Food Safety Department Inspects Sarojini Nagar Market for Sweet Adulteration
In New Delhi, officials from the Food Safety Department conducted a surprise inspection at Sarojini Nagar Market to check for adulteration in sweets during the festive season. Food Safety Officer Tarun Negi stated that they are conducting a surveillance drive by collecting samples from various sweet shops. So far, no adulteration has been found, and the drive will continue throughout the festive season.
Chemist Pinky from the Delhi Food Lab explained the process of testing milk-based sweets for starch adulteration. The test involves mixing a sample with distilled water, heating it, and adding iodine solution. A deep blue-black color indicates the presence of starch, while a brownish color shows its absence.
Additionally, Pinky mentioned that some shopkeepers use aluminium leaves instead of silver leaves to adulterate sweets. A chemical test with concentrated nitric acid can distinguish between the two, as silver leaves dissolve while aluminium leaves do not. Consumers can also identify silver leaves as they disappear when held, unlike aluminium leaves which form a ball-like structure.
Doubts Revealed
Food Safety Department -: The Food Safety Department is a government body that makes sure the food we eat is safe and healthy. They check if food items are made properly and don’t have harmful substances.
Sarojini Nagar Market -: Sarojini Nagar Market is a popular shopping area in New Delhi, India. People go there to buy clothes, accessories, and sometimes food items, especially during festivals.
Sweet Adulteration -: Sweet adulteration means adding bad or cheap ingredients to sweets to make them look or taste better, but it can be harmful to health. This is often done to make more money during busy times like festivals.
Festive Season -: The festive season in India includes celebrations like Diwali, where people buy and eat lots of sweets. It’s a time when markets are very busy with shoppers.
Food Safety Officer -: A Food Safety Officer is a person who checks if the food being sold is safe to eat. They inspect markets and shops to ensure food quality is maintained.
Starch in Milk-based Sweets -: Starch is a substance that can be added to milk-based sweets to make them thicker or heavier. However, it is not always safe or healthy if used in excess.
Aluminium Leaves -: Aluminium leaves are thin sheets of aluminium sometimes used to decorate sweets. They are cheaper than silver leaves, but not safe to eat.
Silver Leaves -: Silver leaves, also known as ‘varak’, are thin sheets of silver used to decorate sweets. They are safe to eat and commonly used in Indian sweets.