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Conducting Food Adulteration Tests on Red Chili Powder

Food adulteration is one of the most common problems in India. We all are aware of it and yet there’s hardly anything we can do about it. One of the solutions people think and apply to solve this problem is to buy foods from brands only. Though this can negate the possibility of adulteration, it is not a sure shot solution because food adulteration can also impact brands

One of the food items that is used regularly in all Indian kitchens is the red chili powder. There is hardly anyone in India who cooks food regularly and doesn’t make use of this spice. This spice not only enhances the flavor of a food but it also adds a rich color to the foods

In the earlier times, women homemakers used to dry whole red chilies in the home, especially on the roof for maximum sun exposure and them powder them manually. With the advancement of technology and the busy lives of people, especially women who go to jobs, red chili powder is mostly powdered and processed by FMCG companies, and we all buy the small packets happily.

Have you ever taken a minute to think whether the red chili powder you are using is safe for you and your family’s health? Did you ever think that the red chili powder might have something more dangerous that just red chilis, something that can make you ill or make people lose their health over a long period due to regular consumption? If not, it’s high time for you to check the authenticity of the red chili powder you are using and do a few basic food adulteration tests to test its quality. 

Don’t worry too much as these tests don’t require you to visit a lab or buy any special testing equipment from the market. You can do these tests at home whenever you want and be assured that the chili powder you have been using fondly is as pure as it claims to be. 


Testing through Water

Before testing the red chili powder, you should know that adulterers mix talc powder, salt powder or even brick powder for their benefit. So, you can check whether your red chili powder has any of these components by adding a tea spoon of red chili powder to a glass of plain water. If the powder doesn’t dissolve or change its color then you can be sure it doesn’t have any of the above-mentioned elements. In contrast if the powder turns reddish brown, it means it has brick powder and if it leaves a white residue at the bottom of the glass, it might be due to soap stone’s presence.

The Glass Test

Another of the common food adulteration tests that you can do at home is to rub a bit of chili powder on the bottom of a glass. If you feel any grittiness, it means that there is sand or brick powder mixed in the chili powder. If not, the chili powder is safe to use.

The Color Test

If you suspect that the red chili powder might be adulterated, you can do another one among simple food adulteration tests. You can sprinkle a bit of chili powder over a glass of water. In case you see a colored streak, it would mean that the chili powder could be adulterated and might have water-soluble coal tar color that makes it look so bright red and attractive.

Detecting the Starch

The presence of starch is also a common food adulteration method which is done to add bulk. If you suspect the same then do this easy one among food adulteration tests. Add some drops of iodine solution to red chili powder. If it has been adulterated, there will be a bluish color change that will be easily visible and signify that the spice is loaded with starch.

Conclusion

If the red chili powder you purchase fails in any of these food adulteration tests then you have the right to file a complaint regarding this with the manufacturer. It will not only help you get a compensation or refund but will also ensure that thousands of others get pure spice as the manufacturer corrects the mistake.

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