Visitors to the ‘Eat Right Mela’ held at Nature Cure Hospital in Hyderabad on Monday (April 6, 2026) were attracted to two interactive stalls set up by the Telangana Food Safety Department, where officials showcased how common food items are often adulterated and how consumers can detect them using simple methods.
The stalls focused on two major areas of concern: use of artificial colors in food and adulteration in milk and dairy products.
At stalls displaying artificially colored foods, a variety of commonly consumed products were displayed, including sweet potatoes with unnaturally bright skin, brightly colored dried kiwi slices, green peas, fennel seeds (fennel), and multicolored confectionery items. The exhibit highlighted how excessive and non-permitted coloring agents are used to enhance visual appeal and mislead consumers.
Detecting adulteration through visual inspection
Officials at the Telangana State Food Testing Laboratory at Nacharam, the only food testing facility in the state, said that as laboratory testing involves chemical reagents and precise analysis, consumers can detect adulteration in certain food items through careful visual inspection. Items with extremely bright, uniform or unnatural colors, such as fluorescent green peas or intense orange slices, may indicate the use of synthetic dyes. He added that in some cases, the color may even come off when touched or washed, which serves as a clear warning sign.
The second stall focused on milk and dairy products. For example, the presence of starch in milk can be detected by adding iodine solution, which turns blue-black if starch is present. Similarly, impurities in ghee and butter can be identified through changes in texture, smell and response to heat or chemicals. Visitors were also shown how diluted milk can be traced through consistency and layers when left undisturbed.
The demonstration included practical setups with droppers and small containers, allowing attendees to see how different samples reacted under testing conditions. Officials said such awareness is important as milk and dairy products are among the most adulterated food items due to high demand.
He said that although laboratory confirmation remains the gold standard, increasing consumer awareness can act as the first line of defense against food adulteration. He said the objective of the stalls is not only to educate but also to empower people to make safe food choices in their daily lives.
