1. DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTION OF FOOD ADULTERATION
A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Food is one of the essential of life. So it should be pure, nutritious and free from any type of
adulteration for proper maintenance of human health. It is the duty of every
Government to make pure food available to the countrymen in sufficient quantities. In order to
make available unadulterated food in the country, the Government makes various
food laws. Similarly, Government of India also made the laws to prevent adulteration in food
articles in 1954 called "Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954". To given effect
to the provisions of the Act, Rules were made in 1955 and called "Prevention of Food Adulteration
Rules, 1955". Though PFA Act and Rules are Central Legislature but the
responsibility of implementation has been entrusted to the State Governments and Union
Territories. Each State Government and Union Territory has created its own organisation
for implementation of the Act and Rules framed thereunder.
SCOPE OF THE P.F.A. ACT
The PFA Act makes provisions for the prevention of adulteration in food, enacted by the
Parliament and it extends to the whole of India. Based on the experience of the
Act from time to time, various provisions of Act have been amended in the year 1964, 1976 and
1986. These amendments have been aimed at providing stringent punishments to
the offenders and giving powers to the voluntary consumer organisations to actively associate
themselves in the programme of implementation of food laws. Under the provisions
of PFA Act & Rules the terms like Adulterant, Adulterated Food, Food, Misbranded Food, Primary
Food etc. have been defined as follows"
1.
ADULTERANT: means any material which is or could be employed for the purposes of adulteration.
2.
ADULTERATED FOOD: An article of food shall be deemed to be adulterated:
(a)
if the article sold by a vendor is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the
purchases and is to his prejudice, or is not of the nature, substance or quality
which it purports or is represented to be;
(b)
if the article contains any other substance which effects, or if the article is so processed as to
affect injuriously the nature, substance or quality thereof;
(c)
if any inferior or cheaper substance has been substituted wholly or in part for the article; so as to
affect, so as to affect injuriously the nature, substance or quality
thereof;
(d)
if any constituent of the article has been wholly or in part abstracted so as to affect injuriously the
nature, substance or quality thereof;
(e)
if the article has been prepared, packed or kept under insanitary condition whereby it has become
contaminated or injurious to health;
(f)
if the article consists wholly or in part of any filthy, putrid rotten, decomposed or diseased animal
or vegetable substance or is insect infested or is otherwise unfit

2. for human consumption;
(g)
if the article is obtained from the diseased animal;
(h) if the article contains any poisonous or other ingredient which renders it injurious to health.
(i) if the container of the article is composed, whether wholly or in part, of any poisonous or
deleterious substance which renders its contents injurious to health;
(j) if any colouring matter other than that prescribed in respect thereof is present in the article, or
if the amounts of the prescribed colouring matter which is present in
the article are not within the prescribed limits of variability;
(k) if the article contains any prohibited preservative or permitted preservative in excess of the
prescribed limits;
(l) if the quality of purity of the article falls below the prescribed standard as laid down under
Appendix B of PFA Rules, 1955 or its constituents are present
quantities not within the prescribed limits of variability, which renders it injurious to health;
in
(m) if the quality or purity of the article falls below the prescribed standard or its constituents are
present in quantities are within the prescribed limit of variability but
which does not render it injurious to health;
Provided that where the quality or purity of the article, being primary food, has fallen below the
prescribed standards or its constituents are present in quantities not within
the prescribed limits of variability, in either case, solely due to natural cases and beyond the
control of human agency, then such article shall not be deemedto be adulterated
within the meaning of this sub-clause.
Thus, food adulteration includes not only the intentional addition, substitution or abstraction of
substances which adversely affects the nature, substances, quality of foods
but also their incidental contamination during storage, processing, transportation and distribution.
3. FOOD: means any article used as food or drink for human consumption other than drugs and
water and includes:
(a)
any article which ordinarily enters into, or is used in the composition or preparation of, human
food,
(b)
any flavouring matter or condiments, and
(c)
any other article which the Central Government may, having regard to its use, nature, substance
or quality, declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, as food
for the purposes of this Act.
4. MISBRANDED : an article of food shall be deemed to be misbranded:
(a) if it is an imitation of , or is a substitute for, or resembles in a manner likely to deceive,
another article of food under the name of which it is sold, and is not plainly
and conspicuously labelled so as to indicate its true character;
(b) if it is falsely stated to be the product of any place of country;
(c) if it is sold by a name which belongs to another article of food;
(d) if it is so coloured, flavoured or coated. powdered or polished that the article is damaged is
concealed or if the article is made to appear better or of greater value
than it really is;
(e) if false claims are made for it upon the lable or otherwise;
(f) if when sold in packages which have been sealed or prepared by or at the instance of the
manufacturer or producer and which bear his name and address, the
contents of each package are not conspicuously and correctly stated on the outside thereof within

