Indian festivals are a time of celebration and exchange of traditional Indian sweets or sweets. However, there is growing concern regarding the purity and quality of sweets available in the market. Therefore, ensuring the purity of your sweets can enhance your happiness during the festival. By taking care of the ingredients and sources, you can enjoy the delicious taste of sweets without compromising on quality and authenticity.
Possible adulterants in your sweets:
“The base of most sweets is khoya, also known as mawa in some parts of the country. However, not all khoya is the same. The sweet is not flavourful,” said Aman J Jain, CEO and co-founder of Doodhwale. And if khoya is spoiled or adulterated then it is safe. Sometimes, sellers with unscrupulous practices use poor quality milk, artificial flavor enhancers, non-dairy substances, chemicals, improper storage, or poor processing techniques which can result in filling of khoya. Pollutants and dangerous bacteria. Eating sweets made using spoiled khoya may lead to gastric problems, food poisoning or other health concerns. Apart from spoiling the festivities, it is also a threat to our health.”
“Another concern associated with Diwali is the adulterated ghee that is required to make sweets. The sweets have a creamy texture because pure ghee has been used. However, manufacturers may add cheaper vegetable oil or low grade fat to the ghee. To reduce costs. Adulterated ghee not only affects the taste and quality of sweets but also leads to various health problems. Such ghee, once consumed by people, can lead to health problems like cholesterol-related conditions. As a result, it is important to ensure that the ghee used in your Diwali sweets is pure and adulteration-free.”
He said that the use of dry fruits colored with chemicals in making sweets is becoming a new matter of concern.
“Some manufacturers color dried fruits with artificial colors to make the sweets more visually appealing. The use of chemical colors is problematic because they mask the natural color of the dried fruits and may contain potentially dangerous ingredients. Artificial Consuming such artificially colored dry fruits has high chances of allergies and health complications. However, when it comes to sweets as Diwali gifts, there are some challenges. It is important to be cautious while purchasing or preparing them. .Choose reliable and trusted providers whose products comply with the required safety standards. Moreover, you can make your own sweets at home using natural, pure and unadulterated ingredients.”
Tips to make sure your sweets are truly pure:
To ensure that your Diwali sweets are truly pure, here are some points to consider as suggested by Dr Nirupama Rao, nutritionist at Rejua Energy Centre, Mumbai:
Malpua with Rabdi (By Chef Arjyo Banerjee, Vice President Culinary & Central Kitchen, Compass Group India)
