Spotya! Cash Advance brings you part 6 of the food fraud series which covers the topic of spices. One of he larger spice fraud opportunities is with expensive spices that are purchased in small amounts, such as saffron. Saffron gets used in such small doses that it is unlikely that an average person would know the difference. Other spices that are found in the top spices used in fraud are vanilla extract, Tumeric, star anise, paprika and chile powder. Some of the swaps can be dangerous. For example, Japanese star anise is toxic, and could be substituted for the Chinese version. The adulteration of spices is more normally found with reusing ones that have all ready be processed for their extracts, or using flavorless left over spices that might be used and sold as paprika, to take its place.
You will want to keep away from purchasing spices at open markets or bulk bins where the origin is not labeled. Once again, labeling is an important tool to use in determining what products to buy in order to safe guard your money.
