Adulteration

Adulteration refers to the act of adding, removing, or mixing substances in a product, especially food and medicines, to increase quantity or improve appearance, often for financial gain. This practice can compromise the quality, safety, and authenticity of the product, potentially causing health risks to consumers. Common examples include diluting milk with water, adding harmful chemicals to preserve or enhance color, or mixing inferior ingredients to imitate higher-quality items. Regulatory authorities set standards and conduct checks to prevent adulteration, ensuring products are safe and genuine for consumers.