Residents wary of spurious milk products

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 18

Residents were left fuming after they came to know that a milk chilling centre which had been sealed last year was once supplying spurious milk products in the city.

It is pertinent to mention that Singla Milk Chilling Centre in Devigarh was sealed last year after seizure of huge amount of spurious milk and milk products.

A resident asked how come a sealed unit could commence its operations without the knowledge of authorities concerned. He said the plant was located a few meters away from a police station.

According to sources, a dozen shop owners in the district and other parts of the state were under a scanner for buying spurious milk products from the said centre.

Sumrinder Sira, a Punjabi University professor, said, “This is equivalent to drugs. There is a sense of fear among people, who have started doubting each milk product. The authorities should take extreme steps to curb adulteration.”

The Health Department said they would conduct raids on sweet shops and dairies which were getting supply from the said plant. 

Patiala civil surgeon Harish Malhotra, said, “I will ask the District Health Officer to conduct raids on sweet shops and dairies in the city.”

He informed that the owner of the sealed centre has not applied for a licence to the Health Department.

The District Health Officer, Satinder, said they had collected eight samples from the said centre and sealed it again.

 The samples include milk, butter, desi ghee, paneer, skimmed milk powder, plastic soda and vinegar. The DHO said the samples have been sent to the state lab and they were waiting for the reports.

Factfile

• Singla Milk Chilling Centre in Devigarh was sealed last year after seizure of huge amount of spurious milk and milk products
• According to sources, a dozen shop owners in the district and other parts of the state were under a scanner for buying spurious milk products from the said centre
• The District Health Officer, Satinder, said they had collected eight samples from the said centre and sealed it again
• The samples include milk, butter, desi ghee, paneer, skimmed milk powder, plastic soda and vinegar