Jaggery or, also commonly known as Gurr, is considered the best alternative to white sugar however, more than often, headlines such as "adulterated jaggery has been seized" dominates our daily new. Despite its popularity and varying uses, it is one of the most commonly adulterated foods mixed with components like baking soda, washing soda or chalk powder. But now the food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shares how we can do a test at home to determine jaggery adulteration with baking soda. How To Do A Home Test?The home test can help you find out if your jaggery has been altered with baking soda. Follow the steps below: 1. Take one 1/4th of a teaspoon of crushed jaggery in a glass container or test tube.2. Now, add 3 ml of HCL acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, in a container or test tube. 3. If you see bubbles are formed, your jaggery According to the agency, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) reacts with acid in the natural sweetener and releases carbon dioxide in the form of bubbles.FSSAI advises that while home tests can help identify basic forms of adulteration, they are not a substitute for laboratory testing. Only certified labs can conclusively determine the purity of jaggery and detect multiple adulterants at once. What Are The Side Effects Of Consuming Adulterated Jaggery?There are many side effects of consuming adulterated jaggery, as components such as baking soda or washing powder are highly alkaline. They may not affect one-time consumption, which can cause short-term health risks, such as: 1. Chemical burns in the mouth, throat, and stomach lining.2. Severe acidity3. VomitingLong-term health risks may involve: 1. Organ failure: Chronic ingestion of industrial dyes and soda puts extreme oxidative stress on the liver and kidneys, which are responsible for filtering these toxins. This can lead to permanent scarring (fibrosis).2. Hormonal imbalance: Reports from the FDA in 2025 noted that jaggery packaged in low-grade heated plastic releases phthalates and dioxins, which act as endocrine disruptors, affecting reproductive health.3. Hidden sugar spike: Since white sugar is a common adulterant, individuals with diabetes who consume jaggery as a "safe" alternative may experience life-threatening spikes in blood glucose levels.