian Kitchens—and How to Detect Them
1. Milk – Adulterant: Detergent, Starch, and Water
Many milk suppliers add detergents or starch to enhance thickness and whiteness.
🧪 Detection Test:
For starch: Add a few drops of iodine to the milk. If it turns blue, starch is present.
For detergent: Shake the milk vigorously. Excess foam formation indicates detergent adulteration.
2. Turmeric Powder – Adulterant: Lead Chromate
Lead chromate enhances yellow color but is highly toxic and carcinogenic.
🧪 Detection Test:
Mix turmeric in water. If it settles at the bottom and leaves a bright yellow streak, adulteration is likely.
Use a test kit for precise confirmation.
3. Tea Leaves – Adulterant: Iron Fillings & Used Leaves
Used tea leaves are often dyed and sold again. Sometimes, iron fillings are added for weight.
🧪 Detection Test:
Rub tea leaves on moist white paper. Black stains indicate added color.
Use a magnet to detect iron fillings.
4. Honey – Adulterant: Sugar Syrup or Glucose
Fake honey may contain jaggery syrup or sugar solutions, reducing its nutritional value.
🧪 Detection Test:
Place a drop of honey on blotting paper. If it spreads quickly or gets absorbed, it’s likely adulterated.
Real honey remains intact.
5. Chili Powder – Adulterant: Brick Powder or Salt Powder
To bulk up the weight, vendors may mix red brick powder or salt powder into chili powder.
🧪 Detection Test:
Sprinkle some chili powder in water. If residue settles at the bottom, it’s likely brick powder.
6. Salt – Adulterant: White Powdered Stone or Chalk
White powdered stone is sometimes mixed with salt to increase volume.
🧪 Detection Test:
Dissolve a spoon of salt in a glass of water. Chalk will float or settle differently.
7. Pulses (especially yellow dal) – Adulterant: Polished with Coloring Agents
To make them look fresh and shiny, pulses are often polished with artificial color.
🧪 Detection Test:
Rub pulses in a damp cloth. If the cloth gets stained yellow, coloring agents are present.
How Zenomix Biolab Helps You Detect Fake Food
Zenomix Biolab’s Kasauti Kit empowers every Indian household to test for food adulteration safely and easily. Designed for both home and institutional use, this DIY kit can detect adulterants in:
Milk
Honey
Turmeric
Pulses
Spices
Edible oils
✅ Why Use It?
Easy-to-use instructions
Reliable and fast results
Affordable for all households
Why Food Safety Matters
With rising cases of lifestyle disorders, allergies, and foodborne illnesses, food safety in India is more important than ever. Adulterants often contain lead, chalk powder, or detergent, which can silently damage organs over time. The first step to prevention is awareness and action.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a scientist to detect fake food. A little awareness and simple tools like the Kasauti Kit can help you take control of what you eat. Make food safety a priority in your home—and encourage your community to do the same.
Stay Safe. Stay Aware. Say No to Adulteration
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