Celebrate a Safe & Sweet Diwali

This festive season, enjoy your favorite treats without worry. Our guide helps you identify and avoid adulterated sweets to ensure a happy and healthy celebration for you and your loved ones.

Beware of Common Adulterants

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Milk & Khoya (Mawa)

Often contaminated with starch, blotting paper, urea, or even detergent to increase volume. This not only reduces nutritional value but can be harmful.

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Silver Foil (Varak)

Fake silver foil is often made of aluminum, which can contain harmful heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Pure silver foil disintegrates easily when rubbed.

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Ghee & Edible Oils

Pure ghee is often mixed with cheaper vegetable fats (vanaspati) or even animal fat. Frying oils may be reused or diluted with non-food-grade oils.

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Artificial Colors

Excessive use of non-permitted, industrial dyes like Metanil Yellow is common to make sweets look more attractive. These can be toxic and carcinogenic.

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Nuts & Flours

Expensive nuts like pistachios or almonds may be replaced with cheaper flours or starches. Dry fruits might be of lower grade or artificially polished.

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Sugar & Syrups

Sugar can be mixed with cheaper sweeteners. Honey used in some sweets might be adulterated with glucose or molasses to cut costs.

Health Risks of Adulterated Sweets

Don't Let Adulteration Spoil Your Festival!

Consuming adulterated sweets can lead to serious health issues, including:

Digestive Problems: Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Organ Damage: Long-term exposure to chemicals can harm the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
Allergies & Hyperactivity: Especially in children, due to synthetic food colors.
Increased Heart Disease Risk: From trans fats in adulterated ghee.
Food Poisoning: Due to bacterial contamination from unhygienic preparation.

Your At-Home Purity Test Kit

How to Test Silver Foil (Varak)

Gently rub the silver foil with your finger. Pure silver will disintegrate and vanish. Fake aluminum foil will feel slightly rough and may come off as a small, flaky ball.

How to Test Khoya for Starch

Boil a small sample of khoya in water, let it cool, and add a drop of iodine solution. If the solution turns blue, it indicates the presence of starch.

How to Test Ghee

Heat a teaspoon of ghee. Pure ghee will melt quickly and turn brownish. Adulterated ghee will take longer to melt, remain yellow, and may produce a foul smell.

Check for Artificial Colors

Avoid sweets that are unnaturally bright. Rub a small piece on a wet paper. If it leaves a strong color stain, it's likely loaded with artificial dyes.

Shop Smart, Stay Safe

Tips for Buying Sweets

✔Choose reputable and FSSAI-licensed shops.
✔Opt for packaged sweets with clear labels (ingredients, expiry date).
✔Avoid sweets that look unnaturally colorful or are sold at suspiciously low prices.
✔Trust your senses – if a sweet smells stale or tastes "off," don't eat it.

The Safest Choice: Homemade!

The best way to ensure purity is to make sweets at home. You control the quality of ingredients and can make healthier versions of your favorite treats.

✔Use high-quality, branded ingredients.
✔Use natural colorants like saffron and beetroot.
✔Maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen.