During Diwali, the demand for sweets increases significantly. Unfortunately, some sellers may use adulterated ingredients, such as synthetic milk, harmful colours, low-quality fats and contaminated raw materials. Consuming such sweets can cause food poisoning and other health problems.
1. How can adulterated sweets affect your health?
Adulterated or contaminated sweets may contain harmful chemicals, artificial colours, spoiled milk products or unsafe ingredients. These can irritate the digestive system and sometimes cause serious illness.
2. Common symptoms of food poisoning
Watch out for these warning signs after eating sweets:
- Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick or repeatedly throwing up.
- Stomach pain: Abdominal cramps or discomfort.
- Diarrhoea: Frequent loose or watery stools.
- Fever: A rise in body temperature due to infection.
- Weakness: Feeling unusually tired or dizzy.
- Dehydration: Dry mouth, excessive thirst and reduced urination.
3. When should you seek medical attention?
Consult a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent or getting worse. Seek immediate medical help if you experience:
- Blood in stools or vomit.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down.
- High fever.
- Signs of severe dehydration, confusion or fainting.
4. How to buy safe sweets this Diwali?
- Purchase sweets from trusted and licensed shops.
- Check FSSAI licence details where applicable.
- Avoid sweets with unusual colours, smells or textures.
- Check manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged products.
- Avoid sweets that are exposed to dust, flies or unhygienic surroundings.
- Store milk-based sweets in the refrigerator as recommended.
5. What should you do if you suspect food poisoning?
- Stop eating the suspected sweets.
- Drink safe water or ORS to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid self-medication, especially antibiotics.
- Preserve the remaining sweets and packaging if you suspect adulteration.
- Contact a healthcare professional for proper treatment.
Remember: Diwali is a festival of happiness, so don’t compromise your health for sweets. Buy from reliable sellers, check food quality and never ignore symptoms of food poisoning.
