FSSAI has asked states and union territories to intensify surveillance across markets during the Navratri and Diwali festive period, with a focus on milk, khoa, paneer and ghee, and with mobile testing labs called Food Safety on Wheels, according to a September 2026 Omnicuris report. That directive tells you where the risk is: the products that go into most festive mithai.
This guide explains how to spot adulterated Diwali sweets and fake mawa, which simple home checks are worth doing, where those checks fall short, how to read a sweet box label, and how to report a problem. It draws on Omnicuris, The Better India, Restaurant India, Business Today and S.S. Rana’s note on FSSAI’s 2020 best before order.
Why Festive Sweets Are a Target for Adulteration
Demand for milk products rises sharply around Diwali, and that is why regulators focus on them. The Omnicuris report on FSSAI’s directive says regional commissioners were told to run targeted enforcement drives in market hotspots, with sampling outcomes recorded in real time on the FoSCoS portal. It lists milk, khoa, paneer and ghee as the focus products.
Restaurant India’s guide adds that a 2024 direction asked states and union territories to run special surveillance and enforcement drives for khoya, paneer, ghee, milk and sweets during the festive season. It also stresses that no checklist can prove a food is free from adulteration.
How to Check Fake Mawa and Khoya at Home
The Better India describes two simple checks for khoya, also called mawa. Neither is a laboratory test, so treat them as warning signs.
| Check | How to do it | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Iodine test for starch | Dissolve a teaspoon of khoya in hot water and add a few drops of iodine solution | Blue colour suggests starch has been added; no change suggests it is likely pure |
| Texture and smell | Rub a little between your fingers and smell it | Pure khoya feels grainy, leaves a greasy stain and smells of ghee; fake khoya feels pasty or dry with little aroma |
The Better India reports these checks without attributing them to FSSAI. Restaurant India also cautions against relying on viral videos or home tests for things like silver leaf, so use these tests only as a first filter.
Silver Varq, Detergent and Other Quick Checks
The Better India says that real silver foil should vanish into your skin when rubbed, while aluminium foil rolls into a small ball. It also suggests dissolving a piece of sweet in water and shaking it, noting that a foamy lather may indicate detergent, and that if unsure you should avoid eating the sweet and report it to local food safety authorities.
Restaurant India is more cautious, saying not to rely on viral videos or home tests for silver leaf and to buy from an established food business instead. The sensible approach is to treat any home test as a hint and to place more weight on the seller’s reputation and the label.
Signs a Sweet May Be Stale or Unsafe
The Better India notes that good mithai is soft, moist and uniform, while old or adulterated sweets are hard, sticky or crumbly. A musty or sour smell or a sour taste is a signal to stop eating.
| Sign | What to do |
|---|---|
| Sour or musty smell | Do not eat it |
| Hard, sticky or crumbly texture | Be suspicious, especially for milk sweets |
| Very bright colour | Do not judge safety by colour alone; ask whether permitted colours are used (Restaurant India) |
| Unclear storage or no date | Ask the seller or choose another shop |
Restaurant India says traditional milk based sweets can have a shelf life of only 1 to 4 days, so eat them quickly and store them as directed.
How to Read a Sweet Box Label
Business Today’s six label checks give a clear routine for packaged sweets. Check the expiry or use by date, look for the FSSAI licence or registration details and verify them on the Food Safety Connect app, read the exact wording of best before versus expiry, check ingredients and allergens, check storage instructions and keep the receipt, seller details and a photo of the label and batch number.
| Label check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Date marking | Shows how long the sweet is expected to be suitable |
| FSSAI licence or registration | Lets you verify the business |
| Best before versus use by | Different wording means different advice |
| Ingredients and allergens | Milk and nuts are common allergens |
| Storage instructions | The printed date assumes the storage conditions are followed |
| Receipt and batch photo | Helps if you need to complain |
For loose sweets, S.S. Rana’s note on an FSSAI order dated September 25, 2020 says food businesses must display a best before date on non-packaged sweets and their trays from October 1, 2020. Look for it at the counter.
How to Buy Safer Sweets This Diwali
| Tip | Source |
|---|---|
| Buy from a reputable, licensed shop | Business Today |
| Check that trays are covered and staff use clean utensils or tongs | Restaurant India |
| Do not let a big discount decide | Restaurant India |
| Look for an FSSAI hygiene rating, which uses a 1 to 5 star scale | Restaurant India |
| Buy milk sweets close to the date you will eat them | Restaurant India |
If you want to avoid the risk altogether, make a few sweets at home from ingredients you trust. Our guide to healthy snack recipes has lighter ideas that sit alongside them on a festive table.
What to Do If You Suspect Adulteration
Restaurant India notes that consumers can submit complaints through Food Safety Connect and have products tested through notified laboratories. Business Today advises keeping the receipt, seller details and photos of the label and batch number, and using the Food Safety Connect app to file and track grievances.
The Better India adds that if you are unsure about a sweet, you should avoid eating it and report it to local food safety authorities. If you or a family member feel unwell after eating a sweet, seek medical care first and keep the packaging.
