Question

Arhar dal is washed with water. The water solution is yellow in color. To the same water solution, a few drops of HCI is added and the solution turns pink in colour. This indicates that the dal is adulterated with
1. Metanil yellow
2. Turmeric powder
3. Chrome yellow
4. Amaranth yellow

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Metanil yellow

Arhar dal is washed with water. The water solution is yellow in color. To the same water solution, a few drops of HCI is added and the solution turns pink in color. This indicates that the dal is adulterated with Metanil yellow.

Synthetic dyes such as Metanil yellow are used pulses look brighter which are injurious to health.

An intentional adulteration in pulses is mixing Kesari dal in arhar dal since Kesari dal is cheap and looks similar.

Pulses are also adulterated with coloring matter.

 

Sr.No	Dyes	Product
1.	Metanil yellow	Arhar dal
2.	Metanil yellow	Turmeric Powder
3.	Chrome yellow	Turmeric

 

1. Metanil yellow is a food colorant used extensively in various foods.
2. Metanil yellow is a yellow azo dye used extensively as a food colorant. It is made from diazotized metanilic acid and diphenylamine.
3. It is also used as an adulterant in different spices especially turmeric and regular Indian foods like pulses.
4. Metanil yellow belongs to the “non‑permitted” category of food color.
5. The presence of metanil yellow was found to be above the maximum permissible limits as provided in the prevention of food adulteration act of India.