Food Guard
Detect chemical adulteration in your food using AI and physical inspection
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Fruits (32)
Mango
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mango Purity & Ripening VerdictIndustrial Calcium Carbide ('Masala') & Dye Risk: Cheap acetylene gas forces ripening in 24 hours but leaves toxic arsenic and phosphorus hydride residues.
Banana (Kela)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Banana Ripening & Chemical VerdictArtificial Calcium Carbide & Ethephon Gassing: Naturally ripened bananas develop golden skins with brownish stems and delicious aroma.
Papaya
⚡ Quick 60-Second Papaya Ripening & Latex VerdictPremature Calcium Carbide Ripening: Papayas picked too green are treated with industrial carbide or ethephon.
Apple
⚡ Quick 60-Second Apple Safety & Wax Coating VerdictSynthetic Wax & Fungicide Risk: Commercial apples are regularly coated with petroleum-based paraffin wax, carnauba, and morpholine to extend shelf life for up to 12 months, trapping systemic pesticides like Diphenylamine (DPA) onto the peel.1.
Pomegranate
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pomegranate Dye & Gassing VerdictRhodamine B Dye Injection & Ethylene Gassing: Pale arils in premature fruit are injected with synthetic red dyes (Rhodamine B / Red 40) or exposed to industrial ripening gases to simulate deep red ruby sweetness.1.
Guava
⚡ Quick 60-Second Guava Fruit Fly & Chemical Greening VerdictFruit Fly Larvae (*Bactrocera correcta*) & Copper Sulfate Wash: Immature guavas are washed with toxic copper sulfate to give them an unnatural glossy green hue, while ripe fruit is prone to internal fruit fly maggots.1.
Mixed Berries
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mixed Berries Purity & Mold VerdictSynthetic Coal-Tar Dyes & Concealed Fungal Mycotoxins: Soft berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) are prone to post-harvest dye baths (Erythrosine/Brilliant Blue) to disguise unripe fruit and hidden systemic mold spores (Botrytis cinerea).1.
Plum
⚡ Quick 60-Second Plum Purity & Wax Coating VerdictSynthetic Purple Coal-Tar Dyes & Heavy Paraffin Wax: Early-harvest unripe plums are treated with synthetic red/purple dyes to simulate ripeness and heavily coated with petroleum waxes to halt dehydration during cold transit.1.
Grapes
⚡ Quick 60-Second Grapes Fungicide & Pesticide VerdictCopper Sulfate & Systemic Pesticides: Grapes rank on the EWG Dirty Dozen list.
Watermelon
⚡ Quick 60-Second Watermelon Dye & Chemical VerdictErythrosin Dye & Saccharin Injections: Unripe, pale watermelons are injected via syringe with toxic Erythrosin (Red 40) dye and artificial saccharin to simulate bright red flesh and intense sweetness.1.
Sapota (Chikoo)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sapota (Chikoo) Ripening & Sweetener VerdictCalcium Carbide Ripening & Saccharin Soaking: Chikoos are routinely ripened with hazardous calcium carbide (acetylene gas) to force skin softening, and dipped in saccharin baths to fake high natural sugar content.1.
Jackfruit
⚡ Quick 60-Second Jackfruit Purity & Colorant VerdictSunset Yellow / Metanil Yellow Dyeing & Artificial Sweetening: Pre-cut jackfruit pods (carpels) are frequently dyed with synthetic yellow coal-tar dyes to simulate golden ripeness and drenched in sugar syrup containing saccharin.1.
Sweet Lime / Mosambi
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sweet Lime (Mosambi) Ripening & Sweetener VerdictCalcium Carbide Ripening & Saccharin Injections: Unripe bitter mosambis are artificially ripened using acetylene gas and injected near the stem button with saccharin syrup to mask natural citrus acidity.1.
Lemon
⚡ Quick 60-Second Lemon Wax & Acid-Wash VerdictSynthetic Gloss Wax & Acid Washing: Supermarket lemons are coated with synthetic carnauba/petroleum waxes containing fungicides (Imazalil, Thiabendazole) that cannot be rinsed off with water alone.1.
Custard Apple (Sitaphal)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Custard Apple (Sitaphal) Ripening & Purity VerdictEthylene Gas / Carbide Forced Softening & Saccharin Soaking: Immature custard apples are forced to soften with ripening gases before flesh starches convert to sugars, often soaked in sweetener solutions.1.
Apricot
⚡ Quick 60-Second Apricot (Fresh & Dried) Sulfur & Purity VerdictExcessive Sulfur Dioxide Fumigation & Mineral Oil Glaze: Dried apricots are heavily treated with sulfur dioxide gas to maintain an artificial neon-orange hue (hazardous to asthmatics) and coated with paraffin for gloss.1.
Cherries
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cherry Pesticide & Red Dye VerdictEWG Dirty Dozen #8 Alert: Over 90% of conventional sweet cherries test positive for two or more pesticide residues (Dimethoate, Boscalid).
Gooseberry (Amla)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Amla Purity & Copper Greening VerdictToxic Copper Sulfate Greening & Sulfite Preservatives: Fresh and preserved amla fruits are soaked in toxic copper sulfate solution or treated with sulfur dioxide to maintain bright emerald-green color and prevent natural brown oxidation.1.
Lychee
⚡ Quick 60-Second Lychee Sulfur Fumigation & Dye VerdictSulfur Dioxide Gas Bleaching & Synthetic Red Dyes: Lychees are heavily fumigated with sulfur dioxide gas to prevent skin browning and sprayed with synthetic coal-tar red dyes, leaving asthma-triggering chemical residues.1.
