Videos of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official Tukaram Mundhe crushing ladoos during inspections at sweet shops in Pune have attracted widespread attention online. The unusual method has prompted questions about whether squeezing a sweet can reveal its quality, freshness or possible adulteration. In the videos, Mundhe is seen rolling and pressing ladoos between his palms, breaking them open and examining their interiors. He also checks the residue left on his hands, apparently looking for signs of oil or artificial colouring. Although the technique may appear unconventional, examining a sweet’s texture and appearance can provide some immediate sensory clues. However, such observations are not a definitive test of food safety. The texture of a ladoo can offer clues about its preparation and consistency. A sweet that feels unusually greasy, crumbly, sticky or hard may warrant closer examination, particularly if its texture differs significantly from what is expected of that variety. The residue left on the hands may also indicate the presence of fats or oils. However, greasiness alone does not establish that a sweet contains adulterated or low-quality ingredients. Traditional ladoos may naturally contain ghee, oil or other fats. Breaking a ladoo open can help examine its colour and texture throughout. Unusual colouring, inconsistent appearance or an unexpected smell may raise questions about the product, but these signs cannot identify a specific adulterant. Food adulteration may involve substances that cannot be detected through sight, smell or touch. Laboratory testing and appropriate regulatory procedures are required to establish whether a product violates food safety standards. When purchasing sweets, consumers should look for clean and hygienic shops, properly stored products, fresh appearance and an absence of unusual odours. Packaged sweets should have appropriate labelling, including manufacturing and expiry or best-before information where applicable. Consumers should avoid sweets that appear spoiled, have unexpected colours or smells, or are being handled or stored unhygienically. The viral ladoo test highlights the importance of food inspections, but squeezing a sweet should be viewed as a preliminary observation—not a substitute for proper food testing.

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