Spurious khoya seizure raises concern over purity of sweets

With Raksha Bandhan around the corner, the city’s festive spirit took a sour turn after the Health Department seized approximately 500 kg of khoya, along with large quantities of soan papri and rasgullas, from a bus near the Ludhiana bus stand here on Wednesday.

The vehicle, originating from Rajasthan, was en route to supply the milk-based products to local sweet shops and eateries in anticipation of the festival rush.

The seizure has reignited concerns over safety and purity of sweets being sold in the market.

“It isn’t an isolated case. It’s a routine affair every festive season,” said a senior official, adding that “in previous years too, substandard and adulterated khoya from Rajasthan has been intercepted.”

District Health Officer Amarjit Kaur confirmed that vigilance has been intensified.

“We’re keeping a check but consumers must also be cautious. Avoid buying sweets and milk products sold at unusually low prices,” she advised.

Kulwinder Singh, recalling his train journeys, said: “I’ve seen khoya packets from Rajasthan kept directly on train floor, people even walked over them. Hence, I’ve stopped buying sweets.”

Residents are increasingly turning to homemade alternatives. Gurinderjit Kaur, another resident, shared: “It’s been four years since I started preparing sweets at home. Everyone is health-conscious now. Mithai is more about tradition than indulgence and a little extra effort ensures peace of mind.”

As the city gears up for Rakhi, the question remains: Is the sweets we celebrate with truly safe? The authorities urge citizens to stay vigilant, choose trusted vendors and when in doubt — make it at home.

Simple ways to check purity of khoya

With rising concerns over the purity of sweets this festive season, here are four simple ways to check if khoya you have bought is safe to consume:

Iodine test for starch

How: Dissolve a teaspoon of khoya in warm water and add a few drops of iodine.

Result: If the mixture turns blue, starch is present, indicating adulteration.

Palm test for purity

How: Rub a small amount of khoya between your fingers.

Result: Pure khoya feels grainy and greasy. Adulterated khoya may feel dry or chalky.

Vanaspati detection

How: Mix sample of khoya with hydrochloric acid and a pinch of sugar.

Result: A red colour suggests the presence of vanaspati — a harmful fat substitute.

Sulphuric acid test for formalin

How: Add concentrated sulphuric acid to a small sample of khoya (only under safe conditions).

Result: If it turns violet, it’s adulterated with chemicals.