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Recently, the Food Safety Department team raided a fenced boundary wall in Ajmer, Rajasthan. A factory for making adulterated jaggery was running there. The team recovered 9000 kg of jaggery and 30 bags of one kg each of Safolite, a substance mixed in jaggery, from the spot. Apart from this, barrels filled with rotten jaggery were also found, which were stinking.
The demand for jaggery is highest during the winter season. In such a situation, adulterators want to earn more by selling adulterated jaggery. Adulterated jaggery can be harmful to health. Therefore, before buying jaggery, it is very important to identify real and fake jaggery.
So let’s go today needed news I will learn how to identify real and fake jaggery. You will also learn that-
- What kind of adulteration can be there in fake jaggery?
- Can eating fake jaggery cause health problems?
Expert: Chaturbhuj Meena, State Food Analyst, Jharkhand
Dr. Amrita Mishra, Nutritionist and Dietetics (New Delhi)
Question- What kind of things do adulterators adulterate with jaggery to earn profit?
answer- Generally adulterators add things like calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate in fake jaggery. Calcium carbonate increases the weight of jaggery, while adding sodium bicarbonate improves the color of jaggery. Apart from this, sugar and a chemical called sepholite are mixed in jaggery. Safelite increases the shelf life of jaggery and it can be kept fresh for a longer period. Eating jaggery made from such chemicals can cause many health problems.
Question- How harmful is adulterated jaggery for our body?
answer- Apart from being tasty, jaggery is also very beneficial for the body. It is a good source of Vitamin C, iron, potassium and magnesium. This boosts immunity in the body. The body remains protected from cold, cough, flu and other diseases. However, all these benefits are available only when the jaggery is completely pure. It should not be adulterated with any kind of chemical. Instead of providing benefits, adulterated jaggery can cause serious diseases to the body.
See in the graphic below how harmful eating adulterated jaggery is for the body.
Question- What is the complete process of making real jaggery?
answer- Jaggery is made from sugarcane. Come, with the help of these points, let us know what is the entire process from harvesting sugarcane to making jaggery.
- First of all, sugarcane is cut and washed thoroughly.
- After this, sugarcane juice is extracted by putting it in the crusher installed in the jaggery factory.
- This juice is cleaned and filtered. Waste material is thrown away.
- In the next process, sugarcane juice is heated in a big vessel. The flame is kept low to boil the juice.
- After heating the juice, it is kept in an earthen vessel to increase its density. Due to this the color of jaggery changes.
- After this the jaggery is kept in a big vessel to cool.
- Jaggery solidifies when cooled. After this, it is shaped by putting it in different molds and sold in the market.
Question- How can we identify real and fake jaggery?
answer- Jaggery is a superfood which is rich in many nutrients.
But the jaggery sold in the market can also be adulterated, which can spoil your health. Therefore, it is important to identify jaggery before eating it.
Question- What are the benefits of eating jaggery in winter?
answer- Eating jaggery is very beneficial in the winter season. You can include this in your diet every day. Jaggery is generally known as a natural sweetener. It is processed much less than sugar, which retains its natural nutrients.
Consuming it regularly during winter season does not cause health problems like cough, cold, indigestion. Apart from this, there are many other benefits of eating jaggery. Understand this from the graphic below.
Question- How much jaggery should an adult eat in the winter season?
answer- Nutritionist and dietetics Dr. Amrita Mishra says that a healthy adult should consume about 10 to 15 grams of jaggery daily in winter. Consuming jaggery in more quantity than this can be harmful. This can also have negative effects on the body.
Question- Is eating jaggery beneficial for everyone?
answer- Dr. Amrita Mishra says that it is true that eating jaggery gives strength to the body, but in some health conditions, eating jaggery should be avoided. Such as-
Diabetes: Jaggery has high amount of sugar. Therefore, people who have diabetes should avoid eating jaggery. This may increase the blood sugar level.
Obese people: People suffering from obesity should also not eat jaggery. Actually, jaggery is high in calories, which can lead to weight gain.
People with allergies: Jaggery contains fructose. Fructose is a type of sugar, which can increase allergies.
People with digestive problems: Jaggery is high in fiber, which can be harmful for people with digestive problems.
Pregnant women: Pregnant women should not consume jaggery without doctor’s advice.
Heart and kidney patients: Jaggery is high in sugar and calories, which can be harmful for heart and kidney disease patients.
…………… Also read this news related to adulterated things Necessary news – Is there cow dung in your coffee: 30% food samples fail in test, adulteration poses a threat to health
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