- Detergent has been detected in numerous milk samples collected from across Maharashtra, according to an NDTV investigation inside a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratory.
- The FDA's findings emerged during live testing conducted by lab technicians, raising serious concerns about the quality and safety of milk reaching consumers.
- Many of the tested samples were found to contain detergent, a substance allegedly used by adulterators to make synthetic milk appear genuine.
- The crackdown on adulterated milk has led to price increases for sweet shops in Mumbai, with good quality milk rising between ₹2 and ₹5 a litre since last Saturday.
- The FDA's strict enforcement drive has resulted in the inspection of 360 establishments, leading to the seizure of 1,60,329 litres of adulterated milk worth ₹65.17 lakh.
- Health experts warn that detergent-adulterated milk can pose serious risks to consumers, potentially leading to food poisoning and damage to vital organs.
- To identify synthetic milk or detergent contamination, technicians use Bromocresol Purple Solution, which changes color when added to adulterated samples.
- In July, an FDA team conducted a raid in Maharashtra's Latur district, seizing around 7,500 litres of fake milk along with a large quantity of banned powder.
- The FDA's July 3 compliance order bars loose milk and requires pasteurised milk to be sold in sealed, labelled packaging.
The FDA's investigation into milk adulteration in Maharashtra has revealed alarming levels of detergent contamination, prompting a crackdown that has led to significant price increases in Mumbai's sweet shops.134
The FDA's findings emerged from live testing, where detergent was detected in numerous samples, raising serious concerns about consumer safety. Health experts warn that consuming detergent-adulterated milk can lead to severe health issues, including food poisoning and damage to vital organs.26
In response to the crackdown, which has seen the FDA inspect 360 establishments and seize over 1,60,329 litres of adulterated milk, prices for genuine milk products have surged. A sweet shop owner noted that the cost of quality milk has risen by Rs 2 to Rs 5 per litre since the FDA's intensified inspections began.5
The FDA's strict enforcement, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has drawn both praise and criticism. While some dairy farmers benefit from the crackdown, small vendors in Mumbai are struggling to adapt to new regulations requiring milk to be sold in packaged form rather than loose. Traders argue that the immediate implementation of these guidelines is impractical, as many lack the infrastructure for packaging.
Despite the challenges, demand for genuine milk products has increased, with reports of a 30-35% rise in sales of paneer and ghee. However, the supply remains tight, leading to concerns about the sustainability of prices and availability in the market.
As the FDA continues its inspections, the impact on both consumers and vendors will be closely monitored, with the hope that the crackdown will lead to safer milk supplies in Maharashtra.
“Over the past two months, the FDA has inspected 360 establishments, seized 1,60,329 litres of adulterated milk worth ₹65.17 lakh, and registered seven FIRs. Meanwhile, honest dairy farmers are seeing higher profits, with one farmer in Sangli now earning between ₹65 and ₹72 per litre for his buffalo milk.”
The Indian Express