3. the limits of variability prescribed under this Act;
(g) if the package containing it, or the label on the package bears any statement, design or device
regarding the ingredients or the substances contained therein, which is
false or misleading in any material particular, or if the package is otherwise deceptive with respect
to its contents;
(h) if the package containing it or the label on the package bears the name of a fictitious
individual or company as the manufacturer or producer of the article;
(i) if it purports to be, or is represented as being, for special dietary uses, unless its label bears
such information as may be prescribed concerning its vitamin, mineral,
or other dietary properties in order sufficiently to inform its purchases as to its value for such
uses;
(j) if it contains any artificial flavouring, artificial colouring or chemical preservative, without a
declaratory
requirements of this Act or Rules made thereunder;
label stating that fact, or in contravention of the
(k) if it is not labelled in accordance with the requirements of this Act or Rules made thereunder;
5. PRIMARY FOOD: means any article of food, being a produce of agriculture or horticulture in its
natural form.
PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE, SALE ETC. OF CERTAIN
ARTICLES OF FOOD
No person shall himself or by any person on his behalf manufacture for sale or store, sell or
distribute:
(i) any adulterated food,
(ii) any misbranded food,
(iii) any article of food for the sale of which a licence if prescribed except in accordance with the
conditions of the licence,
(iv) any article of food the sale of which is for the time being prohibited by the Food (Health)
Authority in the interest of public health,
(v) any article of food in contravention of any other provision of this Act or of any rule made
thereunder,
(vi) any adulterant.
PENALTIES UNDER LAW :
1.
If any person:(
a)
Whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports into India or manufacturers for
sale, or stores, sell or distributes any article of food:(
i)
which is adulterated within the meaning of sub-clause (m) of clause (ia ) of Section 2 or
misbranded within the meaning of clause (ix) of that section or the
sale of which is prohibited under any provision of this Act or any rule made thereunder or by an
order of Food (Health) Authority;
(ii)
other than an article of food referred to in sub-clause (I), in contravention of any of the provisions
of this Act or of any rule made thereunder; or
(b)
whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports into India or manufacturers for

4. sale, or stores, sells or distributes any adulterant which is not
injurious to heath; or
(c)
prevents a food inspector from taking a sample as authorised by this Act; or
(d)
prevents a food inspector from exercising any other power conferred on him by or under Act; or
(e)
being a manufacturer of an article of food, has in his possession, or in any of the premises
occupied by him, any adulterant which is not injurious to health; or
(f)
uses any report of certificate of a test or analysis made by the Director of the Central Food
Laboratory or by a Public Analyst or any extract thereof for the purpose
of advertising any article of food; or
(g)
whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, gives to the vendor a false warranty in
writing in respect of any article of food sold by him,
he shall, in addition to be penalty to which he may be liable under the provisions of Section 6, be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six
months but which may extend to three years, and with fine which shall not be less than one
thousand rupees :
Provided that:
(i)
if the offence is under sub-clause (i ) of clause (a) and is with respect to an article of food, being
primary food, which is adulterated due to human agency or is with
respect to an article of food which is misbranding within the meaning of sub-clause(k) of clause
(ix) of section 2; or
(ii) if the offence is under sub-clause (ii) of clause (a), but nor being an offence with respect to
the contravention of any rule made under clause (a) of clause (g) of
sub-section (1-A) of section 23 or under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 24,
the court may, for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement, impose a
sentence of imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three
months but which may extend to two years, and with fine which shall not be less than five
hundred rupees;
Provided further that if the offence is under sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) is with respect to the
contravention of any rule made under clause (a) or clause (g) of Sub-section(1A)
of Section 23 or under clause (b) of Sub-section (2) of Section 24, the court may, for any
adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement, impose a sentence of
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months and with fine which may extend to
five hundred rupees.
(1-A) If any person whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports into India or
manufactures for sale or stores, sells or distributes:
(i)
any article of food which is adulterated within the meaning of any of the sub-clauses (e) to (1)
(both inclusive) of clause (ia) of Section 2; or
(ii)
any adulterant which is injurious to health, he shall, in addition to the penalty to which he may be
liable under the provisions of Section 6, be punishable with

5. imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to six years
and with fine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees;
Provided that if such article of food or adulterant, when consumed by any person is likely to cause
his death or is likely to cause such harm on his body as would amount to
grievous hurt within the meaning of Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), he shall
be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three
years but which may extend to term of life with fine which shall not be less than five thousand
rupees.
(1-AA) If any person in whose safe custody any article of food has been kept under Sub-
section(4) of Section 10, tampers or in any other manner interferes with such
articles, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six
months but which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less one
thousand rupees.
(1-B) If any person in whose safe custody any article of food has been kept under Sub-section (4)
of Section 10, sells or distributes such article which is found by the
magistrate before whom it is produced to be adulterated within the meaning of sub-clause (h) of
clause (ia) of Section 2 and which, when consumed by any person is likely to cause
his death or is likely to cause such harm on his body as would amount to grievous hurt within the
meaning of Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) then,
notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-section (1-AA), he shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term shall bot be less than three years but which may extend to term of
life and with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees.
(1-C) if any person contravenes the provisions of Section 14 or Section 14-A, he shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and
with fine which shall not be less than five hundred rupees.
(1-D) if any person convicted of an offence under this Act commits a like offence afterwards, then
without prejudice to the provisions of Sub-section 92), the court, before
which the second or subsequent conviction takes place, may order the cancellation of the licence if
any granted to him under this Act, and thereupon such licence shall,
notwithstanding anything in this Act, or in the rules made thereunder stand cancelled.
(2) If any person convicted of an offence under this Act commits a like offence afterwards it shall
be lawful for the court before which the second or subsequent
conviction takes place to offender's name and place or residence, the offence and the penalty
imposed to be published at the offender's expense in such newspapers or in such
manner as the court may direct. The expenses of such publications shall be deemed to be part of
the cost attending the conviction and shall be recoverable in the same manner as a
fine.
Thus, under the provision of PFA Act, the minimum punishment is 6 months imprisonment with a
fine of Rs.1,000/-which may extend upto life imprisonment with
unspecified amount of fine depending upon the gravity of the offence.
ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
Besides lifting of samples, carrying out of analysis of the Food samples in the food laboratory and
prosecuting the offenders, the Deptt. is engaged in other activities also
viz. Demonstration cum education programmes, awareness creation programmes and
participation in Health Melas etc. Emphasis is given in creation of awareness among school
children and the people residing in slums, J.J. Clusters and Semi-Urban areas. The people are

6. educated on various provisions of the food laws, demonstration on simple tests of
detection of adulteration in food articles. The booklets containing all the information about food
article, adulterants, various health problems caused due to adulterants, simple
methods for detection of common adulterants and the pre-cautions to be taken by the consumers
while purchasing of the food articles Annexure-I, are distributed to the public free
of cost at various exhibitions, health melas and education programmes especially conducted by
the Department.
Name of food
articles
Adulterant Disease/Health affects Simple method for detection of common
adulterants
Remarks
MILK & MILK
PRODUCTS
1) Milk Impure water
Water
Starch
Removal of fat
Synthetic milk
a) Test for protein
b) Test for Glucose/
inverted sugar
May cause nausea,
Abdominal pains
Diarrhoea, gas
Formation
Consumers will be
deprived from the
desired nutirional
value foods.
Diarrhoea, gas
Formation
Consumers will be
deprived from the
desired nutritional
value foods
It causes cancer,
impairment of body
part, cause behavior
change i.e. irritating
behavior
1. The lactometer reading shall not ordinarily
be less than 26.
2. The presence of water can be detected by
putting a drop of milk on a polished slanting
surface, the drop of pure milk either stops or
flows slowly leaving a white trail behind it.
Whereas milk adulterated with water will
flow immediately without leaving a mark.
Add a few drops of tincture of Iodine or Iodine
solution. Formation of blue colour indicates the
presence of starch.

