Food Adulteration Practices and Awareness among Urban consumers – A case study of Hyderabad city, Telangana, India

Overview & Synopsis

Food adulteration has become a global problem nowadays. Almost all food items are prone to adulteration intentionally or non-intentionally for various reasons like financial gain, increasing quantity, etc. In this study, we asked consumers about their understanding of food adulteration and authenticity, the types of adulterants they use, and their methods for detecting them at the household level. In Hyderabad, Telangana, India, a diverse group of respondents was asked to answer a self-designed questionnaire distributed online and offline. This study comprised 418 respondents. Findings reveal that while a significant portion of respondents 324, 77.5%) are aware of the issues, many lack knowledge about common adulterants and their specific health risks. 292 (69.9%) respondents reported that economic gain is the primary motivation for adulterating food. Among all food items, milk, turmeric, spices, oils, pulses, fruits, and vegetables are frequently adulterated. This study highlights the need for improved consumer education, stricter regulations, and effective enforcement to combat food adulteration and protect public health.