Oct 22, 2017

Every milk sample analysed in Telangana perfect? Doubtful FSSAI orders re-survey

HYDERABAD: Disbelief over the results of Telangana's Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), which found all 52 milk samples collected from Hyderabad and Warangal during the recent countrywide 'Milk Quality Survey' to be of standard quality, has prompted the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to order a rapid resurvey.
FSSAI has conducted a National Milk Quality Survey in 2016-17, covering 110 cities in 32 states and union territories. More than 1,700 samples were analysed qualitatively for 14 adulterants, Fat and SolidNot-Fat (SNF) content.
"We do not believe the results from the states, including Telangana, that have shown 100% compliance. That's why we haven't declared the results yet. Some states have shown 0% compliance while others showed 100% compliance with FSSAI standards. We can't conclude the survey based on these results. We are going for re-sampling and a snapshot survey. The resampling is already being dotime, we are looking for a third party survey as the state labs are not equipped to check the presence of pesticides and antibiotics in the milk," Dr Monica Puniya said.
In the initial survey, Telangana officials had lifted 52 samples, including 42 from Hyderabad and 11 from Warangal. They insist that the samples were of prescribed standards.
"All 52 samples are within the FSSAI standards for all 13 parameters. In one or two samples, there was a minor variation in SNF. We haven't found bacteria in any of the samples. We have submitted a report to Delhi. FSSAI has informed us orally that a rapid resurvey has been ordered in certain states," Telangana deputy food controller, J Laxmaiah, said.
"However, in routine sampling, we are getting certain sub-standard samples with SNF in districts. But we haven't found any case of synthetic milk," he added.
samples will be taken for a qualitative study to find traces of 13 adulterants, along with pesticides and antibiotic residues. "Henceforth, the milk quality survey will be on a regular basis like other commodities. We have received complaints from certain states that during festive seasons, milk adulteration is rampant. This ne. We will analyse and conclude in one or two months," Dr Monica Puniya, assistant director of FSSAI, told TOI. Neutralisers and urea are some of the common adulterants found in milk samples, Puniya added.
Apart from a resurvey in Telangana, FSSAI is also doing another round of nationwide study. This time, 8,000 samples will be taken for a qualitative study to find traces of 13 adulterants, along with pesticides and antibiotic residues.
"Henceforth, the milk quality survey will be on a regular basis like other commodities. We have received complaints from certain states that during festive seasons, milk adulteration is rampant. This time, we are looking for a third party survey as the state labs are not equipped to check the presence of pesticides and antibiotics in the milk," Dr Monica Puniya said.
In the initial survey, Telangana officials had lifted 52 samples, including 42 from Hyderabad and 11 from Warangal. They insist that the samples were of prescribed standards.
"All 52 samples are within the FSSAI standards for all 13 parameters. In one or two samples, there was a minor variation in SNF. We haven't found bacteria in any of the samples. We have submitted a report to Delhi. FSSAI has informed us orally that a rapid resurvey has been ordered in certain states," Telangana deputy food controller, J Laxmaiah, said.
"However, in routine sampling, we are getting certain sub-standard samples with SNF in districts. But we haven't found any case of synthetic milk," he added.

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