Over a long period, consuming adulterated foods is one of the most destructive things one can do to the body.
The saddest part is that a massive chunk of the population is consuming adulterated food items under the name of natural and pure food.
Turmeric has fallen prey to such a trend. Reports show that around 30% of the total turmeric in the Indian market is adulterated with harmful chemicals.
Let us see how to avoid buying such turmeric.
What is Turmeric adulteration?
In India, turmeric is adulterated with various substances to change its shelf life, weight, and, most importantly, colour.
Here are the different things used for adulteration in turmeric, leading to serious health issues.
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Metanil Yellow (Artificial Dye)
Metanil Yellow is a cheap artificial colour used to enhance the yellow colour of turmeric. It is carcinogenic and has a high risk of neurotoxicity.
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Chalk Powder or Calcium Carbonate
Chalk Powder or Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) is added to the turmeric to increase its weight. It’s done to sell it at a higher price than it’s actually worth.
Calcium Carbonate does not dissolve in water and thus leaves a residue. It also leads to digestive issues.
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Wheat or Rice starch
Wheat or Rice starch is used as a filler in the turmeric powder. It decreases the quality and medicinal properties of the powder.
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Sawdust or Wood Powder
Sawdust or Wood Powder is used to increase the volume of low-quality turmeric. It doesn’t dissolve in water and gives the powder a rough texture.
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Lead Chromate
Lead Chromate is another toxic chemical added to turmeric to give it a bright yellow colour. It is also known for being highly toxic and can cause anaemia, abdominal pain, kidney damage, and developmental issues in children.
How to check if your turmeric is adulterated?
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Metanil Yellow Test
To check if your turmeric contains metanil yellow, add it to warm water. Natural turmeric makes water light yellow uniformly, whereas metanil yellow turns it bright yellow immediately.
Look how the water changes colour. If you see streaks or colour separation, your turmeric contains Metanil Yellow.
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Iodine Test for Starch Adulteration
Put some turmeric powder on a paper towel to check if it has added starch to increase its weight. Next, add a drop of Iodine solution; if it turns blue-black, the turmeric contains starch.
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Hydrochloric Acid Test for Chalk Powder
To check if your turmeric is adulterated with chalk powder, mix it with diluted HCL (Hydrochloric acid). If the turmeric contains chalk powder or calcium carbonate, the solution will start bubbling.
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Float Test for Sawdust
To check if your turmeric contains sawdust or other adulterants, put some turmeric in a glass of water. Pure turmeric settles in water, whereas sawdust and other foreign particles float on top.
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Rub Test for Lead Chromate
Rub the turmeric between your fingers to check if your turmeric is adulterated with Lead Chromate. It contains lead chromate if you see grittiness or any kind of unnatural shine.
Laboratory Tests for Turmeric Adulterations
There are various laboratory tests available to check turmeric adulteration.
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)
TLC test detects chemical adulterants like Metanil Yellow.
Spectrophotometry
Spectrophotometry measures any kind of dye adulterants.
You don’t have to conduct these tests personally. There are many brands available in the market that publish laboratory reports to showcase the purity of their turmeric.
Ensure you verify those reports and the authenticity of the laboratory before trusting them.
Long-term health risks of adulterated turmeric consumption
The occasional consumption of adulterated turmeric shouldn’t be a problem. However, long-term exposure can lead to many health risks and can also harm your cognitive abilities and mobility over time.
Long-term consumption of Metanil Yellow leads to liver and kidney damage. Long-term consumption of Lead Chromate leads to serious diseases like anaemia and cognitive impairment.
Meanwhile, long-term consumption of starch fillers and sawdust can lead to digestive issues.
How to Buy Organic Turmeric Powder?
When buying turmeric, always go for brands that are open about their quality. A little research can save you from consuming something questionable.
You can check reviews and see if real people, not just brands, are talking about it.
Some health influencers even get products lab-tested just to help their audience so that those insights can be really helpful.
You can opt for organic turmeric powder, Himalayan Turmeric Powder, or High Curcumin Turmeric Powder, as they naturally retain the most benefits.
Also, hand-stone-grounded haldi is a great choice since it keeps more nutrients intact than machine-processed turmeric.
At Gyros Farm, we take purity seriously! Our high Curcumin, stone-grounded Haldi comes straight from the farms, free from any harmful adulterants, and lab-tested for quality.
Conclusion
In an era when people value money over other people’s health, it’s best to be cautious. Always check before buying.
If you are still unsure about the quality of your turmeric, you can follow the steps we mentioned, and you’ll be good.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Which turmeric has the highest curcumin?
Lakadong turmeric, grown in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, is famous for its rich curcumin content. While most turmeric varieties have just 2-4% curcumin, Lakadong packs a powerful 7-12%, making it one of the best choices for maximum health benefits.
Which adulterant is used in turmeric the most?
The most common turmeric adulteration involves Metanil Yellow, a synthetic dye used to enhance its yellow vibrancy.
Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5664031/