Question

Explain the term adulteration.

Answer 1

Adulteration refers to the deliberate act of lowering the quality or contaminating a food product by adding impurities, inferior-quality substances, or unauthorised additives. It is generally done to obtain economic benefits, reduce the cost of production, or increase the quantity of a product. Adulteration affects the quality, safety, and originality of food products and is considered an illegal practice in many countries. Examples of food adulteration include mixing water with milk, adding artificial colours to spices, or replacing costly ingredients with cheaper alternatives.