Essential Tips for Safe Sweet Purchases This Diwali

As Diwali approaches, the joy of sweets fills the air, but caution is essential when making purchases. This article provides vital tips on how to identify adulterated sweets by examining their color, aroma, and texture. With insights from health experts, readers will learn the importance of buying from reputable sources and checking packaging details. The article also highlights common methods for detecting adulteration and the health risks associated with consuming spoiled sweets. Ensure your festive celebrations remain joyful and safe by following these guidelines.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 24, 2026, 19:15 IST

Prioritize Safety When Buying Sweets

Diwali is a time of celebration and indulgence, particularly with sweets. However, it's crucial to approach sweet purchases with care. Always choose sweets from reputable and hygienic shops, verify packaging dates, and avoid items that seem off in color, smell, or texture. If you suspect any adulteration, it's important to report it to the Food Safety Department. A little vigilance can help maintain the festive joy.

This Diwali, be cautious about the sweets you buy! Are you aware of how to spot adulterated sweets? Familiarize yourself with the signs related to their color, aroma, and taste.

Sweets are an integral part of Diwali celebrations, often gifted to friends and family. The festive season sees a spike in demand for treats like *barfi*, *peda*, *laddu*, and *rasgulla*. Unfortunately, this increased demand can lead to a rise in adulterated or spoiled sweets. Therefore, it's essential to be discerning when making your selections. Look closely at the sweets' color, texture, and aroma to identify any potential issues.

The quality of ingredients, particularly milk and *mawa* (solidified milk), significantly impacts the sweets' overall quality. When purchasing items like *barfi*, *peda*, or *kalakand*, pay attention to their texture and scent. If they have an unusual odor, show signs of spoilage, or have an altered appearance, it's best to avoid them.

Dr. Anil Patel emphasizes that consuming spoiled or adulterated sweets can lead to health problems. With the high demand during the festive season, it's vital to be extra cautious about quality. He advises against consuming sweets that have any unusual characteristics. Remember, a sweet may taste normal but still be impure; some adulterants can only be detected through lab testing.

To enhance their appeal, many shops use vibrant colors and decorative elements on sweets. When selecting sweets, be wary of those with overly bright or dark colors. If the color rubs off onto your hands or appears to be layered, exercise caution. However, not all bright colors indicate adulteration; some sweets may use food-grade colors that comply with safety regulations. Therefore, consider the cleanliness of the shop, the storage conditions, and the overall freshness of the sweets.

Aroma is another important factor to consider. Fresh sweets should have a pleasant scent that reflects their ingredients, while spoiled sweets may smell stale or sour. If you notice any unusual tastes, such as bitterness or sourness, refrain from consuming them. It's not safe to taste suspicious sweets to assess their quality; if you have doubts about their smell, color, or texture, it's best to avoid them altogether.

Many people opt for pre-packaged sweets during Diwali. When purchasing these, carefully read the packaging information, including the manufacturing date, expiry date, ingredient list, and ensure the seal is intact. Avoid buying packages that appear bloated, have been opened, or lack clear information.

Concerns often arise regarding the silver leaf (*vark*) used on sweets. Questions about its authenticity are common, but verifying its purity by touch or observation is unreliable. Therefore, do not judge a sweet's quality solely based on the presence of silver leaf. It's advisable to buy sweets from vendors who adhere to food safety regulations. If there are serious doubts about the sweets' purity, they can be tested at an authorized lab.

Various home methods for detecting adulteration in sweets circulate on social media. These include dissolving sweets in water or applying iodine to observe color changes. However, these methods are not foolproof. For example, a color change with iodine may indicate starch, but accurate assessment requires proper testing. Similarly, dissolving in water or color release does not definitively prove adulteration.

Eating spoiled or contaminated sweets can lead to serious health issues, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and food poisoning. The presence of banned food colorants or harmful substances poses significant health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.