Avocado
⚡ Quick 60-Second Avocado Ripeness & Mold VerdictStem Cavity Mold (*Anthracnose*) & Premature Harvest: Immature avocados soften externally through forced ethylene gassing but retain rubbery, flavorless flesh, while stem ends harbor fungal rot.1.
Orange
⚡ Quick 60-Second Orange Citrus Red No.
Dragon Fruit
⚡ Quick 60-Second Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) Ripening & Dye VerdictScale Dyeing & Growth Regulator Ripening: Immature dragon fruits are sprayed with synthetic red dyes on the bract scales and treated with Ethephon to force red coloration before interior sugars form.1.
Fig (Anjeer)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Fig (Fresh & Dried Anjeer) Mold & Sulfur VerdictInternal Aflatoxin Mold & Excessive Sulfur Bleaching: Dried figs (anjeer) can conceal carcinogenic Aspergillus mold colonies in the ostiole cavity, and are over-fumigated with sulfur dioxide to fake golden color.1.
Dates (Khajoor / Medjool)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Dates Purity, Syrup & Mold VerdictHidden Sugar Syrup & Internal Infestation Hazards: Low-grade, desiccated dates are frequently soaked in industrial liquid glucose or inverted sugar syrup to artificially increase weight by up to 30%, while old stocks are polished with petroleum mineral oils.
Peaches
⚡ Quick 60-Second Peach Safety & Pesticide VerdictEWG Dirty Dozen #5 Risk: Over 90% of non-organic peaches test positive for pesticide residues (up to 99 distinct chemicals found across samples).
Strawberries
⚡ Quick 60-Second Strawberry Safety & Pesticide VerdictEWG Dirty Dozen #1 Alert: Conventional strawberries top the Dirty Dozen annually, with up to 22 distinct pesticide residues detected on a single sample.
Blueberries
⚡ Quick 60-Second Blueberry Safety & Dye VerdictEWG & Artificial Dye Risk: Blueberries frequently feature on the EWG Dirty Dozen (up to 17 pesticide residues found).
Nectarines
⚡ Quick 60-Second Nectarine Pesticide & Wax VerdictEWG Dirty Dozen Risk: Nectarines are genetically hairless peaches; lacking fuzz does NOT mean fewer chemicals.
Pears
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pears Dirty Dozen & Wax VerdictEWG Dirty Dozen #8 Fungicide Load & Artificial Ripening: Pears rank among the top sprayed fruits in grocery stores, testing positive for up to 22 different pesticide residues, notably Diphenylamine and Fludioxonil.1.
Kiwi
⚡ Quick 60-Second Kiwi Fruit Ripeness & Wax VerdictClean 15 & Artificial Gassing: Kiwifruit is classified on the EWG Clean 15 due to its fuzzy protective skin.
Honeydew Melon
⚡ Quick 60-Second Honeydew Melon Ripening & Sweetener VerdictCalcium Carbide Ripening & Saccharin Injections: Unripe, hard honeydew melons are gas-ripened with calcium carbide and injected with artificial saccharin syrup at the stem scar to simulate honey sweetness.1.
Pineapple
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pineapple Ripening & Sweetener VerdictEthephon Degreening & Internal Prematurity: Green pineapples are drenched in Ethephon to turn the rind golden yellow before internal sugars mature, often masking fierce internal acidity and rot.1.
Vegetables (40)
Tomato
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tomato Freshness & Dye VerdictSynthetic Greening & Artificial Ripening: Green tomatoes are dipped in hot ethephon baths to turn red overnight, or immature varieties are washed with copper sulfate to preserve simulated freshness.1.
Green Peas
⚡ Quick 60-Second Green Peas Malachite Green VerdictMalachite Green Dye & Chemical Greening: Dried white peas or stale green peas are soaked in carcinogenic Malachite Green dye or Tartrazine/Brilliant Blue mixtures to appear fresh and sweet.1.
Potato
⚡ Quick 60-Second Potato Solanine & Cold-Storage VerdictToxic Solanine & Heavy Cold Storage: Green skin on potatoes contains high concentrations of solanine glycoalkaloids (heat-stable neurotoxins).
Cauliflower
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cauliflower Pesticide & Bleach VerdictSulfur Dioxide Fumigation & High-Toxicity Pesticides: Cauliflower heads are heavily dusted with toxic Quinalphos and Chlorpyrifos to kill diamondback moth larvae, and sulfur-bleached for cosmetic snow-white curd.1.
Capsicum (Bell Pepper)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Capsicum Wax & Pesticide VerdictHeavy Pesticide Load (Dirty Dozen) & Synthetic Wax: Bell peppers have delicate porous skin that absorbs agricultural fungicides (Acephate, Boscalid), sealed in with synthetic commercial paraffin wax.1.
Leafy Greens (Spinach/Palak)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Leafy Greens Purity & Dye VerdictCopper Sulfate & Malachite Green Dyes: Leafy greens (spinach, methi, palak) are frequently dipped in copper sulfate or malachite green solutions to restore artificial emerald color to wilted batches, alongside excessive pesticide and nitrate accumulation.1.
Okra (Ladyfinger)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Okra Dye & Chemical Greening VerdictMalachite Green Chemical Dipping & High Pesticides: Stale, dull okra pods are dipped in buckets of water mixed with toxic Malachite Green or copper sulfate to simulate fresh harvest shine.1.
Brinjal (Eggplant)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Brinjal Pesticide & Wax VerdictHeavy Fruit & Shoot Borer Pesticide Overuse & Petroleum Wax: Eggplants receive up to 30 chemical sprays per season against the borer insect (*Leucinodes orbonalis*), and skins are rubbed with mineral oil.1.