7. The Lactometer reading will go above 26 while
the milk apparently remains thick.
The milk can easily be tested by Urease strips
(available in the Medical stores) because
synthetic milk be devoid of protein.
Milk does not contain glucose /invert sugar, if
test for glucose with urease strip found positive.
It means milk is adulterated.
Lactometer is marked in degrees
ranging from 0.40
The test is not valid if skimmed
milk of other thickening material
is added.
If it is made of synthetically by
adding while colour water paint.
2.Khoa and its
products
3. Chhana/
Paneer
Sugar syrup
c. Urea
d) Neutralizer
washing soda/baking
soda alkaline
detergent
Starch
Starch
-Urea
on boiling may
convert into biuret
which causes fall in
blood pressure
produces stron
irritation in the urinary
tract.
Causes skin diseases
& damages to
respiratory tract.
Harmful to intestines
also.
Diarrhoea/Gas
formation
DO
-Take
5 ml of milk in a test tube and add 2 drops
of bromothymol blue solution development of
blue colour after 10 minutes indicates the
presence of urea in milk.
Take 5 ml of milk in a test tube and 2 drops of
bromocresol purple solution. Development of
violet colour after 10 minutes indicates the
presence of Neutralizer or alkaline detergent in
milk.

8. Boil a small quantity of sample with some
water, cool and add a few drops of loding
solution. Formation of blue colour indicates the
presences of starch.
Boil a small quantity of sample with some
water, cool and add a few drops of Iodine
solution. Formation of blue colour indicated
the presence of starch.
Oils, alkali, urea and detergent
etc. Glucose, inverted sugar
syrup is added in milk to increase
the consistency and test.
Test for synthetic milk requires
specific reagents. In case of
doubt, please contact PFA deptt.
DO
4.Ghee Vanaspati or
Margarine
Consumer will be
deprived from the
desired nutritional
value foods
Take about one tea spoon full of method sample
of ghee with equal quantity of concentrated
Hydrochloric acid in a stoppered test tube and
add to it a pinch of sugar. Shake well for one
minute and let it stand for five mintues.
Appearance of crimson colour (vilot pink) in
lower (acid) layer shows presence of Vanaspati
or Margarine.
The test in specifie for seasame oil which is
compulsory added to Vanaspati and Margarine
Some coal tar colours also give a positive test.
If the test is positive i.e. red colour develops
only by adding strong Hydrochloric acid
(without adding crystals is of sugar) then the
sample is adulterated with coaltar dye. If the
crimson or red colour develops after adding and
shaking with sugar, then alone Vansapati or
Margarine is present.
5) Mashed
potatotes, other
starches
It may cause food
poisoning because
starchy foods are more
susceptiable for
Micro-organisms
The presence of mashed potatoes and sweet
patotatoes in a sample of Ghee can easily be
detected by adding a few drops of iodine, when
iodine, which is brownish in colour turns to
blue then mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes/other

9. starches are presents.
6) Butter a) Vanaspati or
Margraine
b) Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes and
other starches
Consumer will be
deprived from the
desired nutritional
value.
May cause food
poisoning after some
time because
adulterated foods are
more suspectable to
Micro-organisms.
Take about one tea spoon full of melted sample
of butter with equal quantity of concentrated
Hydrochloric acid in a stoppered test tube and
add to a pinch of sugar. Shake well for one
minute Appearance of crimson colour is lower
(acid) layer shows presence of Vanaspati or
Margarine.
The presence of mashed potatoes and sweet
potatoes in a sample of butter can easily be
detected by adding a few drops of iodine.When
iodine (which is brownish in colour) turns to
blue if mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes/other
starches are present.
The test is specific for sesame oil which is
compulsorily added to Vanaspati and Margarine
some coal tar colours also give a positive i.e.
red colour develops only by adding strong.
Hydrochloric acid (without adding crystal of
sugar) then the sample is adulterated with
coaltar dye. If the crimson or red colour
develops after adding and shaking with sugar ,
then alone Vanaspati or Margarine is present.
OILS AND FATS
SWEETENING
AGENT
Sugar
a) Argemone oil
b) Mineral oil
c) Castor oil
Chalk powder
Epidemic dropsy
(fluid accumulation in
lower extermities)
glaucoma, heart
trouble debilitating
diseases like beri-beri
Lever trouble and

