What is food adulteration? Why and how is it harmful? How can we check for it?

The other day I were cutting into papaya and could not help stop a moment and wonder about how diminutive it looked on the outside and how sweet it was inside, strange I said to myself that it does not look like adult papaya but is sweet enough. my mind rushed back to the numerous reports I have been reading about the deterioration of food in our country. Was this papaya indued with the glucose syringes that are injected into the fruits to make them luscious?? Something made famous by urban fruit vendors.

My mother not long back scraped a layer of wax from an apple sitting in the fruit bowl at home. I was shocked beyond belief when she actually showed me the wax the vendors use to make the outer layer shine. Milk, Oil, Fruits, Water, masalas, non-FDA tested products in the market, the list just goes on… Each day these things are making me more cautious and aware of the adulteration of food in our country. Funny because our country only 20 years ago was an agricultural economy.

What is fruit adulteration?

Adulteration of food is defined as the addition or subtraction of any substance to or from food so that the natural composition and quality of the original food substance is affected. It is difficult for the consumer to detect the extent of adulteration. Adulteration of foods can either be intentional, unintentional or natural 

Effects of adulteration:-

Adulteration can lead to a varied no. of body malfunctions and diseases such as lung disorders, heart attack, liver disorders, cancer and many more...

Here are some common foods often mixed with adulterants with their harmful effects and tests...

Turmeric or Desan/Dals:-

Adulterants:- Metanil Yellow, Kesari Dal

Harmful effects:-Its highly carcinogenic and can lead to stomach disorders if consumed regularly...

Test:- Put a teaspoon of these in lukewarm water and a few drops of an acidic substance(lime juice, vinegar, etc.).

If the solution changes its colour, the substance is adulterated.

Mustard Seeds

Adulterants: Argemone seeds

Test: when pressed and crushed, argemone seeds are white on the inside while mustard seeds are smooth on the outside and yellow on the inside.

Harmful Effects: It can cause severe liver and heart disorders.

Black Pepper

Adulterants: Papaya Seeds

Test: Put in a sample of alcohol.

Papaya seeds will float as the are lighter and peeper will sink.

Harmful Effects: It can cause severe liver problems.

Most diseases they say in the world come through what we put into our system, I hope and pray that the "SYSTEM " within our country becomes more aware and active in tackling the menace of food adulteration and that nobody has to suffer cause of what we eat to live!