Onion
⚡ Quick 60-Second Onion Purity & Black Mold VerdictAspergillus niger & Chemical Sprout Inhibitors: Damp storage breeds toxic black mold (Aspergillus niger) whose mycotoxins penetrate inner scales.
Radish (Mooli)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Radish Purity & Optical Brightener VerdictIndustrial Blueing Wash & Organophosphate Insecticides: Dirty, mud-stained radishes are washed with laundry blueing agents (optical brighteners) and synthetic bleaching powder to impart an artificial fluorescent white shine.1.
Beetroot
⚡ Quick 60-Second Beetroot Purity & Toxic Dye VerdictRhodamine B Dye Bath & Industrial Soil Heavy Metals: Pale, fibrous, or stale beetroots are soaked in toxic Rhodamine B or Red 40 solutions to impart an intense crimson-red hue, alongside potential heavy metal uptake from industrial soils.1.
Cucumber (Kheera)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cucumber Injection & Wax VerdictOxytocin Injections & Synthetic Gloss Wax: Immature cucumbers are injected with oxytocin hormone to swell in size overnight, and coated with petroleum wax to trap moisture.1.
Bitter Gourd (Karela)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Karela Purity & Malachite Green VerdictCarcinogenic Malachite Green Dye & Copper Sulfate Wash: Fresh bitter gourds are dipped in toxic Malachite Green dye and copper solutions to make dull, harvested vegetables look radiant, crisp, and fresh-picked.1.
Moringa Leaves
⚡ Quick 60-Second Moringa Leaves Purity & Chemical VerdictCopper Sulfate / Malachite Green Dyes & Heavy Metal Uptake: Fresh moringa (drumstick) foliage is dipped in chemical colorants to mask yellowing in transport, and can absorb high lead concentrations from industrial roadsides.1.
Garlic
⚡ Quick 60-Second Garlic Bleaching & Quality VerdictChlorine Bleaching & Heavy Metal Uptake: Cheap imported garlic is heavily bleached with chlorine compounds to make skins brilliantly white, and roots are shaven off to evade soil pathogen inspections.1.
Pumpkin
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pumpkin Purity & Dye VerdictMetanil Yellow Dye Injections & Copper Sulfate Washes: Cut pumpkin segments and winter squashes are frequently wiped with yellow azo dyes to fake rich carotenoid maturity, and washed in copper solutions.1.
Cabbage (Patta Gobi)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cabbage Pesticide & Tapeworm VerdictSystemic Organophosphates & Wastewater Coliform (*Taenia solium*): Cabbage heads trap heavy pesticide sprays between layers, and irrigation with untreated sewage introduces infectious tapeworm cysticerci.1.
Broccoli
⚡ Quick 60-Second Broccoli Insect & Chemical VerdictHeavy Insecticide Treatments & Artificial Green Dye: Dense broccoli florets trap systemic organophosphates, while aging yellowish heads are misted with chemical green dyes to simulate fresh harvest.1.
Sweet Potato (Shakarkand)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sweet Potato Purity & Dye VerdictRhodamine B / Red Earth (Geru) Skin Dyeing: White-fleshed or pale sweet potatoes are coated with carcinogenic Rhodamine B or lead-laced red earth to imitate premium red/purple sweet potato varieties.1.
Ridge Gourd (Turai)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ridge Gourd (Turai) Purity & Dye VerdictCopper Sulfate & Malachite Green Dye Baths: Ridge gourds are commonly submerged in copper sulfate (blue vitriol) or malachite green dye baths to make dull, yellowing, or wilted gourds look freshly harvested.1.
Chayote (Chow Chow)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Chayote (Chow Chow) Wax & Purity VerdictIndustrial Mineral Wax Polishing & Chemical Greening: Chayote squashes are coated with non-food grade mineral waxes to prevent shriveling during long cold chains, and washed in chemical brighten solutions.1.
Ivy Gourd (Tindora)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ivy Gourd (Tindora) Purity & Dye VerdictMalachite Green Dye Baths & Disguised Overripe Stock: Stale, refrigerated, or overripe tindoras are steeped in toxic Malachite Green dye to recreate vibrant green stripes, masking fibrous overmaturity.1.
Tapioca (Cassava)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sago / Tapioca (Sabudana) VerdictChemical Bleaching & Optical Whiteners: Tapioca sago pearls (sabudana) are frequently treated with harsh industrial chemicals, including Sulfuric Acid, Bleaching Powder (Sodium Hypochlorite), and toxic optical fluorescent whiteners (Tinopal) to give dark cassava starch an artificial pure pearl-white luster.1.
Black Nightshade (Manathakkali)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Black Nightshade (Manathakkali) Purity & Solanine VerdictToxic Unripe Solanine Berries & Botanical Contamination: Manathakkali (Solanum nigrum) foliage and berries are harvested with toxic green berries (high solanine alkaloids) and mixed with poisonous lookalikes.1.
Turkey Berry (Sundakkai)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Turkey Berry (Sundakkai) Purity & Adulteration VerdictGypsum / Talc Adulteration & Excessive Salt Curing: Dried sundakkai berries (vatral) are often weighted with toxic industrial mineral salts or gypsum dust, while fresh berries can be over-bitter with solasonine.1.
Yam (Elephant Foot Yam)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Yam (Jimikand / Elephant Foot Yam) Purity & Chemical VerdictCaustic Soda Bleaching & Rot Concealment: Sliced elephant foot yam is frequently washed in caustic soda or chlorine bleach to brighten flesh and remove muddy slime, disguising microbial decomposition.1.
