Home based methods for checking food adulteration :: FO 01

Home based methods for checking food adulteration

Executive Summary:

The purpose of this report was to analyze home based methods to check food adulteration. Specific objectives were to identify key problems arising due to adulteration of food & offering solutions to it through proper methods of checking and finding out them.

Adulteration of food cheats the consumer and poses a serious risk to health. A common consumer may not have sufficient knowledge about purity & quality of food articles he consumes. Mere visual inspection does not serve the purpose especially when adulteration has assumed high degree of sophistication.

Adulterated food is dangerous because it may be toxic and can affect health and it could deprive nutrients essential for proper growth and development. Very often food is adulterated by merchants and traders who are unscrupulous and want to make a quick profit. But shortages and increasing prices, consumer demands for variety in foods, a lack of awareness, negligence, indifference and lethargy among consumers and inadequate enforcement of food laws and food safety measures also lead to food adulteration.

The report recommends the necessity of creating awareness among everyone about the edibility of the food they eat.

Introduction:

Adulteration of food commonly defined as “the addition or subtraction of any substance to or from food, so that the natural composition and quality of food substance is affected. It is either intentional by either removing substances to food knowingly. Unintentional adulteration is usually attributed to ignorance’s, carelessness or lack of facilities for maintaining food quality.

Food also meets the definition of adulteration if it is, or it bears or contains, an unsafe food additive. It is, or it bears or contains, an unsafe new animal drug. It is, or it bears or contains, an unsafe color additive. It consists, in whole or in part, of "any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance" or is otherwise unfit for food; or  it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions (insect, rodent, or bird infestation) whereby it may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health.

While traditionally, Indian families used to cook food at home with healthy ingredients and knew what went into the meal, in modern times, with rising incomes and affluence, more and more people are moving away to readymade fast foods and eating regularly at restaurants. The food in many of these outlets is cooked with poor quality ingredients to attract and satisfy the palate rather than provide a wholesome nutritional meal. We now have a lot more varieties and the choices are many. Though, some of us may not be aware of the fact that the food we consume may be adulterated, 25 to 30 per cent of the food items in India are intentionally adulterated.

Its harmful effects:

The common use of toxic coloring agents as an adulterant for fruits, vegetables, sweets are very dangerous when it comes to health of a person. It can lead to serious health issues like cancer, cardiac problems, insomnia and paralysis and other neurological problems or death as well. When it comes to honey adulteration it seems safer than the adulteration with the toxic chemicals. As this will only have an economic impact without any health issues. Even milk can be completely adulterated without any sign for milk in it, by making it artificially with chemicals. This list doesn’t end up saying since adulteration is frequently observed in almost everything we eat.

With all this understanding and information known to everyone in the authorities who can help in reducing the problem, are nowhere in the picture to solve it. The strong regulations are there in the code of conduct. The question is why is it not implemented? Is it due to the strong clutches of industrialization and increasing demands by an increasing population? Is it to increase the demand for health care? Is it the thinking that we are made of these chemical and soils? Whatever remains the question and whatever the answer is, understood is the fact is that it's a social crime and many are in need of good health. Food adulteration increases the burden of health in the society. Now it is our own responsibility to protect themselves from the ghost of adulterated food.

List of few home based methods for checking food adulteration:

1.   Turmeric, dals and pulses such as moong or channa

Adulterant

Metanil Yellow and Kesari Dal (added to enhance the yellow color of a food substance).

Test

Dissolve half a spoon full of besan or turmeric powder in 20 ml of lukewarm water.  Add a few drops of hydrochloric acid or any commonly available acid at home.  If the water turns pink, violet or purple, it shows the presence of Metanil yellow.

Halmful effects

It is highly carcinogenic and if consumed over a continuous period of time it can also cause stomach disorders.

2.   Green chillies, green peas and other vegetables

Adulterant

Malachite Green (To accentuate the bright, glowing green color of the vegetable)

Test

Take a small portion of the sample and place it over a moistened white blotting paper. Colored impressions on the blotting paper indicate the presence of Malachite green.

Harmful effects

It is a colored dye that has proven to be carcinogenic for humans if consumed over a long period of time.

3.   Mustard seeds and mustard oil

Adulterant                                                     

Argemone seeds (used to add bulk and weight)

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 are yellow on the inside.

Harmful effects

The consumption of these could cause epidemic dropsy and severe glaucoma. Young children and senior citizens with poor immunity are more susceptible this.

4.   Paneer, khoya, condensed milk and milk

Adulterant

Starch (used to give it a thick, rich texture)

Test

Take a small sample of the product in a test tube, add 20 ml of water and bring 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

Unhygienic, unprocessed water and starch can cause stomach disorders. Starch greatly reduces the nutritional value of the ingredient.

5.   Ice cream

Adulterant

Washing powder (used to add a bright white sheen and lightness of flavor)

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.

Harmful effects

It can cause severe stomach and liver disorders

6.   Black pepper

Adulterant

Papaya seeds (used to add bulk)

Test

Float the sample in alcohol. Mature black pepper corns will sink where as papaya seeds will float to the surface.

Harmful effects

Papaya seeds can cause serious liver problems and stomach disorders.

7.   Coffee powder

Adulterant

Tamarind seeds, chicory powder (used to add bulk and color)

Test

Gently sprinkle coffee powder on the surface of water in a glass. The coffee will float whereas chicory will start to sink within a few seconds. Also, the falling chicory powder will leave a trail of color behind due to the large amounts of caramel it contains.

Harmful effects

These can cause diarrhea, stomach disorders, giddiness and severe joint pains.

Summary

To sum up, it is important to eat healthy, safe & adulteration free food to lead a life in harmony. The point is how we make ourselves aware of the edibility of the food we eat and thus take necessary measures to stay fit & healthy.