Prayagraj: As festive demand pushes up the sale of sweets, khoya, ghee, milk and other food products, consumers in Prayagraj are being advised to look beyond appearance and taste while making purchases. Food safety officials say adulteration may not always be visible to the naked eye and while some suspected contamination can be identified through simple preliminary checks, confirmation in several cases requires laboratory examination.Food Safety and Drug Administration has been conducting inspections and collecting samples from markets and food establishments on the basis of its own surveillance as well as consumer complaints. Samples suspected of adulteration are sent to the department’s laboratory and action is taken according to the findings of the test report.The department has also deployed seven mobile vans across the district to create awareness among consumers and demonstrate basic checks for commonly adulterated food items. The vans operate in different areas on different days. Consumers can report suspected adulteration at the department’s Sadar tehsil office, following which food safety teams visit the location and collect samples. The identity of complainants is kept confidential.Assistant commissioner food safety, Deenanath Yadav, said, “Many inspections have also been conducted on the basis of complaints received from consumers. Wherever adulteration is found, action is taken against those responsible.”Consumers have also been given another safeguard from Oct 15, with use-by date labelling becoming mandatory for sweets. Food outlets are required to prominently display their food safety licence, while the licence number must be displayed at one or two places on the premises.BOXTips for consumers to check at homeSome preliminary checks can be carried out using simple methods, though laboratory examination remains necessary for confirmation. To check sweets for adulteration, heat them in water, filter the mixture and add hydrochloric acid; a purple colour indicates possible adulteration. Sugar dissolved in water may leave powder settling at the bottom if adulterated.Adding iodine to milk can show a blue streak in case of adulteration. Melted ghee or butter mixed with hydrochloric acid may turn red if adulterated, while adding iodine solution to khoya may produce a blue colour.Khoya is considered particularly vulnerable to adulteration, including with potato. Genuine khoya is generally smooth and has the characteristic smell of milk, while adulterated khoya may have a weaker milk aroma.A photograph of the spurious product is important when filing a complaint, while a purchase bill can provide additional evidence. However, officials said complaints can be considered even without a bill. In cases involving expired food, consumers should preserve the original packet or container, suggests the official.Check use-by date and licence: Since Oct 15, sweets are required to carry a use-by date. Consumers should check this information before buying sweets, particularly products that have been displayed for extended periods. Food sellers are also required to display their food safety licence at a clearly visible location. The licence number must be displayed at a minimum of one and a maximum of two places in the establishment.FSSAI guides for safer kitchens: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has prepared the Yellow Book and Pink Book to promote awareness about safe and nutritious food.Sneha Roy, a research scholar in Food Technology at Allahabad University, said the Yellow Book is aimed at schoolchildren. Its first and second parts provide age-appropriate guidance for children from classes 1 to 8 on safe food, nutritious eating and healthy habits.The Pink Book is designed as a household guide and covers buying food, proper storage, cooking and serving, management of leftovers and kitchen cleanliness.Where to report: Consumers can report suspected food adulteration through the toll-free number 18001805533. The chief food safety officer, Prayagraj, can also be contacted at 9454468711. Officials have advised consumers to provide details of the product, seller and available evidence so that the complaint can be investigated.