Colocasia
⚡ Quick 60-Second Colocasia (Arbi / Taro Root) Purity VerdictDetergent / Chemical Peeling Washes & Spongy Rot: Muddy taro corms (arbi) are washed with industrial detergents or chemical bleaches to simulate pre-cleaned roots, concealing hidden mold and internal decay.1.
Mushrooms
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mushroom Bleaching & Freshness VerdictSulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$) Bleaching & Heavy Bacterial Slime: Old or discolored white button mushrooms are washed in sodium metabisulfite or sulfuric acid solutions to restore pristine cosmetic whiteness.1.
Carrots
⚡ Quick 60-Second Carrot Dye & Freshness VerdictRhodamine B Dye & Chemical Freshening: Pale or old carrots are soaked in Rhodamine B dye (a toxic, non-food industrial red/pink dye) to mimic fresh winter red Delhi carrots.1.
Drumstick (Moringa Pod)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Drumstick (Moringa Pod) Purity & Dye VerdictMalachite Green / Copper Sulfate Baths & Oxytocin Abuse: Moringa pods are frequently soaked in green dye solutions to make yellowing pods appear crisp and tender, and forced with synthetic growth stimulators.1.
Turnip (Shalgam)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Turnip (Shalgam) Purity & Wax VerdictSynthetic Purple Dye (Rhodamine B / Carmoisine) & Paraffin Wax: Stale turnips have their purple shoulders painted with synthetic dyes and their roots coated in paraffin wax to fake fresh harvest moisture.1.
Brussel Sprouts
⚡ Quick 60-Second Brussel Sprouts Purity & Chemical VerdictCopper Sulfate Greening & Systemic Pesticide Residues: Wilted or yellowing brussel sprouts are revived with copper sulfate solutions or chlorine bleach washes, and carry heavy organophosphate pesticide loads.1.
Bottle Gourd (Lauki)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Bottle Gourd (Lauki) Cucurbitacin Toxicity VerdictLethal Bitter Cucurbitacin Poisoning & Oxytocin Injections: Bottle gourds containing excess bitter cucurbitacin can trigger severe hemorrhagic gastritis and fatalities.
Coriander Leaves (Cilantro)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Coriander Leaves (Cilantro) Purity & Dye VerdictMalachite Green / Copper Sulfate Dyes & Contaminated Irrigation: Bunches of wilted coriander are submerged in copper sulfate or green dye to restore artificial freshness, posing gastrointestinal and liver toxicity risks.1.
Tomatillo
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tomatillo Freshness & Husk VerdictSolanine & Sticky Sap Quality: Tomatillos (*Physalis philadelphica*) produce a natural sticky saponin/withanolide film beneath their papery husk.
Jicama
⚡ Quick 60-Second Jicama Purity & Sulfite Bleaching VerdictSulfite Bleaching Baths & Paraffin Waxing: Pre-cut jicama sticks are dipped in sodium metabisulfite to stop natural enzymatic browning, while whole tubers are coated in petroleum wax to prevent moisture loss.1.
Spinach
⚡ Quick 60-Second Spinach Dye & Pesticide VerdictMalachite Green Dye & Pesticide Residues: Spinach is ranked on the EWG Dirty Dozen #2 list.
Nopales
⚡ Quick 60-Second Nopales (Cactus Pads) Purity & Dye VerdictCopper Sulfate Greening & Heavy Metal Uptake: Diced nopales (nopalitos) are washed in copper sulfate solutions to fix bright green color, and cactus pads readily accumulate cadmium and lead from arid soils.1.
Asparagus
⚡ Quick 60-Second Asparagus Purity & Chemical VerdictCopper Sulfate Greening & Dehydration Masking: Aging, wilted asparagus spears are soaked in copper sulfate baths to restore bright emerald color, and sprayed with water to artificially plump dried stems.1.
Tomato Ketchup & Puree
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tomato Ketchup Purity VerdictPumpkin Pulp Substitution & Coal-Tar Red Dyes: Commercial budget ketchups frequently substitute real ripe tomato solids with cheap boiled pumpkin, sweet potato pulp, and cornstarch, masking the dilution with synthetic coal-tar red dyes (Ponceau 4R, Carmoisine).1.
Grains (23)
Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Toor Dal Purity & Polish VerdictLead Chromate Polishing & Metanil Yellow Risk: Unpolished toor dal is treated with toxic Lead Chromate ($PbCrO_4$) or synthetic yellow azo dyes to give dull, stale grains an artificial radiant golden shine.1.
Moong Dal (Green Gram)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Moong Dal Purity & Color VerdictMalachite Green & Tartrazine Artificial Greening: Faded, stored, or insect-damaged moong dal is artificially dyed with toxic Malachite Green or Tartrazine to simulate fresh harvest color.1.
Urad Dal (Black Gram)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Urad Dal Purity & Mineral Polish VerdictTalc, Soapstone & Mineral Oil Polishing: Washed white urad dal is coated with soapstone powder, talc, or mineral oil to create an unnatural pearlescent sheen and prevent pest attacks during storage.1.
Rice
⚡ Quick 60-Second Rice Purity & Polish VerdictMineral Oil Polish, Talc & Synthetic Contamination: Commercial white rice is polished with carcinogenic mineral oil or talc powder to simulate premium grade and conceal old, aged, or insect-damaged grains.1.
Basmati Rice
⚡ Quick 60-Second Basmati Rice Purity & Elongation VerdictCommon Rice Blending & Synthetic Aroma Spray: Premium aged Basmati is frequently blended with ordinary non-fragrant long-grain rice (PR-106 / Sharbati) and sprayed with synthetic 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) fragrance compounds to simulate natural perfume.1.
