Food adulteration causing concern, residents want checks on milk quality

A day after unearthing a unit manufacturing spurious desi ghee, people have urged the government to check the quality of milk being supplied to households and the stock available in the open market.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Rules (2011), all packaged foods—including milk—must carry a label that includes the brand name, nutritional information, storage instructions and shelf life. Yet, the share of loose milk is considerably high in the city.

The Public Adulteration Welfare Association found widespread adulteration a pressing issue, affecting items of essential daily consumption like milk, tea, cooking oil and medicines. While offenders continue to endanger public health, nearly 50 per cent of daily food consumption is reported as adulterated at an annual rate of 22 per cent, it found.

The Association found a significant increase in the number of patients suffering from ailments linked to adulterated food. Estimates suggested that 30 to 40 per cent of admissions were related to unsafe food products. A city resident Rajesh Mahajan says there has been a mushrooming growth in the number of private hospitals in each corner of the city. Similarly, shops, kiosks and carts serving ready-to-eat snacks and dairies dealing with milk products have surged remarkably. He sought strict laws to keep a tab on adulterated and sub-standard milk.

Transparency regarding FSSAI inspections and penalties, besides a review of laws to push for zero- tolerance towards adulteration, could lead to visible changes, he suggested.

Harminder Singh, an expert, said overlooking details like improper storage or negligence regarding shelf life can lead to quality deterioration and potential food safety issues.

To help consumers identify adulterated milk, Ludhiana-based Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) introduced a milk-testing kit. It detects five common adulterants—sugar, starch, urea, neutraliser and hydrogen peroxide. The kits are priced at Rs 224, Rs 448 and Rs 2,800 depending on the size.

In addition, consumers should also take active steps to store milk and all milk-based products in a refrigerator at temperatures below 5°C until consumption in their home.

Assistant Food Commissioner Rajinderpal Singh said his department did not come across any spurious milk in the city so far. He added that cases of substandard milk were seized and action was undertaken against the violators.