15 tons of fake spices seized, cancer causing agents were being prepared using cow dung and acid, FSSAI told ways to identify fake spices

Acid and rotten leaves were being mixed in spices

You must have heard the news of banning of some spices of many top spice brands of the country in many countries. Cancer causing chemical ‘ethylene oxide’ was found in many spices of these brands. The fake spices confiscated in Delhi were made from rotten leaves, rice, wasted jowar, chilli peels, acid and inferior oil. These spices were being sold at the price of real spices in Delhi-NCR.

What all things are mixed in spices

In order to earn more profit, either the original spices are adulterated, chemicals are added to the spices or fake spices are made from dirty things. Let us know what is mixed in which spices and what are the disadvantages of this:

• Turmeric- Lead chromate and metanil yellow are added to enhance the color of turmeric. This can cause lead poisoning, kidney and liver problems.
• Metanil Yellow can cause cancer, stomach pain, vomiting.
• Red chilli powder- Artificial colours and brick powder are added to enhance the colour of chillies. This can cause stomach irritation and digestive problems, cancer, liver damage and allergies.

Cow dung is mixed with coriander powder

• Coriander powder: Sawdust and cow dung powder are mixed in it. This increases the weight and darkens the colour. This can cause stomach infections and other problems.
• Black pepper- Dried papaya seeds are added to it. This can cause stomach irritation and nutritional deficiency.
• Cumin- Black grass seeds are added to make it look like cumin. It can cause respiratory problems and stomach problems.

How to identify papaya seeds in black pepper

Place some black pepper on a white paper and look at it with a magnifying glass. Pure black pepper seeds will appear brown in colour, have a wrinkled surface and taste good. Adulterated seeds appear wrinkled, have a smooth surface and are oval in shape. Their colour is greenish-brown or blackish-brown.

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How to identify fake spices?

• Black pepper: Press a little black pepper with your finger. Real pepper will not break, fake pepper will break.
• Saffron: Put saffron in hot water. The color of real saffron will fade slowly, while that of fake saffron will fade immediately.
• Turmeric: Pour lemon juice on rice. There will be no change in real turmeric, fake turmeric will turn red.
• Red chilli powder: Add red chilli powder to a glass of water. If something like sand or soap is seen in the water, then chilli is adulterated.
• Cumin: Put cumin seeds in a glass of water. The real cumin will settle down, the fake one will float.
• Coriander Powder: Real coriander powder is greenish brown in color and has a pleasant aroma. Fake coriander is dull in color and has a weak aroma.
• Salt: Dissolve salt in water. If the water is clear then the salt is pure, if the water turns white then it is adulterated.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.