WHERE IS PURE MILK?

It is a shocking revelation in the news papers that 25% of the milk in the state of Maharashtra is adulterated at the dairy levels itself. This is besides possible adulteration at different other levels in the long chain of milk supply to the consumers. As usual, the government appoints committees involving dairy department, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and officials from Home ministry to look into the matter; high-level meetings are held and recommendations are made again and again.

It was found out that the milk adulteration is a small scale industry in itself. The chemicals used, besides water for adulteration are: starch, caustic soda, oil, sugar and even detergents! These chemicals are biologically dangerous. They can cause gastro-intestinal problems and even cancer. Not that the country does not have enough legislation to curb this menace. There are Food Adulteration Act-1954 and Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 to tackle such situations. But who cares? Government is only promoting one more small scale industry!