10. possibility of cancer.
Causes vomiting
gastro enterities
(Diarrohea)
Convulsions oedema
Stomatch disorder
Take small quantity of oil in a test tube. Add
equal quantity of concentrated Nitric acid and
shake carefully. Red to reddish brown colour in
lower (acid) layer would indicate the presence
of Argemone oil.
Take 2 ml of the oil sample and add equal
quantity of N/2 alcoholic potash. Heat in
boiling water bath(dip in boiling water) for
about 15 minute or till it becomes clear and add
10 ml of hot water. Any turbidity shows
presence of mineral oil.
(i) Take about one ml of the oil. Add 10 ml of
acidified petroleum ether and mix well. And a
few drops of ammonium molybdate regent.
Immediate appearance of white turbidity
indicates the presence of castor oil
1. Dissolve oil in petroleum either in a test
tube and cool the test tube in ice-salt mixture.
Turbidity within 5 minutes shows castor oil.
Dissolve 10 gm of sample in glass of water,
allow to settle , chalk will settle down at the
bottom.
Colourless (not yellowish) Nitric acid may be
used. Artificial colour if present will usually be
a bright shade of colour, generally. Red or pink.
The test may sometimes give misleading result.
The test may not respond if the Argemone oil is
present in small quantity.this test may not be
positive.
If castor oil is present in small quantity, this test
may not be positive.
Pithi sugar I ) Washing soda
ii) Chalk powder
iii) Yellow colour
(unpermitted)
iv) Honey
a) Metanil Yellow
(a non-permitted
colour)
b) Saccharin
Skin diseases &
damage to respiratory
tract
Stomach
disorder/cancer
Cancer
Sugar solution

11. Degeneration of testis
in males
Carcingenic may
cause bladder cencer
Add few drops of Hydrochloric acid,
effervescence (give off bubbles) will indicate
the presence of washing soda.
Dissolve 10 gm of sample in a glass of water,
allow to settle. Chalk will settle down at the
bottom. Take 5 ml in a test tube from the above
solution and add few drops of cone HCl. A
pink colour in lower acid layers shows the
presence of unpermitted colour.
A cotton which dipped in pure honey when
lighter with a match stick burns and shows the
purity of honey. If adulterated, the presence of
water will not allow the honey to burn. It does,
it will produce a cracking sond.
Extract colour with luke water from food
articles. Add few drops of concentrated
Hydrochloric acid. If Magenta red colour
develops the presence of metanil yellow is
indicated.
i) Taste a small quantity, Saccharin leaves
a lingering sweetness (on tounge for a
considerable time and
This test is only for added water.
Sweetmeats, Ice
Cream and
Beverages
FOOD GRAINS
AND THEIR
PRODUCTS
i) Wheat, Rice,
Maize, Jawar,
Bajra, Chana,
Barley etc.
a) Dust, pebble,
stone straw,
weed seeds
damaged grain
weevilled
grains, insects
rodent hair and
excreata
b) Ergot (a fungus
containing
poisonous
substance)
Stomach Disorder
Lever damage and
cancer
-Do-

