5 Easy Food Adulteration Tests You Can Perform At Home

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Water Dissolution Test

Dissolve a small amount of the food item in water. Pure food items should dissolve completely, while adulterated ones may leave behind insoluble particles or show unusual behavior such as changing color or forming layers.

Turmeric Test

Mix a small amount of turmeric powder with the food item. Turmeric is often used as an indicator of adulteration because it changes color in the presence of certain substances.

Starch Iodine Test

Dissolve a small amount of the food item in water and add a few drops of iodine solution. Starch, commonly used as an adulterant, reacts with iodine to produce a blue-black color. 

Vinegar Test

Mix a small amount of the food item with vinegar. Some common adulterants, such as chalk or baking soda, may produce effervescence or fizzing when they react with vinegar due to the release of carbon dioxide gas.

Oil and Water Separation Test

Mix a small amount of oil with water and add the food item to the mixture. Adulterated oils, especially those mixed with cheaper alternatives, may separate from water more quickly or form distinct layers due to differences in density or composition.