Wheat Flour (Atta)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Wheat Flour (Atta) Purity VerdictMineral Filler & Bleach Alert: Whole wheat flour (atta) is adulterated with chalk powder ($CaCO_3$), talc/soapstone, excess coarse bran, and chemical bleaching agents (benzoyl peroxide) to artificially whiten and bulk flour.1.
Maida (Refined Flour)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Maida Bleaching & Purity VerdictHarmful Chemical Bleaching Agents & Mineral Fillers: Maida is artificially whitened using industrial Benzoyl Peroxide or banned Potassium Bromate/Alloxan, and bulked with chalk or soapstone powder.1.
Besan (Gram Flour)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Besan Purity & Metanil Yellow VerdictToxic Metanil Yellow Dye & Khesari Dal Bulking: Gram flour is heavily adulterated with cheap Khesari dal (containing neurotoxic ODAP that causes permanent lower-limb paralysis) and carcinogenic Metanil Yellow dye.1.
Coffee Powder
⚡ Quick 60-Second Coffee Powder Purity VerdictBulking & Chicory Adulteration: Ground coffee and instant coffee powder are regularly bulked with roasted chicory root, roasted date/tamarind seed powder, and exhausted (used) coffee grounds re-dyed with caramel color.1.
Tea Leaves (Chai Patti)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tea Leaves Purity & Dye VerdictUsed Tea Waste, Coal-Tar Dyes & Iron Filings: Spent tea leaves are re-processed, dyed with carcinogenic coal-tar dyes or Prussian Blue, and weighted with magnetic iron dust from crushing machinery.1.
Groundnut (Peanuts)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Groundnut (Peanuts in Shell) Purity & Aflatoxin VerdictRed Ochre (Geru) Shell Dyeing & Aflatoxin Mold: Pods are colored with toxic red earth dyes to mimic prized fresh harvest soils, while internal kernels can harbor deadly carcinogenic Aflatoxin B1 mold.1.
Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Masoor Dal Purity & Synthetic Dye VerdictMetanil Yellow & Lead Chromate Chemical Dyeing: Stale, dull red lentils are chemically coated with toxic synthetic dyes (Metanil Yellow, Sunset Yellow, Rhodamine B) and mineral oil polish to create an artificial radiant coral-red luster.1.
Rajma (Kidney Beans)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Rajma Purity & Dye VerdictArtificial Coal-Tar Dyeing & Toxic Phytohaemagglutinin: Faded, stale, or low-grade white beans are artificially dyed with Rhodamine B or coal-tar red dyes to mimic premium dark red Kashmiri rajma.1.
Ragi (Finger Millet)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ragi Purity & Synthetic Dye VerdictRhodamine B Dye Wash & Sand/Grit Adulteration: Whole ragi and ragi flour are heavily adulterated with cheap red brick dust, fine clay grit, and soaked in carcinogenic Rhodamine B dye to mimic premium dark-red organic finger millet.1.
Poha (Flattened Rice)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Poha Purity & Chemical Bleach VerdictIndustrial Bleaching Powder & Urea Whitening: Coarse brown paddy rice is often processed using synthetic bleaching agents, urea, or optical brighteners to produce unnaturally white, crisp flattened rice flakes.1.
Groundnut Oil (Peanut Oil)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Groundnut (Peanut) Oil Purity VerdictAdulteration & Aflatoxin Hazard: Cold-pressed peanut oil is frequently adulterated with cheap cottonseed oil, mineral oil, or toxic Argemone oil, and may carry carcinogenic Aflatoxin $B_1$ from moldy peanuts.1.
Oats
⚡ Quick 60-Second Oats Purity & Glyphosate Residue VerdictGlyphosate Pre-Harvest Desiccant & Stale Rancidity: Conventional rolled oats frequently contain high residues of herbicide Glyphosate (Roundup) sprayed before harvest, and develop toxic free fatty acids when stored improperly.1.
Sago (Sabudana)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sago (Sabudana) Purity & Bleach VerdictChemical Acid Bleaching & Fluorescent Whiteners: Natural tapioca sago is treated with toxic sulfuric acid, sodium hypochlorite, and optical fluorescent whiteners (Tinopal) to achieve cosmetic snow-white pearls.1.
Chickpeas (Chana)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Chickpea Purity & Chemical Dye VerdictMetanil Yellow Greening & Khesari Dal Mixing: Desi chana and roasted split chickpeas are frequently colored with Metanil Yellow and mixed with cheap Khesari dal (containing neurotoxic ODAP that causes permanent lathyrism paralysis).1.
Sugar
White granulated sugar and powdered (icing) sugar are frequently adulterated with **Chalk Powder (Calcium Carbonate)**, **Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)**, **Urea**, and **Plaster of Paris** to artificially increase bulk weight and impart cosmetic whiteness.⚡ Instant 60-Second Purity Checks:• 1.
Corn
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sweet Corn Purity & Aflatoxin VerdictTartrazine (Yellow 5) Kernel Dyeing & Fungal Mycotoxins: Cobs are soaked in yellow dye solutions to simulate golden sweet corn varieties, and sweet corn cobs can harbor toxic fumonisin and aflatoxin mycotoxins.1.
Chia Seeds
⚡ Quick 60-Second Chia Seeds Purity & Sabja Weed VerdictBasil Seed (Sabja) Adulteration & Sand/Soil Contamination: Premium chia seeds are adulterated with cheaper wild seeds or basil seeds (sabja), and can contain high sand/grit residues and dangerous Salmonella.1.
