12 DIY Ways To Prevent Food Adulteration / Adulteration
Food adulteration is the act of adding inferior or another substance to food to increase its quantity, appearance, taste or price. It has various implications; it may even lead to health problems in some cases. It also poses a risk to consumers as they aren’t aware what they are actually eating. The practice of adulterating food is generally undertaken to increase profit margins by reducing the cost of production while maintaining a high selling price. This article lists several ways you can spot adulterated food and prevent it at home.
Know the different types of food adulteration
Adulterated food can happen at every stage of production. Here are a few examples of adulterated food: - Contamination: This occurs when one food item comes into contact with another, which is not allowed during processing. For example, a raw chicken juice coming in contact with vegetables, which are not supposed to come into contact with it. - Substitution: This involves the replacement of a genuine ingredient with a fake one. For example, replacing the milk in a milk shake with soy milk. - Mixing: This happens when more than one ingredient from different batches is mixed together. For example, mixing cooking oil from last week’s batch with oil from the current batch. - Reconstruction: This involves joining chopped ingredients together so that they appear larger than they actually are. For example, joining chopped vegetables with water and serving this mixture as vegetables. - Diversion: This happens when the product is diverted to a different market. For example, sending mangoes meant for the domestic market to a foreign market.
Check for colour and smell
The first way to spot food adulteration is to check the colour and smell of the produce. For example, if you are your shopping and find that orange juice has a strange colour, it is a good idea to move on. A similar applies to smelling the produce; if it has an unusual smell, it is best to avoid it. In most cases, food that has been coloured or smells funny is a sign of food adulteration.
Look for discolouration/ mould
Food adulteration can also be identified by looking for discolouration and mould on the food. If the vegetable or fruit you are buying has a strange colour, avoid it. Similarly, if the vegetable or fruit has any mould on it, do not buy it. In both these cases, the food has been adulterated.
Check for watermarks and foam
Another way to spot food adulteration is to check for watermarks and foam. Watermarks appear when a food item is mixed with water. Similarly, foam appears when oil and water are mixed together. Avoid buying food with both watermarks and foam.
Examine the weight and seal of pack
While at the shop, it is a good idea to check the weight and seal of the pack. In most cases, adulterated food is packed in a lighter container. Similarly, if the seal of the pack is broken, avoid the product.
Test for lead presence
If you suspect that the cooking oil you are buying is adulterated, you can test for lead presence in it. Add a few drops of hydrochloric acid to the oil, and stir well. If lead is present in the oil, a whitish precipitate will form.
Test for protein presence
If you suspect that the milk you are buying is adulterated, you can test for protein presence in it. Add a few drops of hydrochloric acid to the milk, and stir well. If protein is present in the milk, a whitish precipitate will form.
Detect starch presence using iodine test
To detect the presence of starch in the flour you are buying, use the iodine test. Add a few drops of iodine to the flour, and stir well. If starch presence is detected, a purple colour will form.
Negotiate with your retailer
If you suspect that the food item you are buying is adulterated, try to negotiate with the seller. If you are unable to do so, try another shop.
Conclusion
Adulterated food is common, and its presence is easily identifiable. However, it’s not easy to detect adulterated food unless you know the signs. This article lists several ways you can spot adulterated food and prevent it at home.
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