The Cyberabad Special Operation Team (SOT) raided coconut oil adulteration manufacturing unit at Miyapur, Hyderabad.

Palm and mineral oil is being mixed in the coconut oil and refilling it in the branded oil bottles. Mineral oil causes huge hair loss, the tests proved.

In a manufacturing unit at Shamirpet, SOT recently seized 3,000 litres of palm oil and 1,500 kg vanaspati.

The adulterators were mixing these things in pure ghee and packing it in containers, carrying the names of popular brands like Vijaya. As known, the adulterated ghee affects the human digestion system and causes severe gastric problems.

Essential commodities like chilli powder, turmeric powder, edible oil and other commodities are being adulterated with the harmful chemicals.

Speaking on the adulteration, resource management & consumer sciences department of the Home Science College professor, P Radha Rani said that, their department had developed a kit available at nominal cost, for testing commodities for adulteration.

How to identify the adulterated products?

To identify the adulteration in the chilli, turmeric and coriander powder, mix a spoon of such powder in a glass of water. If it gets mixed in water, then it is original, if it floats or sink to the bottom of the container, it is adulterated.

Identify the adulteration of pepper, by mixing a tablespoon of it in glass of water. It is original, if it settles in the bottom.
 
Kit developed by the Home Science College, identifies the adulteration in the tea powder.

Coming to the coconut oil, if it gets solidified after keeping in the refrigerator, you are safe.

To identify adulterated sugar, mix a spoon of it in hydrochloric acid. You can observe fumes coming out, if it is impure. Later, add water to the mixture and dip a red litmus paper. If the paper turns blue, the sugar is adulterated. The sugar is safe, if paper’s colour won’t change.

By Phani Ch