Food Adulteration- Definition, Signs, and Types

1. Food Adulteration: Definition, Signs, and Types Food fraud is the process by which the quality or consistency of a particular food is reduced by the addition of counterfeit products or the removal of important substances. Food adulterant refers to foreign substances, usually inferior chemicals, that are added to food and are harmful or undesirable to the food. Basically, in food adulteration, small amounts of non-nutritive substances are intentionally added to improve the appearance, texture, or storage properties of the food. Food adulteration is widespread in developing countries. \ Signs of Food Adulteration ● The foods sold do not meet the properties and qualities of the substances that consumers demand. ● Foods contain inferior or cheaper substances ● Foods were cooked, packaged, or stored in a dirty condition that could lead to contamination. ● Foods contain substances that are harmful or harmful to your health. ● When the original consistency of the food is replaced in whole or in part by removing some of the important substances from the food. ● If it is an imitation of another food. Types of Food Adulteration On the basis of intent, there are four major types of adulteration in food. They are as follows: 1. Intentional Adulteration: Here, similar-looking/feeling substances. are added to a food item to increase its weight or quantity and gain more profit by doing so. The biggest example of this case is the Chinese milk watering down a case of 2008. 2. Packing Hazard:The packing material in which the food is packed can react with the food’s ingredients to contaminate and deteriorate the condition of food leading to packing hazards. 3. Metallic Adulteration: It may happen accidentally or intentionally and the addition of metallic materials into food like lead or mercury is known as metallic adulteration.

2. 4. Incidental Adulteration: Residues of pesticides or harmful fertilizers, presence of droppings of rodents, larvae growth, etc. are known as incidental adulteration which occurs due to negligence while handling food. Why is Food Adulteration done? The process of contaminating food or adding to the food components is a common phenomenon in developing countries. The process of food contamination or addition to food ingredients is a common phenomenon in developing countries. ● Practiced as part of business strategy. ● Imitation of another food substance. ● Lack of knowledge about proper food intake. ● To increase the volume of food production and sales. ● Increasing food demand for a rapidly growing population. ● Get the most out of groceries with less investment. For more such articles and food Marketing, agrotech, and technology related to the Indian food industry, check out FMTmagazine. FMT Magazine is an edition of the German publication. It is a comprehensive food and beverage magazine that connects the buyers and the sellers through content that is of international quality. The magazine over the entire spectrum of the food industry including content on policies. FMT Magazine stands for Food Marketing & Technology Magazine. The magazine carries articles on ingredients, processing, packaging, food safety, and marketing, along with interviews with top personalities in the Indian food industry.