Indian festivals are a time for celebration and the exchange of traditional Indian sweets or mithai. However, there’s a growing concern about the purity and quality of mithai available in the market. So, ensuring the purity of your mithai can enhance your joy during the festival. By being mindful of the ingredients and sources, you can enjoy the delicious flavours of mithai without compromising on quality and authenticity.
The Possible Adulterants In Your Sweets:
Aman J Jain, who is the CEO & Co-founder of Doodhvale said, “The foundation of most mithai is khoya, also known as mawa in some parts of the country. However, all khoya are not the same. The mithai is not tasty and safe if the khoya is spoiled or adulterated. Sometimes, vendors with unscrupulous practices use poor-quality milk, artificial taste enhancers, non-dairy substances, chemicals, inappropriate storage, or poor processing techniques which can result in khoya that could be filled with contaminants and dangerous bacteria. Eating the mithai prepared using bad khoya may cause gastric issues, food poisoning, or other health-related concerns. Apart from spoiling the festivity, it is also a danger to our health.”
“Yet another worry associated with Diwali is adulterated ghee which is necessary in making the mithai. The sweets have a creamy texture as pure ghee has been used. Nevertheless, producers might add cheaper vegetable oils or lower grades of fat to the ghee in a bid to reduce costs. The adulterated ghee not only affects the taste and quality of mithai but also leads to various health problems. Such ghee, once consumed by people, may lead to health problems like cholesterol-related conditions. Consequently, ensuring that the ghee used in your Diwali mithai is pure and adulteration-free is important,” he added.
Laslty, he said that the introduction of dry chemical-dyed fruits in mithai preparation is becoming a new concern.
“Some manufacturers colour dry fruits with artificial dyes in a bid to make the sweets more appealing visually. The use of chemical dyes is problematic as they mask the natural colour of dried fruits and may potentially contain hazardous elements. Taking up such artificially colored dry fruits poses high chances of allergies and health complications. However, when it comes to Mithai as a Diwali treat, there are some challenges. It’s important to be cautious when buying or preparing them. Choose reliable and trustworthy providers whose products comply with the required safety standards. Furthermore, you can have your mithai done at home, using natural, pure, and unadulterated ingredients.”
Tips To Ensure that Your Mithai Is Truely Pure:
Here are some points to consider to ensure that your Diwali mithai is truly pure suggested by Dr. Nirupama Rao, who is a Nutritionist, at Rejua Energy Centre, Mumbai:
Malpua With Rabdi (By Chef Arjyo Banerjee, Vice President Culinary and Central Kitchen, Compass Group India)