Black Beans
⚡ Quick 60-Second Black Beans Purity & Dye VerdictCoal-Tar Dyeing (Black PN / Carbon Black) & Mineral Oil Polish: Faded, weathered, or lower-grade navy/pinto beans are artificially dyed with synthetic black dyes to imitate expensive black turtle beans.1.
Spices (23)
Turmeric (Haldi)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Turmeric Purity Verdict (Lead Chromate & Dyes)Toxic Heavy Metal Risk: Low-grade turmeric powder is frequently adulterated with carcinogenic Lead Chromate ($PbCrO_4$), Metanil Yellow, and chalk/maida to give expired or low-curcumin rhizomes an intense bright yellow hue.1.
Chili Powder (Lal Mirch)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Chili Powder Purity VerdictSudan Dye & Brick Dust Contamination: Red chili powder is notoriously adulterated with non-permitted, carcinogenic Sudan I–IV industrial dyes, brick powder, sawdust, and soapstone.1.
Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cumin Seeds (Jeera) Purity VerdictCharcoal-Coated Grass Seeds & Sawdust: Unscrupulous traders coat wild grass seeds (Carum roxburghianum) or spent cumin with charcoal dust, asphalt pitch, or black stone powder.1.
Black Pepper (Whole)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Black Pepper Purity VerdictPapaya Seed & Mineral Oil Adulteration: Whole black peppercorns are adulterated with dried papaya seeds, light berries, and mineral oil to impart artificial dark gloss.1.
Salt
⚡ Quick 60-Second Salt Purity & Mineral Filler VerdictChalk Powder & Mineral Grit Bulking: Unrefined or adulterated table salt frequently contains insoluble white chalk powder (Calcium Carbonate), gypsum, or sand grit to artificially increase weight, alongside inadequate potassium iodate stabilization.1.
Asafoetida (Hing)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Hing (Asafoetida) Purity VerdictResin & Mineral Adulteration: Compounded and raw Asafoetida (Hing) is frequently bulked with cheap toxic Colophony resin (pine tree gum), soapstone/chalk powder, sand, and non-permitted coal tar dyes.1.
Black Cumin (Kalonji)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Kalonji Purity & Charcoal Dye VerdictArtificial Coal-Tar Black Coating & Mineral Grit: Genuine Nigella sativa seeds are frequently adulterated with exhausted seeds dyed with toxic coal-tar black dyes, charcoal powder, or mixed with similar-looking wild weed seeds (onion seeds).1.
Cardamom (Elaichi)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Green Cardamom (Elaichi) Purity VerdictMalachite Green Dye & Talc Coating: Faded or spent cardamom pods are chemically soaked in toxic Malachite Green dye to simulate 'export quality', or coated in talc/soapstone.1.
Tamarind
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tamarind Purity & Seed Filler VerdictExcessive Seed / Fiber Weight Loading & Acid Adulteration: Commercial tamarind blocks are often bulked with up to 40% excess non-edible seeds, heavy fibrous rind, and adulterated with cheap sulfuric acid washes to mask decaying pulp.1.
Henna (Mehendi)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Henna Purity & Toxic PPD VerdictCarcinogenic Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) & Heavy Metals: Natural henna powder is spiked with toxic coal-tar dye PPD (black henna), sodium picramate, and lead chromate to produce instant dark stains, causing severe chemical burns and kidney damage.1.
Curry Leaves
⚡ Quick 60-Second Curry Leaf Chemical Dye & Pesticide VerdictMalachite Green Greening & Systemic Insecticide Residue: Fresh curry leaves are heavily sprayed with persistent organophosphates (Chlorpyrifos) and frequently soaked in toxic Malachite Green dye to preserve vibrant green appearance.1.
Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Fennel Seeds (Saunf) Purity VerdictMalachite Green & Mineral Oil Alert: Stale, exhausted, or spent fennel seeds are artificially dyed with toxic Malachite Green dye and polished with mineral oil to impart an unnatural bright parrot-green color.1.
Ginger
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ginger Acid-Wash & Purity VerdictAcid Washing (Sulfuric/HCl) for Cosmetic Shine: Stale or dirty ginger is washed in commercial sulfuric or hydrochloric acid solutions to remove blemishes and produce bright, golden, spotless skin.1.
Cinnamon (Dalchini)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cinnamon vs Toxic Cassia VerdictToxic Cassia Substitution (Coumarin Hazard): Genuine Ceylon cinnamon is routinely substituted with cheap Chinese/Indonesian Cassia, which contains up to 1% liver-toxic Coumarin.1.
Coriander Seeds (Dhania)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Coriander Seeds Purity VerdictSulfur Fumigation & Animal Dung Adulteration: Whole and ground coriander is prone to sulfur dioxide fumigation for cosmetic brightness, or powdered with cereal husk, sawdust, and dung powder.1.
Mustard Seeds
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mustard Seeds Purity VerdictDeadly Argemone mexicana Contamination: Wild prickly poppy (Argemone) seeds mimic black/brown mustard seeds.
Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Poppy Seed Purity & Washing VerdictExhausted Seed Adulteration & Synthetic Bleach: High-value poppy seeds are often mixed with exhausted (morphine-extracted) seeds, amaranth grains, or washed with chemical bleach to artificially lighten darkened, expired batches.1.
Saffron (Kesar)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Saffron (Kesar) Purity VerdictDyed Corn Silk, Shredded Plastic & Syrup Bulking: Saffron is the world's most adulterated spice.
