PUNE: Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) officials initiated action against a milk processor
based in Satara district for alleged use of adulterants to prepare
toned milk. The action was taken based on a complaint by a city-based
activist.
The milk processor planned to introduce milk at very cheap rates in Pune's markets and was advertising vigorously to lure people to join him by making yearly payments. "The advertisement had appeared in almost all newspapers and offered to provide cow and buffalo milk throughout the year at very cheap rates if a consumer makes a one-time yearly payment," said activist Sandeep Khardekar, president of Creative Foundation. "The advertisement seemed suspicious, so I complained to state FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade, following which officials conducted raids and found adulterants in the form of whey modified powder at the plant in Javali taluka in Satara district," Khardekar added.
Assistant commissioner (food) of FDA, Satara, Sampat Deshmukh said, "We conducted raids on Shree Raj Milk and Milk Products on March 4. We found modified whey powder at the site, which the processor was using to maintain the SNF (solid-not-fat) ratio in toned milk. We took samples and destroyed 1,498 litres of toned milk worth Rs 28,562 and four bags of modified whey powder worth Rs 10,000." The action was initiated under section 3, 37, 38 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Deshmukh added. "We have sent the milk samples for laboratory tests. The report is expected to be ready within 14 days.
Further action will be taken as per the laboratory reports. If anything hazardous to health is found in the milk, we will file a criminal case. If the milk is found to be substandard but otherwise not harmful for human consumption, we will impose a penalty," Deshmukh said. Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division said, "People should use their discretion while reading such advertisements which are often misleading. Citizens can contact our office for any doubts."
The milk processor planned to introduce milk at very cheap rates in Pune's markets and was advertising vigorously to lure people to join him by making yearly payments. "The advertisement had appeared in almost all newspapers and offered to provide cow and buffalo milk throughout the year at very cheap rates if a consumer makes a one-time yearly payment," said activist Sandeep Khardekar, president of Creative Foundation. "The advertisement seemed suspicious, so I complained to state FDA commissioner Mahesh Zagade, following which officials conducted raids and found adulterants in the form of whey modified powder at the plant in Javali taluka in Satara district," Khardekar added.
Assistant commissioner (food) of FDA, Satara, Sampat Deshmukh said, "We conducted raids on Shree Raj Milk and Milk Products on March 4. We found modified whey powder at the site, which the processor was using to maintain the SNF (solid-not-fat) ratio in toned milk. We took samples and destroyed 1,498 litres of toned milk worth Rs 28,562 and four bags of modified whey powder worth Rs 10,000." The action was initiated under section 3, 37, 38 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Deshmukh added. "We have sent the milk samples for laboratory tests. The report is expected to be ready within 14 days.
Further action will be taken as per the laboratory reports. If anything hazardous to health is found in the milk, we will file a criminal case. If the milk is found to be substandard but otherwise not harmful for human consumption, we will impose a penalty," Deshmukh said. Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division said, "People should use their discretion while reading such advertisements which are often misleading. Citizens can contact our office for any doubts."
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