CONSUMERS FRONT: ANTI-ADULTERATION TIPS

12.0 CONSUMERS FRONT: ANTI-ADULTERATION TIPS

Consumers are the sufferers of this malpractice. Any quality conscious consumer has the right to be assured of the quality of the products and if he desires he can get his sample checked for adulteration. Some easy and important checks can be conducted at the retail outlet for MS/HSD: -

Filter Paper Test: For MS. First the mouth of nozzle is cleaned to remove stains. Then, a drop of petrol is put on the filter paper from the nozzle. The petrol dropped on the filter paper is allowed to evaporate for 2 minutes. The petrol should evaporate without leaving any stain on the filter paper. If the colour left on the paper is pinkish, it is the colour of MS and not a stain. Dealers are expected to provide filter paper to customers on demand.

Density test: This is a very simple test for both MS and HSD. This test takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Product is taken in a glass jar and then a Hydrometer (separate Hydrometers for MS and HSD) available with the dealer is immersed in the product. A Thermometer is also immersed into the product jar simultaneously without touching the walls of the jar. The readings of Thermometer and Hydrometer are taken. Then, with the help of a conversion chart, the density is converted to 150C and this is compared with the recorded density/reference density, which can be seen from the density register maintained by the dealer. If the variation between the observed density and recorded/ reference density is within + 0.0030, then the product density can be considered to be correct. If the difference is more than + 0.0030, then it indicates possibility of adulteration.

Water contamination checks: For both MS and HSD can be done with the help of a dip rod and water finding paste, available with the dealer.

In case of lubricants: the customer must check the seal of container, date of manufacture and name of the manufacturer. For convenience of 2/3 wheelers, Retail Outlets provide 2-T dispensers/2-T mix dispensing units and also keep tamper proof 2-T pouches.