Before you eat your next mithai with chandi varak, read this doctor's warning

Occasional consumption of contaminated foil on sweets may not be harmful, but regular consumption could increase the risk of heavy metal exposure. Dr Anil Arora of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital explains how contaminated foil may affect the brain, kidneys and liver over time.Think that shiny foil on your mithai is pure silver? Doctor explains the riskChandi varak, the thin shiny foil commonly placed on Indian sweets, is often associated with traditional sweets and festive celebrations. While the foil used on sweets may be pure silver, concerns can arise when the material is contaminated with other metals. According to Dr Anil Arora, Chairperson, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, occasional consumption of contaminated foil may not be enough to cause harm, but regular consumption over a long period could pose a risk if the foil contains heavy metals.The doctor explained that genuine silver foil is made from very pure silver and is typically a very thin film. He said such foil is required to meet food safety standards and be confirmed as safe for human consumption. However, the concern arises when what is being presented as silver foil is contaminated with metals such as aluminium, arsenic or cadmium.Dr Arora said that continued consumption of sweets covered with contaminated foil could potentially lead to heavy metal poisoning. Such exposure may affect major organs, including the brain, kidneys and liver. He stressed that eating contaminated foil once in a while is not necessarily enough to cause such effects, with the concern being more relevant to long term and repeated consumption.WHAT IS THE CONCERN WITH CHANDI VARAK?According to Dr Arora, the foil placed on sweets may be pure silver, which can be 99.9% silver. It is generally made into an extremely thin film for use on food. The concern is when the foil becomes contaminated with other metals. He specifically mentioned aluminium, arsenic and cadmium as metals that can contaminate what is being used as silver foil. If such contamination is present and the foil is consumed repeatedly over a long period, there may be a risk of heavy metal poisoning.The doctor said this exposure could potentially have harmful effects on organs such as the brain, kidneys and liver.OCCASIONAL CONSUMPTION MAY NOT BE HARMFUL Dr Arora made a distinction between occasional consumption and regular, long-term consumption. He said consuming contaminated foil once in a while it is not enough to necessarily cause harm.However, the concern increases when people regularly consume sweets carrying contaminated foil. Repeated exposure over time could increase the risk associated with heavy metals that may be present in the foil.This is particularly relevant because sweets are commonly consumed during festivals, celebrations and other occasions, making chandi varak a familiar part of Indian food culture.HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE FOIL?Dr Arora said consumers may find it difficult to distinguish between genuine silver foil and contaminated material simply by looking at the sweet.He explained that genuine silver foil is generally thin, very shiny and extremely light. A blackish or visibly contaminated film, according to him, may be more likely to indicate contamination with aluminium.However, he also pointed out that it is not easy for an ordinary consumer to determine whether the foil used on a sweet is genuine silver or contaminated material.FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITIES HAVE A ROLEDr Arora said food safety authorities have an important role in preventing contaminated foil from being used on sweets. Since consumers may not be able to identify the difference between genuine silver foil and contaminated foil themselves, ensuring the safety of the material used on food is important.He said it is the duty of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to prevent contaminated film from being used on sweets.The concern, therefore, is not simply about whether people eat the foil once or occasionally. The bigger issue is repeated consumption of sweets carrying foil that may be contaminated with heavy metals.LONG TERM EXPOSURE IS THE MAIN CONCERNThe key message from Dr Arora is that occasional consumption of contaminated foil should not be confused with repeated exposure over a long period. While a single or occasional instance may not be enough to cause heavy metal poisoning, continued consumption could pose a greater concern if the foil contains harmful metals.With consumers often unable to verify the composition of the foil themselves, the responsibility of ensuring that the material placed on sweets is safe becomes even more important.For consumers, the advice is to be aware of the quality of sweets and the material used on them, while food safety authorities and manufacturers have a role in ensuring that the foil used for food is safe for consumption.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 09:59 IST