Branded milk is safe, claim companies

NEW DELHI: While TOI's report about milk adulteration became a hot topic of discussion on Tuesday, major brands were at pains to clarify that the milk they supply is rigorously tested and completely safe. However, consumers, especially parents of young children, remained sceptical and said the report had put a question mark on an important nutritional component.

"I buy only branded milk and we need to know whether it is safe. My two sons, aged seven and three, drink milk twice a day. If they skip a meal, milk also fills the gap. But now I am not sure whether giving them milk is a good idea. How will I fulfil their protein requirements?" said Aditi Sharma, a homemaker.

TOI's report had cited Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that found 70% of the milk sampled in Delhi adulterated. Glucose and skimmed milk powder were reported as the main adulterants.

Throughout Tuesday, important dairy brands tried to dispel consumers' doubts. Amul, which has a very large market share in Delhi, claimed it tests milk at four stages from procurement to distribution.

"It's not clear from the study whether the samples were taken from branded or unbranded milk," said RS Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation that sells under the Amul name. He said milk is tested before procurement from farmers, on delivery at the factory, after processing and, lastly, before dispatch. "There is a reference to skimmed milk, too, but it is nothing but milk solids minus the water and moisture," added Sodhi.

Nestle India general manager Nowuram Kumaran said, "The quality of milk available in India is inconsistent and most of us cannot tell the difference. The reasons why milk could be adulterated vary and therefore we track milk across the supply chain".

While Mother Dairy and Britannia did not comment on the controversy, Devendra Shah, chairman of Gowardhan India, blamed middle men in the unorganized sector. "The report is absolutely true for milk available loose. Norms for checking milk quality are not stringent, which causes extensive addition of detergent and water."

Acknowledging rampant adulteration in loose milk, a family dairy owner, Jagdish Chandra, said, "I sell milk for Rs 42 a litre but retailers who buy from me sell it for Rs 32. They clearly dilute it with water. But I doubt they use detergent or urea". Chandra's dairy in Vasant Kunj supplies to households in Green Park, Safdarjung Enclave and nearby areas.

Shopkeepers who sell loose milk, paneer and khoya said demand for packaged milk had increased after adulteration rackets were unearthed in the last few years. "A few years ago, adulterators were caught mixing urea in milk at Humayunpur. People rarely buy loose milk these days," said Rajesh, a worker at a kirana and dairy store.

The change in buying pattern among educated people is understandable as the risks of drinking adulterated milk range from an upset stomach to cancer. Babies or children regularly given adulterated milk can develop a variety of health conditions. Paediatrician Dr Shekhar Vashisht told TOI an infant weaned on cattle milk may remain malnourished if the milk is diluted with water.

"Milk adulterated with urea will lead to vomiting, nausea and loose motions; detergents, vegetable fat and caustic soda can even lead to cancer in the long run. It can cause liver damage, heart problems and damage of the mucous membrane of the food pipe," said Vashisht.

On a reassuring note, companies claimed adulteration is not very common in winter as milk is available in plenty. "In winter, procurement of milk is very good, so chances of adulteration are reduced," said Sodhi. His company, GCMMF, procured 19% more milk in 2011.