Adulterated Lentils Give 80 People Food Poisoning In Meghalaya, Here Are 5 Tests To Check The Purity Of Dal

All over India, cases have been arising where adulterated or impure food products have been landing people in hospitals and in one recent case, over 80 people were diagnosed with food poisoning in Adokgre village in the North Garo hills of Meghalaya after consuming a mixture of lentils. As per reports, after a football match at Chenangre Stadium on October 9th, many people from the crowd ate from a local street food vendor who was serving a mixture of dals, after which, many faced gastrointestinal discomfort which led to many being hospitalised. The contaminated foods were seized by the Food Safety Officer of North Garo Hills and sent to Shillong for laboratory analysis and an investigation is being launched into the vendor and his facilities and methods.This incident is concerning to many as lentils and legumes are staples in many Indian dishes. The most common varieties in the Indian kitchen include toor dal, masoor dal, moong dal, urad dal, chana dal, chawli, and rajma. Even though they’re such a common ingredient, there are some inherent risks that come with eating lentils as undercooked lentils retain a chemical called lectin, which may lead to digestive issues such as diarrhoea or food poisoning. Cooking lentils to the right consistency ensures you enjoy their health benefits without any unwanted discomfort.

Try these 5 simple tests to check the purity of your lentils at home. Check The ColourThe best place to start is by observing the lentils' colour. Unadulterated lentils usually have a slightly dull appearance, not overly glossy. If the lentils appear suspiciously bright or vibrant, it may mean that artificial colouring has been used to enhance the appearance and make them look more appetising. Bright shades of yellow or orange be an easy tip to spot low-quality or fake lentils. Test With WaterGrind a small amount of lentils into a coarse powder and add it to hot water. Stir and observe the water’s colour. If the water turns a bright yellow or other unnatural shades, it may indicate the presence of artificial colours. Pure lentils will not significantly alter the water’s colour when soaked or boiled.Also Read: Consistency and AppearancePure lentils should have a uniform size, texture, and appearance without any unnatural shine or residue. If the lentils appear glossy or leave a coloured residue on your hands, it may be a sign of surface treatments or colouring agents. Real lentils should look natural and have a consistent colour and shape in quality, with no added gloss or residue. Hydrochloric Acid Test for Lead ChromateTo test for lead chromate adulteration, mix one spoon of water with a spoonful of lentils, then add a few drops of hydrochloric acid. Stir the mixture and let it settle. If the lentil mixture turns pink, it suggests the lentils are adulterated with lead chromate, which can be harmful if eaten. Check for Metanil Colour AdulterationTo detect metanil yellow dye, another common adulterant used to improve the colour of the lentils, repeat the test with hydrochloric acid. And if the if the mixture turns dark red instead of pink, the lentils may be contaminated with metanil yellow, a synthetic dye known to be hazardous to health.