Milk impure

The article on the adulteration of milk (‘Being’ page – “The milk you drink could be laced with detergents”, June 4) is a matter of concern. One only hopes that the random milk samples tested in Delhi did not include samples supplied by government-run dairies. Milk remains the most vital nutritional food of the nation, especially for growing children, and there can be no compromise on its purity and safety standards. The government must conduct nationwide sample tests at all milk producing units in coordination with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the respective State governments. In an environment where we are already being slow poisoned by air and water pollution, chemicals in vegetables and food items, adulterated milk should not be allowed to sneak in as an additional toxin. There needs to be another pure and healthy white revolution.

A. Mohan, Chennai

It is a common knowledge that milk vendors often add water to the milk they supply to households. Adding water to milk — a means of bridging the gap between supply and demand — can be tolerated as it is harmless. But the extent to which the adulteration of milk has been found in the study conducted in Delhi shows that the health authorities concerned could be hand-in-glove with milk suppliers. They deserve exemplary punishment. The adulteration of milk or for that matter any food item should not be permitted.

A. Jainulabdeen, Chennai