From milk to salt, 9 most adulterated food items in your kitchen

Milk This is one of the most adulterated food items. It is often mixed with water, starch or detergents to increase the consistency of the milk.

Honey To increase the volume of honey, it is often mixed with sugar syrup or corn syrup. If a spoonful of honey solidifies and sinks it is real and if it is adulterated it will dissolve. 

Red chilli powder It can be adulterated by using brick powder or artificial colours. Mix it in water and rub between your fingers, if you feel grittiness it is mixed with brick powder and if soapy then it is mixed with soapstone.

Turmeric Sometimes contains artificial colouring agents like lead chromate. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm water, if it dissolves it is mixed.

Rice Rice is often mixed with pebbles, damaged grains or polish. To check its purity, add soaked lime or chuna to the rice grains. If the colour of the water turns white it is polished. 

Ghee May be blended with cheaper fats or oils. Add a small amount of sugar to ghee and let it sit for five minutes. If the colour changes to red it contains vegetable oil.

Apples Apples are often coated with wax to give it a shiny and smooth texture. Pour hot water on the apple, if a white layer is formed it is coated with wax. 

Salt Salt can be adulterated with chalk powder. It is best to mix a tablespoon of salt in a glass, if the water turns white there are some particles of chalk powder. 

Black pepper It can be adulterated with blackberries. Take a small amount of black pepper and press it with your finger. If the pepper breaks easily it is mixed with light blackberries.

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