‘Even farmers adulterate milk’

Of all the perishable products in the Mumbai market, milk is perhaps one of the most adulterated.

The proof: In the past year, the Brihanmumbai division of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has carried out raids on 25 establishments in the city, which were involved in selling adulterated milk.

According to reputed milk manufacturers, the menace of adulteration has to be curbed at the production level.

Kapil Rajput, managing director of Dwarka Milk, says adulteration happens not just in cities; it’s also done by farmers. “Many farmers try to sell us their milk even if it does not meet the standards set by the state government.”

According to the standards, fat content in cow milk should be 3.5% and solid non-fat content (SNF) has to be 8.5%, whereas in buffalo milk, it is 6% and 9%, respectively. For standardised milk, it’s 4.5% and 8.5%.

“But areas such as Buldana or Amravati rarely supply such quality of milk. FDA has to curb this,” Rajput said.

According to some other milk manufacturers and officials, the anti-adulteration drive taken up by RR Patil during his tenure as deputy chief minister has to be done on a regular basis.

The manufacturers also pointed out that the officials at all the Mumbai entry check posts should be made more efficient. Rajput said the officials should be trained in milk testing.

“They should be provided testing kits prescribed by the National Dairy Development Board. Also, FDA should set up specific helplines for milk adulteration and should advertise them aggressively,” Rajput said.