Turmeric Powder (Haldi) Safety Inspection

Turmeric powder is dangerously adulterated with lead chromate (bright yellow toxic chemical) and metanil yellow dye to enhance color. Lead chromate is EXTREMELY TOXIC. **1. The Water Settling Test:** Put a teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of water and stir. Let it settle for 20 minutes. Pure turmeric will settle at the bottom, and the water will be slightly yellow with turmeric color on top. If you see: - Heavy particles settling quickly = chalk/starch - Water remains cloudy = adulterants float - Excessive yellow coloring = dye **2. The Hydrochloric Acid Test (Critical for Metanil Yellow):** Add concentrated HCl to turmeric solution (turmeric + water). If the solution turns pink, magenta, or red, it confirms METANIL YELLOW presence (carcinogenic dye). Pure turmeric will turn the solution slightly yellow, never pink/red. **3. The Visual Brightness Test:** Natural turmeric powder is deep yellow to orange-yellow, never bright lemon yellow or fluorescent. If your turmeric is excessively bright yellow (like a highlighter pen), it contains lead chromate or synthetic dye. Lead chromate gives unnaturally vibrant color. **4. The Fingertip Stain Test:** Rub turmeric between wet fingers. Pure turmeric will stain your fingers orange-yellow but the stain washes off with soap. Lead chromate or chemical dye will leave a very bright yellow stain that's harder to wash off and looks artificial. **5. The Density Check:** Take equal amounts of turmeric and place in water. Pure turmeric is denser than water and sinks quickly. Chalk/starch adulterated turmeric is less dense and may float or settle slowly with cloudy water.