That melt-in-your-mouth peda or that perfectly golden jalebi is a Diwali staple, but what if it’s hiding something harmful? Every festive season, cases of fake or adulterated sweets spike across India. According to the (FSSAI), many shop-bought mithai contain adulterants like starch, artificial dyes, or metallic powders that can cause allergies, nausea, and even organ damage.



The good news is, you don’t need a chemistry lab to find out if your sweets are safe. With a few simple kitchen tests, you can check the purity of ghee, milk, khoya , and even silver vark at home. Here’s how to test your Diwali mithai and protect your family from fake sweets this festive season.







How to test fake mithai at home for Diwali safety




As the festive rush fills markets with colourful sweets, adulteration becomes alarmingly common. From milk-based mithai to dry fruits, nearly every ingredient can be tampered with for profit. Below are easy, safe ways to test your mithai at home before you indulge.





Testing ghee purity in mithai

Pure ghee smells rich and nutty, but adulterated ghee often contains vanaspati or refined oil. To check purity, melt a teaspoon of ghee in a glass bowl. If it solidifies quickly after cooling, it’s pure. You can also add a pinch of sugar and heat it. Pure ghee will turn light brown, while adulterated ghee will release a white or grey residue. Impure ghee not only affects taste but may also increase bad cholesterol levels.





How to check adulterated khoya (mawa)

Khoya is often mixed with starch or detergent to cut costs. To test it, take a small piece of khoya and mix it with a few drops of iodine solution (available in most first aid kits). If the mixture turns blue, starch is present. Another simple test is to rub a bit between your fingers; pure khoya feels smooth, while adulterated versions feel grainy or sticky.





Testing silver vark for purity

That shiny silver leaf on mithai may look festive, but it can be fake. Pure silver vark dissolves easily and doesn’t crumble when touched. Aluminium foil, on the other hand, feels thicker and doesn’t melt easily on heating. You can also hold a small piece with tweezers and heat it gently. Pure silver will not burn or curl, but fake vark will. Avoid eating mithai with aluminium coating as it can cause digestive irritation.





Detecting artificial colours in sweets

Brightly coloured sweets often contain harmful industrial dyes instead of food-grade colour. To test, rub a small piece of mithai on a wet tissue. If the tissue gets stained, it contains an artificial dye. Natural colours like saffron or turmeric won’t bleed. Artificial colours can trigger rashes, hyperactivity in children, and long-term health risks if consumed frequently.







Checking milk adulteration in sweets




Milk-based sweets are often diluted with water or whitened using detergent or urea. To check for detergent, mix one teaspoon of the sweetener in half a glass of water and shake it. If foam appears like soap suds, detergent may be present. Urea can be detected by adding a few drops of bromothymol blue (BTB) reagent. If it turns blue, urea is present. While this test needs a reagent, it’s a worthwhile investment for home safety.







Testing adulteration in dry fruits used in mithai

Dry fruits are sometimes polished with mineral oil or artificially coloured. Soak them in warm water for 10 minutes. If you see colour leaching out or an oily layer floating, they’re impure. Always buy from trusted brands or unpackaged stores with proper FSSAI certification displayed.







Why testing mithai at home matters this Diwali

Diwali is about sharing sweetness, not falling sick after the celebration. Adulterated sweets can cause digestive issues, food poisoning, or allergic reactions, especially in children. Taking a few minutes to check your mithai ensures that your festive indulgence is safe and authentic. Remember, pure ingredients not only taste better but also uphold the true spirit of Diwali. So, this year, stay alert, test your sweets, and celebrate a safer, sweeter festival.









Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or lifestyle change.








Also read|