MGP activists conduct a milk adulteration test in Vile Parle.
After the Supreme Court directed central and state governments to act against the menace of milk adulteration, the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) located in Vile Parle, has started campaigning in Maharashtra since June 2014, to spread awareness about it.
After it was found out that at least 68% of milk being supplied across India did not conform to standards set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, MGP tested around 700 samples, out of which at least 25% of the samples were adulterated with water. They also observed that around 5% of the samples were adulterated with sugar and urea to make the milk thick. Overall, more than 46% of the milk consumed by citizens is below the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the state.
MGP has set up camps to test the milk quality in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri in the past. In Mumbai, the areas where maximum number of milk adulteration has been reported are in Dharavi, Vakola, Mahim and Wadala. Shubhada Chaukar, member of the MGP’s Pure Milk -Our Right campaign, says, "We tested various kinds of milk packets, branded as well as unbranded ones, which were brought by people to the camp. In most of the cases, the milk was seen to be adulterated with water.”
The milk samples are tested by MGP in four ways. First, by inspecting the pouch or container, then checking its density-level using the lactometer, an electronic analyzer is used to check the percentage of fat, protein and water and finally a reagent kit is used to check for the presence of urea, sugar and starch. "The first method is the easiest way people can detect adulteration of milk at home. All they need to do is check 11 parameters on the milk pouch. We have circulated a small film on WhatsApp as well so that everybody has the right to check the quality of the milk they receive", said Chaukar.
Parameters to look out for when checking a milk pouch:
- The milk should be cold/room temperature
- Stitches should be zigzag and sealed
- Four corners should be pointing outwards
- Name and address of the manufacturer should be mentioned
- Net quantity should be written
- MRP must be visible
- Type of milk must be mentioned on the packet
- Expiry date must be mentioned
- FSSAI license number must been written on the packet
Four arrested in a milk adulteration racket in Borivali
The accused have been adulterating milk for last six months now
In a raid organised by the Borivali Police Station officers, on Thursday, four people have been caught adulterating milk. The raid was conducted near Leela Petrol Pump, Ram Mandir, Borivali (W), at around 8 am.
Out of the four people arrested, three are male and one is female. The accused have been identified as Ramesh Malaya Niman, 48, Sujata Ramesh Niman, 42, Ganesh Lingaya Golala, 30, and Saidul Somaya Shinjari, 35.
When iamin contacted Balsing Rajput, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), he said that his police team received information about the miscreants, two days prior. “We received information about four people involved in adulteration of milk. We had well-planned the raid and it was led by Avinash Gharge, assistant police inspector,” Rajput said. “When my team reached the spot to arrest them, they were already preparing 140 litre of milk from the existing 90 litre. We have sent samples to the FDA and are awaiting the final report,” he added.
According to Gharge, who led the raid, the gang has been adulterating milk for last six months now. Moreover, Sujata Ramesh Niman, the only woman member in the group, already has a criminal record in the past. “The racket is not very big. These miscreants earned nearly Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 on a daily basis. They also used polythene bags of several brands and sold the adulterated milk in them,” Gharge explained.
When contacted, Dr AR Khan, MBBS, said that consumption of adulterated milk is injurious to health. “Consumption of adulterated milk can have a bad affect on children, especially. The solution is the boil the milk and then consume. But this procedure will not just remove the bad bacteria but also the good ones. Ideally, this practice has to be stopped completely,” Khan said.
Rajput has requested citizens to report to the nearest police stations or FDA (Food and Drug Administration) directly, if similar cases are suspected in the vicinity.
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