Are spices in your kitchen FAKE? 7 dodgy seasonings to look out for

Spices including black pepper, turmeric, and chilli powder could be faked.

Spices are often produced only in specific regions, are extremely expensive for their weight, and are generally sold as highly pigmented powders.

Some fraudulent flavourings even contain chemicals that could increase your risk of cancer or lead to fatal allergic reactions.

Study by European Commission found 17 per cent of all the herbs and spices tested contained suspicious adulteration.

Out of the 421 samples tested by the European Commission , 70 were found to have been bulked out with rice, grains, 'non-declared plant material', and even ash.

Some dodgy producers will contaminate their products with similar-looking alternatives, including dried berries and papaya seeds.

Dr McGraph warns that at-home testing for this form of contamination is largely impossible.

Studies have found that turmeric powder often contains yellow chalk.

This doesn't affect the taste or the appearance of the spice so is difficult to detect.

In the US the majority of spice sold under the name 'cinnamon' is cassia bark from the Cinnamomum aromaticum tree.