Star Anise
⚡ Quick 60-Second Star Anise & Toxic Japanese Anise VerdictLethal Japanese Star Anise (Illicium anisatum) Adulteration: Edible Chinese Star Anise is dangerously substituted with toxic Japanese Star Anise, which contains potent neurotoxins (anisatin) that cause severe neurological seizures and vomiting.1.
Dried Chili
⚡ Quick 60-Second Whole Dried Chili Dye & Mineral Oil VerdictCarcinogenic Sudan Red Dyes & Mineral Oil Glaze: Stale or discolored whole red chilies are sprayed with industrial mineral oils and non-permitted azo dyes (Sudan I–IV, Rhodamine B) to restore deep crimson color and glossy shine.1.
Oregano & Dried Herbs
⚡ Quick 60-Second Oregano & Dried Herbs VerdictGlobal Herb Adulteration Alert: Extensive EU Food Fraud and consumer lab testing reveals that 40% to 70% of commercial dried oregano is heavily cut with spent olive leaves, myrtle, and sumac, chemically tinted with copper sulfate (CuSO4) or synthetic dyes to simulate fresh green harvests.1.
Cloves (Laung / Lavangam)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cloves Purity VerdictEssential Oil Stripping & Mineral Oil Fraud: Commercial cloves are frequently 'spent' (exhausted of eugenol essential oil via industrial steam distillation for pharma/perfumes), dried, and coated with petroleum mineral oil to fake a dark, shiny, premium appearance.1.
Silver Leaf / Chandi ka Vark
⚡ Quick 60-Second Silver Leaf (Chandi ka Vark) Purity & Vegetarian VerdictToxic Aluminum Foil Substitution & Animal Gut Hammering: Commercial festival sweets frequently replace costly pure silver leaf (Ag) with neurotoxic industrial aluminum foil (Al), or utilize unhygienic artisanal vark hammered inside slaughtered ox/bullock intestines (aau) that leaves animal tissues on vegetarian sweets.1.
Nuts & Dry Fruits (7)
Almonds
⚡ Quick 60-Second Almond Purity & Bitter Almond VerdictBitter Almond Cyanide Toxicity & Mineral Oil Polish: Sweet almonds are adulterated with poisonous bitter almonds (containing deadly amygdalin that hydrolyzes into hydrogen cyanide) and coated with mineral oil to mask rancidity.1.
Cashew Nuts
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cashew Purity & Sulfur Bleach VerdictToxic Sulfur Dioxide Bleaching & Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL): Damaged or fungal-stained cashew kernels are chemically bleached with industrial hydrogen peroxide or sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumes to pass them off as premium W-180/W-240 grades.1.
Raisins (Kishmish)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Raisin Purity & Sulfur Dioxide VerdictExcessive Sulfur Dioxide Fumigation & Mineral Oil Coating: Green and golden raisins are heavily treated with toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas to stop browning and coated with non-food mineral oil to impart artificial gloss and prevent clumping.1.
Walnuts (Akhrot)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Walnut Purity & Chemical Shell Wash VerdictHydrogen Peroxide Shell Bleach & Rancid Peroxide Ingestion: Shells are bleached with industrial caustic soda and hydrogen peroxide to look golden-bright, which leaches into kernels, causing rapid oxidation, rancidity, and high peroxide toxicity.1.
Peanut Butter
⚡ Quick 60-Second Peanut Butter Purity & Aflatoxin VerdictHydrogenated Oil Substitution & Aflatoxin Mycotoxins: Commercial peanut butters are bulked with trans-fat hydrogenated palm oils to prevent oil separation, alongside risk of toxic Aflatoxin B1 from low-grade nuts.1.
Peanuts
⚡ Quick 60-Second Peanut Purity & Aflatoxin B1 VerdictDeadly Aflatoxin B1 Mold & Red Dye Polishing: Improperly stored peanuts develop Aspergillus flavus mold producing potent hepatocarcinogenic Aflatoxin B1, while stale kernels are polished with toxic red azo dyes to mimic fresh harvest.1.
Pistachios (Pista)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pistachio Purity & Toxin VerdictChemical Shell Bleaching & Malachite Dye Alert: Cheap commercial pistachios are heavily bathed in toxic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) to bleach stained shells chalk-white, while yellowed stale kernels are dipped in carcinogenic Malachite Green or Tartrazine dyes.1.
Dairy (11)
Ghee (Clarified Butter)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Desi Ghee Purity VerdictHydrogenated Fat & Tallow Risk: Pure cow/buffalo desi ghee is adulterated with cheap Vanaspati (trans-fat hydrogenated vegetable oil), mashed boiled potatoes/sweet potatoes (starch), animal body fat, and coal tar dyes.1.
Butter (Makkhan)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Butter Purity & Starch VerdictHydrogenated Fat & Starch Adulteration: Commercial butter is adulterated with cheap Vanaspati (trans fats), mashed starches, animal tallow, and synthetic azo food dyes.1.
Paneer (Cottage Cheese)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Paneer Purity Verdict (Synthetic vs Real)Synthetic Milk & Starch Alert: Fraudulent 'analogue' paneer is concocted from palm oil, urea, detergent, and maida/cornstarch instead of whole milk, posing severe gastrointestinal and kidney risks.1.
Khoya (Mawa)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Khoya (Mawa) Purity VerdictSynthetic Milk, Starch & Detergent (Festive Alert): During festival season, up to 50% of commercial khoya is synthetic—made from vegetable oil, detergent, shampoo, starch, and urea.1.
Ice Cream
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ice Cream Purity & Detergent VerdictHydrogenated Vegetable Fat & Detergent Adulteration: Commercial frozen desserts are frequently disguised as ice cream using cheap palm oil analogs, non-dairy fats, washing powder/detergent frothing agents, and unapproved chemical emulsifiers.1.
