Recent reports and discussions in Parliament have brought attention to a serious food adulteration problem in India, revealing that nearly one in four food samples failed safety norms between 2014 and 2026.
Food adulteration in India refers to mixing substandard, unsafe, or even non-edible substances (such as detergent, urea, or starch) into food products to boost profits. Items commonly affected include milk, spices, edible oils, honey, and sweets, and consumption can cause serious health problems like allergies, organ damage, and even cancer. Detection and prevention rely heavily on FSSAI regulations and testing procedures.
Common Adulterants & Their Health Risks
Everyday foods in India are often tampered with, causing both short-term illness and long-term health damage.
Milk & Dairy: Often diluted with water and mixed with urea, detergent, or starch to improve texture and appearance.
Risks: Kidney and liver damage, digestive problems, and stomach infections.
Spices: Turmeric may be contaminated with lead chromate, while chili powder can contain brick dust or sawdust.
Risks: Toxicity affecting the nervous system, liver injury, and potential cancer risk.
Edible Oils: Costly oils like mustard or olive are sometimes mixed with cheaper oils or toxic argemone oil.
Risks: Epidemic dropsy, heart complications, and eye disorders such as glaucoma.
Honey: Frequently diluted with sugar syrups such as high-fructose corn syrup or jaggery solutions.
Risks: Blood sugar imbalance and reduced effectiveness of antibiotics.
Fruits & Vegetables: Artificial coloring agents (e.g., malachite green) enhance appearance, and calcium carbide is used for artificial ripening.
Risks: Hormonal disturbances, respiratory issues, and increased cancer risk.
Regulatory Framework
Food safety in India is mainly overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), functioning under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Penalties: Offenders may face fines up to ₹10 lakh, and in cases involving severe injury or death, even life imprisonment.
Initiatives: Programs like Eat Right India and the DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) Manual help citizens identify common adulterants at home.
Consumer Rights: As per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, consumers can lodge complaints through the National Consumer Helpline (1915) or the Food Safety Connect mobile app.
How to Protect Yourself
Check packaging: Always verify certification marks such as the FSSAI license number, AGMARK seal (for spices and oils), and the +F symbol on fortified foods.
Easy home checks:
Honey: When dropped into a glass of water, pure honey settles at the bottom; adulterated honey dissolves rapidly.
Milk: Shake it with water—excessive, persistent foam may indicate the presence of detergent.
Turmeric: Add a pinch to warm water. Pure turmeric settles at the bottom and leaves the water mostly clear, while artificial colorants turn the water yellow and cloudy.
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