contaminated milk continues to be sold in
Maharashtra despite crack-down measures taken by authorities. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (fda),
had, in a study, found that 20 per cent of the milk is adulterated. Though the study prompted immediate action and licences of 21 dairies to be
suspended, yet, there is no respite.
In another study, the ngo Consumer Guidance Society of India (csgi) Mumbai, found that
over 37 per cent samples were either sub-standard or unfit for human consumption. "India produces a little over 105 million tonnes (mt) of milk annually and out of this Mumbai consumes 1.65 mt. Of that, 0.61 million tonnes is
substandard/adulterated," says Arvind Shenoy of cgsi.
The ngo picked up 27 samples from suburbs of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, of which 10 failed standards prescribed under
the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (see table Maharashtra's report card).
The
fda study, which has found urea (affects urinary system), starch and caustic soda (damages digestive tract) in the milk, says it is trying to
curb adulteration. "Of the 866 samples collected, 151 were found adulterated. We have initiated action against some dairies," says P R Uttarwar,
joint secretary (food), fda, Mumbai. And these samples, says Amitabh Chandra, former fda
commissioner, did not account for adulteration that takes place during milk transportation and distribution. ngos,
however, allege that officials accept regular bribes from gangs. They demand immediate action.
The problem is not restricted to just within the state. In 1999, Ahmedabad-based Consumer Education and Research Centre tested 28 brands of
packed milk and two samples of loose milk from Ambawadi and Ambica, local dairies. All the 30 brands failed in microbiological parameters specified by
the Bureau of Indian Standards. Most brands had coliform and EColi.
Twenty one samples failed fat content standards and four failed solid non-fat parameters. Perservatives were found in 12 samples and pesticide
residues in 27. Heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, cadmium and mercury were also found. Milk from Gujarat comes into
Maharashtra.
About two years ago, the state legislature had come with a proposal to make milk adulteration a non-bailable offence but it is still in the draft stage.
When Down To Earth contacted the dairy development department of the Maharashtra government, its general manager, V A Gaikwad,
passed on the buck to fda claiming milk adulteration has nothing to do with his department. And hence, adulteration
continues.
Also see News 'Politics behind Maharashtra's milk strike'
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