12. Leaves bitter tastes at the end.
ii) Take two spoons of liquid sample or
about 5 to 10 gms of solid sample with
little quantity of water in a test tube, add
few drops of Hydrochloric acid and 10
ml of solvent ether, Shake well. Decant
the ether layer in a test tube or beaker
and wash the either layer with small
quantity of water evaporate the ether
spontaneously. Add one drop of water
(warm) to the residue and taste. Sweet
taste will indicate the presence of
saccharin.
These may be examined visually to see foreign
matter, damaged grains, discoloured grains ,
insect rodent contamination etc.
a) Purple black longer sized grains in Bajra
show the presence of Ergots
b) Put some grains in a glass tumbler
containing 20 percent salt solution.
Ergot floats over
Damaged/ discoloured grains should be a slow
as possible since they may be affected by fungal
toxins Argemon seeds, Dhature seeds etc. in
modernately excessive amount can result in risk
to health. Discard the damaged/undesirable
grains before use.
Sella Rice
(Parboiled Rice)
c) Dhatura
d) Karnel Bunt
e) Argemone seed
Metanil Yellow (a
non-permitted
coalter colour)
Turmeric (colouring
for golden
appearance)
Lever damage and
cancer
Stomach, Disorder
Epidemic dropsy,
glaucoma, Heart
trouble
Degeneration test is in
males /cancer
Anaemia paralysis etc.
(if turmeric contains
lead chromate)
The surface while sound grains settles down
Dhatura seeds are flat with edges with blackish
brown colour which can be seperated out by
close examination.

13. The affected wheat karnel have a dull
apperance, blackish in colour and rotten fish
smell
Assemble mustard seed which show a
protrusion on close examination. The surface
of Argemone seed is grainy and rough while
that of mustard seed is smooth. When Mustard
seed is pressed in side, it is yellow where as
seed is white.
Rub a few grains in the plams of tow hands,
yellow colour get ruduced or disappear. Add a
few drops of concentrated Hydrochloric acid to
a few rice grains mixed with little water
presence of pink colour indicates presence of
Metanil yellow.
i) Take a small amount of sample in test
tube, add some water and shake Dip
Boric acid paper (filter paper dipped in
Boric acid solution).
If it turns pink, turmeric is present.
Argemone
See Appendix I
3. Dal Whole and
split
4. Atta, Maida
suji (Rawa)
5. Besan
(a) Khersari Dal
b) Clay, stone,
gravels, webs
insects, rodent
hair & excreta
c) Metanil yellow
(a non
permitted
coalter colour)
a) Sand soil, insects
webs, lumps,
rodent hair and
excreta
b) Iron filling
Khesari flour
Lathyrism, Paralysis
& Leprosy
Stomach disorder
Lever damage &
cancer
Degeneration of test is
in males and effect
lever
Stomach disorder,
Lever damage &
cancer

14. Affect intestines
Lathyrism, Paralysis
ii) Take some rice and sprinkle on it a
small amount of soaked lime for some
time.
The rice grains will turn red if turmeric present.
i) Khesari dal has edged typed appearance
showing a slant on one side and square
in appearance in contrast to other dals.
ii) add 50 ml of dilute Hydrochloric acid to
the sample and keep in simmering for
about 15 minute. The pink colour
developed indicates the presence of
Khesari dal Visual exmination will
detect these adulterants.
Take 5 gms of the sample with 5 ml of water in
a test tube and add a few drops of concentrated
Hydrochloric acid. A pink colour shows
presence of Metanil yellow.
These can be identified by visual examination.
By moving a magnet through the sample, Iron
filling can be separated.
Add 50 ml of dilute Hydrochloric acid to
The test is only for khesari dal (Metanil yellow
if present will give a similar colour immediately
even without simmering).
Raject if the number of insects is large or if the
odour is unpleasant and taste bitter or gritty.
The test is only for
SPICES AND
CONDIMENTS
Whole spicies
Black pepper
Cloves
Dirt, dust, straw
insect, damaged
seeds, other seeds,
rodent hair and
excreta
(a) Papaya seeds
(b) Light black
(c) Coated with
mineral oil
Volatile oil
Leprosy
Stomach Disorder
Lever damage and
Cancer
Cancer
Deprived from the
desired
10 gms of sample and keep on simmering for
about 15 minutes. The pink colour, if

