Over 68% milk, products adulterated, says expert

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 5

More than 68 per cent of the milk and milk products sold in our country is not as per the standards laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Mohan Singh Ahluwalia, member, Animal Welfare Board of India, said this while chairing a meeting of the heads of different departments at the Circuit House here on Wednesday. He said 68.7 per cent milk and milk products were adulterated. In fact, the figures were more alarming as per the report of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology that states that 89.2 per cent of milk and milk products sold in India was adulterated in one form or the other.

He said adulteration in milk was more in the Northern states as compared to the southern states.

He said the most common adulterants were detergent, caustic soda, glucose, white paint and refined oil. These are considered hazardous as they can be the leading cause of some serious health problems. He said the National Survey on Milk Adulteration had also conducted a survey some years ago and found that due to lack of hygiene and sanitation in handling and packaging, detergents used to wash containers and other surfaces, find their way into milk. However, detergent and other contaminants like urea, starch, glucose, and formalin are also used to deliberately adulterate milk, as they provide thickness and preserve the milk for longer periods.

He said adulterants were hazardous and can cause irreversible damage to organs.