Is the paneer in your bread pakora real? Doctor reveals truth about viral 'quality check' video of s

Описание: #Paneer #viral #news

can street food vendors be trusted with our health? Comment below what do you think?

in a recent viral video, content creator nikhil saini sparked curiosity and concern about the authenticity of paneer in bread pakoras sold by street food vendors. using an iodine tincture test, he aimed to determine whether the paneer used was genuine or adulterated with starch-based substitutes. but is this test reliable, and what does it really mean for our health?

adulterated street food can pose serious health risks to consumers, especially innocent people who may not be aware of the potential dangers. according to dr kiran soni, head of the department of nutrition and health at yatharth hospital greater noida, adulteration of food items is "very common and harmful" in many ways, as it may cause cancer, allergic reactions, and damage to our healthy gut microbiota.

in the video, nikhil rinses the paneer stuffed inside the bread pakora with lukewarm water before testing it with an iodine tincture. the moment he applies the solution, black patches appear on the paneer, raising questions about its authenticity. nikhil repeats the test on another sample, which he says is "real paneer" and unlike the first paneer piece taken from the pakora, this one shows no change in colour.

"look at this, notice the difference," he said in the video. "the real paneer hasn't changed colour at all, while the other one has turned completely black." in his caption, nikhil wrote in hindi, "those who eat bread pakora outside should be careful..."

but what does the iodine test really mean? dr soni explains that the iodine tincture test is a commonly used method to detect the presence of starch in food. when iodine comes into contact with starch, it turns dark blue or black. since pure paneer is made from milk proteins and does not naturally contain starch, an iodine test that results in a colour change could indicate the presence of synthetic or adulterated paneer.

however, dr soni cautions that the test is not foolproof. "some commercial paneer manufacturers may add starch to improve texture or increase weight," she says. "additionally, if the vendor coats the paneer in batter before frying, residual starch from the outer layer could influence the test results. therefore, a dark colour reaction does not automatically mean the paneer is entirely artificial — it could simply be mixed with starch."

so what can we do to ensure our health and safety when it comes to street food? dr soni advises consumers to rely on multiple verification methods rather than a single test. "authorities conduct more thorough laboratory tests to detect adulteration in dairy products," she says. "to ensure food safety, consumers should buy from trusted vendors and observe hygiene standards. while social media content helps spread awareness, it is crucial to interpret such tests cautiously before drawing conclusions."

if there are concerns about food quality, reporting suspected adulteration to food safety authorities remains the best course of action. as for nikhil's video, it has sparked an important conversation about food safety and adulteration. while it may not provide a definitive answer, it has raised awareness about the potential risks and encouraged consumers to be more vigilant about the food they eat.

note to readers: this article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.