Detergent in Milk, Dishwash Liquid in Candy: Food Adulteration Horror Stories in India Go Viral

Introduction

Food adulteration in India has recently come under the spotlight, thanks to disturbing revelations that have gone viral on social media. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has long warned of the dangers of food adulteration, which can lead to severe health complications. In a recent viral post, entrepreneur Ram Prasad shared his shocking experience of discovering that liquid detergent was being added to milk to make it frothier, raising concerns about the prevalence of unsafe practices in India’s food industry.

The Viral Story of Detergent in Milk
Ram Prasad, an entrepreneur in the detergent manufacturing industry, shared a shocking story on social media. While working at a large company, one of his sales executives revealed that customers were using liquid detergent to make milk look whiter and frothier. The revelation sent shockwaves through social media, garnering nearly five lakh views and sparking a conversation about food safety in India.According to Ram, his sales executive suggested that customers preferred detergents with a milder fragrance, as it didn’t interfere with their adulteration practices. Disturbed by this revelation, Ram stopped consuming lassi and yoghurt from the affected markets, sparking outrage about the prevalence of such practices.

Dishwash Liquid in Candy: Another Shocking Incident
Following Ram’s post, another user, Rocky Bhai, shared a similarly disturbing story involving food adulteration. A friend running a peanut candy factory discovered that a temporary cook was adding dishwash liquid to the raw mixture of candies. The cook’s use of dishwash liquid made the candies crisper and increased production volume, but it came at the cost of consumer health.Upon learning of this, the factory owner immediately fired the cook and discarded the adulterated stock of candies. Unfortunately, the factory had to shut down soon after. This story adds to the growing list of incidents highlighting the dangers of food adulteration in India.

The Health Hazards of Food Adulteration
Adulterating milk with detergent is not just a cosmetic alteration—it poses serious health risks. A 2012 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) confirmed that detergents were being mixed with milk in some parts of India. The ICMR also noted that detergents in milk could cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal issues, with long-term exposure leading to irreversible organ damage.In 2016, then Union Minister for Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan, revealed in the Lok Sabha that two out of three Indians consumed milk laced with dangerous adulterants like detergent, caustic soda, urea, and even paint. The issue of food adulteration continues to be a major challenge for India, as unscrupulous traders prioritize profit over public health.

The Spice Scandal: MDH and Everest Under Scrutiny
Food adulteration concerns are not limited to milk and candy. Popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest faced bans in Singapore and Hong Kong earlier this year due to quality concerns. Following these bans, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) launched an investigation into these companies, with penalties likely to follow for the production of “unsafe spices.”

Conclusion
The growing stories of food adulteration in India underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations and consumer awareness. Whether it’s detergent in milk or dishwash liquid in candy, these unsafe practices pose serious health risks and highlight the importance of food safety. As regulatory bodies like the FSSAI intensify their oversight, consumers must remain vigilant about the quality of the food they consume.

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