Fruits and Vegetables adulterant Test at home

Food is essential for sustenance of life. Adulteration of food deceive the consumer and can cause risk to their health. The purpose of this manual is to list out common methodologies available for food adulterants generally found in India.

The scope of this manual is meant for household, which can induce awareness among the consumer about food safety.

Test 1 : Detection of malachite green in green vegetables like bitter gound, green chilli and others.

Test Method 1

• Take a cotton piece soaked in water or vegetable oil. (conduct the test separately).
• Rub the outer green surface of a small part of green vegetable/chilli.
• If the cotton turns green, then it is adulterated with malachite green.

Pure

Pure

Adulterated

Adulterated

Test Method 2

• Take a small part of the sample and place on a piece of moistened white blotting paper.
• The impression of colour on the paper indicates the use of malachite green, or any other low priced artificial colour.

Green Vegetables

Green Vegetables

Malachite Green

Malachite Green

Test 2 : Detection of artificial colour on green peas.

Testing Method:

• Take little amount of green peas in a transparent glass.
• Add water to it and mix well.
• Let it stand for half an hour.
• Clear separation of colour in water indicates adulteration.

Pure

Pure

Adulterated

Adulterated

Test 3 : Detection of rhodamine B in sweet potato.

Testing Method:

• Take a cotton ball soaked in water or vegetable oil. (conduct the test separately).
• Rub the outer red surface of the sweet potato.
• If cotton absorbs colour, then it indicates the usage of rhodamine B for colouring the outer surface of sweet potato.

Pure

Pure

Adulterated

Adulterated