In this blog, we have curated a list of 3 quick homemade tests that you can do to detect adulteration in your food grains. Relax, we have curated a list of only super simple yet effective ways to detect adulteration. Let’s get this started. 

Test 1- Detection of Turmeric in Sella Rice 

• Take a small amount of rice in a transparent glass plate
• Now sprinkle soaked lime (commonly known as “chuna”) on the rice. 
• If the rice turns yellowish or reddish in color then turmeric was used as an adulterant. 

Source: DART Book, FSSAI

Test 2 – Detection of rhodamine B in Ragi 

• Take a sample of ragi in a glass bowl. 
• Take a cotton ball and soak it in water or vegetable oil. 
• Rub the ragi beans against the wet cotton bowl. 
• If the cotton ball absorbs the color of ragi, then it was adulterated with rhodamine B. 

Source: DART Book, FSSAI

Test 3 – Detection of straw, pebble, dust, or stone in food grains 

• Take the sample of food grains or lentils on a transparent glass plate
• Adulterants like pebble and stone are clearly visible on a transparent glass plate

Source: DART Book, FSSAI

What? Do you mean by observing? What’s new in that? I already know this.

Well, we know that you are smart enough to observe the pebbles and stones before buying the food grains. 

Then? Why are you sharing this?

The simple reason is that even the seller would not hide this from you. The seller will present two options- one food grain that has adulteration but comes at a lower cost and the other pure one but with a slightly higher cost. 

This is just a reminder that NEVER ever choose food grains with adulteration just because they are cheaper. In the long run, it will drastically impact your health, and twenty years down the line you will be spending a much larger amount in the hospital. So, think rationally. 

Other tests that can be done at home just by observing carefully:

• Detection of dhatura in food grains 
• Detection of Chakunda beans in pulses 
• Detection of sand, soil, small insects in wheat flour, and maida 

Concluding Note:

Always choose your health over cheap products. Period. 

Nowadays, it is becoming more difficult to differentiate the original product from an adulterated one, especially if you shop a lot from an open market. Therefore, we recommend you to only shop from a trusted marketplace where there is a guarantee on every product being sold. Still have some doubts? 

Why don’t you text us on WhatsApp and our team will take it from there.