Spotting adulterated food at the bazar, and where to complain

Fish Fresh fish has clear, raised eyes, red gills, and flesh that springs back. Fish treated with formalin draws no flies, smells of little, and has pale gills. Fifteen minutes in salt water while washing removes some, not all.

Fruit Unnaturally shiny, all one colour, dry stalk on a fresh-looking fruit: signs of carbide or chemicals. Avoid fruit that arrives before its season.

Sweets and spices Sweets coloured with textile dye leave colour on the tongue; chilli and turmeric powder may carry brick dust or dye, and a pinch in water that bleeds colour is suspect. Buying whole spices and grinding at home is safest.

Oil No loose oil. Look for the production date and the BSTI mark on the bottle.

Complaints Food Safety Authority: 16155. Consumer rights: 16121. Government services: 333. Take a photo, note the shop and the time. To spread this at your own bazar, the "adulteration awareness day at a market" template is on this site.