How Real Is the Silver Leaf on Sweets? Bhaskar Probe Finds 99% Fake; FSSAI Standard, Home Tests to Identify It and How to Complain
Questions have been raised on the purity of sweets before Diwali. As per a Dainik Bhaskar report, in a lab test of the silver leaf on sweets like barfi and kaju katli in Rajasthan, 99% of the leaf was found fake. The report says aluminium and cadmium were found in silver leaf, while copper and zinc were found in leaf passed off as gold. As per the report, such adulteration may risk liver and kidney damage. This information is as per the Bhaskar report; we have not seen the full lab report.
What Was Found and What Is the Standard
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bhaskar probe (Rajasthan) | Aluminium and cadmium in silver leaf; copper and zinc in gold leaf; about 99% samples fake (as per report) |
| FSSAI standard | At least 99.9% (999/1000) pure silver in edible silver leaf; some reports say 99.99% |
| Harmful metals | There should be no adulteration of metals like aluminium, cadmium and nickel |
| Haribhoomi test in Raipur | Aluminium found in 2 of 5 brands of silver leaf; including packets of Rs 200 |
How to Identify at Home
- Rub a little of the leaf with your finger; real silver leaf disappears on rubbing, whereas aluminium leaf sticks to the finger or leaves marks.
- On gently heating or burning, real silver forms a small ball; fake or aluminium leaf turns black or brown and leaves ash.
- Real leaf is extremely thin and soft; fake leaf feels slightly thicker, rough and hard.
Precautions While Buying Sweets
- Buy sweets from a trusted, licensed shop and check the FSSAI licence number at the shop.
- If you doubt sweets with shiny leaf, choose sweets without leaf; the leaf is not necessary for health.
- Do not feed stained or doubtful sweets to children and the elderly.
Where to Complain
- Complain about suspicious sweets or leaf to the district food safety officer or the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) office.
- Complaints can also be filed through FSSAI's complaint facility (Food Safety Connect app and toll-free helpline); verify the number on the FSSAI website.
- Keep a photo of the shop, date, sweet and purchase receipt.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 99% of the leaf really fake?
This is the figure from the Dainik Bhaskar report; we have not seen the full lab report, so treat it as per the report only.
How pure should real silver leaf be?
As per FSSAI standard at least 99.9% pure silver, with no adulteration of aluminium, cadmium or nickel.
Where to complain?
To the district food safety officer, CMHO office or FSSAI's complaint facility.
Note: This is based on news reports and public government information. Dates, amounts and rules can change, so please confirm with the official website or the concerned office before acting. Emitrawala.com is not a government website.