15. developed, indicates, the presence of khesari
flour.
These can be examined visually
Papaya seeds can be seprated out from pepper
as they are shrunken, oval in shape and greenish
brown or brownish black in colour.
(1) Float the sample of black pepper in
alchohol (rectified spirit). The mature
black pepper berries sink while the
papaya seeds and light black pepper float.
(2) Press the berries with the help of fingers
light berries will break easily while black
pepper will not break.
Black pepper coated with mineral oil gives
kerosene like smell.
(3) Exhausted cloves can be identified by its
Khesari dal (Metanil yellow, if present will give
a similar colour even without simmering insects
is large or if the odour is unpleasant and taste
bitter.
(c) Mustard Seed
(d) Turmeric
whole
4. Powdered
spices
Powdered spices
(a) Turmeric
powder
Extracted
(exhausted cloves)
Argemone Seed
Lead Chromate
(a) Added Starch
(b) Chalk Powder
yellow soap
stone powder
(c) Common salt
(a) Coloured Saw
Nutritional value
foods
Epidemic dropsy,
glaucoma, heart
trouble
Anaemia, Abortion,
Paralysis, Brain
damage deprived from
the desired nutritional
value foods.
Stomach disorders/
Cancer.
Deprived from the
nutritional value
foods.

16. Stomach disorders,
Degeneration of tests
in male/cancer
Small size and shrunken appearance. The
characheristic pungent taste of genuine cloves is
less pronounced in exhausted cloves.
Take some water in beaker/glass and add
clvoes. Genuene cloves will settle down at
bottom while exhausted cloves will float, on
surface.
Mustard seeds have a smooth surface the
argemone seed have grainy and rough surface
and are black and hence can be separated out by
close examination. When Mustard seed is
pressed in side it is yellow while Argemone
seed is white.
Appears to be bright coloured and leaves colour
immediately in water.
Boil the sample with some water in a test tube
and cool. And a few drops of tincture of Iodine
or Iodine solution. Indication of blue colour
shows the presence of starch.
Take one gram of powdered spices in a test tube
and add 5 ml. Carbontetra-chloride solvent
Shake well and left for some time. Impurities
will settle at the bottom, while the spice powder
will float on the surface.
Taste for addition of common salt.
Take a tea spoon full of turmeric powder in a
test tube. Add a few drops of concentrated
Hydrochloric acid. Instant appearance of pink
colour which disappeares on dilution with water
shows the presence of trumeric. If the colour
Use manginifying glass for identification.
Iodine test for added starch is not applicable for
turmeric powder.
The test is only for Metanil yellow.
Chillies Powder
Chalk Powder
(a) Brick, Powder,
salt powder or
tale powder
(b) Water soluble
Coaltar Colour
Stomach
disorder/Cancer
Stomach
irritation/Cancer
Lever damage/ Cancer
persists, metanil yellow (an artificial colour ) a
non permiktted coaltar is present.
Take a small quantity of turmeric powder in a
test tube containing small quantity of water.

17. Add a few drops of concentrated Hydrochloric
acid, effervesence (give off bubbles) will
indicate the presnce of chalk of yellow soap
stone powder.
Take a tea spoon full of chillies powder in a
glass of water. Coloured water extract will
show the presence of artificial colour. Any
grittiness that may be felt on rubbing the
sediment at the bottom or glass confirm the
presence of brick powder/sand, soapy and
smooth touch of the white residue at the bottom
indicates the presence of soap stone.
Water soluble artificial colour can be detected
by sprinkling a small quantity of chillies or
turmeric powder on the surface of water
contained in a glass tumbler. The water soluble
colour will immediately start discending in
colour streaks.
This test is only for earthy material
(iii) Hing
(iv) Saffron
MISCELLENEO
US FOODS
Iodized Salt
(c ) oil soluble
coaltar
Soap stone or other
earthy matter
Coloured dried
tendrils of maize cob
Common salt
Lever damage/cancer
Damaged to the
elementary canal and
kidney stone.
Cancer
May cause goiter
Take 2 gm of the sample in a test tube, add few
ml of solvent ether and shake. Decant ether
layer into a test tube containing 2 ml of dilute
Hydrochloric acid (1 ml Hel plus 1 ml of water)
shake it, the lower acid layer will be coloured
distinct pink to red indicating presence of oil
soluble colour.
Shake little portion of the sample with water
and allow to settle. Soap stone or other earthy
matter will settle down at the bottom.
Genuine saffron will not break easily like
artificial. Artificial saffron is prepared by
soaking maize cob in sugar and colouring it
with coal tar colour. The colour dissolves in
water if artificially coloured.
A bit of pure safforn when allowed to dissolved

