Google Trends: Is your buckwheat flour adulterated? Dietitian shares 5 simple home tests to check – Health News

Google Trends: During the nine-day Navratri festival, the demand for sattvic foods increases as people look for vrat-friendly food alternatives like buckwheat flour, samvat rice, chestnut flour, makhana and other such options that are permitted while fasting.

A recent incident of buckwheat adulteration in north and north-west Delhi where nearly 400 people got hospitalised after consuming adulterated ‘kuttu ka atta’ or buckwheat flour sent shockwaves across the country. Buckwheat flour showed a high search trend on Google in India as people searched for the details of the unexpected incident.

Buckwheat flour became the top trends on Google after nearly 400 people fell ill after consuming it in Delhi (Image source: Google Trends)

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan said the FSSAI will investigate the matter thoroughly. “During the Navratri festival, kuttu ka atta is consumed widely. I want to assure that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will investigate the matter thoroughly,” the Minister was quoted by The Hindu.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh was quoted by The Hindu: “Around 370 patients have been admitted to BJRM Hospital. The Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs is probing the matter to find the source.”

Symptoms of buckwheat poisoning

The patients admitted to the hospital told The Hindu that they reported symptoms like rise in heartbeat, numbness in hands and legs, drop in blood pressure, vomiting etc.

“The hospital authorities informed us that patients had symptoms like nausea, weakness, low blood pressure, and some were vomiting multiple times after they had the flour on Monday,” Bhisham Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West), told The Hindu.

How to know that your buckwheat flour is adulterated

FSSAI last year had written to the food safety authorities of all states and UTs, warning them against the dangers of buckwheat flour adulteration.

The letter stated how some food business operators (FBOs) with an intention to increase their profits during festive season resort to adulteration or selling inferior quality foods. It also warned about the unsafe practices of poor storage and handling.

The note also cautioned about the food poisoning incidents that happen during festive season where the sale of old stock of buckwheat flour is rampant. The stale flour which may also be infested with fungus could lead to food poisoning.

How to detect buckwheat flour adulteration

Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, shared with Financial Express.com five simple home tests that can be done to check if the buckwheat flour is pure.

1. Adulteration in buckwheat flour can be found easily at home with the help of a glass of water. All you have to do is to add a spoon of flour to the water and wait for a few minutes. Pure buckwheat flour will slowly settle at the bottom, while adulterants like chalk powder or soapstone may float or make the water cloudy.
2. You can also perform the smell test by taking the flour between your fingers and smelling it. Pure buckwheat flour has a mild earthy smell. But if you sense a strong chemical or musty odour, it may be adulterated.
3. You can also taste a pinch of flour to know if there are any adulterants in the buckwheat flour. If it tastes slightly nutty, it’s fine but in case of any bitterness, grittiness, or unusual taste, it may contain impurities.
4. IF you still are not sure, rub some flour in your palm. If it feels too smooth or slippery, it could be mixed with soapstone powder or starch. Pure flour feels slightly grainy.
5. Perform the iodine test to known for sure whether or not your buckwheat flour is adulterated. Add a few drops of iodine solution to a small paste of the flour and water. If the paste turns blue-black, it means starch has been added. Pure buckwheat flour will not change colour.

Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before starting any diet or fitness routine. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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