After ORS and paneer, fake garlic penetrates the market; here are some tips to detect

Fake items continue to penetrate the Indian market. After imitation ORS, paneer, and butter, a case of fake garlic has come to light in Maharashtra’s Akola district.

According to o a report by Zee 24 Taas, Subhash Patil, a retired police officer’s wife was cheated with garlic made of cement. It added that Patil’s wife purchased 250 grams of garlic from a vendor, and upon being unable to peel it, she tried to cut the garlic only to find cement with a white coating on the outside. In a video, Patil said that fake garlic is being sold by a street vendor who is misleading consumers and potentially harming public health.

It must be noted that garlic prices have surged from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kg.

Taking a cue from the shocking incident, we reached out to an expert to know ways to stay safe when buying vegetables like garlic.

Visually, real garlic has irregularly shaped cloves with a thin, papery skin that peels easily, while fake garlic may have uniform, overly smooth cloves, and thicker, harder-to-remove skin, said Dr Haricharan G, senior consultant physician, HoD internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospitals, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad.

Is your garlic fake? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

The aroma of genuine garlic is strong and pungent, whereas fake garlic might lack this characteristic scent or have an artificial smell.

“Additionally, real garlic feels dense and firm, and when placed in water, it sinks—unlike fake garlic, which may float due to its synthetic composition,” said Dr Haricharan.

From a health perspective, fake garlic poses significant risks. “It often contains synthetic materials or harmful chemicals that can lead to digestive issues, allergic reactions, or long-term toxicity,” shared Dr Haricharan.

Consuming fake garlic also means missing out on the natural health benefits of real garlic, such as its immune-boosting properties and cardiovascular benefits. “Over time, exposure to chemicals in counterfeit garlic could potentially increase the risk of chronic health problems, including cancer,” said Dr Haricharan.

Therefore, it’s crucial to be vigilant when purchasing garlic, ensuring it’s sourced from reputable suppliers to protect both culinary quality and overall health.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.