Will conduct surprise raids, FDA warns milk packaging units

On a mission to take stringent action against those involved in milk adulteration, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent letters to 350 milk packaging units in the state warning them of surprise raids.

“We wanted to caution the milk manufacturing units that we will not tolerate adulteration. The letter was sent to all owners of manufacturing units asking them to sensitise their people and ensure that no adulterants are added in milk — right from the processing unit until it reaches people’s doorstep,”  said Mahesh Zagade, FDA commissioner.The letter was issued on November 5.

“Milk is a primary source of nutrition for children. Therefore, it is even more important to keep a strict vigil on adulteration,” added Zagade.

“There will be no fixed time or date... we will have surprise checks throughout the year. We are increasing our manpower and infrastructure for the same.”

During the raids, the FDA will also check the milk fat content. “There have been news reports that animal fat and other fats are used to replace the milk fat. We will check the samples for actual milk fat content,” he added.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has reported that “milk adulterants have hazardous health effects”. Milk is commonly adulterated with water, detergent, urea, caustic soda and formalin.

“Adulterated milk just does not take away the nutritional value from a person, but at times causes diarrhoea and stomach infection,” said Dr Parizaad Gupte, gastroentologist, Jaslok Hospital.