Hack of the day: How to identify fake or adulterated milk at home

Milk is a staple in many Indian households, poured into morning chai, stirred into kheer, curdled into dahi and used in countless meals. Today's hack of the day is aimed towards mounting concerns over adulteration—like dilution with water, additives, or synthetic ingredients—knowing whether the milk you buy is pure matters for your family’s health. FSSAI and food safety experts say simple at-home tests can help you spot most common adulterants without any lab equipment.

Adulterated milk often looks just as white and fresh as pure milk, but it may contain added water, detergent, starch, urea, or synthetic solids that mask inferior quality and increase quantity. Regular consumption of such milk may harm digestion, strain organs and reduce nutritional value, especially for children and the elderly.

Easy Home Tests to Check Milk Purity

Water dilution test: Pour a drop of milk on a clean slanted surface like a steel plate or glass. Pure milk moves slowly and leaves a white trail; diluted milk runs off quickly without a mark.


Boiling and malai test: Boil a little milk and let it cool. Pure milk typically forms a thin layer of cream (malai). Milk with heavy dilution or additives may boil over too fast, froth abnormally, or form little to no cream.

Detergent/foam test: Mix equal parts milk and water in a bottle and shake. Pure milk forms minimal foam that settles quickly. Persistent, thick foam suggests detergent or synthetic additives.

Iodine (starch) test: Add 2-3 drops of iodine solution to cooled boiled milk. A blue colour change indicates added starch.

Urea test: Mix equal parts milk and water, then add red litmus paper; if it turns blue, it may indicate high urea content.

What to Do if You Suspect Adulteration

Always buy milk from licensed dairies or reputable brands that display a valid FSSAI licence number. If home tests raise concerns, you can report suspected adulteration to local food safety authorities or through the FSSAI Food Safety Connect app.

(With TOI inputs)