Rakhi and other festivals are knocking at our door. Festivals are celebrated with much fervor and fanfare in northern India. No celebration is complete without sweets. But while these holy occasions are a time for merriment, we should also be alert about what we eat. Delicacies like Gujia, Thandai, Lavang Latikaand Khoya Burfi are all synonymous with our festivals.
Considering up the uglier side
In order to reduce the cost of production of sweets and give them a finer appearance without putting in extra capital, unscrupulous sweet merchants put in unhealthy add-ons to serve their purpose. These chemicals could be used to enhance color, texture or taste. Always taste or smell the sweets before buying in bulk. Stale products emit a musty smell and taste slightly sour. Before purchasing sweets, you should also make sure that the shopkeeper is trustworthy.
What all is adulterated?
- Paneer, khoya and milk are generally adulterated with starch & urea which is used to give a thick, rich texture to sweets.
- Gujia, a sweet dumpling made with suji or maida is stuffed with khoya. Sometimes, kesar (saffron) is added to enhance the yellow color of the sweet. But since kesar is very expensive, chances are purekesar Gujia will only be available at reliable outlets selling branded products, otherwise chances of adulteration are quite high.
- Ghee used in preparation of food is also one of the key source of adulteration. Ghee is high in preservatives, hydrogenated oils (similar to Dalda) and other flavor enhancement chemicals.
- Presence of harmful starch, urea mixed milk, caustic soda, ‘ararot’, artificial sweetening chemicals, non-approved colored sweets (like heavy metals incorporated malachite green, etc) and unhygienic conditions lead to acute gastritis, serious diarrhea, dysentery, dehydration, kidney inflammation, etc.
- To check for the presence of starch mixed with khoya, take a small sample and mix it with water and bring to the boil. Allow it to cool and add two drops of iodine in the solution. If the solution turns blue, then it has been adulterated with starch.
Be a “Smart” consumer
While buying branded products, check the batch number, manufacture date, expiry date, food license number, as well as ISI or AGMARK certifications on the packaging. Also, make sure that the packaging has not been tampered with.
It is also important for the consumers to see the hygiene standards of the sweet shop while buying sweets to check if cleanliness is being maintained and whether food handlers are following basic personal hygiene standards. Look out for the following:
- Are food handlers wearing clean clothes?
- Are they wearing gloves while packing sweets from the counter?
- Are they chewing or smoking tobacco?
- Are they touching their mouth, nose, eyes or other body parts?
- Are they spitting, sneezing, or coughing near food?
- Are they handling food and money simultaneously?
What are the alternates?
- Good news, there are so many interesting alternates.
- Mishri mixed with dry fruits
- Home made sweets (non khoya like laddus etc. or with home made khoya).
- Branded chocolates
What law says?
The larger public is not optimally aware about adulteration and the ways in which items of consumption are laced with harmful additives. In fact, most people are unaware that a law prohibiting adulteration actually exists. The Food Safety and Standards Act (2006) safeguards the consumer against unbranded food, sub-standard food and food containing extraneous matter by keeping provision of penalties. If a food product is found unsafe then the food business operator may be levied with a maximum fine of Rs. 10 lakhs along with an imprisonment which may extend even up to a life-term.
At the end of the day, it is up to you to save yourself and your family from becoming victims of food adulteration. Just follow these steps and have a safe, healthy and prosperous festive season ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment