What is the term for altering a food product's appearance to seem of higher quality than it actually is?

The correct term for altering a food product's appearance to make it seem of higher quality than it actually is known as food adulteration. This practice typically involves adding inferior substances to a food product or enhancing its appearance in a deceptive manner to mislead consumers about its quality.

Food adulteration can manifest in various ways, such as adding colors to make food appear fresher, mixing lower-quality ingredients with higher-quality ones, or using artificial flavors to mask undesirable characteristics of a product. The intent behind adulteration is often financial gain by selling substandard products at a higher perceived value, which can have serious implications for consumer health and safety.

Understanding food adulteration is crucial for consumers, food scientists, and regulatory bodies as it helps in identifying unethical practices in the food industry and promoting transparency and safety in food consumption.