Moong Dal (Green Gram) Safety Inspection

Moong Dal (especially the green whole variety) is often treated with Malachite Green to look vibrant, while the yellow split variety may contain Metanil Yellow. 1. The Cotton Rub Test (Green Moong): Rub a small handful of whole green moong seeds with a wet cotton ball. If the cotton picks up a green or bluish-green color, artificial dye like Malachite Green has been applied. 2. The Hydrochloric Acid Test (Yellow Moong): In a test tube, take a sample of yellow moong dal and add a little water. Add a few drops of concentrated HCl. If the solution turns pink or magenta, Metanil Yellow is present. Pure dal remains unchanged. 3. The Water Soak (Color Bleed): Soak Moong Dal in warm water for 15 minutes. If the water turns bright green or bright yellow immediately, artificial coloring is confirmed. Natural dal color leaches very slowly. 4. The Grit and Stone Check: Spread the dal on a white plate. Look for small, matching-colored stones or greyish grit. Some retailers add stone dust or small pebbles to increase the weight.