Diwali 2024: Indians everywhere are preparing for Diwali on October 31, 2024! It’s that time of year again when gifts are flying here and there, and everyone is indulging in endless rounds of festive food. And let’s be real, Diwali spread is not complete without a rainbow of traditional sweets! We’ve all been there: all self-control goes away the moment you see a pile of motichoor laddu or kaju katli. Before you know it, you’re deep into an unplanned plan Sweet Marathon!
from silk Khoya Barfi To pistachio-studded Pistachio BarfiThe variety is endless and unique. Sweet Shops? They’re bringing out the sweets at a rapid pace, barely able to hold back the stream of customers leaving with stacked boxes. But here’s a thought: Have you ever wondered what really goes into making these crowd-favorite recipes? With demand at an all-time high, some places may at least skimp on ingredients, or worse, resort to adulteration.
Anju Majeed, Senior Scientist and Director, Sami Labs, sheds some light on this. “Adulteration in sweets and adding artificial colors to make them more attractive has become a big concern, especially around Diwali,” she explains. “With such high demand, there is a real risk that your favorite sweets “Can be made with low quality flour, questionable fat or oil. And that can mean anything from stomach upset to outright food poisoning for those people.”
Diwali 2024: Here are 5 sweets you should be most careful of during the festival season, suggested by Anju Majeed:
1. Khoya Barfi
Most festive sweets are made from khoya, but here’s a caveat: it is one of the most adulterated ingredients in sweets. Rumor on the street is that some dubious sellers may add wheat or rice flour (starch) to khoya to increase its volume. So, even if you are planning to make sweets with khoya, make sure you check its purity. This can keep your dessert from being more starchy than sweet.
Also read: Diwali Detox 2024: The Ultimate 10-Day Reboot & Detox Diet Plan Before Diwali
Diwali 2024: Most of the sweets eaten during the festival are made from khoya.
2. Motichoor Laddus
According to Dr Saurabh Arora, director of Auriga Research and Arbro Pharmaceuticals, “Most people buy sweets and snacks that look delicious, which is why many sellers add bright colors – sometimes even unapproved ones – to make them more attractive. These artificial colors are often cheap, last long, and give a bright look to sweets like laddus.” He advises consumers to be cautious while buying festive items and trust only trusted sellers, especially in the case of sweets like Motichoor laddu, where quality can make all the difference.
Diwali 2024: These sellers use artificial colors as they are less expensive.
3. Kaju Katli
Kaju Katli features silver work Which enhances the appeal of this popular traditional sweet. According to Indian regulations, any silver used as a food item must be 99.9 percent pure. However, due to the high price of silver, some sellers may use aluminum foil that only looks like silver work. To avoid the potentially harmful effects of these counterfeits, it is a good idea to make Kaju Katli at home.
Also read: Diwali 2024: 5 quick snack recipes that will definitely brighten up your Diwali menu
Diwali 2024: It is good to make Kaju Katli at home to protect yourself from harmful effects.
4. Cashew Pista Roll
If you believe the sweets you’re eating are made with real pistachios and cashews, you might want to reconsider. Often, artificial or synthetic flavors are used instead. Since pistachios and cashews are expensive, manufacturers often opt for these alternatives to reduce costs and extend the shelf life of the dessert.
Diwali 2024: In this sweet they do not use dry fruits but only artificial flavours.
5. Paneer Barfi
The cheese used to make barfi may contain excessive cornstarch instead of milk extract, and in some cases, harmful chemicals or urea may be added. Therefore, it is important to buy paneer sweets from a reliable source or make it at home.
Although these are only a few sweets known to have high levels of adulteration, there are many other sweets prevalent in the market. Health experts recommend choosing homemade sweets that don’t require dairy products or alternatives like chocolate and nuts. Be cautious in your purchases and always buy Diwali sweets from reputable sellers.
