How pure is the milk we get?

March 17, 2013 Random samples from milk vendors indicate water content exceeded 80% DIMAPUR, MARCH 16 (MExN): Long before KOMUL and later DIMUL happened, denizens of Dimapur were used to getting fresh milk provided by dairy farmers from across the border in Karbi-Anglong. Even after DIMUL hit the market with its toned milk, a good number of consumers continued the services of their trusted milkman from across the border, for their daily quota of milk.

The following report will however make consumers think twice before the next quota of creamy white liquid arrives from their favourite milkman. 

On March 15 and 16, a team of inspectors from the Food Safety Office, Dimapur conducted a survey-cum-raid of sorts by randomly checking the purity of milk coming from the unorganised sector, that is, mostly from villages in Karbi-Anglong running along the border with Dimapur.  It was discovered that the samples tested contained more water than actual milk. Thirty-one samples were collected and tested, using automatic milk analysers, from as many milk vendors. In most of the samples, water content exceeded 80 percent. 

The spot survey was carried out in five locations – Burma Camp, Hotel Tragopan junction, LRC colony, Golaghat Road and Dillai check-post. These are the routes through which the bulk of fresh milk from the unorganised sector enters the town. Unofficial estimates say that on average not less 7000 litres of milk enter urban Dimapur from this sector daily. 

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, addition of water to milk amounts to adulteration. The quality of whole milk is defined by fat content and other nutrients. To be certified wholesome, milk sourced from cows must contain no less than 3.5 percent of milk fat and 8.5 percent of solids-not-fat, shortened as SNF. SNF is primarily protein, carbohydrate, water-soluble vitamins and minerals. The accepted standard for buffalo milk is 5 percent fat and 9 percent SNF, while for toned milk it is 3 percent fat and 8.5 percent SNF. Except five, none of the samples tested during the survey met the prescribed standard for cow milk. The fat and SNF reading in most of the samples were almost negligible overwhelmed by the water content. The lowest reading was an appalling 0.2 percent fat and 0.7 percent SNF. 

That aside, there also comes the question, “How hygienic was the water mixed with the milk?” raising the concern of potential water-borne diseases and other maladies. Further, it was found that mixing powdered milk of inferior quality with fresh milk is another common practice of milk adulteration.