FDA advises Diwali shoppers to rub silver varq between fingers to tell it from aluminium foil

Before picking up a box of sweets for Diwali, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants buyers to carry out a simple check to tell real silver leaf from aluminium foil. In an advisory issued on Thursday, November 5, the FDA said real silver leaf dissolves when rubbed between the fingers, while aluminium foil rolls into a small ball.

Demand for sweets, khoya, ghee and dry fruits rises sharply around Diwali, so the check may help buyers. The FDA has asked people to take special care when buying festive sweets and gift hampers, and to avoid adulterated goods, suspiciously cheap items and sweets showing signs of spoilage.

According to the advisory, sweets should be bought only from licensed or registered shops. A shop's credentials can be checked on the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal or on the food safety display board in the shop. Buyers should also ask that the bill carry the seller's FSSAI licence number.

People are advised to avoid brightly coloured sweets and choose those with little or no colour. They should ask the shopkeeper when the sweet was made and for how many days it can be kept. Milk-based sweets should be bought in small quantities, refrigerated and eaten within a day or two. Sweets with a sour smell, that are very sticky or that have mould should not be bought.

The FDA also asked people to be wary if khoya, ghee and dry fruits are being sold very cheap. Dry fruits should be checked for mould, insects, a damp smell and an artificial shine. For packaged ghee and edible oil, buyers should take sealed packs carrying FSSAI licence details.

Gift hampers are selling briskly. The FDA said buyers should not choose a hamper by its outer packing alone. Every product should show an expiry date, FSSAI licence details, a vegetarian or non-vegetarian mark and allergen information. Imported food products should carry the importer's name, address and FSSAI licence number. Those ordering from online shopping and quick commerce platforms should check the packing seal and expiry date on delivery. Damaged items or those close to expiry should be returned, and perishable food should arrive cold.

The FDA has directed sweet makers, dairy operators and farsan makers to use fresh raw material, stay away from banned adulterants and artificial colours, and keep proper refrigeration. Selling products made from analogue paneer or vegetable fat as real paneer, khoya or ghee, without clear identification, is prohibited. Food businesses have also been asked to display a valid FSSAI licence, keep their premises clean, employ trained food safety supervisors and source raw material only from licensed suppliers.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said: "Diwali is a festival of joy and our first priority is that every citizen gets safe food of standard quality during this festival. Adulteration or compromise on quality is not just a violation of the law, it is a compromise with the health of citizens." He added: "Our aim is not to harass those in the food business, but to build a culture of food safety and compliance. There will be no compromise at all on public health."

Complaints about suspicious food can be made to the FDA's toll-free helpline 18002223365 or on its complaints portal, https://complaints.mahafda.in.