Authorities Ramp Up Festive Inspections
As India gears up for the festive season, food safety authorities have intensified their surveillance efforts across the country. In a directive issued in late September 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) instructed all states
and Union Territories to conduct special inspection drives, particularly for Navratri and Diwali. The increased demand for sweets, savouries, edible oils, and especially milk products like khoya, paneer, and ghee, creates a powerful economic incentive for adulteration. Recent enforcement actions have already led to the seizure of thousands of kilograms of suspected adulterated goods in regions like Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra, highlighting the scale of the problem. These drives target hotspots like markets and manufacturing units to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.
The Most Common Culprits Revealed
Inspectors consistently find the same types of violations year after year. Milk and milk products are prime targets. Khoya, the base for many Indian sweets, is often bulked up with starch, paper, or even chemicals like sodium hydrosulfite to appear whiter. Paneer samples have been found to contain detergent, while ghee is frequently adulterated with cheaper vanaspati or other vegetable oils. Other common issues include the use of non-permitted, brightly coloured synthetic dyes in sweets and savouries, which can pose significant health risks. Even the silver foil, or vark, used to decorate sweets can be fraudulent, with cheaper and potentially harmful aluminium foil substituted for pure silver. The oil used for frying snacks is another concern; if repeatedly used, it can form harmful compounds.
Decoding Labels and Making Smart Choices
A key defence for consumers is careful scrutiny of product labels. For packaged goods, always check for the FSSAI license number, a clear list of ingredients, and the manufacturing and 'Use by' or 'Best before' dates. This is particularly important for items like pre-packed cumin powder, where recent tests found pesticide residues above safe limits, prompting a recall. However, many festive treats are sold loose, making quality checks harder. In response, some states like Uttar Pradesh have mandated that even loose sweets must have a 'Use by' date displayed at the counter. This empowers consumers to make informed decisions about freshness. When in doubt, it is always better to buy from reputable, licensed vendors known for their quality rather than choosing the cheapest option.
Your Guide to Safer Festive Feasting
Beyond checking labels, there are several practical steps you can take to protect your family. First, trust your senses. If a sweet looks unnaturally vibrant or has a chemical smell, it is best to avoid it. Purchase from vendors who maintain clean and hygienic premises. Second, you can perform simple tests at home. To check for starch in khoya or paneer, boil a small piece in water, let it cool, and add a drop of iodine solution. If it turns blue, it contains starch. To test milk, let a drop run down a slanted, polished surface. Pure milk will leave a white trail, while milk adulterated with water will flow quickly without leaving a mark. For silver vark, rub it between your fingers; if it is aluminium, it will stick.
