Food is said to be adulterated if it is deliberately spoiled or its quality is degraded when it is offered for sale, either by admixture, substitution by an inferior substance or by removal of a valuable substance. For instance,
1. It consists wholly or partially of any filthy, rotten, decomposed or diseased animal or vegetable substance.
2. It contains any harmful substance due to unhygienic processing.
3. It is coloured, flavoured, coated, powdered or polished to make it appealing or of greater value.
4. It is prepared, packed or stored in insanitary conditions.
One adulterant which might be present in arhar dal is Metanil yellow.
Two health hazards of Metanil yellow are as follows
1. It can cause abnormalities in the skin, eyes, bones and lungs.
2. It causes degeneration of the reproductive organs, leading to sterility.