Egg
⚡ Quick 60-Second Egg Freshness & Salmonella VerdictSalmonella & Spoilage Hazard: Eggs deteriorate from the inside as moisture evaporates through porous shells, increasing the internal air cell and risking *Salmonella enteritidis* bacterial proliferation.1.
Jaggery (Gur)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Jaggery Purity & Chemical Bleach VerdictSodium Hydrosulfite Bleach & Metanil Yellow Dye: Naturally pure jaggery is dark brown to deep amber.
Milk
⚡ Quick 60-Second Milk Purity & Adulteration VerdictFSSAI & WHO Alert: Over 68% of non-compliant milk samples in commercial surveys contain water dilution, synthetic detergent (lathering agent), urea (SNF booster), or starch.
Cheese
⚡ Quick 60-Second Cheese Purity & Analog VerdictPalm Oil Cheese Analogs & Starch Bulking: Many commercial shredded and sliced cheeses are cheese analogs (palm oil, starch, and emulsifying salts) sold deceptively as 100% dairy cheese.1.
Yogurt & Greek Yogurt (Curd / Dahi)
⚡ Quick 60-Second Yogurt & Curd Purity VerdictStarch Bulking & Synthetic Neutralizers: Commercial curd and strained yogurt are frequently bulked with cornstarch, gelatin, and potato flour for artificial thickness, or made from reconstituted synthetic milk containing chemical neutralizers.1.
Mayonnaise
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mayonnaise Purity VerdictIndustrial Starch Bulking & Rancid Oil Dilution: Commercial budget mayonnaises frequently slash expensive egg yolk solids and vegetable oils below the legal 65% limit, replacing them with modified cornstarch, xanthan gum, cheap palm olein, and water.1.
Edible Oils (4)
Coconut Oil
⚡ Quick 60-Second Coconut Oil Purity & Mineral Oil VerdictPalm Kernel & Mineral Liquid Paraffin Adulteration: Pure coconut oil is adulterated with cheap refined palm olein, palm kernel oil, or carcinogenic mineral liquid paraffin, which remain liquid at refrigerator temperatures.1.
Sesame (Gingelly) Oil
⚡ Quick 60-Second Sesame Oil Purity & Baudouin VerdictCottonseed & Cheaper Seed Oil Dilution: High-value cold-pressed gingelly oil is blended with cheap neutralized cottonseed oil, palm oil, or argemone-contaminated vegetable oils to undercut market costs.1.
Mustard Oil
⚡ Quick 60-Second Mustard (Sarson) Oil Purity VerdictDeadly Argemone Adulteration: Raw cold-pressed mustard oil is adulterated with toxic Argemone Mexicana oil (containing sanguinarine alkaloid, the cause of Epidemic Dropsy, cardiac arrest, and blindness) and cheap solvent-extracted rice bran oil.1.
Olive Oil
⚡ Quick 60-Second Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) VerdictGlobal Food Fraud Alert: Over 69% of imported EVOO sold in US supermarkets fails International Olive Council purity tests — diluted with refined hazelnut, canola, or soybean oil and artificially tinted with chlorophyll.1.
Health Supplements (4)
Ayurvedic Products
⚡ Quick 60-Second Ayurvedic Products Heavy Metal & Purity VerdictHeavy Metal Toxicity (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic) & Allopathic Drug Spiking: Ayurvedic churnas, rasayanas, and herbal supplements can be contaminated with unpurified heavy metals, sawdust fillers, or spiked with prescription drugs.1.
Honey
⚡ Quick 60-Second Honey Purity Verdict (Sugar Syrup & HFCS)Global Food Fraud Risk: Up to 70% of commercial supermarket honey is diluted with ultra-filtered C4 rice syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), or inverted sugar syrup that circumvents basic lab tests.1.
Maple Syrup
⚡ Quick 60-Second Pure Maple Syrup vs Fake Corn Syrup VerdictHigh-Fructose Corn Syrup & Artificial Flavoring: Supermarket 'pancake syrup' is 98% high-fructose corn syrup, caramel coloring, and synthetic maple flavoring (sotolon) masquerading as pure tree sap.1.
Agave Syrup
⚡ Quick 60-Second Agave Syrup Purity & Corn Syrup VerdictHigh Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) & Cane Invert Sugar Dilution: Pure blue agave nectar is adulterated with cheap high-fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, and artificial caramel coloring to maximize commercial yield.1.
Fish & Seafood (3)
Salmon
⚡ Quick 60-Second Wild vs Farmed Salmon VerdictSynthetic Dye Feeding & Fake Wild Labeling: Farmed salmon is fed synthetic astaxanthin/canthaxanthin dyes to simulate deep wild pink color, and sold at a premium as wild Alaskan salmon.1.
Shrimp & Prawns
⚡ Quick 60-Second Shrimp Purity & Chemical VerdictToxic Formalin Dips & Water-Weight Pumping (STPP): Shrimp is widely treated with carcinogenic formalin (formaldehyde) to prevent decay during transit and soaked in Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) to artificially inflate water weight by up to 30%.1.
Canned & Fresh Tuna
⚡ Quick 60-Second Tuna Purity & Safety VerdictCarbon Monoxide (CO) Red Gassing & Toxic Escolar Alert: Stale decomposing tuna loins are treated with carbon monoxide (CO) gas to permanently fix a neon-pink 'watermelon' color, while toxic, indigestible Escolar (oilfish) is widely substituted as 'White Tuna' causing acute digestive distress.1.
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