How to Check Milk for Adulteration at Home
October 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Milk is one of the most commonly adulterated foods in India. A few kitchen checks can flag obvious problems. They are screening tests, not lab results, so treat a bad result as a reason to switch suppliers and get it tested.
Check for added water: the slope test
Put a drop of milk on a clean, tilted, polished surface. Pure milk flows slowly and leaves a white trail. Milk with a lot of water runs quickly and leaves little or no trail.
💡 Do this next to a known-good packet of milk so you have something to compare against.
Check for starch: the iodine test
Boil a little milk, let it cool, and add two or three drops of iodine tincture (from a chemist). If it turns blue, starch has probably been added to thicken watered-down milk.
Check for detergent: the shake test
Shake equal parts milk and water in a bottle. A little light foam is normal. Thick, lasting lather can be a sign of detergent.
What home tests can’t tell you
- They can’t detect urea, antibiotics, aflatoxin or most chemical preservatives reliably.
- A pass does not prove the milk is safe or fresh.
- Results vary with fat content, temperature and how carefully you test.
If you’re worried
- Switch to a sealed, branded packet with a FSSAI licence number and use-by date.
- Report suspected adulteration to your state food safety office or through FSSAI’s consumer channels.
- For certainty, get a sample tested at an accredited food lab.
FAQ
Is packet milk safer than loose milk?
Packet milk is processed, sealed and traceable to a licensed dairy, which lowers the risk. Loose milk varies much more between sellers.
Does boiling milk remove adulterants?
Boiling kills germs but doesn’t remove water, starch, detergent or chemicals.
Snap the milk packet and NutriSathi checks the label, licence and dates, and suggests better-rated options near you.
Try NutriSathi free →General information only, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your health.