18. in water will continue to give its safforn colour
so long as it lasts.
i) Test as per the kit supplied by the salt
Deptt. Min. of industries or through
State iodine Deficiency disorder (IDD)
Cell NCT, Delhi.
ii) Cut a piece of potato , add salt and wait
minute and add two drops of lemon
juice. If iodized salt blue colour will
develop. In case of common salt, there
will be no blue colour.
See also Appendix I . In place of solvent ether
thinner can also be used.
In compounded Hing due to presence of starch,
a slight turbid solution, may be produced.
However this will settle down after keeping.
Common salt
Tea leaves
Coffee powder
White powdered
stone
(a) Exhuasted tea or
tur or gram dal
husk with
colour.
(b) Iron fillings
(c) chicory
Damage to the
elementary canals
Cancer and other
diseases.
Damaged to the
elementary canals
Deprived from the
nutritional value
foods.
Stir a spoonful of sample of salt in a glass of
water. The presence of chalk will make solution
white and other insoluble immpurities will
settle down.
Take a filter paper and spares a few tea leaves
sprinked with water to wet the filter paper if
coal tar colour is presented it would
immediately stain the filter paper wash the filter
paper under tap water and observe the staine
against light.
Spread a little slaked lime on white proclain
tile or glass plate, sprinkle a little tea dust on
the lime. Red, orange or other shades of colour
spreading on the lime will show the presence of
coal tar colour. In case of genuine tea, there will
be only a slight greenish yellow colour due to
chlorophyll, which will appear after some time.

19. By moving a magnet through the sample, iron
filling can be separated.
Gently sprinkle the coffee powder sample on
the surface of water in a glass, the coffee floats
over the water but chicory begins to sink down
within a few seconds. The falling chicory
powder particles leave behind them a trail of
colour , due to large amount of caramel.
Supari Pan
Massala
Catechu Powder
Starch , toasted
bread powder,
chokar etc
Tamarind seeds
powder and date
seeds powder
(j) Colour
(ii) Saccharin
Chalk
Do
Do
Cancer Damaged
elementary canal
Take a small amount of coffee powder in a test
tube with water and heat. Take another test tube
and add two granules of potassium permegnate
add 2 drops of cone Hel mix both the solution
and add tincher iodine solution. If blue colour
comes, it means coffee powder is adulterated
alter natively make a decoction of the coffee,
decolourises it by adding acidified potassium
permegnate solution and then add a drop of
Iodine solution.
Blue colour shows adulteration with starchy
material.
(i) Take the solution of sodium hydroxide in a
test tube and add coffee powder.
Development of red colour indicates
presence of tamarind seeds.
(ii) Sprinkle the suspected coffee powder on
white filter/blotting paper and spray 1 percent
sodium carbonate solution on it. Tamarind and
date seed powder will, if persent, stain blotting
paper/ filter paper red. Lever damage & colour
dissolves in water Saccharin gives excessive
and Cancer care ingeniclingering sweet taste
and leaves bitter taste at the end.
May cause bladder
Chalk gives effervescence (gives off bubbles)
With concentrated Hydrochiloric acid.
This test is only for chalk.

20. Silver leaves
Vinegar
Aluminium leaves
Mineral acid
Being Reactive
reduces the supply of
essential
Micronutrients
Toxic/damge
elementary canal
(i) Onignition, genuine silver leaves burn away
completely, leaving glistering white
spherical ball of the same mass whereas
aluminium leaves are reduced to ashes of
dark grey blackish colour.
(ii) Take silver leaves in test tube, add diluted
Hydrochloric acid. Appearance of turbidity to
white precipitate indicated the presence of
silver leaves. Aluminium leaves do not give any
trubidity or precipitate.
(iii) Take a small portion of metal leaves and
add a few drops of concentrated Nitric acid.
Silver leaves will completely dissolve where as
aluminium leaves will remain undissolved.
Test with the Metanil yellow indicator paper in
case the colour changes from yellow to pink
mineral acid is present.
See appendix I
CAUTION: The acids prescribed in these test should be used with caution. Their external & internal
use on the body is strictly prohibited. They should strictly be kept away from
children. In no case mentally retareded or emotional persons should be allowed to handle them.