Overview
Start with the suspected change
Adulteration investigations are strongest when the question is specific: has a material been diluted, has an ingredient been substituted, or does the product match its declared identity? No single screen detects every possible adulterant.
Chem-Tech reviews the product, supplier or batch context, suspected issue and available reference information before confirming a focused analytical scope.
Investigation context
Products and authenticity concerns
Foods, ingredients and agricultural commodities
Composition and authenticity investigations
Product-specific adulterant or contaminant screening
Programme guidance
Define the evidence needed
Composition or identity
Compare relevant characteristics with the declared product and applicable specification.
Targeted screening
Look for an identified suspect substance or substitution using a suitable method for the matrix.
Supplier or batch investigation
Use documented sample identity and suitable reference material to support a defined comparison.
Programme guidance
Screening and confirmation
FSSAI's Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test (DART) resource is intended to support awareness and simple screening. A screening response is not equivalent to a validated quantitative laboratory method or proof of complete food safety.
Where an observation needs confirmation, agree the confirmatory method, reporting limit and interpretation before testing. Detection of a substance and a regulatory conformity decision are separate questions.
Programme guidance
Prepare an investigation sample
Provide the product declaration, ingredient information, lot identity and a description of the suspected issue.
Record how and where the sample was collected; retain the original packaging and relevant supplier records.
Discuss comparison or reference samples with the laboratory. Do not mix suspect and reference material.
Programme guidance
Reference documents
FSSAI regulations, amendments and product standards
FSSAI manuals of methods of analysis
FSSAI DART: household awareness and quick screening
Before dispatch
Sample-submission guidance
- Use a clean, secure and appropriately labelled container; agree sterile portions for microbiology.
- Provide the product name, ingredients, batch or lot, processing state, packaging and storage requirements.
- Share the target market, applicable product specification and testing objective. Confirm quantity, sample units and transport conditions before dispatch.
Technical output
Reporting and interpretation
Review results against the agreed product specification, sampling plan, batch identity and method. A report applies to the submitted sample and agreed scope; it does not certify every batch or guarantee complete food safety.
Explore the evidence
Related testing and practical guidance
Relevant analytical services
Technical reading
Product-specific pathways
Discuss your requirement
Plan your food-testing requirement
Share the product or facility, intended market and the decision you need to make. Our team will review the requirement and confirm the scope.