All may be adulterated , experts urge caution while purchasing products ahead of Holi
PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun
Though people are apprehensive about buying open milk products like paneer and mawa ahead of Holi due to potential adulteration, experts emphasise that consumers should exercise caution and awareness regardless of whether they choose open or packaged products.
While talking to The Pioneer, the deputy commissioner of the Uttarakhand Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) GC Kandwal said that those opting for packaged products must check essential details such as the ingredients list, manufacturer’s address and storage instructions. “Whether it is dairy products like paneer, mawa or even cooking oil, people should not blindly trust a brand or purchase any random packaged item. It is important to verify these basic details,” he said. Kandwal also cautioned against consuming foods containing harmful additives, particularly colourful snacks like chips, fryums and coated dry fruits, which often see a surge in sales during Holi. “People should ensure that only permitted food colours are used in these products and avoid those containing banned or toxic substances. Also, reusing cooking oil for frying can pose serious health risks and should be strictly avoided,” he added.
The secretary of the Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS) Brij Mohan Sharma also stated that packaged dairy products are not necessarily safer than open ones. “Many assume that packaged mawa and paneer are free from adulteration but that is not always the case. Even reputed brands use preservatives to extend shelf life, which can have long-term health implications,” Sharma said. He also said that food adulteration peaks during major festivals like Holi when the demand for dairy products soars while milk supply remains limited. “We have conducted multiple tests on both packaged and open products in the past that have shown that adulteration is equally likely in both. Instead of assuming that branded items are superior, consumers should perform simple checks. For example, rubbing mawa or paneer between the palms, if it feels rubbery rather than greasy, it is likely adulterated,” he said.
Sharma further recommended that people prepare mawa and paneer at home whenever possible, as it is easy to make and free from preservatives. Meanwhile, as part of a special campaign to curb food adulteration ahead of Holi, Kandwal informed that the FDA has collected 198 samples of dairy products and cooking oil from across the State. “So far, we have destroyed 70 kilogrammes of adulterated mawa, five kilogrammes of ghee, three quintals of paneer, 40 kilogrammes of cream and 22 kilogrammes of sweets that failed to meet food safety standards,” Kandwal informed.
He also urged consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing food items during the festive season to safeguard their health.
